Both IPVanish and NordVPN are top-grade VPNs to secure your internet connection. Whether you want to surf the internet using public Wi-Fi or access online media under watertight privacy, the two VPNs don’t disappoint.
Even more, these VPNs offer potent tools to blast the censorship and geo-restrictions that often plague the internet community.
IPVanish delivers fast connection speeds, has a reliable server network, and boasts top security tools. Besides, one login account lets you secure above-average multiple simultaneous connections.
NordVPN packs an extensive global server network, mentionable customer service, good connection speeds, unique security features, and more. And yes, it’s affordable.
In this guide, we pit the two VPNs against each other, so in the end, you can decide the one that best fits your VPN needs.
How to Choose a VPN
When selecting a VPN, the rule of thumb is to find an all-round VPN service provider. To ensure your internet connections are secure, you’ll to need to factor in several performance-enhancing elements.
In a head-to-head contest, we compare NordVPN and IPvanish. The comparison encompasses a list of critical features that a VPN provider should prioritize. And so should you.
Categories such as fast connection speeds, geographical server coverage, security, and privacy top the list of crucial features to consider, depending on your online activity needs.
In each category, I will announce the best VPN based on its performance, which will help declare an overall winner at the end of the contest.
So, which features are a must-have? Well, here’s what to consider:
Connection Speed
An ideal VPN keeps you connected to the rest of the world using reliably fast connection speeds. With speedy connections, you can download content and watch HD content without a fuss. You cannot enjoy the thrill of Netflix or BBC iPlayer if your internet connection is slow.
I tested the connection speeds for both VPNs in two different locations (in the U.S., and the U.K.). The tests were run on three different days at three randomly selected hours of the day.
Local Connection Speeds (U.S.)
Speed tests with NordVPN on U.S. servers produced an average download speed of 74 Mbps. IPVanish, on the other hand, averaged 53 Mbps.
Local Connection Speeds: NordVPN wins.
International Connection Speeds (U.S. to the U.K.)
Both IPVanish and NordVPN delivered satisfactory connection speeds across international borders.
IPVanish posted an average download speed of 47.11 Mbps, while NordVPN averaged 56 Mbps
International Connection Speeds Winner: NordVPN
Pricing
On matters pricing, many top-rated VPNs can be costly, attributed to the array of useful features, some of these VPNs pack.
Generally speaking, both IPVanish and NordVPN are relatively cheaper. Thanks to their flexible, affordable plans that promise not to hurt your pocket.
IPVanish comes with three payment plans. Currently, the one-month subscription plan costs $10 per month. A 3-month subscription plan costs $8.99 each month, billed at $26.99, while the annual payment plan tariffed at $6.49 per month charged as $77.99. Besides, the VPN offers unbeatable offers now and then.
Just like IPVanish, NordVPN boasts plausible subscription plans. First, there’s the much discounted 3-year plan, which costs $3.49/month billed as $125.64, once in three years—this is arguably the best on offer.
NordVPN’s month-to-month payment plan costs $11.95. What’s more, the two-year plan sets you back $4.99/ month, while the one-year option costs $6.99/month.
In this category, IPVanish just cuts the edge ahead of NordVPN, offering slightly better prices for different subscription options.
Pricing Winner: IPVanish
Privacy
The fun of using VPNs is hidden in the privacy they provide. It’s super-important when you go online, your moves aren’t monitored.
Luckily, most top VPNs can help you with that by ensuring only you can access your browsing history. For a reason, no third parties would get their hands on your sensitive information, including your credit card details.
IPVanish is based in the US, where VPN companies are obligated by law to provide user data when requested by the State.
The good thing, IPVanish adheres to a no-logs policy. In the past, however, the previous owner was embroiled in a logging scandal. Besides, the VPN doesn’t accept Bitcoin for payment.
Fortunately, the current management doesn’t store user information; thus, even when asked to provide your data, they don’t have it!
NordVPN also doesn’t store the logging activity of its customers. Even better, the company is located in Panama, where the law doesn’t require VPN providers to retain any information related to their customers. Moreover, you can pay for the service anonymously using Bitcoin.
Privacy Winner: NordVPN.
Features
Your ideal VPN should an all-round performer. A VPN service’s features provide the best yardstick to measure its capacity to meet your protection needs.
Both IPVanish and NordVPN offer multiple connections at the same time, have servers stationed in many countries across the globe, and allow unlimited bandwidth. Also, they safeguard your browsing history using military-grade encryption.
IPVanish packs an impressive list of cutting-edge security features at an affordable price. The VPN installs quickly and is easy to use. Plus, its apps are lightweight for use on smartphones.
When connected to the VPN, we suffered a small amount of latency, and barely noticed any change in loading speeds while streaming videos.
NordVPN easily unblocks most geo-restricted content. Thanks to their massive network of servers, and the use of SmartPlay technology, which automatically connects you to the right server.
Speaking of servers, the provider packs special categories for extra security, torrenting, and streaming. NordVPN’s no-logs policy works. Most importantly, it’s speedy enough to allow you stream HD videos, and torrent endlessly.
Encryption
Without the assurance of a secure connection, a VPN cannot be a fans’ favorite. Reliable security, therefore, is a must-have for any top-tier VPN service.
IPVanish protects your data using 256-bit encryption, with OpenVPN. The service also utilizes other protocols, including IKEv2, IPSec, and L2TP, to further protect your internet connections.
The VPN’s kill switch, available for Windows, and macOS prevents unexpected IP leaks. Still, IPVanish offers DNS leak protection, preventing your ISP and websites from tracking your online activity.
