Cobalt
Cobalt is a Pentest as a Service platform that combines SaaS efficiency with a global community of security experts to identify and remediate vulnerabilities in your applications.
Mullvad VPN
Mullvad VPN is a privacy-focused security tool that protects your online activity and identity by encrypting your internet traffic and hiding your IP address with a strict no-logging policy.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Cobalt | Mullvad VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Website | cobalt.io | mullvad.net |
| Pricing Model | Custom | Subscription |
| Starting Price | Custom Pricing | $5/month |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✘ No free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✘ No free plan |
| Product Demo | ✓ Request demo here | ✘ No product demo |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2013 | 2009 |
| Headquarters | San Francisco, USA | Gothenburg, Sweden |
Overview
Cobalt
Cobalt transforms traditional penetration testing into a dynamic, tech-enabled experience through its Pentest as a Service (PtaaS) platform. You can move away from slow, static PDF reports and instead launch comprehensive security assessments in days rather than weeks. The platform connects you directly with a vetted community of on-demand security researchers who test your web applications, APIs, and cloud infrastructure in real-time.
You can manage the entire testing lifecycle from a single dashboard, allowing your developers to communicate directly with testers for faster vulnerability remediation. It integrates with your existing development workflows to ensure security keeps pace with your release cycles. Whether you need to meet compliance requirements like SOC2 or harden your external attack surface, you get actionable data and on-demand retesting to stay secure.
Mullvad VPN
Mullvad VPN is a straightforward privacy tool designed to keep your online activity private without the usual marketing gimmicks. You don't even need an email address to sign up; the system generates a random account number for total anonymity. It routes your traffic through encrypted tunnels using modern protocols like WireGuard and OpenVPN, ensuring your data remains unreadable to ISPs and hackers.
You can use the service on up to five devices simultaneously, including your phone, tablet, and computer. The software is built on open-source principles, meaning the code is transparent and regularly audited by third parties. It solves the problem of invasive data tracking by providing a high-speed, stable connection that never logs your browsing history or personal details.
Overview
Cobalt Features
- On-Demand Pentesting Launch a manual pentest in as little as 24 hours to meet tight production deadlines or compliance windows.
- Real-Time Reporting View vulnerabilities as testers find them so your team can start fixing critical bugs before the test even finishes.
- Direct Researcher Access Chat directly with your assigned security experts to clarify findings and get specific guidance on complex remediation steps.
- SDLC Integrations Push findings automatically to Jira, GitHub, or Slack so your developers can manage security fixes in their existing tools.
- Complimentary Retesting Request a free retest once you've applied a fix to ensure the vulnerability is fully resolved and verified.
- Compliance Reporting Generate audit-ready reports for SOC2, HIPAA, and PCI-DSS with a single click to satisfy your stakeholders and auditors.
Mullvad VPN Features
- Account Number System. Generate a random 16-digit account number to sign up—no email, password, or personal information required.
- WireGuard Protocol. Access the latest in encryption technology for faster speeds and more secure connections on all your devices.
- Strict No-Logging. Browse with confidence knowing your activity, IP address, and bandwidth usage are never tracked or stored.
- External Security Audits. Verify the platform's security claims through regular, publicly available third-party audits of the infrastructure and apps.
- Kill Switch. Protect your data automatically by blocking all internet traffic if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly.
- Multi-hop Connections. Route your traffic through two or more servers in different countries for an extra layer of privacy.
Pricing Comparison
Cobalt Pricing
Mullvad VPN Pricing
- 5 simultaneous device connections
- Access to all 650+ servers
- WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols
- No personal data required
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- All apps and features included
- Everything in Monthly, plus:
- Pay with physical cash by mail
- 10% discount for crypto payments
- Maximum financial anonymity
- No recurring billing cycles
- Top up account as needed
Pros & Cons
Cobalt
Pros
- Significantly faster setup time than traditional consulting firms
- Direct communication with testers speeds up remediation
- Clean dashboard replaces messy PDF report management
- High-quality, vetted researchers provide deep manual insights
Cons
- Credit-based pricing can be complex to forecast
- Platform focus is primarily on manual testing over automation
- Premium pricing reflects the high-touch expert service
Mullvad VPN
Pros
- Unmatched anonymity with no email required
- Consistent flat-rate pricing with no surprises
- High-speed performance using the WireGuard protocol
- Open-source apps allow for full transparency
- Simple interface is very easy to navigate
Cons
- No free trial period available
- Limited ability to unblock streaming services
- Fewer server locations than some competitors
- No live chat support for immediate help