NordVPN vs Mullvad: Privacy Purist or Everyday All-Rounder?
This NordVPN vs Mullvad comparison covers privacy evidence, features, pricing and device limits. NordVPN and Mullvad both encrypt your traffic and hide your IP, but they target different buyers. By comparison, NordVPN is a polished, feature-heavy all-rounder with a huge network and long intro deals. In contrast, Mullvad is a privacy-first Swedish VPN with anonymous numbered accounts, a flat €5 price, and open-source apps. Therefore, this guide sticks to what each provider publishes — no invented speed or streaming tests.
NordVPN vs Mullvad: why compare them?
Shoppers shortlist these two because both encrypt traffic and publish no-activity-logs policies — yet the product shapes could hardly be more different. However, the decision is rarely “secure versus insecure.” Instead, consider which trade-offs you accept.
- Privacy style. Mullvad signs you up with a random account number and publishes open-source apps plus public infrastructure audit write-ups. By comparison, NordVPN uses a conventional Nord Account email login; its Linux client is open source on GitHub, while its other mainstream apps are not published the same way, and its latest Deloitte assurance PDF is login-gated.
- Product style. NordVPN piles on specialty servers, Meshnet and threat-tooling tiers. In contrast, Mullvad keeps a narrower stack aimed at hard privacy (DAITA, WireGuard multihop, quantum-resistant tunnels).
- Money over time. NordVPN’s US Basic intro looks cheap, then renews hard. However, Mullvad’s €5 never changes with term length.
- India IP reality. NordVPN offers a virtual India IP after CERT-In. By comparison, Mullvad has no India location at all.
NordVPN vs Mullvad: comparison method
This is a documentation comparison, not a lab shootout. For each claim we opened the provider’s own pricing, features, support, audit or API page on 5 October 2026 (IST) and recorded what was stated that day. However, we do not invent Mbps charts, Netflix “worked for us” lists, or star rankings. When a support article contradicted older marketing (NordVPN port forwarding), we follow the support page. Therefore, use each money-back window to validate fit on your own ISP, devices and peak hours.
- In scope: published prices, device limits, jurisdictions, audit announcements, protocol lists, India virtual-location docs, P2P/port-forwarding statements, and feature matrices.
- Out of scope: first-party speed tests, streaming unblock guarantees, torrent speed trials, and any claim that would require us to pretend we measured something we did not.
- Affiliate note: brand-name buttons and header links may be sponsored; that never changes the source-linked facts in the table or body.
NordVPN vs Mullvad: side-by-side
How to read the comparison
Facts below were re-checked on 5 October 2026 against each provider’s public pages and (for live counts) public APIs. Cell text is shortened for phones; key official anchors sit under the table, with the full labelled list in Sources at the end.
| Feature | NordVPN | Mullvad |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest long-term | Basic 2-yr: $3.49/mo ($94.23 / first 27 mo); renews $139.08/yr | €5/mo flat incl. VAT (~$5.60 USD equiv shown); same for 1 mo / 1 yr / decade |
| Monthly plan | $14.99 Basic (US pricing cart) | €5 (same as every other term) |
| Money-back | 30 days | 14 days (not for cash or crypto) |
| Devices | 10 | 5 |
| Servers / countries | ~7,167 servers (API); 150 countries; 225 locations | ~536 active WireGuard; 50 countries; 91 cities |
| Protocols | NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec (manual), NordWhisper | WireGuard only (OpenVPN removed 15 Jan 2026) |
| Jurisdiction | Panama (Nord Security in the Netherlands) | Sweden (Mullvad VPN AB, Gothenburg) |
| No-logs audits | Six Deloitte engagements; latest 10 Nov–12 Dec 2025 (login-gated PDF) | Cure53 infrastructure audit Jun 2024; public write-ups; RAM-only servers |
| Open-source apps | Linux client yes; other apps not published as open source (NordVPN Linux on GitHub) | Yes — apps GPL-3 (mullvad/mullvadvpn-app) |
| Account signup | Email / Nord Account | Random account number; no email required |
| Streaming | Advertised (SmartPlay) | Not positioned as a streaming VPN |
| Torrenting (P2P) | Dedicated P2P servers; port forwarding not offered (support) | Allowed on the network; no port forwarding (since May 2023) |
| Free plan | No (30-day refund only) | No |
| India location | Virtual India IP (released 2 Jan 2024; Mumbai on servers list) | None (no servers / staff in India) |
Sources (checked 5 October 2026): key table anchors — NordVPN pricing; Mullvad pricing; NordVPN India servers; Mullvad OpenVPN removal; Mullvad relays API. Full labelled list: Sources at the end. Scroll sideways on narrow screens if needed.
