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ExpressVPN vs IPVanish

Expressvpn vs Ipvanish

Many service providers claim to provide the best virtual private network (VPN) services. However, making an informed decision about which one to purchase can be challenging. When looking for a VPN service, ExpressVPN and IPVanish are two of the most likely to come up in your search. 

Among the most well-known names in the world of online security and privacy are ExpressVPN and IPVanish, both of which were founded in 2014. 

They both have a long history of providing high-quality VPN services to users all over the world, and this is no exception. In addition, ExpressVPN has many servers, provides excellent customer service, and has a user-friendly app. 

For its part, IPVanish claims to be the world's only "top-tier" VPN provider, offering a service that is both simple to use and simple to set up. 

Both VPN providers offer many apps and access to geo-restricted content and websites. In this review, we'll take a close look at ExpressVPN and IPVanish, evaluating their features and overall performance to determine which service is worth your hard-earned money.

ExpressVPN vs. IPVanish - Two VPN Leaders Compared

In 2009, ExpressVPN was established in the British Virgin Islands. Express VPN International Ltd. ExpressVPN provides this VPN service has over 3000 servers in 148 different locations across 94 different countries. In addition, ExpressVPN has one of the best server networks in the United States and Europe. 

On the other hand, this VPN provider has servers in several Asian countries. ExpressVPN protects your privacy and unblocks websites with cutting-edge technology. 

ExpressVPN uses DNS servers and high-end encryption technologies to prevent eavesdropping from protecting your internet traffic. You can choose which apps use VPN and your regular internet connection with split-tunneling. 

IPVanish was founded in Orlando, Florida, in 2012. Mudhook Media Inc owns the VPN service. The company now has over 1600 servers in 75 locations around the world. 

The majority of IPVanish's servers are owned and maintained by the company. This indicates that the company can safeguard your information and provide the best VPN service

This VPN service has many features as ExpressVPN, such as strong encryption and round-the-clock customer support. Apps for Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and Linux are available from both ExpressVPN and IPVanish. 

IPVanish is also compatible with ChromeOS. Routers, smart TVs, gaming consoles, and smart homes all support VPNs. Chrome and Firefox extensions are available for ExpressVPN and IPVanish. In addition, an Edge extension is available from ExpressVPN. 

Because IPVanish was released a few years after ExpressVPN, it's natural to assume that experience would take precedence over youth. That, however, is not the case. 

In just under a decade, IPVanish has risen to the top of the VPN industry thanks to its unmetered connection and numerous features. 

This VPN is trusted by millions of people all over the world. ExpressVPN is a popular VPN service that is known for its fast and secure network of servers. However, it isn't easy to choose between ExpressVPN and IPVanish. As a result, we created this comprehensive comparison to assist you in making an informed decision.

Speed Test

One of ExpressVPN's many claims to fame is its lightning-fast VPN server speeds. In addition, IPVanish provides a high-speed internet connection. VPN speed is primarily determined by a VPN provider's number of servers and their proximity to users. 

IPVanish has over 1600 servers, while ExpressVPN has over 3000. ExpressVPN has a speed advantage as a result of this. In addition, with the Lightway protocol, ExpressVPN has made a significant performance improvement. 

This protocol is significantly faster than OpenVPN, which is the industry standard. So anywhere in the world, no matter which ExpressVPN server you connect to, you can expect fast and reliable service. 

IPVanish primarily uses OpenVPN and does not support any cutting-edge protocols. As a result, this VPN is slower than ExpressVPN. 

ExpressVPN achieved an average speed of 150Mbps in our tests, while IPVanish achieved an average speed of 85Mbps to 100Mbps. In terms of speed, ExpressVPN outperforms IPVanish.

Features

Because of the competitive nature of the VPN industry, companies like ExpressVPN and IPVanish are constantly adding new features, updates, and improvements to their networks. Here are some of the benefits that these VPN services can provide.

ExpressVPN features:

  • Unlimited bandwidth; no throttling
  • Unlimited server switching
  • Supports five simultaneous connections
  • AES 256-bit encryption
  • Multiple protocols; OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP-IPsec, SSTP, PPTP, and Lightway
  • SOCKS5 web proxy
  • Zero logging
  • Torrent and P2P support
  • Access to geo-blocked content
  • Kill switch
  • DNS leak protection
  • TrustedServer technology
  • Split tunneling
  • 24/7 customer support
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
Overall Rating: 4.5 / 5.0
Visit ExpressVPN

IPVanish features:

  • Unlimited bandwidth; no throttling
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections
  • Unlimited server switching
  • Up to 40,000 IP addresses
  • AES 256-bit encryption
  • Multiple protocols; IKEv2, L2TP/IPSec, and OpenVPN (UDP and TCP)
  • SOCKS5 web proxy
  • Zero logging
  • Torrent and P2P support
  • Access to geo-blocked content
  • Kill switch
  • DNS leak protection
  • Split tunneling (for Android devices only)
  • XOR obfuscated servers
  • Free 250GB cloud storage on SugarSync
  • 24/7 customer support
  • 30-day money-back guarantee

ExpressVPN also has a smart location feature that connects you to a recommended server at the touch of a button. A built-in speed test measures latency, speed, and server distance to ensure you're getting the fastest connection possible. 

