IPVanish vs ExpressVPN: expert tests & comparison
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IPVanish and ExpressVPN are two of the most recognized VPN services in the industry. Both stand out for their reliable performance, robust security, and ability to handle demanding online activities like streaming, gaming, and torrenting. Whether you value speed, privacy, or versatility, both providers offer significant benefits.
To create a fair and data-driven comparison, the Cybernews research team and I tested each VPN across several key areas – including connection speed, server performance, streaming capabilities, security features, and ease of use. We also reviewed their pricing, customer support, and value to different types of users, from casual browsers to online professionals.
In the following IPVanish vs ExpressVPN comparison, you’ll find everything you need to decide which service best fits your needs. Keep reading to discover which VPN earned the top spot in our latest test and why it might be the smarter choice for you.
ExpressVPN vs IPVanish overview
Both IPVanish and ExpressVPN rank among the best VPNs on the market – offering strong security, fast connections, and reliable streaming support. While they’re close in overall quality, IPVanish is a slightly more affordable choice – starting at $2.19/month – and supports unlimited device connections, making it ideal for larger households or heavy users.
ExpressVPN justifies its higher price with advanced privacy tools and polished apps, but when it comes to overall value, IPVanish stands out. It combines impressive speed, simplicity, and flexibility – making it one of the best choices for everyday use across all your devices.
| IPVanish | ExpressVPN | |
| ⭐ Rating: | ||
| 🥇 Overall rank: | #8 out of #41 | #4 out of #41 |
| 🖥️ Servers: | 3,200+ servers in 113 countries | 3,000+ servers in 105 countries |
| 📖 No logs policy: | No logs | No logs |
| 💵 Price: | From $2.19/month | From $2.79/month |
| 🔥 Coupons: | IPVanish coupon 83% OFF | ExpressVPN coupon 78% OFF |
| 🔒 VPN protocols: | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| 🍿 Streaming services: | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Disney+, Hulu, and more | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more |
| 🖥️ Platforms: | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| 📥 Simultaneous connections: | Unlimited | 14 |
| 💁🏻 Support: | Knowledge base, FAQs, email, 24/7 live chat | Knowledge base, FAQs, email, 24/7 live chat |
Recent Updates
IPVanish vs ExpressVPN: key differences
Both IPVanish and ExpressVPN are among the best VPNs for everyday use, but they excel in slightly different areas. Here’s a quick overview to help you decide which one aligns better with your needs:
Choose IPVanish if:
- You want a budget-friendly VPN. IPVanish is typically cheaper on long-term plans, so it’s a strong option if you’re looking to keep ongoing subscription costs low.
- You need unlimited device coverage. IPVanish supports unlimited simultaneous connections, making it ideal for large households, power users, or anyone with a big device ecosystem.
- You prioritize straightforward performance. IPVanish focuses on reliable connections and practical core features rather than a lot of extra add-ons, which suits users who want a simple but powerful VPN.
Check out our full IPVanish review for a detailed breakdown of its features, test results, and real-world performance.
Choose ExpressVPN if:
- You value premium privacy tools. ExpressVPN includes a rich set of security and privacy features, making it a better fit if you’re especially focused on online anonymity and data protection.
- You want consistently polished apps. ExpressVPN offers highly refined apps across platforms, which is great if you care about intuitive design, stability, and ease of use on every device.
- You often access global content. With strong geo-unblocking capabilities and reliable speeds, ExpressVPN is well suited for streaming and accessing services from different regions.
Check out our full ExpressVPN review for the complete test data, feature overview, and in-depth analysis.
Speed, streaming, and torrenting performance
I compared ExpressVPN and IPVanish in terms of speed, streaming and torrenting capabilities, and overall performance. Here are the results of my testing.
Speed comparison
Our latest March 2026 speed tests showed that IPVanish is faster than ExpressVPN in most server locations and especially strong on long-distance connections. However, ExpressVPN delivers better performance on nearby servers, with notably higher local download speeds and lower latency, which is important for activities like video calls and competitive gaming.
