Mullvad 1 year: ERC20 vs TRC20 — Which is Cheaper?

Why Pay for Mullvad with USDT?

Mullvad VPN is a top-tier privacy service — no email required, pay with cash or crypto. But if you're avoiding KYC and credit cards, USDT is the obvious choice. You get Mullvad's strict no-logs policy, WireGuard speed, and a 1-year subscription for roughly €60 (≈ $65 USDT). The catch? Your choice of USDT network (ERC20 vs TRC20) directly impacts your total cost.

ERC20 vs TRC20: The Fee Difference

ERC20 (Ethereum) and TRC20 (Tron) are the two most common USDT networks. ERC20 transactions cost $2–$10 in gas fees — that's an extra 3-15% on a $65 Mullvad 1-year plan. TRC20 fees are usually $0.10–$0.50. For a 2026 purchase, assume: - ERC20: $65 + $5 average fee = $70 total - TRC20: $65 + $0.20 fee = $65.20 total

If you're buying a 1-year Mullvad subscription (≈ 60 EUR / 65 USDT), TRC20 saves you ~$4.80 every time. Multiply by multiple years or subscriptions — it adds up.

Real-World Example: Mullvad 1 Year in 2026

Let's say you buy a 1-year Mullvad plan in January 2026. Mullvad charges a flat €60 (≈ $65 USDT). You send USDT from your wallet (e.g., Trust Wallet, MetaMask) to Mullvad's payment address.

• **ERC20 transfer**: You approve a $5 gas fee. Your wallet deducts $70 USDT. Mullvad receives $65. You lose $5 to miners.
• **TRC20 transfer**: You approve a $0.20 fee. Your wallet deducts $65.20. Mullvad receives $65. You keep $4.80.

Over the year, that $4.80 is a small but real saving. If you buy for friends or resell, the gap widens.

Which Network Should You Choose?

For a single Mullvad 1-year subscription, TRC20 is the clear winner. ERC20 only makes sense if your exchange or wallet doesn't support TRC20, or if you're stacking large amounts (e.g., 10+ subscriptions) where ERC20 fees become negligible per unit. But for most users, TRC20 is cheaper, faster, and equally secure.

How to Pay with USDT for Mullvad

1. Buy USDT on an exchange (Binance, KuCoin) — choose TRC20 withdrawal.
2. Send to your personal wallet (e.g., Trust Wallet).
3. Go to Mullvad's payment page, select "Cryptocurrency".
4. Copy their USDT address. Double-check the network — Mullvad accepts both ERC20 and TRC20.
5. Send the exact amount (€60 equivalent in USDT) plus a small margin for network fees.
6. Your Mullvad account activates instantly. No email, no KYC.

Final Verdict

For a 1-year Mullvad subscription, TRC20 is cheaper by ~$5 per year. ERC20 is an unnecessary luxury. Save your USDT, choose TRC20, and enjoy anonymous VPN with no KYC.