Surfshark vs Mullvad VPN

Surfshark is designed for value-conscious consumers who want streaming, features, and unlimited devices at the lowest price. Mullvad is designed for privacy-conscious users who want anonymous signup, open-source code, and zero data collection. These VPNs target entirely different audiences, and the right choice depends on your priorities.

Quick Verdict

Surfshark is the better consumer VPN. Faster, cheaper on long-term plans, unlimited devices, and it actually works for streaming. Mullvad is the better privacy VPN. Anonymous accounts, cash payments, fully open-source, and the highest transparency score in our database. Choose Surfshark for value; choose Mullvad for privacy.

At a Glance

| Category | Surfshark | Mullvad | Winner | |----------|-----------|---------|--------| | Overall Score | 8.8 | 8.4 | Surfshark | | Privacy Score | 8.6 | 9.8 | Mullvad | | Speed | 85.1 Mbps | 82.4 Mbps | Surfshark | | Streaming | 8.9 | 5.5 | Surfshark | | 2-Year Price | $1.99/mo | ~$5.48/mo | Surfshark | | Transparency Score | 70 | 95 | Mullvad | | Connections | Unlimited | 5 | Surfshark |

Speed Comparison

| Location | Surfshark | Mullvad | Difference | |----------|-----------|---------|------------| | US (New York) | 85.1 Mbps | 82.4 Mbps | +3.3% | | UK (London) | 80.3 Mbps | 78.9 Mbps | +1.8% | | Germany (Frankfurt) | 78.6 Mbps | 80.1 Mbps | -1.9% | | Japan (Tokyo) | 67.4 Mbps | 63.2 Mbps | +6.6% | | Australia (Sydney) | 64.8 Mbps | 60.7 Mbps | +6.8% |

Winner: Tie. Surprisingly close. Mullvad actually beats Surfshark in Frankfurt. Both use WireGuard and deliver comparable speeds in most regions. Surfshark has a slight edge on long-distance connections.

Pricing Comparison

| Metric | Surfshark | Mullvad | |--------|-----------|---------| | Monthly | $10.99/mo | ~$5.48/mo (5 EUR) | | 1-Year | $2.99/mo | ~$5.48/mo | | 2-Year | $1.99/mo | ~$5.48/mo | | Renewal (yearly) | $3.99/mo | ~$5.48/mo | | 3-Year True Cost | $95.64 | ~$197.28 |

Winner: Surfshark on long-term plans. Surfshark's $1.99/mo 2-year plan is less than half of Mullvad's flat rate. Over three years, Surfshark saves about $102. However, Mullvad's $5.48/mo is cheaper than Surfshark's $10.99/mo monthly plan. Mullvad's pricing is more honest - no tricks, no renewal surprises.

Streaming

Winner: Surfshark, completely. Surfshark unblocks Netflix US, UK, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and most major platforms. Mullvad unblocks nothing. If streaming is part of your VPN use case, Mullvad is not an option.

Privacy

| Factor | Surfshark | Mullvad | |--------|-----------|---------| | Jurisdiction | Netherlands | Sweden | | Parent Company | Nord Security | Mullvad VPN AB (independent) | | Email Required | Yes | No | | Anonymous Payment | Crypto | Cash, crypto | | Last Audit | Jun 2024 (Deloitte) | Jun 2025 (Assured AB) | | Open Source | No | Yes (everything) | | RAM-Only | Yes | Yes | | Post-Quantum | No | Yes | | Transparency Score | 70 | 95 |

Winner: Mullvad. The gap here is enormous. Mullvad requires no personal information. All code is open source. Cash payments by mail for full anonymity. Post-quantum encryption. Police raided their office and found nothing. Surfshark is a consumer VPN with standard privacy practices - adequate for most users but not in the same category as Mullvad.

Features

| Feature | Surfshark | Mullvad | |---------|-----------|---------| | Connections | Unlimited | 5 | | Countries | 100 | 46 | | Ad Blocker | Yes (CleanWeb) | Yes | | Double VPN | Yes (MultiHop) | Yes (Multihop) | | Dedicated IP | Yes (add-on) | No | | GPS Spoofing | Yes (Android) | No | | Smart DNS | Yes | No | | Split Tunneling | Yes | Yes |

Winner: Surfshark. More connections, more countries, and consumer features like dedicated IP, GPS spoofing, and Smart DNS that Mullvad does not offer.

Who Should Choose Surfshark

• Users who want streaming and value in one package
• Families needing unlimited device connections
• Budget buyers looking for the cheapest long-term VPN
• Users who want a feature-rich consumer experience
• Anyone who needs Smart DNS for streaming devices

Who Should Choose Mullvad

• Privacy purists who want zero personal data exposure
• Journalists, activists, and security researchers
• Open-source advocates who require verifiable code
• Users who value simple, honest pricing
• Anyone with a threat model that demands maximum privacy

Our Recommendation

Surfshark for everyday VPN use. It delivers outstanding value with streaming, unlimited devices, and advanced features at the best price in the market. Mullvad for privacy-focused use. If privacy is your reason for getting a VPN and streaming does not matter, Mullvad's approach is unmatched. Different tools for different jobs.