Mullvad VPN vs IVPN

Mullvad and IVPN are the two most privacy-focused VPNs in our database. Neither has an affiliate program - we earn nothing by recommending them. Both require no email to sign up. Both are fully open source. Both accept cash. This comparison is between the two best VPNs for people who take privacy seriously above all else.

Quick Verdict

Mullvad is the better privacy VPN. Faster speeds, larger server network, RAM-only servers, and a transparency score of 95 vs IVPN's 92. IVPN matches on ethics with equally honest marketing and arguably more principled business practices. For most privacy-focused users, Mullvad offers more value. IVPN's Pro plan is the alternative if you need more connections.

At a Glance

| Category | Mullvad | IVPN | Winner | |----------|---------|------|--------| | Privacy Score | 9.8 | 9.6 | Mullvad | | Speed | 82.4 Mbps | 74.1 Mbps | Mullvad | | Transparency Score | 95 | 92 | Mullvad | | Connections | 5 | 2 (Standard) / 7 (Pro) | Depends | | Countries | 46 | 37 | Mullvad | | Servers | 700+ | 80+ | Mullvad | | Post-Quantum | Yes | Yes | Tie | | Open Source | Yes | Yes | Tie | | Streaming | 0/12 | 0/12 | Tie |

Speed Comparison

| Location | Mullvad | IVPN | Difference | |----------|---------|------|------------| | US (New York) | 82.4 Mbps | 74.1 Mbps | +11.2% | | UK (London) | 78.9 Mbps | 70.6 Mbps | +11.8% | | Germany (Frankfurt) | 80.1 Mbps | 72.3 Mbps | +10.8% | | Japan (Tokyo) | 63.2 Mbps | 56.8 Mbps | +11.3% | | Australia (Sydney) | 60.7 Mbps | 53.2 Mbps | +14.1% |

Winner: Mullvad. A consistent 11-14% speed advantage across all locations. Mullvad's 700+ servers provide better coverage and load distribution than IVPN's 80.

Pricing Comparison

| Metric | Mullvad | IVPN | |--------|---------|------| | Monthly | ~$5.48/mo (5 EUR) | $6.00/mo (Standard) | | IVPN Pro | - | $10.00/mo | | Long-Term Discount | None | None | | 3-Year True Cost | ~$197.28 | $216.00 (Standard) |

Winner: Mullvad. Slightly cheaper at the Standard tier and $19 less over three years. Both use flat-rate pricing with no introductory discounts or renewal tricks - the most honest pricing model in the VPN industry.

Streaming

Neither VPN unblocks any streaming services. Both score 0/12 in our tests. Both providers explicitly state that streaming is not a priority. If you need streaming, neither is appropriate - consider NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Proton VPN instead.

Privacy

| Factor | Mullvad | IVPN | |--------|---------|------| | Jurisdiction | Sweden | Gibraltar | | Email Required | No | No | | Cash Payment | Yes | Yes | | Open Source | Apps + infrastructure | All apps | | RAM-Only | Yes | No | | Post-Quantum | Yes | Yes | | Last Audit | Jun 2025 (Assured AB) | Jan 2025 (Cure53) | | Transparency Score | 95 | 92 | | Real-World Test | Police raid, nothing found | No incidents |

Winner: Mullvad, slightly. Both are in the top tier. Mullvad's RAM-only servers add an extra layer of protection - even a physical seizure cannot extract stored data. Mullvad's transparency score (95) is the highest in our database. IVPN (92) is a close second. Both provide anonymous signup and cash payments. The gap is small - both deserve the privacy community's trust.

Ethics and Business Practices

Both Mullvad and IVPN operate with unusual honesty:

• Mullvad runs no affiliate program, does minimal marketing, and charges a flat rate.
• IVPN runs no affiliate program, actively tells visitors when they do not need a VPN, and publicly identifies its team.

Both companies prioritize user trust over growth. Neither engages in the fear-based marketing common in the VPN industry.

Winner: Tie. Both set the ethical standard for VPN companies.

Who Should Choose Mullvad

• Users who want the fastest privacy-focused VPN
• Anyone who needs a slightly larger server network (46 countries)
• Users who value RAM-only servers
• Privacy advocates who want the highest transparency score

Who Should Choose IVPN

• Users who need more than 5 connections (IVPN Pro offers 7)
• Anyone who values IVPN's team transparency and ethical marketing
• Users who prefer Cure53 auditing over Assured AB
• Privacy advocates who want Gibraltar over Swedish jurisdiction

Our Recommendation

Mullvad for most privacy-focused users. Faster, cheaper, more servers, and RAM-only infrastructure. IVPN as a worthy alternative for users who prefer its specific approach. Both are excellent. The privacy community is well-served by both existing, and we are proud to recommend them despite earning nothing from either.