Surfshark vs IPVanish VPN 2024

Akash Deep

Cybersecurity Researcher

Choosing between Surfshark and IPVanish can be a tough call. Both VPNs offer reasonably-priced plans and dependable privacy protection — and they’re both solid options for streaming. That said, there are plenty of differences between the two that can have a major impact on your online activities.

I tested both VPNs to see how they stack up in areas like speed, streaming, torrenting, and overall user experience. I also looked into their pricing to make sure there weren't any hidden costs. And, of course, I checked out how serious they are about keeping your data private.

While both are solid choices, Surfshark is the clear winner, according to my tests. It offers faster speeds, stronger security features, and superior streaming capabilities. Read on to learn more.

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Streaming — Surfshark Is More Reliable

Both VPNs are good for streaming, but Surfshark is more reliable. While IPVanish did work for most platforms, our international team of testers reported they sometimes had to switch servers to stream their licensed Netflix libraries and Hulu.

On the other hand, Surfshark worked with all the major platforms our team tested it with.

When our international team tested their licensed Netflix libraries, they found that Surfshark works with 20+ Netflix regions. This includes popular ones like the US, the UK, Canada, and Australia, as well as some obscure Netflix libraries like South Korea, Brazil, and Italy.

With Surfshark, each title loaded in HD within seconds

IPVanish can stream popular libraries like the US, UK, and Canada in smooth quality. However, our testers in South Korea, South Africa, and Italy reported that they could only stream Netflix Originals when connected to nearby servers.

When it comes to Hulu, Surfshark again takes the lead. Our US-based tester could stream their favorite Hulu shows with the very first server they tried. However, IPVanish required a bit of server hopping; they had to switch from the Las Vegas server to the Seattle one to get it to work.

They could also reliably stream other US sites with the same Miami server

Surfshark also offers Smart DNS, which lets you stream content on devices that don’t support VPN apps (like smart TVs and gaming consoles). IPVanish misses out on this, meaning you'd have to set up the VPN on your router to watch your favorite shows securely.

Winner

Both VPNs work well for streaming a wide array of content, but Surfshark is more reliable. It works with most streaming platforms and offers a Smart DNS service to let you stream on the big screen.

Server Network — Surfshark Has a Bigger Network

Surfshark has a more extensive server network than IPVanish. With servers spread across 100 countries, Surfshark ensures you're likely to find a speedy connection no matter where you are. More servers also mean less chance of any single server getting too crowded, which means you don’t have to worry about slowdowns.

Both Surfshark and IPVanish have a mix of physical and virtual servers. Physical servers are exactly where they say they are, but virtual servers can give you an IP address from a country they're not physically located in. This can be handy if you’re trying to connect to a country with more restrictive networks.

If you're just looking to browse safely, either VPN will do the trick. But if you want a broader reach, especially in regions less covered by VPNs, Surfshark is a better option.

Winner

Surfshark has a larger server network, distributed more broadly across different countries. You can easily find a server in your desired location, even in regions less frequently covered by VPNs.

Speed — Surfshark Is Faster Than IPVanish

Both Surfshark and IPVanish put up a strong performance, and I got the best speeds when using the WireGuard protocol. To find out which one is faster, I tested various locations, including the UK, the US, and Japan, all from my home in London. I had a starting baseline download speed of 111.6Mbps.

On a local UK server, Surfshark had a minimal speed loss of just 4%, maintaining a near-native internet speed. IPVanish lagged slightly behind, clocking a 7% speed loss.

The connections were reliable, too — I never experienced connection drops

The difference between the VPNs was more pronounced with long-distance servers, for example, when I connected to LA. With Surfshark, I experienced a mere 10% decrease, which is impressive given the geographical distance.

On the other hand, IPVanish experienced a relatively steeper decline of 22%.

While international news sites loaded slower, this wasn’t too noticeable, thanks to my fast base connection

You’ll have no problem streaming in HD or 4K with either VPN on local servers if you have a fast baseline connection. That said, even while connected in different locations, Surfshark is consistently fast, making it better for bandwidth-intensive tasks.

Winner

With consistently faster speeds over all distances, Surfshark ensures a more seamless online experience.

Gaming — Both VPNs Are Excellent For Gaming

When it comes to gaming, a low ping rate is key for a smooth experience. Generally, you need a ping rate under 100ms for lag-free gaming. In my tests, both Surfshark and IPVanish performed well. I used WireGuard with both VPNs because it offers fast speeds without compromising security.

On nearby UK servers, I got a ping of 8ms with both Surfshark and IPVanish. This is ideal for competitive online games like Warzone and PUBG.

