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Windscribe vs Mullvad VPN

Windscribe logo

Windscribe

Software

VPN and firewall service with a generous free data tier and a customizable Build-A-Plan option

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Mullvad VPN logo

Mullvad VPN

Software

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

From
$5/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Windscribe has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Windscribe free tier's 10GB cap still requires email confirmation and social sharing to unlock, unlike some no-strings-attached competitors.; Mullvad VPN offers no free trial or free tier, unlike several consumer VPN competitors.
  • They diverge on capability: Windscribe covers Firewall / default block, Mullvad VPN covers Flat single pricing.

Where they differ

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

Attributes where Windscribe and Mullvad VPN differ
AttributeWindscribeMullvad VPN
Starting priceFree$5/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
Platformswindows, mac, linux, ios, android, webwindows, mac, linux, ios, android
FoundedUnknown2009

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

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 Windscribe

  • Firewall / default block
  • Unlimited simultaneous devices
  • Build-A-Plan
  • R.O.B.E.R.T. content blocker
  • Static IP and port forwarding add-ons

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.

Windscribe

  • Running a free VPN across unlimited personal devicesnot Mullvad VPN
  • Buying access to just a few specific server locations cheaplynot Mullvad VPN
  • Blocking ads and trackers at the DNS level while browsingnot Mullvad VPN
  • Preventing IP leaks with a default-block firewall rulenot Mullvad VPN

Mullvad VPN

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

Where each one falls short

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

Windscribe

  • Free tier's 10GB cap still requires email confirmation and social sharing to unlock, unlike some no-strings-attached competitors.
  • Build-A-Plan's low cost only covers selected locations, so broad global coverage still requires the full Pro plan.
  • Server speeds and streaming reliability are inconsistent compared to larger premium VPN providers.
  • Customer support is primarily ticket/community-based rather than live chat for lower tiers.

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

Windscribe

Free
  • FreeFree
    • 10GB of data per month with confirmed email
    • 10 server countries
    • Unlimited devices
  • Build-A-Plan$3/month
    • Pay per selected server location ($1/location)
    • $3 minimum purchase
    • Unlimited data on selected locations
  • Pro$9/month
    • Unlimited data
    • 69+ countries
    • $69/year on annual billing

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 Windscribe if

  • You need firewall / default block.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on windows, mac, linux, ios, android, web.
  • You also want unlimited simultaneous devices.
Windscribe 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 Windscribe or Mullvad VPN better?
Neither clearly leads. Windscribe 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, Windscribe or Mullvad VPN?
Windscribe has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for Windscribe and $5/month for Mullvad VPN.
Does Windscribe or Mullvad VPN run on more platforms?
Windscribe runs on windows, mac, linux, ios, android, web. Mullvad VPN runs on windows, mac, linux, ios, android.
Can I use Windscribe for free?
Yes. Windscribe has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Mullvad VPN starts at $5/month.
What is Windscribe best used for?
Windscribe is most often used for running a free vpn across unlimited personal devices, buying access to just a few specific server locations cheaply, blocking ads and trackers at the dns level while browsing, preventing ip leaks with a default-block firewall rule. Of those, running a free vpn across unlimited personal devices and buying access to just a few specific server locations cheaply are not what Mullvad VPN is typically brought in for.
What can Windscribe do that Mullvad VPN cannot?
Windscribe covers Firewall / default block, Unlimited simultaneous devices, Build-A-Plan, R.O.B.E.R.T. content blocker. Mullvad VPN covers Flat single pricing, Account-number signup, Cash and crypto payments, WireGuard support.
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