Proton VPN and Mullvad are both credible privacy-focused services, but they are not interchangeable. Mullvad minimizes account information and keeps a simple flat-rate model. Proton VPN offers a broader Proton ecosystem, a free tier, and paid features such as Secure Core and port forwarding. The right choice depends on the information you need to protect and the features you will actually use.
This is a source-based comparison, not a hands-on speed or streaming test. VPN performance varies by location, server, protocol, ISP, and time of day.
Quick decision
- Choose Mullvad if no-email account creation, minimal account data, cash/alternative payment options, and simple pricing matter most.
- Choose Proton VPN if you want a free tier, a broader Proton account ecosystem, Secure Core, or paid port forwarding for supported P2P and other use cases.
- Choose neither solely for “Fourteen Eyes” marketing. Jurisdiction matters, but the provider's actual collection, retention, security design, and response to legal requests matter more than a logo on a map.
Account data and sign-up anonymity
Mullvad issues a randomly generated account number and does not require an email address to create an account. Its current no-logging policy explains that payment methods such as bank transfer, PayPal, Swish, Stripe, or email support can still create payment or support records; “no email required” is not the same as “every payment is anonymous.”
Proton VPN uses a Proton Account. An email address can be used at signup, although Proton also documents privacy-preserving payment options and account-recovery choices. If you need the smallest possible account identifier, Mullvad has the clearer structural advantage. If you need a recoverable account tied to other Proton services, Proton's model may be more convenient.
Logging and independent evidence
Both companies publish no-logging policies, but a policy is a promise rather than a measurement. Read the scope, date, infrastructure, and limitations of any audit instead of treating “audited” as a permanent security badge.
Mullvad publishes its no-logging policy, app source code, and security assessments, including an infrastructure audit by Radically Open Security. It also published details after Swedish authorities executed a 2023 search warrant and reported that no customer data useful for identifying users was found. That event is meaningful evidence about the data Mullvad had available at that time, but it is not a substitute for every future audit.
Mullvad infrastructure audit record
Mullvad account and activity-data policy
Proton publishes its no-logs policy and audit material through its transparency and security documentation. Check the specific report date and scope for the product and platform you plan to use.
Proton VPN security and audit information
Jurisdiction: useful context, not a verdict
Proton VPN is operated by a Swiss company; Mullvad is operated from Sweden. Legal jurisdiction can affect what orders a provider may receive, but it cannot tell you what data exists to hand over. A provider that does not retain activity logs has less activity data to produce, regardless of the marketing shorthand used for intelligence-sharing alliances.
For a serious threat model, read each provider's legal and privacy documentation and consider whether the service is appropriate at all. A consumer VPN is not a guarantee of anonymity against a capable adversary.
Port forwarding and P2P: the old comparison is outdated
Mullvad discontinued port forwarding in 2023. Older reviews that call it a port-forwarding choice are stale.
Mullvad's port-forwarding discontinuation notice
Proton VPN currently documents port forwarding on paid plans and P2P servers. Opening a port creates an inbound path and requires careful application configuration; it is not automatically safer than leaving the port closed.
If your torrent client or self-hosted service genuinely requires an inbound port, Proton is the relevant option between these two. If you do not need that feature, do not select a provider because of it.
Features and ecosystem
Proton VPN's paid plans include features such as Secure Core, NetShield, and access to Proton's broader Mail, Drive, Calendar, and Pass ecosystem depending on the subscription. Feature availability and device limits vary by plan.
Mullvad emphasizes a smaller, privacy-focused product with numbered accounts, WireGuard, open-source apps, and a flat monthly price. It does not bundle a mail or storage suite, which can be a benefit if you want fewer account dependencies.
Check the current plan pages for exact device and platform coverage rather than relying on a static comparison table.
Streaming, speed, and reliability
Neither provider can guarantee access to a particular streaming catalog. Streaming companies change detection systems, and a server that works today may fail tomorrow. Test the services you actually use during the refund period.
For speed, compare the same protocol, nearby and destination servers, wired versus Wi-Fi conditions, latency, upload/download throughput, and reconnect behavior. A single “fastest VPN” result is not transferable to your home connection.
Privacy comparison by user need
- Minimum signup information: Mullvad.
- Free trial path without paying first: Proton VPN has a free plan; verify its current server, speed, and feature limits.
- Port forwarding: Proton VPN paid plans; Mullvad no longer supports it.
- Bundled privacy ecosystem: Proton VPN.
- Simple flat-rate billing and no-email account creation: Mullvad.
- Best choice for a business compliance requirement: neither by default; perform a documented vendor and data-processing review first.
A practical test before subscribing
- Write down your threat model: public Wi-Fi, ISP visibility, P2P, travel, streaming, or something more serious.
- Check the provider's current privacy policy, audit scope, and jurisdiction.
- Install the apps on every device you will use and verify kill-switch behavior after a deliberate connection drop.
- Test DNS/IP leak protection, reconnect behavior, and the exact locations you need.
- If using P2P, bind the client to the VPN interface and decide whether you actually need port forwarding.
- Record the renewal price, refund window, and cancellation process before purchasing.
Frequently asked questions
Which has the better no-logs policy?
Neither wins by slogan. Mullvad's minimal account model and published policy are strong evidence; Proton's policy and audit documentation provide a different evidence trail. Compare current scope and dates, then decide which data model fits your threat model.
Is Mullvad still good for torrenting?
Mullvad supports privacy-focused VPN use, but it no longer supports port forwarding. If your torrent workflow depends on an incoming port, that limitation is decisive. Follow copyright and local law regardless of which VPN you use.
Is Proton VPN more private because it is Swiss?
Swiss jurisdiction may be relevant, but it does not by itself prove privacy. Collection and retention practices, technical design, audits, and account data matter more than a jurisdiction label alone.
Bottom line
Mullvad is the cleaner fit for people who value minimal account data and simple, privacy-first billing. Proton VPN is the more feature-rich fit for people who want a free tier, Proton's broader ecosystem, Secure Core, or paid port forwarding. Neither should be sold as an absolute anonymity solution, and any comparison that still lists Mullvad port forwarding as a current feature needs correction.