Mullvad VPN vs ExpressVPN: Which is Better in 2026?
ExpressVPN is a polished, mainstream VPN built for speed and streaming, now owned by Kape Technologies (private since early 2026) and priced from $3.49/month on a 2-year Basic plan. Mullvad is a Swedish privacy-maximalist VPN that charges a flat 5 EUR/month with zero exceptions, requires no email or name at signup, and issues only a random 16-digit account number. The core tension is clear: ExpressVPN optimizes for convenience, device coverage, and unblocking geo-restricted content, while Mullvad optimizes for minimal data exposure and structural anonymity. Read this if you are deciding between maximum usability and maximum privacy.
Bottom line: Mullvad VPN is our overall pick for security workflows. Pick ExpressVPN if you need its specific feature set.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
Mullvad VPN
Anonymous VPN with no personal info required
Best for you if:
- • Privacy VPN with no email required
- • 5 euros per month flat pricing
ExpressVPN
Secure your connection, access global content, and enjoy fast speeds
Best for you if:
- • Premium VPN with 3,000+ servers, Lightway protocol, and post-quantum encryption.
- • Features split tunneling, kill switch, and reliable streaming service unblocking.
| At a Glance |  Mullvad VPN |  ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | $5/moMullvad VPN | Custom |
Best For | Security | Security |
Rating | - | 4.6/5 |
Choose Mullvad VPN or ExpressVPN?
Choose Mullvad VPN if
Anonymous VPN with no personal info required
- Anonymous signup
- Simple pricing
- Open source apps
Choose ExpressVPN if
Secure your connection, access global content, and enjoy fast speeds
- Fast VPN
- Good privacy
- Wide server network
| Feature | Mullvad VPN | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | No ratings yet | ★4.6/5 286 reviews |
| Categories | SecurityPrivacy Management | SecurityVPN |
In-Depth Analysis
Mullvad VPN
Strengths
- +No email, no name, no password at signup: account access is a single randomly generated 16-digit number, making it structurally impossible to link an account to a real identity
- +Flat 5 EUR/month with no tiers, no annual lock-in, no promotional price that spikes on renewal, and no price change since 2009
- +Accepts cash, Monero, and Bitcoin with no token linkage, enabling fully anonymous payment without trusting any payment processor
- +Four independent Cure53 audits (2018, 2020, 2022, 2024) plus two Assured AB reports in 2025 and 2026, with audit reports published in full
- +RAM-only servers, Lockdown mode, and WireGuard-only protocol (OpenVPN retired in early 2026) keeps the attack surface minimal and well-maintained
Weaknesses
- -Streaming unblocking is poor: Netflix has blocked Mullvad's entire IP pool, and Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and HBO Max are also inaccessible in most tests
- -WireGuard-only since early 2026 means no fallback protocol for networks that block WireGuard traffic (e.g., some corporate or hotel networks)
- -Only 696 servers across 90 countries, which is a smaller network than most top-tier competitors and contributes to the streaming block problem
- -No dedicated streaming modes, no smart DNS, and no router app ecosystem, making setup on non-standard devices harder than ExpressVPN
Best For
Privacy-focused users, journalists, activists, or anyone who wants the smallest possible identity footprint and does not care about unblocking streaming services.
Mullvad is the strongest structural privacy VPN available at this price point. The anonymous account model, flat pricing, and transparent audit history are unmatched. It fails badly at streaming and is not the right pick for anyone whose primary use case is watching geo-restricted content, but for genuine anonymity it is the more trustworthy choice.
ExpressVPN
Strengths
- +Proprietary Lightway protocol delivers some of the fastest speeds tested, averaging 475 Mbps on a 1 Gbps connection with only a 7% drop, plus a new Turbo mode for even higher throughput
- +3,000+ servers across 105 countries including all 50 US states, with reliable unblocking of Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer
- +TrustedServer RAM-only architecture wipes all data on every reboot, and the no-logs policy has been audited by both KPMG and PwC
- +Up to 14 simultaneous device connections on the Pro tier, with dedicated apps for every major platform including routers and smart TVs
- +Post-quantum encryption and ShuffleIP (dynamic IP rotation per domain) add meaningful forward-looking security layers
Weaknesses
- -Ownership by Kape Technologies, which went fully private in early 2026, removes the last external visibility into the parent company; Kape's predecessor Crossrider distributed browser-redirecting adware, and that history does not disappear
- -A Windows RDP IP leak in April 2025 was the second significant technical failure since the Kape acquisition, raising questions about whether the engineering culture has changed
- -Tiered pricing (Basic, Advanced, Pro) means the headline low price strips useful features; the honest all-in rate is $4.49 to $7.49/month on a 2-year plan
- -Signup requires an email address, which creates a linkable identity that privacy-focused users may not want to hand over
Best For
Users who want a fast, reliable VPN that unblocks streaming services worldwide and works seamlessly across many devices without any configuration.
ExpressVPN is the most capable all-rounder in this pair. Its Lightway protocol, broad server network, and streaming reliability are genuinely best-in-class. The Kape Technologies ownership and the 2025 IP leak are real concerns that privacy advocates should weigh carefully, but for mainstream users who prioritize convenience and performance over structural anonymity, ExpressVPN delivers.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Pricing
Mullvad VPN winsMullvad charges a flat 5 EUR/month (~$5.50) with no tiers, no lock-in, and no renewal surprise. ExpressVPN's lowest price is $3.49/month on a 2-year Basic plan, but the honest feature-complete rate is $4.49 to $7.49/month depending on tier. Mullvad wins on simplicity and no-commitment flexibility; ExpressVPN can be cheaper if you commit to two years upfront and accept the Basic feature set.
