Gone are the days when choosing a VPN was easy. With so many options available today, it can be hard to know which one is better suited for your needs. That’s why we’re here to provide an in-depth comparison and review of two popular VPNs: IPVanish and ExpressVPN.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the pricing and plans, features and functionality, security and privacy, speed and performance, user interface and ease of use, customer support, streaming and torrenting capabilities, compatibility and device support, and overall performance of IPVanish and ExpressVPN. By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of which VPN is the best fit for you.
So, let’s not waste any more time and dive right in!
Pricing and Plans
When it comes to VPNs, pricing is always an important factor to consider. IPVanish and ExpressVPN both offer multiple subscription plans with varying costs, so let’s take a closer look.
| Provider | Monthly | 6-Month | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| IPVanish | $10.00/month | $8.99/month | $3.75/month |
| ExpressVPN | $12.95/month | $9.99/month | $6.67/month |
As you can see, IPVanish has a significant advantage over ExpressVPN when it comes to the price of long-term subscriptions. However, ExpressVPN does offer a lower monthly fee for their six-month plan.
It’s worth noting that both providers offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try their service risk-free before committing to a long-term plan. Additionally, both VPNs often have promotions and discounts available, so be sure to keep an eye out for those.
Features and Functionality
When it comes to features and functionality, IPVanish and ExpressVPN offer a range of tools and options to enhance your VPN experience. Let’s take a closer look at what each VPN has to offer.
Server Locations
IPVanish has over 1,900 servers in 75+ countries worldwide, while ExpressVPN has more than 3,000 servers across 94 countries. This means that both VPNs offer a vast range of options for users who want to connect to servers in different locations.
Simultaneous Connections
IPVanish allows up to 10 simultaneous connections on a single account, while ExpressVPN allows up to five. This means that IPVanish is a better option if you want to connect multiple devices to the VPN.
Device Compatibility
Both IPVanish and ExpressVPN offer apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux. In addition, IPVanish also offers apps for Fire TV, Chromebook, and routers, while ExpressVPN offers apps for Apple TV, Amazon Fire, and gaming consoles. This makes both VPNs highly compatible with a range of devices and platforms.
Customer Support
Both VPNs offer 24/7 customer support through live chat and email. IPVanish also provides a comprehensive knowledge base and frequently asked questions section, while ExpressVPN offers a range of setup guides and troubleshooting articles. Overall, both VPNs provide excellent customer support.
Additional Features
IPVanish offers several additional features, including a SOCKS5 web proxy, split-tunneling, and the ability to scramble OpenVPN traffic to bypass VPN blocks. ExpressVPN, on the other hand, offers a built-in speed test, a kill switch, and support for the Tor network. Both VPNs offer DNS and IPv6 leak protection and support for various VPN protocols, including OpenVPN and IKEv2.
In terms of features and functionality, both IPVanish and ExpressVPN offer a range of tools and options to enhance your VPN experience. While IPVanish offers more simultaneous connections and additional features, ExpressVPN has a larger network of servers and a wider range of device compatibility options.
Security and Privacy
When it comes to security and privacy, both IPVanish and ExpressVPN offer robust features to protect users’ online activities. They both use military-grade encryption and support a range of VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, IPSec, and IKEv2.
However, IPVanish does not offer a built-in ad blocker or malware protection, while ExpressVPN has a Network Lock feature that acts as a kill switch in case the VPN connection drops.
In terms of logging policies, ExpressVPN has a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not collect any data on users’ online activities. Meanwhile, IPVanish has previously been criticized for logging user data, although the company has since updated its privacy policy to clarify that it does not log any traffic or usage data.
Overall, while both VPNs are strong in terms of security and privacy, ExpressVPN’s no-logs policy and Network Lock feature give it a slight edge in this category.
Speed and Performance
When it comes to VPNs, speed and performance are crucial factors to consider. Both IPVanish and ExpressVPN claim to offer fast and reliable connections, but which one delivers better performance?
After conducting speed tests on both VPN services, we found that ExpressVPN was slightly faster than IPVanish. While both services provided good download and upload speeds, ExpressVPN had lower latency and better overall performance.
However, it’s important to note that your specific location and internet service provider may impact the results of your speed tests. So, while ExpressVPN may be faster for some users, IPVanish could potentially provide better speeds for others.
Connection Speed
In terms of connection speed, both IPVanish and ExpressVPN offer fast and reliable connections. However, ExpressVPN consistently had slightly faster download and upload speeds in our tests.
IPVanish provides unlimited bandwidth and claims to have over 1,600 servers in more than 75 locations across the world. On the other hand, ExpressVPN has over 3,000 servers in 94 countries and also offers unlimited bandwidth.
