Choosing the right VPN can feel like picking the best apple in a whole orchard.
They all promise to keep your online activity private, but how do you know which one really delivers?
In this matchup, we’re closely examining two popular VPNs: Mysterium vs Mullvad.
Both are known for their strong focus on privacy, but they have some key differences.
We’ll break down their features, security measures, and ease of use to help you decide which one is on top.
Mysterium vs Mullvad Overview
To give you the most accurate comparison, we’ve spent weeks testing both Mysterium and Mullvad.
We’ve evaluated their performance in various areas, including speed, security, streaming capabilities, and ease of use.
This hands-on experience allows us to provide you with real-world insights and a clear picture of what each VPN offers.
Experience true online privacy with Mysterium VPN. Join a network with over 2,400 residential IPs and enjoy secure, anonymous browsing.
Pricing: 7-day money-back guarantee. Plan Starts at $3.19/month
Key Features:
- DVPN
- Pay-As-You-Go System
- No-Logs Policy
Take control of your privacy with Mullvad VPN! For just €5 per month, you can access over 800 servers in 40 countries and a strict no-logs policy.
Pricing: Mullvad VPN has a simple pricing structure: €5/month.
Key Features:
- Port Forwarding
- Bridge Mode
- Multihop Connections
What is Mysterium?
Ever heard of a VPN that works a little differently? That’s Mysterium.
Instead of relying on a company to run its servers, Mysterium uses a network of regular people like you and me.
These people share their extra bandwidth, and Mysterium turns it into a giant, decentralized VPN. Pretty cool, right?
This means there’s no single point of failure, making it harder for anyone to track your activity.
Plus, it often means faster speeds since you’re not relying on overcrowded servers.
Experience true online privacy with Mysterium VPN. Join a network with over 2,400 residential IPs and enjoy secure, anonymous browsing.
Key Benefits
- Decentralized network: Increased privacy and security.
- No-logs policy: Doesn’t store your data.
- Open-source: Transparent and community-driven.
- Pay-as-you-go pricing: Only pay for what you use.
Pricing
- 1-month plan: $9.99/month
- 6-month plan: $6.85/month
- 1-year plan: $5.14/month
- 2-year plan: $3.19/month
Pros
Cons
What is Mullvad?
Looking for a VPN that’s serious about privacy? You need to check out Mullvad.
These guys are all about keeping your data safe and sound. No logging, no tracking, just pure online freedom.
They even let you pay anonymously with cash or cryptocurrency if you want!
Mullvad might not have all the bells and whistles of some other VPNs, but it’s rock-solid regarding the essentials.
Take control of your privacy with Mullvad VPN! For just €5 per month, you can access over 800 servers in 40 countries and a strict no-logs policy.
Key Benefits
- Strong focus on anonymity: No email address is required to sign up.
- Open-source: Transparent and trustworthy.
- Strong security: Uses WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols.
- Accepts Bitcoin: For anonymous payments.
Pricing
Mullvad VPN has a simple pricing structure: €5/month. That’s it! No discounts for longer subscriptions.
Pros
Cons
Mysterium vs Mullvad Feature Comparison
Let’s get down to the nitty-gritty and see how these two VPNs stack up against each other feature by feature.
This head-to-head comparison will help you choose the VPN that best aligns with your needs and priorities.
Security Features
- Mysterium VPN: Utilizes AES-256 encryption to protect your data. It also offers a kill switch to prevent data leaks if your VPN connection drops. However, it lacks some advanced security features like split tunneling.
- Mullvad VPN: Also employs AES-256 encryption and a kill switch. Mullvad prioritizes privacy and security with its strict no-logs policy and support for multiple VPN protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN.
Server Locations
- Mysterium VPN: Offers a vast network of over 1700 server locations in 180+ countries, giving you plenty of options for bypassing geo-restrictions and accessing content from around the world.
- Mullvad VPN: Has a smaller network with servers in 39 countries. While it provides decent coverage, it might not be as extensive as some other VPN providers like NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
Speed and Security
- Mysterium VPN: Generally provides good speed and security thanks to its decentralized network. However, speeds can vary depending on the availability of peers in your chosen location.
