⚡ Quick Verdict:
- Pricing: PureVPN plans run $2.15 to $3.55 per month. Mullvad’s pricing is a flat €5 per month on every term.
- Best for: PureVPN suits streaming, dedicated IP and port forwarding. Mullvad suits anonymous sign-up and audited privacy.
- Key difference: PureVPN wants an email and card. Mullvad hands you a 16-digit account number instead.
- Our pick: Mullvad, for its verified no-logs record and flat pricing that never jumps at renewal.
Two VPN companies. Two completely different ideas of what privacy means.
PureVPN gives you 6,500+ servers and a long feature list.
Mullvad gives you a random number and asks for nothing else.
One is built for reach. The other is built for anonymity.
This comparison shows which trade-off actually fits you.
Overview
This PureVPN vs Mullvad comparison covers pricing, speed, privacy and everyday use.
It also breaks down who each virtual private network works best for.
Our sources include published specs, audit reports and user reviews.
Our writers also spent hands-on time with both apps.
Those notes appear in the “What Our Team Noticed” sections below.
What is PureVPN?
PureVPN is a virtual private network that hides your IP address and encrypts your internet traffic.
It started in 2007, making it one of the older VPN providers still running.
PureVPN offers over 6,500 VPN servers across more than 140 countries.
That server list mixes physical servers with virtual servers in harder-to-host regions.
The company is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands.
Its parent business has roots in Hong Kong, which some VPN users ask about.
Here is a closer look at how the service works day to day.
PureVPN
A wide server network with dedicated IPs and port forwarding. Ten devices simultaneously on one account. Backed by a 31-day money back guarantee.
PureVPN Pricing
PureVPN pricing splits into three tiers. Here is what a PureVPN subscription costs.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | $2.15/per month | Basic VPN connection on a budget |
| Plus | $3.15/per month | Extra security features and add-ons |
| Max | $3.55/per month | Full feature access including password manager |
Pricing verified September 2026.
⚠️ Pricing conflict flagged: Our research notes list a Standard plan at $10.95 per month, a $12.95 rolling monthly plan, and an annual plan at $44.95 that renews at $54.95. Those figures do not match our verified data, so the table above stays as the reference. Check the current PureVPN checkout page before you purchase PureVPN.
Free trial: A seven-day trial is offered for $0.99 rather than free access.
Money-back guarantee: 31 days. That day money back guarantee window is longer than most rivals give you.
📌 Note: Add-ons cost extra. Dedicated IPs run about $2.49 per month and port forwarding about $1.49 per month. PureVPN accepts payments by credit card, PayPal and Bitcoin, though the crypto option is hidden on some landing pages.
⚠️ Warning: Discounted terms renew higher. A cheap first term does not lock in that rate, and some users report friction when requesting refunds through a support ticket.
Key Benefits of PureVPN
Here is what PureVPN gives you that Mullvad does not:
- Huge server network: 6,500+ VPN servers in 140+ countries. Any PureVPN server you need is likely already on the list.
- Ten devices at once: One account covers ten simultaneous connections. That is double what most rivals allow.
- Dedicated IP option: Pay a small add-on and keep the same IP address every session. Useful for banking and remote work logins.
- Port forwarding: Available as a paid add-on for P2P and self-hosted setups. Mullvad dropped this feature in 2023.
- Bundled extras: Higher tiers add a password manager and dark web monitoring. Data brokers removal is also offered.
- Independent audits: KPMG and Altius IT have checked its no-logs claims. An always-on audit lets KPMG run surprise checks.
- 24/7 live chat: Customer support runs around the clock. You can also raise a support ticket from inside the app.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer ran PureVPN on Windows, Android and iOS for several weeks. Here is what stood out from that time:
PureVPN Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- Over 6,500 servers across more than 140 countries
- Ten devices simultaneously on a single account
- Dedicated IP and port forwarding available as add-ons
- Streams Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video
- 24/7 live chat plus in-app support ticket submission
❌ Cons
- Speeds swing widely on distant server locations
- The interface pushes upsell ads for paid add-ons
- PureVPN’s Windows app is criticised as clunky and crash-prone
- A 2017 logging incident still shapes its reputation
What is Mullvad?