NordVPN vs Mullvad: privacy and audits
Similarly, both companies say they keep no activity logs. However, how they prove it — and under which law they operate — is where they diverge.
- NordVPN / Panama. NordVPN states it operates under Panamanian law and that Panama has no mandatory data-retention law that would force it to store logs (NordVPN jurisdiction article; NordVPN no-logs policy page, checked 5 October 2026). Meanwhile, parent Nord Security is based in the Netherlands.
- Mullvad / Sweden. Mullvad VPN AB is based in Gothenburg. In addition, it publishes a detailed no-logging policy: no traffic logs, no DNS logs, no connection timestamps, and no IP addresses tied to activity; accounts are random numbers (Mullvad no-logging policy, checked 5 October 2026; last updated 17 June 2026). However, payment anonymity varies by method — cash and Monero sit at the private end; cards and PayPal do not. Nevertheless, Sweden is still an EU / Fourteen Eyes country, so jurisdiction is a trade-off: transparency does not erase geography.
Audit reports and source-code access
- NordVPN audits. Sixth Deloitte Lithuania ISAE 3000 (Revised) engagement ran 10 November–12 December 2025. However, the full report is for logged-in Nord Account users (NordVPN Deloitte 2025 engagement, checked 5 October 2026).
- Mullvad audits & open source. Fourth infrastructure audit by Cure53 (3–14 June 2024) focused on privacy impact as well as security. In contrast, Mullvad publishes the write-up (Cure53 infrastructure audit, checked 5 October 2026). In addition, servers are RAM-only / diskless (stboot / System Transparency) (RAM-only migration post). Furthermore, apps are open source under GPL-3 on GitHub (Mullvad open-source page). By comparison, NordVPN’s Linux client is open source on GitHub (NordSecurity/nordvpn-linux); that does not make its Windows, macOS, iOS or Android apps open source.
If you want public audit posts and readable app code without creating an account, Mullvad is easier. If you specifically want a Big Four no-logs attestation, NordVPN’s Deloitte series matches — with the caveat that the full report sits behind a login.
NordVPN vs Mullvad: security extras
In addition, both include a kill switch and DNS leak protection in their apps. Instead, the extras are the product difference.
- NordVPN. Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, obfuscated servers, Meshnet, and dedicated IP add-ons appear on the features/marketing matrix (NordVPN features page, checked 5 October 2026). NordWhisper is listed among protocols on the servers page for restrictive networks (NordVPN servers page, checked 5 October 2026). Pricing pages describe scam/phishing-style DNS filtering on plans and place desktop anti-malware / fuller threat tooling on Complete/Prime tiers (NordVPN pricing page, checked 5 October 2026). Therefore, treat “Threat Protection” branding and post-quantum messaging as marketing labels that can move between plan rows — verify the live matrix before you pay.
- Mullvad. WireGuard multihop, DAITA (Defense Against AI-guided Traffic Analysis — constant packet sizes, background noise and pattern distortion), quantum-resistant tunnels, anti-censorship options, DNS content blockers, and Lockdown mode. The kill switch is always on and cannot be disabled (Using the Mullvad VPN app, checked 5 October 2026). In addition, Mullvad maintains the Mullvad Browser for fingerprint resistance.
