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Head-to-head · Virtual Private Network Software

Mullvad VPN vs OpenVPN Access Server

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 2 checks side by side
Higher score Mullvad VPN #4 in Virtual Private Network Software 8.9/10 From €5/mo ✓ 0 of 3 features Visit Mullvad VPN
OpenVPN Access Server #8 in Virtual Private Network Software 8.4/10 Free plan · paid from $7/mo · 14-day trial Free plan✓ 1 of 3 features Visit OpenVPN

Mullvad VPN leads on 0 checks, OpenVPN Access Server on 2, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 2 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreMullvad VPN · 8.9/10
  • Free planonly OpenVPN Access Server
  • Most featuresOpenVPN Access Server · 1 of 3

Mullvad VPN scores higher on our rubric for virtual private network software: 8.9 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #4 and #8.

OpenVPN Access Server offers free plan; Mullvad VPN doesn't. OpenVPN Access Server offers site-to-site vpn; Mullvad VPN doesn't publish it.

Mullvad VPN is the better fit for privacy-focused users wanting simple flat pricing. OpenVPN Access Server is the better fit for organizations self-hosting managed remote-access VPN.

  • Mullvad VPN fits best

    Privacy-focused users wanting simple flat pricing

  • OpenVPN Access Server fits best

    Organizations self-hosting managed remote-access VPN

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Mullvad VPN 8.9/10 Visit ↗ OpenVPN Access Server 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 8.9 8.4
Ranking #4 in Virtual Private Network Software #8 in Virtual Private Network Software
Best for Privacy-focused users wanting simple flat pricing Organizations self-hosting managed remote-access VPN
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Not published Not published
Free plan — ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Self-hosted
Platforms Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Linux, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android
Support Email, Docs Tickets, Community, Docs · 24/7
Compliance GDPR SOC 2, ISO 27001, GDPR, HIPAA
Built for Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Mullvad VPN 0/3 · OpenVPN Access Server 1/3
Remote access VPN Not published Not published
Site-to-site VPN Not published ✓ (best)
SSO support Not published Not published
Specs
Supported VPN protocols Not published Not published
Client platforms Not published Not published
Concurrent sessions Not published Not published
Deployment model Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Create a numbered account without providing an email address
  • Default kill switch, WireGuard, and multihop routing
  • Flat €5 monthly price across all listed plan terms
  • Supports remote-access and site-to-site VPN networking
  • Offers varied authentication methods and granular access controls
  • Includes PKI, connection logs, clustering, and REST API automation
Cons
  • Covers 50 countries and allows up to five devices
  • Netflix traffic is excluded from the VPN tunnel when split tunneling is used
  • No port forwarding; torrent guidance is older
  • Self-hosted administration adds operational work
  • Free plan allows only 2 simultaneous connections
  • Growth pricing scales with simultaneous connections
Our verdict

Mullvad VPN provides encrypted internet access, IP-address masking, and censorship-circumvention methods for people who prioritize privacy. Numbered accounts do not require an email address, and its no-activity-logging policy is paired…

Read the review →

OpenVPN Access Server provides remote access to private networks and resources, along with site-to-site VPN networking. It is aimed at organizations that want administrators to manage VPN settings, users, authentication, certificates, and…

Read the review →
  1. Mullvad VPNVirtual Private Network Software 8.9From €5/mo
  2. OpenVPN Access ServerVirtual Private Network Software 8.4Free plan · paid from $7/mo · 14-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Mullvad VPN — where it wins

    • Create a numbered account without providing an email address
    • Default kill switch, WireGuard, and multihop routing
    • Flat €5 monthly price across all listed plan terms

    Where it doesn't

    • Covers 50 countries and allows up to five devices
    • Netflix traffic is excluded from the VPN tunnel when split tunneling is used
    • No port forwarding; torrent guidance is older
  • OpenVPN Access Server — where it wins

    • Supports remote-access and site-to-site VPN networking
    • Offers varied authentication methods and granular access controls
    • Includes PKI, connection logs, clustering, and REST API automation

    Where it doesn't

    • Self-hosted administration adds operational work
    • Free plan allows only 2 simultaneous connections
    • Growth pricing scales with simultaneous connections
  • Mullvad VPN8.9/10 · From €5/mo

    A privacy-oriented VPN with anonymous accounts, core safeguards, and flat €5 monthly pricing.

    Visit Mullvad VPNFull verdict →
  • OpenVPN Access Server8.4/10 · Free plan · paid from $7/mo · 14-day trial

    A configurable business VPN for organizations that can manage self-hosted infrastructure.

    Visit OpenVPNFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update