Proton VPN vs Mullvad vs AirVPN: Proton VPN is the best pick for most people. It has the biggest network, a real free plan, strong streaming and an audited no-logs policy. Mullvad wins if you want the most anonymous sign-up possible. AirVPN is a niche tool for power users who need port forwarding and deep settings.
All three are loved by privacy fans, so this is not a fight between good and bad. It is about which one fits the way you use the internet. Here is how ProtonVPN, Mullvad and AirVPN compare in plain words.
TL;DR: Proton VPN vs Mullvad vs AirVPN
| Category | Proton VPN | Mullvad | AirVPN |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🏆 Best for | Most people | Max anonymity | Torrent power users |
| 🏢 Based in | Switzerland | Sweden | Italy |
| 🔒 No-logs audit | Yes, yearly (Securitum) | Yes, many audits | No public audit |
| 👤 Sign-up | Random account number, no email | Username and email | |
| 🌍 Servers | 20,000+ in 140+ countries | About 570 in 50 countries | About 250 in 23 countries |
| 🆓 Free plan | Yes, unlimited data | No | No (cheap 3-day pass) |
| 🔁 Port forwarding | Yes, on paid plans | No (removed in 2023) | Yes, very flexible |
| 🌐 Beats VPN blocks | Stealth protocol | Built-in obfuscation options | OpenVPN over SSH, SSL or Tor |
| 🎬 Streaming | Strong | Hit and miss | Weak |
| 📱 Devices | Up to 10 | Up to 5 | Up to 5 |
| 💰 Price | From about $3.49/mo (2 years) | Flat €5/mo | From €2.75/mo (3 years) |
Which One Should You Pick?
- Want one VPN that does everything well: Proton VPN
- Want a free VPN with no data cap: Proton VPN
- Want to pay in cash and never give an email: Mullvad
- Run a torrent client or home server and need open ports: AirVPN
Quick Overview of Proton VPN, Mullvad and AirVPN
Proton VPN is made by Proton AG, the Swiss company behind Proton Mail. Its apps are open source, its no-logs policy is audited every year, and it is the only one of the three with a free plan. It is also the easiest to use. Our full Proton VPN review goes deeper.
Mullvad is a Swedish VPN built around one idea: know as little about you as possible. You get a random account number instead of an account, you can pay with cash in an envelope, and the price is the same flat €5 every month.
AirVPN is an Italian VPN run by privacy activists. It is small, technical and packed with settings. Its big selling points are flexible port forwarding and many ways to hide VPN traffic. It is not made for beginners.
How We Compared Them
We looked at the things that matter when you pick a privacy VPN: logging and audits, sign-up data, security tools, free options, network size, speed, port forwarding, streaming, apps and real price. We used each provider’s official plans and policies, published audit reports and recent independent reviews, then picked a winner for each round.
Privacy and No-Logs Policies
- Proton VPN: strict no-logs policy, checked every year by Securitum (see Proton’s no-logs audit reports). Swiss law, open-source apps and a real court case in 2019 where Proton had no user data to share. Want to know what users think? Read our Reddit Proton VPN reviews.
- Mullvad: the gold standard for anonymous sign-up. No email, no name, cash or crypto accepted. All servers run from RAM only, so nothing is stored on disk. It has passed many independent audits, and when Swedish police came with a search warrant in 2023, they left with nothing.
- AirVPN: a clear no-logs policy and open-source software, but no independent audit has been published. Italy is also part of the 14 Eyes group. You are trusting their word more than with the other two.
Winner: Mullvad for pure anonymity, with Proton VPN a very close second. AirVPN is last only because of the missing audit.
Security Features
All three use strong encryption and have a kill switch. The extras are where they differ:
- Proton VPN: Secure Core (double hop through Switzerland, Iceland or Sweden), NetShield ad and malware blocker, Stealth protocol, Tor over VPN and WireGuard plus OpenVPN.
- Mullvad: WireGuard only (OpenVPN was retired in early 2026), multihop, DNS content blocking and DAITA, a feature that hides your traffic patterns from AI-based tracking on some servers.
- AirVPN: WireGuard and OpenVPN, with OpenVPN able to run over SSH, SSL or Tor. Its Eddie client gives you full control over routes, DNS and network lock.
Winner: Proton VPN. It packs the most useful tools in apps that normal people can use.
Free Plan and Trials
Only Proton VPN has a free plan, and it is a good one: unlimited data, no ads and no time limit, on one device with servers in 10 countries. Mullvad has no free plan or trial, just a money-back window on most payment methods. AirVPN has no free plan either, but you can buy a 3-day pass for €2 to test it.
Winner: Proton VPN, easily.
Server Network and Speed
Proton VPN is in a different league here, with 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries. Mullvad runs about 570 owned or rented servers in 50 countries. AirVPN is the smallest, with about 250 servers in 23 countries, mostly in Europe and North America.
