Mozilla VPN review (2024)
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Learn moreOnly a handful of emerging VPNs can boast about their dedication to online privacy as much as Mozilla VPN. Coming from the developers of the popular Mozilla Firefox browser, it has received attention from online privacy enthusiasts since its initial release in 2020.
Supported by the non-profit Mozilla Foundation, Mozilla VPN borrows servers from another privacy-focused VPN, Mullvad. In fact, it is almost a watered-down Mullvad version with robust essential VPN features, like WireGuard protocol, split-tunneling, and a kill switch.
On the other hand, its poor streaming performance and limited server fleet cannot compete with industry giants like NordVPN, which supplements cybersecurity benefits with quality-of-life features. In this Mozilla VPN review, we will scrutinize everything it brings to the table. Let's see if Mozilla VPN is good and the right choice for you.
⭐ Rating: | |
🥇 Overall rank: | #17 out of #41 |
📖 No logs policy: | No logs |
💵 Price: | From $4.99/month |
🖥️ Servers: | 500 + servers in 30 countries |
🍿 Streaming services: | Netflix US, 9Now, and more |
🔥 Coupons: | Cybernews VPN Coupons |
Mozilla VPN pros and cons
We spare no effort to test the products & their features. All information is gathered by our in-house research team & fact-checked by our team of experts. Discover the ins and outs of our testing procedures.
Is Mozilla VPN safe?
Yes, Mozilla VPN is safe. It underwent two security audits by Cure53 in 2021 and 2023, with the latter outlining significant app security improvements. Although Cure53 found two major vulnerabilities, Mozilla claims they have been fixed, and the same thing happened with issues found in the 2021 audit.
Encryption | AES-256 |
Tunneling protocols | WireGuard |
Kill switch | Yes |
Ad blocker | Yes |
RAM servers | No |
Privacy policy | No logs |
This VPN runs on the WireGuard protocol, which is considered one of the safest and fastest contemporary open-source VPN tunneling protocols. A multi-hop feature and a functional kill switch add an extra layer of security. However, its data leak checker is available only as a stand-alone Mozilla app that VPN leaders like Surfshark or NordVPN integrate within theirs.
Encryption
Although Mozilla does not explicitly state its encryption intricacies, it uses the AES-256 algorithm with the ChaCha20 cipher. We know that because Mozilla borrows servers from Mullvad, which is evident if you double-check the Mozilla VPN server list that directs to the Mullvad website.
We've got nothing bad to say about this setup. AES-256 is a worldwide electronic data security standard Mozilla VPN strengthens with the ChaCha20 cipher, almost identically to Surfshark. Mullvad's complete transition to RAM-only servers supports Mozilla's no-logs claims, which you can learn more about in our full Mullvad review.
No-logs policy
Mozilla VPN explicitly states that it does not track, collect, or share user browser data. It has not gone through an independent no-logs audit, but Mozilla's solid dedication to online privacy is more than just promises.
However, we are concerned about a few hiccups. Firstly, Mozilla VPN stores users' original IP addresses for 90 days to provide geographically restricted service. Second, it is headquartered in the US, one of the founders of the Five Eyes Alliance. Mozilla Foundation privacy values are celebratory, but until an independent audit proves Mozilla VPN's no-logs claim, we recommend considering a pick from the best no-logs VPN list.
Kill switch
A kill switch is essential for any secure VPN to prevent IP leaks during network issues. After not finding this feature in the app, we tested Mozilla VPN to learn that it enables a kill switch by default without the ability to turn it off, contributing to online safety.
Whenever your connection drops while connected to Mozilla VPN's servers, it will stop all internet traffic, preventing IP leaks. Some users will lament the lack of customization, but this slight restriction is a tiny nuisance compared to the risks of forgetting to turn the kill switch on.
Multi-hop
Mozilla VPN's multi-hop is a double VPN feature for an additional layer of online anonymity. The user chooses entry and exit servers, like connecting to the VPN server in Paris (entry) and a second one in Sydney (exit).
This way, there is no direct relation between the user device and the VPN server communicating with the World Wide Web. It's a particularly useful feature for political activists, journalists, and committed online privacy defenders. We have tested Mozilla's multi-hop by connecting to Albania from an Australian server, and it successfully obfuscated the entry server details, as seen in the image below.
Custom DNS
This is one of a few genuinely customizable Mozilla VPN features. As expected, the default Mozilla VPN DNS servers work well, hiding users' online activities from internet service providers (ISPs) or other online surveillance agencies. However, in the app settings, you can input a custom DNS, like Cloudflare, or even implement your own with much more freedom.
