Surfshark Wins
Winner
VS
Score Comparison
Criteria
Surfshark
Mullvad VPN
Overall Score
8.8
8.4
Security
9.0
9.8
Speed
8.8
8.5
Features
9.0
7.5
Pricing/Value
9.5
8.5
Ease of Use
8.5
8.0
Pricing & Features
Specification
Surfshark
Mullvad VPN
Starting Price
$2.49/mo
$5/mo
Pricing Model
Subscription
Subscription
Making Your Decision
When to Choose Surfshark
Families and users with many devices who want great value
Surfshark offers the best value in the VPN market with unlimited connections and solid features at budget prices, making it ideal for households with multiple devices to protect.
Strengths
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Excellent value with budget-friendly pricing
- CleanWeb feature blocks ads, trackers, and malware
- MultiHop feature routes through multiple countries
Limitations
- Speeds can be inconsistent on some servers
- Smaller server network than top competitors
- Kill switch occasionally fails to engage
When to Choose Mullvad VPN
Privacy maximalists who want anonymous sign-up and transparent pricing
Mullvad is the gold standard for privacy purists, offering anonymous accounts, cash payments, and transparent pricing, though it sacrifices streaming features for its security-first approach.
Strengths
- No email or personal info required to sign up
- Accept cash and cryptocurrency payments for anonymity
- Simple, transparent €5/month flat pricing
- Open-source apps and externally audited infrastructure
Limitations
- Smaller server network than mainstream VPNs
- No streaming optimization or dedicated servers
- Basic app with fewer features than competitors
