IPVanish vs Proton VPN: Pricing and Ratings Compared (2026)
Entry prices and free plans as read on each vendor's pricing page, and user ratings as published on review sites, for IPVanish and Proton VPN side by side. This page compares data; it is not a hands-on review.
On the data: On the data below, Proton VPN leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
Based on published vendor pricing and features and on public review data, here's who should pick what:
IPVanish
Digital Security, Privacy, & Freedom with VPN, Secure Browser, and Cloud Storage.
Best for you if:
- • You want comprehensive security suite with VPN, secure browser, and cloud storage
Proton VPN
Swiss privacy protection with unlimited bandwidth
Best for you if:
- • You want a free tier before you commit
| At a Glance | ||
|---|---|---|
Starts at | From $2.19/mo, billed monthly Essential (2-Year Plan) plan | Free plan, paid from $6.99/mo, billed yearly VPN Plus plan |
Category | VPN Security | VPN Security |
Rating | 4.1/5 Trustpilot 4.0 · SourceForge 3.9 · Capterra 4.5 750 reviews | 4.3/5 G2 4.3 5 reviews |
Free plan | No | Yes |
Watch out for | n/a | Monthly pricing ($9.99/month) is 3.3x more expensive than the 2-year rate. Casual users testing the service for a few months pay a significant premium. |
Choose IPVanish or Proton VPN?
Choose IPVanish if
- You want comprehensive security suite with VPN, secure browser, and cloud storage
- You want strong privacy features like RAM-only servers and Double Hop VPN
Choose Proton VPN if
- You want a free tier before you commit
- You want secure VPN
- You want swiss-based
In-Depth Analysis
IPVanish
Digital Security, Privacy, & Freedom with VPN, Secure Browser, and Cloud Storage.
IPVanish offers a fair pricing structure, especially with its long-term plans.
Strengths
- Pro: Comprehensive security suite with VPN, secure browser, and cloud storage.
- Pro: Strong privacy features like RAM-only servers and Double Hop VPN.
- Pro: Dedicated apps for various devices, including Apple TV and Fire TV.
- Pro: Threat Protection blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites.
- Pro: Includes eSIM data for secure mobile connectivity.
Weaknesses
- Con: Cloud storage and secure browser are only available in higher-tier plans.
- Con: Pricing can be higher for monthly plans compared to longer commitments.
- Con: Some advanced features like TV Kill Switch are app-specific.
Key features
Proton VPN
Swiss privacy protection with unlimited bandwidth
Proton VPN is the strongest privacy-first VPN on the market, and the 2-year plan at $2.99/month makes it one of the cheapest premium options too.
Watch out
Monthly pricing ($9.99/month) is 3.3x more expensive than the 2-year rate. Casual users testing the service for a few months pay a significant premium.
Strengths
- Pro: Secure VPN
- Pro: Swiss-based
- Pro: Good privacy
- Pro: Free tier
- Pro: Active development
Weaknesses
- Con: Slower than some
- Con: Limited free servers
- Con: Expensive premium
- Con: Server availability
- Con: Better alternatives exist
Key features
Plans and prices: IPVanish vs Proton VPN
| Tool | Plans and prices | Source |
|---|---|---|
| IPVanish |
| ipvanish.com/pricing read Oct 22, 2026 |
| Proton VPN |
| protonvpn.com/pricing read Oct 15, 2026 |
Prices as read on each vendor's own pricing page on the date shown. Plans are listed per tool and are not matched against the other tool's plans: a plan name or price in one column says nothing about the same row in the other. Details on IPVanish pricing and Proton VPN pricing.
Key Takeaways
IPVanish
- Choose if you want digital Security, Privacy, & Freedom with VPN, Secure Browser, and Cloud Storage
Proton VPN
- Has a free plan
What the data shows
On the data below, Proton VPN leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair.
- User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.1/5 from 750 reviews for IPVanish, 4.3/5 from 5 reviews for Proton VPN; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides).
- Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: IPVanish $2.19/mo, billed monthly; Proton VPN $6.99/mo, billed yearly.
- Only Proton VPN has a free plan.
Criteria: user rating (only above 20 reviews on both sides, gap of 0.2 or more), entry price (only on the same billing basis), free plan. How we rate
Frequently Asked Questions
How do IPVanish and Proton VPN compare in 2026?
On the data below, Proton VPN leads on a free plan. We do not name an overall winner for this pair. User ratings rest on too few reviews to rank (4.1/5 from 750 reviews for IPVanish, 4.3/5 from 5 reviews for Proton VPN; we compare ratings only above 20 reviews on both sides). Entry prices are not ranked, they are charged on different bases: IPVanish $2.19/mo, billed monthly; Proton VPN $6.99/mo, billed yearly. Only Proton VPN has a free plan.
What are IPVanish and Proton VPN used for?
IPVanish: Digital Security, Privacy, & Freedom with VPN, Secure Browser, and Cloud Storage. Proton VPN: Swiss privacy protection with unlimited bandwidth.
What does IPVanish cost vs Proton VPN?
IPVanish's cheapest paid plan is Essential (2-Year Plan) at $2.19/mo, billed monthly. Proton VPN's cheapest paid plan is VPN Plus at $6.99/mo, billed yearly; it also has a free plan. Prices read on the vendors' pricing pages, latest check Oct 22, 2026.
What's the main difference between IPVanish and Proton VPN?
IPVanish's main strength: comprehensive security suite with VPN, secure browser, and cloud storage. Proton VPN's main strength: secure VPN.