Some choices in tech just seem easy at first glance—then you dive in, and it gets complicated. Comparing NordVPNand IPVanish is exactly like that. Both are giants in the VPN space, with millions of users worldwide, years of brand trust, and big promises on privacy, performance, and price. But once you scratch the surface, the differences are way more interesting (and relevant to real users) than a simple feature checklist can show.
Let’s break it all down, from security and privacy to speed, value, and streaming. This review is for anyone considering a VPN for daily privacy, traveling, remote work, or just smoother streaming.
Verdict at a Glance
After testing both NordVPN and IPVanish side by side, it’s clear that both have strong selling points. But if you’re after maximum privacy, advanced features, and the most reliable experience, NordVPN is the clear winner.
IPVanish, though, is a great choice if you’ve got loads of devices or a big household, thanks to its unlimited connections per account and competitive long-term pricing.
Quick Comparison Table
| Metric | NordVPN | IPVanish | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Panama (outside 5/9/14 Eyes) | USA (5 Eyes member) | NordVPN |
| No-Logs Policy | Yes (multiple audits) | Yes (recent audit, past controversy) | NordVPN |
| Server Count | 8,100+ | 2,400+ | NordVPN |
| Countries Covered | 126 | 75–110 | NordVPN |
| Speed & Consistency | Excellent & very stable | Good, less consistent | NordVPN |
| Streaming Unblocking | Best-in-class (Netflix, BBC, etc.) | Unreliable, mixed results | NordVPN |
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 | Unlimited | IPVanish |
| Lowest Monthly Price | From $3.09 | From $2.19 | IPVanish |
| Advanced Features | Extensive (Double VPN, Onion, Threat Protection) | Basic (Scramble, SOCKS5, Double Hop) | NordVPN |
1. Security, Privacy & Trust: Where Philosophy Matters
Let’s start where it matters most: privacy. Any VPN is only as good as the laws it operates under—and its willingness to fight for your privacy, even when no one’s looking.
Jurisdiction: The Panama Advantage
Here’s a fact that too many people overlook: legal jurisdiction matters. NordVPN is based in Panama, a country with no mandatory data retention and not a member of international surveillance alliances like 5/9/14 Eyes. This is huge. Panama’s privacy laws are tough—no government can force NordVPN to hand over data it doesn’t have. That’s not marketing—it’s the law.
IPVanish is US-based, right in the heart of the Five Eyes alliance. This means that under US law, authorities can serve companies with national security letters and gag orders—forcing them to hand over user data, often without telling you.
And yes, this actually happened: in 2016, IPVanish (under previous ownership) handed over user logs to Homeland Security. No “zero-logs” claim can erase that precedent for privacy-conscious users.
Bottom line? If you need bulletproof privacy—journalists, activists, or anyone with a real threat model—NordVPN is the safe pick.
No-Logs Policy: Trust, But Verify
Both VPNs claim a “no-logs” policy—but not all no-logs claims are equal.
- NordVPN has passed multiple independent audits by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and other big firms. Its latest audit (Feb 2025) confirmed their zero-logging stance, and it publishes transparency reports. Their reputation here is rock-solid.
- IPVanish has also undergone a recent audit (Schellman, April 2025), confirming its current “no-logs” policy. They’ve also set up a Trust Center and transparency reports. Still, for many privacy pros, the US jurisdiction plus that 2016 scandal means they’ll always be playing catch-up in terms of trust.
“Switched to NordVPN last year for streaming and haven’t looked back. Works great with Netflix and BBC iPlayer, even during peak hours.”
— u/vidjunkie2022
Encryption & Protocols: Under the Hood
Both VPNs use AES-256, the industry standard for encryption (even used by the US government). For protocols:
- WireGuard: IPVanish uses standard WireGuard (fast and modern).
- NordLynx: NordVPN created their own NordLynx, based on WireGuard but with an extra double NAT system for privacy, eliminating the risk of logging user connections.
In real-world use, NordVPN typically comes out ahead on speed, reliability, and privacy, thanks to this innovation.
2. Advanced Features: Security Ecosystem vs. Simplicity
Here’s where NordVPN starts to pull ahead if you want more than “just a VPN”.
NordVPN: A Full Security Suite
- Double VPN: Route traffic through two servers for double encryption—ideal for high-risk use cases.
- Onion Over VPN: Seamlessly access Tor network through a VPN tunnel (no special browser needed).
