We tested IPVanish (3.5/5) and Mullvad (4.2/5) across speed, privacy, streaming, and price. Mullvad leads on overall score. Here is what drives the gap.
| Criteria | IPVanish | Mullvad |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 3.5/5 | 4.2/5 ★ |
| Jurisdiction | USA | Sweden |
| 14-Eyes / 5-Eyes | Five | Fourteen |
| No-logs policy | Audited 5/5 ★ | Audited 4/5 |
| Speed score | 4/5 | 5/5 ★ |
| Protocols score | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Streaming score | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Leak protection | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| RAM-only servers | 3/5 | 5/5 ★ |
| Encryption score | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Security subtotal | 4.0/5 | 4.6/5 ★ |
| Trust subtotal | 3.0/5 | 4.0/5 ★ |
| Price (monthly) | $12.99/mo | $5.50/mo |
| Price (1-year total) | $39.99/yr | $66.00/yr |
| Price (2-year total) | $52.56/yr | N/A |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes, 30 days | Yes, 30 days |
| Pricing score | 3.5/5 | 4.5/5 ★ |
Where IPVanish wins
IPVanish does not pull ahead on any individual scored criteria, but its 3.5/5 overall score reflects consistent performance across the board.
Where Mullvad wins
Mullvad’s strongest argument is speed (5/5 vs 4/5). It also leads on privacy and security (4.6/5 vs 4.0/5) and value for money (4.5/5 vs 3.5/5).
Who should pick what
Both VPNs cover the basics well. IPVanish is the stronger pick for speed, while Mullvad makes more sense if you need speed. When in doubt, check our VPN quiz for a personalised recommendation.
Want to compare all VPNs side by side? Check our full VPN comparison table with scores across 18 criteria.
Pick Mullvad. It scores 4.2/5 vs 3.5/5 for IPVanish, with a clear edge on transparency. IPVanish is not a bad VPN, but Mullvad wins this matchup. See Mullvad's current deal.
For more context, check our full VPN comparison table or the best VPN for privacy guide. Read our full IPVanish review for a complete breakdown. See our Mullvad review for more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
IPVanish is the better streaming option, with a 2/5 streaming score. If streaming is your main use case, check our [best VPN for Netflix](/blog/best-vpn-netflix-2026/) guide.
Mullvad scores higher on security (4.6/5). IPVanish is based in USA (Audited), Mullvad in Sweden (Audited).
Our pricing score gives IPVanish 3.5/5 and Mullvad 4.5/5. IPVanish is $12.99/mo monthly or $39.99/yr per year. Mullvad is $5.50/mo monthly or $66.00/yr per year. Both include a money-back guarantee.