IPVanish vs ExpressVPN (2024): Which VPN is Better?

I have used both IPVanish and ExpressVPN and can say that they have a good track record when it comes to providing internet users with privacy, security, and freedom to browse the internet.

• IPVanish:It's ideal if you're on a budget and have large families or teams that need multiple device connections.
• ExpressVPN:It's better if you can afford the price, as it offers more VPN servers and locations, and is a much faster VPN than IPVanish.

In this article, I'll walk you through the main offerings of both VPNs, where they have some similarities, and where they differ.

IPVanish vs ExpressVPN: Comparison Table

While both IPVanish and ExpressVPN have interesting VPN features that can make it difficult to choose between the two, here's how I compared the two VPN services to guide you on which product to choose.

IPVanish and ExpressVPN Pricing

IPVanish Pricing

IPVanish offers a three-tier plan, which includes:

Monthly plan:Starting at $10.99/month. The best plan if you're not a regular VPN user.

Two-year plan: Ideal for a long-term commitment. It costs $2.19 per month and is billed at $59.13 for the first two years.

Annual plan:It costs $2.79 per month and is billed at $41.85 per year.

Note: Annual and biennial subscriptions give you three additional months, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee. IPVanish also offers a seven-day free trial for iOS and Android mobile devices when you choose an annual subscription.

ExpressVPN Pricing

Like IPVanish, ExpressVPN categorizes its plan into three options: one-month plan, six-month plan, and 12-month plan.

1 month plan:This is ideal for short-term use and costs $12.95 per month.

6 month plan:It costs $9.99 per month and is billed every six months.

12 month plan:The best plan for long-term use. It costs $8.32 per month, which allows you to save some money on initial costs.

Note: All ExpressVPN plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, plus a seven-day free trial on mobile devices only.

IPVanish vs ExpressVPN: Feature Comparison

IPVanish and ExpressVPN may offer similar services, but their capabilities differ in many ways. Below are their features.

Data protection features

While IPVanish claims to provide protection from data sharing, censorship, and government interference, one security issue I found concerning is that it is based in the United States, which is part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance countries that share user data when necessary. Additionally, I didn’t see a data breach monitoring feature when I tested IPVanish.

SEE: NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN: Which VPN is better? (TechRepublic)

On the other hand, ExpressVPN offers more confidence and security when it comes to data protection. ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, a jurisdiction that does not have a user data retention law. ExpressVPN also offers breach monitoring through its password manager, ExpressVPN Keys. This feature is designed to alert you when your passwords or saved data are exposed in a data breach.

VPN Security and Encryption

Both VPN providers use OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols with the 256-bit AES encryption standard, but IPVanish has added support for the WireGuard protocol, which is supposedly faster and more secure than OpenVPN and IKEv2.

SEE: The 6 best business VPN solutions you can use (TechRepublic)

ExpressVPN seems to have a slight advantage in this area, as it has developed its protocol known as Lightway. The Lightway VPN protocol is similar to WireGuard and is considered more secure than OpenVPN. To use the Lightway protocol by default, you will need to turn on Advanced Protection in your ExpressVPN app.

ExpressVPN also has RAM disk servers, meaning data is never stored on disk drives. IPVanish, on the other hand, still uses encrypted hard disk servers, which could put user data at risk if the servers are ever hacked.

Split tunnel

Split tunneling allows you to split your internet traffic between a VPN connection and your regular internet connection. On ExpressVPN, split tunneling only lets you include or exclude apps of your choice and is available on Windows, Mac, Android, and routers. Unfortunately, this feature was not available on my Mac at the time of writing, as it is no longer supported on macOS 11 and later.

In contrast, I found that IPVanish gives you two options: domain-based and app-based split tunneling. Domain-based split tunneling lets you specify which websites should not be routed through the VPN, while app-based split tunneling lets you decide which apps on your device should not use the VPN connection.

Smart DNS

ExpressVPN has an advantage in this regard, as IPVanish does not offer a Smart DNS feature. The feature is known as MediaStreamer in the ExpressVPN app and allows you to stream on any device that doesn’t support native VPN apps, such as smart TVs or gaming consoles.

SEE: The 5 best VPN extensions for Chrome: A complete buyer's guide (TechRepublic)

While MediaStreamer allows you to unblock streaming sites in the UK and US, please note that it does not encrypt your traffic or hide your IP address when in use. Therefore, I recommend that you use this feature with caution.

Interface and ease of use

Both IPVanish and ExpressVPN have apps for most operating systems, including Windows, iOS, Android, and macOS. While IPVanish doesn’t offer its services in any browser extensions, ExpressVPN does offer them in Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.

IPVanish has an advantage when it comes to connecting devices, as it has an unlimited number of simultaneous device connection possibilities. ExpressVPN, on the other hand, only allows you to connect eight devices at a time, which is a drawback considering its high price.

Pros and Cons of IPVanish

Advantages

• Unlimited simultaneous device connections.
• Reliable kill switch.
• 24/7 Live Chat Support Available.
• Seven-day free trial.
• Affordable two-year plan.

Cons

• It lacks specialized servers.
• It operates under intense surveillance by the United States government.
• There is no data breach monitoring.

Pros and cons of ExpressVPN

Advantages

• RAM-only server technology.
• Quality, speed and performance.
• Offers Smart DNS.
• Servers spread across 105 countries.
• Operates under a user-friendly jurisdiction.

Cons

• On the more expensive side.
• No subscriptions of two years or more.

Should Your Organization Use IPVanish or ExpressVPN?

Both IPVanish and ExpressVPN are excellent premium VPNs for regular VPN users. However, they also contain aspects that make their product offerings unique.

If you prefer a VPN that is very fast, has specialized servers, and operates under strong privacy laws, I highly recommend choosing ExpressVPN.

SEE: How to start a career in cybersecurity (TechRepublic Premium)

However, if you are on a budget and need a premium VPN service that is cheaper and offers solid security and performance, then go for IPVanish. The VPN is relatively cheaper than ExpressVPN, though it falls short in many aspects.

Considering both options, I will choose ExpressVPN, not necessarily because I currently use ExpressVPN on my device, but because it is easier to use compared to IPVanish. It is also faster and has larger VPN servers spread across more countries. So, it is a good choice if you want a truly premium VPN experience.

Review methodology

My comparison of IPVanish and ExpressVPN involved hands-on testing with their mobile versions using the seven-day free trials. I evaluated their features and performance on Android. During testing, I noticed that IPVanish gave me options to allow or restrict apps or websites from a secure VPN connection, while ExpressVPN gave me the option to allow or restrict only apps.

In terms of speed, both offer good speed ratings, but ExpressVPN seems to have a faster performance. I supplemented my review with findings from their various websites and verified customer reviews.