Mozilla VPN pricing: how much does it cost?
The server network is not the only thing Mozilla VPN borrows from Mullvad. It also follows a simplistic payment model without different tiers or biannual subscriptions. You only have two options: pay once per month or once per year for the same service.
Whichever you choose, you can use Mozilla VPN on up to five devices and access all its features. The lack of tiered payment plans limits consumer choice, while others enjoy the simplified subscription.
Mozilla VPN costs $9.99 per month but drops the price in half to $4.99/mo if you pay $59.88 upfront for the whole year.
Considering this VPN's lack of additional features, it's on the more expensive side of the VPN pricing spectrum. For example, NordVPN offers a server network that is ten times larger, starting from $3.09 per month, and even more feature-rich Mullvad costs half a buck less than Mozilla VPN.
Nevertheless, the fully-developed VPN is worth the steep price for many who admire Mozilla's brand. There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee to take it out for a run, but no free trial or version.
Speed: how fast is Mozilla VPN?
For a complete view, it's paramount to answer what Mozilla VPN server speed is. The WireGuard protocol is speedy, but we were astonished at Mozilla's consistent speed test results regardless of server proximity. Of course, latency fluctuations are more common on distant servers or using multi-hop, yet the connection speed remains superb. Take a look at the numbers below:
Speed tests (Baseline: 1ms ping, 500 Mbps download and 500 Mbps upload speed)
Country | Ping | Download speed (retained original speed, %) | Upload speed (retained original speed, %) |
Australia | 353 ms | 441 Mbps (retained 88,2%) | 288 Mbps (retained 57,6%) |
Brazil | 243 ms | 467 Mbps (retained 93,4%) | 403 Mbps (retained 80,6%) |
Canada | 111 ms | 475 Mbps (retained 95%) | 242 Mbps (retained 48,4%) |
Germany | 37 ms | 472 Mbps (retained 94,4%) | 473 Mbps (retained 94,6%) |
Japan | 275 ms | 465 Mbps (retained 93%) | 276 Mbps (retained 55,2%) |
UK | 35 ms | 476 Mbps (retained 95,2%) | 446 Mbps (retained 89,2%) |
US (NY) | 102 ms | 473 Mbps (retained 94,6%) | 195 Mbps (retained 39%) |
That answers how fast Mozilla VPN is – it's lightning fast. The ping difference is quite significant when connected to faraway Australian or Brazilian servers but remains within limits compared to other VPNs.
More importantly, Mozilla VPN manages to retain more than 88% of the initial download and approximately 66% of upload speeds. This is on par with the fastest VPNs, and kudos to Mozilla for a secure and lag-free online browsing experience.
Mozilla VPN vs other VPN services
Mozilla VPN | NordVPN | Surfshark | Atlas VPN | ExpressVPN | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rating | |||||
Free version | Yes | Yes, 7-day | Yes, 7-day | Yes | Yes, 7-day for mobile devices |
Price (lowest price per month) | $4.99/month | $3.09/month | $2.19/month | $1.64/month | $6.67/month |
Unblocked streaming services | Netflix US, 9Now, and more | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more |
Servers | 500 + servers in 30 countries | 6300+ servers in 111 countries | 3200+ servers in 100 countries | 1000+ servers in 42 countries | 3000+ servers in 105 countries |
Logging | No logs | No logs, independently audited twice by PwC | No logs, independently audited by Cure 53 | No logs | No logs, independently audited by Cure53 |
Devices per account | 5 | 10 | Unlimited | Unlimited | 8 |
Country | United States | Panama | The Netherlands | United States | British Virgin Islands |
If you want to learn more about how Mozilla VPN compares to others, head to our in-depth comparisons below:
- NordVPN vs Mozilla VPN: who's on top?
- Mozilla VPN vs ExpressVPN: which one is better?
How to download and install Mozilla VPN?
Mozilla VPN is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Mobile users can visit the Google Play or Apple App Store and download from there. Otherwise, getting this VPN from the official Mozilla website is effortless. Here's how:
- Go to the official Mozilla VPN website
- Choose your device type
- Click on Get Mozilla VPN and wait for the download to finish
- Open the downloaded MozillaVPN.msi file
- Allow it to make changes to your computer
- Mozilla VPN will launch after installation. Click on the Get Started button
- Sign in with your Mozilla account credentials or create an account on the official Mozilla website, and you're all set
How to use Mozilla VPN?
