IPVanish vs. PrivateVPN At a Glance
IPVanish
IPVanish is an excellent option for internet users in search of fast, well-protected connections, above-average global server coverage, and good multi-platform support.
The service allows BitTorrenting on its entire network. However, its streaming support is hit-and-miss.
PrivateVPN
PrivateVPN, while offering reliable online security and privacy, comes up short in a few important service areas. However, if you’re looking for good, basic, low-priced VPN protection, PrivateVPN could be for you.
The provider could stand some improvement in the global server coverage and multi-platform app support departments. However, it does deliver excellent online security and privacy protections.
How to Choose a VPN
If you’re in search of a VPN that’s right for your needs, there are a number of things to keep in mind.
In this head-to-head challenge, we’ll be comparing two well-established VPN providers: IPVanish and PrivateVPN. Both providers offer great overall VPN services and protection.
In this article, I cover the most important features that should always be considered before making a VPN-buying decision. I take a look at how well each provider performs in each category and reveal the winner for that category. At the end of the article, I’ll tally up the scores and name an overall victor.
By the end of the article, you’ll have enough information to make an informed decision as to which VPN provider fits your unique needs.
IPVanish vs. PrivateVPN Features
In this section, I’ll examine the VPN features you should investigate before deciding on a VPN provider. I’ll tell you why each category is important and then declare the best VPN in that service category.
Connection Speeds
The faster your VPN connection, the more enjoyable your internet experience will be. This makes it important to consider a VPN provider’s connection speeds.
I use Speedtest.net to test the connection speeds.
Pixel Privacy conducts the VPN connection speed tests as follows:
- When testing the download speed of a VPN, I use a Windows server with a gigabit Ethernet connection, based in North America.
- We use the Windows version of the provider’s app and configure it to connect using the Wireguard protocol when available.
- I connect to three locations – the United Kingdom, the United States, and Hong Kong – at three different times of the day.
- The results of the tests are then averaged to determine the final reported connection speed.
Both providers deliver connections that are well able to handle almost any online activity with ease, such as streaming, gaming, and file sharing. That said, one provider outperformed the other, with speeds six times as fast as its competitor.
PrivateVPN’s were reasonably fast, coming in at 40 Mbps.
However, IPVanish’s average download speeds came in at a blazing 251.6 Mbps.
Average Connection Speed Winner: IPVanish
| Provider | Avg. D/L Speed | Link |
| PrivateVPN | 40 Mbps | Visit Site |
| IPVanish | 251.6 Mbps | Visit Site |
Pricing
While both IPVanish and PrivateVPN sport an enticing price, one of these providers offers a true bargain basement price.
A month of PrivateVPN will cost about the price of a microwave burrito and a small drink at your local convenience store when you opt for the three-year plan. The provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
IPVanish is another quite attractively priced VPN. Its going rate for a monthly subscription (with a two-year commitment) will be about how much you pay for that same microwave burrito, but grab a Big Gulp to wash it down.
I don’t include the exact price for VPNs in my “versus” articles, as VPN providers always seem to be conducting a sale or offering special deals. So, be sure to visit the website of any provider that you’re considering to view their current pricing.
Pricing Winner: PrivateVPN
| Provider | Money-Back Guarantee Period | Link |
| IPVanish | 30 Days, 7 Days on iOS and Android Signups | Visit Site |
| PrivateVPN | 30 Days | Visit Site |
Privacy
In today’s privacy-unfriendly online world, a VPN provider’s privacy protections are of vital importance.
Always look for a provider that is located in a privacy-friendly country that doesn’t keep customer activity logs. Providers should also accept privacy-friendly payment options, such as Bitcoin.
IPVanish is located in the United States. While the U.S. doesn’t require VPN providers to keep logs related to a customer’s online activities, they are informally encouraged to do so. Luckily, the provider follows a strict, self-imposed “no logs” policy. The provider does not accept cryptocurrency.
Sweden-based PrivateVPN logs no type of user traffic data and accepts cryptocurrency to keep your subscription payment info undercover. (For added anonymity, pay with Bitcoin and use a disposable email address to sign up.)
Privacy Winner: PrivateVPN
| Provider | Privacy Rating | Link |
| PrivateVPN | 5.0 | Visit Site |
| IPVanish | 4.5 | Visit Site |
Security
One of the most important reasons to use a VPN is to protect your online travels from being monitored.
IPVanish offers industry-standard WireGuard, OpenVPN, PPTP, and L2TP/IPSec protocols to protect your internet connection. Kill switch protection (with auto-reconnect) is available, along with IPv6 leak and DNS leak protection, as well as a “scramble” option that helps disguise VPN traffic as normal internet traffic.
PrivateVPN uses military-grade encryption to protect your online travels from being monitored. Its connection protocols include WireGuard, OpenVPN over UDP/TCP, L2TP/IPSec, IPSec, PPTP, and IKEv2. Kill switch protection is also available, as well as a “Stealth VPN” feature that disguises your VPN usage as normal browsing activity.
For more details about these security protections, check out my VPN Security Features article.
