When you need to maintain your online privacy and security, a Virtual Private Network (VPN) can help you achieve just that. However, choosing a VPN is not a decision to be taken lightly. The wrong service will not only be a waste of money but may also compromise your online privacy, freedom, and speed. IPVanish and NordVPN are two popular options on the market. Below is a comparison of the VPNs to help you make an informed decision.
IPVanish vs NordVPN: intro
Founded in 2012 by Mudhook Media Inc., an independent subsidiary of Highwinds Network Group, IPVanish offers software support for Windows OS, macOS, Android, iOS, and Fire TV. However, the company was involved in a logging controversy where it was accused of handing a customer’s personal information in 2016. IPVanish is known for super-fast speeds and watertight security.
NordVPN was established in 2012 by four childhood friends and announced a VPN solution in 2019. The company has had to deal with several security issues and controversies. In 2019, a security researcher revealed that there had been a server breach involving a leaked private key, an issue the company later confirmed. In a separate incident in 2019, cases of credential stuffing involving over 2,000 account usernames and passwords were reported.
Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction laws play an important role in determining whether a service will offer the required level of security and privacy. IPVanish is based in the United States, meaning it is squarely under US law. There are cases where VPNs was pressured to log user data, a factor that can compromise the VPN. On the other hand, NordVPN is based on Panama. The company’s location helps to protect it and its customers from companies that could demand customer data.
Transparency and third-party audits
Auditing and checking a company’s systems help determine whether a VPN offers the type of data privacy it claims. As such, transparency is an important factor when it comes to rating the services.
IPVanish has not undergone a third-party audit and does not issue a transparency report. However, the company says it carries out internal audits regularly to ensure its policies are consistent with the practices. Also, the company does not have a warrant canary.
NordVPN’s zero-log policy was audited by PwC, an independent firm, to verify whether the company provides 100 percent privacy for its users. The audit covered the new servers and systems to establish if they function correctly. To establish and maintain trust with customers, NordVPN announced that they intend to conduct more tests in the future.
NordVPN vs IPVanish: native apps
A good VPN should allow you to use it freely across all your devices, including desktop computers, tablets, smartphones, gaming consoles, and televisions.
With IPVanish, you will be able to connect as many devices as you like to a single VPN account. You will enjoy the services from any location where the VPN is supported. One of the advantages of IPVanish is that it provides a consistent experience across all operating systems and a seamless transition from one platform to another.
On the flip side, one NordVPN account allows you to secure up to six devices regardless of the operating system you use. In addition, you can secure all the devices on your network by simply connecting NordVPN to your router.
Browser extensions
A VPN browser extension lets you connect a web browser to a VPN server. This connection encrypts all the data to and from your web browser, effectively hiding your location and IP address. However, the decision over whether or not to use a browser extension will depend on how you use your computer.
IPVanish offer browser extension for Chrome browser. However, NordVPN extension offers strong encryption to secure your traffic so that no one is able to decipher your browsing data.
Advanced features
VPNs with advanced features provide extra privacy protections. A comparison of ipvanish vs nordvpn would not be complete without looking at the services’ features.
Both IPVanish and NordVPN feature a kill switch that shuts down all internet traffic when internet connection to your VPN drops. The kill switch helps to ensure that your data is not suddenly exposed to other people. IPVanish allows you to choose from OpenVPN, Internet Key Exchange Version 2 (IKEv2), Layer 2 Tunneling Protocol (L2TP) and Point-To-Point (PPTP) protocols, while NordVPN offers OpenVPN support so you can connect through both Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) and User Diagram Protocol (UDP).
NordVPN offers multihop (double vpn) connections, which adds an extra layer of security and enhances privacy by encrypting your connection between servers before exiting to regular browsing. However, IPVanish does not offer this feature.
Server network
When choosing a VPN, you will want to look at the size of the network, the quality of servers, and the servers’ location. These factors will have a huge impact on speeds and the experience you enjoy.
IPVanish has more than 1,500 servers in over 75 countries. The worldwide server presence enables the company to provide customers with fast and safe access. IPVanish is committed to increasing the available bandwidth and adding more servers to satisfy customer needs. NordVPN operates more than 5,500 servers in 59 countries around the world. The server count and locations are optimized for your different needs so you can enjoy a high level of privacy.
Streaming and Torrenting
Regardless of your needs, you will want a VPN that allows you the flexibility to perform a wide range of tasks privately. Many consumers choose VPNs with dedicated servers for streaming and Torrenting.
Using IPVanish allows you to maintain your privacy when streaming content and torrenting files. With NordVPN, you can get a dedicated IP address, a factor that allows you not only to stream content and torrent securely but also do P2P sharing. Both services provide fast and reliable performance, making them great options, especially for an active internet usage.
Free trial and price
Since running a Virtual Private Network costs money, no VPN is truly free. However, the free trial period allows you to establish whether the service meets your needs. Here is what to know to make an objective nordvpn vs ipvanish comparison:
IPVanish does not offer a free trial but offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for customers who sign up via their website. The company has three subscription plans, which are $11.99 per month, $26.99 for three months, and $77.99 a year. All the pricing schemes have the same features.
NordVPN has a trial for 30 days, which allows you to cancel and get your money back if you are not satisfied with the service. In terms of pricing, the company offers four different subscription plans. The one-month plan will see you pay $11.95 every month, the one-year plan is billed $83.88 every year, the two-year plan costs $119.76 for the period and the three-year plan is billed $125.64 every three years.
NordVPN vs IPVanish: Summary
It is important to note that both NordVPN and IPVanish are excellent services. Both VPNs have massive networks, offer high speeds, are privacy-conscious, and support torrenting. However, in an ipvanish vs nordvpn contest, NordVPN comes out on top. The VPN is highly versatile, offers a wide selection of advanced features, and is easy to use.