Mozilla VPN has a beginner-friendly and intuitive app design. Whether on PC or mobile, it takes only a few clicks to connect to a server or access settings options. Here's how to stay safe online with Mozilla VPN:
- Launch Mozilla VPN and login to your Mozilla account
- Move the slide at the center from left to right until it shows that the VPN is on
- Alternatively, click on Select location and choose a preferred server
- Go to Mozilla VPN Settings in the lower-right corner
- Here, you can block ads, customize DNS, or exclude apps
Mozilla VPN servers and locations
When you go to the Mozilla VPN website to inquire about its servers, you will be redirected to Mullvad's server list that Mozilla uses. Both prioritize quality over quantity, yet the 500+ server network in 30 countries cannot keep up with the best VPNs, such as CyberGhost, that offer thousands of high-quality servers in thrice as many countries.
Mozilla VPN does not disclose exact server statistics. However, based on our tests and Mullvad's public information, most are located in North America and Europe, followed by fewer in the Asia-Pacific region and a handful in Africa and South America. Although it's a relatively common worldwide server spread in the VPN industry, the limited Mozilla VPN network may cause some issues for genuinely unrestricted internet access.
What's more, Mozilla VPN is also a geographically restricted service, available only in 33 countries. It is currently available in Northern America and most of the European Union, with poor availability outside these regions. Please follow this link for a complete list of Mozilla VPN-supported countries.
Is Mozilla VPN good for streaming?
No, Mozilla VPN is not good for streaming, just like its predecessor, Mullvad. We attempted to unblock the most popular UK, US, and Australian Netflix libraries but failed. Netflix identified a VPN connection and showed no shows or movies ordinarily unavailable to us.
The same happened when accessing Amazon Prime Video, YouTube TV, Hulu, and Max. However, Mozilla VPN unblocked BBC iPlayer after many server changes, cache cleaning, and browser switching.
Only the UK and US YouTube videos were unlocked with little effort.
Platform | Does it work? |
Netflix | ❌ |
YouTube TV | ✅ |
Amazon Prime Video | ❌ |
BBC iPlayer | ✅ |
Hulu | ❌ |
Max | ❌ |
Overall, Mozilla VPN is unsuitable for streaming. However, if you manage to make it work on a few streaming sites like BBC iPlayer and YouTube, you can expect HD video without buffering. We recommend perusing the best VPN for streaming if you want easy worldwide content access.
Is Mozilla VPN good for torrenting?
We've reviewed Mozilla VPN's peer-to-peer traffic capabilities and can confirm that it is suited for torrenting. Although it does not have specialty P2P servers, it allows torrenting on all our tested servers.
We used two separate torrenting clients to download a 5 GB size Ubuntu ISO file that took around 4 minutes to finish without a VPN. Both clients showed similar results while connected to Mozilla VPN. While connected to a nearby server in Germany, the download was prolonged only by 10 seconds. Conversely, it took two minutes and a half longer when connected to a distant server in the US.
Apart from minor speed fluctuations, there were no significant interruptions. Furthermore, knowing that the kill switch is enabled by default was comforting and makes us wonder whether Mozilla VPN can be considered one of the best VPNs for torrenting.
Interface and ease of use
Mozilla VPN is one of the nicest-looking VPN apps we've seen. Its desktop and mobile applications look alike and have the same minimalistic design approach.
Windows
The Mozilla VPN Windows app greets you with a simple home screen to quickly connect to a server, select a different location, and a small toolbar at the bottom. You will find a list of countries if you go to select a server location, which also lets you choose multi-hop servers.
The settings menu is on the lower right. There, you can use App exclusion (split tunneling), manage privacy features like ad blocking and malware protection, change DNS and language settings, and allow Mozilla VPN to connect on startup.
It is evident that this VPN was developed by the owners of one of the most popular web browsers. The app design is spectacular.
macOS
Mozilla VPN macOS app is nearly identical to its Windows counterpart. The only difference is that you will not find the App exclusion feature on it because of macOS application privilege policies.
Otherwise, at first glance, it would be hard to differentiate between the Windows and macOS apps.
Mobile
Mozilla VPN mobile apps mirror their desktop versions with the same layout. They have the same features, except for the lack of split tunneling in the iOS version.
We have to admit that the lack of Dark Mode was an unwelcome surprise in otherwise stunning VPN mobile apps.
Other Mozilla VPN features
There's little to tell about additional Mozilla VPN features, as the bare-bones privacy protection tool provides only a few. This VPN offers sufficient and robust essential VPN features. However, considering how much Mozilla VPN costs, we'd like to have more, like specialty servers, Smart DNS technology, and more than one tunneling protocol.
Currently, Mozilla VPN offers these additional features.
