NordVPN vs IPVanish: Which VPN is Better in 2024?

Amidst the fiercely competitive landscape of VPNs, NordVPN and IPVanish stand as prominent contenders. As online privacy and security take center stage in the digital world, selecting the ideal VPN becomes a crucial decision. 

In our NordVPN vs IPVanish comparison, we will delve into the key aspects like security, speed, server locations, unblocking capabilities, and customer support to unveil the superior choice among these options.

Pricing – NordVPN Wins

	NordVPN	IPVanish
Monthly	Standard ($12.99), Plus ($13.99), Complete ($14.99)	$11.99
1-year	Standard ($4.99/month), Plus ($5.99/month), Complete ($6.99/month)	$4.49/month
2-year	Standard ($3.49/month), Plus ($4.49/month), Complete ($5.49)	$3.33/month

NordVPN offers three tiers: Standard, Plus, and Complete. These tiers are available in monthly, 1-year, and 2-year plans, each of which give you access to unique features. The pricing varies based on the tier and duration chosen.

On the other hand, IPVanish’s pricing structure is more straightforward. There are three plans available, including monthly, 1-year- and 2-year plans, giving users both short term and long-term options.

Both NordVPN and IPVanish offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning users have plenty of time to test out the service. Additionally, both VPNs provide multiple payment options to choose from.

Who tops this category? NordVPN with its tier-based pricing provides flexibility, securing the first spot.

Speed – NordVPN Wins

Baseline speed: 2 Gbps

	NordVPN	IPVanish
Average download speeds	485 Mbps	429 Mbps
Average upload speeds	432 Mbps	379 Mbps

In an extensive evaluation of download and upload speeds across three countries – the US, UK, and Canada –  using the WireGuard protocol, the two VPNs NordVPN and IPVanish faced off.

In download speeds, NordVPN emerged as the frontrunner, displaying its dominance with an impressive average speed of 485 Mbps. On the other hand, IPVanish secured a notable 429 Mbps on average.

As for upload speeds, NordVPN once again proved its mettle, recording an outstanding average of 432 Mbps. IPVanish maintained its presence, delivering a commendable average of 379 Mbps.

Who tops this category? NordVPN since it delivered the fastest connection speeds during our tests.

Server Locations – NordVPN Wins

	NordVPN	IPVanish
Servers	5,700+	2,200+
Countries	60	50

IPVanish offers 2200+ servers across 50 countries. While it may have fewer servers compared to NordVPN, IPVanish strategically positions its servers to ensure reliable and efficient VPN connections in various regions.

NordVPN’s powerful network encompasses 5,700+ servers scattered across 60 countries, ensuring a formidable shield for online activities and granting users seamless access to content worldwide.

Who tops this category? NordVPN is first and IPVanish second. 

Security – NordVPN Wins

	NordVPN	IPVanish
Encryption used	AES 256-bit	AES 256-bit
Protocol selection	OpenVPN, IKEv2, NordLynx	OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, IPSec
Private DNS	Yes	Yes
RAM-based servers	Yes	No
Quantum-resistant	No	No

NordVPN provides strong security with its use of AES 256-bit encryption. Users can select from multiple protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and NordLynx (based on WireGuard), allowing flexibility. NordVPN also routes your DNS queries through its private DNS and relies on RAM-based servers, enhancing data protection.

IPVanish, like its competitors, takes advantage of AES 256-bit encryption to keep users’ data secure. It lets you establish a VPN connection using protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, and IPSec. When you use IPVanish, your DNS queries are sent via its private DNS servers.

Who tops this category? NordVPN uses a RAM-based server infrastructure, giving it an edge over IPVanish. 

Privacy – NordVPN Wins

	NordVPN	IPVanish
Base of operation	Panama	United States
Audited no-logs policy	Yes	Yes
Always on-audit	No	No

NordVPN maintains a strong stance on privacy with its headquarters in Panama, a country not affiliated with the 5/9/14 eyes alliances. It offers a PWC-audited no-logs policy, providing assurance that it does not store user activity logs. 

IPVanish, based in the USA and a member of the Five Eyes alliance, raises privacy concerns for users due to potential surveillance implications. However, IPVanish offers some reassurance with its audited no-logs policy, meaning it does not retain any user data

Who tops this category? NordVPN because it is based in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction.

Unblocking – NordVPN Wins

	NordVPN	IPVanish
Netflix	Yes	Yes
Hulu	Yes	Yes
Max	Yes	No
BBC iPlayer	No	No
Disney+	Yes	Yes

NordVPN emerges as a strong contender in unblocking Netflix, Hulu, Max, and Disney+, making it a go-to choice for binge-watchers. Although it doesn’t support BBC iPlayer, NordVPN’s versatility in unlocking major streaming services ensures a delightful streaming experience for its users.

