Mullvad vs. NordVPN: Which Fits the Way You Go Online?
A VPN subscription can cover a quiet evening on one laptop or a household full of screens. Mullvad and NordVPN both protect your connection, but they offer different ways to handle everything around it, from signing up to settling in for a film.
Mullvad starts with a numbered account and a flat monthly price. NordVPN brings streaming assistance and optional security upgrades into the mix, giving us plenty to compare beyond the encrypted connection.
Mullvad vs. NordVPN: Quick Comparison
| Feature | NordVPN | Mullvad |
|---|---|---|
| Streaming | Automatic SmartPlay | No dedicated streaming feature advertised |
| Devices at once | 10 | 5 |
| Fast connection option | NordLynx, based on WireGuard | WireGuard |
| Kill switch | Supported apps; not Fire TV | Built-in connection blocking |
| Split tunneling | Windows and Android app exclusions | Windows, macOS 13+, Linux, Android |
| Ad blocking | DNS filtering; eligible desktop upgrades | DNS content blockers |
Features vary by app and plan; NordVPN's Linux exclusions use port and subnet rules. Streaming tools can help with access, but neither service can guarantee that a streaming platform will accept its connection.
What Both VPNs Do Well
Both encrypt covered traffic between your device and a VPN server, then show websites the server's public IP address. Your local network and ISP can see the VPN connection, but have less visibility into the destinations carried through it.
The VPN provider forwards that traffic, so its privacy practices matter. HTTPS still protects secure website contents beyond the VPN server; logging into a website can identify you regardless of which VPN you use.
Both providers publish evidence about their security practices. NordVPN describes its independent no-logs assessments, while Mullvad provides open-source apps and external security audits.
Those reviews cover particular systems and periods, rather than every future connection. Account and payment records are also separate from browsing activity logs.
For everyday performance, Mullvad uses WireGuard and NordVPN offers NordLynx, built around WireGuard. Both give you a modern connection option without needing to understand its technical details.
Speed and gaming responsiveness depend on your connection, device, and server location. A nearby server is a sensible starting point; the protocol name alone doesn't establish which service will be faster for you.
Where NordVPN Has the Advantage
More Room for Your Devices
NordVPN supports ten simultaneous connections, compared with Mullvad's five-device allowance. That leaves more room for phones, computers, and televisions sharing a subscription.
Five may comfortably cover one person. If several people will use the VPN, NordVPN's extra capacity is a benefit you can count before you buy.
Streaming Assistance That Runs Automatically
NordVPN's SmartPlay works automatically when you connect through its apps. There isn't a separate streaming setup to maintain, which makes it an appealing feature for everyday viewing.
Mullvad can carry video traffic, but its published features focus on privacy controls rather than dedicated streaming assistance. We'd favor NordVPN when watching shows is a major reason for buying the subscription.
Optional Protection for Browsing and Downloads
Both services offer DNS filtering to block selected advertising, tracking, and unsafe domains. NordVPN also offers eligible upgrades with download scanning and more detailed browsing protection on Windows and supported direct-download macOS apps.
Those advanced desktop tools can work without an active VPN connection. That's useful if you want help checking links and downloads throughout the day, though the upgrade isn't included in every plan.
Where Mullvad Makes a Strong Case
Mullvad's numbered account system lets you sign up without providing a name or email address. You add time to the account and use its number to log in.
That makes Mullvad especially appealing when keeping signup details to a minimum is your priority. Store the number securely, and remember that payment methods and support requests can still involve personal information.
Mullvad also includes multihop and tools designed to make traffic analysis harder. These are meaningful options for readers who want more control over connection privacy without choosing a security bundle.
Its split tunneling supports app exclusions on Windows, supported macOS versions, Linux, and Android. That's handy when an app needs your ordinary connection, although excluded traffic travels outside the VPN tunnel.
Router Coverage Is an Option Too
A compatible VPN router can cover a console or another device without a suitable app. The GL.iNet Flint 2 supports WireGuard and OpenVPN profiles, letting selected devices share a VPN connection through the router.
- Pairs Wi-Fi 6 and dual 2.5-gigabit ports with enough capacity for a device-heavy household
- Runs WireGuard and OpenVPN directly on the router so compatible devices can share one VPN policy
- Supports AdGuard Home and OpenWrt customization, with an initial firmware update recommended
Use Mullvad's current WireGuard configuration or NordVPN's documented setup for your router firmware. Network coverage doesn't reproduce every feature in a desktop app, so keep app-only protections in mind when choosing how to connect.
Which Subscription Is Better Value?
Mullvad's standard price is €5 per month, whether you add one month or a longer period. It's an attractive approach if you want predictable pricing without a long introductory commitment.
NordVPN offers different subscription lengths and security tiers. Compare the full upfront charge and renewal terms, then check whether the plan includes the desktop extras you want.
The core NordVPN subscription already includes ten connections and SmartPlay. You don't need the highest tier to get those benefits, which makes the basic VPN a sensible starting point for a household.
Our Verdict: NordVPN
NordVPN is our pick for broader everyday use. Its ten connections and automatic streaming assistance suit a subscription that needs to handle more than private browsing, with optional desktop protection available when useful.
Mullvad remains a strong choice for its minimal signup and straightforward monthly pricing. For readers who want one subscription for several devices and regular streaming, we'd put NordVPN first.
Our NordVPN review explains the included features and optional upgrades in more detail.
See NordVPN plans and current offers
Mullvad Review: What Changes When Signup Needs No Email?
NordVPN Review: Streaming, Privacy, and the Extras That Matter
