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ProtonVPN vs Mullvad VPN
Which is the better vpn for Mac in 2026?
We compared ProtonVPN and Mullvad VPN across 5 key factors including price, open-source status, and community adoption. Both ProtonVPN and Mullvad VPN are excellent vpn. Read our full breakdown below.
ProtonVPN
VPN client focusing on security
Free
VS
Mullvad VPN
VPN client
Free
Our Verdict
Both ProtonVPN and Mullvad VPN are excellent vpn. ProtonVPN is better for users who prefer polished experiences, while Mullvad VPN excels for those who value established ecosystems.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | ProtonVPN | Mullvad VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Open Source | No | No |
| Monthly Installs | N/A | N/A |
| GitHub Stars | N/A | N/A |
| Category | Security & Privacy | Security & Privacy |
Quick Install
ProtonVPN
brew install --cask protonvpnMullvad VPN
brew install --cask mullvad-vpnLearn More
In-Depth Overview
What is ProtonVPN?
Born from the scientific rigor of CERN in Geneva, Switzerland, ProtonVPN has evolved from a niche security tool into a mainstream privacy powerhouse by 2026. Operated by Proton AG, the same team behind the world’s largest encrypted email service, Proton Mail, the VPN benefits from Switzerland’s strong privacy laws, which are outside the immediate jurisdiction of the US and EU intelligence-sharing alliances (though mutual assistance treaties exist). As of 2026, ProtonVPN has matured significantly on macOS, moving away from early Catalyst wrappers to a fully native experience that integrates deeply with Apple's Silicon chips for efficient encryption handling. The service distinguishes itself through 'Secure Core' architecture, which routes traffic through hardened servers in privacy-friendly nations (like Switzerland, Iceland, and Sweden) before connecting to the final destination, mitigating the risk of compromised exit nodes. Proton has also expanded its 'Stealth' protocol, designed specifically to bypass deep packet inspection (DPI) in authoritarian regimes like China, Russia, and Iran. Beyond pure connectivity, ProtonVPN includes NetShield, a DNS-filtering feature that blocks ads, trackers, and malware at the network level. The service operates under a strict no-logs policy, repeatedly verified by independent third-party audits, ensuring that not even Proton has access to user browsing history.
Detailed Feature Comparison
Streaming & Geo-Unblocking
CriticalProtonVPNExcellent
ProtonVPN actively maintains a dedicated team to rotate IPs and bypass VPN bans enforced by Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. In 2026, their success rate remains near 99% on Plus servers. They clearly label servers optimized for streaming, ensuring users don't waste time trial-and-erroring connections. The speeds are sufficient for 4K and 8K HDR streaming without buffering.
Verdict: ProtonVPN is the undisputed king for entertainment, while Mullvad abandons this field entirely.
Anonymity & Account Privacy
CriticalProtonVPNGood
Proton requires an email address for signup, though this can be a burner or a Proton Mail address. Payment methods include anonymous options like Bitcoin, but the link between a persistent account and payment history exists, although heavily protected by Swiss law. Their no-logs policy is audited and proven in court, but the account existence itself is a metadata point.
Verdict: Mullvad's numbered account system offers a level of dissociation that Proton cannot match.
Connection Protocols
HighProtonVPNExcellent
Proton supports WireGuard, OpenVPN (TCP/UDP), and IKEv2 on macOS. However, their standout is the 'Stealth' protocol, an obfuscated protocol based on WireGuard and TLS intended to bypass strict firewalls and censorship. This makes Proton superior for users in restricted networks (schools, corporate firewalls, or restrictive nations) where standard WireGuard might be blocked.
Verdict: Proton takes the lead due to the proprietary 'Stealth' protocol's ease of use for bypassing censorship.
Server Network & Locations
MediumProtonVPNExcellent
ProtonVPN boasts a massive network covering over 100 countries and thousands of servers. This geographic diversity is crucial for users needing IPs in specific, smaller nations. They use 'Smart Routing' (virtual servers) for dangerous or hard-to-reach locations, allowing them to offer an IP address for a country without physically putting hardware there.
Verdict: ProtonVPN provides significantly better global coverage for users needing specific geographic exit nodes.
Ad & Tracker Blocking
HighProtonVPNExcellent
NetShield is a highly polished feature integrated directly into the macOS app interface. Users can toggle between 'Block Malware Only', 'Block Malware, Ads, and Trackers', or 'Off'. It speeds up browsing by preventing heavy ad scripts from loading. The visual feedback on how many items were blocked adds a layer of reassurance for the user.
Verdict: NetShield is slightly more user-friendly and granular for the average Mac user.
macOS App Design
MediumProtonVPNExcellent
The ProtonVPN macOS app is visually striking, featuring a dark-mode, futuristic world map that visualizes connections. It allows for 'Profiles', where users can save specific server configurations (e.g., 'Work - Secure Core Switzerland'). The dashboard provides real-time traffic graphs and session data, appealing to users who want to 'see' the VPN working.
Verdict: Proton's interface is more modern, customizable, and visually informative.
