Introducing first, in the white corner, recognized as one of PCMag’s top three champions — Surfshark! And second, in the green corner, a champion of the old — IPVanish!
The officials are ready, and the fighters are in. So for the thousands in attendance and the millions watching worldwide: ladies and gentlemen, let’s get ready to… compare the two VPNs (Virtual Private Networks). Surfshark vs. IPVanish — which is better?
Note: the comparison was made on May 31, 2023, and updated in May 2024.
Table of contents
Surfshark vs. IPVanish: at a glance
The cheapest plan both VPN providers offer is $2.19. Surfshark has apps for more platforms and has a bigger server network than IPVanish, but both providers allow unlimited simultaneous connections.
Surfshark | IPVanish | |
---|---|---|
Devices | Unlimited | Unlimited |
Servers | 3200+ servers in 100 countries | 2,200+ servers in 56 countries |
Protocols | WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN | WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN, IPSec |
Platforms and apps that run the VPN | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Apple TV Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Linux, Chrome |
Price per month | $2.19 (2-year plan) | $2.19 (2-year plan) |
24/7 support | ||
Independently audited | Browser extensions, server infrastructure, no-logging, Android app | No-logging |
Surfshark and IPVanish are premium VPN services with top-grade encryption and unlimited simultaneous connections. So what more is there to look for?
Speed
When talking about what makes a good VPN, speed is essential. We’ll look at the biggest factors contributing to VPN speed. Then, we’ll run some tests to determine which industry titan offers better speeds.
The actual VPN connection speed will be determined by:
- The server infrastructure;
- Security protocols used;
- The location, quantity, and quality of servers the VPN provider has.
So, once you’re using a VPN, the stats you should look at are download speed, upload speed, and an increase in ping. They’re measured in megabits per second (Mbps) — the speed at which your data is transferred.
All of the taken speed results will differ, and that’s A-OK because all of us are from different parts of the world with different internet speeds.
Speed test results
Important info interpreting the test results:
- We picked two places — one very far away from us and another very close;
- With each place, we performed 10 tests: the average speed is shown below. Then, we compared the internet speed results with and without a VPN;
- We used Speedtest.net by Ookla;
- The percentage info shows how much your speed drops.
Speed test using a server closer to us
VPN service | Download speed | Upload speed | Increase in ping |
---|---|---|---|
Surfshark | No drop | 37% | 1.7 times the normal ping |
IPVanish | 63% | 82% | 3 times the normal ping |
Speed test using a server further away from us
VPN service | Download speed | Upload speed | Increase in ping |
---|---|---|---|
Surfshark | No drop | 61% | 23 times the normal ping |
IPVanish | 61% | 61% | 25 times the normal ping |
Surfshark showed a 1.7 times increase in ping in the near server test and 23 times in the far server test, while IPVanish had 3 times and 25 times respectively. Keep in mind that results will differ depending on the location they’re performed at.
Key takeaway:
Based on the test results, Surfshark showed better ping results when testing with nearby servers, while far-away server results didn’t show a meaningful difference. However, location is one of the most important factors in determining speed, so be wary of where you perform the speed test.
Also, it’s important to note that internet speed has several bottlenecks, two of which are the quantity and location of the servers.
Servers
In this case, quantity means quality. Let me explain.
On paper, Surfshark uses 10Gbps servers, while IPVanish boasts 25Gbps servers. These numbers mean the bandwidth that they offer. Server bandwidth (Gbps/Mbps) is the diameter of the internet “pipe” — the bigger the diameter, the more the internet “water” (data) can flow through. But, in reality, these numbers don’t matter quite as much.
Server output
The thing is, one server has only one “pipe” of limited bandwidth. That bandwidth is split among all its users. The more users, the less bandwidth for an individual user — meaning slower internet speeds for you. More servers for people to join means less populated servers — faster browsing for you.
How does server location influence your internet speed? Let’s say you are visiting a website — the closer you are to the web server, the fewer networks the data passes through. A shorter journey for the data means faster browsing for you.
Also, the location of a server influences another important thing — geolocation and georestriction. With a larger pool of servers in different countries, you can access lower-priced markets. More servers → more markets → fewer expenses.
So, now that we’ve established that quantity IS quality here, let’s check the server count and locations.
Server count & locations
Both VPNs cover the globe and overlap in general locations like North and South America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. However, Surfshark stands out with its servers in almost every region of the world.
The table below shows the server locations and server count per platform:
Surfshark | IPVanish | |
---|---|---|
Servers | 3200+ | 2200+ |
Countries (total) | 100 | 56 |
Americas | 18 | 9 |
Europe | 46 | 32 |
Asia Pacific | 27 | 12 |
The Middle East and Africa | 9 | 1 |
Want a more specific list? We’ve got you. The following countries are home to Surfshark servers but don’t host a single IPVanish server:
- Europe — Andorra, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Cyprus, Georgia, Greenland, Isle of Man, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malta, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia;
- Americas — Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Ecuador, Panama, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela;
- Asia — Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Laos, Macau, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Uzbekistan, Vietnam;
- The Middle East and Africa — Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Nigeria.
