ExpressVPN vs Mullvad
Mullvad scores 9.0 out of 10, ExpressVPN scores 8.0. Compared on price, jurisdiction, measured speed loss and logging policy: the same independent tests we run on every provider.
The quick answer
Pick ExpressVPN if unblocking streaming libraries is your main use case. Pick Mullvad if jurisdiction and minimal data collection matter more to you than raw speed.
| ExpressVPN | Mullvad | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.0 / 10 | 9.0 / 10 |
| Verdict | Worth It | Recommended |
| Price / mo | $2.79 | €5.00 |
| Jurisdiction | British Virgin Islands | Sweden |
| Speed loss | 11% | 24% |
| Logs policy | No-logs, audited (KPMG) | No-logs, audited (Cure53) |
| Best for | streaming,ease of use | privacy,torrenting |
| ExpressVPN | Mullvad | |
|---|---|---|
| Kill switch | Yes, called Network Lock, on by default on Windows, Mac, and Linux | |
| Split tunneling | Yes, Windows and Android; not available on macOS 11 or iOS | |
| Tor support | Yes, Tor over VPN supported through specific servers | |
| Protocols | Lightway (UDP/TCP), Lightway Turbo, OpenVPN, IKEv2 on Mac | |
| Encryption | AES-256 with a 4096-bit RSA key and SHA-512 HMAC authentication | |
| Ad and malware blocker | Threat Manager blocks tracking and malicious connections, plus a built in ad blocker | |
| Leak protection | Private DNS on every server; no IP, DNS, IPv6, or WebRTC leaks found | |
| Full disk encryption | RAM only TrustedServer infrastructure, rebuilt on a one to two week cycle | |
| Bug bounty program | Yes, public bug bounty via Bugcrowd, up to $100,000 for critical vulnerabilities | |
| Gaming latency impact | Minimal on nearby servers; European routes measured under 85ms ping | |
| Customer support | 24/7 live chat, typically under 1 minute response; email support available | |
| Money back guarantee | 30 days on paid plans, first time customers | |
| Server network | 214 server locations across 113 countries | |
| Simultaneous devices | 10 devices on Basic, 12 on Advanced, 14 on Pro | |
| Router support | Browser based router app for Asus, Linksys, Netgear, and Microsoft routers; also sells the Aircove router pre-configured | |
| Browser extensions | Chrome and Firefox extensions; also works with Edge, Brave, and Vivaldi via the Chrome Web Store | |
| Works in restrictive countries | Possible but not guaranteed; requires specific servers and a mirror URL to download the app | |
| Payment methods | Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Bitcoin, Apple Pay, and Google Pay | |
| Business plan | No dedicated business plan; consumer tiers scale up to 14 simultaneous devices instead |
ExpressVPN
The most polished apps and RAM-only infrastructure we tested, offset by a genuine ethical concern in its executive history.
- RAM-only TrustedServer infrastructure, build process audited by PwC
- Lightway protocol is open-sourced and independently audited by Cure53
- Consistently rated the easiest, most polished apps in this comparison
- 214 server locations across 113 countries
Mullvad
No account, no email, no fuss — and the only provider we've seen survive an actual police raid with nothing to hand over.
- No account or email required to sign up
- Survived a 2023 Swedish police raid with zero data to hand over
- Flat €5/month pricing, no upsell tiers
- DAITA traffic obfuscation and post-quantum key exchange