Mullvad VPN vs Private Internet Access: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for Mullvad VPN and Private Internet Access side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Private Internet Access leads on higher user rating and lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
Mullvad VPN
Anonymous VPN with no personal info required
Best for you if:
- • You want anonymous signup
Private Internet Access
Secure your online privacy and access content globally with a fast, no-logs VPN service.
Best for you if:
- • You want strong focus on user privacy with a strict no-logs policy
| At a Glance | Mullvad VPN | Private Internet Access |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $5/mo, billed monthly Mullvad VPN plan | From $1.88/mo, billed monthly 3 Years + 4 Months plan |
Category | VPN Security | VPN Security |
Rating | 3.7/5 Trustpilot 3.3 · G2 4.6 · SourceForge 5.0 154 reviews | 4.6/5 SourceForge 4.6 38 reviews |
Free plan | No | No |
Watch out for | 10% crypto discount requires specific payment method. | n/a |
Choose Mullvad VPN or Private Internet Access?
Choose Mullvad VPN if
- You want anonymous signup
- You want simple pricing
Choose Private Internet Access if
- You want strong focus on user privacy with a strict no-logs policy
- You want open-source applications provide transparency and trustworthiness
- Budget matters ($1.88/mo, billed monthly vs $5/mo, billed monthly)
In-Depth Analysis
Mullvad VPN
Anonymous VPN with no personal info required
Mullvad VPN's single flat rate of $5/month is fair and highly competitive, especially considering its strong privacy focus and support for up to 5 devices.
Watch out
10% crypto discount requires specific payment method.
Strengths
- Pro: Anonymous signup
- Pro: Simple pricing
- Pro: Open source apps
Weaknesses
- Con: Smaller server network
- Con: No streaming focus
Key features
Private Internet Access
Secure your online privacy and access content globally with a fast, no-logs VPN service.
Private Internet Access offers highly competitive pricing, especially with its '3 Years + 4 Months' plan at $1.75/mo, which is exceptionally generous for a VPN service.
Strengths
- Pro: Strong focus on user privacy with a strict no-logs policy.
- Pro: Open-source applications provide transparency and trustworthiness.
- Pro: Extensive global server network in 91 countries for broad access.
- Pro: Unlimited simultaneous device connections with one subscription.
- Pro: Includes advanced security features like Kill Switch, Multi-hop, and MACE.
Weaknesses
- Con: No free trial, only a money-back guarantee.
- Con: Antivirus and Dedicated IP are paid add-ons, not included in the base subscription.
Key features
Plans and prices: Mullvad VPN vs Private Internet Access
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Mullvad VPN |
| mullvad.net/pricing read Oct 3, 2026 |
| Private Internet Access |
| privateinternetaccess.com |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on Mullvad VPN pricing and Private Internet Access pricing.
Key Takeaways
Mullvad VPN
- Choose if you want anonymous VPN with no personal info required
Private Internet Access
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 3.7/5
- Lower entry price: $1.88/mo, billed monthly vs $5/mo, billed monthly
What the data shows
On the data below, Private Internet Access leads on higher user rating and lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- Private Internet Access has the higher user rating (3.7/5 from 154 reviews for Mullvad VPN, 4.6/5 from 38 reviews for Private Internet Access).
- Private Internet Access has the lower entry price: $1.88/mo, billed monthly (3 Years + 4 Months) against $5/mo, billed monthly (Mullvad VPN) for Mullvad VPN.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do Mullvad VPN and Private Internet Access compare in 2026?
On the data below, Private Internet Access leads on higher user rating and lower entry price. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. Private Internet Access has the higher user rating (3.7/5 from 154 reviews for Mullvad VPN, 4.6/5 from 38 reviews for Private Internet Access). Private Internet Access has the lower entry price: $1.88/mo, billed monthly (3 Years + 4 Months) against $5/mo, billed monthly (Mullvad VPN) for Mullvad VPN.
What are Mullvad VPN and Private Internet Access used for?
Mullvad VPN: Anonymous VPN with no personal info required. Private Internet Access: Secure your online privacy and access content globally with a fast, no-logs VPN service.
What does Mullvad VPN cost vs Private Internet Access?
Mullvad VPN's cheapest paid plan is Mullvad VPN at $5/mo, billed monthly. Private Internet Access's cheapest paid plan is 3 Years + 4 Months at $1.88/mo, billed monthly. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 3, 2026.
What's the main difference between Mullvad VPN and Private Internet Access?
Mullvad VPN's main strength: anonymous signup. Private Internet Access's main strength: strong focus on user privacy with a strict no-logs policy.