Total VPN vs IPVanish: Which provider is better?

IPVanish and TotalVPN are premium VPN providers with large global user bases. Both services deliver strong security, fast speed, and reliable encryption to protect against surveillance, intrusive ads, and ISP tracking. They each include essential privacy tools like a kill switch, split tunneling, and leak protection, making them dependable for streaming, torrenting, and everyday browsing.

IPVanish focuses on advanced features, including a verified no-logs policy, self-owned servers, fast speeds, and split tunneling. TotalVPN stands out for its simplicity, robust WireGuard protocol, low pricing, bundled Total AV (antivirus and malware protection), and native ad blocker.

In this detailed head-to-head comparison, we tested TotalVPN vs IPVanish across eight core categories – including speed, privacy, jurisdiction, and usability.

Whether you want the fastest VPN or the service with the strongest privacy policy, we’ve covered everything below!

Total VPN vs IPVanish: which service wins?

Our analysis revealed that these VPNs are evenly matched, with each service eclipsing the other in certain categories. IPVanish is better for privacy purists who want a VPN to conceal their activities. It is also slightly faster. However, for users wanting a cheap VPN that works to unblock streams, Total VPN could be a better ticket. Both services offer robust encryption options, meaning they will both work to conceal your activities from local networks, ISPs, and other eavesdroppers.

Summary: TotalVPN and IPVanish at a glance

Methodology: How we tested TotalVPN and IPVanish

Comparing two VPNs can be a bit of a headache, and which is better for you can be subjective. Some users prioritize streaming access, while others want airtight privacy or maximum speed. To keep things fair, we battled these two VPNs using a consistent method (that we always use when comparing VPNs head to head). Our process covers seven key areas:

• Speed: We measured performance by comparing servers in multiple regions and at different times of day. We used these to arrive at realistic averages. Each VPN was tested on a dedicated test server and a standard home broadband connection. This allowed us to learn both its top speeds and its performance under everyday conditions.
• Network size: We consider the breadth and depth of each VPN’s network. We take into account both server numbers, but more importantly, network coverage. A wider choice of locations means easier access to a wider pool of IP addresses and the ability to access local services in those regions.  We compared how many regions each VPN covers and how easy it is to find nearby servers for better speeds.
• Platform support: We know everyone uses the internet differently these days, so we look at whether the providers have apps for a range of platforms, including desktop, mobile, game consoles, and smart TVs. We also look at how well-designed and user-friendly those apps are.
• Security and privacy: We examined the strength of each VPN’s encryption, leak protection, and kill switch, as well as its logging policy. Our goal was to confirm that both providers truly keep user data secured within the VPN tunnel – and that they process data in such a way that they won’t have usage logs to hand over should they ever receive a warrant.
• Streaming performance: These days, streaming access is a priority for many VPN users. We tested each service with major platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and Disney+ to see which regions they unlocked consistently.
• Value for money: Price alone doesn’t always tell you which VPN is better. We compared what you get for your subscription (features, connection limits, support quality, and money-back guarantees) to see which service delivers better overall value.
• Ease of use: A VPN should make getting online privacy straightforward. We compared setup time, app layout, and support options, giving extra credit to VPNs with intuitive apps and 24/7 live chat.

You can read more about our testing process in our dedicated methodology article. Below, you’ll learn how IPVanish and Total VPN performed in each of these areas. This will let you choose the VPN that best fits your priorities.

IPVanish vs TotalVPN: Price comparison

Value is one of those things that is hard to argue with. That said, paying a little extra for a dozen more features would clearly add more value. With this in mind, a price comparison can be subjective.

To keep things fair, we evaluated each provider across eight clear factors: subscription terms, lowest available price, connection limits, free trials, discounts, and refund policies. This helps to identify not only which VPN is cheaper, but which represents better long-term value.

After carefully analyzing each VPN across our eight pricing factors, we were able to ascertain that, although very close, Total VPN offered slightly better value for money. Below, you can see how we scored each VPN out of 10 for value.

TotalVPN scored 9.2/10, while IPVanish came in at 8.8/10.

