In this MullVad VPN review, we take a look at MullVad VPN’s offerings. MullVad is an older VPN with simple VPN with important core features, but the question is, can it stand alongside the big boys and compete with the best of the best?
Pricing 8/10
Mullvad VPN has a very simple pricing model. While most VPN providers give you multiple commitment options (1 month, quarterly, semi-quarterly, yearly), MullVad merely offers one month for 5 euros (around $6.50). This is a fair price to ask for considering most VPN providers price their VPNs around the $9.99 mark (consider that some other VPN providers provide more services for that higher price point). They receive standard payment options through their site, Bitcoin included. I couldn’t find any information about a refund policy, but the site does have a three-hour trial that is very easy to get started (more on that in the next section).
This is a fair price to ask for considering most VPN providers price their VPNs around the $9.99 mark (consider that some other VPN providers provide more services for that higher price point). They receive standard payment options through their site, Bitcoin included. I couldn’t find any information about a refund policy, but the site does have a three-hour trial that is very easy to get started (more on that in the next section).
I would have liked to see more pricing options available for users, since a full year subscription to Mullvad costs $60 dollars while other VPN providers provide cheaper alternatives.
Software 6/10
MullVad VPN has a basic application without any design implementations. The application looks like something pulled straight out of Windows XP–and the whole application exists between two tabs (one is settings and one provides for status operations).
The interface within the application could use some work–not only for looks but for functionality as well. Connecting in the application is a strange affair. Simply by launching the application, it seems to auto-connect even if the box is unchecked. I couldn’t tell at first how to start the VPN, but then when I clicked inside the IP box, it connected.
It also took me awhile to understand that you can change servers. Most VPNs provide server options close to the connection part of the software, but MullVad seemingly hides these options at the bottom of the settings tab.
Turning off the VPN was also a clunky affair since the application has a slight delay both in connecting and disconnecting. Once you click disconnect, nothing happens untill it’s simply not connected any longer. You’d think it’d be instantaneous to disconnect, but it isn’t.
While MullVad is an extremely simple VPN, it does have some important security features included. We liked that it had DNS leak protection, the ability to get into your account on the website with one button, and IPV6 protection. It’s missing a kill switch, the ability to switch active protocols and information about servers (you simply pick a country, and that’s it).
MullVad does let you have three simultaneous connections which is great for the low price point.
One of my favorite things about MullVad VPN that I haven’t seen many VPN providers do is their simple way to let you try out their VPN services. Simply download their application, install it, and you can sign up for a trial right inside the application without any registration needed. Sure you only get three hours, but that’s plenty of time to test out a VPN.
If you would like a VPN with better software, I’d check out TorGuard. See the review here.
Mobile Software 0/10
MullVad doesn’t have a mobile app nor does it have much documentation on getting their VPN service working with a VPN. However, if you’re desperate, you can configure it through an OpenVPN default client. Check out the guide to do that here!
Extra Services 3/10
MullVad VPN is just a simple VPN at its core. They don’t offer anything complimentary like proxy support, VPN routers, encrypted email, support for stealth VPN options, mobile apps, or browser extensions. MullVad VPN only offers two simultaneous connections.
Website 5/10
Dare I say that MullVad VPN’s website is way too simple? Well, it is, and it isn’t.
MullVad’s landing page is so very sparse. None of the icons are really clickable (for example if you click on the icons you’d think it would take you to tutorials for the platform tutorials but it doesn’t.) There’s only a little bit of information about what a VPN is and how they don’t collect logs and that you can hide your IP. Even the pricing on the website is explained through one small sentence. It’s a bit confusing without a graphic–almost like there might be more pricing options but you can’t see unless you continue through checkout.
If you click on the features tab, there’s a lot more useful information available which I liked. A lot of VPNs are afraid to break down information in this manner. You can easily find out which encryption they use, if they collect logs or not, and the security features within the application.
Besides the features tab, there’s also an FAQ tab and a news tab. The FAQ is the entire support section for the site with commonly asked questions. In fact, if you click on the support tab on the bottom footer of the front page, nothing happens at all. The news tab just has recent news about the VPN.
While it’s refreshing to see MullVad is not trying to sell too hard with tons of superfluous text and unneeded graphics; the website ultimately feels empty. I couldn’t help but feel like they could put much more effort into their website to make it clearer to understand pricing. It would also be nice if they could have a support section and possibly a forum.
Servers 5/10
MullVad doesn’t have that many servers. Inside the application, you can choose from Germany, United States, Canada, Sweden, and the Netherlands. Most of these servers worked when I tried to connect to them. However, I didn’t like that I couldn’t customize my connection more specifically–like to a San Francisco or Los Angeles server.
Privacy 9/10
MullVad uses OpenVPN in their client with very strong 256-bit AES encryption. They don’t offer any protocols within the application, but they do have some guides on how to configure MullVad for a PPTP client.
MullVad has a strict no logging policy that is always welcome to see.
Speeds 6/10
MullVad gave better speeds once I connected to the US server on our speedtest. With the US server, I got a 34.15 Mbps download rate, and a 11.42 Mbps upload rate while I received much slower speeds and ping from the Sweden server. This is definitely acceptable for normal browser use.
Every server in the VPN gave decent download speeds for our BitTorrent download test. Speeds were under 3 Mbps, which is a severe decrease from my usual 20 MBps rate.
Support 0/10
MullVad doesn’t seem to have a support system or refund policy in place, or maybe the link on their website isn’t working at the time of this review. They don’t offer live chat either.
Verdict
MullVad VPN can be a good VPN provider if you’re limited to a budget, but we’ve reviewed other newer VPNs like PIA, which are just as cheap and provide more applications and features. However, MullVad can’t be entirely disregarded as it does have some strong points that beat out other VPNS with its 256-bit AES encryption and great trial process.
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