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OpenVPN VS Mullvad

Compare OpenVPN VS Mullvad and see what are their differences

OpenVPN logo OpenVPN

OpenVPN - The Open Source VPN

Mullvad logo Mullvad

Mullvad is a Swedish virtual private network (VPN) provider.
  • OpenVPN Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-09-19
  • Mullvad Landing page
    Landing page //
    2023-10-22

OpenVPN features and specs

  • Security
    OpenVPN uses robust encryption standards like AES-256, providing a high level of security for data transmission.
  • Open Source
    Being open-source, OpenVPN allows users to verify its code for vulnerabilities, ensuring transparency and reliability.
  • Flexibility
    OpenVPN can run on various platforms, including Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android, offering extensive compatibility.
  • Customizability
    Users can configure OpenVPN according to their specific needs, allowing advanced network setups and policies.
  • Performance
    OpenVPN offers strong performance with efficient handling of large data transmissions and support for high and stable speeds.
  • Community Support
    A large and active community provides ample resources, including tutorials, forums, and user support.
  • Cost
    As a free and open-source solution, OpenVPN significantly reduces the cost compared to many commercial VPN offerings.

Possible disadvantages of OpenVPN

  • Complex Setup
    Setting up OpenVPN can be complex and may require technical expertise, particularly for advanced configurations.
  • Resource Intensive
    OpenVPN can be resource-intensive compared to some other VPN protocols, potentially impacting the performance of older or lower-spec hardware.
  • Client Software
    The official OpenVPN client software has a less user-friendly interface compared to some commercial VPNs, possibly deterring less tech-savvy users.
  • Mobile Experience
    Although OpenVPN supports mobile devices, the user experience on mobile can be less streamlined compared to desktop environments.
  • Initial Learning Curve
    New users may find the initial learning curve steep due to the multitude of configuration options and the need for understanding networking concepts.
  • Support
    While community support is strong, there may not be as much immediate or personalized support as found with some commercial VPN services.

Mullvad features and specs

  • Privacy
    Mullvad does not require any personal information for account creation and has a strict no-logs policy, ensuring user privacy is maintained.
  • Security
    It offers robust security features such as AES-256 encryption, WireGuard protocol, and IPv6 leak protection.
  • Transparency
    Mullvad is open about its practices and security measures, and the source code for its apps is publicly available for auditing.
  • Performance
    Mullvad provides competitive speeds and reliable performance across its network of servers.
  • Ease of Use
    The service offers a straightforward setup process and a user-friendly interface suitable for both beginners and advanced users.
  • Ethical Stance
    Mullvad actively donates to privacy and internet freedom causes and maintains a strong ethical stance on internet privacy.

Possible disadvantages of Mullvad

  • Limited Extra Features
    Unlike some competitors, Mullvad does not offer additional features such as an ad blocker or dedicated streaming servers.
  • Price
    Mullvad’s flat rate pricing can be considered slightly expensive compared to others offering long-term subscription discounts.
  • No Mobile Apps During Account Creation
    The process of creating an account can't be completed within the mobile apps, which might be inconvenient for some users.
  • No Live Customer Support
    Mullvad does not offer live chat support, which can be an inconvenience for users needing immediate assistance.
  • Fewer Server Locations
    Mullvad has fewer server locations compared to some leading competitors, which may affect connection options.

OpenVPN videos

OpenVPN Overview

More videos:

  • Tutorial - How to setup OpenVPN on Windows | macOS | Android | iOS - Smart DNS Proxy

Mullvad videos

5 Reasons Not to Buy Mullvad VPN!

More videos:

  • Review - Mullvad VPN COMPLETE Review! The MOST Underrated?!
  • Review - Mullvad Updated VPN Review - Which Tier Is It?

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to OpenVPN and Mullvad)
VPN
68 68%
32% 32
Security & Privacy
80 80%
20% 20
Security
33 33%
67% 67
Cloud VPN
72 72%
28% 28

User comments

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Reviews

These are some of the external sources and on-site user reviews we've used to compare OpenVPN and Mullvad

OpenVPN Reviews

The top 10 alternatives to OpenVPN
OpenVPN is an open-source software application that provides virtual private network (VPN) services. It allows the creation of secure network connections over the internet, using a custom security protocol that utilizes SSL/TLS for key exchange. OpenVPN is capable of traversing network address translators (NATs) and firewalls, providing users with the ability to securely...
Best Top 20 OpenVPN Alternatives (Pros and Cons)
OpenVPN is a virtual private network system used to create trusted end-to-end connection configuration and remote access services. As with any other VPN service, OpenVPN also has its own drawbacks. For instance, its inability to bypass particular proxy servers and complexities in user journeys lead to less user-friendliness. Therefore, we will be discussing a few...
6 Types of VPN Protocols, Compared: Which is the Best to Use?
In most cases, OpenVPN or WireGuard will be your best bet. PPTP is a protocol we don’t recommend using because of its relatively low-level encryption. However, you could try this protocol when privacy and security are not your highest priorities, such as for unblocking streams. If OpenVPN is not supported or does not work well for whatever reason, you could consider using...
Source: vpnoverview.com
OpenVPN vs WireGuard: Which protocol is best?
OpenVPN was first released in May 2001. Although the PPTP protocol had been around for five years already at this point, OpenVPN became popular because it offered stronger encryption without too much of a drop in speed. Over the years, vulnerabilities were patched and new clients were developed that brought OpenVPN support to a greater range of devices. This previously...
9 Best NordVPN Alternatives You Must Use In 2022
The next alternative to NordVPN on our list is OpenVPN. OpenVPN allows you to establish a point-to-point secure connection between your device and the Internet. It is a flexible VPN solution that can cater to business needs as well.
Source: wethegeek.com

