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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.
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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.

ExpressVPN vs IPVanish 2024

Table of Contents
    Editor's Note: Transparency and impartiality are important to us when bringing you our best selection of VPNs. Some of the industry-leading products on our list, including Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost, and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company. The VPNs we choose are derived from a thorough testing process.

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image James Everard
    James Everard

    Senior Writer

    Both these VPNs are good all-rounders that are notable for their fast speeds, making them excellent choices for a multitude of online activities. But is there much difference between them? Is IPVanish out of sight, or does ExpressVPN deliver the goods?

    Both services are user-friendly, suiting VPN newcomers and experts alike. But ExpressVPN is sleeker and has a neat, minimized view. And while IPVanish is faster than a lot of services, ExpressPVN is the fastest I’ve ever used. Plus, with more servers covering more countries, ExpressVPN is the clear winner.

    It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can try ExpressVPN without risk. If you’re not completely happy, you can easily get a full refund to test IPVanish instead.

    Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free

    Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

    ExpressVPN IPVanish
    Overall Rating Rated 9.87/10

    www.expressvpn.com

    Rated 9.22/10

    www.ipvanish.com

    💲 Lowest Monthly Price $6.67/month for a 1-year subscription + 3 months free $2.19/month for a 2-year subscription + 3 months free
    🗓️ Price on Renewal $116.95 per year
    (subject to change)
    $89.99 per year
    (subject to change)
    🤑 Coupons ExpressVPN 48% Off (12-month plan + 3 months free) IPVanish 83% Off (24-month plan + 3 months free)
    💸 Money-Back Guarantee 30 days 30 days
    📺 Streaming Works with Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Max, ESPN, Discovery Plus, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and more Works with Hulu, Disney+, Max, ESPN, Discovery Plus, and more
    🌍 VPN Servers 105 countries with 3,000 servers 130 countries with 2,400 servers
    Speed 3% speed drop on nearby servers, ideal for 4K video 5% drop on nearby servers
    🎮 Gaming Performance 8 ms ping on nearby servers 11 ms ping on nearby servers
    🧑‍🤝‍🧑 P2P Support Yes, plus port forwarding Yes, plus SOCKS5 proxy
    🔐 Security Protocols Lightway, OpenVPN (UDP and TCP), IKEv2 WireGuard, OpenVPN (UDP and TCP), IKEv2, IPSec
    🔌 Kill Switch Yes — all operating systems Yes — Windows, Android, macOS (OpenVPN only), iOS
    IP/DNS Leak Protection Yes Yes
    🏢 Based in Country British Virgin Islands US
    ⚠️ Does VPN Keep Logs No No
    Works in China Yes No
    #️⃣ Number of Device Connections 8 Unlimited
    💻 Device Compatibility Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Chromecast, and more

    Plus, a native app for routers

    Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and more

    Works with a few routers

    🔧 Customer Support Instant 24/7 live chat with real agents, searchable knowledge base, FAQs, email support Instant 24/7 live chat with chatbots and real agents, searchable knowledge base, FAQs, phone support

    Streaming — ExpressVPN Works With More Platforms

    Important: The vpnMentor team and I don’t endorse copyright infringement. Theoretically, you could use our recommended VPNs to watch streaming platforms and regional libraries from abroad. But that may constitute copyright infringement and violate the streaming platform’s terms of use. Please use your VPN responsibly and respect copyright laws.

    IPVanish has Ultra HD-friendly speeds on nearby servers and works with many popular platforms, but ExpressVPN is the gold standard for streaming. Its entire network is optimized for seamless streaming, and each server my colleagues and I tested proved fast and reliable. I also like that its Lightway protocol conserves battery life for streaming on mobile devices.

    Streaming Platform ExpressVPN IPVanish
    Netflix ✅ Yes, including popular Netflix
    libraries like the US, UK, Canada,
    Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland
    ☑️ Yes, but struggles with some
    libraries outside the US
    Disney+ ✅ Yes ✅ Yes (not UK)
    ESPN ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    (HBO) Max ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    Hulu ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    Sky ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    Amazon Prime Video ✅ Yes ⛔ No
    BBC iPlayer ✅ Yes ⛔ No
    ABC ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    CBS ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    NBC ✅ Yes ✅ Yes

    On top of this, ExpressVPN offers a handy feature (called MediaStreamer) for streaming on devices that don’t normally support VPNs. This is its Smart DNS function that works with a handful of platforms, including Netflix US and UK, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and more. IPVanish, on the other hand, doesn’t have Smart DNS at all.

