Comparison

OpenVPN Connect vs Mullvad VPN

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

OpenVPN Connect

This official client app provides secure remote access to internal networks and cloud resources using a zero-trust VPN protocol. It ensures continuous verification for every access request, regardless of location. It requires a compatible OpenVPN business solution to function.

Highlights
  • Secure VPN tunneling
  • AES-256 encryption & TLS 1.3
  • MDM-friendly configuration
  • Device posture checks
  • Seamless split-tunneling
  • Kill switch protection
  • MFA authentication support
Features
Currently charting
Read full description

OpenVPN Connect is the official OpenVPN client app developed by OpenVPN Inc., the creators of the OpenVPN® protocol. Designed for use with OpenVPN’s zero-trust business VPN solutions, this app enables secure remote access to internal networks, cloud resources, and private applications. A zero-trust VPN is a virtual private network that requires continuous identity and device verification for every access request, adhering to the principle of 'never trust, always verify,' regardless of the user's location. IMPORTANT NOTE: This app does NOT include a built-in VPN service. It establishes an OpenVPN tunnel to a VPN server or service that is compatible with the OpenVPN protocol. It is meant for use with OpenVPN’s business Zero-trust VPN solutions: • Access Server (self-hosted) • CloudConnexa® (cloud-delivered) KEY FEATURES • Fast, secure VPN tunneling with OpenVPN protocol • Strong AES-256 encryption and TLS 1.3 support • MDM-friendly with a global configuration file • Device posture checks** • Import of connection profile with URL** • Captive Wi-Fi portal detection • Web authentication for SAML SSO support • HTTP proxy configuration • Seamless split-tunneling and auto-reconnect • Works over Wi-Fi, LTE/4G, 5G, and all mobile networks • Easy setup & import of .ovpn profiles • Kill switch for fail-safe protection • IPv6 and DNS leak protection • Support for certificate, username/password, external certificate, and MFA authentication ** Works with Access Server and CloudConnexa HOW TO USE OPENVPN CONNECT: Easily get connected by simply entering your organization’s URL and login — no complex setup required. BEST PAIRED WITH OPENVPN BUSINESS SOLUTIONS: • Access Server – Self-hosted zero-trust VPN software server with web-based administration, access control, clustering for horizontal scaling, flexible authentication methods, and zero-trust controls. • CloudConnexa® – Cloud-delivered Zero-Trust business VPN service offered from 30+ worldwide locations with ZTNA, application domain name routing, IPsec support for connecting networks, and advanced identity, device posture, and location context continuous checks. Trusted by Global Businesses: Over 20,000 organizations, including Salesforce, Target, Boeing, and others, rely on OpenVPN’s Zero-Trust VPN solutions.

About

Mullvad VPN

This service encrypts your internet traffic, masking your identity and location to protect your online privacy. It offers anonymous accounts, no activity logs, and uses a secure VPN protocol. Enhance your privacy further by using it with a companion browser.

Highlights
  • Anonymous account creation
  • No activity logs
  • Anonymous payment options
  • WireGuard protocol
  • Encrypted traffic tunnel
  • Blocks third-party cookies (with companion browser)
Features
Read full description

Free the internet from data collection with Mullvad VPN – a service that helps keep your online activity, identity, and location private. Only €5/month. GET STARTED 1. Install the app. 2. Create an account. 3. Add time to your account via in-app purchases, vouchers or on our website. To make sure to block third-party cookies and other tracking technologies – use Mullvad VPN together with Mullvad Browser (free of charge). ANONYMOUS ACCOUNTS – NO ACTIVITY LOGS * Creating an account requires no personal info - not even an email address. * We keep no activity logs. * We offer the possibility to pay anonymously with cash or cryptocurrency. * Our app uses WireGuard, a superior VPN protocol that connects fast and doesn’t drain your battery. HOW DOES MULLVAD VPN WORK? With Mullvad VPN, your traffic travels through an encrypted tunnel to one of our VPN servers and then onward to the website you are visiting. In this way, websites will only see our server’s identity instead of yours. Same goes for your ISP (internet service provider); they’ll see that you’re connected to Mullvad, but not your activity. It also means that all the third-party actors with technology integrated into the various websites you visit can’t sniff out your IP address and use it to track you from one site to another. Using a trustworthy VPN is a great first step to reclaim your privacy online. In combination with Mullvad Browser you make sure to block third-party cookies and other tracking technologies. FREE THE INTERNET FROM MASS SURVEILLANCE AND DATA COLLECTION A free and open society is a society where people have the right to privacy. That’s why we fight for a free internet. Free from mass surveillance and censorship. Free from big data markets where your personal information is up for sale. Free from authorities mass monitoring every click you make. Free from an infrastructure mapping your whole life. Mullvad VPN and Mullvad Browser is our contribution to the fight. TELEMETRY AND CRASH REPORTS The app collects a very minimal amount of telemetry, and it does not in any way tie it to an account number, IP or other identifiable information. Account numbers are used for authentication. App logs are never sent automatically but are rather explicitly sent by the user. App version checks are performed every 24 hours to tell the app if there are any upgrades available and if the currently running version is still supported.

