By Billy G. · Founder & Lead EditorVerified Jun 7 by Billy G.
Mullvad VPN
Mullvad VPNvsProton VPN
✓VerifiedConfidence: 85%
Verdict: Mullvad VPN wins for users prioritizing anonymity with cash payments and no account (CNET 2025 review). Proton VPN provides superior server volume and a usable free tier (Wirecutter 2025). Both maintain audited no-logs policies but differ in payment flexibility and scale.
How we scored itSpec verificationOwner sentimentLive pricing (4h refresh)Editorial reviewOur methodology →
Winner: Mullvad VPN
Mullvad VPN: 8.5/10
Proton VPN: 7.8/10
Spec-by-spec comparison
Mullvad VPN
Proton VPN
Servers
750
12000
Countries
38
117
Logging Policy
No-logs audited
No-logs audited
Payment Options
Cash, crypto, card
Card, crypto, PayPal
Mullvad VPN
What works
Strong anonymity with cash payments and no account required
Audited no-logs policy by multiple firms
Consistent WireGuard speeds above 800 Mbps on average
What doesn't
Fewer streaming-optimized servers than competitors
No free tier available
Proton VPN
What works
Free tier with unlimited data and no ads
Largest server network among audited VPNs
Strong open-source apps with Secure Core routing
What doesn't
Free tier limited to 3 countries and slower speeds
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