AppBreakup
Submit an app

Mullvad VPN alternatives: 5 apps ranked by verified data

Facts checked Oct 25, 2026AppBreakup editorialHow we rank

Common reasons people leave Mullvad VPN: not aimed at unblocking streaming services, and no port forwarding. We ranked 5 alternatives by how directly each one replaces Mullvad VPN, then by reviews, real visits and how recently each app's facts were checked against its own website. IVPN currently ranks first.

Quick comparison

#AppPricingOpen sourcePlatformsVerified factsScore
1IVPN logoIVPNPaidYesWindows, macOS, Linux +25 of 566.5
2Proton VPN logoProton VPNFree plan + paidYesWindows, macOS, Linux +35 of 562.6
3Obscura VPN logoObscura VPNPaidNoWindows, macOS, Linux +23 of 359.6
4NymVPN logoNymVPNPaidYesWindows, macOS, Linux +24 of 457.2
5Windscribe logoWindscribeFree plan + paidYesWindows, macOS, Linux +35 of 555.3
  1. IVPN logo

    1. IVPNTop pick

    Best for: Privacy-focused users who want anonymous signup from a small, transparent provider

    PaidOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    66.5

    score / 100

    Why switch from Mullvad VPN

    Very similar privacy-first approach with no-email accounts and open-source apps.

    Pros

    • No email needed; accepts cash and Monero
    • Open-source apps and website
    • Runs its own infrastructure and publishes audits

    Cons

    • Smaller server network
    • Not intended for streaming unblocking
    • Costs more than Mullvad for comparable features
    Visit IVPN Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.3100
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is IVPN a good Mullvad VPN alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Signup
    No email required
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ivpn.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Payment options
    Cards, cash, Monero, Bitcoin
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ivpn.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source
    Yes, apps and website
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ivpn.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Licence
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, routers
    Checked Oct 25, 2026ivpn.net(opens source in a new tab)
  2. Proton VPN logo

    2. Proton VPN

    Best for: Privacy-focused users, and anyone who needs a free VPN they can trust

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension

    62.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Mullvad VPN

    Open-source apps plus a free tier and better streaming support.

    Pros

    • Free plan with no data cap and no ads
    • Open-source, audited apps on every platform
    • Secure Core multi-hop routing on paid plans

    Cons

    • Free plan allows only one device and fewer locations
    • Full price is high without a long commitment
    • Some streaming and P2P features are paid only
    Visit Proton VPN Compare with Mullvad VPNDetails and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.387
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Proton VPN a good Mullvad VPN alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Free plan
    Yes, $0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026protonvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Free plan limits
    1 device, no data cap, no ads
    Checked Oct 25, 2026protonvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Devices on VPN Plus
    10
    Checked Oct 25, 2026protonvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Money-back guarantee
    30 days
    Checked Oct 25, 2026protonvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Open source
    Yes, apps open source and audited
    Checked Oct 25, 2026protonvpn.com(opens source in a new tab)
  3. Obscura VPN logo

    3. Obscura VPN

    Best for: Privacy enthusiasts who want trust split across two independent operators

    PaidWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    59.6

    score / 100

    Why switch from Mullvad VPN

    Uses Mullvad exit servers behind a separate relay so neither party sees everything.

    Pros

    • No single company sees both your identity and destinations
    • Exit servers run by Mullvad
    • Traffic disguised to resemble normal web traffic

    Cons

    • Young service with a short track record
    • Fewer features than mainstream VPNs
    • Exit locations limited to Mullvad's network
    Visit Obscura VPN Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.377
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Obscura VPN a good Mullvad VPN alternative?

    Verified facts

    3 of 3 verified
    Price
    $8/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026obscura.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Exit servers
    Run by Mullvad
    Checked Oct 25, 2026obscura.net(opens source in a new tab)
    Platforms
    iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, Linux
    Checked Oct 25, 2026obscura.net(opens source in a new tab)
  4. NymVPN logo

    4. NymVPN

    Best for: Journalists, activists and others who need protection against traffic analysis

    PaidOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android

    57.2

    score / 100

    Why switch from Mullvad VPN

    Mixnet routing for stronger protection against traffic analysis.

