ExpressVPN vs. IPVanish 2025: Which VPN Is Better? by Gjurgjica Panova

Gjurgjica Panova

Updated on: May 6, 2025
Writer

ExpressVPN and IPVanish are top VPNs for anyone looking to stay secure online. They’re equipped with top-tier privacy features, offer extensive server networks, and have excellent streaming, torrenting, and gaming support.

Both have great extra features, too, such as:

• Split-tunneling.
• Ad, tracker, and malicious site blocker.
• Perfect forward secrecy.
• Obfuscation.
• Support for Tor traffic.

Still, ExpressVPN is noticeably better. It comes with more additional features, like Smart DNS, and consistently maintains the fastest speeds on the market. It also accesses 100+ streaming services, including popular and less popular streaming sites, and works in restrictive countries. In contrast, IPVanish isn’t as fast, works with fewer streaming platforms, and can’t get around censorship in restrictive regions.

I compared both VPNs across several key metrics, including security, privacy, features, server networks, speeds, streaming, torrenting, gaming, internet restriction bypassing, ease of use, pricing, and customer support. While ExpressVPN performs better overall, IPVanish can be a solid option in some cases. I recommend reading the full article to determine which VPN best fits your budget and online needs. Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

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ExpressVPN vs. IPVanish — Quick Overview

Security — Both Provide Strong Security

Either VPN is a great option when it comes to protecting your data. Both of them come with industry-standard VPN security features, such as:

• 256-bit AES encryption. Military-grade encryption secures your traffic by making it unreadable to anyone.
• No-logs policy. This ensures the VPN provider doesn’t track or store your IP address, browsing history, or downloads.
• Kill switch. Automatically blocks internet access if the VPN connection drops, preventing data leaks.

IPVanish has a kill switch feature on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Fire TV apps. That said, ExpressVPN’s router app has a kill switch, so you can set up the feature on all of your household devices.

In terms of advanced security features, ExpressVPN offers a bit more. For starters, it’s the only one of the 2 that offers RAM-only servers. These servers delete all data with every server reboot — making sure that no data can be accessed by third parties, even if government entities seize the server.

It also has built-in full leak protection — IPVanish only has DNS and IPv6 leak protection. This means that, with IPVanish, you’ll need to manually disable WebRTC in your browser to prevent WebRTC leaks. That said, neither VPN leaked my IP address in my tests.

Both VPNs have perfect forward secrecy, which enhances encryption by generating a new, unique key for each VPN session. Since each session has its own encryption keys, hackers won’t be able to decrypt any past or future data, even if they manage to compromise a single key.

However, only ExpressVPN includes multi-factor authentication (MFA) for added security. This feature requires you to verify each login using a time-sensitive code from an authentication app, or a physical security key. Even if someone gets hold of your password, they won’t be able to access your account without this additional verification step.

Extra Features — ExpressVPN Has More & Better Extras

IPVanish is by no means a bare-bones VPN, but ExpressVPN’s extras provide better functionality.

ExpressVPN and IPVanish have a split-tunneling tool, but they work differently. IPVanish lets you exclude apps and sites from the VPN tunnel, while ExpressVPN allows you to choose which apps use the VPN and which stay on your local network. Both VPNs have split-tunneling on Android, Windows, and macOS, but with IPVanish, you also get it on iOS, FireOS, and Apple Vision Pro.

Each VPN has obfuscation, which makes your VPN traffic look like regular traffic and lets you get around censorship on restricted networks — for example on school or work networks. Both VPNs allow obfuscation of all of their servers and protocols. However, only ExpressVPN works in restrictive countries, such as Russia and Iran.

The VPNs have their own ad, tracker, and malicious site blocker. In my tests, they stopped all ads from loading and prevented me from visiting malicious sites. That said, ExpressVPN also comes with a helpful adult site blocker.

Both VPNs support Tor traffic on all servers, adding an extra layer of security before accessing the dark web. However, using a VPN with Tor slows speeds significantly, since Tor already encrypts traffic multiple times. In my tests with both providers, sites took 10–15 seconds to load, with a 70–80% speed loss.

Only ExpressVPN offers smart DNS, allowing the VPN to access streaming sites on devices that don’t support VPN apps, like certain smart TVs and gaming consoles. It’s very simple to set up, and it worked as expected in my tests.

ExpressVPN has its own proprietary protocol, Lightway, available on all devices. It provides super-fast speeds, and it minimizes battery drain on laptops and phones. Plus, it has passed an independent audit, confirming that it’s safe.

I like that Lightway resists network changes, meaning that the VPN connection won’t drop when you switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data. You can also enable NAT heartbeats under the Lightway advanced options on mobile devices to speed up notifications, but this might increase battery usage. Plus, the protocol is customizable — you can choose between 256-bit AES encryption or ChaCha20 (faster on older devices) on Windows, Android, and iOS.

