Mullvad vs Private Internet Access
Side-by-side comparison based on Reddit & Twitter discussions
Community Pick
Mullvad
Based on community sentiment and discussions
Mullvad
Winner
Approval Rate
90%
473 recommend · 53 warn
Data Quality
High
Reviews
708
Reviewers
577
Best for:
Privacy-focused users who want minimal personal info tied to their account
People who want a straightforward VPN for everyday browsing and torrenting
Anyone who values a VPN that doesn’t rely on referral links and influencer promos
Mullvad has a really strong reputation for privacy, and it’s one of the few VPNs people trust when they say “no logs.” It’s also loved for letting you sign up without an email and pay in very private...
Approval Rate
58%
63 recommend · 46 warn
Data Quality
High
Reviews
159
Reviewers
128
Best for:
People who want a cheaper VPN that still feels full-featured
Torrenters who want port forwarding
Folks who use multiple devices (Windows, Android, macOS, Linux) and want one VPN for all of them
Users who prefer a VPN with a long history and lots of community familiarity
Private Internet Access (PIA) has a long-time fan base and a reputation for being a solid “everyday VPN” that’s usually easy to live with. People like that it’s affordable, works across Windows, Andro...
Performance by Use Case
| Use Case | Mullvad | Winner | Private Internet Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| Streaming | 76% (31) | ← | 67% (9) |
| Torrenting | 65% (28) | ← | 63% (8) |
| Privacy | 95% (387) | ← | 46% (64) |
| Censorship | 61% (33) | ← | 25% (4) |
| Gaming | 100% (1) | - | - |
| Travel | 0% (1) | - | - |
| Work | 67% (4) | ← | 0% (3) |
| Router | 100% (2) | ← | 100% (2) |
| Mobile | - | - | 100% (1) |
| Price | 92% (21) | ← | 86% (12) |
Mullvad
Strengths
- Strong privacy focus
- No email required
- Anonymous payment options
- Fast speeds (especially with WireGuard)
- Good for torrenting
- Trusted “no-logs” reputation
- No influencer/affiliate marketing feel
Weaknesses
- Streaming can be hit or miss
- Port forwarding no longer supported
- Can feel pricey for a basic VPN
- Some apps/services may block it
Private Internet Access
Strengths
- Good value for the price
- Generally easy to use on Windows and Android
- No-logs track record people point to
- Linux support (especially with the GUI app)
- Port forwarding and torrent-friendly features
Weaknesses
- Ownership and trust concerns (Kape)
- US jurisdiction makes some people uneasy
- Some reports of slower speeds or worse reliability over time
- macOS app/daemon can be glitchy
- Linux command-line experience can be frustrating