PIA vs Mullvad: Deal-Chasing vs Flat Rate
PIA and Mullvad represent opposite ends of the VPN pricing philosophy — PIA with aggressive introductory discounts and significant renewal jumps, Mullvad with a flat €5/mo that never changes. Here's the 5-year math.
| Scenario | PIA | Mullvad |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1–2 (intro rate) | $1.33/mo × 26mo = $34.58 (26mo plan) | €5/mo × 24mo = €120 |
| Year 3 (annual renewal) | ~$3.33/mo × 12 = $39.96 | €5/mo × 12 = €60 |
| Year 4 (annual renewal) | ~$3.33/mo × 12 = $39.96 | €5/mo × 12 = €60 |
| 4-year total | ~$114.50 | ~€300 (~$330 at current rates) |
| Per month (4-year avg) | ~$2.39/mo | €5.00/mo (~$5.50) |
Mullvad is no affiliate link — Mullvad directly.
PIA Wins on Price
PIA is significantly cheaper over 4 years — roughly half the cost of Mullvad when the introductory rate is used for the first 26 months and annual renewal rate applies after. The gap is real and substantial. For price-sensitive users, PIA is the obvious choice on cost alone.
Why People Still Choose Mullvad
Mullvad's flat pricing eliminates: renewal rate anxiety, the need to renegotiate at renewal, the intro/renewal math, and the annual decision about whether to re-subscribe at a new intro rate. Users who value simplicity and predictability pay more for the flat structure. Mullvad also allows anonymous account creation (no email required) and accepts cash — a privacy model that PIA (owned by Kape) doesn't replicate.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PIA actually cheaper than Mullvad?
Significantly yes — over 4 years, PIA's average cost including introductory and renewal rates is roughly half of Mullvad's flat €5/mo. PIA's no-logs policy is also court-validated. The reasons to choose Mullvad over PIA are pricing simplicity and privacy model, not cost.
Does Mullvad ever run sales or discounts?
No — Mullvad explicitly does not discount. Their flat €5/mo pricing is a design choice, not an oversight. They've maintained this rate for over two decades. No seasonal deals, no referral programs, no affiliate commissions.
Who owns PIA and does that matter?
PIA is owned by Kape Technologies (which also owns CyberGhost and ExpressVPN). Kape was formerly Crossrider, an adware company. The no-logs policy has been independently validated through US court cases. Whether Kape's ownership matters depends on your threat model — for most users, the court-validated no-logs record is sufficient assurance.