Mullvad VPN, the privacy-centric Swedish VPN provider, has taken a bold step forward in performance and reliability with the launch of GotaTun — a Rust-based WireGuard engine designed to deliver faster, more stable VPN connections. Unveiled in December 2025, GotaTun replaces the older wireguard-go implementation that powered many of Mullvad’s apps, particularly on Android. The transition reflects Mullvad’s commitment to optimizing VPN performance, reducing crashes, and modernizing its protocol stack — a shift that resonates with both tech enthusiasts and everyday users seeking improved online privacy and speed.
At its core, GotaTun isn’t a new VPN protocol itself but a Rust-powered implementation of WireGuard, the modern VPN standard known for its simplicity and high speed. This update marks a critical milestone as Mullvad moves toward full WireGuard adoption and phases out legacy implementations and support for OpenVPN in early 2026.
Why Rust Matters for VPN Performance
Rust, the programming language behind GotaTun, has rapidly gained traction in systems development due to its emphasis on memory safety, concurrency, and performance. Unlike languages like Go or C, Rust prevents common vulnerabilities (such as memory leaks and race conditions) at compile time, making it particularly well-suited for performance-sensitive applications like VPN engines.
WireGuard itself was originally developed to be simpler and faster than legacy protocols like OpenVPN, but the quality of its implementation across platforms has varied. Previously, many VPN providers — including Mullvad — relied on wireguard-go, a userspace Go implementation. While functional, wireguard-go was linked to higher crash rates and performance limitations, especially on mobile devices.
By implementing WireGuard with Rust through GotaTun, Mullvad has gained:
Improved stability, with significantly fewer crashes
Better performance, especially on mobile connections
Greater control over feature integration
Reduced overhead, leading to efficiency gains
According to Mullvad’s own data, after rolling out GotaTun on Android, the user-perceived crash rate dropped from roughly 0.40% to just 0.01%, showing how much difference the change has made in real-world usage.
Real-World Benefits: Speed, Stability, Efficiency
For everyday VPN users, the implications of this upgrade reach beyond back-end code:
Fewer Crashes, Better Reliability
One of the most tangible improvements comes in app stability. Prior to GotaTun, many app crashes reported in Android’s developer console were attributed to wireguard-go. With the new Rust-based implementation, those crashes essentially vanished, promising users a smoother, more dependable VPN experience.
Faster Connections and Lower Battery Use
Early user reports and traction in community forums suggest that GotaTun is also delivering noteworthy performance increases, including better speeds and lower CPU overhead — which can, in turn, lead to improved battery life on mobile devices. For example, some users report speeds jumping from hundreds of Mbps to over gigabit-class figures on mobile networks after updating to the GotaTun-powered app — albeit individual results vary by network conditions.
Seamless Integration with Advanced Features
Mullvad hasn’t just ported WireGuard to Rust; it has also baked in support for advanced privacy-enhancing features like DAITA (Defense Against AI Traffic Analysis) and Multihop routing directly into the new implementation. This ensures that users retain powerful anonymity and obfuscation options without compromise.
Comparisons: GotaTun vs. Traditional VPN Implementations
To understand the impact of GotaTun, it’s helpful to compare it against other implementations:
ImplementationLanguageStabilityTypical Usewireguard-goGoModerateOlder WireGuard userspaceGotaTunRustHighMullvad optimized WireGuardOpenVPNCVariableLegacy protocol, slowerLightway (ExpressVPN)RustHighCustom VPN protocol
While protocols like OpenVPN continue to be widely supported for compatibility reasons, they tend to be slower and more resource intensive. Modern implementations like GotaTun and ExpressVPN’s Rust-based Lightway reflect a broader industry shift toward fast, safe, and efficient VPN codebases powered by Rust.
Mullvad’s Roadmap and Future Plans
Mullvad’s rollout of GotaTun is just the beginning. The company plans to:
Deploy GotaTun across all platforms, including desktop and iOS
Perform a third-party security audit of the new implementation in 2026
Fully retire OpenVPN support by January 15, 2026
These steps align with Mullvad’s broader strategy to focus exclusively on a modern, high-performance VPN architecture.
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Conclusion
The debut of GotaTun, Mullvad VPN’s Rust-based WireGuard engine, marks a major milestone in the evolution of VPN technology. By embracing Rust and moving away from wireguard-go, Mullvad is delivering faster speeds, enhanced stability, and improved efficiency — all while maintaining the privacy-first ethos that the brand is known for. As VPN demands continue to grow, innovations like GotaTun highlight how performance and security can go hand-in-hand.
For users seeking top-tier VPN performance, especially on mobile platforms, Mullvad’s GotaTun rollout offers a compelling reason to upgrade and experience next-generation WireGuard in action.
