Proton VPN vs IPVanish VPN: Complete Comparison
When choosing between Proton VPN vs IPVanish VPN, understanding the key differences in features, pricing, security, and performance is crucial for making an informed decision. This comprehensive comparison examines every aspect of both VPN services to help you determine which provider best meets your privacy and security needs in .
Both Proton VPN and IPVanish VPN offer robust security features and have undergone independent no-logs audits, but they cater to different user preferences and use cases. Whether you prioritize advanced privacy features, streaming capabilities, or value for money, this detailed analysis covers pricing structures, server networks, security protocols, streaming performance, and user experience to guide your VPN selection process.
Quick Decision Helper: Proton VPN excels in privacy-focused features with Secure Core and a free tier, while IPVanish stands out for unlimited device connections and competitive pricing for families.
Quick Comparison Overview
| Feature | Proton VPN | IPVanish VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | €4.49/month (2-year) | $2.19/month (2-year) |
| Free Plan | ||
| Server Count | 12,218+ | 2,400+ |
| Countries | 122 | 108 |
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 | Unlimited |
| Netflix Support | 6 regions | 3+ regions |
| No-Logs Audit | Securitum (2024) | Schellman (2025) |
| Jurisdiction | Switzerland | United States |
30-day money-back guarantee
30-day money-back guarantee
Pricing Analysis: Proton VPN vs IPVanish VPN
When comparing IPVanish vs Proton VPN pricing, both services offer competitive rates with different value propositions. Proton VPN provides a unique advantage with its generous free tier, while IPVanish focuses on unlimited device connections and aggressive long-term pricing.
Price Comparison Across Different Plans
Proton VPN Pricing (EUR)
Free Plan
€0/month
- • 5 countries
- • 2,300+ servers
- • 1 device connection
- • No data limits
VPN Plus
2 Years: €4.49/month
1 Year: €4.99/month
Monthly: €9.99/month
- • 122 countries
- • 12,218+ servers
- • 10 device connections
- • Streaming support
VPN Unlimited
2 Years: €7.99/month
1 Year: €9.99/month
Monthly: €12.99/month
- • All VPN Plus features
- • Proton Mail, Calendar, Drive
- • 500GB cloud storage
- • Premium email features
IPVanish Pricing (USD)
Essential
$2.19/month
2-year plan ($52.56 first term)
- • 108 countries
- • 2,400+ servers
- • Unlimited devices
- • Basic features
Advanced
$3.29/month
2-year plan ($78.96 first term)
- • All Essential features
- • Advanced security
- • Priority support
- • Enhanced streaming
Monthly Plan
$12.99/month
No commitment
- • All Advanced features
- • Flexible billing
- • No long-term commitment
- • Full feature access
Value Analysis
Proton VPN Advantages:
- • Genuine free tier with no data limits
- • Swiss privacy jurisdiction
- • Includes additional Proton services in Unlimited plan
- • Transparent pricing with euro stability
IPVanish Advantages:
- • Lower entry price point
- • Unlimited simultaneous connections
- • Aggressive promotional pricing
- • Simple, straightforward plans
Security Features Comparison
Both Proton VPN and IPVanish VPN implement military-grade security protocols, but they differ in advanced privacy features and jurisdictional advantages. Understanding these security differences is crucial when choosing between these two providers.
Security Features Comparison
Proton VPN Security
Encryption & Protocols
- • AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption
- • OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard protocols
- • 4096-bit RSA key exchange
- • HMAC with SHA384 authentication
Advanced Privacy Features
- • Secure Core (double VPN routing)
- • Perfect Forward Secrecy
- • Full disk encryption on servers
- • Tor over VPN support
Jurisdiction & Audits
- • Swiss jurisdiction (strong privacy laws)
- • Independently audited by Securitum (2024)
- • Open-source applications
- • Verified no-logs policy
IPVanish Security
Encryption & Protocols
- • AES-256 encryption standard
- • WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 protocols
- • L2TP/IPsec and PPTP support
- • Strong SSL/TLS implementation
Network & Infrastructure
- • Tier-1 network infrastructure
- • Split tunneling support
- • Kill switch protection
- • DNS leak protection
Compliance & Audits
- • US jurisdiction (Five Eyes alliance)
- • Independently audited by Schellman (2025)
- • SOC 2 Type II certified
- • Verified no-logs policy
Security Verdict
Proton VPN takes the lead in privacy-focused security with its Swiss jurisdiction, Secure Core double VPN feature, and open-source transparency. The company's commitment to privacy is reinforced by its location outside the Five Eyes surveillance alliance.
