Mozilla Firefox VPN Review

“A good initiative by a company that prioritizes user privacy. However, the Mozilla VPN, which uses Mullvad VPN’s infrastructure doesn’t have Mullvad’s unique account privacy feature.”

Mozilla is renowned company that has played a pivotal role in advocating for an open and accessible internet. The Firefox web browser is their best-known product. Mozilla’s impact extends beyond the Firefox browser, as it actively engages in projects related to online privacy, web literacy, and digital inclusion.

One such project is the Mozilla VPN. It designed the Mozilla VPN with a strong focus on user privacy and security. It aimed to provide an additional layer of protection for users’ online activities by encrypting their internet connections and shielding them from potential threats. Mozilla, known for its commitment to open-source principles, aimed to bring these values to the VPN space by offering a service that prioritizes user control and transparency.

Mozilla VPN’s no-logs policy was a notable feature, ensuring that it did not collect or store users’ browsing data, enhancing user privacy. It also has support for multiple devices (Windows, Mac, Linux, smartphone apps), making it accessible to a wide range of users. With servers in various countries, Mozilla VPN allows users to access geo-restricted content and maintain anonymity online. While its availability was initially limited to the United States and a few other countries, Mozilla was actively expanding its reach to other regions, underlining its dedication to offering privacy-focused solutions on a global scale. At the time of reviewing Mozilla VPN, it is available for subscription in just under 20 countries.

This is the review of Mozilla VPN. In this review, we will discuss the basic features of Mozilla VPN, how easy it is to install and setup Mozilla VPN on different platforms, take a look at its infrastructure and connectivity speeds, support for apps on different devices, and many more. Continue reading the review to find out more about our thoughts and experiences of using the Mozilla VPN.

Mozilla-Firefox-VPN-FeaturesWhat We Like

  • Uses WireGuard VPN Protocol

  • Based on Mullvad VPN’s Network

  • No Bandwidth Limitations

  • Blocks Ads and Trackers

  • Multi-hop feature

  • Strict No-Log Policy

  • Independent 3rd-party Auditing

  • Connect up to 5 Devices (some might not like this)

  • Split Tunneling (only on Android App)


What We Don’t Like

  • Only 500 Servers in 39 Countries

  • Needs Account Info for Login (Unlike Mullvad)

  • Cannot Unlock Many Streaming Services

  • Lacks basic as well as advanced features

  • Slightly costly than Mullvad VPN (but less expensive than other VPNs)

Check on Mozilla

Bottom Line
Mozilla VPN is a relatively new VPN from the house that also created Firefox. You can call Mozilla as the resellers of Mullvad VPN as essentially the Mozilla VPN is just a front to popular Mullvad VPN. While it uses the infrastructure from Mullvad (so you can expect similar performance if you are a direct Mullvad subscriber), Mozilla skips an important (and unique) feature of Mullvad; the complete anonymity. Mullvad doesn’t need your name, e-mail id, and even takes cash as payment. For Mozilla VPN, you need to provide some basic personal information.

IN THIS ARTICLE


Initial Setup

Similar to several other VPN services, even Mozilla VPN is available for multiple platforms. But the disappointing thing is Mozilla VPN supports only Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. There is no information availability for other devices such as smart TVs, Routers, etc.

That said, installing and setting up Mozilla VPN on all the supported devices is very simple. Your first step is to sign up for Mozilla VPN via the official website. Once you have signed up, you can download the Mozilla VPN app for Windows, Mac or Linux (commands) directly from the official website.

Installation is very straightforward and all you have to do is follow the on-screen instructions. After installation, we have to launch the application sign in with Mozilla VPN account credentials. Once you’ve signed in, you’ll be shown a list of VPN servers in various locations. Select the server you want to connect to and click “Connect”. Once you’re connected, you will receive a notification that lets you know you’ve connected to a VPN. Your internet traffic will now be encrypted and routed through your chosen VPN server.