- How to read this. More specialty buttons are not automatically “more private.” Mullvad’s stack is narrower and aimed at hard privacy and traffic-analysis resistance. In contrast, NordVPN leans on specialty routes plus bundled threat tools on higher tiers.
NordVPN vs Mullvad: protocols and speed claims
We have not run NordVPN vs Mullvad speed tests for this article, so there are no invented Mbps figures here. In practice, distance, ISP congestion and time of day dominate.
- NordVPN. Default NordLynx is WireGuard-based; OpenVPN and NordWhisper are also listed, with IKEv2/IPSec for manual setup (NordVPN servers page, checked 5 October 2026). New to WireGuard? See our WireGuard protocol explainer. NordVPN markets a “fastest VPN” claim based on Artifact Security (June 2026) and West Coast Labs (October 2025) testing cited on its site (NordVPN pricing footnotes, checked 5 October 2026) — those are third-party tests NordVPN cites, not our tests.
- Mullvad. WireGuard-only as of 15 January 2026, when OpenVPN was fully removed from its servers (OpenVPN removal announcement; final reminder). Anyone still depending on OpenVPN configs needs to move to WireGuard. Mullvad does not publish a headline “fastest VPN” Mbps claim on the pages we checked. Multihop and DAITA will cost some throughput by design — use them when you need the privacy property, not as the default for every Netflix night.
- Practical tip. On a solid fibre or 5G link, stay on NordLynx or WireGuard, pick a nearby server, and decide inside the refund window. If a café Wi-Fi blocks VPN handshakes, try NordWhisper or Mullvad’s anti-censorship / bridge options — both are marketed for restrictive networks, not as magic.
NordVPN vs Mullvad: streaming limits
NordVPN puts real marketing weight on streaming. However, Mullvad does not.
- NordVPN markets SmartPlay and streaming-focused pages across phones, desktops and living-room devices (NordVPN streaming page, checked 5 October 2026).
- Mullvad is not positioned as a streaming VPN; its help materials talk more about CAPTCHAs on shared IPs and geolocation quirks than unlocking catalogues.
- Caveats. Netflix, Disney+, JioHotstar and peers actively block VPN IPs. What works this week may fail next month. Streaming licences usually tie content to the country where the subscription is registered — the common legitimate case is watching your own home library while you travel.
- Buyer note. If streaming is why you are buying a VPN, NordVPN is the safer bet of these two. If you mainly want private browsing and can live with occasional CAPTCHAs, Mullvad is fine — just do not buy it as a streaming specialist. Test during the refund window.
5 VPNs to consider
If you are weighing NordVPN against Mullvad, it helps to see a few nearby peers on the same docs-only footing. For clarity, the five providers below are listed alphabetically. In other words, numbers 1–5 mark list position only — not performance ranks, scores or a winner. Facts were re-checked on official pages on 5 October 2026, and we did not run speed or streaming lab tests for this shortlist. ExpressVPN, Proton VPN and Surfshark get brief, source-linked notes; the NordVPN and Mullvad cards stay short and point to the side-by-side table and deep-dive sections elsewhere in this guide.
1. ExpressVPN – polished premium peer
Worth a look beside this matchup: documented TrustedServer (RAM-only) stack, Lightway protocol, and British Virgin Islands jurisdiction messaging on its devices page (ExpressVPN devices page, checked 5 Oct 2026). In addition, the Trust Center lists KPMG no-logs / privacy audit work and PwC TrustedServer audits (ExpressVPN Trust Center, checked 5 Oct 2026).
