Updated: January 1st, 2018
IPVanish vs ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN vs IPVanish is in many ways the biggest battle of the titans in the VPN service provider marketplace. Both of these VPN providers are two of the most popular and widely used across the globe.
We wanted to put these two head to head against each other to find out once and for all how they shape up against one another across the most important factors that users care about most when it comes to using a VPN.
So without further ado, here is our comprehensive look at ExpressVPN vs IPVanish with first a quick comparison overview, followed by a detailed breakdown of the individual factors to help you determine which is the best of the two in each area, and of course, overall!
NOTE: The percentages for each VPN across the factors are calculated against every VPN service provider we have reviewed here at Fried.com. So 100% means that service is one of -- if not the -- best performer in that area.
Quick Comparison
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Speed & Performance | ||
Security & Privacy | ||
Device Compatibility | ||
Server Locations | ||
Customer Support |
Who Wins?
Comparison Breakdown
The above overview is all you really need to know at glance. From that alone you can determine that ExpressVPN is the superior VPN service provider of the two, as well as seeing exactly in which areas it excels in comparison to IPVanish.
However, I know many of you out there like a bit more thorough an analyses when it comes to comparing software. So the rest of this comparative guide does exactly that -- dives deep into the factors we pinned both VPNs up against, details why one is better than the other, and ultimately why ExpressVPN is the victorious provider of these equally popular VPNs.
This detailed comparison of these two powerhouse VPN providers continues below in a factor-by-factor breakdown. Under each VPN provider is a succinct description of that factor, detailing exactly why each score is received. So go ahead and read on to dig into our comparison breakdown of ExpressVPN vs IPVanish below.
PRICING
PLANS OFFERED
1 month = $12.95
6 months = $59.94
12 months = $99.84
With their 1 month plan sitting well over $10, ExpressVPN is one of the highest priced VPN providers around. However, this price point definitely reflects the level of service you get. The old adage of "you get what you pay for" rings true in this case.
PLANS OFFERED
1 month = $10
6 months = $53.98
12 months = $77.99
IPVanish also charge in the mid-to-high range, but offer a sizeably lower price point compared to ExpressVPN. The cost saving definitely adds up in the longterm if you sign up for a 6-month or annual account with IPVanish against ExpressVPN.
IPVanish vs ExpressVPN : BEST PRICE?
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SPEED & PERFORMANCE
ExpressVPN offer speeds that are pretty hard to match with any other VPN provider on the market right now. Very little to zero speed loss is not uncommon when connected.
Not being satisfied enough with the general experiences and opinions of the many peer-reviews of ExpressVPN's speed, I went ahead and did a manual speed test myself. I first ran the ping test without being connected, then once more ran the test after connecting to the ExpressVPN software:
WithoutVPN
WithVPN
Overall ExpressVPN speed score:
Speeds are consistently solid with IPVanish across all server connections. Users experience only a little drop across the board, but nothing to significantly affect their online usage.
Same as with ExpressVPN, I also put IPVanish through a manual speed test (or ping test, as it's otherwise known) on my Macbook laptop from my UK-based location. Below you can see the screen shot results of this test:
WithoutVPN
WithVPN
Overall IPVanish speed score:
ExpressVPN vs IPVanish : BEST SPEED & PERFORMANCE?
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SECURITY & PRIVACY
Users get solid levels of sophisticated data encryption with ExpressVPN. Most significantly is ExpressVPN being based out of the British Virgin Isles, which excludes them from the data retention and EU DRD laws that companies based inside the US or UK have to abide by.
IPVanish provide equally strong levels of data encryption through the protocols they offer users to connect through. The real downside for IPVanish with security is the company's US based location. They must adhere to the strict US data laws, which includes handing over user data if requested to do so.
With the security of your online data and privacy of your activity being of paramount concern for anyone looking to setup a VPN, it is worthwhile stating a few more key points regarding this with each VPN provider:
One difference that is actually in IPVanish's favour regarding this is that the service does not keep any logs of their users. This means neither activity logs or usage logs are kept. On the other hand, ExpressVPN, although not keeping activity logs (so what you do is not logged), usage logs are kept. This means the amount of data you sent/received (so "how much" you did of an activity) is logged by ExpressVPN.
However, this difference is essentially made redundant with ExpressVPN not logging you IP address with the usage/connection logs.
IPVanish vs ExpressVPN : BEST SECURITY & PRIVACY?
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DEVICE COMPATIBILITY
All major platforms are compatible with the ExpressVPN service and software. Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Linux are all well supported and easy to use with the ExpressVPN software in addition to routers and games consoles.
IPVanish work hard to make their VPN service as easy to setup and use across all major platforms as possible. they succeed with this, allowing for VPN connectivity on essentially every device one would want to use a VPN on.
