ExpressVPN
Premium VPN known for blazing speeds and rock-solid reliability.
Mullvad VPN
Maximum anonymity VPN — no email required, pay with cash or crypto.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | ExpressVPN | Mullvad VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $8.32mo | $5moBetter |
| Free Tier | No | No |
| Top Pros | Fastest speeds tested | No account email required |
| Works with every streaming service | Flat pricing — no tricks | |
| Excellent router support | Regularly audited | |
| Top Cons | Most expensive major VPN | Doesn't reliably unblock Netflix |
| Only 8 simultaneous connections | No 24/7 live chat |
ExpressVPN delivers its core promise of speed—it earned "fastest speeds tested" in head-to-head comparisons—and pairs that with TrustedServer technology and a Network Lock kill switch to back up the reliability claim. However, ExpressVPN caps you at only 8 simultaneous connections, which limits households or power users managing multiple devices. Mullvad VPN takes the opposite approach: it skips speed benchmarks entirely and instead focuses on anonymity architecture with DAITA (anti-traffic analysis) and account-free signup requiring no email—a radical transparency move that ExpressVPN doesn't match. Where Mullvad stumbles is practical: it doesn't reliably unblock Netflix, while ExpressVPN works with every streaming service, making ExpressVPN the clear choice for cord-cutters.
ExpressVPN costs $8.32/month, positioning it as the most expensive major VPN, but it bundled excellent router support into that price, which justifies the premium if you need whole-network protection. Mullvad VPN costs a flat $5/month with no tricks in pricing—no hidden clauses, no tier games—making it $3.32 cheaper monthly and $39.84 cheaper annually. For budget-conscious users, Mullvad delivers obvious value; for those needing streaming or multi-device support, ExpressVPN's extra cost buys tangible features that Mullvad lacks.
ExpressVPN was made by Kape Technologies, a company that creates some trust concerns despite the technical excellence, and it offers traditional support through app interfaces. Mullvad operates as its own entity with regularly audited systems and provides no 24/7 live chat—you get documentation and community instead. This means ExpressVPN suits users who want premium hand-holding, while Mullvad appeals to privacy-first users willing to self-serve and who value the open source apps and account-free signup over customer service.
Choose ExpressVPN if you stream on multiple devices globally: its 94 countries of servers, Lightway protocol, and split tunneling handle the work without touching speed, and it's worth the $8.32/month for families needing reliable Netflix access. Choose Mullvad VPN if you prioritize privacy over convenience—pay the $5/month flat rate, accept that Netflix won't work reliably, and gain the confidence of no email registration and regularly audited code.
- Want: fastest speeds tested
- Want: works with every streaming service
- Want: excellent router support
- Want: no account email required
- Want: flat pricing — no tricks
- Want: regularly audited
Our Verdict
Pick ExpressVPN if you stream regularly on multiple devices and want guaranteed Netflix access plus the fastest speeds — your priority is usability and performance, and you accept paying the most for it. Pick Mullvad if anonymity is your primary concern, you don't need streaming services, and you value paying by cash or crypto with zero email registration — you're willing to sacrifice convenience for genuine privacy.