Mullvad
Flat ~€5 (~$5) per mo
Proton VPN
Free / from ~$3.99 per mo (1-yr)
Mullvad is a radically privacy-focused VPN with flat pricing and anonymous numbered accounts. Proton VPN is a privacy-first, open-source VPN with a genuine free tier and broader features. Mullvad wins on anonymity and simple flat pricing; Proton VPN wins on free access and feature breadth.
Pick Mullvad if you want maximum anonymity, minimal data collection, and simple flat pricing.
Pick Proton VPN if you want an audited, open-source VPN with a genuine free tier and broader features.
Mullvad and Proton VPN are both darlings of the privacy community, but they emphasize privacy differently. Mullvad is radically minimalist: you get a random account number instead of an email, pay a flat rate regardless of term (even by cash), and benefit from a no-nonsense no-logs stance that collects almost nothing about you. Proton VPN, from the maker of Proton Mail, is also privacy-first and open-source with independent audits, Swiss jurisdiction, broader features, and notably a genuinely usable free tier.
On price, Mullvad is a flat ~€5 (about $5) a month with no discounts for longer terms, while Proton VPN has a free tier and paid plans from around $3.99 a month on annual billing. The choice is mostly maximal anonymity and flat pricing (Mullvad) versus a free tier and broader features (Proton VPN).
We compare privacy, anonymous accounts, free tier, pricing, and features.
| Quick facts | Mullvad | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Free tier | No | Yes (unlimited data) |
| Pricing | Flat ~$5/mo | From ~$3.99/mo (1-yr) |
| Anonymous accounts | Best-in-class | Good |
| Feature breadth | Focused | Best-in-class |
| Best for | Anonymity + flat price | Free tier + features |
Each row reflects the feature on each product's current public release.
| Feature | M Mullvad | P Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Audited no-logs policy | Yes | Yes |
| Open-source apps | Yes | Yes |
| Anonymous (no-email) accounts | Best-in-class | Good |
| Genuine free tier | No | Yes |
| Flat, simple pricing | Best-in-class | Tiered |
| Streaming unblocking | Good | Strong |
| Extra features (secure core, etc.) | Limited | Best-in-class |
| Cash / privacy payment options | Best-in-class | Good |
Pricing and features change often. Always verify the current details on each product's official site. Last reviewed 2026-06-26.
Things neither product's marketing page leads with.
Mullvad is the privacy purist's choice with anonymous accounts and flat pricing, but it has no free tier and fewer extra features.
Proton VPN offers a real free tier and more features, but its account model is less radically anonymous than Mullvad's.
Both are excellent for privacy; the decision often comes down to anonymity (Mullvad) versus free access and features (Proton VPN).
The average person juggles a dozen subscriptions and forgets at least one. Subkept is a privacy-first subscription tracker: add Mullvad, Proton VPN, and everything else, then get renewal reminders, price-hike alerts, and a clear monthly total, with no bank connection, ever. Free for up to 5 subscriptions, no time limit.