ExpressVPN includes an obfuscation feature that is compatible with some of its servers. The obfuscation feature conceals your VPN traffic, allowing you to use VPNs even in China. 

Finally, IPVanish includes a built-in scramble feature that works similarly to ExpressVPN's obfuscation feature. Both ExpressVPN and IPVanish have excellent features, so this is a tie.

IPvanish logo in white color
Overall Rating: 4.0 / 5.0
Visit IPVanish

Reliability

IPVanish users can connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously, whereas ExpressVPN users can only connect five devices at a time. In addition, ExpressVPN offers live chat customer support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

The live chat service is simple to use and extremely helpful. If your chat is disconnected, their agents will take your email address (if you have registered) and respond to you via email - how convenient is that? 

If you don't want to talk to a live agent, ExpressVPN's website has a FAQ, user support guides, and setup guides that cover almost everything you might need to know. In addition, ExpressVPN has a user-friendly website that is available in 16 different languages. 

Their customer service center is available in six of these languages. IPVanish, on the other hand, uses an email ticketing system and a live chat service that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. While IPVanish's customer service is excellent, you may not be able to get reliable technical assistance if something goes wrong with your service. 

In addition, their customer service center only supports one language. ExpressVPN and IPVanish are both extremely dependable. 

In 2020, IPVanish had a few issues with its service, but they were quickly resolved. Likewise, there is no history of connectivity issues with ExpressVPN. Finally, both VPN providers are incredibly dependable, so there is a tie in terms of reliability.

Security

Every VPN service is built on the foundation of security. As a result, services like ExpressVPN and IPVanish have many security features.

Encryption: These VPNs use 256-bit AES encryption, along with 4096-bit RSA keys and HMAC authentication. Symmetrical, meaning the same key must be used to encrypt and decrypt data. The world's most powerful computer's decryption would take billions of years. Data security uses SHA-512 HMAC authentication. They can authenticate the file using a shared secret key.

VPN Protocol: ExpressVPN gives you six security protocol choices, while IPVanish gives you three options. You can choose which protocol you prefer, or the platform will automatically select the best protocol for the most reliable connection.

Split Tunneling: ExpressVPN and IPVanish support split tunneling, which allows you to determine which browsers and apps to route through your VPN connection.

Kill Switch: Both ExpressVPN and IPVanish have an automatic kill switch that makes sure your IP address is not accidentally exposed if your VPN connection is interrupted for any reason. However, IPVanish's kill switch is only available for its Mac and Windows apps.

SOCKS5 Proxy: This feature, available on ExpressVPN and IPVanish, hides your IP address and ensures you enjoy fast connection speeds.

DNS Protection: ExpressVPN and IPVanish have DNS protection on their servers. This keeps you anonymous, protecting you from any potential leaks.

Both ExpressVPN and IPVanish boast outstanding security credentials, so this is a close tie.

Logging Policies

IPVanish adheres to a strict no-logging policy. The company has stated that user privacy is important to them. However, no independent audit has been conducted to support this claim. In the past, IPVanish has been involved in logging disputes. 

The FBI and the US Department of Homeland Security have received user data from the company over the last decade. 

This calls into question IPVanish's logging policies. However, the company's management has changed, and there hasn't been any logging controversy since. ExpressVPN adheres to a strict no-logging policy. The company does not keep track of any personal information or information that can be used to identify a specific user. 

The client version number, connection date, and server selection are among the details that ExpressVPN keeps track of. In addition, pricewaterhouseCoopers have audited ExpressVPN to verify its zero-logging claims (PWC). 

ExpressVPN is committed to protecting your privacy, as evidenced by the audit, and does not violate its no-logs policy. ExpressVPN is a better choice in this category than IPVanish because of its transparency and the fact that it has never been involved in any logging scandals.

Jurisdiction

The British Virgin Islands are home to ExpressVPN. The British Virgin Islands is a sovereign political and legal entity that cannot comply with the UK's and other countries' data requests. The island country is also not a member of the 5/9/14 Eyes alliance. 

As a result, you can rest assured that your data is secure. Because IPVanish is based in the United States, they are subject to US law. 

The infamous Five Eyes Surveillance alliance includes the United States. As a result, companies in the United States have been forced to violate their privacy policies and hand over data to authorities in the past. 

As previously stated, IPVanish has been impacted by these intrusive US laws. If jurisdiction is a significant concern for you, ExpressVPN is the better option.

Streaming Capabilities (Netflix, Hulu, etc.)

You can use ExpressVPN to bypass geo-restrictions and stream content from Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, HBO Go, and other services. 