    Screenshot of the ExpressVPN app connected to a UK server over a browser streaming Dragons' DenBBC iPlayer streamed with no lag and minimal loading times with ExpressVPN

    If streaming is a priority, you should also note that IPVanish doesn’t work with some popular platforms. From my location in the UK, I couldn’t watch Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, or BBC iPlayer. My colleague in the US confirmed it worked fine with Disney+ US but not Prime Video.

    Screenshot of the IPVanish app connected to a US server over a browser streaming Werewolf by Night on Disney+IPVanish is more reliable for US platforms and worked with Disney+ US but not in the UK

    Winner
    It has faster speeds, a proprietary protocol ideal for streaming, and more servers to prevent crowding. It’s a clean sweep for ExpressVPN in this category.

    Server Network — ExpressVPN Has More Servers in More Countries

    ExpressVPN IPVanish
    Total Countries With Servers 105 130
    Number of Servers 3,000 2,400

    ExpressVPN boasts comfortably more servers in more countries, so it’s a far superior network. Admittedly, IPVanish’s US coverage is impressive, with 20 locations. But ExpressVPN has 24 server locations in the States, which is also decent. It also has one more UK location than IPVanish.

    Numerous servers placed in several countries not only give you more connection options, but it’s beneficial to speeds. When users are spread across a larger number of servers, there’s less chance for congestion and the slowdowns caused by it.

    Winner
    The numbers tell the story here; ExpressVPN has one of the most impressive server networks available. While IPVanish’s US network is impressive, ExpressVPN is the clear winner.

    Speed — ExpressVPN Is the Fastest I’ve Tested

    Our UK speed tester began with a baseline connection of 125Mbps and used each VPN’s fastest protocol (for ExpressVPN, it’s Lightway — for IPVanish, it’s WireGuard).

    When comparing ExpressVPN and IPVanish in terms of speed, the winner was obvious. Speeds from nearby locations are comparable, but there’s no contest over long distances. US servers were nearly twice as fast with ExpressVPN, while its Japanese servers were over 35% quicker than IPVanish’s.

    Screenshot of the ExpressVPN app over an online speed test toolSpeed drops with local UK servers were hardly noticeable, at less than 4% slower

    ExpressVPN’s Lightway proprietary protocol is what gives it the edge. Most services offer standard protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard. But ExpressVPN built Lightway from the ground up to remove the coding that’s unnecessary for a commercial VPN. It provides lightweight, fast, and highly secure connections.

    Screenshot of the IPVanish app over an online speed test toolSpeed tests for both VPNs were carried out over several weeks

    Speed Tests ExpressVPN Average Download Speed IPVanish Average Download Speed ExpressVPN Average Upload Speed IPVanish Average Upload Speed
    Connected to a US server 112.04 Mbps 57.02 Mbps 18.72 Mbps 18.36 Mbps
    Connected to a UK server 121.77 Mbps 120.37 Mbps 17.42 Mbps 16.78 Mbps
    Connected to a Japan server 95.73 Mbps 62.45 Mbps 10.33 Mbps 8.23 Mbps
    Winner
    The larger network and proprietary Lightway protocol make ExpressVPN the fastest I’ve used.

    Gaming — ExpressVPN Wins With Faster Speeds and Ping

    Ping measures the on-screen response time to your commands, so it’s a crucial gaming stat. Under 100 ms is recommended for smooth gameplay, but the faster, the better. ExpressVPN gave me lower ping rates in almost every case, which translated to smooth gameplay.

    ExpressVPN (Lightway) IPVanish (WireGuard)
    Quick Connect 8 ms 11 ms
    Connected to a US server 86 ms 74 ms
    Connected to a UK server 8 ms 11 ms
    Connected to a Japan server 233 ms 245 ms

    IPVanish did have consistently faster ping using US servers (from the UK), which was curious. Still, ExpressVPN’s intuitive app makes it more game-friendly, plus you can easily configure ExpressVPN on gaming consoles, including Xbox, PlayStation, and Nintendo Switch (IPVanish doesn’t support Switch).

