If you’re reading about VPN services, you probably care about your privacy online. You can even opt for one of the best VPNs to ensure your data is protected by a strict no-logs policy. However, there is always any information that needs to be stored to keep your monthly plan running.
That’s why Mullvad made the decision to completely remove the ability to create new signatures – all in the name of storing less data about your users.
“Subscriptions clearly offer a lot of convenience, but as we’ve seen that convenience comes at a cost and we no longer think this is an acceptable tradeoff. We care a lot about usability, but when it comes to that, privacy has to win,” the provider wrote. on a blog post (opens in new tab).
This move is a step forward in Mullvad’s commitment to its users’ privacy. In fact, it’s one of the few services that doesn’t ask for any email addresses or other personal information to create an account.
However, when it came to recurring subscription, the provider was required to keep track of payments to provide refunds, bill the user again after the initial period of coverage, or recover a lost account. Therefore, one-time payments seem to be the only solution.
Starting today we are removing the option to create new subscriptions: https://t.co/JDUOwBYCkPJune 20, 2022
“We are constantly looking for ways to reduce the amount of data we store while still providing a usable service. Nowhere is the tension between privacy and usability more apparent than in the area of payments.”
Mullvad’s monthly fee has always been the same across all plans – about $5.50. This is very different from almost all other consumer VPNs, but there’s no need to stress about a price increase.
Also, those who currently have an active Mullvad subscription need not worry either. Your account will continue to function normally for at least six months, or until your subscription reaches the end of a period.
going against the current
When it comes to VPN plans, Mullvad’s competitors take a completely different approach. In fact, almost all the big names in the industry offer discounted pricing for users who decide to commit longer.
Let’s look at some examples. The fee to get ExpressVPN for just one month is $12.95. This drops to $9.99 for a 6 month plan and $6.67 for a 12 month + 3 free plan. This means users are encouraged to subscribe longer to get the same service for half the price. price.
Others, like Surfshark and NordVPN, offer their long-term subscriptions for a lower upfront fee and then raise the price on automatic re-subscription. After being lured in by a tempting price, users may end up paying two or even three times as much when the introductory period ends.
On the one hand, this is a dubious tactic to get more money from users who don’t opt out of auto-billing — and it’s not just limited to the VPN industry. On the other hand, savvy buyers can get a much better price if they are proactive in canceling before being billed again.
Mullvad VPN has a flat fee of approximately $5.50 per month, no matter how long you subscribe. Even before announcing that it would only accept non-recurring payments, the provider never pressured its users to commit longer than they wanted. Also, to make things easier, users will still have the opportunity to pay as many months as they want at once.
How to create your Mullvad account from a payment
Getting started with Mullvad couldn’t be easier. Just go to Mullvad website (opens in new tab) and press yellow start button placed in the upper right corner.
You will be redirected to your account page. However, unlike most of its rivals, instead of using your email address, just tap the generate account number button. Make a note of this as it will be your sole reference.
After that you will need select the desired payment method. Mullvad offers a wide choice – from a classic credit card, bank transfer and PayPal to Bitcoin and Monero cryptocurrencies. With the latter, a 10% discount will be applied to the monthly flat rate of about $5.50.
Once you’ve selected your payment method, you’ll be able to choose how long you want to pay. Remember, after that time is up, you will have to re-enroll manually thanks to the policy change.
Once paid, you will have to download the mullvad app to start protecting your privacy and anonymity when browsing the web. You will be able to use your account on five different devices at the same time – whether they are Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS or Android.