Ultimately, its lower overall and monthly price helped Total VPN win this battle. It’s also worth remembering that with Total VPN, you get Total AV and Total Adblock included in the bundle. This means your $1.58 per month goes an impressively long way.

That said, IPVanish may still appeal to larger households because it allows unlimited connections.

The five simultaneous connections included with Total VPN are more than enough for most families. However, if you need VPN protection for a larger group, IPVanish could work out cheaper in the long run.

Finally, both VPNs come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means you can take either service for a test run to see how it performs on your devices and with your personal accounts — including the streaming platforms you use regularly.

Winner: TotalVPN – better introductory price and bundled extras make it the better overall deal.

Total VPN vs IPVanish: Speed and reliability comparison

Speed is one of the first things most users notice when using a VPN. If your connection comes to a crashing halt, even simple tasks like browsing or streaming become frustrating. Worse still, a sluggish VPN can cause the connection to drop altogether, running the risk of exposing your real IP address. That’s why fast speeds and rock-solid reliability are crucial for data-intensive tasks like gaming, streaming, and making video calls.

To get a realistic sense of everyday performance, our team tested both VPNs using a 250 Mbps wired setup. We measured average speeds across servers in the US, UK, and Hong Kong, using the WireGuard protocol on both services to ensure a fair comparison.

Our results showed that both VPNs delivered outstanding speeds, but the final averages told a clear story. IPVanish averaged 161.12 Mbps globally, while TotalVPN achieved 146.52 Mbps. That’s still a superb result for TotalVPN – faster than many rivals in its price range – but IPVanish maintains a solid lead overall.

The biggest gap appeared on long-distance connections. While TotalVPN stayed comfortably fast for streaming and HD playback in most regions, its speed dropped more sharply in Brazil (31.08 Mbps) and Australia (87.52 Mbps), for example.

By contrast, IPVanish maintained consistent performance across all regions, keeping latency low and avoiding major speed loss even over distance.

Global Speed Test Results: 

Verdict? We were equally impressed with both. Each worked well for HD streaming on Netflix, torrenting, and gaming. If you want a VPN fast enough for 4K streaming, large file downloads, and online gaming, you’ll be safe with either of these VPNs.

Network and server locations

IPVanish and TotalVPN both make global access to IP addresses a key part of their core offering. This makes them ideal for bypassing region locks, streaming foreign TV platforms, and using home services while on vacation.

IPVanish currently operates over 3,200 servers in more than 100 countries. TotalVPN hasn’t disclosed its total server count (though we think it’s around 1,800), but it provides access to over 100 locations across 86+ countries. (Keep in mind that you get more location choices in the standalone VPN app than in the antivirus-integrated version.)

Here’s how their coverage compares across some of the most popular regions:

Widespread US coverage

Although IPVanish covers more countries overall, TotalVPN is still impressive. It gives you options in 24 US cities, whereas IPVanish covers 19 but has around 1,300 US servers.

Both figures are impressive and beat the vast majority of competitors. Users looking for quantity of servers might want to go with IPVanish, while those looking for specific locations may prefer TotalVPN. Ultimately, both services work well for anyone looking to bypass blackout games, for example.

One advantage of IPVanish is that it owns and operates its entire server network. By contrast, TotalVPN’s infrastructure appears to rely on rented servers, and it’s unclear whether any of its servers are provided virtually.

Do Total VPN or IPVanish work in China?

Both providers support obfuscation in different ways. IPVanish uses OpenVPN Scramble to disguise VPN traffic on restrictive networks, while TotalVPN’s custom Hydra protocol provides built-in obfuscation to make VPN traffic appear like regular HTTPS.

Unfortunately, despite these obfuscation options, neither VPN offers full support for subscribers living in China. If you need to bypass the Great Firewall of China, we recommend opting for a competitor like NordVPN or Surfshark.

Network and Servers Verdict? It’s a draw! IPVanish wins for global reach, server quantity, and its self-owned infrastructure, while TotalVPN offers better US city coverage (24 locations).

