In today’s day and age when privacy and security online are abstract terms, many VPN providers are looking to bring their A-game to the table with rock-solid security and no-logging practices. Names like ExpressVPN and NordVPN are undoubtedly among the best in this regard. However, lurking from the shadows, we have providers like Mullvad VPN, which, unbeknownst to many people, still adhere to the holy grail of VPNs: privacy. Mullvad is a less-known provider that captured our attention for this very reason.
With its rock-solid security and stringent no-logging practices, it’s interesting to see how well it compares to ExpressVPN, a tried-and-tested veteran. Thus, in this Mullvad VPN vs ExpressVPN comparison for 2024, we will tell you exactly that.
Today’s comparison will consist of 9 in-depth tests where we’ll see just how good these providers are in terms of security, privacy, user experience, performance, streaming, support, and of course – pricing. If you still don’t have a VPN subscription and you’re looking to get one, this is the article for you.
This Mullvad vs ExpressVPN duel will tell you exactly which provider you should pick and why so that you can get the best possible deal for your money. It’s going to be an interesting battle, so let it commence with our first category – apps, and ease of use.
Mullvad VPN vs ExpressVPN: Apps & Ease of Use
When subscribing to a VPN service, it’s vital to ensure that you can actually use it on your device. For that to happen, a VPN service must support a good deal of devices and platforms, which both providers manage… to an extent.
You see, ExpressVPN supports all major platforms. We’re talking about Windows, Linux, macOS, iOS, and Android. In fact, this VPN can also be used on Ubuntu, all while it offers native clients for Fire TV Stick, routers, and Android Smart TV.
All of its applications look identical and they’re very easy to set up, making ExpressVPN a joy to use. Router support is “par excellence” and you’ll get lots of instructions on how to set it up. Not to mention a Smart DNS function that allows you to use it for streaming on PlayStation and Xbox consoles.
To that, we should add 8 simultaneous connections – more than what we get on Mullvad VPN. This provider, however, supports only Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, and Linux (plus you can install a Firefox extension). Its router support is subpar and there’s no app for Amazon Fire TV Stick. Shocking!
Mullvad VPN also won’t work on gaming consoles and if you want Smart DNS, you’ll have to forget about it. Keep in mind that a few years ago, this provider had no native mobile clients, so on Android, for example, you had to use the OpenVPN client and set it up manually… such a chore!
Mullvad VPN
When it comes to ease of use, Mullvad VPN isn’t a bad choice. In fact, I found it very easy to use, which is further backed by a good-looking application on Windows. Apps are identical on all platforms here too, so you’ll get the same app windows you see in the screenshot below.
On the home screen of the app, you get the ability to connect to a server or open the server list and pick out your location. The server list is done beautifully as well, as each country is listed alphabetically and you can even apply some filters.
For example, Mullvad lets you see the servers owned by the company or rented, as well as choose based on the server owner. So far, I haven’t seen anything similar in other VPNs. The Settings menu is something I always talk about when discussing VPN apps.
I mean, a cluttered and unintuitive Settings menu is always infuriating if you’re looking to tweak different parameters and enable/disable particular functions. Mullvad VPN does a great job here, and despite being feature-rich, it’s all but confusing.
Split tunneling is in a separate menu, while all other settings can be found in the menu called VPN Settings. However, we’ll talk more about these features later on. For now, I’ll say that I like Mullvad’s applications because they’re intuitive and smooth.
They’re surely not as innovative as the apps from TunnelBear, for example. But hey, you can check my TunnelBear review if you’d like a free VPN instead.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a multi-billion-dollar company with a proven track record of excellent user experience and app support. Its applications are inherently more polished and the best thing about this provider is that its apps look exactly the same on all desktop/mobile platforms!
As you can see, the provider looks sleek and you get a big connection button in the middle, with a few server options below. You can open the server list if you click on “Selected Location” and you can also use Smart Location to connect to the fastest server.
The server list consists of two sub-menus – Recommended and All Locations. Clicking on All Locations, you can see server locations divided into their respective continents, which I found very intuitive. Double-clicking on the location connects you to a server located there.