Now, I have to be honest with you — IPVanish touts more servers in the US. They have 1,106 US servers, while Surfshark has over 600. Still, Surfshark’s general server pool is higher.
While we’re on the topic of servers — Surfshark offers static IP servers and a Dedicated IP for those wanting stable IPs in their preferred server countries.
Key takeaway:
Surfshark has more servers in different places worldwide, while IPVanish has more servers in the US.
Features
Although both VPNs provide data encryption, only one has more features than the other. Here’s a quick overview of the features that they offer:
Feature | Surfshark | IPVanish |
---|---|---|
Nexus | ||
Kill Switch | ||
Unlimited connections | ||
Split tunneling | ||
Ad block | ||
Cookie pop-up blocker | ||
Browser extensions | ||
Smart DNS | ||
Double VPN | ||
User masking | ||
GPS spoofing | ||
No-logs policy | ||
DNS & leak protection | ||
Obfuscation | ||
NoBorders mode | ||
Automatic startup | ||
Cloud storage |
Obfuscation
Also known as the Camouflage mode at Surfshark, obfuscation masks the fact that you’re using a VPN. Even from your ISP (Internet Service Provider). Both IPVanish and Surfshark use it — Surfshark’s obfuscation is only available with the OpenVPN (UDP or TCP) protocols, while IPVanish uses the Shadowsocks protocol for obfuscation.
GPS spoofing
Also known as GPS override, GPS spoofing makes you appear to be in a different place. Both IPVanish and Surfshark* have it.
*Android only
User masking
Along with its VPN, Surfshark offers Alternative ID, a user masking feature that works like an email alias. It generates fake credentials and a fake email for online sign-ups to avoid exposing real user info. IPVanish doesn’t offer such user masking features.
Split tunneling
Also known as Bypasser at Surfshark, split tunneling means that only a part of your information (of your choosing, of course) goes through a VPN. It helps separate activities that need a VPN from those that don’t. Both IPVanish and Surfshark offer it.
Kill Switch
Kill Switch disables your internet connection if the VPN connection drops without any notice. Nobody wants to get caught with their pants off, do they? IPVanish and Surfshark have it (IPVanish doesn’t support Kill Switch on Linux and iOS, and Surfshark has it on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows and Linux).
No-logs policy
A no-logs policy means that a VPN provider doesn’t log your online activity, browsing history, used bandwidth, your network traffic, your IP address, or DNS queries. It only keeps a minimal amount of information that is necessary for providing the service itself. Surfshark and IPVanish follow the no-logs policy.
Cookie pop-up blocker
It’s a browser extension that declines and rejects all cookies. You can decide which sites’ cookies are important and disable the extension to accept cookies on them. Only Surfshark has it.
NoBorders mode
This comes into play only if you’re in a country that forbids VPNs or restricts internet freedom. The feature will help you log in to your Surfshark app and see the list of best servers under current network restrictions. Only Surfshark has it.
Ad block
We call it CleanWeb at Surfshark. One way to infect your computer is by clicking on a malicious advert. So it seemed natural to add a feature that keeps your browsing clean of such ads. Both IPVanish and Surfshark have it.
Dynamic MultiHop
Also known as Double VPN, this feature lets you direct your data through a couple of different servers chained together to increase your security. Surfshark uses it, and IPVanish doesn’t.
Nexus
Surfshark uses a network of servers scattered worldwide to hide your IP address. Connecting to Nexus routes your internet traffic through a network of servers rather than a single VPN tunnel. Only Surfshark has it (across all VPNs).
SugarSync
Up to 500 GB of secure cloud storage space with cross-device compatibility. Only IPVanish offers it.
Automatic startup
A feature that automatically activates your VPN once there is an internet connection. Both Surfshark and IPVanish offer it.
Key takeaway:
Judging by the raw numbers of distinct features, Surfshark offers more than IPVanish.
Security & privacy
The majority of VPN users choose a VPN based on its security. That security depends on several things, like protocols, security features, followed policies, encryption, server infrastructure, and location.
Encryption
A VPN’s primary purpose is encrypting data with different encryption standards. In that regard, Surfshark and IPVanish use the VPN industry standard, AES 256-bit encryption paired with ChaCha20.
VPN protocols
Then, we have VPN protocols — the engine and the rulebook behind that encryption. These include:
Protocol | Description | Surfshark | IPVanish |
---|---|---|---|
WireGuard | The fastest protocol overall | ||
IKEv2 | The best and fastest protocol for mobile users | * | |
OpenVPN | A fast and reliable open-source VPN system, the only one that many routers natively support | ||
IPSec (Internet Protocol Security) | A protocol suite that encrypts IP packets and provides a framework for secure transport and tunneling |
Of course, it’s not just about encryption.
Server infrastructure
Another way of enforcing security is server infrastructure. Surfshark is ahead of IPVanish* here because we use RAM-only servers, taking that no-logging practice to the next level. RAM-only servers mean no information can be physically taken from the servers because we can’t keep user data long-term.
This means that any information on a hard drive is automatically erased when a server is switched off, adding an extra layer of security.
