Mullvad VPN 2026.5 for Windows

Mullvad VPN 2026.5 is the Windows app of Mullvad, a virtual private network provider known for its focus on privacy. The client is open source under the GNU General Public License v3.0 or later, and version 2026.5 was released on September 14, 2026. The app is free to download, the service is paid, and you can download Mullvad VPN for Windows from mullvad.net or its GitHub releases.

Specifications

What sets Mullvad apart

Most VPN services ask for an email address and link your usage to a personal account. Mullvad takes a different approach: when you sign up, you get a randomly generated account number, and that number is all you need to log in. No email, no name. Payment options are designed with the same idea in mind. For people whose main reason for a VPN is to reduce how much any company knows about them, that design matters more than the number of server locations. The Windows app is straightforward: log in with the account number, choose a location or let the app pick one, and connect. It blocks traffic outside the tunnel if the connection drops and offers settings for protocols and DNS content blocking. Because the code is public, security researchers can review what the app does, which supports the trust a privacy tool needs. Mullvad also runs a website on the Tor network for people who prefer to access it that way.

Installation

1. Download the Windows installer from the official Mullvad website or from the GitHub releases page.
2. Run the installer and allow the network components to be added.
3. Generate an account number on the website or in the app and add time to it.
4. Log in with the number, choose a location and connect.

Price

The app is free, but using the service requires paid time on your account. Mullvad publishes its current price on the official site. Store your account number safely: it is your only login.

Good to know

• A VPN hides your IP address from websites but not your identity from accounts you log in to.
• Streaming services and some banks may block VPN addresses.
• Follow the laws of your country and your workplace rules on VPN use.

Pros and cons

• Pro: account number instead of email and personal data.
• Pro: open-source app, code available on GitHub.
• Pro: blocks traffic if the tunnel drops.
• Con: no free tier.
• Con: losing the account number means losing access.

Alternatives

Proton VPN is another privacy-focused provider in our listings, with a free tier. Windscribe VPN, TunnelBear and Private Internet Access are further options.