ExpressVPN’s connection times are so quick that they happen in under 1 second in many instances. To make things easier, you can use the search bar to search for the location you want, which makes your life easier if you want a particular city, for example.
The Settings menu is even simpler here. Once you open it up, you’ll see that all the important settings are located in two menus. In the General tab, you can find Network Lock, for example, while in the Protocol tab, you can change your protocol with one click of a mouse.
All in all, ExpressVPN is very easy to use, it’s fluid, and works on all platforms and devices – we have no complaints whatsoever!
Who Wins?
In this Mullvad VPN vs ExpressVPN duel, ExpressVPN WINS because it offers significantly better device support and smoother, more intuitive apps. Mullvad VPN has 5 simultaneous connections, which is 3 less than its rival, plus, the user experience and device compatibility make ExpressVPN better.
Security & Privacy: Which One Is Safer to Use?
Privacy and security are two very important factors of a VPN service. If you often use a VPN to get on the dark web anonymously or you just want to preserve your privacy, ExpressVPN and Mullvad VPN are some of the best choices your money can buy.
Security Features
To check how safe and secure these providers are, we need to go through two phases. The first one is checking their security features while the second one is to make sure their logging practices are in place. Let’s talk about their security features, or better said, the ones they share.
In this ExpressVPN vs Mullvad VPN comparison for 2024, it’s important to mention the 256-bit encryption that both providers use. This is the best-case scenario, as we’re talking about the strongest encryption that’s impenetrable by even the most skilled hackers.
Moving on, both providers offer features like split tunneling and a kill switch, which ExpressVPN calls Network Lock. When it comes to protocols, we have only one similarity, which is OpenVPN support. Both providers offer RAM-based servers, too.
RAM-based servers ensure that, upon each restart, every bit of information is deleted from the server, making sure your privacy is a #1 priority. Last but not least, both services have IPv6 and DNS leak protection which is important for obvious reasons.
What Are the Differences?
In terms of the features they offer within the apps, we’re talking about completely different VPNs. Why? Well, because ExpressVPN isn’t very feature-rich at first. It simplifies your user experience and does everything for you, so you don’t get the level of customization you have in Mullvad VPN.
One feature that ExpressVPN offers is Lightway. This is a proprietary protocol, which the provider uses for every purpose very effectively. Once you select it, you’ll experience blazing-fast connection times, above-average speeds, and the ability to bypass geo-blocks effortlessly.
I talked about Lightway in my in-depth review of ExpressVPN and said that it’s the best protocol on the market, which I still stand by. This provider also offers Private DNS, which is ExpressVPN’s DNS service that stores no logs compared to free DNS providers people often use.
Thus, the provider routes your traffic through its DNS service instead, making it easy to stay private online and avoid tracking and data collection. Mullvad VPN has plenty of options inside the app, starting with an ad blocker that can also block adult and gambling sites.
We can then use a custom DNS but also enable a Lockdown Mode, which prevents you from going online until you connect to a VPN. Unlike ExpressVPN which offers Lightway, Mullvad comes with WireGuard support, which works relatively well here.
The great addition is the ability to customize WireGuard and OpenVPN! For instance, you can change the port you’re using in WireGuard and even enable obfuscation and MultiHop. MultiHop will let you choose entry and exit servers and route your traffic from one to the other.
This lets you double your encryption and increase your level of anonymity. OpenVPN lets you use this Bridge Mode for bypassing censorship, and you can also choose from TCP and UDP protocols depending on your priorities. However, ExpressVPN strikes back with Advanced Protection.
This feature includes an ad blocker that can rid you of trackers and malicious sites as well. In addition, you can also block gambling and adult sites with Parental Control, which is now available on all platforms. One thing that Mullvad VPN misses is a password manager.
ExpressVPN Keys is a password manager you get in each plan. This addition is handy for storing your existing passwords or creating new, secure passwords for the next account you make. All your passwords are kept safe thanks to AES-256 encryption, making this a worthy feature for those senile.
Mullvad VPN definitely packs a punch and lets you fully customize the experience if you know what you’re doing. ExpressVPN is more of a plug-and-play solution that’s great if you want to simply connect to a server and enjoy your online activities.