There was no input delay, even during competitive situations

But when I tested long-distance US servers, the ping was over 100ms for both VPNs. This is expected due to the inherent latency introduced by the increased distance data must travel between the user and the server, regardless of the VPN used. I tried playing Dota 2, and although it was playable, there was some lag.

For Japanese servers, both VPNs had high ping rates. With Surfshark, the ping was 256ms, and with IPVanish, it was 238ms. These rates made games pretty much unplayable. For the best performance, always pick a server close to your actual location.

Winner - draw

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Surfshark and IPVanish are both solid choices for gaming, but I recommend connecting to a nearby server for optimal performance.

Torrenting — Surfshark Takes the Lead With Slightly Faster Speeds

Torrenting demands speed and security. While you can’t really go wrong with either VPN, Surfshark has a slight edge in both areas.

IPVanish provides an additional benefit for torrenters: the SOCKS5 proxy. In addition, you can choose any server for torrenting with IPVanish. With Surfshark, you need to type "P2P" in the server search bar or contact customer support so you can find the specific torrenting servers.

Surfshark doesn’t offer SOCKS5, but it delivers fast speeds. Plus, its track record on user privacy is spotless, while IPVanish has had past controversies concerning user data sharing. The company ownership has changed since then, but it's something users should be aware of.

Winner

Considering both speed and a flawless privacy history, Surfshark is a better option for torrenting.

Security — Surfshark Has More Advanced Features

In terms of security, both Surfshark and IPVanish deliver robust protection. They both use the industry-standard AES 256-bit encryption, ensuring that your data remains impenetrable. This encryption standard is trusted by leading security agencies worldwide to keep their data secure.

Both VPNs offer DNS/IP leak protection. In my tests, I tested 7 servers with each VPN and never found any unwanted leaks. They both offer a kill switch as well that ensures your real IP address doesn't get exposed if the VPN connection suddenly drops.

You get a range of VPN protocols to choose from with each provider. Both support trusted protocols like OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2. WireGuard is a fairly new protocol, and it’s one of the fastest VPN protocols out there.

On top of that, both Surfshark and IPVanish offer ad, tracker, and malware blockers (CleanWeb and Threat Protection, respectively), which helps to speed up your browsing and protect your devices.

The CleanWeb feature got rid of annoying ads on BuzzFeed

What really sets Surfshark apart is its unique set of security features. For instance, it provides an IP rotator option you can enable for added privacy. This will switch your IP address to another one in the same location without disrupting your connection.

Surfshark’s NoBorders mode allows it to easily overcome network restrictions. When it detects a firewall, it narrows the server list down to those equipped that can work through the blocks.

It also offers an automatic obfuscation feature called Camouflage mode when OpenVPN is enabled. When facing a tough firewall, it scrambles your data to make your VPN connection look like normal internet traffic. IPVanish also offers obfuscation through its Scramble feature on OpenVPN connections.

Surfshark’s Android users also get access to a feature called Override GPS, which matches your device’s GPS data to the VPN server you’re using. This increases your online security by hiding your real location from the apps that use your GPS location. Plus, Surfshark has also introduced Surfshark One, a suite comprising various tools like antivirus and breach alert.

Winner

Both VPNs will keep your data secure, but Surfshark comes on top with its advanced security features, like rotating IP addresses, GPS spoofing, and more.

Privacy — Surfshark Has a Spotless History

When you're entrusting your online activities to a VPN, you want to be sure it respects and protects your privacy. Both VPNs are good privacy options, but still, there is a definitive winner.

Surfshark is headquartered in the Netherlands. Though part of the intelligence-sharing 9 Eyes Alliance, this country provides a relatively friendly environment for VPN providers, and Surfshark adheres to a strict no-logs policy that has been verified by Deloitte in 2022.

To show how serious it is to uphold its privacy commitments, Surfshark also publishes a warrant canary. This regularly updated public record lets users know if the VPN has received any national security letters, gag orders, or other similar requests, even though it has no data to share.

IPVanish is headquartered in the US, which sits right in the heart of the 5 Eyes Alliance. Its no-logs policy asserts that it doesn’t keep any identifiable user data. This is reassuring, but there was an incident in the past when IPVanish handed over user data to Homeland Security, even though it claimed to have a strict no-logs policy.

But it’s also worth noting that this occurred under different ownership, and it's now owned by Ziff Davis. Since then, IPVanish has gone through an independent audit confirming its adherence to its no-logs policy.

Both Surfshark and IPVanish use RAM-only servers, which means user data from previous sessions is wiped clean with every reboot. But Surfshark also accepts cryptocurrency payments, while IPVanish doesn’t. Paying via crypto can offer an additional layer of privacy.

