OpenVPN Connect vs Mullvad VPN
Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.
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.
- Secure VPN tunneling
- AES-256 encryption & TLS 1.3
- MDM-friendly configuration
- Device posture checks
- Seamless split-tunneling
- Kill switch protection
- MFA authentication support
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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.
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.
- Anonymous account creation
- No activity logs
- Anonymous payment options
- WireGuard protocol
- Encrypted traffic tunnel
- Blocks third-party cookies (with companion browser)
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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
Verdict
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
Both are free to download. Mullvad VPN sells 4 one-off in-app purchases. OpenVPN Connect asks for nothing beyond the download.
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.
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.
| Parameter | OpenVPN Connect | Mullvad VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | 4.8 (40K ratings) — better | 4.1 (1.5K ratings) |
| Positive reviews | 44.9% of reviews | 58.4% of reviews — better |
| Number of ratings | 40K — better | 1.5K |
| Update frequency | Every 4 months | Monthly — better |
| Ads | No | No |
| In-app purchases | No — better | Yes |
| Monetization | Free — better | Subscription |
| Best chart rank | #161 | #49 — better |
| Devices | iPhone, iPad, iPod — better | iPhone, iPad |
| Requires iOS | 15.0 — better | 17.0 |
| Further details — not scored | ||
| Size | 31 MB | 56 MB |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | OpenVPN Inc. | Mullvad VPN AB |
Customer experience
OpenVPN Connect
Mullvad VPN
User reviews
OpenVPN Connect
From 40K App Store ratingsWhat 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 ratingsWhat 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
OpenVPN Connect
No in-app purchases
Mullvad VPN
- 30 day subscription$5.69
- 30 days subscription$5.89
- 90 day subscription$16.90
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- 90 days subscription$17.49
Questions
Is OpenVPN Connect free?
Is Mullvad VPN free?
Which has better reviews, OpenVPN Connect or Mullvad VPN?
Do OpenVPN Connect or Mullvad VPN have ads?
Which is updated more often, OpenVPN Connect or Mullvad VPN?
Which is more popular, OpenVPN Connect or Mullvad VPN?
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