However, we can’t deny that both excel security-wise. But what about privacy? Who’s going to win in that department?
Is There a No-Logs Policy?
Comparing free VPNs and paid VPNs, we can see a big difference in logging practices. Free providers tend to collect and sell your personal data for revenue because they earn nothing from their subscriptions. However, paid VPNs are on the opposite side of the spectrum.
And since we’re talking about paid providers in this Mullvad VPN vs ExpressVPN duel, you can expect both providers to perform well. Mullvad VPN is known for its anonymity and a part of that comes down to Mullvad not requiring you to make an account.
Each user gets an account number which is used for logging in and using the service, so you don’t have to provide your email or even password. The provider even offers anonymous payment methods such as crypto and cash which you send to the company’s physical address.
Now, if you check its privacy policy, you’ll see that it’s a no-logs policy. The provider stores no info related to your traffic, DNS requests, IP addresses, connection timestamps, used bandwidth, and so forth. The only info that is stored is the payment info and total simultaneous connections.
Mullvad has a third-party audit from Cure53 as well, so it’s proof that it’s safe and secure. Its Swedish jurisdiction definitely has no impact on its level of privacy. ExpressVPN is in a better position – the British Virgin Islands, which is an off-shore location with privacy-friendly laws.
Needless to say, this allows the service to maintain a zero-logs policy and be one of the best providers that don’t store logs. While it does require you to make an account using your email and password, this does not influence the level of privacy.
ExpressVPN still won’t store logs of your browsing history, IP addresses, location, traffic destination, etc, etc. It stores only minimal logs for the service to function and these logs are stored in anonymized form, making sure the company can’t use them to identify you.
This provider has an audit from PwC, KPMG, and Cure53, the largest auditors in the business, which is yet another testament to its greatness. Besides, ExpressVPN’s safety is proven in court as well, where the authorities couldn’t find a single bit of user-related information on any of its servers.
Who Wins?
In this round of the Mullvad VPN vs ExpressVPN comparison, we can say the result is a DRAW. Simply put, both providers are juggernauts in terms of robust security features and privacy, thanks to certified no-logs policies on both sides.
While ExpressVPN resides in a more privacy-friendly country, Mullvad’s business practices lean more toward complete anonymity. As said, it’s extremely hard to pick out the winner in this category.
Mullvad vs ExpressVPN Streaming Test
The next most important thing in this ExpressVPN vs Mullvad VPN duel in 2024 is streaming. This is quite a delicate topic because many providers promise the ability to unblock dozens of streaming platforms, TV channels, and whatnot, only to fall flat on their faces.
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN has been my streaming companion for years now. I use it even now as I write this Mullvad vs ExpressVPN comparison, so the provider stood the test of time and made improvements to make its service even better in this regard. I’m not joking when I say that there’s not a single platform this provider can’t unblock.
And by that, I mean EVERY popular and less popular platform. You can use it to watch geo-blocked series and movies on American, Canadian, Australian, and many other streaming services. In addition, I found it extremely good at unblocking foreign TV channels abroad.
This allowed me to access more interesting content while sitting in my computer chair and not leaving my home. Due to excellent performance, streaming in 4K was not an issue and I never encountered annoying stuttering, lagging, or slowdowns.
ExpressVPN has no dedicated streaming servers like CyberGhost but I can assure you that’s not a problem. Each server is optimized for streaming, so you just need to connect, visit the platform you want, and enjoy watching your favorite content!
Mullvad VPN
Mullvad VPN tells us another story in this comparison against ExpressVPN. Unfortunately, no matter what I tried, I couldn’t make it work properly even on less popular platforms. Yes, the provider offers different protocols and the ability to customize them.
However, even with this ability in place, I found Mullvad VPN extremely unreliable and not working with streaming platforms at all. As far as the TV channels from foreign countries go, this provider will work, so at least it’s something to look forward to.
On the bad side, I noticed that, while trying to watch some American channels outside of the US, they still detected my VPN usage and blocked my access. At least the performance isn’t that bad, so you can enjoy smooth streaming at below 4K resolutions.