IPVanish uses the WireGuard protocol, which is currently considered one of the fastest VPN tunneling protocols, while ExpressVPN relies on its proprietary Lightway protocol. Using these two protocols, the research team and I tested IPVanish and ExpressVPN across multiple locations worldwide, including local servers and servers in the UK, the US, Australia, and Japan.
IPVanish speed test results:
| Server location | Download speed | Upload speed | Ping |
| Local | 459.24Mbps | 226.02Mbps | 71ms |
| London, UK | 846.57Mbps | 481.91Mbps | 39ms |
| New York, US | 801.41Mbps | 163.78Mbps | 98ms |
| Perth, Australia | 726.33Mbps | 91.51Mbps | 221ms |
| Tokyo, Japan | 653.68Mbps | 75.95Mbps | 269ms |
ExpressVPN speed test results:
| Server location | Download speed | Upload speed | Ping |
| Local | 724.19Mbps | 370.83Mbps | 17ms |
| London, UK | 573.30Mbps | 459.13Mbps | 40ms |
| New York, US | 468.69Mbps | 200.41Mbps | 97ms |
| Perth, Australia | 382.37Mbps | 91.45Mbps | 220ms |
| Tokyo, Japan | 301.21Mbps | 77.06Mbps | 255ms |
The competition between the two providers was close overall. ExpressVPN delivered the best local results, with higher download and upload speeds and significantly lower ping than IPVanish on nearby servers.
However, IPVanish consistently pulled ahead in most international locations, especially in the UK, US, Australia, and Japan, where it maintained higher download speeds in almost every case. Upload speeds were relatively comparable, with each provider leading in different regions.
Even though there were a few instances where ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol held its own or came close, it was less impressive on distant servers. By contrast, IPVanish offered more stable and generally faster long-distance performance.
Streaming performance
Both ExpressVPN and IPVanish are excellent choices for streaming, thanks to their reliable connections, extensive country coverage, and broad device compatibility. Both providers demonstrated excellent results during tests. However, I declare ExpressVPN the winner since it offers Smart DNS, a crucial streaming feature IPVanish lacks.
| Streaming platform | IPVanish | ExpressVPN |
| Netflix | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Amazon Prime Video | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Hulu | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| Disney+ | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| BBC iPlayer | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
During our March 2026 tests, IPVanish unblocked US Netflix without any glitches or changes in video quality. In addition, the VPN had no trouble unblocking various YouTube videos blocked in our physical location.
Similarly, ExpressVPN managed to unblock all of the streaming content I wanted, including Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, and, of course, YouTube. It’s also worth noting that ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer feature is particularly useful for watching geo-blocked content on smart TVs or gaming consoles.
Torrenting performance
IPVanish and ExpressVPN both rank among the best VPNs for torrenting, but I wanted to see which one actually performs better. So, we ran a hands-on test by downloading a 5.27GB Ubuntu ISO file via qBittorrent. Without a VPN, the download took about 8 minutes at an average speed of 11.2 MB/s. Then, we tested each VPN using its fastest protocol and a nearby server to ensure optimal performance.
Let’s take a look at IPVanish first. As it doesn’t have specialized torrenting servers, you can use one of its regular servers that allow torrenting. In our recent March 2026 tests, the service worked with local servers. IPVanish remained steady at 8.7MB/s, so the file downloaded in 10 minutes. The overall performance was consistent with only minor speed dips.
As for ExpressVPN, it supports torrenting on all of its servers. The speeds were very consistent during my tests, and I downloaded the file in 9 minutes at an average rate of 9.7MB/s. That means ExpressVPN was quicker than IPVanish, but not by a large margin.
