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Choose Mullvad for privacy, predictable pricing, anonymous account creation, and everyday security. Choose Astrill when connecting from mainland China or another heavily censored network is the main job and you are willing to pay substantially more for StealthVPN, OpenWeb, router options, and 24/7 support.
They are not really interchangeable products: Mullvad is privacy-first, while Astrill is access- and censorship-first. China performance, streaming access, server availability, and prices can change, so the figures below were checked on August 18, 2026.
Mullvad vs Astrill at a glance
| Category | Better choice | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Privacy and minimal account data | Mullvad | Account numbers instead of conventional identities, open-source apps, privacy-focused payments and documented controls. |
| Price | Mullvad | €5 per month, with no long-term lock-in or promotional pricing. |
| Mainland China | Astrill, with qualifications | StealthVPN and OpenWeb are designed to disguise VPN traffic, but no VPN guarantees uninterrupted access. |
| Port forwarding/private IP | Astrill | Available on selected private-IP servers and supported protocols; confirm availability before paying. |
| Anonymous payments | Mullvad | Cash, Bitcoin, Bitcoin Cash and Monero are accepted; cryptocurrency payments receive a stated 10% discount. |
| Support | Astrill | Advertises 24/7 live chat, email and phone support. |
| Streaming | Neither universally | VPN endpoints are frequently blocked and results vary by platform, country, server and date. |
The core difference
Mullvad is built around reducing the information you provide to the VPN company. It uses an account number rather than a conventional username, charges a flat rate, publishes open-source client software and emphasizes WireGuard, leak protection, multihop and traffic blocking.
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Astrill sells a broader access toolkit. Its advertised protocols include OpenWeb, StealthVPN, WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, L2TP/IPsec, SSTP and OpenConnect. That breadth matters when standard VPN traffic is filtered, but some protocols require Astrill’s own app or assistance and are less portable than a normal WireGuard configuration.
#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
Privacy and logging
Mullvad says it does not store browsing activity, DNS requests, connection timestamps, session duration, bandwidth or originating IP addresses. Its policy does allow aggregated operational statistics for server health. The account-number model, cash and cryptocurrency payment options, open-source software and downloadable WireGuard configurations make Mullvad the clearer fit for a privacy-first buyer.
Astrill also says it keeps no activity logs and that activity is not retained after a connection ends. That is a provider claim, as is Mullvad’s policy; neither statement makes a VPN independently anonymous. A VPN shifts trust from your internet provider to the VPN company. Websites can still identify logged-in users, browser fingerprints, advertising IDs, malware and device-level tracking can still expose you, and a compromised device defeats the tunnel.
Mullvad’s public technical-transparency story is easier to inspect. That does not make Astrill unsafe, but readers who prioritize publicly documented privacy practices and minimal account data have the stronger case for Mullvad. See Mullvad’s logging policy and privacy explanation.
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.
Which VPN is better for China?
Astrill is the higher-probability choice for mainland China, but it is not a guarantee. Astrill markets StealthVPN as making VPN traffic harder to detect and block, while OpenWeb provides another proprietary connection method. Current specialist coverage continues to list Astrill among the established China options.
Mullvad is not automatically useless in censored networks. It offers multihop and obfuscation options, and its support guidance recommends TCP or UDP-over-TCP when ordinary VPN traffic is interfered with. On desktop, the documented setting is Settings → Anti-censorship → UDP-over-TCP. Nevertheless, blocking changes quickly and can differ by city, ISP, hotel, campus, workplace and time of day.
Install and sign in before entering China where possible. Keep offline setup details, support contacts and a backup connection plan. Test on the actual network you will use, and distinguish connecting to the VPN from reaching a particular website or app. VPN legality and restrictions also vary by jurisdiction; technical availability is not legal advice.
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.
Security features, protocols and usability
Mullvad keeps its core experience relatively simple: WireGuard, downloadable configurations, multihop, DNS and IPv6 leak protection, a kill-switch-style traffic block and the optional DAITA traffic-analysis countermeasure. Its open-source client is attractive to users who prefer inspectable software and standard protocols.
Astrill exposes more knobs, including split tunneling, application controls, Smart Mode, router support and legacy protocols. This can solve difficult connectivity problems, but it adds setup complexity and creates more dependence on Astrill’s application. Check operating-system support for the specific protocol you need rather than assuming every advertised option works everywhere.
