Mullvad Browser vs Tor Browser
Mullvad Browser
mullvad.net
Tor Browser
torproject.orgSide by side
| Figure | Mullvad Browser | Tor Browser |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Android | — | Yes |
| API | — | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Web browsers | 8.7 (#22) | 9.1 (#10) |
| Spec score · Privacy browsers | 8.7 (#6) | 9.1 (#4) |
| Founded | 2023 | 2006 |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | Mullvad describes the browser as open source and free of charge. | Yes |
| Supported platforms | both | both |
| Purpose | Mullvad Browser is designed to minimize tracking and browser fingerprinting. | Tor Browser routes web traffic through the Tor network to help hide a user's real IP address and resist tracking, surveillance, and censorship. |
| Support | Mullvad lists [email protected] as its contact address for questions about the browser. | Tor Project provides a user support team and recommends its public forum for help; its support channels focus on assisting Tor users in censored regions. |
| Tracker blocking | It includes uBlock Origin to block third-party trackers. | Each website is isolated so third-party trackers and ads cannot follow the user, and cookies are cleared when the session ends. |
Plans
In their own words
Mullvad Browser
Mullvad Browser is a free, open-source browser designed to reduce tracking and browser fingerprinting. It uses the Gecko engine and runs on supported versions of Linux, macOS and Windows; the Windows version requires Windows 10 or later and a 64-bit system. Fingerprinting protection is intended to make users appear more similar to one another, and uBlock Origin is included to block third-party trackers. The browser also includes ad blocking. Private mode is enabled by default, so cookies, cache and history are not saved between sessions, and a reset button starts a clean session in one click. Mullvad says it has removed browser telemetry. The browser can connect with or without a VPN, but it does not use the Tor Network; it was developed in collaboration with the Tor Project. Cross-device sync is not available. Mullvad says it does not earn money from the browser and instead earns income from its VPN service. Support questions can be sent to [email protected].
Tor Browser
Tor Browser routes its own web traffic through the Tor network to help hide a user's real IP address and resist tracking, surveillance, and censorship. Based on Mozilla Firefox ESR, it adds measures such as letterboxing, user-agent spoofing, and first-party isolation to make browser fingerprinting harder. Connections to different websites use different Tor circuits, while connections to the same website address use the same circuit. HTTPS-Only Mode upgrades connections to HTTPS where possible. Standard, Safer, and Safest security levels restrict browser features to varying degrees, which can cause some pages to work improperly. The browser can access onion services, and users in censored regions can configure bridges during setup. It is free, open-source software for Android, Linux, macOS, and Windows. Only Tor Browser traffic goes through Tor; other applications on the device are not automatically protected. The Tor Project recommends verifying download signatures and strongly discourages extra browser add-ons because they can affect privacy, security, or functionality.