Mullvad and Surfshark are about as far apart as two VPNs get. Mullvad is a privacy-first cooperative with strict ethical standards. Surfshark opened VPN access up to more people with unlimited connections and…
Swedish VPN that signs you up with a random account number and charges a flat 5 euros a month. Suits privacy-first users who can live without streaming.
Surfshark is a lower-priced VPN with unlimited device connections and a no-logs policy verified twice by Deloitte. It suits households with many devices.
Mullvad and Surfshark are about as far apart as two VPNs get. Mullvad is a privacy-first cooperative with strict ethical standards. Surfshark opened VPN access up to more people with unlimited connections and aggressive, family-friendly pricing.
On privacy, Mullvad accepts anonymous cash payments, assigns random account numbers and is fully transparent about how it operates. Surfshark follows conventional business practice with traditional account management. Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections, while Mullvad takes the standard approach.
Mullvad charges exactly €5/month to everyone and plays no promotional games. Surfshark's prices vary, with aggressive discounts on long-term plans. Surfshark's features include CleanWeb ad-blocking, MultiHop double VPN and streaming optimization. Mullvad concentrates on doing core privacy well.
Surfshark is far ahead on streaming, with dedicated geo-unblocking resources. Mullvad doesn't compete there. Surfshark's apps are family-friendly, while Mullvad's technical depth assumes some knowledge of privacy.
Mullvad's business ethics rest on complete transparency and privacy-first operations. Surfshark is a commercial service focused on accessibility and features.
| Feature | Mullvad | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
Ad & Tracker Blocking | ||
Anonymous Payment Methods | ||
Connection Protocols | ||
Custom VPN Protocols | ||
Customer Support Availability | ||
Dedicated IP Option | ||
Encryption Standard | ||
Independent Audits | ||
IPv6 Leak Protection | ||
Kill Switch | ||
Multi-Hop | ||
No-logs Policy | ||
Open Source Apps | ||
RAM-only Servers | ||
Simultaneous Connections | ||
Split Tunneling | ||
Streaming Support | ||
Support Channels | ||
Torrenting Support |
This comes down to privacy against practicality. Choose Mullvad if privacy is your top priority and you value transparent business practices and anonymous payments. It suits people who don't need streaming or unlimited connections. Choose Surfshark if you have a large household and want unlimited device protection, excellent streaming and family-friendly pricing. Privacy purists will find Mullvad's principles hard to match. Families get far more practical value from Surfshark.
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