Surfshark vs Mullvad:
compare real conditions.
Both measured setups use WireGuard UDP. That makes the provider network and chosen route especially important to inspect, but it does not make this a controlled test of identical software. Compare the shared exits, then weigh Mullvad’s account model against the app and setup options you want from Surfshark.
Measured results only when quality checks passThe comparison setup
A higher speed on one route is not proof of a universal winner. Open the data below to see the exact source and coverage.
Which VPN is better for your priorities?
Choose a test source and window here; the benchmark below uses exactly the same worker, timeframe and QC-matched exits. Pick a use case, or set your own weights. This is a pair-relative performance comparison—not a global VPN rating.
Balanced combines measured throughput, consistency and network responsiveness when those metrics are available.
Increase what matters to you. Weights are relative and automatically normalised to 100%. A slider is disabled if matching measurements are not available for both VPNs.
Controls here also update the benchmark below.
Pick a test source, time window and activity above.
Factors included in your ranking
What should you prioritise?
Download throughput and consistent retained speed matter for avoiding buffering. Streaming-service access is not measured here.
Low latency reduces response delay, low jitter helps keep timing stable, and packet loss helps avoid interruptions. Without measured latency, we do not name a gaming winner.
Higher download Mbps and retained speed matter most when transferring large files. It does not predict every website or server.
Low latency, low jitter, low packet loss and enough upload bandwidth can improve call quality. An unavailable factor is never assumed to be good.
Fast response times help sites feel snappy; sustained throughput matters less for basic pages. Browsing results are limited when ping is not measured.
Combine priorities for your own use. A score is calculated only from the selected worker, timeframe and eligible shared exit measurements.
How scoring works: each VPN is compared against the other on identical QC-eligible exits for each available metric. Higher download/upload/retention and lower latency/jitter/loss score better. Every eligible exit receives equal weight. Pair-relative scores sum to 100; a gap below 2 points is reported as too close. These scores are not independent quality ratings or a statistical confidence interval. Features, security, pricing, geo-unblocking and privacy audits are not measured in this calculation.
Speed by matched VPN exit
Results below are snapshots published by the Secure-VPN testing system. The source worker is where the test starts; VPN exit country is where the VPN connects. They are not the same thing.
Measured dates are shown after selecting a READY snapshot.
Features worth checking before you choose
Both benchmark setups use WireGuard UDP, so differences can reflect routing, server load and exit coverage rather than protocol family alone. Feature availability and pricing are editorial checkpoints, not continuously refreshed specifications.
Shared protocol, different decisions beyond speed
Surfshark: Surfshark supports WireGuard in its apps and through manual configuration. These results cover the tested setup, not every supported protocol. Provider documentation.
Mullvad: Mullvad uses numbered accounts without requiring an email address at signup. Account design is a separate consideration from the speed results below. Provider documentation.
Editorial notes reviewed . Benchmark dates are reported separately with the loaded measurements. Provider documentation is not independent verification.
| What to check | Surfshark | Mullvad |
|---|---|---|
| Protocol tested here | WireGuard (WireGuard-based) | WireGuard UDP |
| Device coverage | Check current simultaneous-connection limit and router options | Check current device rules and router options |
| Privacy controls | Test kill switch, DNS protection and split tunneling per OS | Test kill switch, DNS protection and split tunneling per OS |
| Price and renewals | Confirm checkout total and renewal terms | Confirm checkout total and renewal terms |
| What this benchmark means | Results apply to the selected worker, time window, protocol and eligible shared VPN exits only. | |
How we keep the comparison fair
We require a READY result, a shared eligible exit, and at least three quality-accepted samples for each provider at that exit. Missing exits do not count as zero speed. Some worker and time-window combinations are withheld because coverage is insufficient.
Speed kept (%) compares measured download performance with a clean baseline; raw download Mbps is also shown when supplied. Results can differ between worker countries and over time. See the testing methodology for limitations.
Surfshark vs Mullvad — FAQs
If both use WireGuard, what am I actually comparing?
You are comparing two provider-and-protocol setups on selected routes. Different infrastructure, clients and test conditions can affect performance even when the protocol label matches.
Which VPN is faster?
There is no universal winner. The measurements above apply only to the selected worker, time window and eligible shared VPN exits. Older data is explicitly dated.
Which protocols are compared?
This page measures Surfshark using WireGuard UDP and Mullvad using WireGuard UDP. Protocols and routes are not mixed across providers.
Why do results change with the test source?
Changing the worker changes the network route to the VPN exit. An exit country is not the same as the worker or the visitor location.
Why are some worker/window results missing?
The comparison requires at least three eligible samples on each side of at least three common VPN exits. Withheld results are not treated as zero speed.
Continue comparing
Choose using your own priorities.
Use the published evidence together with device support, privacy controls and the full renewal price. No fabricated winner is presented when measurements are withheld.