    Screenshot of the ExpressVPN app alongside an online version of Rainbow IslandsResponse time (ping, or latency) is just as crucial for retro gaming as it is for Fortnite

    Winner
    With faster speeds, lower latency, and support for 3 major game consoles, ExpressVPN is the app you’ll want for responsive gaming.

    Torrenting — ExpressVPN’s Faster Speeds Offer Quicker Downloads

    Important: While torrenting itself is legal almost everywhere, downloading copyrighted content is illegal in most jurisdictions. We do not condone using a VPN in a way that breaks the law. Always check your local laws and ensure the content you’re downloading is in the public domain.

    With its faster speeds and stronger privacy features, ExpressVPN is a better option for torrenting. I downloaded the same 5GB copyright-free file with both VPNs using nearby servers (Midlands with ExpressVPN and Manchester with IPVanish).

    ExpressVPN completed the transfer a full minute faster than IPVanish. Plus, with its stronger privacy protection (like RAM-only servers and a court-proven privacy policy), you know that your personal data and torrenting activity are safe. IPVanish is also safe and fast, but it just doesn’t quite match ExpressVPN at this level.

    I do like that each IPVanish account includes SOCKS5 proxy connections you can use alternatively. It’s less secure than a VPN because it doesn’t encrypt your data, but for the same reason, it downloads faster. I configured it to Vuze in under a minute, and it was barely below my base speed.

    ExpressVPN doesn’t offer a proxy but has port forwarding instead (IPVanish doesn’t support this). You have to configure it via your router, so it’s a little trickier to set up than SOCKS5. But similar to a proxy, it offers faster downloads at the expense of encryption.

    Winner
    Both services offer a faster alternative to downloading on the VPN, but with its faster speeds and better privacy protection, ExpressVPN takes the round.

    Security — ExpressVPN’s Protection Is Far More Advanced

    ExpressVPN uses RAM-only servers that automatically wipe all data on reboot. IPVanish doesn’t, meaning that, if in the rare case that one of its servers were hacked or stolen/seized, user data may be vulnerable. Furthermore, ExpressVPN’s DH (digital handshake) key is twice as secure as IPVanish’s.

    Both VPNs offer obfuscation, but you have to enable it with IPVanish. Meanwhile, ExpressVPN’s servers can automatically detect tough firewalls and network blocks and will obfuscate your data when necessary to bypass them. Plus, ExpressVPN’s Lightway was built to support obfuscation; with IPVanish, you have to switch to the slower OpenVPN protocol.

    Security Feature ExpressVPN IPVanish
    Encryption level AES-256-GCM with 4096-bit DH key, HMAC authentication AES-256-GCM with 2048-bit DH key, HMAC authentication
    Kill switch All operating systems All operating systems
    DNS/IP leak protection Yes Yes
    Protocols Lightway (own proprietary protocol), OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP, and IKEv2 WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and IPSec
    Split tunneling Yes (not macOS) No
    Private DNS servers Yes Yes
    Tor over VPN servers No No
    RAM-only servers wipe data Yes No
    Ad & malware blocker Yes Yes
    Double hop servers No No
    Dedicated IP addresses No No
    Obfuscation technology Yes, automatic on every server Yes, manual with OpenVPN Scramble

    On top of that, ExpressVPN offers its Threat Manager to block malware and trackers, plus an ad blocker. Admittedly, its ad and malware blocking isn’t as effective as some, but it’s far more effective than IPVanish’s Threat Protection. Plus, ExpressVPN actively updates its blocklist of dangerous sites and content, so at least it’s improving.

    Winner
    ExpressVPN’s security is far more advanced thanks to its automatic obfuscation, RAM-only servers, and dangerous content blockers.

    Privacy — Both VPNs Are Reliable, But ExpressVPN Has the Edge

    ExpressVPN’s headquarters are in the British Virgin Islands, outside the jurisdiction of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance. Unfortunately, IPVanish’s base is in the US, a founding 5-Eyes member. That means IPVanish would have to comply if the US (or any other 5-Eyes government) demanded data.