IPVanish offers solid security fundamentals with AES-256 encryption and recent audit compliance, but its US jurisdiction may concern privacy-conscious users. However, it compensates with excellent network infrastructure and reliable security implementation.
Performance & Speed Analysis
Speed performance is a critical factor when choosing between Proton VPN and IPVanish VPN. Based on independent testing, both services have shown significant improvements with WireGuard protocol implementation, but they serve different performance priorities.
Average Speed Test Results (Mbps)
Proton VPN
53.4 Mbps
Average speed
IPVanish VPN
51.0 Mbps
Average speed
Performance Gap
4.7%
Proton VPN faster
Proton VPN Performance
Speed Optimization
- • VPN Accelerator technology
- • Smart routing algorithms
- • WireGuard protocol optimization
- • Automatic server selection
Gaming Performance
- • Average ping: 45-60ms
- • Stable connection quality
- • Minimal packet loss
- • Good for casual gaming
IPVanish Performance
Network Infrastructure
- • Tier-1 network backbone
- • Recently upgraded to WireGuard
- • Optimized server locations
- • 40,000+ IP addresses
Gaming Performance
- • Average ping: 35-50ms
- • Lower latency on nearby servers
- • Excellent for competitive gaming
- • Consistent performance
Performance Benchmark Summary
Overall Speed
Winner: Proton VPN (53.4 vs 51.0 Mbps)
Gaming Latency
Winner: IPVanish (lower ping rates)
Consistency
Winner: Tie (both very reliable)
Server Networks & Global Coverage
Server network size and global distribution significantly impact VPN performance and accessibility. Proton VPN boasts a larger server count, while IPVanish focuses on strategic location placement and unlimited device connections.
Server Network Comparison
Proton VPN Network
Key Features:
- • Secure Core servers in privacy-friendly countries
- • Plus servers exclusive to paid users
- • Tor over VPN servers
- • P2P-optimized servers
- • Streaming-optimized servers
IPVanish Network
Key Features:
- • Tier-1 network infrastructure
- • Self-owned and operated servers
- • Recently expanded to 108 countries
- • Strategic city-level coverage
- • High IP address-to-server ratio
North America
Proton VPN
Strong coverage in US, Canada
IPVanish
Excellent US coverage, good Canada
Europe
Proton VPN
Extensive EU coverage
IPVanish
Good major city coverage
Asia-Pacific
Proton VPN
Growing APAC presence
IPVanish
Strategic APAC locations
Streaming Capabilities & Platform Support
For streaming enthusiasts, the ability to access geo-restricted content is paramount. Both Proton VPN and IPVanish VPN offer Netflix support, but with different regional accessibility and reliability levels.
Streaming Platform Support
Proton VPN Streaming
Netflix Support
Supports Netflix in 6 regions:
- • United States
- • France
- • Italy
- • India
- • South Korea
- • Switzerland
Other Platforms
Note: Free users have limited Netflix access due to server blocking, but Plus users get guaranteed Netflix access.
IPVanish Streaming
Netflix Support
Reliable access to multiple regions:
- • United States (multiple servers)
- • United Kingdom
- • Canada
- • Japan (claimed support)
Other Platforms
Split Tunneling: IPVanish offers split tunneling to bypass Netflix detection while maintaining VPN protection for other traffic.
4K Streaming
Both services support 4K streaming with sufficient bandwidth
Buffer Time
Minimal buffering on optimized streaming servers
Geo-unblocking
Regular server updates to maintain platform access
Streaming Verdict
Proton VPN offers broader Netflix regional support with 6 countries and includes guaranteed access for paid users. The service excels at unblocking European streaming platforms.
IPVanish provides reliable US Netflix access and innovative split tunneling for Netflix, making it excellent for users primarily interested in US content. However, it struggles with some UK platforms like BBC iPlayer.
User Experience & Interface Comparison
User experience encompasses app design, ease of use, customer support, and overall satisfaction. Both providers have invested significantly in improving their applications and support systems.
