Surfshark and IPVanish serve as high-quality virtual private network solutions that conceal your IP address and online activities enabling private browsing. These VPN services offer the option to connect through servers located in different cities and countries, giving you the ability to mask your geographical location from external watchers or gain access to region-specific streaming content. In this evaluation, I scrutinize Surfshark and IPVanish on factors like pricing, speed, features, customer service, and user-friendliness to provide a recommendation on which service to pick based on your specific needs and demands.
- Surfshark: Ideal for individuals who require maximum obscurity, such as reporters, political campaigners, and individuals operating in highly regulated or monitored environments.
- IPVanish: Best suited for users seeking top VPN speeds for file sharing and streaming on a local server, or those in need of live assistance from support teams for implementing the service.
Comparison Table for Surfshark and IPVanish
| Distinctive Traits | ||
|---|---|---|
| Compatible devices | ||
| Server variety | ||
| Velocity | ||
| Ad filter | ||
| Divided tunneling | ||
| Confidentiality policies | ||
| Assistance | ||
| Initial cost | ||
| For further details |
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Surfshark vs. IPVanish: Cost Evaluation
If you install the mobile app and sign up for an account through it, both organizations present a seven-day no-cost trial of their VPN software.
Pricing of Surfshark
Right now, Surfshark has three varied VPN options (Initial, Prime, and Prime+), all obtainable as a monthly, annual, or biennial subscription.
| 24 months | |||
| 12 months | |||
| 1 month |
The Starter Plan of Surfshark comprises the complete VPN feature set. For a slightly higher fee per month (in the case of lengthy subscriptions), you can acquire the Prime plan that includes antivirus, identity theft monitoring, and webcam protection, offering the best value. The Prime+ plan only adds a data cleansing service tailored to highly privacy-conscious users. Surfshark offers notable discounts for committing to a one- or two-year subscription, so it is advisable to avoid more expensive monthly plans, especially with the 30-day money-back assurance on extended subscriptions.
For more in-depth information, refer to our detailed evaluation of Surfshark VPN.
Pricing of IPVanish
IPVanish has a straightforward pricing model, offering a single VPN plan encompassing all features, depending on your commitment period.
| 24 months + 3 free months | |
| 12 months + 3 free months | |
| 1 month |
Similar to Surfshark, IPVanish encourages long-term subscriptions by offering substantial discounts and adding three extra months of service. IPVanish offers a 30-day guarantee for extended subscriptions, so taking advantage of the discount based on your commitment period is recommended if you require medium to long-term protection. Although monthly plans typically cost $12.99, IPVanish automatically applies a 15% deduction at checkout, reducing the initial month’s price to $10.99.
To access more details, check out our thorough guide on IPVanish VPN.
Surfshark vs. IPVanish: Feature Contrast
Supported gadgets
Victor: Draw
Surfshark and IPVanish both allow unrestricted app installations per account with no traffic restrictions.
Surfshark has apps available for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, routers, Fire TV, Apple TV, PlayStation, and Xbox.
Need assistance setting up Surfshark on your device? Check our Surfshark VPN manual.
IPVanish provides apps for Windows, Mac, Linux, Chrome OS, Android, iOS, Apple Vision Pro, routers, Apple TV, Fire TV, NVIDIA Shield, ONN 4k, Google Chromecast, and Nokia Streaming Box.
Figure A
Server options
Victor: Surfshark
Surfshark possesses over 3,200+ servers that use RAM exclusively, located in 107 destinations across 100 countries, with 37 servers offering stable IP addresses for IP-sensitive applications. Moreover, Surfshark provides 12 dual-VPN connections that enable you to direct VPN traffic through two servers positioned in varying locations.for increased privacy, illustrated below.
Visual B
IPVanish possesses 2,400 servers across 90 cities in 57 nations. It does not provide multihop (also known as double-VPN), so if this function is essential, I suggest opting for Surfshark.
Velocity
Champion: IPVanish
My initial statistics without a VPN were: Download speed registered at 271.32 Mbps, upload speed at 239.99 Mbps, and latency (ping) at 10 ms.
When utilizing Surfshark linked to the speediest server choice, I recorded an average download speed of 76.77 Mbps, an upload speed of 80.53 Mbps, and a 2 ms latency. While connected to a less optimal server in Singapore, I experienced a download speed of 24.85 Mbps, an upload of 15.52 Mbps, and a ping of 34 ms.
With IPVanish connected to the best location, I noted a remarkably high download speed of 180.56 Mbps, an upload speed of 123.36 Mbps, and an 8 ms latency, as depicted below.
Visual C
Upon connecting through Singapore, my download speed plummeted to 21.38 Mbps, upload speed to 12.88 Mbps, and ping surged to 241 ms. Hence, IPVanish delivers better speeds if connected to your optimal server location, whereas Surfshark exhibits slightly superior performance when utilizing servers distant.
Advertisement blocking
Champion: Tie
Surfshark VPN introduces the CleanWeb feature for both browsers and applications, obstructing advertisements, cookies, and pop-ups. CleanWeb also identifies malware in web content and delivers alerts when your credentials are detected in a known data breach.
SEE: Surfshark vs. NordVPN: Which VPN Is Better in 2024? (TechRepublic)
IPVanish presents the Threat Protection feature, encompassing advertisement, cookie, tracker, and malicious website blocking for browsers and applications.
At present, both VPNs effectively block YouTube ads (without interrupting the content) within the YouTube app and all browsers.