IPVanish impressively unlocks popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+, granting users unrestricted access to a diverse range of content. However, it lacks support for Max and BBC iPlayer, limiting access to these platforms.

Who tops this category? NordVPN takes first place as it unblocks more streaming platforms than IPVanish. 

Features – NordVPN Wins

	NordVPN	IPVanish
Kill Switch	Yes	Yes
Split Tunneling	Yes	Yes
Obfuscation	Yes	Yes
DNS Leak Protection	Yes	Yes
IPv6 Leak Protection	Yes	Yes
Dedicated IP	Yes	No
Port Forwarding	No	No

NordVPN stands out with its diverse feature set, like SmartDNS for seamless streaming, Double VPN servers for added encryption layers, Onion over VPN for improved anonymity, and Threat Protection for safety against online threats. NordVPN also provides additional features such as a password manager, data breach scanner, and file encrypter, which can be added for an additional price.

IPVanish provides access to features like a SOCKS5 proxy for privacy protection without sacrificing speed, SugarSync for securely backing up files to the cloud, and 25 Gbps servers for establishing super-fast connections from any corner of the world. 

Who tops this category? NordVPN as it gives users access to an extensive list of features, enhancing their VPN experience.

Compatibility – IPVanish Wins

	NordVPN	IPVanish
Available apps	macOS, iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, Android TV, Fire Stick	macOS, iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, Android TV, Fire Stick
Browser extensions	Chrome, Firefox, Edge	Chrome, Firefox
Multi-logins	6	Unlimited

NordVPN is compatible with macOS, iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, Android TV, and Fire Stick, covering a wide range of devices. It has one-click browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. With support for up to 6 multi-logins, users can secure multiple devices with a single NordVPN account.

IPVanish supports a wide range of devices, including macOS, iOS, Android, Windows, Linux, Android TV, and Fire Stick. It also offers easy-to-use browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Unlike NordVPN, IPVanish allows users to connect as many devices as they want with a single subscription.

Who tops this category? IPVanish supports unlimited device connections, so it takes first place.

Customer Support – IPVanish Wins

	NordVPN	IPVanish
Live chat	Yes	Yes
Email	Yes	Yes
Knowledgebase	Yes	Yes
In-app support	Yes	Yes

While both VPN providers excel in offering must-have customer support options such as live chat, email, knowledgebase, and in-app support, IPVanish goes the extra mile by providing users the option to get in touch via call.

Who tops this category? IPVanish bags the first spot as it allows customers to call them up when they require support. 

NordVPN vs IPVanish: Which is the Best?

	NordVPN	IPVanish
Pricing	1st	2nd
Speed	1st	2nd
Server Locations	1st	2nd
Security	1st	2nd
Privacy	1st	2nd
Unblocking	1st	2nd
Features	1st	2nd
Compatibility	2nd	1st
Customer Support	2nd	1st

NordVPN is first as it outperforms IPVanish in most categories, including pricing, speed, server locations, security, privacy, unblocking, and features. IPVanish takes second place, excelling in areas like compatibility and customer support.

Is There a Third Better Option?

While NordVPN and IPVanish have their merits, there is another player in the VPN game worth considering: PureVPN. 

Let’s take a closer look at why PureVPN stands out:

• Impressive Speeds: PureVPN delivers slightly slower download and upload speeds than NordVPN, averaging 462 Mbps and 401 Mbps respectively.

• Huge Server Network: Boasting 6,000+ servers in 65 countries, PureVPN offers a more extensive server network compared to NordVPN and IPVanish.

• Robust Security: PureVPN matches the security level of NordVPN. While it may not utilize RAM-based servers, it employs quantum-resistant encryption keys to ensure data protection.

• Privacy-Friendly Jurisdiction: Based in a privacy-focused jurisdiction, PureVPN’s commitment to transparency is evident through its industry-first always-on audit structure.

• Unblocking Capabilities: PureVPN excels in unblocking major platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+, enhancing your streaming experience.

• Affordable Pricing: With tier-based pricing, PureVPN provides a budget-friendly alternative without compromising value for money.

• Feature-Rich Offerings: PureVPN outshines IPVanish in terms of features, giving you more for your VPN investment.

• Multi-Platform Support: PureVPN supports all major platforms and allows up to 10 multi-logins, ensuring compatibility across devices.
• Comprehensive Customer Service: PureVPN includes essential customer support options, providing a smooth user experience.

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