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Proton VPN, Mullvad, and IVPN are three privacy-focused VPN alternatives with different strengths: Proton describes a broad feature set and anti-censorship tools; Mullvad emphasizes account and payment privacy; and IVPN offers short-term plan options. None is a universal best choice. Use the comparison below to match a service to your priorities, and treat streaming access, plan terms, and device support as details to verify before subscribing.
How the three VPN alternatives compare
| Service | Privacy and signup | Features and platform considerations | Streaming and flexibility |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proton VPN | Proton describes its apps as open source and regularly independently audited. Its feature page lists WireGuard and OpenVPN. Proton VPN features | Proton lists NetShield DNS filtering, Stealth, and alternative routing. Privacy Guides notes platform-specific IPv6 differences and that Stealth was not available on Linux in the guidance reviewed; check current compatibility. Privacy Guides VPN overview | Proton claims support for many popular streaming services, but that is a vendor statement, not a guarantee of access to a particular catalog or service. Proton VPN features |
| Mullvad | RTINGS reports that account creation uses a generated account number without an email address, with cash and cryptocurrency payment options. Mullvad states that it does not log user activity. RTINGS Mullvad review Mullvad no-logging policy | RTINGS reports WireGuard support and up to five simultaneous connections. RTINGS Mullvad review | RTINGS warns that streaming services can recognize and block Mullvad IP addresses; it also reports that Mullvad does not support port forwarding. These observations do not predict every service or server’s current behavior. RTINGS Mullvad review |
| IVPN | WIRED and RTINGS describe account creation without a conventional email-based account, including generated account IDs. WIRED IVPN review RTINGS IVPN review | The reviewed sources characterize IVPN as a privacy-oriented service. Check current app support and device limits for the plan you intend to use. RTINGS IVPN review | RTINGS reports a weekly Standard plan and says IVPN does not guarantee access to geo-restricted streaming services. WIRED describes longer plan options; confirm current billing choices and limits directly. RTINGS IVPN review WIRED IVPN review |
Current prices are not compared here: the available evidence does not establish like-for-like, current pricing for all three providers. Check each provider’s own checkout and plan terms before deciding.
Which VPN alternative fits your priorities?
Choose Proton VPN for a broad feature set
Proton’s feature page lists multiple protocols, open-source apps, regular independent audits, DNS filtering, and tools intended to help with blocked connections. These are provider descriptions, not a guarantee of performance on every network. If you rely on Stealth, IPv6, or a particular operating system, confirm the current support details for that platform first. Proton VPN features Privacy Guides VPN overview
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One-click scans. No signup required.
Choose Mullvad if signup and payment privacy matter most
The account-number signup and reported cash or cryptocurrency options may suit people who prefer not to create an account with an email address. Mullvad’s no-logging page states its policy; a provider policy should not be read as proof that all privacy risks disappear. The five-connection limit reported by RTINGS is also worth checking against your household’s needs. Mullvad no-logging policy RTINGS Mullvad review
#1 Best Overall
- 【Five Gigabit Ports】1 Gigabit WAN Port plus 2 Gigabit WAN/LAN Ports plus 2 Gigabit LAN Port. Up to 3 WAN ports optimize bandwidth usage through one device.
- 【One USB WAN Port】Mobile broadband via 4G/3G modem is supported for WAN backup by connecting to the USB port. For complete list of compatible 4G/3G modems, please visit TP-Link website.
- 【Abundant Security Features】Advanced firewall policies, DoS defense, IP/MAC/URL filtering, speed test and more security functions protect your network and data.
- 【Highly Secure VPN】Supports up to 20× LAN-to-LAN IPsec, 16× OpenVPN, 16× L2TP, and 16× PPTP VPN connections.
- Security - SPI Firewall, VPN Pass through, FTP/H.323/PPTP/SIP/IPsec ALG, DoS Defence, Ping of Death and Local Management. Standards and Protocols IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.1q
Consider IVPN if you want a short billing interval
RTINGS reports that IVPN offers a weekly Standard plan, while WIRED describes longer options. A short interval can be useful if you do not want to commit to a longer billing period, but confirm current availability, price, and plan-specific device limits before purchase. RTINGS IVPN review WIRED IVPN review
What to know about streaming and censorship features
VPN access to streaming catalogs is not stable: streaming platforms can change how they identify VPN traffic, and a provider’s claim or a reviewer’s observation cannot ensure access at the time you connect. Proton claims support for many popular streaming services, while RTINGS reports that Mullvad IP addresses can be blocked and that IVPN does not guarantee access to geo-restricted services. Treat these as differently sourced claims, not equivalent test results. Proton VPN features RTINGS Mullvad review RTINGS IVPN review
Rank #2
- 【AC1200 Dual-band Wireless Router】Simultaneous dual-band with wireless speed up to 300 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 867 Mbps (5GHz). 2.4GHz band can handles some simple tasks like emails or web browsing while bandwidth intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video streaming can be handled by the 5GHz band.*Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【Easy Setup】Please refer to the User Manual and the Unboxing & Setup video guide on Amazon for detailed setup instructions and methods for connecting to the Internet.