Division of tunneling
Champion: Tie
Both VPNs incorporate a split tunneling attribute enabling trusted applications and websites to bypass the VPN and connect via the unsecured Internet. Surfshark’s edition (known as Bypasser) also includes a Route via VPN feature for select platforms, ensuring that riskier applications and websites are automatically secured.
Visual D
Meanwhile, IPVanish authorizes the addition of websites at the domain level, offering convenience particularly to web developers or individuals working extensively with subdomains.
Confidentiality guidelines
Champion: Surfshark
Both Surfshark VPN and IPVanish uphold no-logs policies, indicating they do not store logs related to your online activities while utilizing their services. Nonetheless, both enterprises operate within jurisdictions that might legally demand the provision of this information to law enforcement.
Surfshark’s VPN servers operate on a 100% RAM-only framework, ensuring zero retention of usage data post-reboot. Additionally, Surfshark permits cryptocurrency payments for utmost anonymity.
Visual E
When it comes to IPVanish, all user activity data is not gathered except under legal requirements. Nevertheless, it doesn’t provide choices for anonymous payments.
Assistance
Champion: IPVanish
Surfshark boasts a comprehensive self-support hub, email-based ticketing assistance, and a live chat available 24/7. The live chat necessitates substantial interaction with an automated chatbot prior to accessing a human representative, though.
Illustration F
IPVanish also provides a self-help portal and email ticketing support. They offer a chatbot available 24/7, and within “standard business hours,” just two easy clicks can connect you to a live representative. Moreover, by clicking the Get Started button in the site’s menu, a list of contact numbers for sales support can be seen.
Extra complimentary features
Champion: Surfshark
Additional attributes included across all Surfshark VPN packages:
- Fixed IP addresses: Allocates the same IP every time you connect to a particular server.
- Substitute ID: Creates a false identity (name, address, and email) for online use, concealing actual details to minimize spam and identity fraud.
Illustration G
- Auto-connect: Re-establishes VPN upon network changes or device restart.
- VPN kill switch: Deactivates internet access during VPN interruptions or shutdowns.
- Explore on LAN: Enables access to other devices on the local network while linked to VPN.
- Override GPS location: Aligns your device’s GPS location with the VPN server’s location.
- Rotating IP: Automatically varies your IP throughout the session to heighten anonymity.
Included in every IPVanish package are extra attributes such as:
- Local network access: Routes local network activity outside VPN.
- Startup connection: Activates VPN upon detection of internet activity on your device.
- Kill switch: Disconnects internet when VPN is inactive.
Surfshark’s Alt ID, GPS override, and rotating IP functions provide superior privacy levels, making it a top choice for journalists, activists, and others requiring activity concealment from government gaze.
VIEW: Cloud Security Policy (TechRepublic Premium)
IPVanish’s website has some free tools available, such as an IP address checker, a link safety verifier, and a secure password generator.
Illustration H
Superior paid features
The winner is Surfshark
Surfshark provides various enhanced security and privacy solutions for an extra fee. These encompass antivirus software, a private localized search engine, and data breach monitoring that alerts you when your personal data gets exposed (included in the One+ VPN package).
IPVanish does not present any supplementary products.
Pros and cons of Surfshark
Advantages of Surfshark
- Provides apps for gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox.
- Boasts a larger server selection, including 37 static IP servers and 12 dual multihop (double-VPN) server pairs.
- Enables the VPN by default for specific apps and websites with the Route via VPN feature.
- Operates 100% RAM-only servers that discard usage logs upon reboot.
- Supports anonymous payments via cryptocurrencies.
- Offers numerous additional complimentary and paid features for increased privacy.
Disadvantages of Surfshark
- Encountered slower speeds with Surfshark compared to IPVanish when connected to my optimal server.
- Does not support split tunneling for a whole domain.
- Gathers and temporarily holds onto usage logs that could be handed over to law enforcement authorities.
- The automated chatbot support may be challenging to navigate.
Pros and cons of IPVanish
Advantages of IPVanish
- The monthly plan is slightly more economical than Surfshark’s.
- Delivered superior speeds when linked to my optimal server.
- The split tunneling feature allows entire domains to evade the VPN.
- Only retains usage logs if legally compelled.
- Provides an intuitive support experience with live chat and phone options.
Disadvantages of IPVanish
- Does not offer static IPs or double-VPN features.
- Domain-level split tunneling is not accessible on all platforms.
- Does not accept anonymous cryptocurrency payments.
- Lacks numerous features and additional products available in Surfshark.
Is Surfshark or IPVanish suitable for your organization?
Opt for Surfshark if:
- You operate as a journalist, political activist, or require maximum anonymity.
- Require a static IP address to avoid blockades and captcha tests.
- Seek additional security and privacy functionalities, such as a fake identity generator or anti-malware software.
Opt for IPVanish if:
- You are a home or business user seeking enhanced privacy or a method to access streaming content from different regions.
- You need top VPN speeds and are comfortable using a local server.
- You desire access to responsive customer support.
Methodology for reviews
I assessed Surfshark VPN and IPVanish based on five areas: pricing, core VPN features, user-friendliness, customer support, and practical testing. I underwent seven-day free trials of Surfshark Starter and IPVanish to evaluate their performance, functionalities, ease of use, and customer support efficiency. I verified speed and performance using an independent testing platform, and used both VPN services across a broad array of applications, browsers, and websites. Additionally, I compared my experiences against authentic customer feedback from platforms like Trustpilot.
Explore more about TechRepublic’s assessment approach for VPNs.
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