I’ve become much more mindful of online privacy in recent years, especially as data collection has become the norm. If you’re looking for a top-notch VPN that prioritizes anonymity above all else, Mullvad VPN is a name that frequently comes up in conversations about digital privacy.
After testing Mullvad VPN for myself, I was impressed by its reliability and rock-solid security features. Unfortunately, the company doesn’t provide a free trial. Instead, you get a 14-day money-back guarantee, which allows you to try the service risk-free after paying for a subscription.
Is there a Mullvad VPN free trial?
Looking for a Mullvad VPN free trial? Unfortunately, it doesn’t exist. Mullvad takes a different approach from many competitors, arguing that truly private VPN services shouldn’t rely on free, ad-supported models. Instead, the provider sticks to a paid-only service designed around user privacy and anonymity.
The legend of the 3-hour free trial
Mullvad didn’t always take a paid-only approach. Years ago, the company offered a popular 3-hour free trial that let anyone test the VPN without creating an account or entering payment information. It was one of the easiest VPN trials around, but abuse from bots and bad actors ultimately led Mullvad to discontinue the program.
Testing via the 14-day guarantee
With the old free trial gone, Mullvad relies on its 14-day refund policy for risk-free testing. I think that’s more than enough time to explore everything the VPN has to offer. However, the company’s commitment to privacy means the refund process works a bit differently than with most competitors:
- The cash and crypto catch: Mullvad famously allows you to mail them actual cash in an envelope or pay via anonymous cryptocurrencies like Monero. The catch? Refunds are mathematically impossible for cash and crypto payments. If you want that 14-day safety net, you must use a standard credit card, PayPal, or Google Play.
- App store gatekeepers: If you buy your subscription through the Apple App Store, Mullvad cannot process your refund directly. You will have to handle the cancellation and dispute directly through Apple’s automated support bots.
- No auto-renewals: On the bright side, Mullvad never automatically bills you. If you want to walk away after 14 days, just stop adding money to your account, and your service will expire on its own.
Mullvad VPN pricing breakdown
When I looked at Mullvad’s pricing, the first thing that stood out was its simplicity. There are no long-term contracts, promotional discounts, or surprise renewal rates. You pay the same flat price every month, period.
Unlike most VPN providers, Mullvad charges the same price every month: €5. It doesn’t matter whether you buy a single month or pay in advance. The simple pricing structure makes it easy to know exactly what you’ll pay.
Here’s an overview of Mullvad’s pricing plans and what you’ll pay for each option:
| Mullvad VPN plan | Monthly top-up | 12-month package |
| Upfront cost | €5.00 | €60.00 |
| Monthly price | €5.00 (~$5.75 USD) | €5.00 (~$5.75 USD) |
| Long-term discount | ❌ | ❌ |
| Best for… | Short-term privacy without a contract | Set-it-and-forget-it annual security |
The anonymity perks
Every account includes full access to their audited server network across more than 40 countries, up to 5 simultaneous device connections, and advanced quantum-resistant WireGuard VPN tunnels.
True to their extreme privacy ethos, Mullvad doesn’t even want your name or email address at checkout. In fact, the system generates a random 16-digit account number. To top it off, if you choose to pay using anonymous cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin or Monero, Mullvad rewards your privacy effort with a 10% crypto discount.
What your Mullvad plan includes
Before creating a Mullvad account, keep in mind that privacy is the provider’s main selling point. Everything from its no-logs policy to its simple design is built for protecting your anonymity.
Hardcore privacy and anonymity
- No personal information required: You do not need an email address, a real name, or a password to sign up.
- 16-digit account numbers: The system generates a completely random identification number that serves as your sole account credential.
- Untraceable payment options: You can maintain total financial anonymity by paying with decentralized cryptocurrencies like Monero, or by mailing physical cash in an envelope directly to their Swedish headquarters.
- Verified no-logs architecture: On par with premium competitors like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, multiple independent third-party infrastructure audits confirm that Mullvad never tracks, stores, or sells your browsing history or connection timestamps.
Cutting-edge security
- Advanced encryption standards: The client secures your data tunnel using military-grade AES-256 encryption alongside modern ChaCha20 algorithms.
- Next-gen WireGuard integration: Mullvad officially optimized its server infrastructure around WireGuard to deliver lightning-fast, lightweight data transfers.
- Automated system kill switch: A built-in, native security safeguard immediately blocks all internet traffic if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly to prevent data leaks.
Seamless device compatibility
- Universal operating system support: The clean, minimal interface functions identically across Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
- Multi-device coverage: A single account lets you establish up to five simultaneous secure connections across your household hardware.
The no-streaming catch
Many users look for a VPN free trial specifically to unblock international Netflix libraries, access BBC iPlayer, or stream live sports while traveling. If that is your goal, do not waste your time with Mullvad.
Because Mullvad focuses on pure privacy and censorship-bypassing rather than entertainment, streaming networks easily identify and blacklist their shared IP addresses.
If you want to binge-watch global content, your 14-day risk-free window will only frustrate you. Instead, look toward alternatives like the NordVPN free trial, which runs dedicated, specialized obfuscation networks optimized for streaming media.
No live chat support
Customer support is another area where Mullvad falls behind. While main rivals offer round-the-clock assistance — a standard feature in top VPNs like Surfshark and ExpressVPN — Mullvad skips 24/7 live chat entirely. When I needed help, the only option was to contact support by email (support@mullvadvpn.net) and wait for a response.