IPVanish doesn’t have a proprietary protocol but supports WireGuard, one of the fastest and most secure VPN protocols. Both VPNs also offer OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec.

ExpressVPN gives access to some features that IPVanish lacks, including:

• ExpressVPN Keys. A password manager to store your passwords and notes in a secure vault. It supports unlimited logins, auto-fills credentials, includes a password generator, and checks for data breaches and weak passwords. The password manager is available with every purchase, and you can use it after your subscription ends.

• ShuffleIP. Automatically changes your IP address every time you visit a new site or reopen an app, making it harder for trackers to monitor your activity or build an ad profile.
• Port forwarding. Connects you to more peers for faster download speeds. It’s only available on the router app.
• App screenshots (on Android). It blocks in-app screenshots and hides content from the multitasking pane, keeping your ExpressVPN screen private. It also stops apps with special permissions from viewing sensitive information while you use the VPN.
• Dedicated IP addresses. A dedicated IP is only assigned to you — you don’t share it with anyone else. It’s great for secure access to bank sites and similar platforms that block shared VPN IP addresses. Plus, they help you avoid the annoying reCAPTCHAs when browsing. They are available in 20+ countries for an extra cost.
• Identity Defender. Available only to new US users, it includes ID Alerts for dark web scans for free, Data Removal to erase personal data (free with the longest purchase), ID Theft Insurance with up to $1M coverage (free with the longest purchase), and a Credit Scanner for monitoring credit scores (free with annual plan and 2-year deal).

IPVanish also has some features that ExpressVPN is missing:

• SOCKS5 proxy servers. These servers mask your IP address without encrypting your traffic, allowing for faster downloading speeds. They’re available in 9 countries, including the US, the UK, and Australia.

• Secure browser. This is a cloud-based browser that ensures no browsing history is stored on your device. It comes with all security features, like malware, cookies, and tracker blockers enabled by default. However, it’s slower than a regular browser, and there’s a 30-hour monthly usage limit. Plus, it’s available only with the Advanced plan.
• Cloud storage + File & Sync. Livedrive is a cloud storage service offering encrypted backup and file syncing. It provides 1TB of storage, with features like automatic backup for 1 computer and 5 mobile devices and the ability to store, sync, and share files securely in a cloud storage space. It’s available only with an Advanced plans subscription.
• Double Hop. This feature routes your data through 2 VPN servers, adding an extra layer of encryption. You can manually choose both entry and exit server locations from 105 countries. Due to the dual encryption, your speeds might significantly slow down.

Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

Privacy — Either VPN Is Great for Privacy

Both ExpressVPN and IPVanish offer excellent privacy. They follow a strict no-logs policy, which means the VPNs don’t monitor or log your IP address or any of your online activities while using the VPN.

ExpressVPN’s no-logs policy has undergone independent security audits in 2019, 2022, and 2023. Additionally, when Turkish authorities seized one of its servers in 2017, no user data was found, further confirming that the provider doesn’t store personal information. IPVanish verified its no-logs policy with an independent audit in 2022.

ExpressVPN has also had its TrustedServer technology audited in 2019, 2022, and 2023, with only minor issues quickly fixed. Its Lightway protocol underwent independent audits in 2021 and 2022.

The Chrome extension was audited in 2018, followed by a Windows app security review in 2021 and a retest in 2022. In 2022, its iOS, Android, macOS, and Linux apps also passed independent audits.

I like how ExpressVPN is located in the British Virgin Islands, which is a privacy-friendly country and outside the jurisdiction of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances (a group of countries that share surveillance data). Plus, it has no data retention laws.

On the other hand, IPVanish is headquartered in the US, which is a part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances. However, even if the authorities request users’ data, the VPN would have nothing to share, thanks to its no-logs policy.

If you’re into crypto, ExpressVPN is the only one that accepts cryptocurrency payments, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, USDC, BUSD, PAX, and GUSD stablecoins.

Servers — Both VPNs Have Great Server Networks

Both VPNs offer a large server network — ExpressVPN has servers in 105 countries, and IPVanish has servers in 109 countries. This gives you plenty of server options to find the fastest server nearby and avoid the overcrowded ones.

ExpressVPN and IPVanish use both physical and virtual servers, which are equally secure. Physical servers are located in the country that corresponds with their IP address. Virtual servers, on the other hand, assign an IP address from your chosen country, but the server is located elsewhere. I tested 15+ virtual locations, and I was always assigned the correct IP address.