IPVanish vs ExpressVPN: price comparison
IPVanish and ExpressVPN offer flexible plans with various terms, with IPVanish providing Essential and Advanced tiers, while ExpressVPN offers Basic, Advanced, and Pro options. Longer subscriptions deliver the best value for both providers, and they each include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
| Plan | Monthly billing | Yearly billing | 2-year billing |
| ExpressVPN Basic | $12.99/month | $4.99/month | $2.79/month |
| ExpressVPN Advanced | $13.99/month | $5.99/month | $3.59/month |
| ExpressVPN Pro | $19.99/month | $8.99/month | $5.99/month |
| IPVanish Essential | $12.99/month | $3.33/month | $2.19/month |
| IPVanish Advanced | $14.99/month | $4.49/month | $3.29/month |
Note: Prices were last checked in June 2026.
IPVanish Essential includes core VPN features, privacy tools, and unlimited device support, while the Advanced tier adds a secure browser, cloud backup, and phone support. ExpressVPN's tiers scale up with Basic offering standard VPN access, Advanced adding extra security features, and Pro providing premium tools like advanced threat protection.
IPVanish is generally more affordable, especially on long-term plans where its Essential 2-year option starts at $2.19/month – undercutting ExpressVPN cost by $0.25/month. Even IPVanish Advanced remains cheaper than equivalent ExpressVPN plans at every term length.
Both accept credit cards and PayPal, but ExpressVPN also supports Bitcoin and UnionPay for anonymous payments.
Server locations
IPVanish and ExpressVPN have reasonably sized server networks. However, ExpressVPN doesn’t disclose its exact server numbers anymore, making it difficult to determine which provider has more servers. At least it’s clear that ExpressVPN has servers across more countries than IPVanish, but not by a large margin.
| IPVanish | ExpressVPN | |
| Servers | 3,200+ | Undisclosed |
| Countries (total) | 113 | 105 |
| Locations | 150+ | 170+ |
| Specialty servers | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
IPVanish has around 3,200+ servers across 113 countries, which is a solid network. However, plenty of other providers offer more impressive fleets, such as NordVPN (9,500+ servers in 149 countries), Proton VPN (20,300+ servers in 148 countries), and Surfshark (4,500+ servers in 100 countries).
Meanwhile, ExpressVPN has an undisclosed number of servers across 105 countries. The country variety is slightly better than with IPVanish, while the situation regarding servers is unclear.
Both providers have a few unique perks that make them appealing in different ways. For example, IPVanish owns its entire server fleet, which improves its overall security since it doesn’t rely on third-party server providers. It also has a customizable Double Hop server category to improve your privacy.
On the flip side, ExpressVPN utilizes TrustedServer technology, which means the provider’s servers are RAM only. In short, it means the provider can’t store any user data on its servers because the software runs on volatile memory, which is deleted whenever the servers are unplugged or rebooted.
Features overview
Both IPVanish and ExpressVPN include essential VPN features like kill switch, split tunneling, and quick connect. Here's how they compare:
| IPVanish | ExpressVPN | |
| Split tunneling | ✅ Yes (Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Fire TV) | ✅ Yes (Windows, Mac, Android, routers) |
| Smart DNS | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (MediaStreamer) |
| Dedicated IP | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (for additional price) |
| Auto connect | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| SOCKS5 proxy | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Specialty servers | ✅ Yes (Double Hop) | ✅ Yes (Stealth servers) |
| Tor over VPN | ❌ No | ❌ No |
| Port forwarding | ❌ No | ✅ Yes (routers) |
| Web filter | ✅ Yes (Threat Protection) | ✅ Yes (Threat Manager) |
However, there are some differences, too: IPVanish offers a SOCKS5 proxy, while ExpressVPN supports Smart DNS. The latter also includes additional features, such as port forwarding and Threat Manager, to eliminate online trackers.
Split tunneling
Split tunneling is available with both IPVanish and ExpressVPN. It allows you to choose specific apps that should use the VPN connection. When using ExpressVPN, you can either include or exclude the applications of your choice.
ExpressVPN lets you use it with its Windows, Mac, and Android applications, while on routers, you have the Device Groups feature as an alternative.
