Quick Verdict
NordVPN is the better choice for most people -- more servers, better streaming, more features, and lower cost on a long plan. Mullvad is the right choice if you want a VPN that knows as little about you as possible, even at sign-up.
Get NordVPN -- Best Current PriceAd — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Quick Answers
- Mullvad requires no email address to sign up and accepts cash and cryptocurrency
- NordVPN has 9,300+ servers in 137 countries; Mullvad has 850+ in 39 countries
- Mullvad is flat EUR 5/mo (~$5.50); NordVPN is $3.09/mo on a 2-year plan
- NordVPN unlocks Netflix and streaming; Mullvad does not focus on this
- Both use RAM-only servers and have audited no-logs policies
Ad — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Affiliate disclosure: ReviewPooch earns commission on purchases made through links in this article, at no cost to you.
Mullvad occupies a specific niche in the VPN market that NordVPN does not try to fill. Understanding the difference saves you from buying the wrong product.
Quick Comparison
| NordVPN | Mullvad | |
|---|---|---|
| Sign-up requirement | Email address | No email -- account number only |
| Payment options | Card, PayPal, crypto | Card, PayPal, crypto, cash by mail |
| Jurisdiction | Panama | Sweden |
| No-logs audits | 5 (Deloitte, PWC) | 1 (Cure53, 2020) |
| Servers | 9,300+ in 137 countries | 850+ in 39 countries |
| Price | $3.09/mo (2yr) / $12.99/mo | EUR 5/mo flat (~$5.50) |
| Streaming support | Yes -- 25+ Netflix libraries | Limited -- may hit CAPTCHAs |
| RAM-only servers | Yes | Yes |
The Account Anonymity Difference
This is Mullvad's defining feature. You create an account by generating a random number -- no email, no name, no payment details linked to an identity. You can mail cash to Sweden and Mullvad will credit the account. No credit card means no payment processor with your name and address. For someone whose threat model specifically requires minimal data at the provider, Mullvad removes the exposure that most VPNs still carry at the account level.
NordVPN requires an email and a payment method. Its no-logs policy is audited and trustworthy for connection data, but the account itself is tied to your identity. For most users this is irrelevant -- but for the specific user Mullvad is designed for, it matters enormously.
Servers and Streaming
NordVPN's 9,300+ servers across 137 countries gives you far more routing options than Mullvad's 850 servers in 39 countries. For international streaming -- particularly accessing Netflix libraries outside your home region -- NordVPN is the clear choice. Mullvad's documentation acknowledges streaming is not a focus; some users report CAPTCHAs or blocks on major platforms.
Price
Mullvad's flat EUR 5/mo (~$5.50) with no commitment is straightforward. NordVPN on a 2-year plan drops to $3.09/mo -- cheaper than Mullvad if you commit. Month-to-month NordVPN is $12.99 versus Mullvad's consistent $5.50. If you want no commitment and a simple flat rate, Mullvad's pricing model is cleaner.
Who Should Pick Which
Choose Mullvad if: you want no account identity at the VPN level, you pay in cash or crypto for maximum separation, and streaming or features are not priorities. Choose NordVPN if: you want a larger server network, reliable streaming, Threat Protection Pro, and are comfortable with an account linked to your email. If you are in the Mullvad camp, also look at NordPass for securing credentials -- the same privacy-first mindset that attracts Mullvad users applies to password management. For NordVPN's full feature set, see our NordVPN review.
Get NordVPN -- Best Current PriceAd — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.
Bottom Line
Mullvad is not a better or worse VPN -- it is a different product. It optimizes for anonymity at the cost of features and server selection. NordVPN optimizes for a complete privacy and performance package. Know which you are buying.