IPVanish vs NordVPN in 2024: Which VPN is Better?

IPVanish and NordVPN are two popular VPN services, both fit to secure your data and for activities such as secure torrenting or streaming. That said, there can only be one winner between IPVanish vs NordVPN.

In the following article, we’ll be taking a deep dive into every aspect of both VPNs. Privacy, security, speed, streaming capabilities, torrenting capabilities, and more.

Spoiler alert: NordVPN is the better VPN in 2024 for most categories.

Here’s an overview of both providers before our full analysis.

IPVanish vs NordVPN: A Quick Rundown

	IPVanish	NordVPN
Servers	2,000+ in 52 countries	5,500+ in 60 countries
Audited no-logs policy	Yes	Yes
Pricing	From $3.99/month	From $4.19/month
Money-back guarantee	30 days, only on yearly plans	30 days, full refund
Customer support	24/7 live chat, email, phone	24/7 live chat, email
Devices supported	Windows Android Mac iOS Linux (Debian/RedHat) FireOS	Windows Android Mac iOS Linux Android TV Chromebook
Simultaneous connections	Unlimited	6
Browser extensions	No	Chrome, Firefox, Edge
Streaming sites	Netflix VRV Crackle CBC	Netflix Amazon Prime Video Hulu BBC iPlayer Disney+ HBO Max, and more
Split tunneling	Android and FireOS apps	Windows, Android TV, and Android apps
Other features	Kill switch OpenVPN Scramble (obfuscation) SugarSync Cloud Storage VIPRE Antivirus	Kill switch double VPN obfuscated servers dedicated IP threat blocker anti-malware ad-blocker

IPVanish vs NordVPN Netflix and Streaming Comparison

Most people use a VPN as a way to unblock international content on Netflix and other streaming platforms (about 60% according to GWI). So let’s compare IPVanish and NordVPN if you’re just interested in the best VPN for streaming.

No sugarcoating this one: IPVanish is not that great for streaming. It’s even stopped working with BBC iPlayer, whose filtering systems are less strict than other streaming sites. IPVanish can still unblock Netflix libraries in popular regions such as the US and Canada. The VPN also works with lesser-known services such as CBC, VRV, or Crackle.

Meanwhile, NordVPN is the dream VPN for streaming enthusiasts. Not only does it let you stream Netflix in various countries, but it also unblocks services like BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, and others.

We also found NordVPN faster than IPVanish for streaming. HD and 4K content loaded without issues and we saw no buffering at all. IPVanish had decent speeds overall for HD content, but 4K videos take a few seconds to start. There’s also noticeable buffering, especially if you’re outside the US and want to watch American Netflix.

On a more positive note, IPVanish offers unlimited simultaneous connections. In comparison, NordVPN only lets you connect up to 6 devices at the same time. Decent enough for small households, but not the best if you have a lot of gadgets.

Both NordVPN and IPVanish have manual VPN setup guides for routers. If you own a compatible router, you can secure all your household devices. Plus you can stream geo-blocked content on game consoles, stream boxes, and others that don’t natively support VPNs.

Which Provider is Faster: IPVanish or NordVPN?

No contest: NordVPN offers much faster download and upload speeds than IPVanish. Here’s how we determined the best VPN for this category.

First off, we performed speed tests on a 42.16 Mbps Wi-Fi connection in Romania. To put it in perspective, the average global Internet speed is about 67.25 Mbps (Statista, July 2022).

We connected to VPN servers in three major locations: the US, the Netherlands, and Japan. Some well-rounded choices (especially since IPVanish works on Netflix in these regions).

Note that these results are strictly to show the kind of speed loss you should expect from each provider. Naturally, speed tests are only so useful, as there are multiple factors at work here. Connection quality, server locations, server load, network path, and so on.

With that out of the way, here are the NordVPN vs IPVanish speed test results.

	NordVPN	IPVanish
United States
Download	38.17 Mbps	32.81 Mbps
Upload	15.70 Mbps	12.63 Mbps
The Netherlands
Download	40.33 Mbps	37.63 Mbps
Upload	20.15 Mbps	21.11 Mbps
Japan
Download	32.24 Mbps	23.45 Mbps
Upload	17.51 Mbps	16.31 Mbps

As you can see, IPVanish has a more noticeable slowdown than NordVPN.

Thankfully, both NordVPN and IPVanish include split tunneling in some of their apps. This feature lets you pick which apps use the VPN tunnel, and what traffic is handled by your Internet provider.

