Hello there
I currently use NordVPN and I am considering migrating to Mullvad since supposedly it’s better regarding privacy.
But I found out it has some issues. Mainly the ones related to Streaming videos.
It also doesn’t have a Password Manager. So it means I would have to pay for Mullvad and a Password manager apart.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of Mullvad when compared to NordVPN?
One of my favorite features is that you can pay as you go.
Only con for me is not allowing port forwarding, i want to open a port for my server but can’t do that with Mullvad
I can’t comment on Nord much, but here are Mullvad’s pros and cons as I see it:
Pros
Cons
ProtonVPN is another good alternative, particularly for their streaming support and 10 simultaneous connections allowed compared to Mullvad’s 5. Proton (the parent entity) shares some of the benefits of Mullvad, like their support for open source and overall trustworthiness. They somewhat rely on influencer marketing, and some questionable marketing overall, but they have recently converted into a nonprofit structure. They also have an ecosystem (that includes a password manager) with halfway decent free tiers.
Do an internet search for “nordvpn data breach” and read some of the results. Anyone can have a data breach, but it’s how they handled it that is the reason I’ll never use them.
If you’re okay with that level of “service,” maybe don’t switch?
Otherwise, read the Mullvad blog for some of the upgrades they’ve done, especially with their traffic being ran through RAM, so it’s not even possible to have logs.
If you MUST have port forwarding, or access to online streaming services, maybe consider other alternatives, but not Nord.
I use a combination of Mullvad via Tailscale.com & ProtonVPN. Covers all my bases
Cons? There’s no Cons
Connection is mostly stable, features are the best you can find between VPNs, price is reasonable.
Maybe, just maybe, they have a limited amount of owned servers.
You can use third-party servers tho, but I trust more the owned ones.
Edit: I’m comparing Mullvad with good privacy policies VPN, not with mainstream VPNs (thought it was obvious)
I switched from Nord VPN to MullVad VPN, but kept paying Nord for NordPass separately instead of a bundle. Once my NordPass subscription is up for renew again, I will likely switch to something else for Keeper.
I only use a VPN when I travel or on public Wi-Fi, so paying for when I need it, and then not paying when I don’t is good for me. Plus, more privacy is always good!
The only con I’ve found is that Mullvad is frequently blocked by many sites compared to other VPNs.
“supposedly it’s better regarding privacy.” It IS much better, especially compared to Nord, which isn’t private at all.
Also search bitwarden. You can do everything you need 100% free.
It really depends on what you want out of the service. If streaming is your priority, Mullvad isn’t your best option. If privacy and security are your priority, Mullvad is very, very good. Your framing for the question suggests you value the ability to stream over the service. If NordVPN isn’t working, I would recommend ProtonVPN.
For me, privacy and then security are my priorities. Streaming isn’t in the picture. Not surprisingly, my rank ordered VPN provider list would go something like:
Password managers are a different topic - but I’d agree with the other advice posted here - there are a number of free password managers on the market. Pick one.
I haven’t no issues with streaming. Password manager, Bitwarden is free and I don’t know why anyone would use anything else. It can also be self hosted.
You can pay anonymously, and for as long or little as you please. All their dude code is open source.
They have quantum resistant tunnels.
They are shutting down OpenVPN
Loads of reasons to use Mullvad. No cons I’m aware of
Is the lack of streaming support why Amazon Music still knew I was in the US when I was trying to play Pearl Jam that was released in Australia but at that time of the day, not yet released in the USA? People using other VPN services could listen via an Australian location with their non-Mullvad VPN.
After today’s news that OpenVPN will no longer be supported in the future, I will no longer support this service.
They had that feature but ended it…
On privacy:
I just want to add that Proton in the past has collaborated with authorities (Ex:2022, FBI & Spanish police) as it is bounded by Swiss law. So, I am not sure about the privacy aspect.
Mullvad, as far as I know, hasn’t. In, 2023, when Swedish police contacted Mullvad, they couldn’t find any logs.
Mullvad uses open source code internally, relying not even on Linux, but rather Qubes OS, a more privacy and security focused operating system.
Mullvad using Qubes OS is huge on the pros list. Searching on nordvpn data breach results in a long list of reading stuff. Searching for “Mullvad data breach” gives this result:
No results found for “Mullvad data breach”
I trust (and love) it so much that even when I don’t need it, I keep extending my plan (now ~500 days remaining).
(Dramatizing)
‘What if I forget its name? What if I need it, and I don’t have an account active plan, and I am not able to buy one at that time?’ Oh no. ‘Let’s get some more credit’
come on…you can be more objective than that.
Advantages
I think it’s woth it, but we can be honest in our responses.
I just switched to mullvad and discovered my ISP blocks it lmao. I had to route traffic through my pihole DNS to even connect initially.