Who Wins?
This round of my comparison tells us that ExpressVPN WINS easily. Its unblocking capabilities are MUCH better and it easily works with all popular streaming services and platforms. Mullvad VPN takes an L here because I couldn’t unblock a single platform aside from a few TV channels.
Mullvad vs ExpressVPN Speed Comparison: Which One Is Faster?
In the previous part of this Mullvad vs ExpressVPN duel for 2024, I mentioned how smooth they are for streaming. This has to do with how fast a VPN is, which is yet another crucial thing to compare in this tough battle.
ExpressVPN and its speeds are something to behold while Mullvad VPN isn’t known for its performance but rather for security and privacy. However, it’ll be interesting to see how it compares to its rival as we go through several speed tests.
But first, let me present to you my testing parameters. I’m located in Eastern Europe – I live there – and in the screenshot below, you can see what my native internet speeds look like. In other words, this is my internet speed when not using a VPN.
Now, to test Mullvad and ExpressVPN, I used 4 server locations, which include the UK, the US, Australia, and Japan, which is a combination of near and distant servers. Important to mention is that both providers are tested 3 times a day for 3 days straight.
And to make things more interesting, I didn’t choose the protocol. Instead, I left this option on Automatic, to make sure both VPNs select the best possible protocol for me. With that in place, the speed test results look like this.
Mullvad VPN
UK:
US:
Australia:
Japan:
ExpressVPN
UK:
US:
Australia:
Japan:
Who Wins?
In this round of my in-depth comparison, ExpressVPN WINS due to being significantly faster and more reliable in all 4 tests. If you’re looking for a fast VPN that won’t slow down your internet speed that much, ExpressVPN is the absolute best choice.
Torrenting: Are Mullvad and ExpressVPN P2P-Friendly?
Being a good-performing VPN is only one prerequisite for torrenting. However, there’s the security aspect that’s definitely more relevant, especially if you live in the US or Europe, where torrenting laws are all over the place.
In any case, you shouldn’t download copyrighted material, even if a VPN is so safe and secure that it allows you to do that. ExpressVPN and Mullvad VPN are great providers if you’re looking to download torrents and engage in anonymous P2P activities.
They don’t have any P2P-optimized servers or other similar stuff. Once again, this is great news because you can connect to a server of your choice and start downloading torrents without thinking too much. ExpressVPN, for example, showed impressive performance for torrenting.
Its fast speeds didn’t reduce download/upload performance no matter which server I selected. I used a US server to download Linux at full speed, despite my Eastern European location. When using a server close to me, stability and performance were at the highest level, which was expected.
Mullvad VPN repeated the same results when using a nearby server. I mean, that’s how you should download torrents – using a server close to you, to maximize your performance. When going overseas, Mullvad VPN did show some performance degradation.
However, I don’t think that’s relevant for our cause because you’re going to use a server close to you either way. In this case, both providers show great results, which is always great to hear.
Who Wins?
The torrenting part of my Mullvad VPN vs ExpressVPN duel ends up in a DRAW. We can conclude that they’re both great performers and because both are P2P-friendly, you can enjoy torrenting to the fullest regardless of your choice.
Are Mullvad VPN and ExpressVPN Working in China?
Do you need a VPN that’s working reliably in China? In that case, I think you’ll be satisfied with ExpressVPN. China has been giving VPNs a run for their money for years now, and with the newly updated Great Firewall, the situation is even worse.
The Great Firewall now blocks nearly 10,000 sites and more, which also include VPN services. So far, CyberGhost is one of the best providers on the market that despite its greatness, isn’t working in the Chinese Mainland. ExpressVPN, however, tells us a different story.
This provider is unbelievably reliable in China. My friends in this country tested this provider on numerous occasions only to find out that it works with no issues. What’s more, you don’t need any special protocols and settings!
Even the automatic protocol selection seems to work, as ExpressVPN automatically applies obfuscation and lets you slide under the Great Firewall’s radar effortlessly. Mullvad VPN struggles in this country and you can get it working if you’re a more experienced user.