ExpressVPN vs IPVanish : BEST DEVICE COMPATIBILITY?
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EVEN
SERVER LOCATIONS
The variety of servers offered by ExpressVPN on their service is brilliantly spread out all over the world. In addition, they offer a large amount of servers to choose from with multiple server options in a single country.
IPVanish offer a lesser amount of server locations to ExpressVPN, so receive a lower score for this. However, it should be noted that IPVanish is one of the only VPN providers available to offer China-based servers -- that's big.
Popular Locations |
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United Kingdom | ✓ | ✓ |
United States | ✓ | ✓ |
Canada | ✓ | ✓ |
Australia | ✓ | ✓ |
France | ✓ | ✓ |
China | ✓ | ✓ |
Germany | ✓ | ✓ |
So although both offer more than enough locations around the globe to satisfy any level of VPN user, ExpressVPN wins this factor based on sheer amount of offered worldwide locations.
IPVanish vs ExpressVPN : BEST SECURITY & PRIVACY?
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CUSTOMER SUPPORT
Customer support is an area that ExpressVPN really shine in. The combination of very short response times, 24/7 cross-support options and live chat on the website make it a top performer in this area.
IPVanish are only just behind ExpressVPN in this area. Users also get very quick response times via email (usually less than a 30 minute wait) and a comprehensive FAQ section really helps take care of most user issues.
Noteworthy difference between the two providers in this area is that although both are fast and super friendly with their support -- it is ExpressVPN that display that "x-factor" with regards to the small interactions I had with their support. A little more personality and affable nature behind how they communicate (sometimes quite complex) support issues is why they surpass IPVanish in this area.
Express VPN vs IPVanish : BEST CUSTOMER SUPPORT?
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Additional Features
On top of the very high quality functions and feature-sets that each of these VPN providers possess, there are some additional tools, tricks and cool little add-ons that both software include in their service.
So if you are a sucker for awesome little extras that you would not otherwise expect from the software, then read this little section that lists the most useful and interesting additions that these service providers have implemented:
Feature |
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Kill Switch | ✓ | ✓ |
Torrenting Allowed | ✓ | ✓ |
Stealth Mode | ✓ | ✓ |
IP Auto-Rotation | ✘ | ✓ |
Favourite Server Pin | ✓ | ✘ |
So as you can see, both of the VPN providers offer similar features to one another, with some exceptions.
The IP Auto-rotate feature that IPVanish offers is a great little tool to enable if you are using the VPN for maximum "anonymity" purposes while surfing the web. However, this feature can actually be detrimental if you are simply using the VPN for general privacy-protection and/or unblocking purposes, since the actual connection must drop as the IP address changes every time (thus, compromising your privacy and blocking whatever you're unblocking in those moments).
With the "favourite server" feature that ExpressVPN offers, you are able to save the most commonly used server locations you use when connecting to the VPN. This is a simple, super helpful little add-on that would be easy to implement in any VPN software, yet ExpressVPN are smart enough to actually implement it into theirs.
Overall Winner:
In ExpressVPN vs IPVanish -- ExpressVPN is the better choice. ExpressVPN out-performs IPVanish overall when combining each service's performance across the 6 most important factors to consider with a VPN service provider.
Conclusion
So there you have it. In this comparison look at IPVanish vs ExpressVPN, ExpressVPN takes victory. Although very closely matches across the majority of each factor considered, ExpressVPN comes out on top by offering a more data secure, instantly supportive and feature-rich VPN service than IPVanish.
IPVanish most definitely performs side-by-side with ExpressVPN in some areas like device compatibility and also out-performs ExpressVPN when it comes to sheer price of service. However, overall the price difference is justified -- you clearly get what you pay for between these two top performing VPN service providers.
Already Tried ExpressVPN and/or IPVanish? Share your thoughts!
Have you already had experience firsthand with either ExpressVPN or IPVanish? Maybe you have tried both?
If you have, please do not hesitate to let me know your personal opinion and user-experience by commenting down below. Feel free to leave just a few words, a "star rating" out of 10, or even go as far as sharing a comprehensive review of your own down there. I would love to have individual feedback on how real users have experienced these two popular VPNs, to see where the most commonly-shared pros and cons lie with each.
With that said, thanks very much for taking the time to read through this in-depth comparison of ExpressVPN against IPVanish.
Be sure to check out our comprehensive full reviews of both ExpressVPN and IPVanish to take a holistic, detailed look at each service independently from each other:
⋆ My Ultimate VPN Recommendation ⋆
I have personally reviewed every single VPN service provider that is available to the public marketplace, as well as producing these side-by-side comparisons of each against the other.
