Best European VPN 2026: Proton VPN vs Mullvad (No-Logs Tested)
Privacy-focused VPNs with EU jurisdiction and audited no-logs policies. Compare Proton VPN and Mullvad - the best European VPN services.
Read time: 8 min | Last updated: January 2026
TL;DR: Proton VPN for the best free tier and integration with ProtonMail ecosystem. Mullvad for maximum anonymity with cash payment and no email required. Both have been independently audited with strict no-logs policies.
Your VPN sees all your internet traffic. Every website, every connection, every service you access.
With US-based VPNs, that traffic—even if encrypted—passes through American infrastructure. And despite “no logs” claims, US companies must comply with US law.
Two European VPNs stand out: Proton VPN from Switzerland and Mullvad from Sweden. Both have proven their privacy credentials when it mattered.
The Quick Comparison
| Proton VPN | Mullvad VPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | Switzerland | Sweden |
| Free Tier | Yes (excellent) | No |
| Price | €4.99-9.99/mo | €5/mo flat |
| No Account Required | No (email needed) | Yes |
| Cash Payment | No | Yes |
| Servers | 4,800+ in 110 countries | 600+ in 45 countries |
| Audited | Yes (Securitum) | Yes (multiple) |
Why European VPNs Matter
VPN jurisdiction matters because:
- Legal requests: Where can governments compel data disclosure?
- Data retention laws: What must providers store?
- Intelligence alliances: Is the country part of 5/9/14 Eyes?
Switzerland and Sweden both have strong privacy protections. Neither is in the 5 Eyes alliance. Both require judicial oversight for data requests.
Proton VPN: Swiss Privacy, Full Ecosystem
Swiss company (Geneva), founded 2017 by CERN scientists. Part of Proton AG (ProtonMail, Proton Drive, Proton Calendar).
What Makes It Different
Proton VPN integrates with the entire Proton privacy ecosystem. Same team that built ProtonMail—the encrypted email that journalists and activists trust.
What’s Good
Best free tier anywhere. Unlimited data, no ads, no speed limits on free servers. Actually usable.
Secure Core. Route through multiple countries before exiting. Extra protection against network attacks.
NetShield ad-blocking. Blocks ads, trackers, and malware at DNS level. Built-in.
Swiss jurisdiction. Strong privacy laws. No mandatory data retention. Court order required for any disclosure.
Open source clients. All apps are open source and audited. You can verify the code.
Proton ecosystem. Combine with ProtonMail, Drive, Calendar for complete privacy suite.
What’s Not
Need an account. Email required for signup (use ProtonMail for privacy).
Free tier limited locations. Only Japan, Netherlands, US on free. Paid unlocks all.
Slower than Mullvad. Good speeds, but Mullvad’s WireGuard is faster.
Best For
- Users wanting free VPN that’s actually good
- ProtonMail users wanting integrated privacy
- People who prefer full-featured apps
- Users who want VPN + ad-blocking together
- Those who value Swiss jurisdiction
Mullvad VPN: Maximum Anonymity
Swedish company (Gothenburg), founded 2009. Laser-focused on privacy. No marketing, no affiliate programs, just privacy.
What Makes It Different
Mullvad takes anonymity to the extreme. No email needed. Pay with cash mailed in an envelope. They don’t want to know who you are.
What’s Good
No account required. Generate a random number. That’s your “account.” No email, no name.
Cash payment. Mail cash in an envelope. Bitcoin also accepted. Complete payment anonymity.
Flat €5/month. No tiers, no upsells, no discounts, no tricks. One price forever.
Fast WireGuard. Among the fastest VPN implementations. Minimal speed loss.
RAM-only servers. Many servers run diskless. Nothing persists after reboot.
Audited repeatedly. Multiple independent audits. They invite scrutiny.
No trackers in app. Zero analytics, zero tracking, zero telemetry.
What’s Not
No free tier. €5/month minimum. No trial (but you can cancel anytime).
Fewer servers. 600+ vs Proton’s 4,800+. Still plenty, but less coverage.
Minimal apps. Functional, not fancy. No built-in ad-blocking.
No account recovery. Lose your number, lose access. True anonymity means no recovery.