You see, using WireGuard with Mullvad VPN is not going to yield any benefits. Its obfuscation does nothing in China and the Great Firewall is still an obstacle too big. Switching to OpenVPN and using Bridge Mode seems to fix the issue.
Our friends in China managed to use Mullvad VPN this way at least 6/10 times but with drastically decreased performance and increased latency. ExpressVPN performs way better and shows almost no performance decreases despite added obfuscation.
Who Wins?
In this Mullvad VPN vs ExpressVPN round of my comparison, ExpressVPN WINS. It works in China more reliably and offers much better performance. Above all, it requires no special tweaks to work, which makes it much easier to set up and use.
Mullvad vs ExpressVPN Server Fleets: Which One Is Bigger?
Servers and server locations are usually going to show you how “prestige” the VPN is. Free providers tend to have very few servers in their network, while paid VPNs offer thousands of servers in dozens of countries around the world.
So who comes out on top in this regard, ExpressVPN or Mullvad?
Mullvad VPN (620+ servers in 40 countries)
If there’s one thing I despise about Mullvad VPN, it’s the server park. Come on, having just 600+ servers in 40 or so countries isn’t going to impress anyone. And keep in mind that this is a premium VPN, so you need to pay for it to use these servers.
The server distribution isn’t great either, as you can find servers only in the most “typical” countries like the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, and many European countries. For instance, you don’t have Indian VPN servers and even Argentinian servers aren’t on the list.
Yet, in a true patriotic fashion, Mullvad VPN included 4 server locations in Sweden. Don’t get me wrong – I have nothing against Swedish servers but I think they could’ve included more servers in Africa and Asia where we usually get only one server location per country.
However, with just 40 countries and around 70 locations to pick from, I’m guilty of thinking that I can expect any miracles. If you need servers in the aforementioned countries, Mullvad VPN will do fine, but if you need more, you’ve got to go with ExpressVPN instead.
ExpressVPN (3,000+ servers in 105 countries)
ExpressVPN already makes things better with its 3,000 servers in 105 countries. Compared to Mullvad VPN, it offers 160 locations across the planet, which is way more. And with 105 countries, you can find servers pretty much anywhere you want.
20+ locations are reserved for the US where ExpressVPN has 1,000+ servers. We have several locations in Japan, the UK, France, Germany, Singapore, and many other countries. ExpressVPN’s server distribution is far better.
Not to mention that the provider has virtual servers in some countries, which is great when having a physical infrastructure in a particular country is impossible (India for example). We should also mention that the provider uses 10 Gbps servers that are going to be upgraded to 40 Gbps in the future.
ExpressVPN simply does a better job in terms of its servers and that’s not strange because this is a much more opulent, premium-feeling VPN. As such, it has more money to maintain and upgrade its server fleet to achieve awesome results.
Who Wins?
ExpressVPN WINS this round of the Mullvad vs ExpressVPN duel. We don’t need to explain things too much. It offers more servers in more countries, which is what makes this provider a clear winner.
Customer Support: Mullvad or ExpressVPN?
Customer support is yet another comparison where ExpressVPN tramples its opponent. This provider offers 24/7 support through live chat that takes no more than 10 seconds to respond. Email support is fast too and you’ll rarely wait for more than 30 minutes to get a response.
Speed isn’t the only factor because support needs to be helpful. Well, ExpressVPN takes that to another level and is most likely the best VPN in this regard. This is further backed by tons of comprehensive how-to guides and FAQ sections where you can find plenty of useful information.
Not to mention that the provider is active on social media and it even has a YouTube channel where you can enjoy its educative videos. Mullvad VPN is a slouch compared to ExpressVPN. Even the best free VPNs will sometimes offer 24/7 support through live chat but not this provider.
It relies on email support that doesn’t work 24/7 and you get several how-to guides and tutorials on the site. Its Help Center isn’t as in-depth as ExpressVPN’s Help Center, and while you can still find the information you want, it needs to be more polished and intuitive.
Who Wins?
By offering 24/7 live chat support, ExpressVPN WINS this round of the battle against Mullvad. It’s faster to respond, offers more helpful solutions, and its email support is drastically faster. Mullvad VPN needs a lot more work to catch up with its opponent in this regard.
