NordVPN vs IPVanish

Introduction

In today’s digital age, online security and privacy have become a pressing concern for many internet users. Cybercriminals and hackers are always on the lookout for ways to steal sensitive information from unsuspecting users. Hence, it is essential to protect your online activity with a reliable VPN service. NordVPN and IPVanish are two popular VPN providers that offer robust security and privacy features to protect users from online threats. In this article, we will compare NordVPN vs IPVanish and see which VPN service is the best.

Before we dive into the details, let’s take a brief look at what NordVPN and IPVanish are.

NordVPN is a Panama-based VPN provider that was launched in 2012. It has gained a reputation for providing top-notch security and privacy features, making it a popular choice among internet users. NordVPN has a vast network of servers worldwide, which allows users to connect to different locations and access content that may be geo-restricted.
IPVanish, on the other hand, is a US-based VPN provider that was founded in 2012. It offers similar features to NordVPN, such as robust security and privacy, and a vast network of servers worldwide.

Now that we have a brief overview of both VPN providers let’s dive into the details and compare NordVPN vs IPVanish.

Server Network

One of the most crucial aspects of any VPN service is its server network. The more servers a VPN provider has, the more options users have to connect to different locations worldwide. NordVPN has a vast network of over 5,500 servers in 59 countries worldwide. The servers are optimized for streaming, P2P, and other online activities. With such a vast network, NordVPN users can access content from different locations worldwide and enjoy fast speeds without any lag.

IPVanish, on the other hand, has a relatively smaller network of servers, with over 1,600 servers in 75 locations worldwide. Although it is still a decent number of servers, it pales in comparison to NordVPN’s server network. Hence, NordVPN wins this round as it offers users more options to connect to different locations worldwide.

Speed and Performance

Speed and performance are critical factors to consider when choosing a VPN provider. A VPN can slow down your internet connection due to the encryption and rerouting of traffic. Hence, it is essential to choose a VPN provider that offers fast speeds without any lag.

In our tests, NordVPN performed exceptionally well, with fast speeds and no lag. We tested the VPN on various servers worldwide, and the speeds were consistently fast. NordVPN also offers a feature called NordLynx, which is a protocol that uses the WireGuard VPN protocol to provide faster speeds and better performance. In our tests, we found that NordLynx was faster than other protocols, such as OpenVPN and IKEv2.

IPVanish also performed well in our tests, with fast speeds and no lag. However, it was not as fast as NordVPN. We tested the VPN on various servers worldwide and found that the speeds were slightly slower than NordVPN’s speeds. Hence, NordVPN wins this round as it offers faster speeds and better performance.

Security and Privacy

Security and privacy are essential features of any VPN service. A VPN should protect users’ online activity from prying eyes and hackers. NordVPN and IPVanish offer robust security and privacy features, but let’s take a closer look.

NordVPN uses AES 256-bit encryption, which is the highest level of encryption available. It also offers various protocols such as OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and NordLynx. NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy, which means it does not store any user data, including browsing history, IP addresses, or timestamps.
NordVPN also has a kill switch feature that automatically disconnects your internet connection if the VPN connection drops, ensuring your online activity remains secure.

IPVanish also uses AES 256-bit encryption and offers various protocols such as OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP/IPSec. It also has a kill switch feature and a zero-logs policy, which means it does not store any user data.

However, NordVPN has an advantage over IPVanish when it comes to security and privacy. NordVPN is based in Panama, which has no mandatory data retention laws. This means that NordVPN is not required to store any user data, ensuring complete privacy for its users. On the other hand, IPVanish is based in the US, which has mandatory data retention laws. This means that IPVanish may be required to store user data and hand it over to authorities if requested.

Therefore, NordVPN wins this round as it offers better security and privacy features than IPVanish.

Streaming and Torrenting

Many users use VPNs to access geo-restricted content and for torrenting. Hence, it is essential to choose a VPN provider that supports streaming and torrenting.

NordVPN is an excellent choice for streaming, as it offers servers optimized for streaming and supports popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and BBC iPlayer. NordVPN also supports torrenting and has dedicated P2P servers that allow users to download and share files securely.

IPVanish also supports streaming and offers servers optimized for popular streaming platforms. However, in our tests, we found that IPVanish struggled to unblock some geo-restricted content, whereas NordVPN worked seamlessly. IPVanish also supports torrenting and has dedicated P2P servers.

Therefore, NordVPN wins this round as it offers better streaming and torrenting support than IPVanish.

Ease of Use and Customer Support

Ease of use and customer support are also essential factors to consider when choosing a VPN provider. A VPN should be easy to set up and use, even for beginners. Additionally, customer support should be readily available and helpful in case of any issues.

