Mullvad vs TorGuard (2026): Audited Minimalism vs Power-User Tools

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Mullvad vs TorGuard pits the most audited privacy service in our table against a toolbox with no audits. Mullvad, run by Amagicom AB in Sweden, has more than 10 audits in our table, charges a flat price of about $5.40 a month and allows five devices. It needs no email to sign up. TorGuard operates from Florida, has no independent audit, and blocks BitTorrent on its US servers after a 2022 settlement; it offers port forwarding, dedicated IPs and Stealth modes that Mullvad does not.

This guide compares them on privacy, torrenting, price and fit.

Mullvad vs TorGuard on Privacy

Mullvad’s audits come from Cure53 and Assured AB, and its anonymous account numbers mean no email is stored. TorGuard has no audit in our table. Sweden is a Fourteen Eyes member and the US a Five Eyes member, so neither wins on jurisdiction; evidence decides. Our VPN audit tracker explains what audits check.

Torrenting

Mullvad stopped offering port forwarding in July 2023, citing abuse, our tables record, though it still provides a SOCKS5 proxy for connected users. TorGuard offers port forwarding, SOCKS5 and dedicated IPs, but not BitTorrent on US servers. Our torrenting VPN guide compares seeders’ options.

Price

Mullvad charges about $5.40 a month with no tiers or discounts, about $65 a year. TorGuard Standard costs $10.99 a month, Security.org lists. Mullvad refunds within 14 days of payment; TorGuard’s refund window is seven days. Our TorGuard cost guide covers its plans.

Accounts and Payment

Mullvad issues an account number instead of asking for an email, and accepts cash by post among other methods, its site explains. TorGuard’s checkout lists its own payment options; check them if anonymity matters.

Strict Networks

TorGuard’s Stealth VPN and Stealth Proxy ranked second for China in GreatFirewallGuide’s 2026 testing. vpnpicked found Mullvad failed most of its China attempts, though Shadowsocks bridges have helped it in Russia, our tables record. Our China VPN guide compares options.

Apps

Tom’s Guide and Cloudwards describe TorGuard’s apps as glitchy, and its kill switch starts off on desktop. Mullvad’s apps are plain but consistent across platforms.

Routers

TorGuard offers an OpenWrt app and pre-flashed routers. Mullvad publishes WireGuard configuration files for routers. Both suit home networks; TorGuard’s route is more turnkey.

Several Devices

A household with more than five devices outgrows Mullvad unless a router covers TVs and consoles. TorGuard Standard allows eight, Fahimai notes.

Dedicated IPs

TorGuard’s Pro and Premium plans include a free dedicated IP, residential or streaming, Security.org notes. Mullvad does not sell dedicated IPs, in keeping with its focus on shared, anonymous addresses.

Streaming

TorGuard reaches Netflix only with a streaming IP on Pro or Premium, as our TorGuard Netflix guide explains. Mullvad does not market streaming.

Kill Switch

Turn on TorGuard’s kill switch after installing, since it starts off on desktop. Mullvad’s apps include one as well; test either by switching Wi-Fi off and on.

Testing Both

Mullvad refunds within 14 days of payment, our refund table records; TorGuard’s seven-day window is short, so test its Stealth and port forwarding on day one.

Is Mullvad vs TorGuard a Close Call?

Not really, because the two serve different needs. Privacy-first users who want proof will choose Mullvad; seeders, router builders and travellers to strict networks will lean towards TorGuard’s tools.

Value Over Four Years

Our tables put Mullvad near $260 over four years at its flat price. TorGuard Standard at $10.99 a month costs far more on monthly billing; its longer terms narrow the gap, as our cost guide shows.

Post-Quantum Encryption

Mullvad enabled post-quantum key exchange by default on desktop in January 2025, our tables record, with mobile following later that year. Check TorGuard’s current settings if that matters to you.

Quick Check

After installing either, run our DNS leak guide and confirm the kill switch blocks traffic when the tunnel drops.

Families

A couple with phones and laptops fits Mullvad’s five devices. A larger household with a seedbox or several TVs suits TorGuard’s eight on Standard, or a router on either service.

Keeping It Updated

After app updates, recheck the kill switch and protocol, since updates can reset them.

Who Each Suits

Journalists and privacy-minded users suit Mullvad’s proof-first model. Home-lab builders and heavy seeders suit TorGuard’s toolbox.

Support

TorGuard lists 24/7 support in its guides. Mullvad answers by email and publishes detailed help pages.

Protocols

Mullvad removed OpenVPN on 15 January 2026 and turned on post-quantum key exchange by default on desktop in 2025. TorGuard offers WireGuard, OpenVPN, OpenConnect and Stealth. Our post-quantum VPN guide explains why that matters.

Who Should Pick Which

Pick Mullvad for audited, anonymous privacy at a flat price. Pick TorGuard for port forwarding, dedicated IPs, Stealth and router tools. Our Mullvad vs NordVPN page compares Mullvad with a market leader.

How We Research

This page draws on our audit, price, refund, device and port forwarding tables, Security.org’s TorGuard pricing and our Mullvad and TorGuard guides. We cross-checked these sources against each other, and where they conflict or something can’t be verified, we say so in the text rather than guessing. We checked time-sensitive figures, including prices in US dollars, on 8 October 2026. The main source we relied on is Mullvad’s pricing page. Our full approach lives on the About Us page.

Mullvad vs TorGuard FAQ

The Verdict

Mullvad vs TorGuard: Mullvad for proof and anonymity, TorGuard for seeding and network tricks. Pick by what you need to do.