Similarly, users of NordVPN are protected using AES-256-CBC encryption, with Open VPN. Further to this, iOS and Mac users get AES-256-CGM with IKEv2/IPSec.
NordVPN recently discontinued the use of dated alternatives like L2TP, SSTP, and PPTP. The VPN provider instead equips users with a Perfect Forward Secrecy for unique session keys, meaning better privacy. This is realized by using 3072-bit Diffie-Hellman keys for IKEv2/IPSec, and 2048-bit Diffie-Hellman keys for OpenVPN.
Encryption Winner: NordVPN
Simultaneous Connections
For some reason, any out-and-out surfer wants to have multiple devices all connected to the internet at a go! That’s the life nowadays, and it’s, therefore, prudent to have them all protected. Protecting one computer and leaving out your phone, for example, still presents a risky situation.
While most VPNs let you secure more than one device at the same time, each provider supports up to a certain number of devices per subscription. The more devices a single VPN subscription supports, the more value for your buck
IPVanish allows you to connect up to 10 devices simultaneously, making it an ideal choice for small businesses.
Moreover, you can secure each device using various security protocols. For example, you can connect your laptop via the OpenVPN and your tablet via a PPTP or L2TP, and smartphone on IKEv2, etc.
NordVPN allows you to connect up to 6 devices at the same time. For a reason, it’s a worthy consideration for average-sized families.
Got more devices? Both VPNs can be installed on compatible routers to add the number of devices connected. But you’ll pay more.
Simultaneous Connections Winner: IPVanish
Torrent Support
Considering the current trends …torrenting is here to stay. You can download large amounts of content via torrenting.
While torrenting in itself isn’t illegal, sharing copyrighted content, and other restricted content can aggravate copyright holders, governments and ISPs.
The right VPN allows you to retain anonymity as you download and share P2P files. This way, you won’t be busted by your ISP or government agencies.
When choosing the best VPN for torrenting, you cannot overlook the download speed, particularly if you’ll be downloading large files.
IPVanish has become a brand among top torrent clients as it allows torrenting on all its servers. The VPN delivers high-speed connections, employs a strict no-logs policy, and allows P2P file-sharing.
NordVPN allows for torrenting and P2P file sharing on servers located in 42 countries. The vast network of secure servers, speedy connections, and a strict no-logs policy ensure that torrenting buffs are well covered.
Torrent Support Winner: IPVanish
Global Server Coverage
An extensive network of servers across the globe is needed for a VPN’s to perform efficiency. A comprehensive server coverage ensures users can access a wide variety of content.
This coupled with a VPN’s powerful unblocking power, users are sure to enjoy non-stop music, video streams, TV shows, video games, and other forms of content beyond their jurisdictions. Thankfully, both IPVanish and NordVPN allow you to unblock geo-restrictions and censorship barriers.
IPVanish packs more than 1,300 distributed across over 75 locations worldwide. This might not be the best coverage you’ll find, but IPVanish’s customers still unblock and enjoy lots of content.
NordVPN, on the other hand, comes with over 5200 servers spread out in 59 countries. Note that most of its servers are stationed in Europe and America.
With such a vast network of servers, NordVPN users can unblock more geo-blocked content in many regions of the world.
While NordVPN wins in this category, checking the count of countries where NordVPN servers are stationed, you may want to reconsider your decision.
Global Server Coverage: NordVPN
Multi-Platform Support
In this era, it’s no brainer that the ideal VPN should allow support for more than a few devices. Besides, the more devices one account lets you protect, the more value for your hard-earned cash.
If you own more than a laptop and a smartphone (which is often the case), then you’d want a VPN that protects them all.
IPVanish boasts support for user-friendly native apps for Windows, macOS, Android, Linux, and iOS. As for Linux, set it up manually, with either a PPTP or OpenVPN.
A browser extension for Chrome is included. Other than this, you can use FoxyProxy Standard add-on with Mozilla’s Firefox. How to install? There’s a simple guide to help you with the process.
NordVPN supports a wide range of devices and platforms. These include Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Android TV. Besides, NordVPN offers Chrome and Firefox extensions, with set up guides.
Beyond that, the VPN supports numerous routers, pfSense, RaspberryPi, BlackBerry devices, and more.
Multi-Platform Support Winner: NordVPN
Customer Support
In case you run into trouble while using a VPN, your service provider should be there to offer help. While both providers deliver reliable VPN service, every once in a while, you might have a question for the VPN’s support agents.
IPVanish offers support via email and 24/7 live chat. Similarly, you can use their searchable support library for self-help.
IPVanish has had mixed reviews regarding customer service feedback. While some users rave about the excellent customer service, others incuriously lament the sluggishness in responding to questions. I waited 40 seconds to receive a reply via the live chat. Even so, the agent was polite and friendly and provided the right answers.
NordVPN offers support through email, and 24/7 live chat—it took about 10 seconds to get a reply via live chat. You may also find help using their ticket system or the extensive searchable library. Moreover, the tutorials about using certain services are clear and easy to follow.
Customer Support Winner: NordVPN.
The Winner: NordVPN!
From this review, it’s evident that both IPVanish and NordVPN are both excellent services. No wonder it’s been a battle of fine margins.
IPVanish won in simultaneous connections, pricing, international connection speeds, and torrent support.
NordVPN won five categories, but IPVanish was close behind. In general, NordVPN supports numerous platforms. It comes well-encrypted, with fast connection speeds, extensive global server network, and excellent customer support.
