Mullvad Speed Test Results, Aggregated From Independent Labs
Mullvad ranks #7 of 22 in our Speed Lab, aggregated from independent labs. Protocol choice, network limits, and how to fix a slow connection.
Fastest VPNs Compared
How Mullvad Ranks for Speed
Mullvad ranks #7 of 22 in our Speed Lab, which aggregates published results from independent labs rather than our own bench. That places it below the top five and above most of the field.
We do not run speed tests ourselves. Any throughput number you see attached to a VPN on this site comes from a third-party lab, and none of them publish figures for your specific line, your ISP, or the server you happen to pick. Treat a rank as a sorting signal, not a promise about your connection.
Protocol Choice Matters More Than the Rank
Mullvad supports WireGuard and OpenVPN in both UDP and TCP modes. There is no native IKEv2.
WireGuard is the default and the one to stay on. It uses a smaller codebase, less CPU per encrypted packet, and reconnects faster after a network change.
OpenVPN (UDP) is the fallback. It carries more per-packet overhead than WireGuard and works harder on the same hardware, so it will generally feel slower on a fast line.
OpenVPN (TCP) is the last resort. TCP inside a TCP tunnel handles retransmissions twice, which makes it the slowest and the most sensitive to a lossy network. Use it only when UDP is blocked.
If a page loads slowly on Mullvad, check the protocol before anything else. That one setting explains most complaints.
What Actually Shapes Your Speed
Server distance. Encryption costs the same everywhere, but distance costs latency you cannot get back. A nearby server will beat a cross-continent one on every connection type.
Your baseline. A VPN cannot exceed the line underneath it. On a slower cable or DSL connection, the overhead is a smaller share of what you already had, so the difference between a #1-ranked provider and a #7 one narrows.
Shared networks. Public WiFi and congested cellular are variable by nature. Encrypted tunnels do not cause that variance, but they do inherit it.
Streaming, Gaming, and Torrenting
For streaming, the number that matters is the sustained rate your service needs, not peak throughput. 4K generally wants around 25 Mbps held steady. Mullvad runs no dedicated streaming servers, so if a service gives you trouble, switching servers within the same country is the lever you have.
For gaming, latency and jitter decide how the game feels, not download speed. Pick the closest server to the game region and stay on WireGuard, since OpenVPN adds handshake and per-packet overhead that shows up as inconsistency.
For torrenting, Mullvad allows P2P across its servers with no speed caps or bandwidth limits on any plan. Check the current port forwarding position in Mullvad’s own documentation before you commit, since that has changed over time and it matters for seeding.
Why Your Mullvad Connection Might Be Slow
Wrong protocol. Switch to WireGuard in the app settings. This fixes most “Mullvad is slow” reports.
Distant server. Pick the nearest location unless you need a specific country.
ISP throttling. Some networks throttle or block common VPN ports. Mullvad’s bridge mode, or moving to port 443, gets around basic filtering. Measure your line without the VPN first so you know what you are comparing against.
Outdated app. Mullvad ships performance and protocol fixes regularly. Update from the official site rather than an app store mirror.
Congestion. Popular servers slow down in local evening hours. Try another server in the same country.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Mullvad rank for speed compared to other VPNs?
Mullvad ranks #7 of 22 in our Speed Lab, which aggregates results published by independent labs. We do not run our own speed tests, so the rank is a relative sorting signal rather than a measurement of what you will see on your line. It sits below the top five and ahead of most of the field.
Which protocol delivers the best speed on Mullvad, WireGuard or OpenVPN?
WireGuard. It has a much smaller codebase and lower per-packet overhead than OpenVPN, so it uses less CPU and reconnects faster. OpenVPN UDP is the fallback when WireGuard is blocked, and OpenVPN TCP is the last resort because running TCP inside TCP handles retransmissions twice. Mullvad has no native IKEv2, so WireGuard should stay your default.
How much speed do you lose running Mullvad on different network types?
There is no single answer, and anyone quoting one for your connection is guessing. Encryption overhead is roughly fixed, so it takes a smaller share of a slower line and a larger share of gigabit fiber. Shared networks like public WiFi and busy cellular add variance of their own that has nothing to do with the VPN.
Can Mullvad handle sustained 4K streaming?
4K generally needs about 25 Mbps held steady, which is well within reach of a normal broadband line running WireGuard. Mullvad operates no dedicated streaming servers, so when a service misbehaves your fix is switching to another server in the same country rather than a special-purpose one.
Why does my Mullvad connection feel slower than expected?
Five things account for most of it: running OpenVPN instead of WireGuard, connecting to a distant server, ISP throttling of VPN ports, an app left unupdated, and peak-hour congestion on a popular server. Work through them in that order, and measure your line with the VPN off first so you have something to compare against.
Can I torrent on Mullvad?
Yes. Mullvad allows P2P traffic across its servers and applies no speed caps or bandwidth limits on any plan. Port forwarding availability has changed over time, so if your seeding setup depends on it, confirm the current position in Mullvad’s own documentation rather than relying on older write-ups.
How do I switch protocols in Mullvad if I’m troubleshooting slow speeds?
Open the Mullvad app’s settings and select WireGuard. If your network appears to block or throttle it, try Mullvad’s bridge mode or move the connection to port 443 to look like ordinary HTTPS traffic. Falling back to OpenVPN should be the last step, not the first.
How many devices can I run Mullvad on?
A single Mullvad account covers 5 simultaneous connections, with native apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. That is fewer than NordVPN or ExpressVPN allow, so a busy household may need to decide which devices stay connected.
Is Mullvad worth its price next to NordVPN and ExpressVPN?
Mullvad costs from $5.50/month with no long-term discount tiers, more than NordVPN’s or ExpressVPN’s from $3.49/month rates, and it ranks #7 of 22 in our Speed Lab against NordVPN’s #1. If the speed rank is what you are buying on, NordVPN pairs the top position with the lower price.
Can I try Mullvad before committing?
Mullvad offers no trial period, running strictly pay-as-you-go rather than a fixed refund window like NordVPN’s or ExpressVPN’s 30-day guarantees. Verifying real-world speed on your own network means paying for at least a partial period first, though the flat monthly billing means no long-term lock-in.