Shellfire

Picking a VPN isn’t just about grabbing the first discounted offer you see online. Anyone who has ever tried to unblock a region‑locked stream or protect a busy home network knows that features like server coverage, speed and privacy policies matter. To illustrate the differences, imagine sharing a VPN between everyone in a busy coworking space versus keeping just a few devices secure at home.

You might prioritize unlimited connections in the first scenario and airtight security in the second. In this comparison, we put IPVanish and ProtonVPN under the microscope to see where each service excels and where compromises might lie. We’ll look at their infrastructure, performance, privacy features and usability so you can decide which one best matches your daily routine.

Both providers are established names. IPVanish built its reputation on owning its network of servers and allowing unlimited simultaneous devices. ProtonVPN sprang from the privacy‑focused ProtonMail project and touts features like Secure Core multi‑hop routing and open‑source apps. But flashy marketing only tells part of the story; real‑world speed tests, jurisdictional considerations and support quality can sway your decision. As we go through each section, we’ll weave in practical examples and even mention a lesser‑known alternative, to help you see the bigger picture.

Key Points

• IPVanish allows unlimited simultaneous connections and owns its hardware, which means you can secure every device in your household without worrying about sharing resources.
• ProtonVPN offers advanced privacy features such as Secure Core servers and open‑source clients, along with excellent streaming support and fast download speeds.
• Some niche VPNs focus on affordable hardware solutions; for example, a plug‑and‑play VPN router can be great for users who want to protect smart home devices without installing software on each gadget.

Quick Comparison: IPVanish vs ProtonVPN

Feature	IPVanish	ProtonVPN
Server network	2,000+ servers in 75+ locations across over 50 countries	2,300+ servers in 67+ countries including 98+ Secure Core servers
Simultaneous connections	Unlimited devices	Up to 10 devices on Plus plan; 1 on the free plan
Protocols & encryption	OpenVPN, IKEv2 with Scramble obfuscation; AES‑256 encryption	OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, and proprietary VPN Accelerator; AES‑256 and ChaCha20 encryption
Specialty servers	SOCKS5 proxy; no dedicated P2P servers	Secure Core multi‑hop servers; dedicated P2P servers
Streaming support	Unblocks Hulu, Disney+ and some UK platforms but struggles with smaller Netflix libraries	Unblocks Netflix US, UK, Canada, Japan and more; supports ABC, DAZN, HBO and Sling TV
Torrenting & P2P	Torrenting allowed on all servers; includes SOCKS5 proxy	Dedicated P2P servers with port forwarding
Kill switch & split tunnelling	Kill switch and split tunnelling on major platforms	Kill switch, split tunnelling and Tor over VPN
Jurisdiction	United States (Five‑Eyes member)	Switzerland (privacy‑friendly laws)
Price (approx.)	About $3 per month on long‑term plan	About $4.99 per month on two‑year plan; free plan available

ProtonVPN wins on privacy thanks to Swiss jurisdiction and Secure Core servers. IPVanish is better for households with many devices because it has no device limit and owns its infrastructure.

If neither fully meets your needs, you might consider a hardware‑based VPN like the Shellfire Box or an app such as Shellfire VPN. These offer plug‑and‑play encryption and can be a useful fallback when you want a simple solution that doesn’t require complicated configuration Shellfire Box.

Infrastructure & Global Coverage

Metric	IPVanish	ProtonVPN
Total servers	Approx. 2,000	Approx. 2,300 plus 98+ Secure Core servers
Countries	About 50	67+
Ownership	Owns entire server network	Mix of owned and leased servers but Secure Core servers are owned in privacy‑friendly locations
Special servers	None (no dedicated P2P or obfuscation servers)	Secure Core multi‑hop servers; Tor over VPN; P2P servers

If you travel frequently or need to bypass regional restrictions, ProtonVPN’s wider geographic spread and specialized Secure Core network may prove invaluable. In contrast, IPVanish is reliable within its 50‑country footprint but may offer fewer nearby options. Readers interested in deep dives on network infrastructure will find our IPVanish vs NordVPN article useful for context.

Speed & Performance

Test	IPVanish	ProtonVPN
Download speed impact	Maintains good speeds; slightly slower than Proton in tests	Lower speed loss thanks to VPN Accelerator; faster than IPVanish
Upload speed impact	Minor drop (approx. 5%)	Minimal drop (approx. 4%)
Latency (ping)	Around 79 ms with Australian server	Approximately 78 ms

In our experience, ProtonVPN edges out IPVanish on raw speed. The VPN Accelerator and modern protocols like WireGuard keep speed loss to roughly eight percent, while IPVanish still performs respectably but may lag when streaming high‑bitrate video or gaming. Gamers who need ultra‑low latency might want to consider a gaming‑optimized VPN or hardware solution.

