[ad_1]
I have used IPVanish and ExpressVPN And it can be said that they have a good history of providing privacy, security, and internet freedom to internet users.
- IPVanish: If you are on a budget and have a large family or team that needs multiple devices connected, this is the best choice.
- ExpressVPN: If you can afford the price, this is the best option as it offers more VPN servers and locations and is much faster than IPVanish.
In this article, I’ll walk you through the core offerings of both VPNs, as well as their similarities and differences.
IPVanish vs. ExpressVPN: Comparison Chart
While both IPVanish and ExpressVPN have interesting VPN features that might make it difficult for you to choose between the two, here I have compared both VPN services to guide you on which product to choose.
| feature | ||
|---|---|---|
| VPN Protocols | ||
| Connect devices simultaneously | ||
| Countries and regions | ||
| Number of servers | ||
| Kill switch | ||
| Smart DNS | ||
| Data breach monitoring | ||
| Split Tunneling | ||
| Free Version | ||
| Starting Price | ||
|
|
IPVanish and ExpressVPN Pricing
IPVanish Pricing
IPVanish offers three tiers of plans, which include:
Monthly Plan: Starting at $10.99 per month. This is the best plan if you are not a regular VPN user.
Two-year plan: Best for long-term use. Costs $2.19 per month, or $59.13 for the first two years.
Annual plan: The cost is $2.79 per month, or $41.85 per year.
Note: Annual and two-year subscriptions give you an extra three months of use, plus a 30-day money-back guarantee. IPVanish also offers a seven-day free trial for iOS and Android mobile devices when you choose an annual subscription.
ExpressVPN Pricing
Similar to IPVanish, ExpressVPN breaks down its plans into three options: one-month plan, six-month plan, and twelve-month plan.
1 month plan: This is great for short-term use and costs $12.95 per month.
6 Month Plan: The fee is $9.99 per month, billed every six months.
12 Month Plan: The best plan for long-term use. It costs $8.32 per month, saving you some initial costs.
Note: All ExpressVPN plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, as well as a 7-day free trial on mobile devices only.
IPVanish vs. ExpressVPN: Features Comparison
IPVanish and ExpressVPN may offer similar services, but their features differ in many ways. Here’s an in-depth look at their features.
Data protection features
Although IPVanish claims to protect against data sharing, censorship, and government interference, one troubling security concern I found is that it is based in the United States, which is one of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance countries that share user data when necessary. Additionally, I did not see data breach monitoring features when testing IPVanish.
look: NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN: Which VPN is Best? (TechRepublic)
On the other hand, ExpressVPN offers more trust and security in terms of data protection. ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, a jurisdiction that does not have user data retention laws. ExpressVPN also offers breach monitoring through its password manager, ExpressVPN Keys. This feature is designed to alert you if your saved passwords or data have been exposed to a data breach.
VPN Security and Encryption
Both VPN providers use OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols with 256-bit AES encryption standards, but IPVanish adds support for the WireGuard protocol, which is reportedly faster and more secure than OpenVPN and IKEv2.
look: Top 6 Enterprise VPN Solutions Worth Using (TechRepublic)
ExpressVPN seems to have a slight advantage here because it developed its own protocol, Lightway. The Lightway VPN protocol is similar to WireGuard and is considered more secure than OpenVPN. To use the Lightway protocol by default, you need to enable advanced protection in the ExpressVPN app.
ExpressVPN also has RAM disk servers, which means data is never stored on disk drives. On the other hand, IPVanish still uses encrypted hard drive servers, which could put user data at risk if the servers are compromised.
Split Tunneling
Split tunneling allows you to divide your internet traffic between your VPN connection and your regular internet connection. In ExpressVPN, split tunneling allows you to include or exclude only the apps you choose, and is available on Windows, Mac, Android, and routers. Unfortunately, at the time of writing this article, this feature is not available on my Mac, as it no longer supports macOS 11 and later.
In contrast, I found that IPVanish offers two options: domain-based and app-based split tunneling. Domain-based split tunneling allows you to specify which websites should not be routed through the VPN. Whereas app-based split tunneling allows you to decide which apps on your device should not use the VPN connection.
Smart DNS
ExpressVPN has an advantage here, as IPVanish doesn’t offer a Smart DNS feature. The feature is called MediaStreamer on the ExpressVPN app, and it allows you to stream on any device that doesn’t support native VPN apps, such as smart TVs or gaming consoles.
look: 5 Best Chrome VPN Extensions: Complete Buying Guide (TechRepublic)
While MediaStreamer allows you to unblock UK and US streaming sites, keep in mind that it does not encrypt your traffic or mask your IP address while in use. Therefore, I recommend that you use this feature with caution.
Interface and Usability
Both IPVanish and ExpressVPN offer apps for most operating systems, including Windows, iOS, Android, and macOS. While IPVanish doesn’t offer its service on any browser extensions, ExpressVPN does on Chrome, Edge, and Firefox.
IPVanish has the edge in terms of device connections, as it has an unlimited number of simultaneous device connections. On the other hand, ExpressVPN only lets you connect 8 devices at a time, which is a drawback considering its high price.
IPVanish Pros and Cons
advantage
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections.
- Reliable kill switch.
- 24/7 live chat support.
- Seven-day free trial.
- Affordable two-year plan.
shortcoming
- Lack of dedicated servers.
- Operates under close surveillance by the U.S. government.
- No data breach monitoring.
ExpressVPN Pros and Cons
advantage
- RAM-only server technology.
- Quality, speed and performance.
- Provides smart DNS.
- Servers in 105 countries.
- Operate in a user-friendly jurisdiction.
shortcoming
- The price is quite expensive.
- Missing a subscription of two years or more.
Should your organization use IPVanish or ExpressVPN?
IPVanish and ExpressVPN are both great VPNs for everyday VPN users. But there are also some unique things about their products.
If you prefer a VPN with very fast speeds, dedicated servers, and that operates under strict privacy laws, I highly recommend choosing ExpressVPN.
look: How to Start a Career in Cybersecurity (TechRepublic Premium)
However, if you are on a budget and need a cheaper premium VPN service with better security and performance, then IPVanish is the best choice. This VPN is relatively cheaper than ExpressVPN, although it falls short in many aspects.
Comparing the two, I would choose ExpressVPN, not necessarily because I currently use it on my devices, but because it is easier to use than IPVanish. It also has faster speeds and a larger VPN server base in more countries. So if you want a truly premium VPN experience, it’s a good choice.
Review Methodology
My comparison of IPVanish and ExpressVPN included real-world testing of their mobile versions using a 7-day free trial. I evaluated their features and performance on Android. During testing, I noticed that IPVanish gave me the option to allow or restrict apps or websites from the secure VPN connection. Whereas ExpressVPN gave me the option to allow or restrict apps only.
In terms of speed, both companies have good speed ratings, but ExpressVPN seems to perform faster. I supplemented my review based on the findings from their various websites and verified customer reviews.
[ad_2]
Source link
