Surfshark
IPVanish
Surfshark vs IPVanish: Complete Comparison
Wondering which VPN is right for you? We've tested both Surfshark and IPVanish extensively to bring you this detailed comparison. From speed tests to privacy features, streaming capabilities to pricing, we cover everything you need to make an informed decision.
Quick Verdict
Surfshark takes the win in this comparison with better speed, privacy, value, and overall performance. However, IPVanish remains a solid choice if you prioritize Kodi.
Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | S Surfshark | I IPVanish |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Rating | 9.2 Best | 8.4 |
| Speed Score | 91 Best | 84 |
| Privacy Score | 94 Best | 88 |
| Streaming Score | 93 Best | 80 |
| Servers | 3,200 Best | 2,200 |
| Countries | 100 Best | 75 |
| Max Devices | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Monthly Price | $12.95/mo Best | $12.99/mo |
| Best Price (2-year) | $2.19/mo Best | $2.99/mo |
| Kill Switch | ✓ | ✓ |
| No-Logs Policy | ✓ | ✓ |
| Split Tunneling | ✓ | ✓ |
| Double VPN | ✓ Best | ✗ |
| Netflix Support | ✓ | ✓ |
| Torrenting | ✓ | ✓ |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
| Headquarters | Netherlands | United States |
Speed & Performance
Speed is crucial for streaming, gaming, and general browsing. We tested both VPNs connecting to servers in the US, UK, and Asia to measure real-world performance.
- Download: ~86% speed retained
- Upload: ~82% speed retained
- Latency: +5ms average
- Download: ~80% speed retained
- Upload: ~76% speed retained
- Latency: +8ms average
Winner: Surfshark – Faster download speeds and lower latency in our tests.
Privacy & Security
Privacy is the primary reason most people use a VPN. Here's how Surfshark and IPVanish compare on security features and privacy practices.
Surfshark
- ✓ No-Logs Policy
- ✓ Kill Switch
- ✓ Double VPN
- ✓ Netherlands jurisdiction
IPVanish
- ✓ No-Logs Policy
- ✓ Kill Switch
- ✗ Double VPN
- ✓ United States jurisdiction
Winner: Surfshark – Stronger privacy features and better jurisdiction.
Streaming & Unblocking
Can these VPNs unblock Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and other streaming services? Here's what we found.
Surfshark
IPVanish
Winner: Surfshark – Better streaming unblocking success rate.
Pricing Comparison
Value matters. Here's how Surfshark and IPVanish compare on price across different subscription lengths.
Winner: Surfshark – $0.80/mo cheaper on the best plan.
Our Verdict
Surfshark
- Faster speeds (91 vs 84)
- Better privacy protection
- Superior streaming unblocking
- More affordable pricing
Frequently Asked Questions
Surfshark is faster with a speed score of 91/100 compared to IPVanish's 84/100. In our tests, Surfshark retained more of your base connection speed, especially on long-distance servers.
Surfshark scores higher on privacy (94/100). Both have verified no-logs policies. Surfshark is based in Netherlands while IPVanish is in United States.
Yes, Surfshark is cheaper at $2.19/month on the 2-year plan compared to IPVanish's $2.99/month. Surfshark offers 27% savings.
Yes, both VPNs reliably unblock Netflix. Surfshark has a higher streaming score (93/100) and may work with more Netflix regions.
Surfshark has more servers with 3,200 servers in 100 countries. IPVanish has 2,200 servers in 75 countries.
Both support P2P/torrenting. Surfshark scores higher for torrenting (90/100) with optimized P2P servers.
Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections, while IPVanish allows unlimited. IPVanish is better for households with many devices.
Yes, both VPNs include kill switches that block internet traffic if the VPN connection drops, protecting your real IP from exposure.
Surfshark offers better overall value with a score of 98/100. This considers price, features, performance, and the number of devices supported.
We recommend Surfshark for most users. It Budget and offers better pricing. However, IPVanish may be better if you specifically need Kodi.