Advanced Security Architecture
HighProtonVPNExcellent
Proton's 'Secure Core' is a major differentiator. By routing traffic first through a server in a physically secure bunker (in Switzerland or Iceland) and then to the destination, they mitigate timing attacks. If the exit server is compromised, the attacker still only sees traffic coming from the Secure Core, not the user's ISP. This is premium architecture included in the paid plan.
Verdict: A tight tie, but Mullvad's focus on DAITA and future-proofing gives it a technical edge for high-threat models.
Simultaneous Connections
MediumProtonVPNGood
ProtonVPN offers 10 simultaneous connections on the Plus plan. This is generally enough for a power user with a phone, laptop, tablet, desktop, and maybe a family member's device. The free tier is limited to 1 device. The device management in the web dashboard allows you to remotely kick devices off if you exceed the limit.
Verdict: Proton offers double the connection capacity, better suiting the multi-device household of 2026.
Who Should Choose Which?
1The Digital Nomad
ProtonVPN
Travelers need reliable access to home banking, streaming services (Netflix/Hulu), and secure connections on hotel Wi-Fi. ProtonVPN's ability to unblock content and its 'Secure Core' for high-risk public networks make it the superior travel companion. The map interface also helps visualize connection distance to minimize latency.
2The Privacy Purist / Whistleblower
mullvad
For someone whose threat model involves state-level actors or who simply refuses to participate in data capitalism, Mullvad is the only choice. The ability to send cash by mail and generate an account without an email address ensures that no paper trail exists linking the person to the VPN usage.
3The Student
ProtonVPN
Students often have limited budgets. ProtonVPN offers the best free tier on the market—unlimited data, decent speeds, and no ads. It allows students to bypass campus Wi-Fi restrictions and protect their data without spending money. When they can afford it, upgrading is seamless.
4The Linux/Mac Power User
mullvad
Users who live in the terminal and prefer open-source, lightweight software will appreciate Mullvad. Its CLI (Command Line Interface) is powerful, scriptable, and robust. It integrates well with complex home lab setups without the 'bloat' of a heavy GUI application.
5The Subscription Hater
mullvad
For the user who is tired of managing 20 different subscriptions and worrying about auto-renewal dates, Mullvad is a breath of fresh air. They can pay for 3 months, let it lapse, and pay again later without penalties or 'come back' spam emails. The flat pricing respects the user's intelligence.
6The Family CTO
ProtonVPN
Managing the digital security of a household requires tools that are easy for non-tech family members to use. Proton's friendly interface, combined with the 10-device limit, allows the head of the household to install it on everyone's iPads and phones. The NetShield feature also helps protect kids from malware and ads.
Migration Guide
Protonvpn → Mullvad
Switching to Mullvad requires a mindset shift. First, stop your Proton auto-renewal. Generate a Mullvad account number and save it immediately in a password manager—if you lose it, you lose your remaining time. Download the lightweight Mullvad app. You will lose access to specific streaming servers, so ensure you don't rely on the VPN for Netflix. You will also lose the 'Profiles' feature; instead, familiarize yourself with Mullvad's 'Bridge' settings if you need obfuscation. Enjoy the extra system memory and the silence of an app that doesn't try to upsell you.
Mullvad → Protonvpn
Moving to ProtonVPN feels like an upgrade in luxury but a downgrade in anonymity. Sign up using a secure email. If you want to maintain some anonymity, pay with Bitcoin, though Proton will still have a permanent record of your account. Install the app and set up your 'Profiles' (e.g., 'Streaming US', 'Secure Core Swiss'). Enable NetShield immediately. You can now log into your streaming accounts. If you were using Mullvad on a router, you will need to download new OpenVPN or WireGuard configurations from the Proton dashboard.
Pro Tips
When migrating, check your 'Split Tunneling' settings, as these do not transfer between apps and must be re-configured manually. Also, if you use a custom DNS, ensure you set it up in the new VPN's settings, as both apps default to their own encrypted DNS resolvers to prevent leaks.
Final Verdict
Overall Winner
ProtonVPN
9.2/10
Winner
8.8/10
Runner-up
For the Bundl audience—Mac users who value design, utility, and performance—ProtonVPN is the superior product in 2026. It successfully bridges the gap between a hardcore privacy tool and a consumer lifestyle app. The ability to watch global content, block ads seamlessly, and integrate with a secure email and storage suite offers a value proposition that justifies the higher price tag. While Mullvad remains the moral victor in terms of absolute privacy and transparency, its refusal to cater to streaming needs and its austere interface limit its appeal to a technical niche. ProtonVPN delivers 95% of the privacy protections of Mullvad but adds 200% more daily utility.
Bottom Line: Choose ProtonVPN for a feature-rich, streaming-friendly experience; choose Mullvad only if you demand absolute anonymity and hate subscriptions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Neither service keeps activity logs (websites visited, traffic content, DNS queries). However, there is a nuance in 'connection' logs. Mullvad keeps virtually nothing because they don't have user accounts to attach data to. ProtonVPN retains the timestamp of your last successful login to prevent brute-force attacks, but this is overwritten on the next login. Both have been audited, but Mullvad's infrastructure (no email, RAM-only) makes logging technically harder to perform even if compelled by law.
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