When comparing FrootVPN vs Mullvad, the Slant community recommends Mullvad for most people. In the question“What is the best VPN provider? ” Mullvad is ranked 1st while FrootVPN is ranked 27th. 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
The only information kept by FrootVPN is the user's email address and username no other information except that.
Pro Torrent and P2P allowed
Supports Torrent and P2P for easy and anonymous downloading of content.
Pro Promoted by The Pirate Bay
They were promoted by the once high-profile torrenting site.
Pro Lots of payment options, including cryptocurrency
In addition to credit cards, debit cards and Paypal, you can also use several cryptocurrencies(17 in total, including Bitcoin) to pay for the service.
Pro Multiple device usage
Not every VPN allows you to use multiple devices at the same time. This one allows connecting through it using up to 5 devices simultaneously.
Pro Kill switch
Usually, If your internet connection drops for a second while using a VPN, your VPN will drop too, leaving you completely exposed to the public. FrootVPN offers you a "Kill Switch" that severs the connection instantly, saving your privacy.
Pro Supports IPv6
The latest implementation of the IP protocol is supported.
Pro Works on routers
Because this VPN is not NAT-based, it works perfectly on routers(it is VERY HARD to make a NAT-based VPN work on a router at all).
Pro They have a good amount of servers in several locations
There are more than 180 servers in about 34 locations in the world, and you can choose freely on which region to connect to, making it seem as if you were in a different country.
Pro 99% uptime
All its VPN servers have at least 99% uptime, and this statistic can be checked over here.
Pro Dedicated dynamic IP
Its service doesn't use NAT: essentially, you get a dedicated dynamic IP every time.
This, in combination with the "no-logging" policy, will make it very hard to track you down individually, since you are using a completely new address each time and there are no records to connect you with your past browsing or P2P usage.
Pro Protocol flexibility
It supports OpenVPN, L2TP and PPTP protocols, so you may choose whichever suits best your needs.
Pro No bandwidth limitations
FrootVPN does not limit the amount of data that their users can access, but existing limits from ISPs may still be enforced.
Pro Complete and useful installation guides
They have complete and easy-to-follow installation guides for all of your devices and operating systems, for all internet protocol support they offer. Just in case you want to know more, don't hesitate to message them or fill up the online inquiry from through their support page on their website.
Pro Reliable customer support
24/7 reliable chat and e-mail customer support.
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
Cons
Con Possible scam
Multiple people have reported Froot to be a scam.
Con No DNS leak protection
A DNS leak occurs when information starts "leaking" out of the encrypted VPN tunnel into unencrypted service provided by the ISP. In the case of a DNS leak, a breech of privacy can occur because traffic data is logged by the internet service provider.
Con Isn't always an effective way to deal with geoblocking
While VPNs are a popular way to combat geoblocking for services like Hulu or Netflix, FrootVPN is sometimes recognized by these services which results in declined access.
Con Notoriously slow speeds
Many users of FrootVPN report slower upload and download speeds. The slow speeds are likely caused by the encryption/decryption process, as well as the server's distance from most users. Another possible explanation for Froot's slow speeds is that they were unprepared for rapid growth. When The Pirate Bay promoted FrootVPN, they gained 100,000 users at one time, putting a lot of strain on their servers.
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.