Safety and Privacy

Mozilla VPN offers a comprehensive suite of features that prioritize user privacy, security, and transparency. Mozilla VPN actively blocks advertisers from tracking your online activity, providing a shield against intrusive ads and maintaining your privacy. This feature helps prevent targeted ads from following you across the web, making your browsing experience more focused and less intrusive. Mozilla VPN goes beyond just securing your web browser by encrypting all your internet traffic. This means that all the apps and services on your device benefit from the same level of protection, whether it is web browsing, email, or any other online activity. Your data remains confidential and shielded from potential eavesdroppers.

The VPN includes robust malware protection measures to safeguard your device from downloading malicious content from known unsafe sources. This proactive approach helps prevent malware infections and ensures the safety of your device and data. Mozilla VPN offers an extra layer of security through its multi-hop feature. This advanced privacy option routes your internet traffic through two different locations, further obscuring your online identity and making it significantly harder for anyone to trace your online activities.

With Mozilla VPN, you have the flexibility to use custom DNS servers while keeping your traffic protected. This feature enables you to route your DNS queries wherever you prefer, giving you greater control over your online experience. To provide peace of mind to users, Mozilla VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. This allows users to try the service risk-free and ensure it meets their privacy and security needs.

Mozilla VPN has a strict no-logs policy, which means it doesn’t collect, track, or share any of your network data or personal browsing information. Your online activities remain entirely private, reinforcing your confidence in using the service. It is built transparently with open-source code, making all its code publicly accessible. This transparency ensures that the service can be audited and reviewed by security experts and the community, promoting trust and accountability. Speaking of audits, the VPN service has undergone security audits by third-party experts, including Cure53, a prominent cybersecurity auditing firm. The results of these audits are available for users to review, showcasing Mozilla VPN’s commitment to maintaining a high level of security.

An important thing we would like to discuss is the Mozilla’s requirement for user data. If you go with Mullvad VPN, you don’t have to give any of your personal details including e-mail ID. For payment, they take all sorts of extreme payment methods such as cash and cryptocurrencies in addition to the traditional payment options such as credit cards or online payments. This adds a step further in favor of the privacy that Mullvad offers.

Mozilla VPN however, despite using Mullvad’s infrastructure, takes some user data (you need to create an account with Mozilla in order to use Mozilla VPN) even though they say they have a no-log policy. Coming to payment, Mozilla accepts only traditional payment methods i.e., credit cards or PayPal.


Other Features

Mozilla VPN offers a robust set of features designed to provide users with a secure, versatile, and high-performance VPN experience. Mozilla VPN offers users access to a network of over 500 servers strategically located in more than 30 countries around the world. This widespread server coverage allows users to select from a diverse range of server locations, enhancing their ability to bypass geo-restrictions and access content from different regions. Whether you want to access region-specific websites or ensure your online privacy, Mozilla VPN’s server network provides flexibility and options.

It allows users to connect up to five devices simultaneously under a single subscription. This multi-device support extends across various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. This versatility means that users can protect their entire digital ecosystem, from laptops and desktops to smartphones and tablets, with Mozilla VPN. It simplifies the process of securing all your devices, ensuring consistent privacy and security across your digital footprint.

One of the key advantages of using Mozilla VPN is the absence of bandwidth restrictions or throttling. Users can enjoy unrestricted and uninterrupted internet access without worrying about data caps or speed limits. This feature is particularly valuable for activities that demand high bandwidth, such as streaming HD or 4K video content, online gaming, and large file downloads. Mozilla VPN ensures that users can maximize their internet speeds without compromising on security and privacy.

Mozilla VPN prides itself on offering fast network speeds, even during resource-intensive activities like gaming. This is made possible through the use of WireGuard a high-performance VPN protocol known for its efficiency and speed. WireGuard optimizes data transmission, resulting in minimal latency and ensuring a smooth online experience. Gamers and users requiring low-latency connections can trust Mozilla VPN to deliver fast and reliable performance, making it an ideal choice for various online activities.


Servers and Speed

We cannot talk about Mozilla VPN without talking about Mullvad VPN. If you are wondering why this is, while the front-end of the Mozilla VPN is created and maintained by Mozilla, the backend networking infrastructure is by Mullvad VPN, a popular Swedish VPN service. So, if you look for the list of servers for Mozilla VPN, you will end up looking at Mullvad VPN Servers.