Mullvad is a privacy-focused Swedish VPN service run by Amagicom AB.
It encrypts your internet connection and hides your true IP address.
The sign-up is the part people remember.
You click one button and get a random 16-digit account number.
No email. No name. No customer data on file.
Mullvad VPN’s server network is small on purpose, sitting around 684 servers in 44 countries.
This walkthrough shows the app and sign-up flow in action.
🏆 Winner: Mullvad VPN
Sign up with no email and no personal details. Pay in cash, card or crypto. The price never changes at renewal.
Mullvad Pricing
Mullvad’s pricing is the shortest table in this article. One rate, three terms.
| Plan | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Month | €5 per month | Trying the Mullvad service with no commitment |
| 1 Year | €5 per month | Regular VPN users who want set-and-forget billing |
| 1 decade | €5 per month | Long-term privacy buyers paying up front |
Pricing verified September 2026.
Free trial: None. There is no free tier and no trial period.
Money-back guarantee: 30 days. Contact Mullvad by email to start a refund.
📌 Note: Mullvad does not offer long-term subscription discounts, and there are no hidden fees or automatic renewals. Payment options include cash, credit card, PayPal, gift cards, Bitcoin and Bitcoin cash.
⚠️ Warning: A flat rate cuts both ways. If you happily commit to a three-year term elsewhere, other VPN providers will land well under €5 per month.
Key Benefits of Mullvad
Here is what Mullvad does that PureVPN cannot match:
- Anonymous sign-up: No personal information is required to create an account. The account number is your entire identity.
- Verified no-logs policy: Independent audits, including work by Radically Open Security, found no user activity data stored.
- Proven under pressure: Swedish police arrived in 2023 with a search warrant. Mullvad passed, because there was nothing to hand over.
- RAM-only servers: Mullvad’s servers write nothing to disk. Every reboot wipes them clean.
- Fast and steady: Average speed loss measured just 13.5%, with stable results across devices and protocols.
- Open-source apps: Mullvad’s apps are fully open-source, so anyone can inspect the code for weaknesses.
- Built-in blocking: Ad, tracker and malware domain blockers ship inside the app at no extra cost.
What Our Team Noticed
Our writer used Mullvad daily on a Windows laptop, an Android phone and Linux apps. Here is what came out of that stretch:
Mullvad Pros & Cons
✅ Pros
- No email or personal information needed to sign up
- Multiple independent audits confirm the no-logs policy
- Flat rate pricing with no renewal price jump
- Average speed loss of just 13.5% across test servers
- Fully open-source apps on every major platform
❌ Cons
- Relatively small server network of roughly 684 servers
- Unreliable with Netflix, BBC iPlayer and other streaming sites
- Caps you at up to five devices simultaneously
- Email-only support with no live chat option
Feature Comparison
Here is the side-by-side view of PureVPN features against what Mullvad offers. We cover ten areas that actually change your daily experience.
| Feature | PureVPN | Mullvad |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | $2.15/per month | €5 per month |
| Free Plan | ❌ | ❌ |
| Number of Servers | ✅ 6,500+ in 140+ countries | ❌ ~684 in 44 countries |
| Anonymous Sign-Up | ❌ | ✅ |
| Kill Switch | ✅ | ✅ Always on |
| Split Tunneling | ✅ | ✅ Mobile only |
| Port Forwarding | ✅ Paid add-on | ❌ Removed in 2023 |
| Dedicated IP | ✅ Paid add-on | ❌ |
| Password Manager | ✅ | ❌ |
| Streaming Reliability | ✅ | ❌ |
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 devices | 5 devices |
| Best For | Streaming and feature breadth | Anonymity and audited privacy |
1. Server Network and Server Locations
PureVPN: Over 6,500 VPN servers sit across more than 140 countries. The server list blends physical servers with virtual servers, so some virtual locations route through hardware elsewhere. A dedicated IP add-on gives you the same IP address on every connection instead of rotating shared ip addresses.
