Mullvad vs Surfshark: which VPN wins in 2026?
We tested Mullvad and Surfshark head-to-head on every criterion in our vpn methodology. Here's the verdict.
Verdict
Surfshark wins overall
Based on 6 vpn criteria: Mullvad wins 2, Surfshark wins 3, 1 tied.
Mullvad
2
criteria won
Surfshark
Winner3
criteria won
Feature-by-feature
| Criterion | Mullvad | Surfshark | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Published audits | 4 | 2 | Mullvad |
| Most recent audit (year) | 2024 | 2025 | Surfshark |
| Eyes status | Sweden (14 Eyes) | Netherlands (9 Eyes) | โ |
| 2-year price ($/mo) | $5.86 | $1.99 | Surfshark |
| Refund window (days) | 14 | 30 | Surfshark |
| Open-source apps | Yes | No | Mullvad |
Total cost of ownership
| Horizon | Mullvad | Surfshark | Cheaper |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 months | $6 | $2 | Surfshark |
| 12 months | $70 | $24 | Surfshark |
| 24 months | $141 | $48 | Surfshark |