Latency
Latency, also known as ping, refers to the amount of time it takes for your device to send a request to a server and receive a response. Lower latency means a faster response time and a smoother browsing experience.
Again, in our tests, ExpressVPN had lower latency than IPVanish, making it the better option for users who require quick response times.
Overall, while both IPVanish and ExpressVPN offer fast and reliable connections, for users who prioritize speed and performance, ExpressVPN may be the better choice.
User Interface and Ease of Use
When it comes to user interface and ease of use, both IPVanish and ExpressVPN offer intuitive and user-friendly designs. Both VPNs provide apps for a variety of platforms, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and more, making it easy to set up and connect to the VPN on any device.
IPVanish User Interface
IPVanish has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. The main dashboard displays the server location and the current status of the VPN connection, making it simple to connect and disconnect. The left-hand side menu provides quick access to features such as server selection, connection settings, and account information. Overall, IPVanish’s interface is straightforward and easy to use, even for beginners.
ExpressVPN User Interface
ExpressVPN’s user interface is also easy to use and well-designed. The main dashboard displays the current server location and connection status, and the left-hand side menu provides quick access to features such as server selection, settings, and support. Additionally, ExpressVPN offers a handy “Smart Location” feature that automatically connects to the best server for your location and needs, making it easier than ever to use.
Both VPNs have user-friendly interfaces that are intuitive and easy to navigate. However, ExpressVPN’s “Smart Location” feature gives it a slight edge in terms of ease of use.
Customer Support
When it comes to customer support, both IPVanish and ExpressVPN offer a variety of options to assist their users.
IPVanish provides 24/7 live chat support, as well as email support and a searchable knowledge base. Their support team is generally helpful and responsive, with quick resolution times for most issues. Additionally, they offer a remote assistance feature, which allows their support team to access your device and troubleshoot any issues directly.
ExpressVPN also provides 24/7 live chat support, as well as email support and a comprehensive support center. Their support team is known for being friendly, knowledgeable, and efficient in resolving any problems that users may encounter.
Overall, both VPN providers offer reliable and effective customer support, with a variety of options available to cater to different needs and preferences.
Streaming and Torrenting
Both IPVanish and ExpressVPN offer robust support for streaming and torrenting, making them popular choices among users who want to access content from around the world and share files securely.
Streaming:
When it comes to streaming, both VPNs are able to unblock popular streaming services, such as Netflix and Hulu. However, ExpressVPN has a slight edge over IPVanish in terms of the number of servers it has optimized for streaming, which can result in faster and more reliable connections. Additionally, ExpressVPN offers a MediaStreamer feature that allows for streaming on devices that don’t support VPN connections, such as smart TVs and gaming consoles.
Torrenting:
Both VPNs support P2P file sharing and have no restrictions on bandwidth or data usage, making them ideal for torrenting. However, ExpressVPN has a more streamlined and user-friendly interface for its torrenting capabilities, with a dedicated server location for P2P traffic. IPVanish, on the other hand, requires users to manually select a server that allows for P2P traffic.
Verdict for Streaming and Torrenting:
Overall, both IPVanish and ExpressVPN offer solid options for streaming and torrenting. However, if streaming is a top priority, ExpressVPN may be the better choice due to its optimized servers and MediaStreamer feature. For those focused on torrenting, both VPNs are reliable choices, but ExpressVPN’s more intuitive interface for P2P traffic may be the deciding factor.
Compatibility and Device Support
Both IPVanish and ExpressVPN offer support for a wide range of devices and platforms. Users can access these VPNs on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, and more. Both VPNs also offer browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.
When it comes to simultaneous connections, IPVanish allows up to 10 devices per subscription, while ExpressVPN offers 5. However, ExpressVPN makes up for this by allowing users to install the VPN on their router, which can extend coverage to all devices on the network.
Both IPVanish and ExpressVPN offer intuitive and user-friendly apps for all platforms, making it easy for users to connect, choose servers, and configure settings for optimal performance.
Overall Performance and Comparison Summary
After thoroughly analyzing IPVanish and ExpressVPN, we can conclude that both VPNs offer strong performance and solid security features. However, ExpressVPN edges out IPVanish in terms of overall performance and ease of use.
While IPVanish has lower pricing and plans that allow for more simultaneous connections, ExpressVPN offers faster speeds, better server selection, and greater reliability.
Additionally, ExpressVPN’s user interface is more intuitive and user-friendly, making it a better option for those who prioritize ease of use.
But both VPNs have their strengths. IPVanish is a great choice for those on a budget, while ExpressVPN is ideal for users who need the fastest and most reliable VPN connection possible.
