When comparing Mullvad vs blackVPN, the Slant community recommends Mullvad for most people. In the question“What is the best VPN provider? ” Mullvad is ranked 1st while blackVPN is ranked 21st. The most important reason people chose Mullvad is:
According to Mullvad, they retain no traffic information or metadata. Here is their statement in 2014 when inquired by TorrentFreak if they store _any_ logs that would enable linking an IP address and a timestamp to a user: > No. This would make both us and our users more vulnerable so we certainly don’t. To make it harder to watch the activities of an IP address from the outside we also have many users share each address, both for IPv4 and our upcoming IPv6 support.
Specs
Ranked in these QuestionsQuestion Ranking
Pros
Pro No logs are kept
According to Mullvad, they retain no traffic information or metadata. Here is their statement in 2014 when inquired by TorrentFreak if they store any logs that would enable linking an IP address and a timestamp to a user:
No. This would make both us and our users more vulnerable so we
certainly don’t. To make it harder to watch the activities of an IP address from the outside we also have many users share each address, both for IPv4 and our upcoming IPv6 support.
Pro Token-based account system
When signing up, a sufficiently long random number is assigned and given to you which serves as both username and password, without any need to provide a name or e-mail address or any other identifying information.
Pro No traffic or protocol restrictions
Mullvad allows using any and all protocols that the user wishes, no traffic is restricted.
Pro Multiple payment methods
Bitcoin, cash, bank transfers, PayPal, credit cards are accepted.
Pro DNS leak protection
In the event of a DNS leak, not all traffic is routed through a secure network. Mullvad helps solve this issue by offering DNS leak protection.
Pro Supports WireGuard
WireGuard is an extremely simple yet fast and modern open-source VPN program built using the latest cryptography. It's faster, simpler, leaner, and more useful than both IPSec and OpenVPN.
Pro Includes a kill switch
It's possible to set up the software to disconnect from Internet in case the connection to the VPN service is lost to not expose traffic in case of service failures.
Pro Based outside of the Five Eyes
Mullvad operates out of Sweden, and so is not exposed to the same privacy-corresive laws as it would be if it were in the US or another “Five Eyes” country.
Pro Multi-hop
Allows hopping from one location to another for additional security. This is great because everything "hops" through multiple locations effectively providing an additional mask and making it harder to trace the route back to the source.
Pro Has native applications for all popular platforms
The platforms that Mullvad can run on include: Windows, OSX, Linux, Android, and iOS. Additionally, Mullvad offers a source code that allows the program to be run on virtually any system.
Pro Offers a free trial
One of the things that makes Mullvad's free trial attractive is the lack of personal information asked to sign up. Once downloaded, the free trial lasts three hours.
Pro Not expensive
Only 5 € by month with a 3 hours trial period.
Pro No personal information required to register
Autogenerated account number, no email accepted.
Pro Easy to set up
Easy to set up Windows client.
Pro Great customer service
Mullvad customer service is helpful and responds quickly.
Pro Short-term contract
You pay when you need it, at least for one month. No pushy salesmen model, you decide when you need it.
Pro VPN Client is both Open Source and Free Software
The VPN Client is both Open Source and Free Software (GPLv3), code can be reviewed at https://github.com/mullvad/mullvadvpn-app - issues can be reported at https://github.com/mullvad/mullvadvpn-app/issues
Pro Firefox
Pro Reliable servers with good speeds
Pro Good support
BlackVPN provides good, fast email support.
Pro Reliable and powerful
BlackVPN has a Reliable and Powerful VPN platform, that makes it easy to setup, and is affordable so anyone can be protected.
Pro A court order form Hong Kong is required discussing any customer info
Pro Multiple payment methods
PayPal, Credit Cards and Bitcoin are accepted.
Pro Netflix USA, Hulu and BBC iPlayer can be unblocked without connecting to the USA or UK
Pro Extremely easy setup
You only need to install a software from their site, launch it and choose server to connect to. Then you type username and password, and you are ready to go. You can even save password in the software so that you don't need to type it again.
Pro Doesn't log real IP address
Pro Accepts Paypal payment
Pro Easy to renew account
Pro Makes a good primary VPN with fair pricing
Speeds are good (for a VPN) and the privacy pack is priced well at only €5.
Pro Great service
Really easy to use, really fast and not overloaded.
Pro A wide range of subscription packages available to users
The subscriber gets to choose whether they want to customize their subscription: removing privacy VPNs for example or adding UK servers to their US servers subscription. The packages available are: Global package, Privacy package, TV package, US VPNs and UK VPNs.
Pro 14 day money back guarantee without restrictions
Pro pfSense
Pro Strong encryption
Easy setup and very good speed while using a strong encryption (AES 256).
Pro No logs
No traffic logs, no connection logs, no DNS logs, your real IP address is never logged.
Cons
Con No longer supports port forwarding.
As of 2023-07-01, Mullvad VPN no longer supports port forwarding due to abuse.
Con Seemingly permanent kill-switch
Client, if shut down, often seemed to keep the kill-switch enabled, with no way to reset besides a rest of the hardware.
Con French Mullvad Windows Client
Sometimes for a reason of French language, the Windows client does not connect to the chosen server. It can be bypassed by installing their beta client.
Con Currently unable to use Netflix, Hulu, etc.
it can ublock Netflix, Hulu,
Con No trial
There is no trial available on desktop, however a full 14 day money back guarantee is pretty good.