We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Learn more
vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

IPVanish VPN vs Buffered VPN vs Mullvad VPN 2024

Table of Contents
    Our Score: 9.2/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Our Score: 8.1/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Our Score: 7.3/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Nicky Hosek
    Nicky Hosek

    Cybersecurity Researcher

    For the technophobe out there, the idea of installing and configuring a VPN correctly can seem like a rather daunting task but, fortunately, a lot of VPNs have made it a very simple process. A young child could install Mullvad, as it simply requires clicking a button. Mullvad also sports a straightforward interface, although what it lacks in flare, it also lacks in usability. IPVanish is a powerful product but, as such, does require a bit of know-how to get it installed and, while offering a smooth user experience, doesn’t lead you through each process step-by-step. Buffered is simple to install, but less proficient users may face some difficulty using its more advanced features. When it comes down to it, power, speed and reliability are what it’s all about and IPVanish has them all in spades. While IPVanish may experience a few issues in the speed department when bypassing content restrictions, they still stand out as one of the most reliable services in China.

    Our Score

    Features 9.2/10
    Pricing 9.2/10
    Ease of Use 9.0/10
    Reliability & Support 9.3/10
    Features 8.1/10
    Pricing 6.3/10
    Ease of Use 8.8/10
    Reliability & Support 8.6/10
    Features 7.3/10
    Pricing 7.0/10
    Ease of Use 7.2/10
    Reliability & Support 5.8/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Keira Waddell
    Keira Waddell

    Senior Writer

    Our Score: 9.2/10

    IPVanish offers high-speed connections and an impressive list of advanced security features at a budget-friendly price. So, I was eager to test it out for myself. I carefully studied its privacy policy and thoroughly tested its speeds, security features, and streaming capabilities. I also looked into its network coverage and ease of use before putting its customer service team to the test. ...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    S
    Stu Taylor
    10.0/10
    Very, very satisfied

    I am into my third year of using IPVanish. I am extremely happy with the speed, reliability, features ... and reliability. The fact that I have used it for this long without trying the competition speaks volumes. I am never going to try anything else because I am completely happy with what I have. Why risk it?More

    Latest negative user review
    B
    Beth Gray
    2.0/10
    Misleading, false advertising, don't honor guarantee. BEWARE

    IP address and region not effectively blocked on most sites. Streaming sites do NOT work with their se... rvices, but they do not disclose that anywhere on their website. The support team had no idea in terms of technical knowledge. They claim that their 30-day guarantee is unconditional and there is no risk, but they have so many exclusions buried in their fine print that the average user would have huge difficulty finding. They advertise on many streaming how-to websites where they KNOW their services do not work. COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY. If I could give less than one star I would. SO unethical.More

    Read the full review
    Review by our expert
    Author Image Doris Muthuri
    Doris Muthuri

    Senior Writer

    Our Score: 8.1/10

    Update: Buffered VPN merged with Encrypt.me. We have thoroughly tested Encrypt.me, and you can find everything you need to know in our review. Buffered VPN has a lot to offer due to its user-friendly interface, fast connection speeds, and reliable security. One thing it can't do is unblock Netflix, you'll need a premium vendor like ExpressVPN for that. In addition to dedicated apps available for ...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    D
    Don Bartlem
    10.0/10
    I considered a number of VPN's before going with Buffered which I find excellent.