    Both VPNs have independently audited no-logs policies, but ExpressVPN’s has been proven in court in some high-profile cases. In 2017, the government of Turkey demanded a user’s data, which ExpressVPN refused. The authorities then seized its Turkish servers, but since they’re RAM-only, they found nothing.

    Winner
    With its HQ in a privacy-friendly country and a court-proven track record of protecting its users' privacy, ExpressVPN takes the round.

    Works in China — ExpressVPN Works, IPVanish Doesn’t

    Important: It’s illegal to use an unsanctioned VPN while you’re in China. However, VPNs approved by the Chinese government are not safe to use, and there have been no publicly disclaimed cases of visitors being penalized for using other options. That said, we do not condone using a VPN in a way that breaks the law in China.

    The Great Firewall of China (GFW) is constantly updated, which often leaves even the top VPNs scrambling to get through. Unfortunately, many VPNs don’t have the resources to keep up with this technological race, and IPVanish appears to be one of them. IPVanish can’t guarantee that it works in China.

    While you may have to adjust your settings to get reliable connections, ExpressVPN strives to offer its services in China. Its automatic obfuscation is what does the trick, but the company notes that the protocol should be set to Automatic for it to work in China.

    It also provides Hong Kong servers, so China-based users have a connection that’s not too far away. This helps reduce speed loss that occurs when using faraway servers, which is particularly important given the already slow speeds in China. IPVanish used to have Hong Kong connections but has removed them.

    VPN websites are almost always blocked in China, so it’s usually not possible to download apps from within the country. However, ExpressVPN offers mirror URLs that support can provide via email.

    Winner
    IPVanish doesn’t work in China and doesn’t claim to either, so another round goes to ExpressVPN.

    Installation & Ease of Use — It’s a Draw

    These VPNs are comparable in functionality, but the apps look very different. I like ExpressVPN because the neat and compact design is easy to use and trim. While IPVanish is a little more clunky (I could do without the map), the menu is a little easier to navigate.

    Screenshot of the ExpressVPN app with the Shortcuts panelShortcuts are easy to configure for one-click connections to your favorite websites and apps

    Meanwhile, IPVanish offers unlimited device connections on one subscription. ExpressVPN allows 8 simultaneous connections, but you can easily configure it to your router to protect all your devices. Both VPNs are easy to install, and you can configure them on any device or OS in under 2 minutes.

    Screenshot of the IPVanish app with the locations panelYou can adjust the height and width of the IPVanish app by dragging the bottom right corner of the app

    Winner - draw
    /
    ExpressVPN looks more modern and sophisticated, but IPVanish is a little easier to navigate, so I’m calling it a draw.

    Reliability & Support — ExpressVPN’s Excellent Live Chat Service Wins

    Customer Support Features ExpressVPN IPVanish
    24/7 live chat Yes, responds immediately Yes, but you have to go through a chatbot
    Email support Yes Yes
    Phone support No Yes, for 6 countries, office hours only
    Step-by-step setup guides Yes Yes
    Searchable knowledge base Yes Yes
    Exhaustive FAQ section Yes Limited

    I’ve never had any technical issues with ExpressVPN. Most VPNs (including IPVanish) will have occasional problems and need restarting or reinstalling. But ExpressVPN always runs smoothly, no matter what I use it for.

    If you have any issues, its live chat is the best I’ve used. Live agents answer almost instantly, and they’re knowledgeable and friendly. IPVanish is also good, but you have to go through a chatbot before speaking to an agent. When I wanted to ask if IPVanish worked in China, the chatbot returned support articles for setting up a virtual machine, which wasn’t helpful.

    IPVanish does offer phone support, which is rare for any VPN. It’s available during office hours in the US, Mexico, Brazil, the UK, Spain, and Australia. I prefer live chat since you can resolve the issue on the device you’re using, but phone support may be helpful if you need to explain something in real time.

    Winner
    ExpressVPN’s live chat is the best, so I’m giving it the round. But if you think phone support might be useful, consider IPVanish.