Mullvad: Roughly 684 servers across 44 countries. That relatively small server network is deliberate, since every Mullvad VPN server runs on RAM only. A smaller server network does mean fewer nearby servers outside Europe and North America.
2. Speed and VPN Protocols
PureVPN: Speed tests are inconsistent. One round showed download speeds dropping only 7.61% with upload speed down 3.51%, while distant connections have shown losses as steep as 99%. The vpn supports OpenVPN UDP, IKEv2 and WireGuard, and WireGuard held about 67% of baseline connection speeds.
Mullvad: Average speed loss measured 13.5%, and Mullvad’s speeds stayed stable across devices. OpenVPN and WireGuard were both supported until January 2026, when Mullvad moved fully to WireGuard protocols. Internet speeds still fall 40% to 50% on far-flung routes.
⚠️ Warning: PureVPN’s ping rises sharply on long routes, and upload speeds dropped 11% on Windows but 48% on Mac in one test round. Competitive gamers should test before committing.
3. Kill Switch and IP Leak Prevention
PureVPN: PureVPN’s kill switch cuts internet access the moment the VPN connection drops. The internet kill switch is optional, so you have to turn it on inside the VPN settings. IP leak prevention runs alongside it to stop your real address escaping.
Leak prevention is handled as a separate layer in the app.
Mullvad: The VPN kill switch is enabled by default and cannot be switched off. Lockdown mode goes further and blocks all internet connections unless you are on a Mullvad server. Your true IP address stays hidden even during a reconnect.
4. DNS Leak Protection and DNS Queries
PureVPN: DNS leak protection is built into the desktop apps and mobile apps. Your DNS queries route through PureVPN’s own resolvers rather than your provider’s. Split tunneling lets you decide which apps send VPN traffic and which use your normal connection.
Mullvad: Mullvad runs its own encrypted DNS servers, so no third party sees your DNS requests. Ad, tracker and malware blockers sit at the same layer. Split tunneling is available on mobile but limited on desktop.
5. Privacy, Audits and Sign-Up
PureVPN: PureVPN claims a strict no-logs policy, and KPMG plus Altius IT have verified it. An always-on audit arrangement lets KPMG run surprise checks. The British Virgin Islands base helps, though a 2017 case where logs went to the FBI still follows the brand.
Mullvad: Sign-up needs no email, so there is almost no user activity data to log in the first place. Sweden sits inside the 14 Eyes alliance, which sounds bad until you realise there is nothing on file to share. Independent audits have repeatedly confirmed the policy, which is why user privacy is the one area where Mullvad clearly leads.
6. Streaming Services and Unblocking
PureVPN: This is where PureVPN pulls ahead. It streams Netflix across several countries and has unblocked Hulu, BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video. A dedicated Apple TV app helps, though some Netflix libraries such as French and German have failed for users.
Mullvad: Unblocking Netflix is hit or miss. Some servers work with Hulu or Disney Plus, most do not, and gambling sites are often blocked too. Mullvad focuses on anonymity rather than access to geo-restricted streaming content.
7. Apps, Interface and Devices
PureVPN: The vpn apps cover Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and Android TV, and PureVPN’s Android app is the most feature-rich of the set. PureVPN’s Windows app draws the most criticism for being clunky and crash-prone. Ten simultaneous connections is generous.
Mullvad: Mullvad’s apps share one clean design across all major operating systems, including Linux apps, and the same layout carries over to mobile devices. The settings menu is short and the server list surfaces the nearest server quickly. You get up to five devices simultaneously, which is the tighter cap here.
8. Browser Extensions
PureVPN: Browser extensions are available for Chrome and Firefox. They give you a lighter proxy option when you do not want the full tunnel running. Handy for a single browsing session on a shared machine.
Mullvad: The extension works next to the main app, blocking trackers and preventing DNS leaks in the browser. Few VPNs pair an extension with a hardened browser this closely.
9. Bundled Extras
PureVPN: Higher tiers bundle a password manager and dark web monitoring. Data broker removal is offered too, plus port forwarding and dedicated IPs as paid add-ons. That breadth is the main reason to pick the Max plan.