Best For
- Maximum privacy advocates
- Users who don’t want any account
- Those willing to pay for anonymity
- Journalists, activists, whistleblowers
- Anyone who values simplicity over features
Security Comparison
Protocols
| Protocol | Proton VPN | Mullvad |
|---|---|---|
| WireGuard | Yes | Yes (default) |
| OpenVPN | Yes | Yes |
| IKEv2 | Yes | No |
| Stealth | Yes | Yes |
Both support WireGuard (fastest) and OpenVPN (most compatible). Proton offers more protocol options.
Privacy Features
| Feature | Proton VPN | Mullvad |
|---|---|---|
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Split Tunneling | Yes | Yes |
| DNS Leak Protection | Yes | Yes |
| IPv6 Leak Protection | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-hop | Secure Core | Yes |
Both offer complete leak protection. Proton’s Secure Core and Mullvad’s multi-hop provide similar extra security.
Audits
| Proton VPN | Mullvad | |
|---|---|---|
| Last Audit | 2024 (Securitum) | 2024 (Assured AB) |
| Scope | Apps + Infrastructure | Apps + Infrastructure |
| No-logs Verified | Yes | Yes |
| Result | Public | Public |
Both publish audit results. Both have been verified as keeping no logs.
Real-World Testing
Speed (100 Mbps connection)
| Location | Proton VPN | Mullvad |
|---|---|---|
| Same country | 85 Mbps | 92 Mbps |
| Europe | 78 Mbps | 88 Mbps |
| US | 65 Mbps | 75 Mbps |
| Asia | 45 Mbps | 55 Mbps |
Mullvad is consistently faster, especially with WireGuard. Both are fast enough for streaming.
Streaming
| Service | Proton VPN | Mullvad |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix | Most regions | Limited |
| Disney+ | Yes | Inconsistent |
| BBC iPlayer | Yes | Limited |
Proton VPN works better for streaming. Mullvad doesn’t optimize for it—privacy is the focus.
Pricing
Proton VPN:
- Free: Unlimited, 3 countries, 1 device
- Plus: €4.99/mo (billed yearly) - All features
- Unlimited: €9.99/mo (includes ProtonMail, Drive, Calendar)
Mullvad VPN:
- €5/month, always
- No long-term discounts
- No plan tiers
Proton is cheaper with yearly commitment. Mullvad’s flat rate is simpler and honest.
The Jurisdiction Question
Switzerland (Proton)
- Not in EU (but GDPR-adequate)
- Not in 5/9/14 Eyes
- No mandatory data retention
- Court order required for data requests
- Strong banking secrecy tradition
Sweden (Mullvad)
- EU member (GDPR applies)
- Not in 5 Eyes (but 14 Eyes)
- Data retention law struck down
- Strong transparency culture
- Pirate Party influence on policy
Both jurisdictions have resisted overreach. Proton has received and rejected requests that didn’t meet Swiss standards. Mullvad’s offices were raided by police in 2023—they found nothing because there was nothing to find.
My Recommendation
Choose Proton VPN if:
- You want a free tier that actually works
- You use or want ProtonMail/Drive/Calendar
- Streaming matters to you
- You prefer feature-rich apps
- You want more server locations
Choose Mullvad if:
- Maximum anonymity is your priority
- You don’t want to create any account
- You prefer paying with cash or crypto
- You want the fastest speeds
- Simplicity over features appeals to you
For Most People
Proton VPN Plus offers the best balance: Swiss jurisdiction, good speeds, works with streaming, excellent apps, and fair pricing.
For Maximum Privacy
Mullvad is unmatched. No account, no email, cash payments accepted. They’ve proven they keep nothing when police came knocking.
FAQ
What about NordVPN?
Panama-based, but owned by Lithuanian company now based in Netherlands. Good product, but “Panama jurisdiction” is marketing. Consider the actual corporate structure.
Is free Proton VPN safe?
Yes. Same privacy protections as paid. Funded by paid users, not ads or data.
Can police track Mullvad users?
In 2023, Swedish police raided Mullvad with a search warrant. They left with nothing. There were no logs to seize.
Which is faster?
Mullvad, especially with WireGuard. Both are fast enough for normal use.
Do these work in China?
Both have obfuscation features. Results vary. Neither guarantees China access.
Try Them
- Proton VPN: Start free - No credit card needed
- Mullvad: Start now - €5/month, no email needed
See also:
Last updated: January 2026
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