Proton VPN vs. Mullvad: Which is the best open-source VPN?

Open-source software program is exploding in recognition and even digital non-public networks (VPNs) share code for transparency. With over 100 million open-source builders contributing to the group, there’s an improved probability to search out bugs and patch vulnerabilities.

Proton VPN and Mullvad are amongst the best VPNs obtainable, and each are open-source options. You can browse the code utilized in Proton VPN and Mullvad on GitHub to test that there isn’t any secret logging or undisclosed information assortment.

Transparency is vital, however you additionally need a quick VPN that’s straightforward to make use of and unblocks content material worldwide whereas defending your privateness. Let’s evaluate Proton VPN and Mullvad to search out out which gives the options you want at the best value.

Specs

Tiers and pricing

Proton VPN has an incredible free model with few limitations. In reality, it’s considered one of the best free VPNs obtainable. There’s no restrictions on information use or connection time. However, Proton Free solely has servers in the U.S., the Netherlands, and Japan. If you need to stream geo-blocked content material from different international locations, you’ll must subscribe.

Proton VPN has month-to-month, annual, and two-year subscription plans, with longer phrases providing the best worth. Proton lists the equal month-to-month charge, however the complete charge is due prematurely. The two-year plan is $108 ($4.50 per thirty days) and a one-year subscription prices $60 ($5 every month).

If your want for a VPN varies, Proton VPN gives a $10 month-to-month plan. At this charge, six months of service prices as a lot as an annual subscription, so solely select this for infrequent use.

A Proton VPN subscription is worthwhile because it unlocks entry to over 110 international locations and less-crowded servers. When you pay, you should use superior options like safe core servers that double-hop throughout two servers for added privateness safety.

Mullvad doesn’t supply a free tier and there’s just one choice for subscribing: 5 euros month-to-month. That’s at present $5.27 in U.S. {dollars}, although it varies based mostly on the worldwide change charge.

That means Mullvad’s month-to-month subscription prices about the similar as Proton’s annual plan and is virtually as cheap as the two-year plan. But cash isn’t the solely vital element when deciding on a VPN.

Features

A quick connection is important if you happen to use a VPN for streaming, torrenting, or net apps. With Proton VPN Plus, the paid model, I loved sturdy and fast connection speeds worldwide. Proton VPN Plus is as fast NordVPN and offers better long-term prices.

Nearby areas exceeded 50% of my native obtain charge whereas absolutely protected by Proton VPN Plus. When connecting to a server on the different facet of the planet, Speedtest.web reported 255 Mbps downloads which is a couple of quarter my regular velocity, however quick sufficient.

In my Mullvad checks, the connection was dependable, however speeds various by location and I spent extra time attempting totally different servers to maximise throughput. I received fast 521 Mbps downloads from a close-by server in New York, and quick 264 to 432 Mbps speeds for European international locations.

Distant servers are slower for any VPN and I wasn’t disillusioned by 24 Mbps downloads for Australia. However, Mullvad was unusually gradual once I picked a server in Canada (the place I reside), managing simply 149 Mbps for downloads.

While Proton VPN Plus gives constantly quick speeds, Mullvad’s protection is a bit of spotty. Proton additionally gives extra options and superior choices to fine-tune your connection.

I put in the Proton VPN Windows app and browser extension, which function independently. I can shortly join with out leaving the browser whereas different apps entry the web unprotected, however at full velocity. While I can obtain an identical impact with the split-tunneling characteristic obtainable in each Proton VPN Plus and Mullvad, Proton’s browser extension is extra handy when shopping the net.

Support

Proton VPN Plus gives 24/7 reside chat assist, one thing that’s vital for anybody new to VPN utilization. Within a couple of minutes, I can get fast solutions about how one can use the app, study unfamiliar terminology, or get help with account points.

Mullvad isn’t unhealthy, however electronic mail assist takes for much longer. I waited about eight hours for a reply to a query about its malware blocker. In this case, it wasn’t an pressing questio,n so the delay wasn’t an issue.

Still, Proton is way more responsive if you end up in a rush for assist.

Privacy and safety

Both corporations have wonderful privateness information, good transparency, and no vital safety breaches. Proton VPN and Mullvad aren’t the solely open-source VPN, however they do stand out as leaders in privateness safety.

Proton is positioned in Switzerland, which isn’t a part of any intelligence alliances. Mullvad is based mostly in Sweden, so it’s topic to Fourteen Eyes requests.

However, authorized requests for information don’t matter if there’s nothing to share. Neither firm retains logs, as verified by unbiased audits.

Still, Mullvad goes a bit additional, permitting customers to keep up complete anonymity whereas accessing its VPN service.

An electronic mail tackle isn’t wanted to arrange a Mullvad account and prospects pays with Bitcoin or money to keep away from monetary monitoring. Proton additionally accepts Bitcoin and money, however an electronic mail tackle is required to create an account.

Proton VPN and Mullvad are equally safe, however the latter gives the final in privateness. To Mullvad, I’m just a number, which is exactly what I want from a VPN.

Which VPN is best for you?

On the different hand, Proton VPN Plus offers consistently fast speeds worldwide, extra superior choices, and faster responses to customer support requests. Overall, Proton VPN Plus is a more sensible choice and considered one of the prime picks for the best VPN service.