✔ Pros
- TrustedServer RAM-only architecture documented publicly
- Up to 14 simultaneous devices on the top plan tier
- 30-day money-back window for new users
- KPMG / PwC audits listed in the Trust Center
✘ Cons
- No free plan (refund window only)
- Fewer simultaneous devices on Basic than Surfshark’s unlimited seat
- Long-term price sits in the premium band — confirm renewal at checkout
| Long intro (US Basic) | $2.99/mo ($83.72 / first 28 mo); renews $99.95/yr |
| Devices | 10 / 12 / 14 by plan tier |
| Network (published) | 113 countries |
| Money-back | 30 days (new users) |
| Jurisdiction (provider) | British Virgin Islands |
| Source | ExpressVPN pricing (5 Oct 2026) |
2. Mullvad – flat price and privacy-first sign-up
One half of this article’s main matchup. For reference, full docs, table rows and caveats sit in the side-by-side table, plus privacy and audits above and pricing below. Headline facts re-checked today: flat €5 per month including VAT (about $5.60 USD equivalent shown), 5 devices, numbered accounts, open-source apps, and a 14-day money-back window with cash/crypto exclusions (Mullvad pricing; Mullvad FAQ, checked 5 Oct 2026).
✔ Pros
- Flat €5/month incl. VAT — no long-term teaser trap
- Numbered account; no email required to sign up
- Open-source apps (GPL-3) and public infrastructure audit write-ups
- RAM-only WireGuard servers; DAITA / multihop available
✘ Cons
- Only 5 devices (vs 10 on NordVPN)
- No port forwarding; WireGuard-only after OpenVPN removal
- 14-day refund excludes cash and crypto; not a streaming specialist
| Price model | €5/month incl. VAT (flat) |
| Devices | 5 |
| Network (API today) | ~536 active WG · 50 countries · 91 cities |
| Money-back | 14 days (not cash/crypto) |
| Jurisdiction | Sweden (Gothenburg) |
| Source | Mullvad pricing (5 Oct 2026) |
3. NordVPN – feature-heavy all-rounder
The other half of the deep dive. For reference, details sit in the side-by-side table, plus privacy and audits above and pricing below. Headline facts re-checked today: 10 devices, Basic 2-year intro $3.49/mo ($94.23 first 27 months) renewing at $139.08/year, 30-day money-back, and a sixth Deloitte no-logs engagement (login-gated PDF) (NordVPN pricing; Deloitte 2025 engagement, checked 5 Oct 2026).
✔ Pros
- Published US Basic intro and renewal dollars
- Specialty servers (Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, obfuscated) + Meshnet
- Documented virtual India IP (released 2 Jan 2024)
- Sixth Deloitte no-logs assurance engagement
✘ Cons
- Latest audit PDF is login-gated; only Linux client is open source
- Port forwarding not offered (support, checked today)
- Renewal jumps hard after the intro term
| Long intro (US Basic) | $3.49/mo ($94.23 / first 27 mo); renews $139.08/yr |
| Devices | 10 |
| Network (API / marketing) | ~7,167 servers · 150 countries · 225 locations |
| Money-back | 30 days |
| Jurisdiction | Panama (product); Nord Security in Europe |
| Source | NordVPN pricing (5 Oct 2026) |
4. Proton VPN – open-source and a real free plan
Useful when you want Swiss jurisdiction messaging, a real Free plan (1 device, 10 random countries), and publicly linked Securitum no-logs audits. In addition, paid plans list 10 devices and a 30-day money-back window. Therefore, confirm current USD catalog totals at checkout (Proton VPN pricing; Proton no-logs audits, checked 5 Oct 2026). Deeper matchup: NordVPN vs ProtonVPN.
