Mullvad VPN Review 2026: Flat-rate VPN at €5 a month with cash and crypto payment
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Mullvad VPN
Pros
- Flat €5 a month whatever the term, with no promo and renewal split
- Accepts cash and Monero, with a 10% discount on cryptocurrency payments
- Five separate third-party audits listed between March 2025 and June 2026
- 100% founder-owned, with a registered address in Gothenburg, Sweden
Cons
- Capped at 5 devices per account
- Port forwarding was removed, with existing ports dropped from 1 July 2023
- No free plan and no sales or promotions, for any holiday or event
- 14-day money-back guarantee excludes cash payments
Best for: Privacy-first users, Paying anonymously, Avoiding renewal price rises.
What it is
Mullvad VPN is a Swedish service that launched in March 2009. Mullvad VPN AB and its parent Amagicom AB are wholly owned by founders Fredrik Strömberg and Daniel Berntsson, who remain actively involved, and the company gives a registered address in Gothenburg.
The service is audited often. The audit tag on Mullvad’s blog lists an Android app assessment by Leviathan Security Group in June 2026, a GotaTun audit by Assured in March 2026, an account and payment services audit by X41 D-Sec in January 2026, a web app audit by Assured in October 2025 and an Android app assessment by NCC Group in March 2025.
What it costs in practice
There is one plan at €5 per month, shown alongside approximate equivalents of $5.81, £4.30 and SEK 56.23. The rate is identical for one month, one year or a decade, and the pricing page says outright that there are no sales for Christmas or any other event and no free plan. Cryptocurrency payments (Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash, Monero) get 10% off, and cash is accepted in nine currencies including EUR, USD and GBP, alongside cards, PayPal, bank wire and several European transfer methods.
An account covers up to 5 devices. A 14-day money-back guarantee applies, except for cash payments, which Mullvad excludes on anti-money-laundering grounds. Port forwarding was dropped in a post dated 29 May 2023, with existing ports removed from 1 July 2023, so anyone who relies on inbound connections should look elsewhere.
Key features
| Feature | What it does |
|---|---|
| Flat pricing | €5 a month regardless of term length; no long-term discounts, no lifetime plans |
| 5 devices | One account can be used on up to 5 devices |
| Anonymous payment | Cash in nine currencies plus Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash and Monero; crypto discounted 10% |
| Regular audits | Android app, web app, GotaTun and account and payment services audited by Leviathan, NCC Group, Assured and X41 D-Sec |
Mullvad VPN pricing
| Plan | Price | Included |
|---|---|---|
| Mullvad VPN (single plan)POPULAR | €5/mo | Same rate for 1 month, 1 year or a decade; about $5.81 / £4.30; up to 5 devices; 10% off when paying in cryptocurrency |
How Mullvad VPN compares
| Alternative | How it differs |
|---|---|
| Windscribe | Offers a free tier and a cheaper yearly rate ($69/yr) versus Mullvad’s flat €5 a month |
| hide.me VPN | Free tier plus long multi-month promo pricing; Mullvad has neither |
| TunnelBear | Free 2GB tier and no device limit, but owned by McAfee rather than its founders |
Mullvad VPN ratings on other platforms
Independent user ratings from third-party review sites, linked here for transparency. These are not our editorial score, are captured on the date shown, and may have changed since.
Frequently asked questions
How much does Mullvad VPN cost?
Mullvad charges a flat €5 per month (roughly $5.81 or £4.30) whether you pay for one month, a year or a decade. There are no long-term discounts, no sales and no free plan. Paying in cryptocurrency takes 10% off.
How many devices can I use with Mullvad?
Up to 5 devices per account. There is no unlimited option, and Mullvad no longer supports port forwarding.
Verdict
Mullvad is the pick for people who want to pay for a VPN without a discount treadmill or an identity trail. The flat €5 rate, cash and Monero payment and a steady run of published audits make it easy to trust. The trade-off is that you get 5 devices, no port forwarding and no free tier, and if you pay in cash there is no refund.
Facts verified against: mullvad.net, mullvad.net, mullvad.net, mullvad.net (as of September 2026).
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