Mullvad VPN

Why Privacy Maximalists Choose Mullvad

Mullvad is the gold standard for privacy in the VPN industry. Unlike every other provider, Mullvad requires no email, no name, no payment identity—you receive a random account number and can pay with cash mailed in an envelope. This makes it the VPN of choice for journalists, activists, and anyone requiring true anonymity.

However, privacy and China connectivity are different challenges. While Mullvad scores a 10/10 for trust, its native WireGuard protocol is instantly blocked by the Great Firewall's DPI systems, resulting in a 6.5/10 for China usability—unless you know the expert workaround.

Why Native WireGuard Fails in China

WireGuard is a modern, fast VPN protocol—but its efficiency is its downfall in China. The protocol uses UDP exclusively with a distinctive packet structure that GFW classifiers identify within milliseconds.

The specific detection vector is the UDP header fingerprint. WireGuard's handshake pattern is so consistent that even encrypted, the packet timing and size distribution reveals the protocol. GFW blocks these connections before they complete.

The Expert Bypass: WireGuard Over TCP

The solution that keeps Mullvad functional in China is encapsulating WireGuard inside a TCP tunnel. By wrapping WireGuard packets in a SOCKS5 or Shadowsocks proxy, the traffic mimics ordinary HTTPS web browsing.

Mullvad's "Bridge" feature enables this, but it requires manual configuration file editing. The official app doesn't expose a one-click option—you need to download .conf files and modify them to route through the bridge servers.

Many experts prefer using third-party clients like Clash or v2rayNG which handle the obfuscation layer more reliably and allow switching between bridge servers when one becomes congested or blocked.

Strengths and Limitations

Mullvad vs Astrill: Which Should You Choose?

This isn't a competition—they serve different purposes:

• Choose Mullvad if your threat model requires anonymity. For journalists, activists, or anyone who cannot have their VPN usage traced to their identity, Mullvad's accountless system and cash payment option are irreplaceable.
• Choose Astrill if you want reliable, fast, one-click connectivity for daily use—streaming, video calls, browsing. Astrill's 9.6/10 score reflects its "it just works" nature.

Who Should Use Mullvad

• Journalists and activists requiring untraceable VPN access
• Privacy maximalists who refuse to provide personal information
• Technical users comfortable with config file editing
• Anyone needing an anonymous backup tunnel
• Users who pay with cryptocurrency or cash for privacy

Not recommended for: VPN beginners, users who need guaranteed uptime, or anyone wanting a simple one-click solution.

Setup Instructions (Bridge Mode)

1. Generate account: Visit mullvad.net and receive your random account number
2. Add time: Pay via crypto, cash, or card (5€/month)
3. Download configs: Get WireGuard .conf files for Japan/Hong Kong servers
4. Enable bridge: Edit the config to enable the Bridge/SOCKS5 proxy section
5. Target port 443: Ensure your connection uses port 443 for maximum stealth
6. Alternative: Use Clash or v2rayNG for better bridge management