From this deep-dive analysis I have been able to confidently narrow down the one VPN provider I am most comfortable recommending as the best one of them all. Hands down, the best one is ExpressVPN.
With that in mind, be sure to check out the other detailed VPN comparisons I have conducted right here...
Most Popular VPN Comparisons
November 14, 2017 at 8:04 am
I think it comes down to price on this one. I can afford to go for ExpressVPN but if my budget was smaller then I would take IPVanish next before any other VPN. My sister uses IPVanish and loves it.
November 14, 2017 at 8:07 am
i tried using ipvanish for accessing some blocked stuff like hulu but it didn’t work. seems like expressVPN does work with this. anyone else having this result?
November 14, 2017 at 8:13 am
Hey Georgina, I can attest to this too. Netflix is still accessible with ExpressVPN because they are always getting new servers that are not blocked by Netflix.
November 14, 2017 at 8:11 am
Good comparison. I like the breakdown of speeds, as this is what i care about most using the vpn for streaming. Will give ExpressVPN a try now.
November 14, 2017 at 8:14 am
Hey Eliza, glad you found that useful! I also consider this to be one of the most important factors for a VPN for sure!
December 17, 2017 at 1:10 am
I’ve been using ExpressVPN (mainly with netflix access) and have them to be really easy to use.
The support articles are clear and concise and the 24/7 support team have been some of the best I’ve dealt with. Really helpful, patient and have the skill set to be able to help with simple to more complex queries.
January 29, 2018 at 10:11 pm
As a VPN user, ipvanish vs expressvpn is an easy question to answer. I have express currently and it works great so far.
January 29, 2018 at 10:57 pm
Expressvpn vs ipvanish huh? Well if I have to pick one it will be Express its expensive monthly but not by much. Only about 3USD or so.
January 30, 2018 at 12:12 am
With all this VPN popping out express vpn vs ipvanish is not surprising. for one it all depends of consumer’s perspective. Overall, this is a must read for all VPN potential users.
January 30, 2018 at 12:56 am
This is definitely a different type of article from this Author. Ipvanish vs expressvpn I never thought that this will be an all out showdown of two services. Usually one branded as X or whatever but this is different.
January 30, 2018 at 1:39 am
Answer Express ha ha. On the other hand, these two vpn however, I lean towards express I just feel comfortable with it but let me be clear. I have nothing against Vanish.
January 30, 2018 at 2:21 am
Any heard of Cyber Ghost? I heard it is free? I hope you feature that here because the more choices the better.
January 30, 2018 at 2:40 am
The rise of VPN users are on the rise these days. Brands and all. The only question is how effective and efficient a VPN is?
January 30, 2018 at 2:57 am
I am amaze on how these features differ from the VPN that I know. These terms are very geeky in nature.
January 30, 2018 at 3:12 am
I do not know what or how to choose between ipvanish vs expressvpn. Both services are well reputed, and can do its job well. There is only a very small difference.
January 30, 2018 at 3:30 am
This expressvpn vs ipvanish is a hard one to pick. The difference between the two is so small. In reality there is no number 1 or two. Whatever your choice will be its gonna be a good one.
January 30, 2018 at 3:51 am
It is very very bold to have a express vpn vs ipvanish debate . Thankfully the author did not submit a conclusive answer at least indirectly.
January 30, 2018 at 4:16 am
Express vpn vs ipvanish this is immaterial since whether it is Express or VANISH I hardly notice ant difference thus I say this is irrelevant . The price is different perhaps but performance wise does it matter?
January 30, 2018 at 4:54 am
I review the stats of this ipvanish vs expressvpn discussion the more I see that it is a very close comparison. The deciding factors of choice can vary depending on who is using which brand.
January 30, 2018 at 5:14 am
Expressvpn vs ipvanish. Looks like Express wins but the wining margin is so small but a win is still a win I suppose.
January 30, 2018 at 5:40 am
I do not want automatic , express vpn vs ipvanish? MY answer is obvious Express a good point though at times auto features are harmful than beneficial.
January 30, 2018 at 5:58 am
This guide is very detailed and concise. Although in the question of ipvanish vs expressvpn I pick Express even though in reality you can never have an accurate choice since it differs on the user.
January 30, 2018 at 6:47 am
Substance over form is always my basis for tech. With that said I do not care what brand it is as long as it works. Frills and thrills wont cut it.
January 30, 2018 at 7:46 am
Good review and it piques my interest regarding VPN because I do not have one yet. i have to read this many times to have a good choice.
January 30, 2018 at 8:08 am
I do not know though because the question is do we really need this? I mean a standard internet security Suite for devices has a built in VPN already.
January 30, 2018 at 8:21 am
As for me getting one of these depends on the needs. Example if you want to unblock something then get it but if everything is shown fine then perhaps you may pass on this.