- Mullvad VPN: Offers consistently fast speeds and robust security. It’s a reliable choice for activities like torrenting and streaming.
Privacy Policy
- Mysterium VPN: Has a clear and concise privacy policy that outlines its commitment to protecting user data. It doesn’t store any logs of your online activity.
- Mullvad VPN: Is known for its strong commitment to online privacy. It has a strict no-logs policy and goes the extra mile to protect your anonymity, even allowing for anonymous payments.
Free Trials and Money-Back Guarantee
- Mysterium VPN: Doesn’t offer a free trial but provides a 14-day money-back guarantee on its VPN subscription.
- Mullvad VPN: Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on its VPN subscription, giving you ample time to test the service risk-free.
VPN Alternatives
- Mysterium VPN: If Mysterium doesn’t quite fit your needs, consider exploring VPN alternatives like PureVPN, Surfshark, or Windscribe, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.
- Mullvad VPN: If you’re looking for alternatives to Mullvad, PIA, ProtonVPN, and Surfshark VPN are worth considering. These VPN services offer a variety of features and pricing options.
Free VPNs vs Paid VPN
- Mysterium VPN: As a paid VPN service, Mysterium offers better performance, security, and features than free VPNs.
- Mullvad VPN: While free VPNs might seem tempting, investing in a paid VPN like Mullvad is crucial for ensuring your privacy and security while you use a VPN.
Remember, the best VPN for you depends on your specific needs and priorities.
Consider what features are most important to you- speed and security, online privacy, or anonymity- and choose a VPN accordingly.
What to Look for When Choosing a VPN?
- Strong encryption: Ensure the VPN uses AES-256 encryption, the industry standard.
- No-logs policy: Choose a VPN with a strict no-logs policy that’s been independently audited.
- Server network: Consider the size and location of the server network, especially if you need to access content from specific regions.
- Speed and reliability: Look for a VPN that offers fast and stable connections for smooth streaming and browsing.
- Ease of use: Choose a VPN with a user-friendly interface and apps for all your devices.
- Customer support: Make sure the VPN provider offers reliable customer support if you encounter any issues.
- Price: Compare pricing plans and consider whether the VPN offers a free trial or a money-back guarantee.
- Additional features: Some VPNs offer extra features like split tunneling, port forwarding, and obfuscation. Consider whether these features are important to you.
Final Verdict (Our Pick)
So, which VPN reigns supreme? For us, Mullvad takes the crown.
It offers a solid combination of strong encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and reliable performance.
Plus, it’s super affordable! Mullvad is a great all-around VPN that’s easy to use and perfect for everyday browsing.
However, don’t count out Mysterium just yet. Its unique decentralized network offers a different approach to online privacy.
If you’re looking for something truly unique and value a massive server network, Mysterium is worth exploring.
Ultimately, your best VPN depends on your needs and priorities.
We’ve given you the information; now it’s time to make your choice! Let’s get started on finding the perfect VPN for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between Mysterium and a regular VPN, such as Cyberghost or Private Internet Access?
Mysterium is a decentralized VPN (dVPN), meaning it uses a network of users instead of company-owned VPN servers. This offers a unique approach to protecting your privacy.
Can I use Mysterium or Mullvad to torrent?
Yes, both Mysterium and Mullvad allow torrenting on their networks. They provide strong encryption protocols and don’t keep logs of your activity.
Do Mysterium and Mullvad offer a free VPN service?
No, both are paid VPN options. However, Mullvad has a 30-day money-back guarantee, and Mysterium has a 14-day money-back guarantee.
What are some other top VPN services besides Mysterium and Mullvad?
If you’re looking for alternatives, consider exploring other best VPN services like Proton VPN, NordVPN, or ExpressVPN.
How can I improve my connection speed while using a VPN?
Try connecting to a VPN server that’s geographically closer to you. You can also try different VPN protocols, like the WireGuard protocol, which is known for its speed and performance.