As for IPVanish, it supports split tunneling on Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, and Fire TV. It lets you choose which apps should not connect with a VPN.
Split tunneling can be beneficial when you want to unlock foreign content libraries on streaming platforms but still want to view other sites and content locally. Both providers include the feature on most of their apps for improved flexibility.
Smart DNS
One feature offered by ExpressVPN and not IPVanish is Smart DNS. In ExpressVPN’s apps, it’s also called MediaStreamer. This feature lets you watch geo-blocked content on devices that don’t support VPN connections, such as some smart TVs or gaming consoles. However, keep in mind that at the moment, it only allows you to access US libraries.
Dedicated IP
A dedicated IP is an IP address that’s exclusive to you. This feature is only available with ExpressVPN and isn’t included with its subscription by default. You must first choose a subscription plan and then add this optional feature on top.
Since the feature is tied to your subscription, its price will depend on the subscription’s duration. To be precise, it costs $4.39/month on the annual plan and $3.49/month on the two-year plan. You can choose your unique IP from 29 countries after subscribing.
SOCKS5 proxy
Unlike ExpressVPN, IPVanish offers a free SOCKS5 proxy. This is a great feature for torrenting, as it helps maintain high download speeds while hiding your real IP address for extra privacy.
However, remember that it doesn’t encrypt your data, so your ISP may still see what you’re doing online.
Specialty servers
IPVanish and ExpressVPN offer one specialty server category each for improved performance in certain categories.
IPVanish offers Double Hop servers for improved security while browsing the web. You can customize your entry and exit locations to suit your needs, similar to Surfshark’s MultiHop category. Just remember that these servers severely impact connection performance.
With ExpressVPN, you have Stealth servers. These are enabled automatically whenever the app detects network restrictions.
Port forwarding
Only ExpressVPN supports port forwarding, and even then, it’s only available on routers. You can use it to improve torrenting performance, but keep in mind that forwarded ports will be outside the VPN tunnel. As such, this feature isn’t ideal if you’re looking for extra privacy.
Feedback on web filters usage
The research team tested both providers’ web filter features using various third-party tools to objectively determine their effectiveness. Overall, ExpressVPN’s Threat Manager was more effective than IPVanish’s Threat Protection. So, let’s dive into the details to see how significant the difference was.
IPVanish scored 59/100 points on AdBlock Tester, which isn’t very impressive. To be precise, it failed regarding flash banner, gif image, and static image tests. On the other hand, it blocked all ads during the CanYouBlockIt evaluations. Meanwhile, Cover Your Tracks claimed the feature grants only partial protection against tracking ads and invisible trackers.
Conversely, ExpressVPN’s ad blocker garnered 77/100 points on AdBlock Tester, which is more than what IPVanish scored. Interestingly, ExpressVPN failed in the same categories. Similarly, the service also passed the CanYouBlockIt test by blocking all ads. Lastly, Cover Your Tracks showed that ExpressVPN grants full protection against tracking ads and invisible trackers.
As for our hands-on testing, both Threat Protection and Threat Manager blocked YouTube ads but didn’t report any blocked ads on Facebook. Moreover, online publications like CNN were free from ads when visiting their websites with these features enabled.
IPVanish vs ExpressVPN: security overview
| IPVanish | ExpressVPN | |
| Encryption | AES-256 and ChaCha20 | AES-256, ChaCha20/Poly1305 |
| Hash | SHA-512 | SHA-512 |
| RAM servers | ❌ No | ✅ Yes |
| A member of the 5-Eyes Alliance? | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| No-logs policy | Audited (April 2022 by Leviathan) | Audited (December 2023 by KPMG) |
| Kill switch | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Traffic obfuscation | ✅ Yes (Scramble OpenVPN traffic) | ✅ Yes (Stealth servers) |
IPVanish and ExpressVPN are pretty similar regarding security. For starters, both services use robust AES-256 encryption, which is the VPN industry standard. No brute-force attack has been able to break it, as it would potentially take millions of years to do so.
