I Switched to This Lesser-Known VPN, and It Protects My Privacy Perfectly

After years of using the famous NordVPN, I switched to a relatively unknown Mullvad VPN – and I’m never looking back.

Why I Chose Mullvad VPN

Let me start by saying that NordVPN is the “Taylor Swift of VPNs.” It’s undoubtedly the biggest provider of this type of service in the world, which is surprisingly one of the main reasons I left for greener pastures. Put simply, software of such a high profile is a prime target for individuals with nefarious purposes (yes, VPNs can be hacked). In fact, a major data breach already happened in 2019, and I didn’t want to stick around for a possible “sequel.”

Thus, I set out to find a VPN that truly prioritizes user privacy: Mullvad VPN.

Not only is this VPN small enough to keep a low profile effectively, but it doesn’t collect any personal information when you register—not even your name. You register by receiving a randomly generated account number.

That’s the primary reason I chose Mullvad VPN. Once I completed my little test run of the software, I was sold—at least this month (this cute joke will make sense later when I cover Mullvad VPN’s pricing; bear with me).

Best Mullvad Features

Despite its underdog status, Mullvad is packed with features, some of which put even more established VPNs to shame.

For starters, I’m impressed by the choice of protocols, as Mullvad VPN supports WireGuard and OpenVPN. The former is a popular option that offers a nice balance of speed and security, while the latter is perfect for privacy-conscious users as it sacrifices a tiny bit of speed for added security.

Mullvad VPN’s kill switch (a feature that cuts internet access if your connection drops to keep your IP address from leaking) also goes a step beyond with a “Lockdown mode.” This function allows you to connect to the internet only if you first connect to a VPN server. That way, you avoid accidentally browsing the web unprotected. You also get multi-hop that routes your internet traffic through multiple VPN servers for an extra layer of protection and split tunneling so you can choose apps and websites that bypass the VPN.

Think you’ll lose out on ad-blocking if you abandon mainstream VPNs?

Nope! Mullvad VPN has DNS content filtering that blocks malware, trackers, ads, and even gambling and adult content. I prefer Mullvad VPN’s take on threat protection, as it’s miles more customizable. You can select what type of content will be blocked by your VPN app.

How Does Mullvad VPN Compare?

MullvadVPN can easily compete with the bigger VPN providers. While you may think Surfshark and other apps have more funds and can thus implement more features, Mullvad VPN goes head-to-head with them and even exceeds some in certain areas.

For instance, NordVPN currently supports quantum-resistant computing on Linux and plans to make it widely available on all systems. MullvadVPN is slightly ahead as it already supports Linux, macOS, and Windows and will soon be available for Android and iOS.

Mullvad VPN is also the better choice if you’re looking for true anonymity. In addition to not requiring any information when signing up (you can also pay using a physical voucher card so your payments remain untraceable), this company is adamant about protecting its users. Heck, they recently introduced a ‘Defense against AI-guided Traffic Analysis’ feature that safeguards you from third parties who use AI to analyze your traffic patterns and track the websites you visit.

Price-wise, Mullvad VPN is relatively cheap at $5.31 per month. It might seem expensive compared to NordVPN’s monthly price of $3.40, but it is available only for two-year plans (you’ll have to pay $12.99 monthly).

With Mullvad, you don’t need to make a long-term commitment. You can pay for just one month, and the price is the same for an annual subscription—cool!

Mullvad VPN Speeds

What about the speed?

First up, Mullvad VPN:

Here’s NordVPN for comparison.

As you can see, NordVPN is faster than Mullvad VPN. The latter’s speed is fine, though I sometimes found it inconsistent.

Unfortunately, in this department, larger VPNs reign supreme as they have more servers. MullvadVPN has a modest network of 690 servers scattered across 47 countries, while NordVPN has over 6,000 servers in 111 countries.

However, that’s not much of a drawback for me. I don’t use VPNs for streaming, so a slight dip in speed and limited connection options are fair tradeoffs for true anonymity. But NordVPN or Surfshark may be a better choice if you plan on heavy internet usage. Check out our rundown of the best VPN services to get a better idea of what else is out there.

Is a Mainstream VPN Better?

Until recently, I also gravitated toward “better known” VPNs on the strength of their branding alone. No matter who you are, it’s easy to fall into the trap of going for brand power instead of closely evaluating a service on its own merits.

There’s nothing wrong with using NordVPN or a similar solution, period. Yet, apart from having more funds for a larger server network and all those YouTube ads, you won’t be more secure just because your app of choice is a household name.

Mullvad VPN costs just $5 for one month, so you really have nothing to lose by trying it—you might just get hooked the same way I did.