    No issues in any aspect, On the rare occasions that I required assistance (in the initial set up stage... ), the Help Desk was outstanding. Would highly recommend Buffered to anyone considering using a VPNMore

    Latest negative user review
    T
    Trev
    2.0/10
    They are no more

    After being a customer for more than 2 years and paying a premium price for a good service. THEY DON'T...  EXIST ANYMORE.. No warning, just logged in one day and my app doesn't work and they have changed their website name. STAY AWAY, sounds dodgy.More

    Read the full review
    Review by our expert
    Author Image Matthew Amos
    Matthew Amos

    Senior Editor

    Our Score: 7.3/10

    Mullvad is considered one of the most privacy-friendly VPNs and is especially popular for torrenting. However, after a recent controversy, it dropped its port forwarding feature. It’s also not as cheap as many think, so is Mullvad still worth it? Despite a few flaws, I am confident I can recommend Mullvad VPN. Its privacy features are some of the best, and its security isn’t far behind. Pl...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    A
    Anonymously
    10.0/10
    Happy with it

    Contrary to what this article states, some servers do work with Amazon Video, you might have to cycle ... through a few to find one but there are ones that work. Secondly, I've had more success with Mullvad in China using the WG servers than other VPNs. I currently have this setup running on a GL-inet router and it's working great.More

    Latest negative user review
    A
    Amon
    2.0/10
    Mullvad-vpn is no longer so secure and private...

    Mullvad-vpn is no longer so secure and private... There are new rules that make this vpn a bit not re... commended Sweden is tightening with anti-privacy rules... mullvad.net/pt/help/swedish-covert-surveillance-data-act/More

    Read the full review

    Pricing

    Starting price $2.99/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license Unlimited devices
    Starting price $8.33/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 5 devices
    Starting price $5.53/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 5 devices

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall
    Read the full review
    Best VPN for Torrents
    Read the full review
    Best VPN for Windows
    Read the full review
    Best VPN for Android
    Read the full review
    Best VPN for Mac
    Read the full review
    Best VPN for iOS
    Read the full review
    Best VPN for USA
    Read the full review

    The Bottom Line

    See Plans & Pricing

    Mullvad is a tricky entity to assess, as its performance has been inconsistent over the years, with periods of high performance, followed by times of poor connectivity and slow speeds. It has also shrugged its shoulders at the whole Netflix nightmare and pretty much abandoned the site. But the popularity of Netflix means VPN users will turn to alternative services - which is where Buffered VPN is the leader of the pack. IPVanish gave up the fight with Netflix, but its unlimited bandwidth, server switching and anonymous torrenting are sufficient for them to secure victory in this evaluation.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

    Go with IPVanish VPN
    Go with Buffered VPN
    Go with Mullvad VPN
    Or click here to check best VPNs, rated by {{review_count}} users

    FAQ

    Is IPVanish VPN better than Buffered VPN and Mullvad VPN?

    Yes, IPVanish VPN is better overall than Buffered VPN and Mullvad VPN. It has 2400 servers in 90 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $2.99 a month.

    What should I keep in mind when choosing between IPVanish VPN, Buffered VPN and Mullvad VPN?

    When choosing a VPN, you want to pay close attention to its number of servers, overall speed score, pricing, and the number of simultaneous device connections it offers. While some VPNs provide a flawless online experience, others will really slow you down.

    If you’re ready to commit, then IPVanish VPN may be perfect for you due to its performance during the tests.

    Is IPVanish VPN faster than Buffered VPN and Mullvad VPN?

    Yes, IPVanish VPN is faster than Buffered VPN and Mullvad VPN. Since your VPN is your computer’s main connection to the internet, you need to use a service that won’t slow you down by more than 20%.

    If speeds are important to you, then I recommend you take a look at ExpressVPN. It’s the fastest service out there, provides unlimited bandwidth, and you won’t experience any slowdowns even when you connect to the other side of the planet. You can try it out risk-free.. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if you don’t like it.

    Do IPVanish VPN, Buffered VPN or Mullvad VPN offer any deals?

    IPVanish VPN, Buffered VPN, and Mullvad VPN offer deals on occasion. You can check out the current coupons and discounts here. However, ExpressVPN has the best deals. Right now, you can get a 49% discount and up to 3 months for free with a new subscription.

    We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
    Learn more
    vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

    About the Author

    A previous London-based journalist, Nicky is a freelance writer based on a farm in South Africa. When she's not training horses, she writes fluent, intelligent cybersecurity articles with creativity and flair.