Secondly, both IPVanish and ExpressVPN use the SHA-512 hash function for authentication. This goes a bit above most other VPNs in the industry, as most VPN tools still use SHA-256. It’s also worth noting that both services offer traffic obfuscation, which guarantees privacy by not letting anyone detect that you’re using a VPN.
It’s also important to note that IPVanish and ExpressVPN support perfect forward secrecy. This means that a portion of the encryption keys changes constantly, making your past data inaccessible in the event of a security breach.
Jurisdiction
ExpressVPN is the clear winner regarding jurisdiction. That’s because this VPN service is based in the British Virgin Islands, while IPVanish is located in the United States.
The key difference is that the US doesn’t have a good track record regarding privacy. Its government is known for spying on companies, requesting access to private user data, and other nefarious practices. The US also belongs to the Five-Eyes intelligence alliance.
Meanwhile, the British Virgin Islands is a territory with a much more privacy-friendly atmosphere.
No-logs policy
There are significant differences between IPVanish and ExpressVPN regarding their no-logs policies. For instance, ExpressVPN uses RAM-only servers, wiping out data every time the server is rebooted or unplugged. Many other reliable providers like NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost use RAM-only servers for added reliability. Meanwhile, IPVanish still doesn’t fully offer this benefit, although it began transitioning to RAM-based servers in late 2025.
However, both services have solid privacy policies. IPVanish and ExpressVPN state that they don’t keep logs, including activity logs, browsing history, connection logs, and similar data. Naturally, both VPNs collect your email address and payment method since those details are necessary when signing up.
Crucially, both services have been audited by independent parties to confirm their reliability. For instance, ExpressVPN’s latest privacy policy audit was conducted in December 2025 by KPMG, while IPVanish's was conducted by Schellman Compliance in April 2025.
Kill switch
Both ExpressVPN and IPVanish offer a kill switch, which is a crucial security feature to any VPN service. It automatically disconnects your device from the internet if the VPN connection is disrupted, not letting your real IP address be detected.
Aside from blocking the internet, IPVanish’s kill switch also allows you to block LAN traffic in case of VPN failure. Additionally, IPVanish offers a separate kill switch app for devices that don't support kill switches, such as Fire TV.
The kill switch of ExpressVPN is called Network Lock. Just like IPVanish, ExpressVPN lets you deny or allow access to other devices from the same LAN when the VPN connection is down. Both providers include kill switches with all of their dedicated apps.
Platforms, interface, and ease of use
IPVanish and ExpressVPN have apps for the most popular operating systems – Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. On Linux, you can use both services through the terminal, but there are no GUI apps.
| IPVanish | ExpressVPN | |
| Supported OS | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS |
| Other software and devices | Android TV, Apple TV, Fire devices, routers, Nvidia Shield, Chrome OS | Android TV, Fire devices, routers, Apple TV, Roku, PlayStation, Xbox devices, and more |
| Browser extensions | Chrome, Firefox, Edge | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, Vivaldi |
| Simultaneous connections | Unlimited | 14 |
| Usability level | Easy to set up and use | Easy to set up and use |
IPVanish offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge – meanwhile, ExpressVPN has them those for Brave and Vivaldi also. However, IPVanish gains a solid advantage with unlimited connections. At the same time, 14 connections on ExpressVPN fall short of industry norms, especially considering the price of the service.
As for the usability, both services are straightforward to use. However, IPVanish apps are more modern, giving it the upper hand.
Desktop apps
Just take a look at the main screen of the Windows and macOS apps of IPVanish, and you’ll find everything organized in one place. There’s the map (you can also choose the list view), the settings tab, and all sorts of info about the connection.
Meanwhile, ExpressVPN took a minimalistic approach. The main window of both Windows and Mac applications is relatively tiny, with a huge button taking up the majority of the space. If you want to tweak a feature or two, you must open the Settings window, which looks outdated.