App exclusion
App exclusion is Mozilla's way of calling the split tunneling feature. It allows separating apps that use the VPN connection from those that route through the ISP.
For example, you can select a torrenting client to use the VPN tunnel while letting Wolt use your location data so the pizza guy knows where to deliver your order.
Privacy features
Mozilla VPN has an in-built ad, tracker, and malware blocker. We tested AdBlock on canyoublockit.com, which successfully turned off numerous ads, banners, pop-ups, and push notifications.
On the other hand, Adblock-tester.com assigned Mozilla VPN a 67 out of 100 score because it missed some GIF and static images. Mozilla VPN successfully blocked numerous ads and pop-ups on visited websites during our tests.
Multi-Account Containers
This additional benefit is only relevant to Firefox web browser users using its Containers add-on. The latter allows you to create multiple tabs that do not share cookies or other information. This way, you can open personal and work emails simultaneously without logging in and out. Mozilla VPN lets you choose a VPN location for each container, like setting a UK server for the BBC iPlayer tab. Although not particularly practical, it's a cool feature for Firefox Containers users.
Mozilla VPN customer support
Developed by a non-profit, Mozilla VPN has limited customer support options. The lack of 24/7 live chat is compensated for by a vast knowledge base and self-help articles. However, small businesses or WFH employees should not expect speedy assistance on the spot.
Mozilla VPN | |
24/7 live chat | ❌ |
✅ | |
Phone line | ❌ |
Guides or articles | ✅ |
FAQs | ✅ |
Apart from genuinely helpful articles, users can submit an email ticket via the Mozilla VPN app or website. Mozilla promises to respond within two business days. However, from our experience, it sometimes takes longer than that.
Why should you choose Mozilla VPN?
Mozilla VPN is fast, secure, and has privacy at its heart. This VPN might not be in the spotlight without the parent Mozilla Foundation – renowned fighters for online safety and privacy. One way or another, we are excited to see another high-quality VPN fighting the good fight.
Below are the key points why Mozilla VPN can be your top pick:
- You want a VPN that puts privacy first. Mozilla's brand attracts gearheads looking for professional developers to solve serious internet issues.
- You require connection speed above all else. Mozilla VPN's servers are high-speed, and even though this VPN is unsuited for streaming, you can enjoy private buffer-free browsing.
- You're looking for a straightforward VPN solution. Many use VPNs to secure public Wi-Fi and block ads and nothing more. This VPN has the essentials and one of the most comfortable VPN apps we've seen.
- Cross-device compatibility. You can use this VPN on all major operating systems with an easy setup. Mozilla VPN allows securing up to five devices, coming close to some of the best VPNs for multiple devices.
Mozilla VPN review: final verdict
Mozilla VPN is one of the most exciting recent VPN industry additions. Mulvad's speedy server network, spectacular app design, and talented developers promise much. Furthermore, the VPN has already undergone two security audits and provides much-needed privacy features, like AES-256 encryption, ad blocking, and a kill switch.
On the other hand, it still left us wanting more. NordVPN has a much more extensive server fleet, more features, and costs less. Surfshark provides unlimited device support, works well with streaming, and has an even smaller price tag. To summarize, there are more viable options for your money, but none are from Mozilla, which is a considerable reason to subscribe.
How we tested Mozilla VPN
To understand how Mozilla VPN works, we tested it on Windows and macOS devices and verified Android and iOS app performance. We have checked the upload/download speed using different servers, days, and hours to see performance at all times.
Besides that, we checked how the kill switch performs simulating network outages. We also examined its ad block capabilities, split tunneling feature, DNS and IP leaks, geo-block evasion, and customer support response.
FAQ
Is Mozilla VPN any good in 2024?
Mozilla VPN is a solid choice for online privacy enthusiasts who don't mind spending extra on cybersecurity. Although this VPN lacks a few features, like NordVPN's specialty servers, it offers VPN essentials like the WireGuard protocol, AES-256 encryption, kill switch, split tunneling, and more.
Does Mozilla VPN work with Netflix?
No, Mozilla VPN is not optimized for streaming Netflix. Its limited server fleet and the lack of Smart DNS technology are quickly noticed by Netflix, resulting in the inability to access foreign cinema. Instead, we recommend choosing the best streaming VPN proven to unblock worldwide Netflix libraries.
Who is Mozilla VPN owned by?
Mozilla VPN was developed and is owned by Mozilla. This free software community is famous for open-source solutions that improve internet safety and ease of use. Mozilla VPN is supported by the American non-profit Mozilla Foundation, which also supports the popular Mozilla Firefox browser.
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