- 【Pocket-friendly】Lightweight design(145g) which designed for your next trip or adventure. Alongside its portable, compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
- 【Full Gigabit Ports】Gigabit Wireless Internet Router with 2 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN ports, ideal for lots of internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly.
- 【Keep your Internet Safe】IPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
Proton describes Stealth and alternative routing as features intended to help with censorship or blocked connections. Privacy Guides notes limitations, including platform availability and limits against sophisticated filtering. A VPN cannot be promised to bypass restrictions on a particular country’s network; check the service’s current platform guidance and local rules. Proton VPN features Privacy Guides VPN overview
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- Device support: Confirm that the provider’s current apps and features work on the operating systems and devices you use.
- Simultaneous connections: Verify the limit for your selected plan and count the devices you expect to connect at once.
- Signup and payment: Review the current account creation flow and accepted payment methods if minimizing personal information is important to you.
- Plan terms: Check billing interval, renewal, and cancellation details on the provider’s current checkout page.
- Streaming: Do not subscribe on the assumption that a particular catalog will remain accessible through a VPN.
A VPN changes how your device routes network traffic, but it does not make you anonymous or protect against every online threat. Keep expectations tied to the specific feature and threat you are addressing.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Next-Gen Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Speeds: 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz bands ensure smoother streaming and faster downloads; support VPN server and VPN client¹
- A More Responsive Experience: Enjoy smooth gaming, video streaming, and live feeds simultaneously. OFDMA makes your Wi-Fi stronger by allowing multiple clients to share one band at the same time, cutting latency and jitter.²
- Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage: 4 high-gain external antennas and Beamforming technology combine to extend strong, reliable, Wi-Fi throughout your home.
- Improved Battery Life: Target Wake Time helps your devices to communicate efficiently while consuming less power.
- Improved Cooling Design: No heat ups, no throttles. A larger heat sink and redefined case design cools the WiFi 6 system and enables your network to stay at top speeds in more versatile environments.
Rank #4
- 【DUAL BAND WIFI 7 TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU, AU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 688Mbps (2.4G)+2882Mbps (5G); Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports (1x WAN and 1x LAN Port); USB 3.0 port.
- 【NETWORK CONTROL WITH TOUCHSCREEN SIMPLICITY】Slate 7’s touchscreen interface lets you scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi, monitor speed in real time, toggle VPN on/off, and switch providers directly on the display. Color-coded indicators provide instant network status updates for Ethernet, Tethering, Repeater, and Cellular modes, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience.
- 【OpenWrt 23.05 FIRMWARE】The Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 travel router, built with OpenWrt 23.05 (Kernel 5.4.213) for maximum customization and advanced networking capabilities. With 512MB storage, total customization with open-source freedom and flexible installation of OpenWrt plugins.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Slate 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 100 Mbps (OpenVPN); 540 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Slate 7 is an ideal portable internet device perfect for international travel. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go in which includes hotels or cruise ships.
Rank #3
- New-Gen WiFi Standard – WiFi 6(802.11ax) standard supporting MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology for better efficiency and throughput.Antenna : External antenna x 4. Processor : Dual-core (4 VPE). Power Supply : AC Input : 110V~240V(50~60Hz), DC Output : 12 V with max. 1.5A current.
- Ultra-fast WiFi Speed – RT-AX1800S supports 1024-QAM for dramatically faster wireless connections
- Increase Capacity and Efficiency – Supporting not only MU-MIMO but also OFDMA technique to efficiently allocate channels, communicate with multiple devices simultaneously
- 5 Gigabit ports – One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports, 10X faster than 100–Base T Ethernet.
- Commercial-grade Security Anywhere – Protect your home network with AiProtection Classic, powered by Trend Micro. And when away from home, ASUS Instant Guard gives you a one-click secure VPN.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
