ProtonVPN vs Mullvad VPN Anonymous Payments and Port Forwarding Compared

Choosing a VPN that respects your privacy means looking beyond marketing claims and examining the nuts and bolts of their service. Two features that truly separate the privacy-focused from the merely private are the ability to make anonymous payments and the availability of port forwarding. We're putting ProtonVPN and Mullvad VPN under the microscope to see how they stack up on these critical fronts, giving you the clarity needed to make an informed decision for your digital life.

What you’ll learn:

• The key differences in how ProtonVPN and Mullvad handle anonymous payments.
• Why port forwarding matters and which service offers it.
• Which VPN is the better fit for your specific privacy needs.

Why Anonymous Payments and Port Forwarding Matter

When you're serious about online privacy, you need to close every potential leak. Your payment method can be a significant one. Using a credit card ties your real-world identity directly to your VPN account, which defeats the purpose for many users. That's where anonymous payments come in, allowing you to subscribe without handing over personally identifiable financial data.

Port forwarding, on the other hand, is a more technical feature with practical benefits. It allows incoming connections to reach a specific device on your private network, which is crucial for activities like hosting a game server, accessing your home computer remotely, or maximizing download speeds for certain peer-to-peer file sharing. Not all VPNs offer it, and those that do often restrict its use.

Mullvad VPN: The Anonymity Purist

Mullvad VPN was built from the ground up with anonymity as its core principle. This philosophy is evident in every aspect of its operation, especially its payment system.

Anonymous Payments on Mullvad

Mullvad sets the gold standard for anonymous payments. The most notable method is cash. You can literally generate an account number on their website, write it on an envelope, and mail cash to their office in Sweden. While this sounds old-school, it's arguably the most anonymous payment method available today.

Beyond cash, Mullvad also accepts:

• Bitcoin and Bitcoin Cash
• Monero (a cryptocurrency designed for enhanced privacy)
• Swish (a Swedish payment system)
• Bank wire transfers

Critically, Mullvad does not require an email address to create an account. Your entire identity is a randomly generated 16-digit number. This “no-account” system means there's no password to forget, no email to compromise, and no personal information stored on their servers.

Port Forwarding with Mullvad

Mullvad fully supports port forwarding, and it's available on all its servers. The process is straightforward: you log into your account on their website, select a server location, and open a port. This port is then tied to that specific server. If you switch servers, you'll need to open a new port. This feature is a major reason why Mullvad is a favorite among users who need remote access or are heavy torrenters.

Try Mullvad VPN and its robust port forwarding today.

ProtonVPN: Security with a Swiss Touch

ProtonVPN comes from the creators of Proton Mail and is based in privacy-friendly Switzerland. Its focus has traditionally been on strong security and a free tier, but it has made significant strides in enhancing user anonymity.

Anonymous Payments on ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN has expanded its payment options to cater to privacy-conscious users. While it traditionally accepted standard methods like credit cards and PayPal, it now also supports anonymous payments.

You can pay for a ProtonVPN subscription using:

• Bitcoin
• Cash (via a physical payment slip in Switzerland)

It's important to note that to use these anonymous methods, you must first create a Proton Account (which requires an email address). However, if you use a secure, anonymous email service (like their own Proton Mail) and pay with Bitcoin or cash, you can achieve a very high degree of anonymity. While not quite as “zero-knowledge” as Mullvad's system, it provides a robust path for those who want to avoid traditional payment trails.

Port Forwarding with ProtonVPN

This is where ProtonVPN and Mullvad diverge significantly. As of now, ProtonVPN does not offer port forwarding on any of its servers. The company has stated that this is a deliberate security decision, as open ports can potentially be misused and introduce vulnerabilities. If port forwarding is a non-negotiable feature for your workflow, ProtonVPN is not the right choice.

Explore ProtonVPN's secure Swiss network.

Head-to-Head Comparison

Let's break down the key differences in a direct comparison.

Which VPN Is Right for You?

Your choice ultimately depends on what you value most in a VPN provider.

Choose Mullvad VPN if: Your top priority is absolute anonymity. You want the widest array of truly anonymous payments, including cash and Monero, and you appreciate not having to create an account at all. The availability of port forwarding is also a critical deciding factor if you need it for specific applications.

Choose ProtonVPN if: You want a well-rounded, security-first VPN from a trusted provider. You might value its integration with other Proton services like Proton Mail, and its free tier is a great way to test the service. While its path to anonymous payments is solid (especially with Bitcoin), it requires a bit more setup than Mullvad's system.

Final Verdict on Anonymous Payments and Features

Both ProtonVPN and Mullvad VPN are excellent, privacy-respecting services, but they cater to slightly different audiences. When it comes to anonymous payments, Mullvad is the undisputed champion, offering a frictionless, zero-information system that is hard to beat. Coupled with its full support for port forwarding, it's the clear winner for users who demand the highest possible level of anonymity and need advanced networking features.

ProtonVPN holds its own as a incredibly secure and trustworthy service, especially for those already in the Proton ecosystem. Its approach to anonymous payments is perfectly viable, though it requires an extra step. The lack of port forwarding, however, is a deal-breaker for a specific subset of power users.

Ready to take the next step in securing your online activity? Assess your needs, weigh the options above, and compare more top VPN services to find your perfect privacy partner.