Proton VPN asks you to sign up with an email address, while Mullvad VPN creates an account without any personal info at all. That difference shapes the whole app, which comes from Mullvad VPN AB and has been on Android since June 22, 2020. It connects through WireGuard and is aimed at people who want fewer traces left behind.
Who a no-email VPN account suits
Mullvad fits people who want the provider to know as little about them as possible. An account needs no email address, and the developer says it keeps no activity logs. Payment can be made anonymously with cash or cryptocurrency, which few mainstream VPN apps offer.
It also suits readers who like to inspect what they run. The app is open source under GPL-3.0-or-later, and the code is published on GitHub. It shows no ads.
Setup, WireGuard and split tunneling in practice
Setup follows three steps: install the app, create an account, then add time through in-app purchases or vouchers. The app connects through WireGuard, which the developer describes as fast and light on battery. Traffic goes through an encrypted tunnel to a Mullvad server, so websites see the server rather than you, and your ISP sees only that you connected to Mullvad.
The app lists a global server network for bypassing geographic restrictions. Split tunneling is included. When you open that view, the app reads a list of installed apps from your device, and the developer states that this list never leaves the phone.
For tracking beyond your IP address, the developer suggests pairing the VPN with Mullvad Browser, which is free. The browser is meant to block third-party cookies and similar tracking.
The €5 monthly price and what it covers
The price is €5 per month. The app itself is free to install, with in-app purchases to add account time, so the VPN is not free to use in practice. Vouchers are the other way to top up.
Telemetry is minimal and not tied to an account number or IP address. The app checks for updates every 24 hours, and logs are sent only when you choose to send them. The app needs Android 9 or newer and takes up 37.2 MB.
Mullvad VPN pros and cons
Pros
- Account creation needs no personal info, not even an email address
- Cash and cryptocurrency payments are possible
- Open source under GPL-3.0-or-later with code on GitHub
- No ads in the app
- Uses WireGuard and includes split tunneling
Cons
- Not free to use: account time is bought through in-app purchases or vouchers, at €5 per month per the store text
- Requires Android 9 or newer
- No server count or country list is published in the store text
- Split tunneling reads the list of installed apps on the device
Is Mullvad VPN safe?
The stored APK is the unmodified file, and its SHA-256 checksum is 0b3ca70ee0e9205cb6af0cc81b656c00fbcdf2beae13f4dddd94c4768b13aaaf, so you can verify your copy against it. Mullvad VPN AB publishes the source code under GPL-3.0-or-later, which lets anyone read how the VPN works. Account creation asks for no personal info, not even an email address, and the app carries no ads. The content rating is Everyone.
How to install Mullvad VPN
- Download the APK with the button on this page and wait for it to finish.
- Compare the file with the SHA-256 checksum shown here if you want to confirm it arrived intact.
- Open the file on your phone and allow installs from this source when Android asks.
- Finish the install, then open Mullvad VPN from your app drawer.
