We tested IPVanish (3.5/5) and Surfshark (4.1/5) across speed, privacy, streaming, and price. Surfshark leads on overall score. Here is what drives the gap.
| Criteria | IPVanish | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 3.5/5 | 4.1/5 ★ |
| Jurisdiction | USA | Netherlands |
| 14-Eyes / 5-Eyes | Five | Nine |
| No-logs policy | Audited 5/5 | Audited 5/5 |
| Speed score | 4/5 | 5/5 ★ |
| Protocols score | 5/5 ★ | 4/5 |
| Streaming score | 2/5 | 4.5/5 ★ |
| Leak protection | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| RAM-only servers | 3/5 | 5/5 ★ |
| Encryption score | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Security subtotal | 4.0/5 | 4.8/5 ★ |
| Trust subtotal | 3.0/5 | 3.0/5 |
| Price (monthly) | $12.99/mo | $15.45/mo |
| Price (1-year total) | $39.99/yr | $38.28/yr |
| Price (2-year total) | $52.56/yr | $47.76/yr |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes, 30 days | Yes, 30 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 Surfshark wins
Surfshark counters on speed (5/5 vs 4/5), privacy and security (4.8/5 vs 4.0/5). Its streaming (4.5/5 vs 2/5) makes it the stronger option for certain users.
Who should pick what
For streaming, Surfshark is the better bet (4.5/5). For privacy-first users, Surfshark scores higher on security (4.8/5). If price is the main constraint, Surfshark has the better value score (4.0/5).
Want to compare all VPNs side by side? Check our full VPN comparison table with scores across 18 criteria.
Pick Surfshark. It scores 4.1/5 vs 3.5/5 for IPVanish, with a clear edge on streaming. IPVanish is not a bad VPN, but Surfshark wins this matchup. See Surfshark'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 Surfshark review for more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
Surfshark is the better streaming option, with a 4.5/5 streaming score. If streaming is your main use case, check our [best VPN for Netflix](/blog/best-vpn-netflix-2026/) guide.
Surfshark scores higher on security (4.8/5). IPVanish is based in USA (Audited), Surfshark in Netherlands (Audited).
Our pricing score gives IPVanish 3.5/5 and Surfshark 4.0/5. IPVanish is $12.99/mo monthly or $39.99/yr per year. Surfshark is $15.45/mo monthly or $38.28/yr per year. Both include a money-back guarantee.