Security Winner: Tied
| Provider | Security Score Star Rating | Link |
| IPVanish | 5.0 | Visit Site |
| PrivateVPN | 5.0 | Visit Site |
Simultaneous Connections
Users with multiple devices, or those who head a family or business, will appreciate a VPN provider with a large connection allowance.
Both PrivateVPN and IPVanish allow up to 10 simultaneous connections at a time.
Simultaneous Connections Winner: It’s a tie
| Provider | Simultaneous Connections Allowed | Link |
| IPVanish | 10 | Visit Site |
| PrivateVPN | 10 | Visit Site |
Streaming Support
I’d be fairly confident to say that most of my readers subscribe to a streaming service. In fact, I’d be willing to bet that many of you subscribe to multiple services, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and others.
Streaming fans often find that the content they enjoy in their home country isn’t available when they’re traveling abroad. This is because streaming services sign contracts with movie and TV studios that limit the regions of the world where they can stream a particular film or TV episode.
IPVanish’s ability to unblock streaming providers could definitely be better. While I was able to watch Netflix from multiple U.S.-based IPVanish servers, I did not have access to BBC iPlayer access or Netflix UK. However, HBO Max streamed just fine when connected to U.S. servers.
PrivateVPN delivers access to a large number of streaming services, including Netflix US, Netflix UK, Hulu, Disney+, and more.
Streaming Support Winner: PrivateVPN
| Provider | # of U.S. Streaming Services VPN Unblocks | # of International Services VPN Unblocks | Link |
| IPVanish | 2 | 0 | Visit Site |
| PrivateVPN | 9+ | 5+ | Visit Site |
BitTorrent Support
BitTorrent/P2P file sharing is a popular way to share files on the internet. While file sharing is completely legal, that’s only for non-copyrighted materials. That’s why copyright holders, like TV and movie studios, pressure ISPs to block torrenting. So, ISPs have a tendency to block or throttle your connection, no matter what type of files you’re sharing.
A VPN protects your BitTorrenting activity from the eyes of content owners and your ISP.
IPVanish allows torrenting on all of its servers.
PrivateVPN allows BitTorrenting activity on its network, although it recommends that users connect to its Swedish servers when sharing files.
BitTorrenting Support Winner: It’s a tie
| Provider | # of Countries Where VPN Allows BitTorrents | Link |
| IPVanish | All of them | Visit Site |
| PrivateVPN | All of them | Visit Site |
Global Server Coverage
Global server coverage is an important factor to consider when choosing a VPN provider. The wider global coverage a provider offers, the more access you’ll have to geo-controlled content from around the globe.
IPVanish has over 2,000 servers located in 75+ countries around the globe.
PrivateVPN has 200+ servers stationed in 63+ countries.
Global Server Coverage Winner: IPVanish
| Provider | Server Count | Countries | Link |
| IPVanish | 2,000+ | 75+ | Visit Site |
| PrivateVPN | 200+ | 63+ | Visit Site |
Multi-Platform Support
If you have one connected device, it’s likely that you have at least a couple more. That’s why a provider’s multi-platform support is an important consideration.
IPVanish offers native app support for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV device platforms. The provider also furnishes instructions for manually setting up the service on Linux and Chrome OS machines. Instructions are also available for setting up the VPN on routers.
PrivateVPN’s device support is limited to the iOS, macOS, Android, and Windows device platforms. It also lacks any browser extensions. The service can also be manually set up on Linux devices and select routers.
For those who want to take the easiest route to protect all of their connected devices, both VPN providers offer ready-to-go routers through FlashRouters.com.
Multi-Platform Support Winner: IPVanish
| Provider | Platforms Supported | Browser Extensions? | Router Support? |
Link |
| IPVanish | 7 | No | Nope | Visit Site |
| PrivateVPN | 5 | No | Yes – Manual setup. | Visit Site |
Customer Support
Both IPVanish and PrivateVPN are easy to set up and intuitive to use. However, you may still have a question from time to time.
IPVanish offers support via an online trouble ticket submission form and an easy-to-search support library. In addition, the IPVanish website includes a system status page, which displays the current status of the VPN infrastructure. IPVanish also offers a support “bot” chat feature that attempts to answer your questions. The bot did a decent job in providing links to possible solutions to my issues and connected me to a support agent when it couldn’t.
PrivateVPN’s customer support options include a live messaging option (not 24/7), email support, and a non-searchable FAQ support section. The provider also offers free remote help and installation.
Customer Support Winner: Tie
| Provider | Customer Support Rating | Link |
| IPVanish | 4.5 | Visit Site |
| PrivateVPN | 5.0 | Visit Site |
And The Winner Is
Ladies and gentlemen, while both VPNs are a good choice for comprehensive VPN protection, the results are in, and the winner is… PrivateVPN, by a nose!
PrivateVPN won in the Pricing, Privacy, and Streaming Support categories.
IPVanish scored the best in the Connection Speeds, Global Server Coverage, and Multi-Platform Support arenas.
Both providers performed equally well in the Security, Simultaneous Connections, BitTorrent, and Customer Support categories.
No matter which VPN provider is best for your personal and business needs, I strongly recommend subscribing to a VPN provider to begin protecting your online activities from outsiders’ prying eyes.