Privacy and Anonymity
Mullvad VPN winsMullvad requires no email, no name, and no password at signup, and accepts anonymous cash or Monero payments. ExpressVPN requires an email address and is owned by Kape Technologies, a company that went fully private in 2026 and has a controversial history through its predecessor Crossrider. Both have audited no-logs policies, but Mullvad's structural anonymity model is meaningfully stronger.
Speed and Performance
ExpressVPN winsExpressVPN averages 475 Mbps on a 1 Gbps connection (7% drop) using its proprietary Lightway protocol with Turbo mode. Mullvad's local speeds are competitive (roughly 6% drop) but long-distance performance is inconsistent and server-dependent. ExpressVPN is the more predictable performer globally.
Streaming and Unblocking
ExpressVPN winsExpressVPN reliably unblocks Netflix (multiple regions), Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, and BBC iPlayer. Mullvad is blocked by Netflix entirely and fails on most other major streaming platforms. This is not a close comparison: ExpressVPN wins outright for any streaming use case.
Audit and Trust Track Record
Mullvad VPN winsMullvad has four Cure53 audits and two Assured AB reports, all published in full. ExpressVPN has KPMG and PwC no-logs audits alongside ISO 27001 certification, but the April 2025 Windows IP leak and Kape going private in 2026 introduce trust questions that audits alone cannot fully resolve. Mullvad's public audit cadence and independent Swedish ownership give it the edge for privacy-skeptical users.
Ease of Use and Device Support
ExpressVPN winsExpressVPN has polished apps for every major platform (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, smart TVs) and supports up to 14 simultaneous connections on the Pro plan. Mullvad's apps are functional but offer fewer platform integrations, no smart DNS, and no router app. For users who want a VPN that just works across all their devices, ExpressVPN is considerably easier to deploy.
Migration Considerations
Switching from ExpressVPN to Mullvad is low-friction (no account migration needed, just generate a new account number and pay for time), but you will lose streaming functionality immediately. Switching from Mullvad to ExpressVPN requires handing over an email address and accepting Kape Technologies as the parent entity.
Pricing: Mullvad VPN vs ExpressVPN
| Plan | Mullvad VPN | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | $5/month Mullvad VPN | 3.49 Basic |
| Tier 2 | N/A | 4.49 Advanced |
| Tier 3 | N/A | 7.49 Pro |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on Mullvad VPN pricing and ExpressVPN pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: Mullvad VPN
Want the highest-rated option?
ExpressVPN is rated 4.6/5. Mullvad VPN has no ratings yet.
Go with: ExpressVPN
Value user reviews?
Mullvad VPN: no ratings yet. ExpressVPN: 286 reviews (4.6/5).
Go with: ExpressVPN
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are security tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
ExpressVPN is rated 4.6/5; Mullvad VPN has no ratings yet.
Key Takeaways
Mullvad VPN
- Our pick for this comparison
ExpressVPN
- Choose if you want secure your connection, access global content, and enjoy fast speeds
The Bottom Line
Choose ExpressVPN if you want a fast, reliable VPN that works across all your devices and unblocks streaming services worldwide: it is the better product for everyday, mainstream use. Choose Mullvad if your primary concern is structural anonymity and you do not need streaming: the anonymous account model, flat pricing, independent Swedish ownership, and rigorous audit history make it the most trustworthy privacy-only VPN at this price. The Kape Technologies ownership of ExpressVPN is a real and unresolved concern for privacy-focused users, and the 2025 Windows IP leak is a concrete technical failure, not just a reputation concern. For a DDG-style privacy audience, Mullvad is the honest recommendation; for everyone else, ExpressVPN wins on capability.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mullvad really anonymous?
Yes, to the extent any VPN can be. Mullvad assigns you a random 16-digit account number at signup with no email, no name, and no password required. It accepts cash and Monero payments with no linkable token. Four Cure53 audits (most recently 2024) and two Assured AB reports (2025 and 2026) have found no logging of user activity.
Does ExpressVPN keep logs?
ExpressVPN's no-logs policy has been independently verified by KPMG and PwC, and its TrustedServer RAM-only infrastructure wipes all data on reboot. However, signup requires an email address and the parent company Kape Technologies went fully private in early 2026, reducing external accountability. No logging violation has been documented, but the trust model is weaker than Mullvad's structural anonymity.
Can I use Mullvad to watch Netflix?
No, reliably. Netflix has blocked Mullvad's entire server IP pool, and testing in 2026 confirms it also fails with Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu. Mullvad does not prioritize refreshing its IP pool for streaming unblocking. If streaming geo-restricted content is part of your use case, use ExpressVPN instead.
What is Mullvad's pricing and can I get a discount?
Mullvad charges exactly 5 EUR per month (~$5.50 USD) with no tiers, no annual plan, and no promotional pricing. The only discount is a 10% reduction for cryptocurrency payments (Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Monero) due to lower payment processing overhead. There is no cheaper long-term plan, which also means no price increase at renewal.
Which VPN is faster, ExpressVPN or Mullvad?
ExpressVPN is faster on global long-distance connections, averaging only a 7% speed drop on a 1 Gbps line using its proprietary Lightway protocol. Mullvad is competitive locally (roughly 6% drop) but its WireGuard performance varies significantly by server and time of day. For consistent global speed, ExpressVPN has the edge.
What happened to Mullvad's OpenVPN support?
Mullvad retired OpenVPN support in early 2026 and now operates exclusively on WireGuard. This simplifies the codebase and reduces attack surface, but it means Mullvad cannot fall back to OpenVPN on networks that actively block WireGuard traffic, such as some corporate firewalls or hotel Wi-Fi systems.