✔ Pros
- Open-source apps and publicly linked Securitum audits
- Real Free plan (1 device, 10 random countries)
- Swiss jurisdiction messaging (Proton AG, Geneva)
- Port forwarding listed; Secure Core multi-hop
✘ Cons
- Email-tied Proton Account (not Mullvad-style numbered anonymity)
- Free plan: 1 device and random country selection only
- Long-term paid price — confirm renewal/tax at checkout
| Paid price | Confirm USD totals at checkout |
| Devices | 10 paid · 1 Free |
| Network (published) | 20,000+ servers · 140+ countries |
| Money-back | 30 days on paid plans |
| Jurisdiction | Switzerland (Proton AG, Geneva) |
| Source | Proton VPN pricing (5 Oct 2026) |
5. Surfshark – unlimited devices and value tiers
Consider Surfshark when device count is the deciding constraint. Surfshark documents unlimited simultaneous connections, 4,500+ servers in 100 countries, CleanWeb / MultiHop / obfuscated servers, and a 30-day money-back guarantee (Surfshark features; Surfshark pricing, checked 5 Oct 2026). Based in the Netherlands (Surfshark B.V., Amsterdam). No-logs page cites Deloitte assurance work in 2023 and 2025 and RAM-only servers (Surfshark no-logs).
✔ Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous connections documented
- Starter long intro showed $2.49/mo ($67.23 first 27 mo) today
- Deloitte no-logs assurance cited for 2023 and 2025
- 30-day money-back guarantee
✘ Cons
- Renewal / which extras sit on Starter vs One+ — confirm at checkout
- No free plan; not Mullvad-level anonymous signup
- Server totals and promo lines move — re-check before you pay
| Long intro (Starter) | $2.49/mo ($67.23 / first 27 mo); VAT may apply |
| Devices | Unlimited simultaneous connections |
| Network (published) | 4,500+ servers · 100 countries |
| Money-back | 30 days |
| Jurisdiction (provider) | Netherlands (Amsterdam) |
| Source | Surfshark pricing (5 Oct 2026) |
NordVPN vs Mullvad: pricing and value
However, introductory offers change. Therefore, always read the renewal line before you pay.
- NordVPN (US storefront, 5 October 2026). Basic 2-year intro $3.49/month — $94.23 for the first 27 months (includes 3 extra months) — renews at $139.08/year. Basic 1-year: $5.49/mo ($65.88 for the first 12 months), same $139.08/year renewal. Monthly Basic is $14.99 (US pricing page / cart). Complete and Prime add anti-malware, password manager, cloud storage and identity extras at higher intro prices (NordVPN pricing page, checked 5 October 2026). Payment methods and currency options vary by country at checkout.
- Mullvad (official pricing page, 5 October 2026). Flat €5 per month including VAT whether you buy one month, one year or a decade. Currency equivalents shown on the same page when we checked: about $5.60, £4.24, SEK 56.26, A$8.05, CA$7.99 (Mullvad pricing, checked 5 October 2026). Accepted cryptocurrencies are discounted 10%. 14-day money-back guarantee (FAQ: excludes cash for AML reasons and crypto payments). Payment options include cash by post, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Monero, cards, PayPal, bank wire and several local European methods.
- Who is cheaper? On a 2-year NordVPN Basic intro deal, NordVPN costs less per month up front. Once NordVPN renews at $139.08/year (~$11.59/mo), Mullvad’s steady €5 (~$5.60) is clearly cheaper if you stay for years. If you only want a short trial or hate renewal surprises, Mullvad’s model is simpler.
- Local pricing note. NordVPN checkout and tax can vary by country; we verified the US storefront. Mullvad lists EUR plus those live equivalents — no separate INR price was shown on the official page, so we have not invented one. Your bank may still add a foreign-transaction fee.
NordVPN vs Mullvad: apps and daily use
Both ship apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS. Day-to-day differences show up in menus, specialty servers, and how anonymous signup feels.
- NordVPN. Map-based UI and Quick Connect; more menus because of threat tooling, Meshnet and specialty servers (NordVPN features page, checked 5 October 2026). Covers 10 devices on one account. The Linux client is open source on GitHub; other platform apps are not published as open source.
- Mullvad. Deliberately simple: generate an account number, add time, connect. Device names help you manage the 5-device limit. Need more than five endpoints? Mullvad’s FAQ says you cannot raise the limit on one account — use a second account or a WireGuard router (Mullvad FAQ, checked 5 October 2026). WireGuard config files are available for routers and other devices. Apps are open source (mullvad/mullvadvpn-app).