App interface and multi-platform support

IPVanish app support and ease of use:

IPVanish has built apps that have a clean interface that balances simplicity with advanced control. Its apps share a dark, uniform design across Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Fire OS, Linux, and ChromeOS – providing you with useful stats like connection status, IP address, and real-time traffic. The Optimal Location button connects you to the fastest server instantly. And you can open the full server menu on the left-hand side to sort by country, city, latency, or load.

The Windows app is the most feature-rich. It offers a kill switch, split tunneling, and a choice of protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2). It also allows users to configure Double VPN (multi-hop) and connect to static IPs simply by selecting the same server number each session (this is very useful when using platforms that might get suspicious if you keep logging in from different IPs):

On Android, features such as auto-connect for untrusted wifi, Threat Protection, and Always-On VPN performed superbly in testing. The iOS app features a similar layout, including Connect On Demand and a system-level kill switch. Please note that the obfuscation (Scramble) is only for desktop use.

Linux users can connect via command line (there is a guide to set it up on the website for various distros). And IPVanish also supports installation on VPN routers, including ASUS WRT, Merlin, DD-WRT, and pfSense models. The setup guides are clear, allowing you to protect your entire home network: perfect if you want VPN access on any device that won’t let you install the VPN directly (smart TVs, consoles, etc).

Overall, IPVanish provides a smooth, unified experience across all platforms, combining one-click ease for beginners with advanced options for power users.

Total VPN app support and ease of use:

TotalVPN offers one of the simplest VPN interfaces on the market. Its design focuses on a single window, making it ideal for beginners who just want to connect and browse securely without adjusting extra settings. Once installed, you’ll see a large Connect button and a server list arranged by country and city—no complex menus, just straightforward functionality.

The VPN provides apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and tvOS (Apple TV), allowing up to five simultaneous connections. While that limit is lower than many competitors today, it’s still usually enough for most households.

You can also connect to the VPN via the TotalAV antivirus app, which is included in the bundle. The antivirus version feels slightly busier due to the added system tools, so personally, I prefer sticking with the standalone VPN app. (It also offers more server options, so it generally feels unnecessary to control it through the antivirus.)

Fewer VPN features – Good for beginners

The only drawback is for advanced users who want more features. With TotalVPN, you get the core essentials: AES-256 encryption, leak protection, and protocol selection (WireGuard, Hydra, OpenVPN, and IKEv2). On Windows, you also get an auto-connect feature for untrusted networks, which is great if you work remotely on a laptop. Still, it feels like that feature would be even more useful on the mobile apps – hopefully they roll it out there soon.

Other than that, there’s no port forwarding, no browser extensions, no Linux support, and currently no router compatibility either. If you’re hoping to cover smart TVs or consoles, your best bet is to connect on a laptop and set up a Wi-Fi hotspot.

The macOS, Android, and iOS apps share the same minimalist interface and can all unblock streaming services, though mobile users won’t find any server load metrics. A kill switch is currently included only in the antivirus version, so if you’re doing activities that require privacy, connect via the antivirus app (it should be coming to the standalone soon).

Overall, TotalVPN is best suited to beginners who want an easy life. It’s quick to install, effortless to use, and runs smoothly on all supported devices. Power users, however, might find it too bare-bones, especially for use cases that demand advanced privacy features. In that case, I’d go with IPVanish instead.

Verdict: IPVanish offers more control, deeper customization, and the widest platform compatibility, including full router support. TotalVPN is best for basic use cases like streaming, but it won’t suit advanced users who want more from their VPN.

Security and privacy

When it comes to security, both IPVanish and TotalVPN provide strong protection for everyday users, but they target slightly different audiences.

Jurisdiction

The first thing to note is that both these VPNs are based in Five Eyes countries. TotalVPN falls under the UK jurisdiction, and IPVanish is managed from the USA. This may put some privacy purists off due to the potential for warrants and gag orders, meaning that user data could be requested by authorities without users being informed.

IPVanish – robust privacy

Jurisdiction concerns aside, IPVanish is the clear leader. It offers military-grade AES-256 encryption, Perfect Forward Secrecy, and a verified no-logs policy that has been independently audited by Leviathan Security. This means that even if the US government does come knocking, the VPN will have no historical usage records to hand over. This ensures high levels of privacy.

