IPVanish scores 3.5/5 overall in our tests, against 3.7/5 for Private Internet Access. The scores are close, so the right pick comes down to priorities.
| Criteria | IPVanish | Private Internet Access |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 3.5/5 | 3.7/5 ★ |
| Jurisdiction | USA | USA |
| 14-Eyes / 5-Eyes | Five | Five |
| No-logs policy | Audited 5/5 ★ | Not audited 4/5 |
| Speed score | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Protocols score | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Streaming score | 2/5 | 3.5/5 ★ |
| Leak protection | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| RAM-only servers | 3/5 | 5/5 ★ |
| Encryption score | 5/5 ★ | 2/5 |
| Security subtotal | 4.0/5 ★ | 3.8/5 |
| Trust subtotal | 3.0/5 ★ | 2.0/5 |
| Price (monthly) | $12.99/mo | $11.95/mo |
| Price (1-year total) | $39.99/yr | $39.95/yr |
| Price (2-year total) | $52.56/yr | $52.56/yr |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes, 30 days | Yes, 30 days |
| Pricing score | 3.5/5 | 4.0/5 ★ |
Where IPVanish wins
Where IPVanish pulls ahead: privacy and security (4.0/5 vs 3.8/5), transparency and trust (3.0/5 vs 2.0/5). If those criteria matter most to you, IPVanish is the stronger pick.
Where Private Internet Access wins
Private Internet Access’s strongest argument is streaming (3.5/5 vs 2/5). It also leads on value for money (4.0/5 vs 3.5/5) and features (4.3/5 vs 3.0/5).
Who should pick what
Both VPNs cover the basics well. IPVanish is the stronger pick for speed, while Private Internet Access makes more sense if you need features. 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.
For most users, Private Internet Access (3.7/5) is the better pick. Its advantage over IPVanish (3.5/5) comes from stronger streaming performance. The only reason to go with IPVanish is if speed matters most to you. Get Private Internet Access risk-free.
For more context, check our full VPN comparison table or the best cheap VPN guide. Read our full IPVanish review for a complete breakdown. See our Private Internet Access review for more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Private Internet Access scores 3.7/5 vs 3.5/5 for IPVanish. Private Internet Access leads on features. That said, IPVanish may be the better fit if speed is your main priority.
In our speed tests, IPVanish scores 4/5 and Private Internet Access scores 4/5. Both score equally on speed.
IPVanish costs $12.99/mo month-to-month, or $39.99/yr for a 1-year plan. Private Internet Access is $11.95/mo monthly, or $39.95/yr per year. Both offer a money-back guarantee.