Proton VPN Experience
App Design & Usability
- • Clean, modern interface design
- • Intuitive country selection
- • Advanced settings easily accessible
- • Consistent across all platforms
Customer Support
- • 24/7 email support
- • Comprehensive knowledge base
- • Community forum support
- • Average response time: 4-6 hours
Advanced Features
- • NetShield ad-blocker
- • VPN Accelerator
- • Secure Core visualization
- • Kill switch with app-specific rules
IPVanish Experience
App Design & Usability
- • User-friendly interface
- • Quick connect functionality
- • Server load indicators
- • Simplified settings menu
Customer Support
- • 24/7 live chat support
- • Phone support available
- • Detailed setup guides
- • Average response time: 2-3 hours
Practical Features
- • Split tunneling
- • Scramble (obfuscation)
- • Connection per app
- • Automatic reconnection
Platform Support Comparison
Proton VPN Platforms
IPVanish Platforms
User Satisfaction Summary
Proton VPN Strengths:
- • Transparency and privacy focus
- • Free tier with good functionality
- • Regular feature updates
- • Strong community support
IPVanish Strengths:
- • Excellent customer support response times
- • Unlimited device connections
- • User-friendly for beginners
- • Reliable connection stability
Final Verdict: Proton VPN vs IPVanish VPN
After comprehensive testing and analysis, both Proton VPN and IPVanish VPN offer compelling advantages for different user types. Your choice should depend on your specific priorities: privacy-first features or value-focused practicality.
Overall Scoring Comparison
Proton VPN Wins
- Privacy & Security
- Free Tier Value
- Server Count
- Netflix Regions
- Speed Performance
IPVanish Wins
- Pricing Value
- Unlimited Devices
- Gaming Latency
- Customer Support
- Ease of Use
Tie Categories
- No-Logs Auditing
- Connection Reliability
- Platform Support
- Basic Streaming
Choose Proton VPN If You:
- Prioritize maximum privacy and security features
- Want to try a quality VPN for free before committing
- Need access to diverse Netflix regions (especially EU)
- Prefer Swiss jurisdiction over US oversight
- Value open-source transparency and auditing
- Want advanced features like Secure Core routing
Choose IPVanish If You:
- Want the best value for long-term VPN usage
- Need unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Prioritize low latency for gaming applications
- Prefer responsive live chat customer support
- Have a large household with many devices
- Primarily need US Netflix and streaming access
Our Overall Recommendation
For most users seeking a balance of privacy, features, and value, Proton VPN edges ahead with its comprehensive free tier, superior privacy jurisdiction, and robust security features. However, IPVanish remains an excellent choice for price-conscious users who need unlimited device connections.
Both services offer 30-day money-back guarantees, so you can test them risk-free to determine which better suits your specific needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Proton VPN offers better Netflix support overall with access to 6 different regions (US, France, Italy, India, South Korea, and Switzerland). IPVanish reliably works with US, UK, and Canadian Netflix but has fewer regional options. Proton VPN also guarantees Netflix access for paid subscribers.
Yes, Proton VPN's free plan offers unlimited data with no artificial speed limits. However, you're limited to 3 server locations (US, Netherlands, and Japan), can only connect 1 device at a time, and don't get access to streaming-optimized servers or advanced features like Secure Core.
IPVanish allows unlimited simultaneous connections, making it excellent for large households. Proton VPN allows up to 10 simultaneous connections on paid plans, while the free plan is limited to 1 device.
IPVanish generally offers lower ping times (35-50ms vs 45-60ms) and is better optimized for gaming, especially for competitive online gaming. Both services support WireGuard protocol for improved performance, but IPVanish's Tier-1 network infrastructure provides more consistent low-latency connections.
Both VPNs are safe and have independently verified no-logs policies. Proton VPN was audited by Securitum in 2024, while IPVanish was audited by Schellman in 2025. However, Proton VPN benefits from Swiss jurisdiction with stronger privacy laws, while IPVanish operates under US jurisdiction.
IPVanish offers better raw value with plans starting at $2.19/month and unlimited device connections. However, Proton VPN provides better overall value when considering the free tier, advanced security features, and included services in the Unlimited plan. Choose IPVanish for budget-conscious simplicity, Proton VPN for feature-rich privacy.
Yes, both VPNs allow torrenting. Proton VPN has dedicated P2P servers and supports port forwarding for better torrent performance. IPVanish allows P2P traffic on all servers and doesn't restrict torrenting activities. Both provide the security and anonymity needed for safe torrenting.
Proton VPN offers better censorship circumvention with Stealth protocol and alternative routing. IPVanish has Scramble (obfuscation) feature but may be less reliable in heavily censored countries like China. For users in restrictive regions, Proton VPN's advanced anti-censorship features make it the better choice.
Ready to Choose Your VPN?
Both providers offer risk-free 30-day money-back guarantees