IPVanish vs ExpressVPN in 2024

Many people turn to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) for extra protection and privacy online. But with so many options on the market, choosing the one that fits your needs the best takes a lot of work. In your searches for the best VPN, you might have stumbled across IPVanish and ExpressVPN. Both offer excellent encryption, solid privacy policies, and multiple server locations. Nevertheless, they also have certain pros and cons that may or may not make it suitable for you.

Therefore, we will compare and analyze IPVanish and ExpressVPN. We will check out their main features, performance, pricing plans, and other essential aspects. We will help you make an informed decision on whether these VPNs are fit for streaming, gaming, torrenting, or simply browsing. So, let’s see who will win in the IPVanish vs. ExpressVPN battle.

IPVanish vs ExpressVPN: specifications

IPVanish vs ExpressVPN: pricing

Both providers offer quite similar pricing plans. You’ll find short-term options as well as subscriptions requiring longer-term commitments. Both ExpressVPN and IPVanish offer 30-day money-back guarantees if something goes awry. Not to mention, there are various payment options, the main ones being credit cards and PayPal.

Neither option provides a totally free version. Nevertheless, you can try ExpressVPN and IPVanish with 7-day free trials. They are only available on Android and iOS devices, but afterward, you can use them on other OS as well.

IPVanish pricing

With IPVanish, you can choose from 3 subscription options:

• $12.99/month for the monthly plan
• $3.33/month for a 1-year plan
• $2.19/month for a 2-year plan

In terms of cost, getting a longer-term subscription is better. Additionally, both of them come with additional VIPRE antivirus software. But if you don’t want to instantly commit, you can get a free trial version on your iOS or Android device.

You can also get an IPVanish discount coupon to obtain a cheaper subscription. You can pay with a credit card, PayPal, Google Pay, and Amazon Pay. Unfortunately, there are no anonymous payment options, such as Bitcoin. And if you end up not liking the app, you can get your money back 30 days after the purchase.

ExpressVPN pricing

Similarly to IPVanish, ExpressVPN offers 3 plans:

• $12.95/month for the monthly plan
• $9.99/month for a 6-month plan
• $4.99/month for a 1-year plan

Apart from getting the VPN, you’ll also receive ExpressVPN Keys. It’s a password manager that is included with all subscriptions. Additionally, like many other services, ExpressVPN offers a free trial version that is available on Android and iOS devices.

And while this VPN is fairly expensive, you can use an ExpressVPN discount coupon to obtain a subscription for less. And there are different ways to pay for your new VPN: credit card, PayPal, and various paywalls, such as AliPay, UnionPay, etc. Additionally, you can pay in Bitcoin if you want to stay anonymous. And there is a 30-day money-back guarantee if something goes wrong or you don’t like the service.

While they seem quite similar, it all comes down to the price. IPVanish is a lot cheaper compared to ExpressVPN. Plus, the former doesn’t limit how many devices you can connect simultaneously. So, essentially, IPVanish wins in this round.

Speed comparison

Performance is one of the most important aspects when choosing a VPN. Without good all-around speeds, you can forget about enjoying your protected online experience. Thus, it’s an essential round in the ExpressVPN vs. IPVanish battle.

First off, IPVanish. The provider utilizes the trusty WireGuard tunneling protocol. While it claims to be “the fastest VPN on the market,” the truth is a bit different. You should be able to stream, browse, and torrent without major hiccups. However, you might notice high ping and slower upload speeds. So it can’t compare to other industry-leading VPNs.

On the other hand, ExpressVPN is actually among the fastest VPNs on the market. That’s because it utilizes the proprietary, next-gen Lightway tunneling protocol. It will ensure exceptional connectivity globally and keep you private and secure. Additionally, ExpressVPN has Parallel connections feature that improves connection times. While it’s only available on iOS devices at the moment, it should be available on all major OS soon.

Overall, ExpressVPN offers better performance compared to IPVanish. The former is a lot faster and provides better connectivity globally.

IPVanish vs ExpressVPN: which is more secure?

In terms of essential security features, IPVanish and ExpressVPN are quite similar. Both utilize AES-256 encryption. It’s virtually unbreakable, and many industry-leading VPNs use it as well. Additionally, you’ll find solid kill switches and IP and DNS leak protections. In terms of tunneling protocols, you can choose from fast and secure WireGuard (IPVanish), Lightway (ExpressVPN), or OpenVPN.