Both VPNs support P2P traffic and obfuscation on all of their servers. However, only ExpressVPN works in countries that restrict VPN use, like Iran and China. IPVanish’s obfuscation feature, Scramble, is good at bypassing internet restrictions only on limited networks, such as on a company or school network.

However, only ExpressVPN offers dedicated IP addresses for an extra cost. You can get a dedicated IP address in 20+ countries, including from the US, Canada, and Germany, to avoid CAPTCHAs and access sites like your bank account hassle-free.

It’s also great that both VPNs allow Tor (The Onion Router) traffic on all of their servers. That said, only IPVanish comes with Double Hop, which routes your traffic via 2 VPN servers instead of 1 — which is great for extra privacy, especially if you’re a journalist or an activist.

Speeds — ExpressVPN Is a Lot Faster

ExpressVPN outperformed IPVanish in my speed tests, which isn’t much of a surprise, considering it’s the fastest VPN on the market.

I tested 30+ nearby and distant ExpressVPN servers and enjoyed lightning-fast speeds for all activities. Websites loaded instantly, HD and 4K videos streamed without buffering, and I downloaded a 20 GB file in just 10–12 minutes on nearby servers and 13–15 minutes on distant ones.

IPVanish had decent speeds on nearby servers, with websites, HD, and 4K videos loading instantly. Plus, I was able to download a 20 GB file in 15–19 minutes. On distant servers, there was some slowdown — websites and HD videos took 3–4 seconds to load, 4K videos took 5 seconds to load with some buffering when skipping, and the same 20 GB file took 23 minutes to torrent.

Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

Streaming — ExpressVPN Has Better Streaming Support

ExpressVPN is the better choice for streaming, as it works with 100+ streaming sites. IPVanish works with most top sites but fewer overall (it doesn’t share the exact number of platforms it can access).

Both VPNs work with Netflix (ExpressVPN accesses 10+ Netflix libraries), BBC iPlayer, Max, and Amazon Prime. They also access less popular streaming sites, like Crunchyroll and CBC. However, only ExpressVPN is compatible with Disney+.

Only ExpressVPN offers a smart DNS tool for devices without native VPN apps, like smart TVs and gaming consoles. The tool works with Hulu, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and BBC iPlayer.

Torrenting — You Get Great P2P Support With Each

ExpressVPN and IPVanish are good picks for safe torrenting. Both VPNs allow P2P traffic on all of their servers, which makes it easy to find and connect to a nearby server and get the fastest possible download and upload speeds.

The VPNs work well with all popular P2P apps. In my tests, I used Vuze, qBittorrent, and uTorrent while connected to both VPNs and experienced no issues.

I also like that ExpressVPN supports port forwarding through its router app. This feature allows direct peer-to-peer (P2P) connections, which leads to faster downloads. With port forwarding enabled, my P2P speeds were about 10–15% faster on average.

IPVanish doesn’t offer port forwarding, but it has SOCKS5 support, which you don’t get with ExpressVPN. SOCKS5 servers change your IP address, which lets you torrent from anywhere but doesn’t encrypt your traffic — the lack of encryption gives you better speeds. IPVanish’s SOCKS5 proxy servers span across 9 countries, including the US, the UK, and Singapore.

In terms of torrenting privately, both providers have a kill switch and independently audited no-logs policies. In addition, each offers an ad, tracker, and malicious site blocker to prevent connections to suspicious torrent sites and block annoying ads on P2P platforms.

Before starting my torrenting tests, I ran several leak tests with each provider— there were no leaks. I also performed torrent IP leak tests to ensure my real IP address wouldn’t be exposed while using P2P apps. As expected, the results showed only the VPN’s IP address, keeping my real IP address secure.

Gaming — ExpressVPN Is the Better Option

I tested ExpressVPN and IPVanish while playing Dota 2. ExpressVPN maintained significantly faster speeds and low ping on nearby and distant servers. With IPVanish, I had a decent ping on nearby servers, but I noticed higher ping and minor lagging on distant servers.

Both VPNs protect you from DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attacks, which force you offline. So, if another gamer tries to target you with a DDoS attack, it will instead target the VPN’s IP address, keeping your real IP address protected. However, only ExpressVPN comes with anti-DDoS protection on all servers, which protects its servers as well.

Each provider offers router support, but only ExpressVPN provides a dedicated router app. IPVanish has useful setup tutorials to help you configure its service on your router, allowing you to use it on devices like gaming consoles that don’t natively support VPNs. However, ExpressVPN’s router app is much easier to install and use.

On top of that, both VPNs offer cloud gaming support. This allows you to access platforms that stream video games to portable devices like smartphones and laptops.

Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

Bypassing Censorship — Only ExpressVPN Works In Restrictive Countries

Although both VPNs come with obfuscation, only ExpressVPN works on networks and in countries that block and restrict VPN use, like Russia, China, or Iran. The VPN allows obfuscation on all of its servers and protocols, making it easy for users in these countries to find a nearby server for the fastest possible speeds.

If you’re in China, you might run into occasional interruptions with ExpressVPN due to ever-changing restrictions in the country. But its customer support team is quick to help, and you can always use the 30-day money-back guarantee to see if it works for you.

That said, the IPVanish obfuscation feature, Scramble, works on networks with internet restrictions, like the ones at work or school. Plus, you can customize your connection to bypass blocks by choosing between TCP and UDP traffic and trying different ports: 1194 (best performance), 443 (hard to censor), and 8443 (fallback if 443 is throttled).

I also like IPVanish’s Alternative Connection Mode on iOS, which bypasses DNS requests by connecting directly to the server using its IP address. This helps avoid DNS-based blocks.

Apps & Ease of Use — Both VPNs Have Intuitive Apps

You can use either VPN on most devices. Each has dedicated apps for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Android TV, Fire TV, and Chromebook. However, only ExpressVPN has a dedicated router app and an app for Kindle Fire. On the other hand, IPVanish has a dedicated app for Apple Vision Pro. Both also support manual router setups.

Their mobile apps are feature-rich and easy to use. ExpressVPN’s apps are very beginner-friendly. I like how they offer a Refresh button that lets you get a new IP address and refresh your connection if you’re experiencing slow speeds. Unlike ExpressVPN, IPVanish has split-tunneling on its iOS app, as well as Siri Shortcuts to connect and disconnect.

The desktop apps are great, too. ExpressVPN’s desktop apps have a simple design. I like how the VPN organizes servers by region for quick access and offers a separate tab for recommended servers based on your location.

IPVanish’s desktop apps are pretty intuitive, too. My favorite part is the interactive map that displays all server locations. To connect to a specific server, you just need to click on the country pin on the map.

If you’re looking for a dedicated router app, I recommend ExpressVPN. Its router app is simple to install and use. With IPVanish, you’ll need to manually set up the VPN on your router — there are great step-by-step tutorials on the site, but it takes more time.

Plans & Pricing — IPVanish Is More Affordable

Although ExpressVPN provides better value, IPVanish is the more affordable option. It offers 1-month, 1-year, and 2-year plans, available in 2 tiers: IPVanish Essential and IPVanish Advanced. You get the best value with the IPVanish Essential longest plan, which has all the VPN tools and starts at only £1.64 / month.

A slight downside is that only its long-term plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee.

ExpressVPN offers 1-month and 1-year plans and a 2-year deal, which includes several months for free. All purchases have a 30-day money-back guarantee. The 2-year deal provides the best value, though it remains a bit pricey. That said, you can use our exclusive 61% discount to get ExpressVPN for just £3.74 / month.

IPVanish allows unlimited simultaneous connections, while ExpressVPN supports up to 8. However, ExpressVPN’s router app lets you protect unlimited devices in your home at once.

Both VPNs accept credit/debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. ExpressVPN also supports payments made with Apple Pay, online transfer options (Giropay), and cryptocurrencies.

Customer Support — Both VPNs Have Great Customer Support

Each VPN offers extensive support libraries with frequently asked questions, tutorials, and troubleshooting guides, coupled with screenshots and videos for the visually inclined. They answer most of the questions you might have in setting up the VPN and making certain features work.

Both VPNs have good live chat, too. It took 10–15 seconds to connect with representatives who were always polite and answered all of my questions. You can also talk to ExpressVPN and IPVanish support in languages other than English (they use translation tools to help with communication).

When I tested each VPN’s email support, it took 7–8 hours to receive a response, which is quite fast. Plus, all responses were informative, so I never had to send a follow-up email.

IPVanish is one of the few VPNs offering phone support, but only with the Advanced plan. It’s available in 6 countries, including the US, Mexico, the UK, Spain, Australia, and Brazil. It operates Monday to Saturday, from 7 am to 7 pm CT (UTC -6).

Overall Winner: ExpressVPN

Both providers are great picks if you want a great VPN, but ExpressVPN offers better value than IPVanish. It has more extra features, like a password manager and smart DNS. Plus, the VPN has the fastest speeds on the market and works with more streaming apps. It also maintains a low ping for gaming and works in restrictive countries.

That said, IPVanish is still one of the best VPNs on the market for a good reason. It comes with strong privacy and security features, has a large server network, and offers P2P support on all servers. It has intuitive apps for most major devices as well as more affordable plans. Plus, IPVanish is one of the few VPN providers to offer phone support.

Editors’ Note: ExpressVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

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