ExpressVPN's 20+ US servers and those in Australia, Germany, South America, Brazil, Chile, and Peru support HD streaming. ExpressVPN offers super-fast streaming with no lags, pixelated videos, or buffering. 

IPVanish can unblock Netflix and other popular services like HBO Go and YouTube on most of its servers. 

It does not, however, always work. Fast connections and incredible streaming quality are available when it works, but it can be frustrating because it does not always get past geo-restrictions. There isn't much debate here because ExpressVPN is the clear winner.

Torrenting & File Sharing

ExpressVPN has no data caps and unlimited bandwidth. This is useful for torrenting without restrictions. In addition, torrenting and peer-to-peer (P2P) sharing are supported on all ExpressVPN servers. 

Although not all of their servers support P2P, ExpressVPN can detect your activity and redirect your connection if necessary. In addition, ExpressVPN is compatible with uTorrent and other BitTorrent clients. 

IPVanish allows unlimited P2P connections on all of its servers, making torrenting safe and anonymous. It also means that you'll be able to torrent with your current connection. In addition, ExpressVPN's many P2P-friendly servers will provide you with more options and a more specialized torrenting experience. 

Even if you're not in Europe or the United States (especially if you're in Asia, Africa, or South America), ExpressVPN has a larger selection of fast servers that are closer to your location. As a result, ExpressVPN is the clear winner in this category.

Pricing & Plans

ExpressVPN is no doubt more costly than IPVanish. However, there is a discount on the price when you go for a longer subscription plan.

ExpressVPN Pricing:

  • 1 month - $12.95
  • 6 months - $59.95
  • 1 year - $99.95
ExpressVPN pricing

Regardless of which subscription plan you choose, you will access all VPN features. However, ExpressVPN only accepts PayPal as a payment method. 

IPVanish has two pricing tiers: one for the VPN alone and another for the combined cloud storage service. You get 250GB of encrypted SugarSync storage if you choose the combined cloud storage plan.

IPVanish Pricing:

  • 1 month - $4.49
  • 3 months - $12.12
  • 1 year - $35.04

All IPVanish subscription plans give you access to all the features of this VPN. IPVanish accepts different payment methods, including Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, PayPal, and more.

All IPVanish subscription plans include access to all of the VPN's features. Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express, PayPal, and other payment methods are accepted by IPVanish. ExpressVPN and IPVanish come close in terms of pricing. 

ExpressVPN is a little less expensive, but the features it provides make it worthwhile. Because IPVanish is less expensive on its own, it wins the gold medal in this category.

Refunds Policy

You want to know exactly what you're getting before you buy it, don't you? ExpressVPN recognizes this and provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, giving you plenty of time to try out all of the VPN's features before committing. 

In addition, ExpressVPN offers a "no questions asked" refund policy, allowing you to stop using the service whenever you want. If you decide to cancel your subscription at any time, ExpressVPN will issue a prompt refund. 

A 30-day money-back guarantee is also available from IPVanish. If you are unhappy with this VPN, you can contact the company's customer service department and ask for a refund.

For a refund, IPVanish only requires that the refund request be made within 30 days of the subscription purchase date. Then, within three business days, the company will refund your money. In this category, ExpressVPN and IPVanish are both winners.

Value for Money

ExpressVPN provides excellent value for money. You get exactly what you pay for, such as DNS on each server and lightning-fast connection speeds. 

ExpressVPN also upgrades its network regularly to give you peace of mind by keeping your data safe while also providing you with a cutting-edge product. IPVanish is less expensive. 

However, when compared to ExpressVPN, it has some disadvantages, such as slower speeds, a history of sharing user data with government agencies, and limited support. In addition, there are some disadvantages to ExpressVPN, such as the cost. 

The advantages of ExpressVPN, on the other hand, far outweigh those of IPVanish. ExpressVPN is the winner in this category, despite being more expensive. It provides the best value for money.

Conclusion (Overall Winner)

With all of this information, it's clear why ExpressVPN and IPVanish are among the industry's top VPN providers. They have several features to offer, including strong security, streaming support, exceptional value for money, and reasonably priced pricing. 

IPVanish is an excellent VPN service for security-conscious people because it is simple to use and has excellent security features. However, it does not appear to keep up with streaming and online entertainment. It also has some issues with compatibility and geo-restricted content. 

As a result, it does not provide exceptional value for money. Nevertheless, IPVanish is a good option if you only need a VPN for privacy and want to save money. 

However, if you require privacy and full, unrestricted access to everything on the internet, particularly streaming services, as well as an excellent user interface and complete reliability, ExpressVPN is the best option.

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By: Michael Miller
Michael is the CEO of VPN Online, one of the fastest-growing media companies in the cyber-security space. VPN Online was started in 2019 after Michael consulted with many Fortune 500 companies and saw the lack of understanding about cybersecurity many of their employees had.