Privacy

In the IPVanish vs. ExpressVPN showdown, things get interesting when it comes to privacy. IPVanish operates from the US, which is a massive red flag. This country is a part of the Five Eyes alliance, meaning the government can spy, track, and request access to private user data. Additionally, staying completely incognito is impossible when no anonymous payment options exist.

On the contrary, ExpressVPN is based in the Virgin British Islands. It’s a privacy-friendly location with no data retention laws. Moreover, you can pay in Bitcoin for your subscription, further amplifying your confidentiality. So, your internet adventures will stay a secret.

Logging

In terms of logging, both providers claim to have zero-log policies. Both IPVanish and ExpressVPN have been independently audited by reputable companies: Leviathan and PwC.

But there are a few drawbacks. Both providers collect information like email addresses and payment methods. Additionally, in the past, IPVanish handed over some criminal information to the FBI. While ExpressVPN is owned by Kape Technologies, which has a pretty bad rep in the VPN world.

Nevertheless, ExpressVPN is safer and more private, and more secure. That’s because it’s based in a privacy-respecting location. From the technical point of view, IPVanish pales in comparison, as it doesn’t have RAM-only servers and other useful features.

Servers location

ExpressVPN covers 105+ countries worldwide. However, they hid the exact number of servers. Nevertheless, the last time we checked, it was around 3000 pieces of hardware. Unlike IPVanish, ExpressVPN has RAM-only servers. That means no information is stored, and you can enjoy more privacy. However, some servers are virtual and owned by other third parties. That might raise some security concerns.

As for IPVanish, it has 2200+ servers in 51+ countries, which is less than ExpressVPN. Nevertheless, unlike the competitor, IPVanish owns all of those pieces of hardware, making it harder for malicious actors to tamper with them. Additionally, these servers are all physical that are more powerful and efficient compared to their virtual counterparts.

Considering everything, ExpressVPN wins this one by a narrow margin. It has more servers and covers a greater number of countries. Plus, all of their servers are RAM-only.

Features comparison

While IPVanish has some useful features, it can’t compare to ExpressVPN. Let’s take a look at what each provider offers or lacks.

Smart DNS

Not all streaming devices support VPNs natively. Which is quite annoying, especially if you want to enjoy geo-blocked content on the big screen. Luckily, the Smart DNS feature lets you easily connect your TV, console, or streaming device to a VPN without needing the app.

ExpressVPN offers a proprietary MediaStreamer feature, which automatically switches DNS servers to bypass region-locks. Sadly, while you can set up IPVanish on your router and access restricted content, it doesn’t have the Smart DNS.

Ad & malware blocker

Many top-tier providers include ad & malware blockers to make your web journeys safer. ExpressVPN offers Threat Manager. It will block malicious ads and trackers. Currently, this feature is available on iOS, Mac, and Linux devices.

IPVanish doesn’t have a built-in ad & malware blocker. However, with a longer-term subscription, you can get VIPRE antivirus, which will protect you and your devices.

Split tunneling

Both providers offer split tunneling. By using it, you can select which apps and websites you want to protect with a VPN and which ones you’re OK with being routed through your ISP

Nevertheless, ExpressVPN’s split tunneling is better in terms of compatibility. You can use this feature on Windows, Mac, Android devices, and routers. With IPVanish, you’ll only have this option on Android and FireOS devices.

Overall, ExpressVPN takes the crown yet again. It offers a lot more features compared to IPVanish.

Netflix and streaming comparison

Many people get VPNs for streaming to bypass annoying geo-blocks and gain access to loads of new content. Thankfully, both ExpressVPN and IPVanish are pretty good with the task at hand.

When trying to unblock shows and movies on various platforms, IPVanish did an okay job. We managed to browse through Netflix US, UK, and other libraries. Additionally, IPVanish will help you explore Disney Plus and BBC iPlayer. However, when it comes to other services, ExpressVPN is way better.

With ExpressVPN, you’ll easily bypass region-locks on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and many other services. Additionally, accessing YouTube TV, HBO Max, or Hulu outside the US will be a piece of cake.

So, for all your streaming needs, it’s better to go with ExpressVPN than IPVanish.