Screenshots

OpenVPN Connect4 screens
Mullvad VPN4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is rating: OpenVPN Connect at 4.8 against Mullvad VPN's 4.1. OpenVPN Connect also leads on in-app purchases (none vs 4) and ratings volume (40K vs 1.5K). Mullvad VPN's advantage is update cadence (monthly vs every 4 months) and review sentiment (58% vs 45%). On price, ads and device support there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

Both are free to download. Mullvad VPN sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. OpenVPN Connect asks for nothing beyond the download.

ReceptionRating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings

OpenVPN Connect holds the better App Store score, 4.8 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: OpenVPN Connect has 40K ratings behind it against 1.5K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews complicate that: 45% of OpenVPN Connect's written reviews are positive against 58% of Mullvad VPN's, so the app with the better star average is not the one people write more warmly about.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

OpenVPN Connect ships an update every 4 months, Mullvad VPN monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 28, 2026 and October 27, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard8 real differences · 3 level
OpenVPN Connect versus Mullvad VPN: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterOpenVPN ConnectMullvad VPN
PriceFreeFree
Rating4.8 (40K ratings) — better4.1 (1.5K ratings)
Positive reviews44.9% of reviews58.4% of reviews — better
Number of ratings40K — better1.5K
Update frequencyEvery 4 monthsMonthly — better
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationFree — betterSubscription
Best chart rank#161#49 — better
DevicesiPhone, iPad, iPod — betteriPhone, iPad
Requires iOS15.0 — better17.0
Further details — not scored
Size31 MB56 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperOpenVPN Inc.Mullvad VPN AB

Customer experience

OpenVPN Connect

All ratings40,020 ratings
Positive95.9%
Neutral1.1%
Negative2.9%
Written reviews1,558 reviews
Positive44.9%
Neutral9.2%
Negative46.0%

Mullvad VPN

All ratings1,469 ratings
Positive76.6%
Neutral4.6%
Negative18.8%
Written reviews589 reviews
Positive58.4%
Neutral8.3%
Negative33.3%

User reviews

OpenVPN Connect

From 40K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and reliable VPN connection
  • 🔒 Secure and trustworthy VPN client
  • 👍 Easy to set up and use
  • 🌟 Excellent customer support

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Occasional connection issues and disconnects
  • 🔋 Drains battery life
  • 📱 Compatibility issues with newer iOS versions
  • 🤔 Confusing setup process for some users

Mullvad VPN

From 1.5K App Store ratings

What we love

  • 🚀 Fast and reliable connection
  • 🔒 Excellent privacy and security
  • 👍 Simple and intuitive interface
  • 💰 Affordable pricing
  • 🌐 Wide server selection

Room to improve

  • 🐛 Frequent disconnects and reconnection issues
  • 🔋 High battery drain
  • ⚠️ Blocked by some websites and services
  • 🌍 Limited server availability in certain regions

Bugs and requests

OpenVPN Connect

Reported bugs

4 issues
  • Black screen issue after app update
  • Profiles not working after app update
  • Inability to connect to home network after update
  • Slow performance and intermittent connectivity

Requested features

4 requests
  • Add support for Elliptic Curve Crypto
  • Improve profile management and editing
  • Integrate with iOS Files app for easier configuration
  • Implement automatic reconnect and kill switch features

Mullvad VPN

Reported bugs

3 issues
  • App freezes or becomes unresponsive
  • Inability to connect or reconnect after device idle or network changes
  • Inconsistent behavior across iOS versions

Requested features

4 requests
  • Split tunneling support
  • Favorite/frequently used server options
  • Automatic server selection based on performance
  • Integration with iOS features (e.g., Control Center, Shortcuts)

In-app purchases

None

OpenVPN Connect

No in-app purchases

4 purchases

Mullvad VPN

One-time4
  • 30 day subscription$5.69
  • 30 days subscription$5.89
  • 90 day subscription$16.90
Show 1 more
  • 90 days subscription$17.49

Questions

Is OpenVPN Connect free?
OpenVPN Connect is free to download, with no in-app purchases.
Is Mullvad VPN free?
Mullvad VPN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Which has better reviews, OpenVPN Connect or Mullvad VPN?
OpenVPN Connect is rated higher. OpenVPN Connect averages 4.8 out of 5 from 40K ratings, while Mullvad VPN averages 4.1 from 1.5K ratings.
Do OpenVPN Connect or Mullvad VPN have ads?
Neither OpenVPN Connect nor Mullvad VPN shows ads.
Which is updated more often, OpenVPN Connect or Mullvad VPN?
OpenVPN Connect ships an update every 4 months, and Mullvad VPN monthly. Most recently, OpenVPN Connect was updated on October 28, 2026 and Mullvad VPN on October 27, 2026.
Which is more popular, OpenVPN Connect or Mullvad VPN?
OpenVPN Connect currently peaks at #161 in the App Store charts, and Mullvad VPN at #49. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

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