Pricing Comparison: How Cheap Mullvad VPN and ExpressVPN Are?
In this Mullvad vs ExpressVPN battle, there can only be one winner and I think we already know which VPN that is. However, if the most important factor for you is the price, it might, perhaps, sway you to one side or the other when choosing one of the VPNs.
For the start, I’ll tell you that we’re not talking about cheap VPNs. Period. However, Mullvad VPN is particularly interesting here because it requires no commitment and comes with a simple pricing structure that relies on one flat fee of €5.
This means you’ll pay just €5 a month without commitment for 1, 2, or more years. When one month expires, Mullvad VPN won’t charge you automatically so you’ll have to buy “time” for your account by paying €5 for the next month.
In American Dollars, it’s $5.5 a month, which isn’t too cheap. For example, you can get CyberGhost for just above $2 a month, although in a 2-year commitment. Mullvad VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee which I found very generous especially because of the way payments work here.
ExpressVPN is more of a typical VPN in this case. It offers a standard subscription structure with the cheapest annual plan with a 49% discount and 3 free months. Undoubtedly, ExpressVPN is more expensive at $6.67 a month.
On the good side, it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for all 3 plans, so if you don’t want to pay for it anymore, you can always get reimbursed. Both providers offer many payment methods, including crypto.
Who Wins?
The final round of this comparison tells us that Mullvad VPN WINS. It’s simply cheaper than ExpressVPN and requires no commitment, allowing you to pay as you go. ExpressVPN is worth the price difference but this round compares strictly pricing, in which case, Mullvad is a winner.
Conclusion: ExpressVPN Wins!
At the end of the day, our ExpressVPN vs Mullvad VPN comparison for 2024 has a winner. By doing the math, we come to a result of 8:3 for ExpressVPN, which wins this battle effortlessly and is a much better option if you’re looking for maximum performance, security, privacy, and streaming capabilities.
ExpressVPN is better in every way and it supports more devices and platforms while offering a superb user experience. In addition, this provider is streaming-friendly, allowing you to unblock plenty of streaming platforms and services without problems.
Another advantage is better performance coupled with faster speeds and stable connections. Plus, we’re talking about a provider that works in China more reliably, offers 24/7 support through live chat, and has a much larger and broader server fleet.
Mullvad VPN is a cheaper provider and offers the same level of security and anonymity. However, with all of its shortcomings, it feels like an undercooked product. Its poor streaming capabilities, slower speeds, and subpar device compatibility surely don’t do it any service.
And on a bigger scale, in the long run, Mullvad VPN isn’t particularly cheap compared to NordVPN or CyberGhost. Therefore, in this Mullvad VPN vs ExpressVPN duel, we can give you one honest recommendation and that is to choose ExpressVPN instead.
It’s a bit more expensive in the end, but the level of quality and performance you get justifies that price difference. Needless to say, more expensive often means better, and this comparison is a textbook example of that.
Q&A
We bet you still want to know a few more things about Mullvad and ExpressVPN. Well, here they are.
Can these VPNs be used for free?
It depends on the VPN in question. Mullvad has no free trial but it offers a 30-day refund policy. ExpressVPN seems like it’s identical. No trial, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. However, this provider indeed has a 7-day free trial on iOS and Android.
You’ll need to install its app, which is free, and then subscribe for a trial through this app. Keep in mind you must provide a payment method but if you cancel the trial before 7 days, ExpressVPN won’t charge your account. This is a great way of testing its premium subscription for a limited period for FREE.
Is Mullvad more “private” than ExpressVPN?
Well, that’s hard to tell. At first, it is. You don’t have to provide your email as you do in ExpressVPN and there are anonymous payment methods. In practice, it doesn’t matter. ExpressVPN has proven to be very secure, plus, you can pay for it using crypto – another anonymous payment vendor.
Can I use Mullvad on Firestick?
No, you can’t. Mullvad has no app for Firestick. You can still sideload the app perhaps but since it’s not optimized for this platform, who knows how well it’s going to work? Besides, it can’t unblock a single streaming service, so there’s no point in using it on this device.