Device compatibility

You won’t have any problems using ExpressVPN and IPVanish. That’s because they have intuitive and user-friendly apps for all major OS: Windows, MacOS, Android, and iOS. As for Linux, you can use both apps through the terminal.

ExpressVPN also offers Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, and Opera browser extensions. Moreover, setting the VPN on a router is super easy, thanks to the router applet. Nevertheless, it only offers 8 simultaneous connections, which is usually not enough for most users.

And that is where IPVanish shines with infinite connections. Not to mention, you can manually set it up on your networking device.

Desktop applications

ExpressVPN takes quite a minimalistic approach. There is no map, just a huge button to turn on the VPN and a hamburger menu with more options and settings. While it works well, it looks a bit outdated. However, unlike IPVanish, ExpressVPN will give you split tunneling for Mac and Windows devices.

As for IPVanish, it feels more modern. You’ll find an easy-to-use map that helps you navigate and find wanted locations. Plus, you can find settings, location filters, and other information in the same window.

Mobile applications

ExpressVPN’s mobile version looks exactly the same as the desktop. You might get fewer features on Android and iOS apps compared to the computer version. Nevertheless, that won’t compromise your security and privacy.

As for IPVanish, the mobile app looks slightly different compared to its computer counterpart. However, it still offers a map that is easy to navigate. But the Android version of the application has a few more features compared to iOS.

So, this round of IPVanish vs. ExpressVPN is a draw. While the latter offers better device compatibility and an applet for routers, IPVanish has better apps and infinite connections.

Torrenting

If you’re looking for a safe torrenting VPN, both ExpressVPN and IPVanish are solid options. So, let’s see if one of them outmatches the other.

ExpressVPN offers better speeds and more servers globally. Moreover, torrenting is allowed on all of them. As for features, this provider has split tunneling, which can secure your torrenting efforts and let you browse local websites. Furthermore, you’ll get port forwarding. It helps optimize your connection for faster download speeds.

IPVanish has a few advantages too. While it doesn’t have port forwarding, it offers a SOCKS5 proxy that can be used for faster download speeds. Additionally, you’ll be able to torrent trouble-free on all servers. While it’s not as fast as ExpressVPN, it still offers decent speeds.

So, the torrenting round is a draw as well. Both ExpressVPN and IPVanish are perfectly suitable for P2P file sharing.

China

The best VPN for China is a must-have if you want to bypass firewalls and explore the free internet in the country. However, most VPNs are not fit for the task, including IPVanish. While it offers the Scramble OpenVPN traffic feature, it’s incapable of punching through the restrictions.

Thus, you’ll need a better option, such as ExpressVPN. Thanks to powerful obfuscated servers, you should be able to bypass the firewall and stay undetected. So, ExpressVPN wins the round.

Customer support

Both providers offer help through email, a self-support section, and a 24/7 live chat option. However, IPVanish has a slight advantage when it comes to customer support. That’s because it has a phone line. People from the US, Mexico, the UK, Spain, Australia, and Brazil can call any time and ask for some help.

Thus, IPVanish wins this one against ExpressVPN.

IPVanish vs ExpressVPN – which is better?

Although the IPVanish vs. ExpressVPN battle was fierce, ExpressVPN won. That’s because it performs better, offers more servers, better coverage, and superior security & privacy features. Moreover, it has more additional features and streaming possibilities.

Nevertheless, both IPVanish and ExpressVPN are great for torrenting. And compatibility-wise, they are quite evenly matched. The biggest benefit of IPVanish is that it’s a lot cheaper compared to ExpressVPN.

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IPVanish vs NordVPN
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FAQ

Is ExpressVPN better than IPVanish?

Yes, ExpressVPN is better compared to IPVanish. That’s because it has more servers, better additional features, and more servers globally. Plus, it’s better for streaming and browsing the free internet in China.

What VPN is better than ExpressVPN?

NordVPN beats ExpressVPN. That is due to the fact that NordVPN is a lot cheaper and offers better features. Another good alternative is Surfshark VPN, as it offers infinite connections and loads of extras.

How much is IPVanish?

Currently, you can get IPVanish for $2.19/month, which is fairly cheap. However, if you are looking for something less costly, check out our cheapest VPNs article.