Mullvad’s email support is knowledgeable and responsive, but it’s not always quick. Since the company operates from Sweden, users in other time zones may experience longer wait times, especially outside business hours.
Alternatives to the Mullvad VPN free trial
Since Mullvad VPN has no free trial and only a 14-day refund window, the best way to test VPNs risk-free is to look at other providers instead.
| NordVPN | Surfshark | ExpressVPN | |
| Mobile free trial | ✅ 7 days (Android/iOS only) | ✅ 7 days (Android/iOS/macOS) | ✅ 7 days (App Store only) |
| Money-back guarantee | ✅ 30 days | ✅ 30 days | ✅ 30 days (standard plans) |
| Maximum risk-free period | 30 days | Up to 37 days (stacked trial) | 30 days |
| Device caps on trials | Full device limit active (10) | Limited to 3 devices during mobile trial | Full device limit active (8) |
NordVPN free trial
NordVPN takes a more feature-packed approach than Mullvad. In addition to impressive speeds, it offers advanced tools such as Double VPN connections and built-in protection against ads, trackers, and malware.
Surfshark free trial
Surfshark is a great choice for families and power users because it supports unlimited devices on a single account. Better yet, you can combine its 7-day free trial with a 30-day refund period for extended risk-free testing.
ExpressVPN free trial
If streaming is your top priority, ExpressVPN is a much better fit than Mullvad. It reliably accesses popular platforms and offers some of the easiest apps I’ve tested.
Mullvad’s WireGuard shift: GotaTun
If you are a tech enthusiast looking for raw, unadulterated speed, Mullvad’s infrastructure is a playground. Mullvad officially retired OpenVPN support entirely to focus on a futuristic, WireGuard-only ecosystem. They developed their own custom Rust-based WireGuard engine called GotaTun.
The performance upgrades you get to test:
- 3x faster speeds: The proprietary GotaTun infrastructure provides massive efficiency boosts, delivering up to three times faster performance for heavy browsing.
- Quantum-resistant tunnels: Enabled by default across all app versions, Mullvad uses advanced post-quantum encryption to protect your current web sessions against future “harvest now, decrypt later” cyberattacks.
- Lightweight WireGuard obfuscation (LWO): If you are attempting to bypass heavily censored public Wi-Fi networks or restrictive firewalls, Mullvad’s advanced LWO parameters offer unmatched obfuscation control.
Why Mullvad restricts you to 5 devices
When testing premium VPN services, we are increasingly spoiled by providers that offer unmetered, unlimited connections. While exploring your account dashboard, you will quickly notice that Mullvad caps your simultaneous access to 5 devices. For an individual user, this is plenty of coverage for a laptop, desktop, phone, and tablet.
However, if you are attempting to secure a large household or an office space with a single subscription, Mullvad’s five-device wall will feel highly restrictive. Because Mullvad uses an anonymous 16-digit account number instead of emails or passwords, you cannot simply upgrade your account tier for more device slots.
If you need a trial that handles dozens of active smart-home gadgets simultaneously, your best bet is to pivot over to the IPVanish free trial offers, which include unmetered device limits out of the box.
Is Mullvad VPN worth it without a free trial?
Mullvad VPN is an absolute powerhouse if your only goal is ironclad privacy without any marketing fluff. It skips flashy gimmicks to focus entirely on digital self-defense, letting you secure your network in four quick steps:
- Generate an account: Get a random 16-digit ID on the official site without giving up your email address.
- Fund your time: Add funds at their flat, unyielding rate of €5 per month.
- Download the client: Grab the secure installer from their website or mobile app store.
- Log in and connect: Paste your 16-digit number into the app and tap “Connect” to secure your traffic.
However, Mullvad’s focus on privacy comes with clear trade-offs. There’s no 24/7 live chat support, and it doesn’t unblock streaming platforms like international Netflix libraries. Since there’s no free trial, it’s worth comparing it with more flexible alternatives like NordVPN or Surfshark before committing.
Mullvad free trial FAQs
Does Mullvad VPN have a 100% free trial?
No, Mullvad VPN doesn’t offer a free trial. Instead, you need to pay €5 upfront and use its 14-day money-back guarantee to test the service. Mullvad previously had a 3-hour trial, but it was removed due to abuse and bot traffic. The company also avoids free tiers, arguing they can compromise user privacy.
Can I get a refund if I pay with cash or crypto?
No, cash and cryptocurrency payments are non-refundable. Since Mullvad uses a 16-digit account number and doesn’t store personal data, payments made via cash or crypto can’t be traced back for refunds. To use the 14-day money-back guarantee, you’ll need a trackable payment method like a credit card, PayPal, or Google Pay.
Does Mullvad automatically bill me when my time runs out?
No, Mullvad accounts don’t automatically renew. Instead, you simply top up your account when you want to continue using the service. Once your paid time runs out, the VPN stops working until you add more funds, so there are no surprise charges or recurring billing.
Can I use Mullvad to unblock international Netflix libraries?
No, Mullvad doesn’t support streaming unblocking. It’s built mainly for privacy and security, not bypassing geo-restrictions on platforms like Netflix, Hulu, or BBC iPlayer. As a result, many streaming services block their servers, so it’s not ideal if streaming is your main goal.
How many devices can I connect to Mullvad simultaneously?
Mullvad limits each account to 5 simultaneous device connections. That’s usually enough for a personal setup, but it can feel restrictive in larger households. Since there are no tiers or upgrades, you can’t increase the limit if you need more connections.
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