Surfshark vs Mullvad VPN
Head-to-head comparison based on real testing data — February 2026
Winner: Surfshark wins in 5 out of 7 categories
Category-by-Category
| Category | Surfshark | Mullvad VPN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | 9.4 | vs | 8.5 |
| Privacy | 9.0 | vs | 9.8 |
| Streaming | 9.3 | vs | 6.0 |
| Security | 9.1 | vs | 9.8 |
| Price | $1.99/mo | vs | €5.00/mo |
| Servers | 3,200+ | vs | 700+ |
| Devices | Unlimited | vs | 5 |
Speed Comparison
Surfshark has a -6% speed drop while Mullvad VPN shows -7%. Surfshark takes this category with faster real-world performance. Speed data is based on independent benchmarks across multiple protocols and server locations.
Privacy Comparison
Surfshark is based in Netherlands while Mullvad VPN operates from Sweden. Mullvad VPN edges ahead in privacy with a stronger overall privacy profile. Scores are based on no-logs policies, audit history, jurisdiction, encryption standards, and leak protection.
Streaming Comparison
Surfshark unblocks 5 streaming services while Mullvad VPN unblocks 1. Surfshark wins this category with more reliable streaming access across platforms. Streaming compatibility is evaluated across multiple platforms and server locations.
Security Comparison
Both Surfshark and Mullvad VPN offer AES-256 encryption and kill switch protection. Mullvad VPN scores higher in security due to additional features and infrastructure hardening. Security scores are based on encryption, protocol implementation, DNS/IP leak protection, kill switch reliability, and server infrastructure.
Full Specification Comparison
| Feature | Surfshark | Mullvad VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Protocols | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | WireGuard, OpenVPN |
| Encryption | AES-256 | AES-256 |
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Split Tunneling | Yes | No |
| Multi-hop | Yes | Yes |
| Ad Blocker | Yes | No |
| Jurisdiction | Netherlands | Sweden |
| Simultaneous Connections | Unlimited | 5 |
| Server Count | 3,200+ | 700+ |
| Country Count | 100 | 46 |
| Speed Drop | -6% | -7% |
| Lowest Price | $1.99/mo | €5.00/mo |
| Plan Length | 27mo plan | flat rate |
| Streaming Services | Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime | Limited streaming support |