![]() ![]() This is surprisingly basic, with no 'Fastest' or 'Automatic' option to select the best server for your current location (the post-install default is always Sweden), no search box, Favorites system or server load indicators. Tapping the location name lets you choose another from a list of countries and cities. The apps look good, with a colorful panel, a map highlighting your current location, and a 'Secure my connection' button. Whether you're using Windows or Android, Mac or iOS, or indeed Linux, each app is almost identical, with little more than a few settings varying between versions. While some VPN's apps look and feel very different across all platforms, Mullvad takes a more unified approach. Mullvad's interface looks smart, but makes some odd design choices (Image credit: Mullvad) Interface We activated it by entering our account number (Mullvad doesn't require usernames or passwords) and it was ready to go. We grabbed and installed the Windows client in a few seconds. (You can sign up for a subscription, too, but you have to specifically choose that option.)Ī comprehensive Download page (opens in new tab) pointed us to the Windows client, but also included links to the Mac, Linux, iOS and Android apps, the latest beta release, the Firefox extension and Mullvad's WireGuard and OpenVPN configuration files. Most providers sign you up to an auto-renewing subscription by default, for instance Mullvad's first options are for one-off payments only. The website presents this clearly, and gives you an unusual level of control. Getting started with Mullvad is as easy as generating an account number and buying some time (cards, PayPal, Bitcoin and other payment methods are supported, as mentioned). Installation is a breeze, which is always good to see (Image credit: Mullvad) Setup It's good to see a provider opening itself up to this level of scrutiny, and on balance we think Mullvad looks far more trustworthy than most of the competition. Mullvad fixed the problems, though, and has promised regular audits in the future. These found some issues, but that's what we'd expect: Cure53 audits are very, very, very thorough. Mullvad has backed up its privacy claims with a 2021 infrastructure audit (opens in new tab), and a comprehensive Cure53 audit (opens in new tab) of its desktop and mobile apps. The end result of all this is you don't have to worry about how Mullvad handles court requests to access your usage data, because, well, there isn't any. But this isn't saved, so there's no way to tell how many you were using five months, weeks, or even minutes ago. Mullvad explains that it monitors the current number of connections to each account, to ensure no-one can use more than the five allowed. No traffic, DNS requests, IP addresses, not even connection times, dates or bandwidth used. The key point is that nothing is logged that can be connected to a specific account. There are some advanced settings, such as tunnel IPv6, DNS leak protection, and ports, but unless you know how they work (and what they do), you’re better off leaving the settings alone unless you contact customer support.Mullvad does very well on the privacy front compared to rival VPNs (Image credit: Mullvad) Privacyįiguring out a VPN's logging policy is often a real challenge, but again, Mullvad is different, spelling out the fine detail in an excellent policy page. Some users may be cautious about using a VPN that looks so “bare bones,” but you have access to relevant information like your connection status, how much time is remaining, and the software version. While you will automatically be connected to the best server, you can click on the menu and choose a specific server. Each account allows up to five simultaneous connections, which is an ideal option for a household or a user with multiple devices. You can also use the Mullvad OpenVPN to install it on iOS, Android, Chromebook, Linux, and other desktop operating systems. Mullvad VPN has apps for macOS, Windows, Debian, and Fedora. You can download the software, and the app will automatically install itself as long as it’s compatible with your device. To get a Mullvad account, all you need to do is register, complete an easy captcha, and then you’ll receive an account number. We understand that our idea of “ease of use” might be different than yours, but Mullvad VPN is one of the more user-friendly VPNs available. Most VPNs are designed with usability in mind. You don’t need to be an experienced tech user to use a VPN. ![]()
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