Unlike IPVanish, ExpressVPN apps don’t display a map. However, this doesn’t cause issues, as there’s a convenient country filter available.
It’s also worth noting that IPVanish and ExpressVPN do not have a graphical client for Linux users – you have to use the command line interface.
Mobile apps
The mobile version of IPVanish looks different from its desktop counterparts. As it’s made to fit a mobile screen, it’s much more compact and less cluttered.
However, keep in mind that IPVanish's Android app is superior to its iOS application, as it has more features, such as an obfuscation toggle.
Now, the mobile version of ExpressVPN looks almost identical to the desktop version.
As with IPVanish, the Android app of ExpressVPN is the superior one, offering more features that include split tunneling and a kill switch.
Customer support
While both services offer excellent customer support, IPVanish ensures more customer service options than ExpressVPN. That’s because, unlike the latter, IPVanish offers a support phone line for users in the US, Mexico, the UK, Spain, Australia, and Brazil. However, a change in IPVanish’s pricing structure means only Advanced plan subscribers gain this unique perk.
| IPVanish | ExpressVPN | |
| 24/7 live chat | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | |
| Phone line | ✅ Yes | ❌ No |
| Guides or articles | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| FAQs | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
Aside from that, you can contact either of the providers through their 24/7 live chat if you need a fast reply. Both ExpressVPN and IPVanish also offer email support if the issue isn’t that pressing.
Yet, if you like figuring things out yourself, you can use either provider’s extensive knowledge centers and FAQs.
ExpressVPN vs IPVanish: which should I get?
While IPVanish and ExpressVPN both deliver strong VPN performance, each takes the lead in specific areas. IPVanish shines in affordability, unlimited connections, and consistent long-distance speeds. ExpressVPN excels with premium privacy tools, polished apps, and feature depth like port forwarding and Smart DNS.
Still, in my opinion, IPVanish is a clear winner in this comparison. Our in-house tests show IPVanish pulls ahead overall due to superior value, speed retention on distant servers, and flexibility for multiple devices. ExpressVPN remains excellent for users prioritizing advanced security and global streaming reliability.
| Feature | IPVanish | ExpressVPN | Verdict |
| Pricing | IPVanish Essential starts at $2.19/month, undercutting ExpressVPN Basic for $2.79/month. Better long-term value across all tiers. | ||
| Privacy | ExpressVPN leads with RAM-only servers and BVI jurisdiction. IPVanish is solid but US-based (Five-Eyes). | ||
| Speed | Our tests show that IPVanish is faster on most international servers (up to 846 Mbps in the UK), while ExpressVPN is stronger locally (724 Mbps). | ||
| Features | ExpressVPN offers more features, including port forwarding, Smart DNS, and Threat Manager, while IPVanish has SOCKS5 and Double Hop. | ||
| Server locations | Both are competitive, but ExpressVPN edges out with broader country coverage, stealth servers, and dedicated IPs. | ||
| Apps and compatibility | Both providers work on major OSes and devices, though IPVanish apps are more reliable and user-friendly. ExpressVPN is polished but less consistent. | ||
| Customer support | Both providers offer multiple customer support channels in addition to extensive knowledge bases, but IPVanish also offers phone support that ExpressVPN lacks. | ||
| Streaming capabilities | ExpressVPN unblocked more services during testing. IPVanish is still capable but more limited. | ||
| Torrenting | ExpressVPN offers port forwarding, but IPVanish is still strong with its SOCKS5 support. |
FAQ
Which VPN is better – IPVanish or ExpressVPN?
According to our evaluations, IPVanish is better than ExpressVPN in terms of security, speed, price, and ease of use. With IPVanish, you can protect unlimited devices at a cheaper price.
What VPN is better than ExpressVPN?
NordVPN is better than ExpressVPN and IPVanish because you get more features with only a slight price increase. Another good alternative is Surfshark, as it supports unlimited simultaneous connections and is cheaper than all other VPNs.