    Tips on Choosing Between ExpressVPN and IPVanish

    Here’s a quick summary of my experiences when choosing between ExpressVPN and IPVanish:

    • Smooth streaming. A VPN can help you stream without risking your data. ExpressVPN works with more platforms and offers faster speeds for an uninterrupted viewing experience. I tested this by streaming UHD video content that’s licensed in my country, noting buffer times and stream quality.
    • Fast speeds. You’ll need this for high-bandwidth activities like streaming, gaming, downloading, and more. ExpressVPN’s fast speeds make it efficient for online activities. My tests involved downloading large files and measuring download times to evaluate consistency.
    • Server networks. ExpressVPN has a larger server network, which translates to more nearby options for faster speeds and better connectivity.
    • Robust security features. I examined the strength of encryption, kill switch functionality, and leak protection. Both VPNs are highly secure, but ExpressVPN provides some more advanced features, RAM-only servers and a stronger ad and malware blocker.
    • Respectable privacy practices. Check the service’s data logging policies and jurisdiction to understand how your data is treated. Both VPNs adhere to audited no-logs policies, but ExpressVPN is based in a privacy-friendly country, which is reassuring.
    • Easy to use. An intuitive app makes for a hassle-free experience. I evaluated the user interface, setup process, and overall ease of navigation and found both to be user-friendly.
    • Trustworthy money-back guarantee. A reliable money-back guarantee reflects confidence in the service. I looked into the terms of the guarantee and tested the refund process and found both to stand by their claims.

    ExpressVPN vs IPVanish — Reddit Opinions

    ExpressVPN has a lot of long-term fans. Plenty of posters back it for reliability and performance or simply hail it as the best VPN available. IPVanish has its admirers, too, especially after its redesign. Some posts complain that its cancellation process is complex, but they are several years old. Plus, we’ve found that the refund process is simple, so it’s likely been updated since those threads were posted.

    Our Score

    Features 9.9/10
    Pricing 9.4/10
    Ease of Use 10.0/10
    Reliability & Support 10.0/10
    Features 9.2/10
    Pricing 9.2/10
    Ease of Use 9.0/10
    Reliability & Support 9.3/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image James Everard
    James Everard

    Senior Writer

    Our Score: 9.9/10

    ExpressVPN is one of the most popular and trusted names in the industry. It’s known for being one of the safest, fastest VPNs around, so I wanted to see if it can live up to these claims. It’s not the cheapest VPN, but it often offers discounts that make it a better value for the money. Other decent VPNs offer similar features for less in the long term. So, do you really need to pay that much...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    D
    Dijana
    10.0/10
    Amazing quality

    ExpressVPN is fantastic! It offers blazing fast speeds, strong security features, and a user-friendly ... interface. Perfect for streaming, browsing, and protecting your online privacy. Highly recommended!More

    Latest negative user review
    C
    Charli
    6.0/10
    Ok, but expensive

    Seems ok, but I wouldn't say it's worth $20AUD a month. That's steep if you live in a backwater like A... ustralia, where the currency is not valuable. Easy enough to set up - you don't need to be Einstein - but unless you're a tech nerd who can take a look under the bonnet, you'll just have to trust what they say about their product. It frequently drops out without the slightest warning, often when it's the only thing online at the time - despite fast and flawless fiber internet, rendering expression entirely useless UNLESS you have it sitting on your desktop where you can keep an eagle eye on it to actually see it when it drops out so you can kick it back into service again (it doesn't do it by itself), which seems to defeat its purpose, so I'm taking away 2 stars for that. Support is good and they do get back to you as fast as they can.More

    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. My team and I carefully studied its privacy policy and thoroughly tested its speeds, security features, and streaming capabilities. We also looked into its network coverage and ease of use before putting its customer service team to ...

    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

    Pricing

    ExpressVPN IPVanish
    Starting Price $6.67/month $2.19/month
    Price (On Renewal) $116.95 per year
    (subject to change)
    $89.99 per year
    (subject to change)
    Money-Back Guarantee (Days) 30 days 30 days
    Number of devices per license 8 Unlimited
    Router Setup (for Unlimited Devices) Easy setup with dedicated app Easy setup but supports fewer routers

    Both VPNs have expensive short-term plans that I wouldn’t recommend. With longer plans, IPVanish has a distinct advantage. Its 24-month plan (currently with 3 months free) is among the cheapest on the market, costing under half of ExpressVPN for the same period.