NordVPN has a user-friendly interface that is easy to navigate. It offers apps for all major platforms, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux. NordVPN also offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and a knowledge base.

IPVanish also has a user-friendly interface and offers apps for all major platforms. However, in our tests, we found that the interface was not as intuitive as NordVPN’s interface. IPVanish also offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and a knowledge base.

Therefore, NordVPN wins this round as it offers better ease of use and customer support than IPVanish.

Pricing

Pricing is an important factor to consider when choosing a VPN provider. NordVPN and IPVanish offer different pricing plans, so let’s take a closer look.

NordVPN offers four pricing plans: a 1-month plan for $11.95, a 1-year plan for $4.92/month, a 2-year plan for $3.71/month, and a 3-year plan for $3.30/month. NordVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try the service risk-free.

IPVanish offers three pricing plans: a 1-month plan for $10.00, a 3-month plan for $8.99/month, and a 1-year plan for $6.49/month. IPVanish also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try the service risk-free.

Although both VPN providers offer competitive pricing plans, NordVPN’s long-term plans are more affordable and offer better value for money. NordVPN’s 3-year plan, in particular, is an excellent deal, as it offers significant savings compared to IPVanish’s 1-year plan.

Therefore, NordVPN wins this round as it offers better pricing and value for money than IPVanish.

Speed and Performance

VPN speed and performance are crucial factors to consider when choosing a VPN provider. A VPN should offer fast connection speeds, low latency, and minimal loss of speed.

In our tests, we found that NordVPN offered faster connection speeds than IPVanish. NordVPN’s servers consistently provided fast and reliable speeds, even when connecting to servers located in different countries. IPVanish, on the other hand, had slightly slower connection speeds and occasional drops in performance.

Therefore, NordVPN wins this round as it offers better speed and performance than IPVanish.

Final Verdict

After testing and comparing NordVPN vs. IPVanish, we can conclude that NordVPN is the better VPN provider in almost every testing field.

NordVPN offers better security and privacy features, supports streaming and torrenting, is easier to use, and has better customer support. Additionally, NordVPN’s long-term plans offer better value for money and faster connection speeds compared to IPVanish.

However, it is worth noting that IPVanish is still a decent VPN provider that offers many of the same features as NordVPN. If you are looking for a more affordable VPN provider or prefer a US-based provider, IPVanish could still be a good option.

Overall, if you want the best VPN provider that offers the most comprehensive security features, fast connection speeds, and excellent streaming and torrenting support, then NordVPN is the clear winner.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is NordVPN? NordVPN is a virtual private network (VPN) provider that offers online security and privacy by encrypting users’ internet traffic and hiding their IP address.
2. What is IPVanish? IPVanish is a VPN provider that offers online security and privacy by encrypting users’ internet traffic and hiding their IP address.
3. How do NordVPN and IPVanish compare in terms of security and privacy? NordVPN offers better security and privacy features than IPVanish. NordVPN is based in Panama, which has no mandatory data retention laws, while IPVanish is based in the US, which has mandatory data retention laws. NordVPN also offers a wider range of security protocols and a kill switch feature that automatically disconnects your internet connection if the VPN connection drops.
4. Which VPN provider is better for streaming and torrenting? NordVPN is better for streaming and torrenting, as it offers servers optimized for streaming and supports popular streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime, and BBC iPlayer. NordVPN also supports torrenting and has dedicated P2P servers that allow users to download and share files securely.
5. Which VPN provider is easier to use? NordVPN is easier to use, as it has a more intuitive interface that is easy to navigate. NordVPN also offers apps for all major platforms, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux.
6. Which VPN provider offers better customer support? NordVPN offers better customer support, as it offers 24/7 customer support via live chat, email, and a knowledge base. IPVanish also offers 24/7 customer support, but some users have reported slower response times and less helpful customer service representatives.
7. Which VPN provider is more affordable? NordVPN offers more affordable long-term plans that offer better value for money compared to IPVanish. NordVPN’s 3-year plan, in particular, is an excellent deal, as it offers significant savings compared to IPVanish’s 1-year plan.
8. Which VPN provider offers faster connection speeds? NordVPN offers faster connection speeds compared to IPVanish. NordVPN’s servers consistently provided fast and reliable speeds, even when connecting to servers located in different countries.
9. Can NordVPN and IPVanish unblock geo-restricted content? Both NordVPN and IPVanish can unblock geo-restricted content to some extent, but NordVPN is more reliable and consistent in unblocking popular streaming platforms.
10. Which VPN provider is better overall? Overall, NordVPN is the better VPN provider, as it offers better security and privacy features, faster connection speeds, better streaming and torrenting support, easier to use, and better customer support. However, IPVanish is still a decent VPN provider that may be a better fit for users looking for a more affordable or US-based provider.