The good thing about this approach is Mullvad VPN is a tried-and-tested VPN service despite its small number of servers. So, even if you opt for Mozilla VPN, you can get a similar performance to that of the Mullvad VPN. There is also a negative side to this. If you face any issues, Mozilla won’t be able to resolve the issue directly as they have to contact Mullvad for any troubleshooting.

While Mullvad VPN has a little over 600 severs in 39 countries, the number of Mozilla VPN servers is much lesser as Mozilla uses WireGuard VPN Protocol (just over 500 servers). If you compare these numbers to some of the other prominent VPN services, then the total number of servers are significantly less. But what about speeds?

Without VPN connection, we got 293Mbps and 285Mbps download and upload speeds respectively on our internet connection to our local ISP server. After turning on the VPN and connecting it to a local server, we got around 270Mbps and 230Mbps for download and upload. This is not bad at all.


Mobile Apps

Mozilla VPN for Windows features a simple and familiar interface, with a small console displaying your default location, an on/off switch, and clear icons and status indicators to signify when you’re connected and protected. While the interface is easy to use, it lacks some essential features, such as an automatic server selection option, a search box, filtering, or a favorites system for quickly accessing preferred locations. As a result, the connection process requires more manual input than ideal.

However, Mozilla’s use of the high-speed WireGuard protocol results in impressively fast connections, typically taking only a couple of seconds. In our regular usage, the client experienced occasional issues, with delays during the connecting or disconnecting phases. Additionally, a restart was occasionally required to resolve these issues. While Mozilla VPN may be suitable for consistent use in standard Wi-Fi hotspots, it may encounter occasional connection problems, especially during extensive travel.

Mozilla VPN offers a split tunneling feature on Windows, enabling users to specify certain apps that should bypass the VPN and utilize their regular internet connection. This functionality can be advantageous for improving performance or addressing issues like banking apps failing to function when they detect an unusual location. The DNS Settings screen allows users to select DNS servers that block ads, trackers, or both. Additionally, users can input custom DNS server addresses to meet their specific requirements.

The privacy features page permits selective blocking of ads, trackers, and malware. During testing, Mozilla VPN proved effective by blocking several common trackers. In terms of malware, it successfully blocked many recently identified malicious websites. Surprisingly, the ad blocking capability exhibited strong performance. For more advanced users, Mozilla VPN provides additional technical features, such as the ability to use port 53 for connections, potentially allowing access in regions or networks where VPNs are commonly restricted. While there is no option to switch protocols, the VPN offers a reasonable degree of configurability, outperforming many competitors in this regard.

On the Mac side of things, things are very similar to the Windows version of the app. It imports all the things to the Mac version as well. The same is true even for the mobile apps. However, while the Android version supports split tunnelling, the iOS one doesn’t.


Specifications

Name Mozilla VPN
Encryption AES-256
VPN Protocols WireGuard
Servers 500+
Countries 39+
Infrastructure Based on Mullvad VPN Servers
Free Trial None
Money-Back Guarantee 30-Days
No. of Devices 5
Supported Devices Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Features No Log Policy, Kill Switch, Malware Protection, Ad Blocker, Tracker Blocker, Split Tunneling (not on iOS)


Price

The Mozilla VPN is available for $9.99 (without taxes) if you opt for the monthly payment option. But if you choose the yearly payment option, then the total annual cost will be $59.88 (without taxes). This translates to $4.99 per month without taxes. Let us compare this to Mullvad’s pricing. If you opt for the yearly plan, then the monthly charges will be $4.99. This is similar to the Mullvad’s pricing. But the specialty of Mullvad VPN is its monthly plan also costs the same (around $5).

Check on Mozilla


Final Verdict

Overall, it is a good start from Mozilla but the Mozilla VPN is still in its infancy. The infrastructure is from Mullvad but doesn’t have Mullvad’s level of privacy. The pricing is very similar to that of Mullvad VPN but only if you opt for the yearly plan.

Features wise, it has the basic stuff but lacks several important ones that many other VPN services are offering. The connectivity speeds are good but the small number of servers and countries to choose from might be a limiting factor to some.

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