Introduction

Mullvad is a Sweden-based VPN service built around one principle: you should be able to browse the Internet without leaving a trace or handing over personal data. No e-mail is required, accounts are anonymous numbers, and every payment—card, cash, or crypto—funnels into the same privacy-preserving ledger. Independent audits, open-sourced apps, and WireGuard by default make Mullvad a favourite among journalists, developers, and anyone who dislikes surveillance-capitalism.

Getting Started

1. Service Fundamentals

Aspect Detail
Headquarters Göteborg, Sweden
Jurisdiction EU but no data-retention laws for VPNs in Sweden
Core protocols WireGuard (default), OpenVPN
Server fleet ≈650 servers in 43 countries (all physical or owned-hardware VPS)
Data logged Zero—no traffic, DNS, or even connection timestamps

2. Why Choose Mullvad?

  • Anonymous sign-up — receive a random 16-digit account number; that’s it
  • Flat pricing — €5 per month everywhere, no multi-year upsells
  • Open-source clients — desktop, iOS, Android; reproducible builds
  • Cash & crypto accepted — mail in an envelope or pay with XMR/BTC
  • Audited twice (Cure53 2020, Assured 2023) plus regular warrant canaries
  • Port-forwarding & bridge relays for torrenting or obfuscation

3. Account & Pricing

Item Detail
Cost €5 / 30 days (VAT auto-calculated)
Payment methods Card, PayPal, Swish, Bitcoin, Monero, bank wire, cash in envelope
Simultaneous devices 5 per account number
Refund policy 30 day, no questions asked

4. Supported Platforms

Platform App Extras
Windows / macOS / Linux Native GUI (Qt) CLI mullvad for scripting
iOS / iPadOS App Store client On-Demand rules, local DNS
Android F-Droid & Play builds Split-tunnel per-app
Routers OpenWrt, pfSense guide Config generator (WG/OVPN)

5. Connection Setup Paths

5.1 Desktop (GUI)

  1. Download from https://mullvad.net/download
  2. Enter 16-digit account number → Connect → auto-select fastest server
  3. Optional: Settings ▶ “Always-on WireGuard”

5.2 Mobile

iOS — install, paste account, enable “Connect on demand”
Android — import account, toggle “Block connections without VPN” (killswitch)

5.3 Router / Headless

opkg update && opkg install wireguard
wg setconf mullvad0 /etc/wireguard/mullvad.conf
ifup mullvad0

Config file downloaded from the Mullvad “WireGuard config” tool.

6. Key Features & Toggles

Toggle Location What it does
Kill Switch Settings ▶ “Block internet when disconnected” Prevents leaks between handshakes
DNS over TLS Default Private resolvers on every server
Bridge Mode Settings ▶ “Bridge” Double-hop via entry + exit server
Split-tunnelling Desktop & Android Route selected apps outside VPN
Port-forward Website dashboard Reserve a port → visible in client

7. Security & Audits

  • 2020 Cure53 audit — no critical issues; all fixed
  • 2022 OpenVPN infrastructure audit
  • 2023 Assured AB full-stack audit
  • RAM-only servers; physical tamper seals; admin access via single-use SSH certs
  • Warrant canary updated quarterly; never received equipment seizure order

8. Performance & Network

Region Median WireGuard speed (1 Gbps link)
EU West 820 Mbps
US East 760 Mbps
Asia-Pacific 540 Mbps
Latency overhead averages 5–20 ms; best performance when selecting country-level “auto”.

9. Troubleshooting Quick Chart

Issue Cause Fix
“TUN device unavailable” (Windows) Disabled TAP driver Re-install client, run as admin once
Can’t reach local LAN Default routing blocks Add subnet to “Allow LAN” list
Streaming site blocks VPN Known IP range Enable Bridge mode or change exit country
Bitcoin invoice expired Exchange mempool backlog Regenerate invoice; funds auto-credit if late

11. Bottom Line

Mullvad offers a single, transparent plan: €5 for uncompromising privacy, audited apps, and anonymous accounts. If you need a VPN that respects civil liberties more than marketing funnels, the 16-digit number is all it asks of you.

Community & Resources