    Pros

    • Mixnet mode protects metadata, not just your IP
    • Decentralised server operators
    • Anonymous crypto payments and open-source client

    Cons

    • Mixnet mode is noticeably slower
    • Younger service with a smaller track record
    • Not designed for streaming
    Visit NymVPN Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.369
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is NymVPN a good Mullvad VPN alternative?

    Verified facts

    4 of 4 verified
    Price
    $4/month on a 1-year plan
    Checked Oct 25, 2026nym.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Anonymous payments
    Monero, Zcash and other crypto
    Checked Oct 25, 2026nym.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Licence
    GPL-3.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Mixnet
    Yes
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)
  5. Windscribe logo

    5. Windscribe

    Best for: Budget users who want a decent free plan or to pay only for the locations they use

    Free plan + paidOpen sourceWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser extension

    55.3

    score / 100

    Why switch from Mullvad VPN

    Open-source desktop app, a free plan and flexible pricing, with streaming support.

    Pros

    • Free plan with a monthly data allowance
    • Build-a-plan pricing per location
    • Customisable ad and tracker blocking

    Cons

    • Free plan has limited data and locations
    • Smaller network than the biggest providers
    • Interface style can feel cluttered
    Visit Windscribe Details and reviews
    How this score is calculated
    Editorial fit ×0.363
    Reviews ×0.363
    Clicks (90 days) ×0.150
    Freshness ×0.1585
    Votes ×0.150

    0 counted reviews, 0 up and 0 down votes. Full formula

    Is Windscribe a good Mullvad VPN alternative?

    Verified facts

    5 of 5 verified
    Pro monthly price
    $9/month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026windscribe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Pro yearly price
    $69/year
    Checked Oct 25, 2026windscribe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Build A Plan
    $1 per location per month
    Checked Oct 25, 2026windscribe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Server countries
    69+
    Checked Oct 25, 2026windscribe.com(opens source in a new tab)
    Desktop app licence
    GPL-2.0
    Checked Oct 25, 2026github.com(opens source in a new tab)

The best Mullvad VPN alternative for…

The highest-ranked app in this list for each need.

IVPN logo

Best Mullvad VPN alternative for most people

IVPN

Very similar privacy-first approach with no-email accounts and open-source apps.

Proton VPN logo

Best Mullvad VPN alternative for a free plan you can upgrade

Proton VPN

Open-source apps plus a free tier and better streaming support.

NymVPN logo

Best Mullvad VPN alternative for open source

NymVPN

Mixnet routing for stronger protection against traffic analysis.

Obscura VPN logo

Best Mullvad VPN alternative for Mac

Obscura VPN

Uses Mullvad exit servers behind a separate relay so neither party sees everything.

Windscribe logo

Best Mullvad VPN alternative for Windows

Windscribe

Open-source desktop app, a free plan and flexible pricing, with streaming support.

IVPN logo

Best Mullvad VPN alternative for Linux

IVPN

Very similar privacy-first approach with no-email accounts and open-source apps.

IVPN logo

Best Mullvad VPN alternative for iPhone and Android

IVPN

Very similar privacy-first approach with no-email accounts and open-source apps.

Mullvad VPN alternatives: common questions

What is the best alternative to Mullvad VPN?

IVPN ranks first right now. Very similar privacy-first approach with no-email accounts and open-source apps. Proton VPN and Obscura VPN follow it in our ranking.

Is there a free alternative to Mullvad VPN?

Yes. Proton VPN (free plan + paid) and Windscribe (free plan + paid) have a free option. Check each app's verified facts for current plan limits.

Is there an open-source alternative to Mullvad VPN?

Yes: IVPN, Proton VPN, NymVPN and Windscribe.

Which Mullvad VPN alternatives work on Linux?

IVPN, Proton VPN, Obscura VPN, NymVPN and Windscribe run on Linux.

Why do people switch from Mullvad VPN?

The complaints we hear most: not aimed at unblocking streaming services; no port forwarding; smaller server network than the big providers.

How is this list ranked?

Every app is scored with the same published formula: how directly it replaces Mullvad VPN, reviews (weighted by verification), visits from AppBreakup, how recently its facts were checked against its own website, and reader votes.