- Split tunneling & kill switch. Split tunnelling is available on both (with platform caveats). Mullvad’s kill switch is always on; Lockdown mode can also block the internet when you disconnect (Using the Mullvad VPN app, checked 5 October 2026).
- Habit tip. Turn the kill switch on (Nord) or leave it alone (Mullvad) before you trust a flaky hotel network. If an app misbehaves with the tunnel up, use split tunneling for that app rather than disabling protection entirely.
NordVPN vs Mullvad: India server notes
In 2022, CERT-In issued directions that require certain VPN providers and intermediaries operating in India to retain customer and connection-related data for long periods and to report incidents quickly. A strict no-logs VPN cannot satisfy those obligations without changing its policy, which is why several major providers removed physical India servers. Using a VPN remains legal in India for lawful activity — see whether VPNs are legal in India.
- NordVPN. Shut physical India servers after CERT-In; launched one virtual location with an Indian IP on 2 January 2024 (NordVPN India servers article, checked 5 October 2026). The servers directory lists Mumbai among locations (NordVPN servers page, checked 5 October 2026). Earlier Nord blogging described the India virtual server as hosted in Singapore (NordVPN virtual servers blog, checked 5 October 2026).
- Mullvad. States it has no servers, infrastructure or staff in India; its live relay list confirms no India country entry (Mullvad FAQ; relays API, checked 5 October 2026). From India you connect out to Singapore, Europe or elsewhere.
- What a virtual India IP means. Indian sites may treat you as local. Traffic still lands on hardware outside India under the provider’s no-logs policy. Latency can be a bit higher than a true local POP — relevant for gaming.
- From India outbound. Both work for Singapore/EU/US exits. Tie-breakers are extras and streaming (Nord) versus anonymous signup and flat price (Mullvad). Full shortlist: Best VPN for India.
NordVPN vs Mullvad: choosing your plan
Match the job, then use the refund window. Neither pick is “the secure one” in absolute terms — both publish no-logs claims with independent checks — so the useful question is which product shape matches how you browse.
- Choose NordVPN if you mainly want streaming and travel convenience, 10 simultaneous connections, specialty servers (Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, obfuscated/NordWhisper), Meshnet, a dedicated IP add-on, a 30-day refund window, or a virtual Indian IP (Mumbai).
- Choose Mullvad if you want anonymous signup (account number; optional cash/crypto payment), a flat price that does not jump at renewal, open-source apps and RAM-only servers, DAITA / multihop / quantum-resistant tunnels without a feature supermarket, and you are fine with 5 devices and ~50 countries.
- Still unsure? NordVPN’s 30-day refund is the lower-risk trial; Mullvad’s 14-day window is shorter, but the flat rate avoids a two-year lock-in. Deeper single-brand write-up: NordVPN review. Another matchup: NordVPN vs ExpressVPN.
Related reading:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mullvad more private than NordVPN?
Both publish no-activity-logs policies. Mullvad goes further on anonymity of signup (numbered account, no email required), open-source apps across platforms, publicly discussed infrastructure audits, and RAM-only servers. NordVPN has a longer series of Deloitte no-logs assurance engagements, but the latest full report is behind a Nord Account login, and only its Linux client is published as open source. For most people either is private enough; for maximum anonymity habits, Mullvad is the stricter design.
Which is cheaper, NordVPN or Mullvad?
On NordVPN’s US pricing page today, Basic’s 2-year intro is $3.49/month ($94.23 for the first 27 months) and renews at $139.08/year; monthly Basic is $14.99 (NordVPN pricing). Mullvad charges a flat €5/month including VAT (about $5.60 USD equivalent shown on its pricing page when we checked) with no renewal jump (Mullvad pricing). Nord’s long intro undercuts Mullvad at the start; after Nord renews, Mullvad’s flat rate is usually cheaper if you stay for years. Month-to-month, Mullvad (€5) beats Nord Basic ($14.99).
