Mullvad alternatives, matched to why you're switching
By Jean Luc Poitier, SEO and growth marketing strategist · NordVPN Reviews · Updated October 1, 2026 · Grounded in 50 recent Mullvad reviews
Disclosure: this site reviews NordVPN and earns a commission if you sign up through our links. NordVPN is one option below, and we say where it isn't the right fix.
Why buyers look past Mullvad
Mullvad doesn't ask for Trustpilot reviews, so every review there is unprompted; its 50 most recent (February 2025 to September 2026) averaged 3.4. Reviewers love the flat price and the anonymous account, and leave over slow email support, unstable connections, slow speeds at busy times, and sites that misread its server locations.
Its design choices also rule it out for some people: 5 devices per account, 566 servers in 50 countries, no streaming claims, and no port forwarding or dedicated IPs.
“if you do manage to find the email address for support you will likely be waiting weeks for a response if they ever respond”Jeffery, Trustpilot, August 2025
“I admire their ambition, but unfortunately the product is just too flaky.”ReluctantReviewer, Trustpilot, March 2026
“A service I’m paying 5 EUR a month for shouldn’t grind to a crawl the moment demand spikes.”Julia Gutter, Trustpilot, November 2025
Match the Mullvad alternative to your reason for leaving
| Best alternative | Check before switching | |
|---|---|---|
| Slow speeds or flaky connections | NordVPN: 7,300+ servers, CNET's fastest VPN | Needs an email account; renews at $139.08/yr |
| Need more than 5 devices | NordVPN (10) or Surfshark (unlimited) | Both cost more after the first term |
| Streaming | NordVPN: reviewers use it to watch home TV abroad | Some sites still block VPNs |
| Want privacy and a free option | Proton VPN: free plan, open-source apps | Free plan is 1 device |
| Slow support | NordVPN or Surfshark: 24/7 live chat | Chat first, no phone support |
Figures checked against each company's published pages and review-platform listings as of 2026-10-01. “Not published” means the company does not publish that figure.
The 5 best Mullvad alternatives
NordVPN
More devices, servers, and speedNordVPN covers 10 devices instead of 5, lists 7,300+ servers in 150 countries against Mullvad's 566 in 50, offers a 30-day refund instead of 14 days, and rates higher on the app stores (4.7 vs 4.1 on the App Store, 4.6 vs 4.0 on Google Play). Its no-logs policy has been reviewed six times, and both hold a PCMag Editors' Choice. On Trustpilot, Mullvad's unprompted reviews average higher (3.4 vs 3.0), and NordVPN needs an email account and costs more after the first term.
Full NordVPN vs Mullvad comparison →Proton VPN
Privacy-first, with a free planSwiss, open source, audited every year by Securitum, with a free plan and 10 devices on paid plans. PCMag's only 5.0. Caveat: its recent unprompted Trustpilot reviews averaged 2.0.
NordVPN vs Proton VPN →Surfshark
Unlimited devicesUnlimited devices, $67.23 for 27 months, and a $79 yearly renewal. Caveat: needs an account email and has fewer no-logs reviews (two, by Deloitte).
NordVPN vs Surfshark →ExpressVPN
Easy appsPolished apps, 10 to 14 devices by tier, and four no-logs reviews by PwC and KPMG. Caveat: renews at $99.95 a year and doesn't publish a server count.
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN →Norton VPN
Bundled with Norton securityA cheap first year ($39.99) and a 60-day refund. Caveat: a US company, a smaller network, and three no-logs assessments so far.
NordVPN vs Norton VPN →
When to stay with Mullvad
Stay if anonymity is the point: no other big VPN lets you sign up without an email and pay by mailing cash, and Mullvad's price never rises at renewal. Its unprompted reviews (3.4) are also better than most rivals'.
Switch to NordVPN if you need more devices, more locations, faster connections, or streaming, and you're fine with an email account.
See NordVPN pricingHow we sourced this: Mullvad's 50 most recent Trustpilot reviews (February 19, 2025 to September 9, 2026; all unprompted, as Mullvad doesn't invite reviews) and NordVPN's 200 most recent labelled reviews (September 14 to October 1, 2026; 19 unprompted). Prices and features come from each company's site, checked October 1, 2026. Quotes are verbatim.
Mullvad alternatives FAQ
What are the best Mullvad alternatives?+
NordVPN for more devices, servers, and speed; Proton VPN for privacy with a free plan; Surfshark for unlimited devices; ExpressVPN for easy apps; Norton VPN for a cheap first year.
What do Mullvad reviews say?+
Mullvad rates 3.4 from 185 Trustpilot reviews, all unprompted. Reviewers praise the flat €5 price and the anonymous account, and complain about slow email support and speed.
Is NordVPN better than Mullvad?+
For most people, yes: more devices, a bigger network, streaming support, and higher app-store ratings. Mullvad is the more anonymous choice and its price doesn't change at renewal.
Does Mullvad publish its pricing?+
Yes: €5 a month for any length of time, about $5.66, with 10% off for crypto payments.