NordVPN gets the upper hand again, with split tunneling being included on Windows, Android, and Android TV. Meanwhile, IPVanish only supports the feature on Android and Fire TV.

Torrenting with NordVPN and IPVanish

We’ve previously covered the fact that NordVPN is good for torrenting. Let’s put it to the test again and see how it stacks up against IPVanish.

By default, we were able to download a 5.03 GB file in around 10 minutes.

We then auto-connected to one of NordVPN’s specialty servers (marked P2P in the sidebar). A good chunk of their 5,500+ VPN servers are optimized for torrenting, so the app easily found one close by.

As expected, NordVPN barely slowed down our connection, and we could download the torrent in about 12 minutes.

All 2,000+ IPVanish servers are P2P-enabled, so once again we just picked a local one for the best speeds. The torrent file downloaded in around 15 minutes. Slightly slower than NordVPN, but still decent.

Performance-wise, NordVPN is better for torrenting than IPVanish. Now let’s take a look at some related features.

Both VPN Providers Have Helpful P2P Features

You can set up SOCKS5 proxy connections for each VPN provider. While this means your Internet connection won’t be encrypted, it may result in faster torrent speeds. Plus you can unblock torrent sites that have been banned in your region. Your IP address is also hidden in the torrenting swarm for a little extra privacy.

Note that your ISP will still be able to see what you do online. If you don’t experience poor network conditions, we highly recommend torrenting with a VPN connection instead.

Otherwise, NordVPN comes with full IPv6, WebRTC, and DNS leak protection. IPVanish also has toggles to protect you from IPv6 and DNS leaks. Now, you’ll notice that there is no toggle for WebRTC leaks. We spoke to an IPVanish support rep about it, and they mentioned all IPVanish apps include WebRTC leak protection by default.

Fortunately, both VPN services have independently audited no logs policies. You can rest easy knowing that your torrenting activity is not stored anywhere on the NordVPN or IPVanish networks.

They also include a helpful Internet kill switch to prevent any data leaks in case the VPN disconnects. When comparing the NordVPN vs IPVanish apps, we noticed that IPVanish supports the feature only on Mac, Android, and Windows. In contrast, NordVPN supports the feature on Linux and iOS as well.

There’s also an App Kill Switch you can use to shut off Internet access for specific apps (like your torrent client).

We really like NordVPN’s built-in Threat Protection system. It blocks ads, filters malware and phishing sites, and even scans for malware on Windows and Mac. Their mobile apps include Threat Protection Lite without the built-in anti-malware scans.

IPVanish offers similar services, but requires installing VIPRE Antivirus (Windows and Mac only). At least it comes free with their yearly plan. We include a list of VIPRE suite features later on in the article.

Both NordVPN and IPVanish Are Affordable

IPVanish and NordVPN are highly affordable VPN apps, especially if you stick with a longer subscription. Here’s a comparison of their offers.

Note: We only include the standard VPN packages without any features that may cost extra (such as cloud storage).

Feature	IPVanish	NordVPN
Free Trial	7 days on Google Play and App Store	N/A
Monthly plan	$11.99/month	$11.99/month
Quarterly plan	$10.00/month	N/A
One year plan	$3.99/month	$4.99/month
Two-year plan	N/A	$4.19/month

IPVanish is one of the few VPNs that still offer a free trial (Android and iOS only). Otherwise, the two services offer equivalent prices for monthly plans.

IPVanish is slightly more affordable if you go for their yearly plan. That said, NordVPN comes with a larger server network, better speeds, and more built-in features, so it’s to be expected.

Moreover, NordVPN’s 30-day money back guarantee policy also applies to their monthly subscription plan. Meanwhile, IPVanish only provides full refunds on yearly plans.

NordVPN Payment Methods

NordVPN offers a wider variety of payment options than IPVanish. Aside from the standard ones (MasterCard, VISA, Amex, Discover, JCB, UnionPay), you can subscribe using Google Pay, iTunes, and AmazonPay (in limited regions).

We like that they offer more private subscriptions alternatives through cryptocurrencies. You can pay with Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple (non-recurring subscriptions only).

NordVPN’s support bot let us know that you may use PayPal and Sofort by logging into your NordAccount. Note that PayPal payments are processed through Paddle, an alternative processor.

Lastly, NordVPN allows cash payments at retailers in certain countries – the US, the UK, Canada, Germany, Ireland, and the Netherlands.

IPVanish Payment Methods

IPVanish’s payment options are fairly standard. You can pay for your subscription via debit or credit card (MasterCard, VISA, Amex, Discover, UnionPay, and DCI). Alternatively, you can use Google Pay, the App Store, or PayPal for billing purposes.

