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Browser Extensions · head to head

Arc vs Mullvad VPN

Arc logo

Arc

Browser Extensions

Chromium-based browser organized around user workflows

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
M

Mullvad VPN

Cybersecurity

Privacy-first VPN with one flat price and no email required to sign up

From
$5/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Arc has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Arc no longer receiving active feature development as of May 2025, entering maintenance mode; Mullvad VPN offers no free trial or free tier, unlike several consumer VPN competitors.
  • They diverge on capability: Arc covers Spaces and Profiles, Mullvad VPN covers Flat single pricing.
  • Prices and features above were last checked on 29 August 2026.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Arc and Mullvad VPN actually diverge.

Attributes where Arc and Mullvad VPN differ
AttributeArcMullvad VPN
Starting priceFree$5/month
Pricing modelFreesubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsmacOS, Windows, iOSwindows, mac, linux, ios, android
CategoryBrowser ExtensionsCybersecurity
FoundedUnknown2009

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Arc

  • Spaces and Profiles
  • Split View
  • Themes
  • Privacy-First Design
  • Chromium Updates

Only in Mullvad VPN

  • Flat single pricing
  • Account-number signup
  • Cash and crypto payments
  • WireGuard support
  • Independent audits

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Arc

  • Organizing work across multiple projects within one browsernot Mullvad VPN
  • Separating personal and professional browsing with spacesnot Mullvad VPN
  • Privacy-conscious web browsing without trackingnot Mullvad VPN
  • Tab and window management for productivitynot Mullvad VPN

Mullvad VPN

  • Paying for a VPN anonymously with cash or cryptocurrencynot Arc
  • Avoiding tiered upsells with a single flat-rate plannot Arc
  • Signing up without providing an email addressnot Arc
  • Verifying a provider's privacy claims via independent auditsnot Arc

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Arc

  • No longer receiving active feature development as of May 2025, entering maintenance mode
  • Limited cross-platform availability compared to mainstream browsers
  • Smaller ecosystem of extensions compared to Chrome
  • Focused on macOS and Windows, with limited iOS support

Mullvad VPN

  • Offers no free trial or free tier, unlike several consumer VPN competitors.
  • Lacks a bundled tiered structure, so there is no cheaper limited plan for occasional users.
  • Server network and streaming-unblocking performance is smaller than large mainstream VPN providers.
  • No annual discount, meaning long-term subscribers pay the same monthly rate as short-term users.

Pricing, plan by plan

Arc

Free
  • ArcFree
    • Spaces and profiles organization
    • Split view customization
    • Themes and personalization

Mullvad VPN

$5/month
  • Mullvad VPN$5/month
    • Flat rate regardless of subscription length
    • 5 simultaneous devices
    • No email required

Which should you pick?

Choose Arc if

  • You need spaces and profiles.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on macOS, Windows, iOS.
  • You also want split view.
Arc review

Choose Mullvad VPN if

  • You need flat single pricing.
  • You work on windows, mac, linux, ios, android.
  • You also want account-number signup.
Mullvad VPN review

Questions people ask

Is Arc or Mullvad VPN better?
Neither clearly leads. Arc starts at Free and Mullvad VPN at $5/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Arc or Mullvad VPN?
Arc has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Arc and $5/month for Mullvad VPN.
Does Arc or Mullvad VPN run on more platforms?
Arc runs on macOS, Windows, iOS. Mullvad VPN runs on windows, mac, linux, ios, android.
Can I use Arc for free?
Yes. Arc has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Mullvad VPN starts at $5/month.
What is Arc best used for?
Arc is most often used for organizing work across multiple projects within one browser, separating personal and professional browsing with spaces, privacy-conscious web browsing without tracking, tab and window management for productivity. Of those, organizing work across multiple projects within one browser and separating personal and professional browsing with spaces are not what Mullvad VPN is typically brought in for.
What can Arc do that Mullvad VPN cannot?
Arc covers Spaces and Profiles, Split View, Themes, Privacy-First Design. Mullvad VPN covers Flat single pricing, Account-number signup, Cash and crypto payments, WireGuard support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Arc: Does Arc Browser cost anything to use?

Arc is completely free to download and use with no subscription required. All features are available at no cost.

Source
Arc: What operating systems does Arc support?

Arc is available on macOS, Windows, and iOS. Windows and mobile versions are available for download.

Source
Arc: Will Arc continue to receive new features?

As of May 2025, Arc entered maintenance mode with no new features planned. The Browser Company's focus has shifted to Dia browser, though Arc continues to receive security updates.

Source
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