Choose CosmoVPN if you can't or don't want to pay to start: CosmoVPN is free without any account, with modes made for networks that block VPNs.
CosmoVPN vs Mullvad VPN
How CosmoVPN and Mullvad VPN compare on blocked networks, privacy, free versions, apps and price.
Checked on 1 October 2026
Which one is for you?
Choose Mullvad VPN if maximum privacy is the goal: no e-mail address, cash payments, open source, audits and a flat €5 price.
Feature by feature
| Feature | Mullvad VPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Free version | Yes: no data cap and no account; each connection lasts 1 hour (then you connect again), with ads and fewer locations than Premium. | No free plan or trial; 14-day money-back guarantee (not for cash payments). |
| Account | None for the free version; an e-mail address and password for Premium. | No e-mail: you get a random account number. |
| Tools for blocked networks | CosmoGhost, made for heavily censored networks, and CosmoShield, which is hard for networks to detect or block. Auto switches to the mode that works on your network. | Obfuscation built into the apps (LWO, QUIC, Shadowsocks and UDP-over-TCP), with an automatic mode. |
| Protocols | WireGuard, plus the CosmoGhost and CosmoShield modes; Auto picks the one that works. | WireGuard only. |
| Logging | Doesn't log the websites you visit, your DNS requests or the content of your traffic. Keeps a record of each connection: time, server, device identifier and model, app version and connection mode. | No logs of traffic, DNS requests, connections, timestamps or IP addresses. |
| Audits | No independent audit. | Yes: audits of its servers and apps (Cure53, X41 D-Sec and others, 2023 to 2026). |
| Open source | No. | Yes, all apps. |
| Devices | Up to 5 devices per account, free or Premium; the free version also works without an account. | 5 devices. |
| Apps | Android, iPhone and iPad, Windows, macOS, Linux and Android TV. | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android (also Android TV) and iOS. |
| Price | Free. Premium for 1, 6 or 12 months, bought in the app (App Store or Google Play) at the price shown there in your currency. | €5 a month, the same for any length. |
Getting past blocked networks
Mullvad's apps can disguise WireGuard in several ways (LWO, QUIC, Shadowsocks or UDP-over-TCP) and choose one automatically. CosmoVPN's Auto mode does the same with CosmoGhost and CosmoShield.
Privacy and logging
Mullvad is one of the most privacy-focused VPNs: no e-mail address, no logs of connections or IP addresses, open-source apps and repeated audits. CosmoVPN doesn't log the sites you visit, your DNS requests or the content of your traffic, but keeps connection records and hasn't been audited.
Free version
Mullvad has no free plan or trial (only a 14-day money-back guarantee) and costs €5 a month. CosmoVPN is free to start (no data cap, 1-hour connections, ads, fewer locations than Premium), and Premium is optional.
Apps and devices
Mullvad covers Windows, macOS, Linux, Android (also on Android TV) and iOS, with 5 devices. CosmoVPN covers the same systems, including Android TV, with 5 devices per account.
Price
CosmoVPN: Free. Premium for 1, 6 or 12 months, bought in the app (App Store or Google Play) at the price shown there in your currency.
Mullvad VPN: €5 a month, the same for any length.
CosmoVPN or Mullvad VPN?
No. Mullvad costs €5 a month and has no free plan or trial. CosmoVPN can be used for free, without an account.
Mullvad: it needs no e-mail address, keeps no connection logs and is open source and audited. CosmoVPN doesn't log the sites you visit, your DNS requests or the content of your traffic, but keeps connection records (time, server, device). Choose Mullvad if privacy is your first concern and you can pay.
Yes. You can use CosmoVPN for free on our free servers, with ads and time-limited connections: when the time is up, just connect again. Premium removes the ads, gives you much longer connections and unlocks the Premium servers.
Compare Free and Premium →We do not log the websites you visit, your DNS requests or the content of your traffic. To run the service we keep basic connection records, such as which device connected to which server and when.
Read the Privacy Policy →CosmoVPN vs other VPNs
Sources
The facts about Mullvad VPN come from its own website and app-store listings, checked on 1 October 2026:
The facts about CosmoVPN come from our features, FAQ and privacy policy.
Mullvad VPN is a trademark of its owner; CosmoVPN isn't affiliated with Mullvad VPN. Something out of date? E-mail [email protected] and we'll correct it.