Mullvad Reviews

The Best NordVPN Alternatives in 2022
This Swedish VPN provider guarantees its users anonymity and privacy as proven by independent audit reports regarding Mullvad VPN’s anti-tracking feature. The only downside to this service is that there are only 820 servers available for choosing.
Source: www.alphr.com
Mullvad, IVPN, and Mozilla VPN Top Consumer Reports’ VPN Testing
Mullvad stands out for stating in its documentation that it does not collect user data, deletes or destroys outdated or unnecessary information, and sets itself reasonable deadlines for doing so. Its approach to preventing unauthorized access to data is a novel one—the company doesn’t keep any unnecessary data at all, and the user ID is not linked with any user information....
The 10 Best Open Source VPN Apps
Users whose top priority is to have their location, identity, and online activity private should consider giving a shot to this free and open-source VPN. Apart from essential VPN functions like allowing you to visit restricted websites and not leave a trace while browsing the Internet, Mullvad also comes with a plethora of other advanced features. All thanks to this VPN,...

Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, Mullvad should be more popular than OpenVPN. It has been mentiond 86 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

OpenVPN mentions (40)

  • Ask HN: Who is hiring? (October 2023)
    OpenVPN is hiring! https://openvpn.net/ C++ Developer in the United States. Full-time| Fully remote| Flexible work schedules Link to look at vacancy details and apply:. - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Are there any work arounds for the Netflix new "household" system?
    How you connect to your modem will depend on the device you are using, but for windows laptops as an example you download the OpenVPN program and input your modem details there, much like you would any other vpn service. I think there would be some guides on youtube. https://openvpn.net/. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Can i use PFSense to control incoming user connections (without a vpn?)
    I just started playing with CloudConnexa for remotely managing my second pFSense. Really nice and is free for up to 3 concurrent users. https://openvpn.net. Can also self-host OpenVPN access server with a free 2 concurrent license. Source: almost 2 years ago
  • Is the 7spotlight Markle family interview airing now? Is anyone watching and can provide comment? 👀📺
    If anyone is being blocked check out free OpenVPN. Source: about 2 years ago
  • Is it possible for a sysadmin to block only some packets from a VPN connection ?
    I too haven't used the client-nat directive in some years (I currently implement 1:1 NAT with pfsense to access my network because I'm too lazy to change the networks subnet from the default) so I decided to retest and it does appear that OpenVPN Connect clients do not properly support the client-nat directive but the traditional OpenVPN server/clients still do. I've just tested this on OpenVPN 2.6.3 Server,... Source: about 2 years ago
View more

Mullvad mentions (86)

  • The 10 tools I install on every new Mac I get
    Other essentials are a VPN (I use Mullvad and ProtonVPN), but that's about it. - Source: dev.to / over 1 year ago
  • Google gets its way, bakes a user-tracking ad platform directly into Chrome
    > But this is not my field. > Would a VPN do what I need? Where are instructions that a n00b can follow? Never used them myself but lots of HN commenters think highly of the VPN services offered by Mullvad [0]. In fact, right now, Mullvad is currently on the HN frontpage [1], from a blog post by Tailscale. 0: https://mullvad.net/en 1: - Source: Hacker News / over 1 year ago
  • Why people use VPN on torrent and which torrent software should i use ?
    If you end up finding out that you need a VPN, then bind it to qbittorent with this guide. Recommended VPNs are ProtonVPN and Mullvad. Source: over 1 year ago
  • Yubico is merging with ACQ Bure and intends to go public
    If you are looking for a tiny, Swedish company working in a similar area as Yubico, there is Tillits AB. Tillitis is a spin off from the Swedish VPN provider Mullvad. In contrast to Yubikeys, The Tillitis TKey as well as tools, device verification etc is 100% open source. https://tillitis.se/ https://github.com/tillitis (Full disclosure: I work for Tillitis.). - Source: Hacker News / about 2 years ago
  • Best Simple Security Practices for Protecting Self and Tendies - Final Repost for Visibility!
    - VPNS? Sure. They can be useful. Don't just download and use any free VPN though! They can steal/collect just as much data as an unprotected WiFi network. ProtonVPN is a newer service offered by the world class ProtonMail team. It has a free tier and is easy to use. Even if you don't pay for one, definitely use it whenever you're on any open WiFi connections such as sitting at Starbucks or the airport. You'd be... Source: over 2 years ago
View more

What are some alternatives?

When comparing OpenVPN and Mullvad, you can also consider the following products

ProtonVPN - ProtonVPN is a security focused FREE VPN service, developed by CERN and MIT scientists. Use the web anonymously, unblock websites & encrypt your connection.

Hotspot Shield - Hotspot Shield is a software application developed by AnchorFree, Inc.

Windscribe - Windscribe is a desktop application and browser extension that work together to block ads and trackers, restore access to blocked content and help you safeguard your privacy online.

Psiphon - Psiphon is circumvention software for Windows and Mobile platforms that provides uncensored access to Internet content. Read more about Psiphon.

NordVPN - NordVPN offers VPN technology that encrypts data twice.

WireGuard - Fast, Modern, Secure VPN Tunnel