The Need for Privacy
When it comes to online security, anonymity is a must. With the rise of data breaches and cyber attacks, protecting your identity and online activities is crucial. A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an essential tool for disguising your location, but it also poses a risk of sharing sensitive information with the provider. To mitigate this risk, some VPN providers prioritize anonymity and take extra measures to protect your identity.
Recommended VPN Providers for Anonymity
Two such VPN providers are Mullvad VPN and NymVPN, both of which focus on anonymity and security. Mullvad VPN is known for its unique pricing model, where you pay a fixed fee of five euros per month, while NymVPN offers a decentralized service with advanced anti-tracking features.
Tiers and Pricing
Mullvad VPN has a simple pricing structure, with no subscription options. You can pay monthly or buy up to a year of service at a time, with the price remaining the same. The monthly cost is around $5.40. In contrast, NymVPN has a more complex pricing structure, with costs varying depending on the length of your subscription. The annual plan is the most affordable, with an average monthly cost of $7.
Features and Performance
Both Mullvad VPN and NymVPN offer advanced features to protect your identity and online activities. Mullvad VPN uses quantum-resistant tunneling, anti-AI-tracking, multi-hop servers, and obfuscation to prevent decryption by quantum computers and confuse AI trackers. NymVPN, on the other hand, uses post-quantum encryption, network noise, and obfuscation to achieve similar goals.
Performance Comparison
Mullvad VPN had good speed when connected to a local U.S. server, reaching 71% of my native speed. However, enabling two-hop mode cut my download rate in half, and obfuscation dropped speed by 50%. In contrast, NymVPN launched in 2025 and focused on excellent security in a minimalist design. The initial version lacks Mullvad’s options to fine-tune my connection to balance privacy and speed.
Security and Support
Both Mullvad VPN and NymVPN have passed independent security audits and verified that no logs are kept. This ensures that your identity and data are safe with either service. Mullvad VPN offers malware blocking, while NymVPN lacks this feature but plans to implement it in the future.
Support Options
Mullvad VPN has no chat option, instead relying on the help center and email support. The response time is relatively fast, taking eight hours to reply. NymVPN, on the other hand, offers live support 6:00 p.m. to 10:00 a.m. PT on weekdays, an overnight schedule of 16 hours daily, five days a week.
Which Anonymous VPN is Right for You?
When anonymity is a top concern, Mullvad VPN and NymVPN are top picks. Mullvad VPN costs less and matches most of NymVPN’s features. For most people, Mullvad is recommended for anonymity and privacy. However, NymVPN offers a five-hop mode that minimizes tracking risks and a decentralized server approach that maximizes privacy. If your life depends on staying anonymous, I’d pick NymVPN despite the slower download speeds.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Mullvad VPN and NymVPN are two top-notch VPN providers that prioritize anonymity and security. While they may have different features and performance, both services offer excellent protection for your identity and online activities. When choosing between them, consider your specific needs and prioritize the features that matter most to you.