How many devices can I use?
NordVPN lists 10 simultaneous connections (NordVPN pricing). Mullvad lists 5 (Mullvad FAQ). Mullvad’s FAQ says you cannot buy extra device slots on one account — use a second account or a WireGuard router if you need more endpoints.
Does Mullvad still support OpenVPN?
No. Mullvad fully removed OpenVPN on 15 January 2026 (OpenVPN removal announcement). Use WireGuard in the app or via config files.
Do NordVPN and Mullvad have servers in India?
NordVPN offers a virtual India IP location released 2 January 2024 (Mumbai appears on its servers directory; earlier blogging described Singapore hosting) (NordVPN India servers). Mullvad has no India servers, infrastructure or staff (Mullvad FAQ). Neither keeps physical no-logs servers in India under the post-2022 CERT-In environment.
Which is better for torrenting?
Both allow P2P traffic in general. NordVPN markets dedicated P2P servers. Neither offers port forwarding on the base product today: NordVPN’s support article says port forwarding is not offered (NordVPN port forwarding); Mullvad disabled adding new ports in May 2023 (Mullvad FAQ).
Is it legal to use these VPNs?
Yes in the US, UK, Canada, Australia and India for ordinary lawful use. Local rules can restrict what you do online; a VPN does not make illegal activity legal. Provider obligations (like India’s CERT-In directions) are separate from your right as a user to encrypt traffic.
Should I pick NordVPN or Mullvad for streaming?
NordVPN actively markets streaming with SmartPlay. Mullvad is not positioned as a streaming specialist. We did not run unblocking tests, so we make no guarantee for any library. Test during each provider’s refund window.
Sources
Official pages re-checked 5 October 2026 (IST). Claim-side links in the body stay primary; this list is the full bibliography for the comparison table and deep-dive sections.
NordVPN
- Pricing (US Basic intro / renewal / monthly)
- Servers directory (countries, locations, protocols)
- Servers API (live server count)
- Jurisdiction support article
- No-logs policy page
- Deloitte 2025 no-logs engagement
- Streaming / SmartPlay
- Port forwarding support article
- Linux client on GitHub (open source)
- India servers support article
- Virtual servers blog (India virtual IP context)
- Features page
Mullvad
- Pricing (€5 flat incl. VAT + FX equivalents)
- Relays API (live WireGuard counts / countries / cities)
- No-logging data policy
- Cure53 infrastructure audit (Jun 2024)
- RAM-only migration post
- OpenVPN removal (15 Jan 2026)
- OpenVPN removal final reminder
- Open-source page
- Apps on GitHub (GPL-3)
- FAQ (devices, refund exclusions, India, port forwarding)
- Using the Mullvad VPN app (kill switch / Lockdown)
Also used (peer cards)
- ExpressVPN pricing; Trust Center; devices page
- Proton VPN pricing; no-logs audits
- Surfshark pricing; features; no-logs
The Bottom Line
NordVPN vs Mullvad is not a weak-versus-strong fight. It is feature-heavy everyday VPN versus privacy-purist flat-rate design — plus a clear published Nord Basic renewal versus Mullvad’s never-changing €5.
Practical move:
- NordVPN — streaming focus, 10 devices, specialty servers, virtual India IP, 30-day refund, Deloitte no-logs series (login-gated PDF).
- Mullvad — numbered account, flat €5, open-source apps, RAM-only WireGuard, public infrastructure audit write-ups, 5 devices.
Pay only after you have checked renewal, tax and FX. Screenshot the checkout totals. Therefore, use the refund window on your real devices at peak hours. This article is general information, not legal advice, and it does not invent speed or unblocking results.
Saurabh VPN Expert writes and reviews VPN guides for VPN Expert Guide, covering privacy, streaming, regional access, and device setup. Our articles draw on provider documentation and published product information, with updates when important details change.
Meet our testing team →Last updated: October 9, 2026