A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is an essential tool if you want to safely browse the internet. However, there are a plethora of options available on the market, and it becomes easy to fall into decision fatigue and end up unprotected with no VPN at all.
That is especially true when you have to choose between two popular as well as trustworthy VPN providers. So, what should you choose between NordVPN and IPVanish, which one is the right one for you?
IPVanish vs. NordVPN: The Difference?
NordVPN and IPVanish were both launched in the early 2010s when the streaming services and people’s increasing awareness of safety and security online were on the rise.
While they are similar VPN services, the execution is a tad bit different. NordVPN is a VPN in the traditional sense. Whereas, IPVanish is an IP VPN service.
They provide the VPN part and reroute also encrypt your internet traffic. However, IP VPNs use Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology to prioritize and optimize network traffic. This is done by avoiding public gateways, which result in increased speeds along with tighter security.
The Prices of VPN
IPVanish and NordVPN are nearly in the same price range. NordVPN offers a wider variety of packages, these range in price as well as subscription duration.
The cheapest NordVPN subscription costs $3.30 a month on a 2-year plan with three months for free. The first two years are billed at $89. Then it costs $322.65 for renewals in the future. NordVPN’s plan comes with a no-questions-asked money-back guarantee which is valid after 30 days of the purchase.
On the other hand, IPVanish offers a single subscription plan starting at $3.75 a month billed annually at $44.99. However, it renews at 89.99. Both the yearly and two-year plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
However, you should note that single-month subscriptions are significantly more costly for both VPN services. A single month with NordVPN costs $11.99. A single month with IPVanish costs $10.99.
IPVanish vs. NordVPN: The Servers and Headquarters
IPVanish offers just under 2,000 servers in 55 countries along with 75 different locations spread out across the world. NordVPN on the other hand has 5,000 servers located in 60 countries globally.
IPVanish, being based in Florida, America, makes it bound to state as well as federal data retention along with user information and privacy laws. NordVPN’s headquarters is in Panama, a country that has no mandatory data retention laws.
Access to Geo-Restricted Content
Content can be restricted for many reasons, these include copy and distribution rights, censorship, as well as price discrimination. VPNs help change your location to enable you to access this restricted content. But they aren’t all equally good at it. Some manage to bypass YouTube’s geo-restriction, however, can’t bypass Netflix’s.
NordVPN as well as IPVanish, both promise access to a variety of websites along with streaming services like Netflix, SoundCloud, YouTube, TikTok, also Spotify. Their location-changing services allow you to access and purchase games that are not available in the region you reside in.
How is the User Experience?
The ability to be able to comfortably use the VPN daily is superior to any other aspect. Before purchasing an annual plan, you first need to make sure they are compatible with all the devices you regularly intend to use.
NordVPN offers apps for Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, along with Android TV devices. It also provides extensions for Firefox as well as Google Chrome. NordVPN protects all the devices connected to the network, for example, your Xbox, PlayStation, Chromebook, Kindle Fire, Nintendo Switch, as well as Chromecast.
The apps as well as the browser extensions of NordVPN are user-friendly and easy to use, thanks to their simplistic flat-colors user interface.
IPVanish has official apps on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, along with Linux devices, also Amazon Fire TV. Additionally, IPVanish supports router protection that secures and encrypts the internet traffic of the connected devices.
IPVanish’s apps are easy to use, however, they do need a bit of practice. The user interface is clean and has a minimalistic dark theme. While you can immediately connect to your desired location, IPVanish’s apps include a lot of settings that allow customization and optimization of your experience.
What about Privacy and Security?
Changing your location is what most people use VPNs for, however, the main purpose behind VPNs is maintaining your privacy and security by encrypting network traffic. And to spoof your location by hiding your IP address.
They use end-to-end encryption and AES 256-bit encryption when transferring your data and connection. Also, both of the providers claim a strict no-log policy.
The Fourteen-, Nine-, and Five-Eyes are surveillance alliances where countries share user internet activity. It is best to avoid countries in one of three alliances to have maximum data privacy.
If the VPN service provider is based in one of the 14 countries in the alliances, they will be forced by the law to hand over any user internet activity information they log.
Panama, where NordVPN’s headquarters is situated, is one of the most privacy-friendly countries. That is thanks to a lack of surveillance-sharing agreements with other countries as well as the local data collection laws. Whereas, IPVanish is based in the US, which is a Five-, Nine-, and Fourteen-Eyes member. However, since they have a strict no-logs policy, there should be no information for them to share.
You should take advantage of the Free Trials
Be it a free trial like with NordVPN. OR. With a 30-day money-back guarantee with IPVanish, you should take full advantage of these free services. This might help you in making the right decision. Some pros and cons of each VPN are objective and thus, can be measured, however, few can’t be measured. You won’t know which VPN works best for you unless you try it out.
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