Our data puts IPVanish at 3.5/5 and NordVPN at 4.6/5. On paper, NordVPN wins. In practice, the better choice depends on whether you care more about streaming vs features.
| Criteria | IPVanish | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 3.5/5 | 4.6/5 ★ |
| Jurisdiction | USA | Panama |
| 14-Eyes / 5-Eyes | Five | No |
| No-logs policy | Audited 5/5 | Audited 5/5 |
| Speed score | 4/5 | 5/5 ★ |
| Protocols score | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Streaming score | 2/5 | 5/5 ★ |
| Leak protection | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| RAM-only servers | 3/5 | 5/5 ★ |
| Encryption score | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Security subtotal | 4.0/5 | 5.0/5 ★ |
| Trust subtotal | 3.0/5 | 4.7/5 ★ |
| Price (monthly) | $12.99/mo | $12.99/mo |
| Price (1-year total) | $39.99/yr | $59.88/yr |
| Price (2-year total) | $52.56/yr | $83.43/yr |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes, 30 days | Yes, 60 days |
| Pricing score | 3.5/5 | 4.0/5 ★ |
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 NordVPN wins
NordVPN outscores IPVanish on speed (5/5 vs 4/5) and privacy and security (5.0/5 vs 4.0/5). For users who care about those factors, NordVPN is worth considering.
Who should pick what
Pick IPVanish if speed matters most. Pick NordVPN if streaming is the priority. On a pure score basis, NordVPN is the safer default.
Want to compare all VPNs side by side? Check our full VPN comparison table with scores across 18 criteria.
Pick NordVPN. It scores 4.6/5 vs 3.5/5 for IPVanish, with a clear edge on streaming. IPVanish is not a bad VPN, but NordVPN wins this matchup. See NordVPN's current deal.
For more context, check our full VPN comparison table or the best VPN for streaming guide. Read our full IPVanish review for a complete breakdown. See our NordVPN review for more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
NordVPN is the better streaming option, with a 5/5 streaming score. If streaming is your main use case, check our [best VPN for Netflix](/blog/best-vpn-netflix-2026/) guide.
NordVPN scores higher on security (5.0/5). IPVanish is based in USA (Audited), NordVPN in Panama (Audited).
Our pricing score gives IPVanish 3.5/5 and NordVPN 4.0/5. IPVanish is $12.99/mo monthly or $39.99/yr per year. NordVPN is $12.99/mo monthly or $59.88/yr per year. Both include a money-back guarantee.