We tested Mullvad (4.2/5) and Windscribe (3.8/5) across speed, privacy, streaming, and price. Mullvad leads on overall score. Here is what drives the gap.
| Criteria | Mullvad | Windscribe |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 4.2/5 ★ | 3.8/5 |
| Jurisdiction | Sweden | Canada |
| 14-Eyes / 5-Eyes | Fourteen | Five |
| No-logs policy | Audited 4/5 ★ | Not audited 2/5 |
| Speed score | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Protocols score | 5/5 ★ | 4/5 |
| Streaming score | 2/5 | 3.5/5 ★ |
| Leak protection | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| RAM-only servers | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Encryption score | 5/5 ★ | 3/5 |
| Security subtotal | 4.6/5 ★ | 3.4/5 |
| Trust subtotal | 4.0/5 ★ | 3.7/5 |
| Price (monthly) | $5.50/mo | $9.00/mo |
| Price (1-year total) | $66.00/yr | $69.00/yr |
| Price (2-year total) | N/A | N/A |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes, 30 days | Yes, 3 days |
| Pricing score | 4.5/5 ★ | 4.0/5 |
Where Mullvad wins
Mullvad leads on privacy and security (4.6/5 vs 3.4/5), value for money (4.5/5 vs 4.0/5). Add transparency and trust (4.0/5 vs 3.7/5) to the list and it becomes a clear recommendation.
Where Windscribe wins
Where Windscribe has an edge: streaming (3.5/5 vs 2/5), features (3.7/5 vs 3.2/5). If these are your priorities, Windscribe is the better fit.
Who should pick what
The simplest rule: Mullvad is the default recommendation based on overall scores. The only reason to choose Windscribe instead is if speed is critical for your use case.
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 3.8/5 for Windscribe, with a clear edge on privacy. Windscribe 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 cheap VPN guide. Read our full Mullvad review for a complete breakdown. See our Windscribe review for more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Windscribe is the better streaming option, with a 3.5/5 streaming score. If streaming is your main use case, check our [best VPN for Netflix](/blog/best-vpn-netflix-2026/) guide.
Mullvad scores higher on security (4.6/5). Mullvad is based in Sweden (Audited), Windscribe in Canada (Not audited).
Our pricing score gives Mullvad 4.5/5 and Windscribe 4.0/5. Mullvad is $5.50/mo monthly or $66.00/yr per year. Windscribe is $9.00/mo monthly or $69.00/yr per year. Both include a money-back guarantee.