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Private Internet Access vs IPVanish VPN 2023

Table of Contents
    Rated: 9.5/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Rated: 9.2/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Daniel Krohn
    Daniel Krohn

    Cybersecurity Researcher

    IPVanish and PIA are both among the highest-ranked premium VPNs. They use AES 256-bit encryption level and trusted security protocols like OpenVPN and WireGuard. Both are based in the US, which isn’t the most privacy-friendly location. However, they don’t keep logs of any data that can be linked back to you.

    PIA has one of the biggest server networks out there, with 29,650 servers around the world, including in all US states. Its apps are highly customizable and include tons of options, from choosing the encryption level (128-bit or 256-bit) to switching between ports or light and dark modes.

    IPVanish can be used on an unlimited number of devices simultaneously and offers easy-to-use apps for all major platforms. It also owns its entire server network to avoid third-party meddling and completely protect your privacy.

    Rating

    Features 9.5/10
    Pricing 9.5/10
    Ease of Use 9.6/10
    Reliability & Support 9.7/10
    Features 9.2/10
    Pricing 9.2/10
    Ease of Use 9.4/10
    Reliability & Support 9.3/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Angela Jovanoska
    Angela Jovanoska

    Cybersecurity Researcher

    9.1/10

    Private Internet Access has one of the cheapest VPN subscriptions available — you can sign up for as little as $2.03/month. With such a low price, I wondered whether PIA could really stand out against its higher-priced competitors. It’s been around for 10+ years, so it could be one of the best-value VPNs out there. I decided to find out just how good it is by looking into the company’s lo...

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    Latest positive user review
    E
    Ez
    10.0/10
    Best VPN Out on The Market

    I like PIA VPN the best for the following reasons: ● It's a reliable and trustworthy policy; they don... 't record anything harmful to you; strict no logs. ● I've been using it for one month and there are specific times when it speeds up my internet speed (varies by internet) ● It's a distinctive feature of DIP (dedicated IP) - I think not many popular VPNs have this feature, I also purchased this feature to avoid getting the captcha verification and it never showed up ever since. It's only been a month using this VPN but as I gain more experience with this client, I'm pretty sure I will find more good features and utilize them. Thanks for having read my review:)More

    Latest negative user review
    M
    Mike Johnson
    2.0/10
    PIA no longer works on Amazon Fire devices.

    I have used PIA for several years with no issues. Currently, amazon fire devices can no longer sign i... n to the account. Used on 3 TVs with 3 different fire devices with the same result. There is no way to resolve the issue.More

    Read the full review
    More Info
    Review by our expert
    Author Image Keira Waddell
    Keira Waddell

    Senior Writer

    9.2/10

    IPVanish offers high-speed connections and an impressive list of advanced security features at a budget-friendly price. So, I was eager to test it out for myself. I carefully studied its privacy policy and thoroughly tested its speeds, security features, and streaming capabilities. I also looked into its network coverage and ease of use before putting its customer service team to the test. ...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    S
    Stu Taylor
    10.0/10
    Very, very satisfied

    I am into my third year of using IPVanish. I am extremely happy with the speed, reliability, features ... and reliability. The fact that I have used it for this long without trying the competition speaks volumes. I am never going to try anything else because I am completely happy with what I have. Why risk it?More

    Latest negative user review
    B
    Beth Gray
    2.0/10
    Misleading, false advertising, don't honor guarantee. BEWARE

    IP address and region not effectively blocked on most sites. Streaming sites do NOT work with their se... rvices, but they do not disclose that anywhere on their website. The support team had no idea in terms of technical knowledge. They claim that their 30-day guarantee is unconditional and there is no risk, but they have so many exclusions buried in their fine print that the average user would have huge difficulty finding. They advertise on many streaming how-to websites where they KNOW their services do not work. COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY. If I could give less than one star I would. SO unethical.More

    Read the full review
    More Info

    Pricing

    Starting price $2.03/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license Unlimited devices
    See Plans
    Starting price $2.49/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license Unlimited devices
    See Plans

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    The battle is really close between these two VPNs. They both offer reliable servers, fast speeds, and advanced security features. Also, they are reliable in unblocking the most popular streaming services. Overall, PIA is slightly better than IPVanish because it offers more servers (29,650 as opposed to IPVanish's 2,200) and more customizability on its apps. But IPVanish is a good choice for VPN beginners.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    PIA and IPVanish are both good choices for torrenting and allow P2P on all their servers. They offer reliable kill switches and strict no-logs policies, which means your data remains safe and private at all times. They're also fast and consistent. PIA additionally offers port forwarding, which is a good addition for torrenting, so that's what makes it a winner in this category.