Comparison Summary
| Criteria | IPVanish | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing and Plans | Lower cost, more simultaneous connections | Higher cost, fewer simultaneous connections |
| Features and Functionality | Good server selection, streaming support | Great server selection, better streaming support |
| Security and Privacy | Strong encryption and no logging | Strong encryption and no logging |
| Speed and Performance | Decent speeds, reliable performance | Fastest speeds, most reliable performance |
| User Interface and Ease of Use | Somewhat confusing interface, but easy to use | Intuitive and user-friendly interface |
| Customer Support | Good support options, slower response times | Excellent support options, fast response times |
| Streaming and Torrenting | Good for streaming, P2P file sharing support | Great for streaming, strong P2P file sharing support |
| Compatibility and Device Support | Apps for many platforms, but some compatibility issues | Apps for all major platforms, excellent compatibility |
Overall, if performance and ease of use are your top priorities, we recommend ExpressVPN. However, if cost and simultaneous connections are more important to you, IPVanish is a great option. Regardless of which VPN you choose, both IPVanish and ExpressVPN offer strong security and privacy features, making either option a solid choice for anyone looking to protect their online privacy and security.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
After extensive analysis and comparison, it is clear that both IPVanish and ExpressVPN offer reliable VPN services with excellent features and security. However, there are some differences to consider when choosing between the two.
For those who prioritize affordability and the ability to simultaneously connect multiple devices, IPVanish may be the better option. On the other hand, if streaming and torrenting are a priority, ExpressVPN is the way to go.
Ultimately, the choice between IPVanish and ExpressVPN comes down to personal preferences and needs. Both VPNs offer excellent performance and customer support, so you cannot go wrong with either of them.
Thank you for reading this in-depth comparison and review. We hope this article has been helpful in making an informed decision on which VPN to choose for your needs.
About the Author
Hi there! My name is [Name], and I am a professional journalist and copywriter with a passion for cybersecurity and online privacy. With over [Number] years of experience in the industry, I have specialized in writing about VPNs, encryption, and digital security.
I have written extensively on various aspects of online privacy and have contributed to several publications, including [List of publications]. I am committed to helping internet users make informed decisions about their online security and enjoy testing and reviewing different VPNs to provide comprehensive and unbiased insights.
When I’m not researching and writing about cybersecurity, I enjoy hiking, cooking, and playing video games. Feel free to get in touch with me via [Email Address] or check out my portfolio at [Website], where I regularly share my latest writing projects.
FAQ
Q: What is the main purpose of this article?
A: The main purpose of this article is to provide an in-depth comparison and review of IPVanish and ExpressVPN, helping readers make an informed decision about which VPN is the best option for their needs.
Q: How is the pricing and plans of IPVanish and ExpressVPN compared?
A: The pricing structures and plans of IPVanish and ExpressVPN are compared in terms of cost, available discounts, and any additional features included with each subscription.
Q: What features and functionality are offered by IPVanish and ExpressVPN?
A: The features and functionality of IPVanish and ExpressVPN are compared, including server locations, simultaneous connections, and support for different devices.
Q: How do IPVanish and ExpressVPN prioritize security and privacy?
A: The security and privacy aspects of IPVanish and ExpressVPN are discussed, including encryption methods, supported VPN protocols, logging policies, and any additional security features.
Q: How is the speed and performance of IPVanish and ExpressVPN evaluated?
A: The speed and performance of IPVanish and ExpressVPN are evaluated based on factors such as connection speed, latency, and overall reliability.
Q: What is the user interface and ease of use like for IPVanish and ExpressVPN?
A: The user interface and ease of use for IPVanish and ExpressVPN are assessed, discussing the design, availability of apps for different platforms, and overall user experience.
Q: How is the customer support provided by IPVanish and ExpressVPN?
A: The customer support offered by IPVanish and ExpressVPN is analyzed, considering the availability of support channels, response times, and the quality of assistance provided.
Q: Can IPVanish and ExpressVPN unblock streaming content and support torrenting?
A: The streaming and torrenting capabilities of IPVanish and ExpressVPN are discussed, including their ability to unblock geo-restricted content, support for P2P file sharing, and any limitations in terms of bandwidth or server selection.
Q: Which platforms and operating systems are compatible with IPVanish and ExpressVPN?
A: The compatibility and device support of IPVanish and ExpressVPN are explored, including the availability of apps for various platforms and operating systems such as Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and more.
Q: What is the overall performance comparison and summary of IPVanish and ExpressVPN?
A: The overall performance of IPVanish and ExpressVPN is analyzed, summarizing the key factors compared in each section and providing a verdict on which VPN is the better option.