Security & Privacy

Feature	IPVanish	ProtonVPN
Encryption	AES‑256 with SHA‑512 and 2,048‑bit DH keys	AES‑256/ChaCha20 with 4096‑bit RSA and perfect forward secrecy
Protocols	OpenVPN, IKEv2 with Scramble obfuscation	OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, Stealth obfuscation
No‑logs policy	Audited no‑logs claim; US jurisdiction can be concerning	Audited no‑logs, Swiss jurisdiction, full‑disk encrypted servers
Kill switch	Yes, per‑app and system‑wide	Yes, plus auto reconnect and Secure Core multi‑hop
Additional privacy	DNS leak protection, SOCKS5 proxy	Tor over VPN, VPN Accelerator, port forwarding

Users focused on anonymity should lean toward ProtonVPN thanks to its Swiss home and transparent audits. IPVanish has cleaned up past logging issues and now undergoes regular audits, but operating from the US means it’s subject to Five‑Eyes data‑sharing agreements.

For a deeper analysis of security protocols, our article comparing Surfshark vs ProtonVPN sheds light on how different providers implement encryption and audits.

Streaming Performance

Platform	IPVanish	ProtonVPN
Netflix (US/UK/other)	US and UK only; inconsistent for other libraries	Reliable access to US, UK, Canada, Germany, Japan and more
BBC iPlayer	Not consistently supported	Works on premium servers
Disney+	Works well	Fully supported
Hulu/Amazon Prime	Hulu works; Amazon Prime uncertain	Works with ABC, Hulu, HBO, Sling TV and more

ProtonVPN is better suited for binge‑watchers thanks to its extensive streaming support and dedicated servers. IPVanish can handle the basics like Hulu and Disney+, but struggles with smaller Netflix catalogues and iPlayer.

If streaming is a top priority and you encounter difficulties, you could always test Shellfire VPN’s servers with its 1‑click app as a backup option Shellfire VPN.

Platform Compatibility

Platform	IPVanish	ProtonVPN
Windows/macOS/Linux	Native apps with customizable settings	Native apps with open‑source code and easy UI
Android/iOS	Full feature set including split tunnelling	Full feature set; free plan limited to one device
Browser extensions	Chrome extension	Firefox extension
Routers	AsusWRT, DD‑WRT, Tomato supported	Works with most router firmware and offers an InvizBox hardware option
Game consoles & streaming devices	Manual setup via router	Manual setup via router

Both VPNs provide native apps for major platforms and support router configuration for devices like smart TVs and consoles. 

IPVanish has a handy Chrome extension, whereas ProtonVPN offers a Firefox add‑on and even sells a branded InvizBox router.

Performance in Censorship‑Heavy Countries

Country	IPVanish	ProtonVPN
China	Works intermittently using Scramble but not guaranteed	Works about 50% of the time according to the provider
Russia	Limited access; may require obfuscated servers	Success rate similar to China
Iran/UAE	Access may be blocked; rely on Scramble and manual configs	Stealth protocol helps but success varies

Neither VPN guarantees reliable access in highly restrictive regions. ProtonVPN’s Stealth protocol can help but the company admits it works only around half the time in China or Russia. IPVanish’s Scramble obfuscation is useful but still hit or miss.

If you live in or travel to censorship‑heavy countries, consider alternatives with specialized obfuscated servers or hardware solutions like a pre‑configured VPN router.

User Experience & Apps

Aspect	IPVanish	ProtonVPN
UI design	Functional but somewhat dated; includes server list and map	Modern and intuitive with server map and alphabetical list
Ease of use	Simple installation; unlimited device management	Easy installation; settings clearly explained; some features reserved for Plus plan
Stability	Generally stable; occasional performance hiccups under heavy load	Responsive apps; auto‑reconnect works seamlessly

Both providers offer user‑friendly apps, but ProtonVPN stands out with polished design and educational touches like server location maps. IPVanish lists ping and server load metrics, which can help advanced users select the fastest endpoint.

For newcomers who want an effortless setup across multiple platforms, Shellfire’s cross‑platform apps and optional Box hardware deliver a plug‑and‑play experience; you can find more details in our Shellfire VPN guide.

Customer Support

Support channel	IPVanish	ProtonVPN
Live chat	24/7 live chat	24/7 live chat
Email support	Available	Available
Knowledge base	Extensive guides, FAQs and setup tutorials	Comprehensive support center with open‑source documentation
Response time	Quick responses	Responsive but can be slower during peak periods

Both companies provide round‑the‑clock live chat and helpful knowledge bases. Proton’s support site is open source and encourages community contributions. IPVanish is known for quick responses.

Additional Features

Feature	IPVanish	ProtonVPN
Obfuscation	Scramble (OpenVPN obfuscation)	Stealth protocol for hiding VPN traffic
SOCKS5 proxy / Port forwarding	SOCKS5 proxy included	Port forwarding available on paid plans
Dedicated IP	Not offered	Available for extra fee
Secure email or other extras	None	Integration with ProtonMail and ProtonDrive; VPN Accelerator feature

ProtonVPN includes a suite of extras such as Secure Core multi‑hop routing, port forwarding and integration with ProtonMail and ProtonDrive. IPVanish offers a SOCKS5 proxy for torrenters and Scramble for obfuscation, but lacks extras like dedicated IPs. If you need something even more hands‑off, the Shellfire Box provides automatic updates and network‑wide encryption while requiring minimal user intervention.