Not much else to say here, but it’s nice that the PayPal option isn’t hidden like in NordVPN’s case. We would have preferred if IPVanish offered more anonymous payment methods.

Privacy Comparison of NordVPN vs IPVanish

Not only is NordVPN headquartered in a better jurisdiction, but it also comes with some specialty servers fit for privacy buffs. IPVanish’s security features are also lacking in a couple of key areas, which we’ll see in a second.

It’s easy to see who the privacy and security winner is between NordVPN vs IPVanish. Let’s take a closer look.

Jurisdiction

NordVPN is based in Panama, which has no mandatory data retention laws whatsoever.

Unfortunately, IPVanish’s HQ is located in the United States. While the US has no ISP data retention laws, the country is a member of the “14 Eyes” information sharing alliances. These countries share surveillance data among themselves.

Thankfully IPVanish’s no-logs audit ensures they have nothing to hand over. Still, it’s worth keeping in mind if your threat model requires absolute privacy (journalism, whistleblowers, activism, etc.)

Encryption Protocols

Both providers include industry-standard VPN protocols to secure your data against surveillance and hacking activity.

First off, NordVPN offers their own take on the new and efficient WireGuard protocol, which is called NordLynx. Their implementation uses a double-NAT system to fix one of WireGuard’s privacy concerns.

Otherwise, you get standard secure options such as OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec (on Mac and iOS).

IPVanish offers these same VPN protocols, but with standard WireGuard instead. It also comes with IKEv2 on Windows and Android. If you weren’t aware, IKEv2 prevents connection loss upon switching networks, so it’s an excellent choice for mobile users.

You may also choose your port number (443, 1194, and 8443) when running on OpenVPN. Useful in case you’re facing connectivity issues or a slow connection in general.

No Logs Policy and Audit

As mentioned, both services offer an independently audited no logs policy to ensure user privacy.

• You can find NordVPN’s security audit (by VerSprite) in the user dashboard under “Reports.” They’ve also previously undergone a no-logs audit by PricewaterhouseCoopers AG Switzerland.
• IPVanish’s technology and no logs practices were audited and certified by Leviathan. You can find the full report at the bottom of your IPVanish Account Portal.

One thing worth mentioning is that IPVanish was previously involved in a privacy scandal (under their old ownership). In 2016, despite the IPVanish claim that they kept no logs. the provider handed over a user’s data to Homeland Security.

To be fair, it was for a good cause, leading to the arrest of an actual criminal. Moreover, the new owners (StackPath) showed they’re committed to protecting their users’ privacy with an independent audit. So far, they’ve stuck to their promises.

Leak Protection

As mentioned previously, each NordVPN app comes with full leak protection. IPVanish also includes toggles for IPv6 and DNS leak protection in their apps.

Now, we had to speak to an IPVanish support rep about it, but they mentioned IPVanish has WebRTC leak protection enabled by default. Would be nice if they made this fact more obvious somewhere on their website, but there you have it.

Sure enough, it’s a tie between NordVPN vs IPVanish, as both VPNs passed our extensive leak tests.

Kill Switch

A kill switch is an essential feature which shuts off your Internet connection in case your VPN disconnects randomly. If you’re concerned about privacy or don’t want your torrenting traffic to leak to your ISP, always make sure the feature is enabled.

Sadly, IPVanish only has a kill switch on Mac, Android, and Windows. NordVPN offers it on Linux and iOS too. Moreover, NordVPN lets you shut off traffic on a per-app basis. Just use the App Kill Switch and add your torrent client, browser, online games, and more.

Overall, we prefer NordVPN vs IPVanish for their granular control over the kill switch.

Obfuscated VPN Servers

As the name implies, obfuscation (also known as stealth VPN) hides your VPN traffic against various detection methods. This should allow you to bypass censorship systems like the Great Firewall of China, as well as basic VPN filters at school or at work.

Of course, obfuscated servers may slow down your connection due to the extra processes involved in hiding your traffic. Fortunately, NordVPN’s hardware is fast enough that you won’t feel the difference.

IPVanish allows you to scramble OpenVPN traffic, making it harder to detect by deep packet inspection and other detection methods. It’s available for Windows, Android, Fire TV, and Mac, and you can enable the setting from the Protocol menu.

This isn’t very effective, as IPVanish doesn’t seem to work in more restrictive countries. If you’re looking for a VPN that works in China, Iran, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, or Russia, NordVPN is the better choice.