    As with most VPNs, the price of both jumps on renewal. Even though IPVanish is cheaper, ExpressVPN offers so much more for your money.

    Winner
    ExpressVPN is better than IPVanish in almost every regard, but IPVanish is only slightly behind in many categories. If you think IPVanish offers everything you need, or you’re on a tight budget, it’s a decent VPN. But if you want the best service at a fair price, I recommend ExpressVPN.

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    ExpressVPN is the top choice due to its superior performance in crucial areas. It boasts an extensive network of over 3,000 servers across 105 countries, ensuring speedy connections. Its commitment to privacy is evident in its court-proven and audited no-logs policy. Furthermore, its proprietary Lightway protocol offers a blend of speed and security, outperforming traditional options​​.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    ExpressVPN stands out for torrenting with its strong encryption and reliable P2P capabilities. All its servers support torrenting while maintaining high-speed connections, which is crucial for downloading large files. The kill switch ensures your identity remains hidden even if the connection drops.

    Best VPN for Windows

    ExpressVPN excels for Windows due to its user-friendly interface and robust security. The kill switch works flawlessly on Windows, ensuring continuous protection. Plus, it supports Windows 7 and up, plus XP and Vista with manual configurations — IPVanish only works with Windows 10 and 11.

    Best VPN for Android

    ExpressVPN is best for Android since it delivers a seamless and secure experience. Its app is easy to navigate and offers all the critical features, including a kill switch and the battery-saving Lightway protocol. Its speed and reliability on mobile devices make it a top choice for Android​​.

    Best VPN for Mac

    Mac users can rely on ExpressVPN for its comprehensive security features and exceptional ease of use. Its compatibility with macOS is flawless, offering the same protection and functionality as on other platforms.

    Best VPN for iOS

    ExpressVPN's iOS app stands out for its simplicity and efficiency. It maintains high performance and offers essential features like a kill switch and the Lightway protocol to help preserve battery life.

    Best VPN for USA

    ExpressVPN is the preferred choice in the US due to its network, including servers across 24 US locations. This provides fast and reliable local connections for the country’s most popular streaming platforms. Plus, its dependable privacy policy is reassuring in the USA, where online privacy is a growing concern​​.

    The Bottom Line

    IPVanish isn’t a bad choice, but ExpressVPN comes out ahead in almost every category. It’s faster, more secure, and works with more streaming platforms. That said, IPVanish offers decent features and security essentials at a lower price than ExpressVPN.

    But, in this case, you get what you pay for. While ExpressVPN is a little more expensive than some services, it offers so much more — and you can try it without risk. It has a reliable money-back guarantee, so you have 30 days to get a full refund if unsatisfied.

    FAQ

    Is ExpressVPN better than IPVanish?

    Yes, ExpressVPN is better than IPVanish in key areas. ExpressVPN offers superior streaming capabilities and security features and works on networks with stringent blocks like hotel WiFi hotspots. While IPVanish is a strong competitor, it falls short compared to ExpressVPN.

    For instance, ExpressVPN's global server coverage is more extensive, with 3,000 servers in 105 countries, compared to IPVanish's 2,400 servers in 130 countries. Additionally, ExpressVPN's security measures provide robust data protection​​, including AES-256-GCM encryption with a stronger DH key and its exclusive protocol.

    Is ExpressVPN faster than IPVanish?

    Yes, ExpressVPN is faster than IPVanish. In my speed tests, ExpressVPN demonstrated superior performance over IPVanish on local and long-distance connections. The difference was more pronounced in long-distance speed tests, where ExpressVPN was 35 to 50% faster. The superior speed makes ExpressVPN better for streaming, gaming, and downloading​​.

    Do ExpressVPN or IPVanish offer any deals?

    Yes, ExpressVPN and IPVanish often offer promotional deals. Check out our regularly updated list of coupon codes, which can vary and are sometimes seasonal. Considering the quality of each service, I recommend ExpressVPN — plans start from $6.67/month.

    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

    James conducts rigorous hands-on research and testing to evaluate dozens of VPNs for his articles. He's an advocate for digital freedom.