Torrenting and port forwarding
Mullvad permits unlimited bandwidth and uses shared IP addresses, making it suitable for ordinary privacy-conscious torrenting. However, it does not support port forwarding. That matters if you need inbound connections for a home server, seedbox, certain peer-to-peer setups or other self-hosted services. Mullvad also blocks some ports, including TCP 25 and Windows file-sharing ports 137–139 and 445.
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.
Astrill advertises private IPs and port forwarding on selected servers when using a private IP with OpenVPN, StealthVPN or WireGuard. This is conditional, not a universal plan feature. Confirm the server, protocol, add-on price and P2P rules before purchase. A private or dedicated IP can improve inbound connectivity, but it costs more and is less privacy-preserving than sharing an address with other users.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Streaming, gaming and ordinary browsing
Mullvad’s priority is privacy rather than guaranteed streaming. Review coverage has noted that it has historically invested less heavily in unblocking geo-restricted platforms. Astrill markets access to location-restricted services and may perform better in some regions, but neither provider can promise that a particular Netflix, Hulu, Max, BBC iPlayer or sports stream will work from a particular server.
Streaming companies block VPN address ranges unpredictably. Shared VPN addresses can also trigger CAPTCHAs, banking warnings, login challenges and incorrectly localized search results. If streaming is your only reason to subscribe, identify the exact platform and country, verify current reports, and use a refund period where one exists. Astrill’s official materials reviewed here do not clearly state a general money-back guarantee, so verify its current terms before paying.
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.
Pricing, devices and refunds
| Service | Current displayed price | Device wording | Refund information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mullvad | €5/month; €60 for 12 months at the direct rate | Up to five devices per account | 14 days, with exceptions for cash and cryptocurrency payments |
| Astrill | $30 monthly; $180 for one year; $300 for two years ($12.50/month displayed) | Unlimited household devices, but five simultaneous connections and one router | No clearly stated general guarantee in the reviewed pricing/FAQ material; verify current terms |
Mullvad’s rate includes VAT as displayed on its pricing page and does not become cheaper for a longer commitment. Astrill’s lower effective long-term figures require substantial upfront payment, and private-IP or VIP features cost extra. Currency conversion, taxes and payment fees can change the exact comparison.
Do not confuse installation limits with simultaneous use. Mullvad limits an account to five devices; a second account or a router is the documented workaround. Astrill lets a household install on more devices, but only five connections can be active at once and its FAQ specifies one router.
Ownership and trust context
Mullvad VPN AB operates from Sweden. Astrill’s FAQ says it is privately owned and incorporated in Liechtenstein. Jurisdiction alone does not determine which service is more trustworthy. Compare the information each company requests, its stated logging practices, payment privacy, technical design, transparency and how it handles legal or operational requests.
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Pros and cons
Mullvad
- Pros: €5 flat monthly price, anonymous account numbers, cash and Monero payments, open-source apps, WireGuard, multihop, strong leak prevention and no port-forwarding upsells.
- Cons: five-device account limit, no port forwarding or dedicated IP, weaker streaming focus and potentially unreliable connectivity on heavily censored networks.
Astrill
- Pros: StealthVPN and OpenWeb, broad protocol support, China-focused design, router deployment, private-IP and conditional port-forwarding options, five simultaneous connections and advertised 24/7 support.
- Cons: $30 monthly pricing and costly upfront plans, proprietary settings, unclear general refund promise, extra charges for specialist features and no guarantee of China or streaming access.
Choose by use case
- Privacy maximalist or budget buyer: Mullvad.
- Mainland China traveler or resident: Astrill, installed and tested before travel, with a backup plan.
- Anonymous-payment buyer: Mullvad.
- Port forwarding or private-IP requirement: Astrill, after confirming the exact server and add-on.
- Large household: Astrill may be more convenient for installations, but the five-simultaneous-connection limit remains.
- Streaming-only buyer: Neither automatically; verify the target service and current server performance.
- Home server user: Avoid Mullvad if inbound port forwarding is essential.
For connection problems on Mullvad, try TCP or UDP-over-TCP. If local printers or file shares disappear, enable Settings → Preferences → Local network sharing. If you hit the device limit, use a second account or a router with a WireGuard client. For CAPTCHAs, switching servers or using SOCKS5 where applicable may help.
Quick Recap
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.
