Quick answer (July 2026): ProtonVPN wins on privacy — Swiss jurisdiction, open-source code, and an audited no-logs policy. IPVanish wins on value — unlimited simultaneous connections at a lower entry price. Choose ProtonVPN if privacy is non-negotiable; choose IPVanish if you need more devices on a budget.
TL;DR Quick Answer
ProtonVPN wins overall — scoring 8.7/10 in our editorial evaluation. Choose ProtonVPN for Swiss privacy, open-source code, and a free plan. Choose IPVanish for unlimited simultaneous connections at a lower advertised price. Both offer money-back guarantees.
ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN
Swiss privacy, open-source, free plan included
Score: 8.7/10
IPVanish
I
IPVanish
Unlimited devices, US-based, budget-friendly
Score: 7.9/10
Winner
Our Verdict
ProtonVPN
Best for most users — privacy-first choice
→ Read our reasoning
ProtonVPNVPN · from $3.99/mo · Free plan available
Founded by CERN scientists, ProtonVPN is headquartered in Switzerland — outside the 5/9/14 Eyes alliances. Its apps are fully open-source and independently audited. The free plan offers unlimited data, making it genuinely usable without paying.
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IPVanishVPN · from $2.99/mo · Unlimited devices
IPVanish is a US-based VPN owned by Ziff Davis. It offers unlimited simultaneous connections on all plans — a genuine differentiator for families or small teams. Covers 2,400+ servers across 90+ countries with SOCKS5 proxy support.
Verdict at a Glance
ProtonVPN ($3.99/mo) is the stronger choice for privacy-conscious users and businesses. Its Swiss base, open-source code, and independently audited no-logs policy make it one of the most trustworthy VPNs available. The free tier is genuinely useful — unlimited data, just limited to one device and slower speeds.
IPVanish ($2.99/mo on promotion) is appealing for households that need every device covered without paying per-seat fees. Unlimited simultaneous connections is a genuine advantage. However, its US jurisdiction (5 Eyes) is a real privacy trade-off, and its 2016 logging incident — where it handed user data to law enforcement despite claiming no-logs — is worth knowing about, even though it has since been under new ownership with updated practices.
For most individuals and businesses where privacy matters, ProtonVPN is the safer long-term choice.
Top Pick
Start with ProtonVPN's Free Plan
ProtonVPN offers a genuinely unlimited free plan — no data cap, no time limit. Try it before you decide between paid options.
Try ProtonVPN Free →
Pricing Comparison
ProtonVPN vs IPVanish 2026 — pricing comparison
| Plan | ProtonVPN | IPVanish |
|---|
| Free plan | Yes (unlimited data, 1 device) | No |
| Starting price (monthly) | $9.99/mo | $10.99/mo (but promos often ↓) |
| Best annual price | $3.99/mo (2-year plan) | $2.99/mo (promo, renews higher) |
| Renewal price warning | Consistent pricing | Promo price may jump on renewal |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
| Devices included | Up to 10 (Unlimited plan) | Unlimited (all plans) |
Pricing note: IPVanish frequently runs promotional prices ($2.99–$3.99/mo) that are heavily discounted from the regular rate. Check the renewal price before committing — it typically reverts to a higher monthly rate after the first billing cycle. ProtonVPN's pricing is more consistent year-over-year.
Feature Comparison
ProtonVPN vs IPVanish 2026 — feature comparison
| Feature | ProtonVPN | IPVanish |
|---|
| Jurisdiction | Switzerland (outside 5/9/14 Eyes) | USA (5 Eyes) |
| Open-source apps | Yes — fully audited | No |
| No-logs audit | Independently audited (Securitum) | Audit conducted (2022) |
| Kill switch | Yes (all platforms) | Yes |
| WireGuard protocol | Yes | Yes |
| DNS leak protection | Yes | Yes |
| Ad/malware blocker | NetShield (DNS-level) | No |
| Secure Core (multi-hop) | Yes | No |
| Tor over VPN | Yes | No |
| SOCKS5 proxy | No | Yes |
| Streaming (Netflix, etc.) | Good | Good (strong US servers) |
| Server count | 12,400+ (117+ countries) | 2,400+ (90+ countries) |
| Split tunneling | Yes | Yes |
| Linux app | Yes (GUI) | Yes (CLI only) |
| Free plan | Yes (unlimited data) | No |
Key differentiators: ProtonVPN's Secure Core routes traffic through multiple servers in privacy-friendly countries before exiting — making even a compromised exit node unable to identify users. IPVanish's SOCKS5 proxy is useful for torrenting. ProtonVPN's NetShield blocks ads and trackers at the DNS level without an additional app.
Our Final Verdict
ProtonVPN is our recommendation for most users. Here is our reasoning:
- Choose ProtonVPN if privacy is a priority. Swiss jurisdiction, open-source code, audited no-logs, Secure Core, and NetShield put it ahead on every privacy dimension. The free plan is a genuine option for light users. Starting from $3.99/mo on a 2-year plan.
- Choose IPVanish if you need unlimited simultaneous connections at a low entry price. Great for households where every phone, laptop, and tablet needs coverage under one subscription. Starting from $2.99/mo on promotion — verify the renewal rate.
What ProtonVPN does better: privacy architecture, transparency, free plan quality, ad blocking, Tor support, multi-hop routing.
What IPVanish does better: unlimited device connections, US streaming server strength, SOCKS5 proxy for torrenting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ProtonVPN better than IPVanish?
For privacy, yes. ProtonVPN is Swiss-based, open-source, and has an independently audited no-logs policy. IPVanish is US-based (5 Eyes jurisdiction) and owned by Ziff Davis. IPVanish wins on unlimited simultaneous connections and its promotional entry price.
How much does ProtonVPN cost vs IPVanish?
ProtonVPN starts at $3.99/mo on a 2-year plan or $9.99/mo monthly. IPVanish advertises from $2.99/mo on promotion, but the renewal price is typically higher — check before committing. ProtonVPN also has a free plan with unlimited data; IPVanish does not.
Does ProtonVPN allow unlimited devices?
No. ProtonVPN allows up to 10 simultaneous connections on its Proton Unlimited plan. IPVanish allows unlimited simultaneous connections on all plans — a clear advantage for families or teams sharing one subscription.
Which VPN is better for streaming?
Both unblock major streaming services. IPVanish has strong US server infrastructure useful for US Netflix, Hulu, and similar. ProtonVPN includes a Stealth protocol for bypassing VPN blocks in restrictive countries. For general streaming, both work well.
Is IPVanish safe to use?
IPVanish has improved since its 2016 logging incident, completed independent audits, and has new ownership. However, its US jurisdiction (5 Eyes) remains a concern for users requiring strict privacy guarantees. ProtonVPN's Swiss jurisdiction offers stronger legal protections by comparison.