this post was submitted on 23 Sep 2024
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Mozilla also has a VPN, so that should provide some revenue. Might not be enough to let go of Google’s support, but at least it’s something.
Mozilla doesn’t have a VPN. It’s literally Mullvad servers, with Mozilla’s branding on top. Mozilla doesn’t deal with any of the actual server stuff; It’s all handled by Mullvad.
FWIW, it’s a nice little drop shipping side hustle for Mozilla. They get to skim off the top of every Mozilla VPN sale, while doing none of the actual server maintenance and having no ongoing costs (hosting, electricity, etc) related to the VPN servers. But to be clear, you can get the exact same service (for a little cheaper because Mozilla isn’t skimming off the top) directly from Mullvad.
Paying for a VPN through Mozilla is like paying for a Spotify subscription through Apple’s App Store; You get the exact same service as if you had gone straight to Spotify’s site, but with an added convenience fee tacked on by Apple.
Technically you can get it for the same price as direct from Mullvad if you buy the annual plan, but your point is still valid.
Mullvad is a great VPN though, if Mozilla branding gets more people to use it instead of any of the scummy ones that are everywhere these days, it's a good thing for privacy, the open web, etc. - the causes Mozilla is supposed to represent. It's way better aligned with their goals than a lot of the other non-browser stuff they've been doing. I'd rather see them profit from that than from nonsense like 'sponsored stories' on the homepage.
Drop shipping is a great analogy though - branding and marketing is the only thing Mozilla is bringing to the table as far as I'm aware.
It is just Mullvad