- Obfuscated Servers: Mask VPN traffic as regular HTTPS to bypass even the strictest firewalls.
- Threat Protection Pro: Blocks malware, trackers, ads, and phishing—even if VPN is off.
- Dark Web Monitor: Alerts if your credentials appear on the dark web.
- Meshnet: Create secure private networks between your own devices, anywhere in the world.
IPVanish: The Essentials
- Scramble (Obfuscation): Obfuscates OpenVPN traffic, but only on some platforms and not as robust as Nord’s solution.
- SOCKS5 Proxy: Great for torrenting but doesn’t encrypt traffic.
- Double Hop: Multi-hop feature now available (recent addition).
- Basic Ad/Tracker Blocking: Useful, but not as advanced as NordVPN’s Threat Protection.
Features Comparison Table NordVPN vs IPVanish
| Feature | NordVPN | IPVanish |
|---|---|---|
| Double VPN / Multi-hop | Yes | Yes (recently added) |
| Onion Over VPN | Yes | No |
| Obfuscation | Yes (robust, most OS) | Yes (limited, OpenVPN only) |
| P2P-optimized servers | Yes (auto select) | No (all servers allow P2P) |
| Ad/Malware Blocking | Yes (Threat Protection Pro) | Yes (basic) |
| Dedicated IP | Yes (add-on) | No |
| RAM-only Servers | Yes (entire network) | Partially deployed |
| Anonymous Crypto Pay | Yes | No |
3. Performance: Speed, Stability, and Real-World Results
A VPN is only as good as its day-to-day performance. For me, if a VPN slows down my connection too much or drops out at the wrong time (hello, conference calls!), it’s a dealbreaker.
Speed Test Summary
Multiple independent tests (and my own daily experience) show a clear trend:
- NordVPN consistently delivers some of the fastest speeds of any VPN, period. In some cases, it even beats a raw (unprotected) connection by bypassing ISP throttling!
- IPVanish is respectably fast—fast enough for HD streaming, gaming, and large downloads. But it’s not as consistent, especially for uploads or if you connect to distant servers.
“IPVanish is great if you want to connect every single device you own. I’ve got my phone, tablet, PC, Fire Stick, and my wife’s stuff all running at once.”
— u/digitallyoverloaded
Typical Speed Results:
| Server Location | NordVPN Download/Upload | IPVanish Download/Upload |
|---|---|---|
| US (West Coast) | ~91% / ~92% | ~88% / ~75% |
| UK (London) | ~94% / ~92% | ~90% / ~85% |
| Central Europe | ~95% / ~92% | ~92% / ~88% |
| Australia (Sydney) | ~88% / ~80% | ~71% / ~70% |
If you care about stable 4K streaming, fast file transfers, or low-latency gaming, NordVPN is the safer bet.
4. Server Network & Infrastructure: Scale and Quality
Server Network
- NordVPN: Over 8,100 servers in 126+ countries. It’s not just about quantity; their servers are highly optimized, and in high-demand areas (like the US or UK), they offer loads of options for better load balancing.
- IPVanish: Over 2,400 servers in 75–110 countries, with a focus on owning their entire infrastructure (no rented servers). If you need an IP from a rare country, IPVanish might offer it where others don’t.
Security Infrastructure
One thing I love about NordVPN is their RAM-only server rollout. When they reboot a server, all data is wiped—nothing persists on disk. This is the gold standard in VPN server security, and it was a direct response to real-world threats.
IPVanish is catching up, slowly transitioning to RAM-only servers, but isn’t there yet across their whole network.
5. Streaming & Bypassing Geo-Blocks
This is the single biggest reason most people even try a VPN. Here’s what I found:
Streaming Services
- NordVPN: Consistently unblocks Netflix (all regions), BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and even obscure streaming platforms. SmartPlay DNS (baked in) makes it effortless, even on smart TVs or consoles.
- IPVanish: Can unblock Netflix US, ESPN+, and a few others, but it’s inconsistent for platforms like Hulu, BBC iPlayer, or Disney+. No Smart DNS feature, so non-native devices (like smart TVs) are hit-and-miss.
If you’re traveling or living abroad and want to watch your home region’s content, NordVPN is the more reliable tool.
6. Torrenting & P2P Support
- NordVPN: P2P is allowed, but routed through optimized servers for safety and speed. App will auto-select the best server if it detects BitTorrent traffic. DNS leak protection and kill switch are always on.
