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.
Tailscale
Tailscale is a zero-config VPN software that creates secure mesh networks between your devices and cloud resources using the WireGuard protocol to simplify remote access and internal connectivity.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | Mullvad VPN | Tailscale |
|---|---|---|
| Website | mullvad.net | tailscale.com |
| Pricing Model | Subscription | Freemium |
| Starting Price | $5/month | Free |
| FREE Trial | ✘ No free trial | ✓ 0 days free trial |
| Free Plan | ✘ No free plan | ✓ Has free plan |
| Product Demo | ✘ No product demo | ✓ Request demo here |
| Deployment | ||
| Integrations | ||
| Target Users | ||
| Target Industries | ||
| Customer Count | 0 | 0 |
| Founded Year | 2009 | 2019 |
| Headquarters | Gothenburg, Sweden | Toronto, Canada |
Overview
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.
Tailscale
Tailscale makes creating a secure network between your computers, servers, and cloud instances as easy as installing an app. It builds a private mesh network—called a tailnet—that connects your devices directly to each other using the WireGuard protocol. This means you can access your home office computer from a coffee shop or connect to a private database in the cloud without managing complex firewall rules or centralized VPN gateways.
You can manage identity and access through your existing providers like Google, Microsoft 365, or GitHub, ensuring that only authorized users can reach your sensitive resources. It handles the difficult parts of networking, like NAT traversal and key rotation, automatically in the background. Whether you are a developer connecting to a local test environment or an enterprise securing thousands of endpoints, it provides a stable, encrypted connection that works across any provider or location.
Overview
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.
Tailscale Features
- Zero-Config Mesh VPN. Connect your devices directly to one another without manual port forwarding or complex firewall rules.
- Single Sign-On Integration. Use your existing identity providers like Google, Microsoft 365, or Okta to authenticate users and devices.
- MagicDNS. Access your devices using short, easy-to-remember names instead of tracking changing IP addresses across your network.
- Tailscale SSH. Manage SSH access to your servers using your tailnet identity instead of distributing and rotating static SSH keys.
- Split DNS. Configure specific DNS servers for different domains so your internal queries stay private while public traffic flows normally.
- Exit Nodes. Route all your internet traffic through a specific trusted device on your network to stay secure on public Wi-Fi.
- Subnet Routers. Expose entire existing networks to your tailnet so you can access legacy devices that cannot run the software.
- Access Control Lists. Define granular security policies in code to restrict which users can access specific devices or ports.
Pricing Comparison
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
Tailscale Pricing
- Up to 3 users
- Up to 100 devices
- MagicDNS
- Tailscale SSH
- Community support
- Admin console access
- Everything in Personal, plus:
- Up to 10 users included
- User & group management
- Basic access control lists
- Email support
- 1 identity provider
Pros & Cons
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
Tailscale
Pros
- Extremely simple setup process for all devices
- Reliable connectivity even behind strict firewalls
- Generous free tier for personal projects
- Minimal impact on system performance and battery
- Seamless integration with existing identity providers
Cons
- Requires a third-party identity provider login
- Limited advanced routing features for complex setups
- Mobile app can occasionally drain battery
- Admin console lacks some deep auditing logs