Double VPN

Stealth VPN lets you mask your online activity as regular HTTPS traffic. Meanwhile, double VPN reroutes your data through a second VPN server and adds another layer of encryption on top. Useful for those looking for better anonymity than a default VPN connection.

However, get ready for slower speeds if you use NordVPN’s double VPN servers. After all, your data needs to travel even further before reaching its destination. The extra encryption also adds more overhead to your traffic, causing slowdowns.

Unfortunately, IPVanish does not offer double VPN, which may deter some users.

Quality of Life Features

Security features aside, both providers seek to improve your VPN experience with various tools.

Split Tunneling

Both NordVPN and IPVanish come with a split tunneling feature. Choose which apps are excluded from the VPN tunnel to gain a small speed boost.

For example, you can let your ISP handle traffic from VoIP apps like Skype or Discord if you experience drops in audio quality. Alternatively, you can exclude streaming services from the VPN tunnel when geo-blocks aren’t involved.

NordVPN supports the feature on Windows (7 to 11), Android, and Android TV as well. IPVanish includes split tunneling only in their Android and Fire TV apps.

Ad-blocker, Anti-Phishing, Anti-malware

It’s difficult to compare NordVPN vs IPVanish in this case. Here’s why.

First off, we’ve previously mentioned NordVPN’s Threat Protection feature. It’s a built-in ad-blocker, anti-tracker, and filters phishing and malware sites. It also scans .exe files up to 20 MB for malware.

Threat Protection is available on all major operating systems, although anti-malware scanning is only present on Windows and Mac.

Now, IPVanish offers all this and more. Here’s the catch, though: IPVanish requires you to install dedicated apps to gain these capabilities. In this case, we’re talking about VIPRE Antivirus, which comes for free with an IPVanish yearly plan.

The VIPRE suite includes two useful options:

• Advanced Security – with full malware scanning, web protection, email protection, a firewall, and more.
• Privacy Shield – an advanced security feature with login credential removal, ad-blocking and anti-tracking, a dark web scanner, and a webcam & microphone blocker.

While these are definitely a step above what Threat Protection can offer, it’s up to you to decide whether it’s worth installing two extra apps for it. But hey, at least the price is right.

Dedicated IP Address

Dedicated IP addresses are useful for a number of different reasons. Hate running into CAPTCHAs online, or don’t want your home banking apps to blacklist you?

For an extra fee, a NordVPN dedicated IP address will put a stop to these daily nuisances. You can get a dedicated IP in one of 7 regions: Canada, France, Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, the UK, and the US.

Business owners may also use said IPs in the workplace. That way you can easily filter out unauthorized connections on your network, while also securing sensitive traffic on your work devices.

Unfortunately, IPVanish does not offer dedicated IP addresses at this time. Which is a shame, since we’ve seen reports of users complaining about reCAPTCHAs while using IPVanish. Not a dealbreaker by any means, of course – but worth a mention.

VPN Browser Extensions

Many VPN services nowadays have released their own browser extensions. Not the case for IPVanish, however.

In contrast, NordVPN offers browser add-ons for Chrome, Firefox, and even Microsoft Edge. Looking for a more lightweight solution specifically for surfing the web or in-browser streaming? Well, NordVPN’s extension fits the bill nicely.

Customer Support

NordVPN and IPVanish offer 24/7 live chat and email support in case you have any questions about their services.

Live chat support reps for both VPN services are helpful and respond in a timely manner. It may take a few hours to get an email response from IPVanish, however.

Unlike NordVPN, IPVanish also has phone support, available in the US, Mexico, the UK, Germany, Australia, Brazil, and Spain.

Related Articles:

• Private Internet Access vs NordVPN
• CyberGhost vs NordVPN
• Surfshark vs. NordVPN
• ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN
• ProtonVPN vs NordVPN

Conclusion – NordVPN is the Clear Winner

NordVPN offers 5,500+ ultra-fast servers across 60 countries, better speeds, and can unblock way more streaming services. Not to mention the myriad of features in their polished VPN apps, such as the all-in-one Threat Protection.

The only area where IPVanish wins over NordVPN is in the simultaneous connections department. Being able to link unlimited devices to your account lends itself well to account-sharing among friends and family.

We also like the 7-day free trial when you get the app through the App Store or Google Play. That, and their longest plan is cheaper by about 20 cents per month. Which isn’t saying much, considering all the extras you get with NordVPN. All in all, NordVPN wins by a landslide.