Trust
Naturally, besides all the security tech, trust matters at least as much. One way to build it is by establishing credibility via audits and following policies.
On that front, both VPNs boast about following the no-logs policy. But some years ago and under different management, IPVanish had an “oopsie” — they logged activity and provided it to the authorities. Since then, IPVanish has certified its adherence to the no-logs policy by an independent auditor — Leviathan.
While on the topic of audits, Surfshark’s server infrastructure and browser extensions have undergone independent audits by Cure53. And Deloitte, one of the big four auditing companies, verified our no-logs policy.
In 2023, Surfshark’s Android app passed an independent Mobile App Security Assessment (MASA) security audit.
Key takeaway:
Based on prior history, security features, server infrastructure, and audits, you are more likely to keep your internet activity private and secure if you choose Surfshark.
Mobile apps
There’s not a lot to talk about — the truth is that both Surfshark and IPVanish offer end-to-end data encryption for all major mobile devices. Also, IPVanish and Surfshark support router encryption, letting you have a VPN on unlimited devices.
In addition to your overall security, the Surfshark One bundle also offers antivirus software for Android mobile users.
The same goes for IPVanish with their VIPRE, an antivirus program.
Key takeaway:
Surfshark and IPVanish both offer great online security on all mobile devices with the option of an extra layer of protection provided by their antiviruses.
Pricing & plans
Both VPNs offer safe access to the web no matter what plan you choose. And the pricing is based on the same principle — you pay less monthly for a longer plan.
Both providers receive payment for services in the most conventional forms, but seemingly only Surfshark provides a way to pay with cryptocurrencies.
Both also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Surfshark | IPVanish |
---|---|
1 month: $15.45/mo | 1 month: $10.99/mo |
12 months: $2.79/mo +3 months free | 12 months: $2.79/mo +3 months free |
24 months: $2.19/mo + 3 months free | 24 months: $2.19/mo +3 months free |
Key takeaway:
Both providers offer the same price for their cheapest plan — $2.19. But IPVanish is more wallet-friendly with its 1-month plans.
Customer support
Per usual, live chat and email are the go-to options for support. But there’s more to choose from, and mentioning the differences is important.
IPVanish shines bright, offering phone support, but Surfshark stands tall with its constantly updated video guides.
Customer support channels
Customer service | Surfshark | IPVanish |
---|---|---|
Live chat | ||
Ticket support | ||
Email support | ||
Phone support | ||
Searchable knowledge base | ||
Video guides |
Both providers are quick to answer emails, have articles and video content offering technical support.
Key takeaway:
Surfshark and IPVanish stand as equals with minimal exceptions. Even though they lack freshness in their video department, IPVanish still has a strong presence in this category thanks to their over-the-phone support. Hats off to them!
Reddit reviews: Surfshark vs. IPVanish
Reddit has a VPN comparison table where users review VPNs they have tried — it’s a community effort meant to simplify choosing and using VPNs. According to the table, Reddit users rank Surfshark among the top three, while IPVanish is 27th.
Remember, it’s always good to check it out for yourself.
Surfshark vs. IPVanish: the final scores
IPVanish offers servers with bigger bandwidth and the option of cloud storage, however, Surfshark offers better pricing as well as incremental benefits in other categories.
Category | Summary |
---|---|
Server speeds | Surfshark showed lower ping when connecting to a nearby server than IPVanish, but connecting to far-off servers showed almost no difference between the two. |
Protocols | Both platforms support industry-standard protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard, with IPVanish additionally offering IPsec. |
Added features | While IPVanish offers a lot of the same VPN features as Surfshark as well as cloud storage, it misses out on stuff like Nexus, NoBorder mode, and Cookie pop-up blocker. |
Privacy and security | While largely comparable, Surfshark does edge out IPVanish when it comes to some privacy features as well as history in this area. |
Server locations | Surfshark offers both more servers and server locations. However, IPVanish hosts more servers in the Americas. |
Subscription costs | In terms of monthly subscription plans, both Surfshark and IPVanish cost $2.19 per month (on a 2-year plan). |
Payment methods | Both platforms have a wide range of banking methods, but only Surfshark accepts crypto payments. |
Customer support | Support levels are largely similar, however, IPVanish offers a support phone line. |
So, which one do you choose?
Additional Surfshark reviews and comparisons
Check out how we compare to other big brands in general. Have a hard time making your mind up? Take a look at our in-depth Surfshark review.
FAQ
What’s better than IPVanish?
Surfshark is a great VPN alternative with a feature-heavy bundle and often provides a better quality of service. Surfshark has gone through four separate audits to show they’re serious about keeping your privacy intact.
Is Surfshark more trustworthy than IPVanish?
Surfshark may be considered more trustworthy because it has more high-level security features and a clear company history compared to IPVanish.
Is Surfshark a good VPN?
Yes, it allows top-grade VPN traffic encryption and unlimited simultaneous connections for a competitive price.
Where are IPVanish and Surfshark VPNs located?
Surfshark is located in the Netherlands, and IPVanish’s parent company is in Dallas, US.