CactusVPN VS Mullvad Comparison

UPDATED Apr. 2024
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When it comes to the popularity and quality of service, Mullvad and CactusVPN are very similar. Because of this, it can be tough for a user to decide which VPN to opt for. One provider has to be better, if not completely, then at least in those areas that interest you, the future user, the most.

Mullvad
Best For Beginners
VS
CactusVPN
Best For Users On A Budget

Highlights

Mullvad
Mullvad is a privacy-centric VPN provider from Sweden. The service is built around the idea of free internet for everybody offering solid encryption and providing a secure online environment for its users without any connection logs.
  • 5 simultaneous connections
  • P2P allowed on all servers
  • Cash and Bitcoin accepted
CactusVPN
CactusVPN is a world-class VPN service provider that uses 5 excellent protocols for maximum protection. In order to ensure your online anonymity, CactusVPN also provides Smart DNS proxy and doesn't keep any logs whatsoever.
  • Unlimited bandwidth
  • AES 256-bit encryption
  • No activity logs policy
  • Free trial version

Compare Prices

Company
1 Month
3 Months
6 Months
1 Year
2 Years
Mullvad
1 Month
$6.11
3 Months
$18.34
6 Months
$36.69
1 Year
$73.39
2 Years
/
CactusVPN
1 Month
$4.99
3 Months
$4.99
6 Months
/
1 Year
$4.99
2 Years
/
* The prices shown represent the cost of one month within different subscriptions. To see all available plans and pricing options, check individual reviews.

Compare Features

Mullvad
Based In
Sweden
Number Of Servers
0
Number Of Countries
0
Protocols
OpenVPN, Wireguard
Encryption
AES-256, RSA-4096 certificates, SHA-512 server authentication
Simultaneous Connections
5
Logs Policy
no logs
Dedicated IP
Killswitch
DNS Leak Protection
Allows Torrenting
Torrenting Servers
SmartDNS
CactusVPN
Based In
Moldova
Number Of Servers
25
Number Of Countries
15
Protocols
OpenVPN, L2TP/IPsec, IKEv2, STP, SoftEther, PPTP
Encryption
AES-128
Simultaneous Connections
5
Logs Policy
no logs
Dedicated IP
Killswitch
DNS Leak Protection
Allows Torrenting
Torrenting Servers
SmartDNS

Supported Devices

Mullvad
Windows
OS X
Linux
Android
iOS
CactusVPN
Windows
OS X
Linux
Android
iOS
Router

Compare Ratings

Mullvad
FINAL RATING
8.2/10
Anonymity
Reliability
Performance
Features
Support
Value For Money
CactusVPN
FINAL RATING
7.9/10
Anonymity
Reliability
Performance
Features
Support
Value For Money

Compare User Reviews

Mullvad
  • Submitted By donkey on 12/06/2019
    I've been using Mullvad for over 2 years and am very happy with their service. I have a lot of computers and run numerous operating systems (Windows, Mac, Linux, Servers, etc) and the setup is simple every time. They don't have as many servers as some of the bigger VPN services, but I get over 100Mb/sec when I'm connected through the app and they have servers that are very local to me on the east coast of the US. I especially love their wireguard support, which I use exclusively on my linux machines and I get my full bandwidth. It's blazing fast (for me) and the setup is super easy thanks to their configuration wizard, including the multihop feature. Even better is the ability to pay anonymously, you can even mail them cash and you never need to provide a name or even an email address!
  • Submitted By Alex Fredrick on 09/03/2019
    If you are considering a VPN, stop considering anything other than Mullvad. I have used every VPN on the market and there is just no comparison to the features offered by Mullvad, The simplicity of their user interface, my grandma can use. Forget about all these numbers, (pings, speeds etc.) All the VPN's have same similar numbers so this is just wasting your time. However, aside from that, they are consistently updating and this company want to go #1, it obvious just one example their customer service. 5 Stars is just not enough
  • Submitted By Mullvad User on 07/07/2019
    I am a Windows 8.1 PC user. This VPN works great initially, however, after several uses over a short spell of days or so, this VPN won't allow you to access the internet directly at all, without it being active on your Windows PC -- no matter what you do to adjust the settings, even if you Quit the app(with the correct settings ticked to enable you to connect to the internet WITHOUT this VPN active; You will NOT be able to access the internet; Many websites limit their functionality or completely disallow connections through a VPN. I have used this VPN with my Windows 7 & 8.1 (PCs) and experienced this issue consistently with both over the past year that I have used Mullvad VPN for Windows. And even if you need to update to their most recent version, the issue will re-emerge shortly after doing so. If you wanted this problem addressed, you would have to connect with a 3rd party via email that will need to document everything in order to service this issue!! -- reasonable anonymity is then out-the-window!! So I have to assume that Mullvad is earning money from the 3rd party customer service(email) that they invite you to reference for help exclusively. Now of course, I don't experience this issue using Mullvad's servers via OpenVPN -- but OpenVPN can't offer the full security features like the Kill Switch, etc. I do however, continue to use Mullvad VPN on my Windows PC, because it's the most cost effective, reliable and secure VPN(I feel) that I can use!
  • Submitted By Gretter on 05/05/2019
    Mullvad does not work out of the box in China. Just home from China, here's a bit of hands on experience. Prior to travel, I tested it from europe. No problems. Tweaking settings as described didn't work for me. I'm a techie, but not on vpn, so some of it was in the blind. Combined with Wireguard, I did get a vpn connection. But I would not have been able to download the Wireguard app without a second working vpn connection. Now, I realize that there's probably sneaky way's to make this work, but if you're the average user... I don't recommend this vpn solutions for your China adventure as of early 2019.
CactusVPN
  • Submitted By Laurence Reeves on 07/09/2018
    I have been with cactus for quite a few years now, I love the brand and customer service that they provide. Their website is very easy to use as well as their own VPN software that is provided, you simply enter your username and password then you're connected. They provide Secure Smart DNS and a VPN that is true no log data. Nord for example is over 60 where Cactus is only around 30, both comparisons for their yearly subscriptions. Cactus however provide multiple VPN locations and their Smart DNS for 54 per year, which i'm currently using. Download speeds are pretty good and never seem to drop, i've had the VPN connected on my phone for over 2 weeks since installing it and it's not dropped yet. If the connection does drop then their software (on mac/pc) will close any applications you do not want to use without a secure connection, then reopen once the VPN has reconnected.
  • Submitted By Keisha Ford, on 01/21/2018
    It’s so cute and easy to use! Great thing, I can change whatever I want, whenever I want and open any website.
  • Submitted By Damien Woods, on 11/06/2016
    Excellent! I switch my phones too often, I must say and it’s so good that I don’t have to go through all that trouble of subscribing all over again, erasing my old phone from my subscription, adding the new one… Very simple and useful!
  • Submitted By Iris Barnaby, on 08/28/2016
    It works well, I watch Netflix all the time and can check any site, even when I’m on that restricted network at the library. I just don’t like so many options in my app, you know, I get confused sometimes since I’m not really sure what’s vpn, what’s proxy and what each of them does. Keep it simple, that’s the best.

Winner

Mullvad is a VPN company from Sweden dedicated to providing optimal user security paired with an ironclad no-logging policy. Read our Mullvad review to learn all about the company and the service it provides.

* All the prices on this website are subject to change without notice. While we put a great deal of effort into making sure that all the prices are accurate, one or more products may have outdated prices. Please visit the specific product’s official website for exact prices.