Dark web monitoring sits in the same add-on group.
Mullvad: No password manager and no identity monitoring. Instead you get the Mullvad Browser, built with the Tor Project to fight fingerprinting, plus Multi-Hop and DAITA traffic-analysis defence. Quantum-resistant tunnels round it out.
10. Pricing & Cost
Here are both price lists next to each other.
| Tier | PureVPN | Mullvad |
|---|---|---|
| Entry | Standard — $2.15/per month | 1 Month — €5 per month |
| Mid | Plus — $3.15/per month | 1 Year — €5 per month |
| Top | Max — $3.55/per month | 1 decade — €5 per month |
| Refund window | 31 days | 30 days |
PureVPN: Cheaper on paper at every tier, and the Max plan still costs less than Mullvad. The catch is that discounted terms renew at higher rates, so year two is not year one.
Mullvad: More expensive, but the number never moves. No promotional first year, no renewal shock, no upsell inside the app. For short stints of a few months, it often works out cheaper than a rolling monthly plan elsewhere.
Different Scenarios
| If You Need… | Choose | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix and BBC iPlayer | PureVPN | Mullvad barely tries |
| Anonymous sign-up | Mullvad | No email, no card trail |
| More than five devices | PureVPN | Ten simultaneous connections |
| Port forwarding or dedicated IP | PureVPN | Both offered as add-ons |
| Predictable long-term cost | Mullvad | Flat rate, never renews higher |
| Widest server locations | PureVPN | 140+ countries versus 44 |
💰 Your Budget
PureVPN undercuts Mullvad at every tier on the sticker price. But Mullvad’s flat rate means you never get a renewal surprise.
🔐 Your Privacy Bar
If you want a VPN provider that never learns who you are, Mullvad is the only real answer here. PureVPN is audited, but it still holds an account tied to your email.
📺 Your Streaming Habits
Streaming is the clearest split in this comparison. Pick PureVPN if a blocked stream would ruin your evening.
🏠 Your Devices
Mullvad allows up to five devices, PureVPN allows ten. If your household runs more than that, put either on a VPN compatible router.
🆓 Your Experience Level
Mullvad’s stripped-back design suits VPN veterans who know what they want. PureVPN’s user friendly interface holds a beginner’s hand, though the upsell prompts get old.
🛟️ Support Options
PureVPN runs 24/7 live chat plus in-app tickets. Mullvad’s support team answers by email only, usually within a day.
🍞 Free Trials and Refunds
Neither is free. You can test PureVPN for seven days at $0.99, or lean on the refund windows: 31 days for PureVPN, 30 for Mullvad.
Switching Guide
Already paying for one of these? Here is what changes if you move.
🔄 Switching from PureVPN to Mullvad?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- An account with no email and no name attached
- A kill switch that cannot be turned off by accident
- Open-source apps and a price that never rises
❌ What you’ll lose:
- Reliable streaming and 140+ country coverage
- Port forwarding, dedicated IPs and the password manager
- Five device slots and 24/7 live chat
📋 How to switch:
- Cancel inside your PureVPN subscription dashboard before renewal
- Generate a Mullvad account number and note it down offline
- Install the apps, enable Lockdown mode, and delete the old client
🔄 Switching from Mullvad to PureVPN?
✅ What you’ll gain:
- Streaming that works on Netflix, Hulu and BBC iPlayer
- Ten device slots plus dedicated IP and port forwarding
- A password manager, dark web monitoring and live chat
❌ What you’ll lose:
- Anonymous sign-up and cash payment options
- The always-on kill switch and open-source codebase
- Flat pricing that never changes at renewal
📋 How to switch:
- Let your Mullvad term lapse, since there is no auto-renewal
- Create a PureVPN account and pick Standard, Plus or Max
- Turn on the kill switch and DNS leak protection before browsing
What Our Review Didn’t Cover
This comparison focused on individual users and small households. We did not evaluate the PureVPN business tier, run router-level benchmarks, or measure performance from Asian or African server locations. Streaming results shift week to week as platforms update their blocking, so treat our unblocking notes as a snapshot rather than a guarantee. Our full PureVPN review and Mullvad VPN review go deeper on each product on its own.