    Best VPN for Windows

    Both VPNs deliver highly functional and customizable Windows clients with advanced features, including a kill switch, and port switching. PIA also comes with the MACE feature to block malware, ads, and trackers. However, IPVanish has separate IPv6 and DNS leak protection features that you can easily enable them in one click, making it a better choice of the two.

    Best VPN for Android

    PIA is at a slight advantage thanks to its attractive, simplistic, yet highly customizable interface that also offers quick settings, making it quite convenient. However, both VPNs have excellent apps for Android. Both offer multiple security protocols (including OpenVPN and WireGuard), a kill switch, and split tunneling.

    Best VPN for Mac

    PIA and IPVanish offer very good macOS apps packed with a lot of features and customization options. They're both intuitive and user-friendly, so it's a very close battle. The only reason why I'd choose PIA for Mac is that it offers 2 kill switches, which is quite unique.

    Best VPN for iOS

    PIA is a clear winner, with an iOS app that’s almost identical to the Android version. You get a great choice of VPN protocols, along with a kill switch, and Safari content blocker. Both apps are easy to install and use, but IPVanish doesn’t offer a kill switch.

    Best VPN for USA

    Both VPNs are a good choice because they offer consistent speeds and are reliable at unblocking the most popular streaming sites, including Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+. However, PIA wins this category because it has more US servers than IPVanish. In fact, PIA has servers in all US states, which is quite rare for a VPN.

    The Bottom Line

    PIA is the winner, though not by much. Both providers provide very good security features and free proxy servers, and both score well in our reviews. Additionally, they offer consistent speeds and allow torrenting on all their servers. The main difference between them is in their app layout for different devices. IPVanish doesn't offer a kill switch on iOS, while PIA does, which is a big plus. PIA also offers port forwarding on its Windows app, which is something that IPVanish lacks. Nevertheless, they're both good options for streaming and they keep your data private with their strict no-logs policies regardless of the fact that they're based in the US (inside the 5 Eyes Alliance).

    Time to decide which one is best for you

    Go with Private Internet Access
    Go with IPVanish VPN
    Or click here to check best VPNs, rated by {{review_count}} users

    FAQ

    Is Private Internet Access better than IPVanish VPN?

    Yes, Private Internet Access is better overall than IPVanish VPN. It has 29650 servers in 84 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $2.03 a month.

    What should I keep in mind when choosing between Private Internet Access and IPVanish VPN?

    When choosing a VPN, you want to pay close attention to its number of servers, overall speed score, pricing, and the number of simultaneous device connections it offers. While some VPNs provide a flawless online experience, others will really slow you down.

    If you’re ready to commit, then Private Internet Access may be perfect for you due to its performance during the tests .

    Is Private Internet Access faster than IPVanish VPN?

    Yes, Private Internet Access is faster than IPVanish VPN. Since your VPN is your computer’s main connection to the internet, you need to use a service that won’t slow you down by more than 20%.

    If speeds are important to you, then I recommend you take a look at ExpressVPN. It’s the fastest service out there, provides unlimited bandwidth, and you won’t experience any slowdowns even when you connect to the other side of the planet. You can try it out risk-free. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if you don’t like it.

    Do Private Internet Access or IPVanish VPN offer any deals?

    Both Private Internet Access and IPVanish VPN offer deals on occasion. You can check out the current coupons and discounts here. However, ExpressVPN has the best deals. Right now, you can get a 49% discount and up to 3 months for free with a new subscription.

    About the Author

    Technical writer with a passion for online privacy.