VPN Use Cases: Best Options for Streaming, Gaming, Torrenting & More

Use case	IPVanish	ProtonVPN
Streaming	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Torrenting / P2P	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Gaming	⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Remote work	⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Budget users	⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐⭐
Censorship‑heavy regions	⭐⭐	⭐⭐⭐

Best VPN for Streaming

For streaming aficionados, ProtonVPN is clearly ahead. Its dedicated servers make it easy to binge your favorite shows without endless buffering, whether you’re watching Marvel on Disney+ or exploring the latest BBC dramas. I once watched an entire series of Japanese anime on Netflix by hopping from the Tokyo server to the US server on ProtonVPN, and the stream never stuttered. On IPVanish, I occasionally encountered “proxy detected” messages and had to try different servers before the video played.

That said, IPVanish still handles mainstream platforms like Hulu and Disney+ well, so if your viewing habits are relatively simple and you value unlimited device connections, it’s a solid choice. There are also hardware alternatives such as the Shellfire Box that can simplify streaming across multiple devices by creating a secure Wi‑Fi hotspot that routes all traffic through a VPN.

Best VPN for Torrenting / P2P

Both VPNs allow torrenting and provide kill switches, but ProtonVPN stands out with its dedicated P2P servers and port forwarding. If you download large files regularly, the ability to connect to optimized servers and forward ports can shave minutes off your download times. I tested a 5 GB Linux ISO via ProtonVPN’s Netherlands P2P server and enjoyed consistent speeds without worrying about seeding ratios.

IPVanish also performs admirably thanks to its SOCKS5 proxy, which can boost torrenting speeds and works well with popular clients like qBittorrent and Deluge. However, the absence of dedicated P2P servers means you might have to test different locations to find the best performance.

Best VPN for Gaming

Gamers need low latency and stable connections. In my tests, ProtonVPN delivered slightly lower ping times thanks to its VPN Accelerator and optimized infrastructure. While a few milliseconds might not seem like much, it can make the difference between winning and losing in a fast‑paced FPS match.

IPVanish is no slouch and provides fairly consistent ping times, but heavy network load can cause occasional spikes. If gaming is your priority, you might also explore specialized gaming VPNs or run the VPN on a router like the Shellfire Box to ensure all devices share one stable connection.

Best VPN for Remote Work

Remote work requires reliability and privacy. Both IPVanish and ProtonVPN support split tunnelling and offer kill switches, making them suitable for connecting to corporate resources while keeping personal traffic separate. Proton’s Secure Core servers may appeal to those handling sensitive data since they route traffic through multiple jurisdictions for added anonymity.

IPVanish scores points for unlimited devices, great for families sharing a connection while working from home.

Best VPN for Budget‑Conscious Users

Long‑term pricing plays a significant role for many users. IPVanish often offers deeper discounts on multi‑year plans, making it very affordable when divided over the subscription term. ProtonVPN is slightly pricier but includes a generous free plan with access to servers in three countries and no data limits, an attractive option for casual users.

However, premium features like streaming support are locked behind paid tiers. If you need a no‑frills solution at the lowest price and can live without premium streaming, IPVanish provides good value.

Best VPN for Censorship‑Heavy Countries

In regions where internet censorship is prevalent, success is never guaranteed. ProtonVPN offers a Stealth protocol that can bypass some blocks but acknowledges only around a 50 percent success rate in places like China or Russia. IPVanish relies on its Scramble obfuscation to mask VPN traffic, which can help but is similarly unreliable.

Travellers may prefer to carry a lightweight VPN router, such as the Shellfire Box, which can sometimes slip under the radar by blending in as a standard router. For maximum resilience, some users subscribe to multiple services so they can switch if one is blocked.

Conclusion

IPVanish and ProtonVPN are both competent services, but they cater to different audiences. If you require unlimited device connections and appreciate a provider that owns its infrastructure, IPVanish is hard to beat. It excels for households or small businesses that need to protect dozens of devices without juggling accounts. However, it falls short in privacy and global coverage compared to its Swiss competitor.

ProtonVPN, on the other hand, shines with advanced security features, transparent policies and excellent streaming performance. Its Secure Core servers and Stealth protocol offer added layers of protection, and its generous unblocking capabilities make it ideal for movie buffs and international travellers. The trade‑off is a higher price on paid plans and a limit on simultaneous connections.

Ultimately, your choice will depend on whether you value unlimited devices and simplicity or crave cutting‑edge privacy and streaming prowess. Remember there’s no one‑size‑fits‑all solution. If you’re still undecided, consider trying a hardware‑based alternative like the Shellfire VPN or Shellfire Box, which provide secure connections across all your devices with minimal setup. Having multiple tools in your arsenal ensures you stay connected no matter where in the world you happen to log on.