Final Verdict
| Category | Winner |
|---|---|
| 💰 Pricing | PureVPN |
| 🔐 Privacy & Logging | Mullvad |
| ⚡ Speed Consistency | Mullvad |
| 🎥 Streaming | PureVPN |
| 📱 Devices & Server Reach | PureVPN |
| 🛠️ Security Features | Mullvad |
| 👤 Ease of Use | Mullvad |
| 🏆 Overall Winner | Mullvad |
🏆 WINNER: MULLVAD
Mullvad takes 4 of 7 categories on a 4.3 rating against 4.0.
Best for: Anonymous sign-up, audited no-logs privacy, predictable flat pricing
These two VPN companies are not really chasing the same buyer. Mullvad wins because it removes the thing most VPN services quietly keep: a record of you.
PureVPN is the better all-rounder on paper. More servers, more devices, better streaming, lower price.
We recommend PureVPN if you want one VPN service to handle streaming, torrenting and a household of ten devices. It is a fair pick and the 31-day guarantee lowers the risk.
But if privacy is the reason you are shopping at all, Mullvad is the stronger buy in today’s VPN market.
More of PureVPN Compared
Here is how it lines up against other VPN providers worth a look.
PureVPN vs NordVPN
PureVPN wins on: Lower entry price, ten device slots, cheaper dedicated IP add-on
NordVPN wins on: Steadier speed test results, stronger Netflix unblocking, Threat Protection bundled in
PureVPN vs ExpressVPN
PureVPN wins on: Roughly a third of the cost, twice the device allowance, port forwarding available
ExpressVPN wins on: A far more polished Windows app, more consistent long-distance speeds, wider router support
PureVPN vs Proton VPN
PureVPN wins on: Bigger country count, dedicated IP option, bundled password manager on Max
Proton VPN wins on: A genuine free tier, Swiss jurisdiction, fully open-source clients
PureVPN vs Private Internet Access
PureVPN wins on: Broader country coverage, dark web monitoring add-on, dedicated Apple TV app
Private Internet Access wins on: Unlimited devices, open-source apps, court-tested no-logs record
More of Mullvad Compared
And here is where it sits against other VPNs in the same bracket.
Mullvad vs NordVPN
Mullvad wins on: No-email sign-up, cash and crypto payment, price that never renews higher
NordVPN wins on: Roughly ten times the number of servers, working Netflix access, cheaper multi-year deals
Mullvad vs ExpressVPN
Mullvad wins on: Lower monthly cost, open-source clients, RAM-only servers with no account trail
ExpressVPN wins on: Streaming across many regions, servers in 100+ countries, 24/7 live chat
Mullvad vs Proton VPN
Mullvad wins on: Anonymous account generation, simpler pricing, the companion Mullvad Browser
Proton VPN wins on: A free plan with unlimited data, far more server locations, better streaming results
Mullvad vs Surfshark
Mullvad wins on: Anonymity at sign-up, audited no-logs record, no renewal price increase
Surfshark wins on: Unlimited simultaneous device connections, reliable streaming, a much larger server list
Frequently Asked Questions
How trustworthy is PureVPN?
KPMG and Altius IT have audited the no-logs policy, and surprise audits are allowed. A 2017 logging case still hurts the reputation, so judge it on the audits.
Is PureVPN good for streaming?
Yes. It has unblocked Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime Video, and there is an Apple TV app. Some regional Netflix libraries still fail.
Is PureVPN safe to use?
It uses AES-256 encryption, a kill switch and DNS leak protection, and it is based in the British Virgin Islands. Turn the kill switch on manually after install.
Is Mullvad really anonymous?
Close to it. Sign-up needs no email or name, just a random 16-digit number. Pay in cash or crypto and no personal data is processed at all.
How much does Mullvad VPN cost per month?
A flat €5 per month on every term, whether you buy one month, one year or a decade. There are no long-term discounts and no automatic renewals.
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