Winner

With a spotless history and an ongoing commitment to transparency, Surfshark establishes itself as the more reliable option for privacy-focused users.

Works in China — Neither Work in China

Neither Surfshark nor IPVanish works reliably within the country. Both state on their respective websites that they can’t guarantee service in China or other restrictive countries like the UAE.

If you need a more reliable option, you can check out the best VPNs for China.

Winner - draw

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Both Surfshark and IPVanish fail to work reliably in China.

Installation and Ease of Use — Both VPNs Are User-Friendly

Setting up both Surfshark and IPVanish was a breeze. Each offers apps for devices such as Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and more. Right from the installation process to actual usage, you’ll have no problem with either option.

Surfshark has a sleek design and user-friendly interface. The app supports 13 languages, which means it's likely you'll find a version that speaks to you. I also appreciate that you can add a server location to your favorites list for quick access in the future. You can use its Quick-connect feature to find the ideal server based on your location.

It never took me more than 3 seconds to connect to one of Surfshark’s servers

For those who might be new to VPNs, Surfshark provides brief descriptions next to its advanced settings/features. My only problem is that it doesn’t show ping and server load by default. Instead, you need to click on the button next to the search bar before connecting. While you can also use its speed test tool to see the ping, I found it a bit time-consuming.

IPVanish also offers apps that are simple yet versatile. Even though there are subtle design variations depending on which device you use, it remains user-friendly. Everything is organized into neat tabs. Plus, I found it easy to change settings.

You don’t have to waste time scrolling through the server list to connect to your desired location

That said, I found its design a bit dated — it didn’t feel as modern as Surfshark.

Winner - draw

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Both Surfshark and IPVanish offer easy-to-use apps. They’re both suitable for beginners and advanced users alike.

Reliability & Support — Both VPNs Have Responsive Support

Both Surfshark and IPVanish have set a high bar when it comes to customer support.

Surfshark's online Help Center is comprehensive, with plenty of guides and FAQs, which are easy to follow. Most of the answers you need are there, but if you still need help, the 24/7 live chat is there to assist you — it starts with a bot though, which directs you to relevant support articles. But you can always connect to an agent.

My own experiences with its support were positive. Live chat responses were almost instant, and I received a thorough response to my email in just 3 hours.

IPVanish also delivers strongly on the support front. I appreciate that it offers phone support in 6 countries, which is not something many VPNs can boast. The 24/7 live chat is also responsive. But similar to Surfshark, it also starts with a bot.

Its online knowledge base is rich with information, covering everything from billing to troubleshooting. However, some articles might be a bit outdated, so always double-check with support if you're unsure.

Winner - draw

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Both Surfshark and IPVanish have reliable customer support, so it’s hard to pick a winner.

Tips on Choosing Between Surfshark and IPVanish

Keep the following points in mind, weigh what matters most to you, and you'll be able to make a more informed choice between Surfshark and IPVanish. Here are some criteria to guide your decision:

• Streaming capabilities — If streaming is important to you, you'll want a VPN that works with the sites licensed for your region. Our international team and I tested both VPNs with popular streaming services in our respective countries, like Netflix and Disney+.
• Fast speeds — While using a VPN, a slight speed reduction is expected due to encryption and added distance. However, the impact should be minimal with top-tier VPNs. Choose a VPN that offers fast connections across all its servers.
• Server networks — A broader server network means you have more options for connecting globally. Plus, it also helps in avoiding overcrowded servers.
• Robust security and privacy features — A great VPN should offer more than just basic encryption. Features like a kill switch, multiple security protocols, and DNS/IP leak protection are essential for maintaining your online security. Plus, your VPN should adhere to a strict no-log policy.
• Easy to use — Choose a provider with a user-friendly interface, especially if you're new to VPNs. Check if the VPN has straightforward apps for your devices and whether the security settings are easy to adjust.
• Trustworthy money-back guarantee — Look for VPNs that not only offer affordable pricing but also a solid money-back guarantee, giving you the freedom to change your mind if things don't work out.

Surfshark vs IPVanish — Reddit Opinions

To compare Surfshark and IPVanish, we analyzed Reddit discussions. Reddit's technology-focused communities offer a wealth of user experiences with these VPNs.

There aren't many posts directly comparing the two, but from what's available, users prefer Surfshark. This is due to its fast speeds and reliable performance with streaming services.

Reddit users also appreciate the fact that Surfshark offers unlimited connections

Conversely, IPVanish is typically viewed as slower and lacking some features expected in higher-end VPNs. Plus, Redditors also express apprehension about IPVanish being in a 5-Eyes country, which could potentially impact user privacy. However, Surfshark's headquarters location also isn't ideal since the Netherlands is a 9-Eyes country.