Mullvad and NordVPN are paid VPN services with different approaches to price and privacy. Mullvad costs a fixed €5 per month and doesn't require an email at registration, while NordVPN is currently cheaper on the starting price of its long-term plan and offers a significantly larger server network.
Mullvad has no trial, whereas new NordVPN users on Android get a 3-day trial. When choosing between Mullvad and NordVPN, it is more important to compare price, geography, devices and features.
Mullvad and NordVPN by the numbers
| Metric | Mullvad | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Price | €5/mo regardless of the term | Basic — $3.49/mo for the first 27 months. |
| Trial access | No Free plan or trial | 3 days on Android via Google Play |
| Refund | 14 days for supported payment methods | 30 days |
| Network | About 570 servers, 50 countries, 91 cities | 8400+ servers, 167+ countries, 224+ locations |
| Connections | Up to 5 | Up to 10 |
| Protocols | WireGuard | NordLynx, NordWhisper, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec |
| Features | DAITA, Multihop, obfuscation, quantum-resistant tunnels | Double VPN, Meshnet, NordWhisper, Onion Over VPN |
Data and prices were verified in September 2026 against the official Mullvad and NordVPN websites and may change.
Mullvad vs NordVPN: prices
Mullvad costs €5 per month regardless of the billing period and offers no discounts for a long-term subscription.
NordVPN Basic currently costs $3.49 per month for the first 27 months, after which a different renewal price applies.
NordVPN is cheaper on the current starting price of its long-term plan, while Mullvad offers a more predictable fixed cost with no long-term commitment.
Mullvad vs NordVPN: servers and countries
Mullvad lists about 570 servers in 50 countries and 91 cities, and also shows each server's status, provider, speed and hardware owner.
NordVPN claims 8400+ servers in 167+ countries and 224+ locations, so it significantly exceeds Mullvad in the scale of its published network.
That said, for a practical choice what still matters more is whether the specific location you need is available.
Mullvad vs NordVPN: devices and trial access
Mullvad supports up to 5 devices on a single account. For more you need a second account or a compatible VPN router.
NordVPN supports up to 10 connections and offers new Android users a 3-day trial via Google Play. Mullvad has no trial, so NordVPN has the edge on devices and trial access.
Mullvad vs NordVPN: protocols and features
As of January 15, 2026, Mullvad has fully switched to WireGuard. Additional features include Multihop, DAITA and obfuscation methods.
NordVPN offers NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec and NordWhisper for restricted networks. Additional features include Double VPN, Meshnet and specialized server modes.
Mullvad and NordVPN: privacy and no-logs
Both services claim no-logs, but use different approaches to proving privacy.
Mullvad doesn't require a name, email or password: a random account number is generated at registration. The service also claims it doesn't keep logs of user activity.
Mullvad regularly conducts independent audits of different components of the service. In January 2026, X41 completed an audit of the account and payment system, and in June the Android app again passed an independent MASA assessment.
NordVPN has passed six independent no-logs audits; the latest was conducted by Deloitte at the end of 2025.
Mullvad stands out for minimizing data right at registration and for audits of individual components, NordVPN for regular independent audits of its no-logs policy.
Which to choose: Mullvad or NordVPN?
Mullvad is worth considering if a fixed €5 per month, registration without an email, WireGuard, DAITA or Multihop matter to you.
NordVPN is a good fit if a larger network, up to 10 connections, NordWhisper, Meshnet or a lower starting price for the long-term plan matter to you.
Need an alternative to Mullvad or NordVPN?
Mullvad has no trial, and NordVPN offers a 3-day test only to new Android users via Google Play.
If you would like to try a full-featured VPN without a bank card, consider VolnaLink: the service provides 8 hours of full access and locations in 100+ countries. In that time, you can choose the country you need, test the VPN with your usual websites and apps and then decide whether you need a subscription.
See also: NordVPN vs ExpressVPN · NordVPN vs Proton VPN · Proton VPN vs ExpressVPN · NordVPN vs CyberGhost · NordVPN vs Surfshark · Surfshark vs ExpressVPN · Surfshark vs Proton VPN · Surfshark vs CyberGhost