Last tested: March 2026 · Tested from Brisbane, QLD on 100Mbps NBN
Speed Test Results — Australian Servers
Mullvad's WireGuard implementation is among the fastest we've tested, which makes sense given they were pioneers of the protocol. Australian server performance is strong, with minimal speed loss on local connections.
| Server Location | Download (Mbps) | Upload (Mbps) | Ping (ms) | Speed Retention |
|---|
| Sydney (WireGuard) | 89 | 42 | 18 | 89% |
| Melbourne (WireGuard) | 86 | 40 | 24 | 86% |
| Singapore (WireGuard) | 72 | 34 | 92 | 72% |
| Los Angeles (WireGuard) | 58 | 28 | 156 | 58% |
| London (WireGuard) | 44 | 22 | 268 | 44% |
| Sydney (OpenVPN) | 71 | 35 | 19 | 71% |
WireGuard speeds are excellent across the board. Mullvad's lean, no-frills approach means there's less overhead — the connection is fast because there's nothing unnecessary weighing it down. International speeds hold up well too, particularly to Singapore and the US West Coast.
Streaming: What Works in Australia
Let's be upfront: Mullvad does not actively try to unblock streaming services. They've said as much publicly. This is a privacy VPN, not a streaming VPN. Here's what we found during testing:
- ❌ Netflix Australia — Blocked (proxy detected)
- ❌ Stan — Blocked
- ❌ Kayo Sports — Blocked
- ❌ BINGE — Blocked
- ❌ Disney+ — Blocked
- ❌ Amazon Prime Video — Blocked
- ✅ YouTube — Works (but YouTube works with most VPNs)
- ❌ BBC iPlayer — Blocked
- ❌ 10 Play — Blocked
If streaming is your primary use case, Mullvad is the wrong choice. Check our streaming guides for VPNs that reliably unblock Australian and international content.
Privacy & Security Deep Dive
This is where Mullvad absolutely shines — it's arguably the most private commercial VPN available anywhere. The approach starts at signup: no email, no username, no password. You generate a random account number and that's your identity. Pay with cash mailed in an envelope, Monero, or Bitcoin, and there's genuinely zero link between you and your account.
Mullvad operates under Swedish jurisdiction. While Sweden is part of the 14 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, Mullvad's architecture is designed so there's simply nothing to hand over. RAM-only servers wipe all data on reboot, and their infrastructure has been independently audited by Cure53 multiple times. The apps are fully open-source — anyone can inspect the code.
Protocols supported include WireGuard (default and recommended), OpenVPN, and they've recently added support for DAITA (Defence Against AI-guided Traffic Analysis) — a cutting-edge feature that adds padding to traffic patterns to prevent sophisticated surveillance from identifying what you're doing even through encrypted tunnels. Kill switch is always-on and cannot be disabled. DNS leak protection is built in.
For Australians concerned about the Assistance and Access Act and mandatory metadata retention, Mullvad's Swedish base and zero-knowledge architecture provide a genuine shield — not just marketing promises.
App Experience
Mullvad's apps are functional and clean, but decidedly utilitarian. Available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android, they follow an open-source ethos — everything works, nothing is flashy. The interface is a simple map with server locations, a connect button, and settings. That's it.
There's no browser extension, no Smart DNS feature, and no native app for routers, Fire Stick, or smart TVs. If you want VPN coverage on those devices, you'll need to configure it manually on your router — Mullvad provides guides for this, but it's not a one-click affair.
The Linux app is genuinely excellent — one of the best in the industry for Linux users. CLI support is first-class. On mobile, the apps are straightforward but lack features like split tunnelling on iOS. The kill switch is non-negotiable and always active, which some users may find restrictive but privacy advocates will appreciate.
One quirk: there's no way to "log in" in the traditional sense. You enter your account number to activate the app. Lost your number? You lose your account. Mullvad can't help you recover it because they don't know who you are. This is by design.
Pricing Breakdown
Mullvad's pricing is the simplest in the industry. One price. No discounts. No long-term plans. No upsells.
| Plan | Monthly Price | Annual Cost | Devices | Money-Back |
|---|
| Monthly (only option) | €5.00 (~A$8.30) | €60 (~A$99.60) | 5 | 30 days |
At roughly A$8.30/month with no way to reduce that price, Mullvad is significantly more expensive than competitors offering 2-year plans at $2-3/month. But Mullvad would argue you're paying for actual privacy, not a discounted subscription that funds itself through data partnerships and affiliate schemes. They famously refuse to run an affiliate program — one of very few VPNs that do so.
Payment methods include credit card, PayPal, bank wire, Bitcoin, Monero, and even cash sent by post. The crypto and cash options enable truly anonymous payment.
Who Should Use This VPN
Mullvad is specifically built for:
- Privacy-first users — Journalists, activists, whistleblowers, or anyone who needs genuine anonymity, not just marketing claims about it
- Linux users — The Linux app is superb and the CLI is first-class
- Security professionals — Open-source code, independent audits, and transparent operations make Mullvad trustworthy in ways most VPNs aren't
- People who distrust VPN marketing — No affiliates, no influencer deals, no "military-grade encryption" nonsense
Mullvad is not for you if you want to unblock streaming services, need more than 5 simultaneous devices, want a bargain-priced long-term plan, or need hand-holding with setup. For streaming and general use, check our top-rated VPNs.
How It Compares
Against our top-rated VPNs for Australians, Mullvad occupies a unique niche:
- vs NordVPN: NordVPN is the better all-rounder — faster, better streaming support, more features. But Mullvad wins on pure privacy credentials. NordVPN requires an email to sign up; Mullvad doesn't even want to know your name.
- vs ProtonVPN: The closest competitor philosophically. Both are privacy-focused and open-source. ProtonVPN offers more features (Secure Core, NetShield) and better streaming, but Mullvad's anonymous signup process is unmatched. ProtonVPN also has a free tier; Mullvad doesn't.
- vs Surfshark: Completely different products. Surfshark is the budget all-rounder with unlimited devices and great streaming. Mullvad is the privacy specialist. If price and features matter, Surfshark wins. If privacy matters above all, Mullvad wins.
Mullvad is the VPN for people who've read the fine print on every other VPN and decided they want something genuinely different. It's not the best VPN for most Australians — but for the right user, nothing else comes close.
