Both Mullvad and Surfshark score above average in our comparison, at 4.2/5 and 4.1/5 respectively. The score gap is 0.1 points. Below is the full breakdown.
| Criteria | Mullvad | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 4.2/5 ★ | 4.1/5 |
| Jurisdiction | Sweden | Netherlands |
| 14-Eyes / 5-Eyes | Fourteen | Nine |
| No-logs policy | Audited 4/5 | Audited 5/5 ★ |
| Speed score | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Protocols score | 5/5 ★ | 4/5 |
| Streaming score | 2/5 | 4.5/5 ★ |
| Leak protection | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| RAM-only servers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Encryption score | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Security subtotal | 4.6/5 | 4.8/5 ★ |
| Trust subtotal | 4.0/5 ★ | 3.0/5 |
| Price (monthly) | $5.50/mo | $15.45/mo |
| Price (1-year total) | $66.00/yr | $38.28/yr |
| Price (2-year total) | N/A | $47.76/yr |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes, 30 days | Yes, 30 days |
| Pricing score | 4.5/5 ★ | 4.0/5 |
Where Mullvad wins
Mullvad outscores Surfshark on value for money (4.5/5 vs 4.0/5) and transparency and trust (4.0/5 vs 3.0/5). For users who weight those criteria, the choice is straightforward.
Where Surfshark wins
Surfshark counters on privacy and security (4.8/5 vs 4.6/5), streaming (4.5/5 vs 2/5). Its features (4.3/5 vs 3.2/5) makes it the stronger option for certain users.
Who should pick what
For streaming, Surfshark is the better bet (4.5/5). For privacy-first users, Surfshark scores higher on security (4.8/5). If price is the main constraint, Mullvad has the better value score (4.5/5).
Want to compare all VPNs side by side? Check our full VPN comparison table with scores across 18 criteria.
Pick Mullvad. It scores 4.2/5 vs 4.1/5 for Surfshark, with a clear edge on transparency. Surfshark is not a bad VPN, but Mullvad wins this matchup. See Mullvad's current deal.
For more context, check our full VPN comparison table or the best VPN for streaming guide. Read our full Mullvad review for a complete breakdown. See our Surfshark review for more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Surfshark is the better streaming option, with a 4.5/5 streaming score. If streaming is your main use case, check our [best VPN for Netflix](/blog/best-vpn-netflix-2026/) guide.
Surfshark scores higher on security (4.8/5). Mullvad is based in Sweden (Audited), Surfshark in Netherlands (Audited).
Our pricing score gives Mullvad 4.5/5 and Surfshark 4.0/5. Mullvad is $5.50/mo monthly or $66.00/yr per year. Surfshark is $15.45/mo monthly or $38.28/yr per year. Both include a money-back guarantee.