- IPVanish: P2P allowed on all servers, with a SOCKS5 proxy for extra speed (but no encryption). This gives you more manual choice, but also more risk if you pick a slow or overloaded server.
Which is better for torrents?
If you’re a techie and want ultimate flexibility, IPVanish is fun to tinker with. If you want safety and simplicity, NordVPN wins hands-down.
7. Apps, Usability, and Customer Support
App Design
- NordVPN: Super easy for beginners, with a map-based interface and slick design. All features are where you’d expect them.
- IPVanish: Functional and detailed, with clear info on server load and ping. Slightly less modern feel, but very customizable. Split Tunneling is available on more platforms.
Customer Support
Both providers offer:
- 24/7 live chat
- Email support
- Extensive knowledge bases
Bonus: IPVanish offers phone support (rare in the VPN world), so if you want to talk to a real human about your issue, it’s an option.
8. Pricing, Plans & Value
Here’s where it gets spicy. Both NordVPN and IPVanish offer discounts on long-term plans, and monthly plans are much pricier (pretty standard for VPNs).
| Provider | Monthly | 1-Year Plan | 2-Year Plan (Monthly Avg.) | Connections |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | $12.99 | $4.99 | $3.09 | 10 |
| IPVanish | $12.99 | $3.99 | $2.19 | Unlimited |
- IPVanish is a bit cheaper if you lock in a long-term deal and want to connect everything (seriously, everything—no limits).
- NordVPN bundles extra security tools in their higher-tier plans (password manager, encrypted storage, etc.), so the value proposition is bigger if you want an all-in-one security suite.
Both offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try either risk-free.
9. Who Should Choose Which? My Personal Recommendations
Choose NordVPN if:
- You want maximum privacy (journalist, activist, business traveler, anyone with a real threat model)
- Streaming from multiple regions is important to you
- You want an easy, powerful all-in-one security suite
- Top speeds and consistent performance matter most
- You like getting new features before the rest of the market
Choose IPVanish if:
- You have a huge number of devices (big family, home office, or just a gadget hoarder)
- You’re price-conscious and want the cheapest way to protect every device
- You like the idea of direct phone support
10. Final Verdict: Which VPN Wins in 2025?
While both NordVPN and IPVanish have matured massively in the last few years, and IPVanish especially deserves credit for turning things around on privacy and transparency, NordVPN is still the best overall choice for most users in this year.
It’s the leader in privacy (thanks to Panama jurisdiction and repeated audits), unbeatable for streaming and speed, and just keeps adding security features others copy later. For 99% of users, that’s the smarter investment for your data and your peace of mind.
But if you need to protect a small army of devices, don’t mind some US legal risk, and want to save a few bucks, IPVanish is still a legit contender—especially for big families or small teams.
Either way, you can try both for 30 days, risk-free. And in today’s online world, using any premium VPN beats going unprotected.
Ready to get started?
FAQ NordVPN vs IPVanish
Is NordVPN really safer than IPVanish?
Yes, NordVPN offers stronger privacy thanks to its Panama jurisdiction, RAM-only servers, and audited no-logs policy. IPVanish has improved but is still based in the US, which comes with more legal risk.
Can I use NordVPN or IPVanish for Netflix and streaming?
NordVPN is more reliable for unblocking Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more. IPVanish works for some platforms, but not as consistently, and it lacks Smart DNS for TVs.
Which VPN is faster: NordVPN or IPVanish?
NordVPN consistently delivers higher and more stable speeds worldwide, especially with its NordLynx protocol. IPVanish is fast enough for most uses but can be less consistent.
Does IPVanish really offer unlimited devices?
Yes, you can connect as many devices as you want simultaneously with one IPVanish account—great for large households or small offices.
How do the refund policies compare?
Both NordVPN and IPVanish provide a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try each service risk-free.
Which VPN is better for torrenting?
Both support torrenting. NordVPN routes P2P traffic to special optimized servers for safety, while IPVanish allows P2P on all servers and also offers a SOCKS5 proxy for faster (but less secure) downloads.
Which is cheaper?
IPVanish is often cheaper on long-term plans and lets you cover unlimited devices. NordVPN gives you more advanced features and security extras, sometimes at a slightly higher price.
Does either VPN keep logs?
Both claim a strict no-logs policy and have passed independent audits. However, NordVPN’s clean audit history and offshore location provide extra peace of mind.