For speed, Proton and Mullvad are both fast on WireGuard and great for HD and 4K video. AirVPN is fine on nearby servers but slows down more on long distances, and its OpenVPN tunnels over SSL or SSH are slower by design.
Winner: Proton VPN for coverage. Speed is close between Proton and Mullvad.
Torrenting and Port Forwarding
This is the round where AirVPN shines. It lets you open and manage several ports on every server, which helps with seeding torrents, game servers and self-hosted apps.
- AirVPN: full, flexible port forwarding on all servers. The top choice for heavy torrent users.
- Proton VPN: P2P servers plus port forwarding on paid plans. Simple to turn on, works with most torrent apps.
- Mullvad: allows torrenting but removed port forwarding in 2023 to stop abuse. Downloads work, seeding is weaker.
Winner: AirVPN, with Proton VPN a solid second.
Streaming: Netflix, Disney+ and BBC iPlayer
Proton VPN works with Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer and many more on paid plans. Mullvad does not try to unblock streaming sites, so it works some days and not others. AirVPN struggles with most big platforms.
Winner: Proton VPN, by a wide margin.
Getting Past VPN Blocks
Proton’s Stealth protocol is one click and works well on school, work and hotel Wi-Fi and in many restrictive countries. AirVPN is very strong here too, since OpenVPN over SSL, SSH or Tor is hard to spot, but it takes more setup. Mullvad has obfuscation options inside its app that help on simple blocks. For the strictest places like China, also see our Astrill VPN review.
Winner: tie between Proton VPN and AirVPN. Proton is easier, AirVPN gives more options.
Apps and Ease of Use
Proton VPN has polished apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV and browsers. Mullvad’s apps are clean and simple, with few settings to get lost in. AirVPN’s Eddie client is powerful but looks dated, and there is no iOS app, so iPhone users must set it up by hand with a WireGuard or OpenVPN app.
Winner: Proton VPN, with Mullvad close behind.
Pricing: Which Gives More Value?
- Proton VPN: free plan, then VPN Plus from about $3.49 per month on the 2-year plan. Proton Unlimited adds Mail, Drive and Pass. 10 devices and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Mullvad: one flat price of €5 per month, no matter how long you pay for. No renewal surprises, no upsells. 5 devices.
- AirVPN: plans from 3 days up to 3 years, dropping to €2.75 per month on the 3-year plan (€99 upfront). 5 devices.
Winner: Proton VPN for value on long plans and the free option. Mullvad wins if you hate long contracts.
Prices change often. Check the official sites for today’s deal.
Pros and Cons
Proton VPN
- ✅ Free plan with unlimited data
- ✅ Huge network and strong streaming
- ✅ Audited no-logs, Secure Core, Stealth, port forwarding
- ❌ Needs an email to sign up
- ❌ Monthly plan is pricey
Mullvad
- ✅ Fully anonymous sign-up, cash accepted
- ✅ RAM-only servers and many audits
- ✅ Simple flat price
- ❌ No port forwarding
- ❌ Weak for streaming, only 5 devices
AirVPN
- ✅ Best port forwarding of the three
- ✅ OpenVPN over SSH, SSL or Tor
- ✅ Cheap 3-day pass to test
- ❌ No independent no-logs audit
- ❌ Small network, no iOS app, hard for beginners
Final Verdict: ProtonVPN vs Mullvad vs AirVPN
Pick Proton VPN if you want one VPN that covers privacy, streaming, travel and torrents, with a free plan to start. It wins the most rounds.
Pick Mullvad if anonymity comes first and you want to pay without leaving any personal trace.
Pick AirVPN if you are a technical user who needs open ports for torrents or a home server and you do not mind a learning curve.
Want more? Read our Proton VPN review, compare Proton VPN vs NordVPN vs AirVPN and Proton VPN vs Bitdefender VPN, or browse all our ProtonVPN guides.
FAQ: Proton VPN vs Mullvad vs AirVPN
Which is more private, Proton VPN or Mullvad?
Both are top tier. Mullvad is more anonymous because it needs no email and takes cash. Proton is just as strict on logs and adds Swiss law, Secure Core and a yearly audit.
Is AirVPN safe to use?
Yes, it has a good track record and open-source software. The main gap is that its no-logs policy has not been checked by an outside auditor, unlike Proton VPN and Mullvad.
Which VPN is best for torrenting?
AirVPN, thanks to its flexible port forwarding. Proton VPN is a close second with P2P servers and port forwarding. Mullvad works for downloads but has no port forwarding.
Does Mullvad or AirVPN have a free plan?
No. Only Proton VPN has a free plan. AirVPN sells a cheap 3-day pass, and Mullvad offers a money-back window on most payment methods.
Which one is best for Netflix?
Proton VPN. It reliably unblocks Netflix, Disney+ and BBC iPlayer on paid plans, while Mullvad and AirVPN are hit and miss.
Which is easiest for beginners?
Proton VPN, with Mullvad close behind. AirVPN is built for technical users and has no iOS app.
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