IPVanish’s apps come with DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection, plus a kill switch (Windows, macOS, Android, and Fire TV/Android TV). Advanced features like Double VPN (multi-hop) and OpenVPN obfuscation (Scramble for OpenVPN) add additional layers of privacy, helping users bypass firewalls and restrictive networks.

IPVanish also owns and operates its entire server infrastructure, meaning no third parties ever handle your data. Combined with RAM-only TrustedServer technology and transparent labeling of virtual servers (provided using smart DNS from a server physically located elsewhere), IPVanish meets the gold standard in terms of what it has under the hood.

IPVanish also comes with a secure cloud-based browser. This lets you search the web remotely, which means that local networks and ISPs are completely unable to track the domains you visit: perfect for any web searches that require the highest levels of privacy

Total VPN – better for non-sensitive use cases

TotalVPN, by comparison, is a little basic. It uses AES-256 encryption across the board and supports secure tunneling protocols like WireGuard, Hydra, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. And the Hydra protocol offers obfuscation by default (routed over port 443 to make it look like HTTPS traffic – allowing you to connect on stricter networks).

These features ensure solid protection against local tracking, ISP monitoring, and public wifi snooping. Thus, for general privacy use (such as hiding your IP, preventing mandatory data retention by ISPs, avoiding targeted ads, and securing hotel and café connections), it’s more than adequate. However, its privacy policy is not specific about what data may be logged, and it hasn’t undergone any third-party audits.

This means that TotalVPN is better for everyday privacy rather than more sensitive use cases. It’s reliable for users who want to prevent ISPs, networks, and websites from monitoring their browsing habits. However, it’s not the right choice for journalists, activists, or users in oppressive regions. Anyone with an elevated threat model should opt for IPVanish, which offers stronger technical safeguards and more transparency.

Verdict: For regular home users, both VPNs will keep traffic private and encrypted. But if you want full peace of mind and better control over how your data is handled, IPVanish is our recommendation.

IPVanish vs Total VPN: Streaming and unblocking

TotalVPN and IPVanish are both excellent options for anybody who wants to unlock streaming services on vacation – or to watch foreign TV services and sports competitions.

In our tests, both VPNs successfully accessed Netflix libraries in multiple countries (including the US for both services). And they were both more than fast enough to stream HD content without buffering. However, TotalVPN worked with a wider range of international platforms:

We were able to use Total to watch Netflix US, UK, Japan, and Germany, along with Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and Canal+, on the first attempt. IPVanish also performed admirably, but a few regional services were non-starters:

When it comes to streaming, we recommend using the WireGuard protocol, which both VPNs include. However, from our experience, TotalVPN’s streamlined network and specialized streaming servers still give it a slight edge in playback stability and load times.

Verdict: TotalVPN takes the win thanks to its simplicity, reliability, and strong out-of-the-box unblocking capabilities.

Which is easier to use, IPVanish or Total VPN?

TotalVPN is simpler to operate, mainly because it offers fewer features. This makes it ideal for beginners who just want to connect quickly without dealing with extra settings or clutter. However, the lack of tools compared to IPVanish limits flexibility and overall use cases.

IPVanish, on the other hand, has been meticulously designed to deliver a broader range of VPN privacy tools and settings within apps that remain intuitive.

The learning curve is slightly longer because there’s more available, but it comes ready to use straight out of the box. This means you can take your time learning how to use those additional features, without needing to worry about them.

In other words, you can grow into advanced options like split tunneling and Double VPN at your own pace.

Verdict? It’s a draw. Both have been designed with ease of use at the forefront, meaning that even beginners can enjoy both services.

Which is better overall: TotalVPN or IPVanish?

It’s a draw.

IPVanish is more advanced. It offers stronger privacy tools, a verified no-logs policy, and self-managed server infrastructure. This makes it a much better option for users who want absolute control over their data. And need a VPN that can handle sensitive use cases with watertight privacy.

For this reason, we recommend IPVanish over TotalVPN for anyone wanting to bypass censorship in restrictive countries with high levels of surveillance.

TotalVPN, on the other hand, can be purchased cheaply in a bundle that comes with a full antivirus and an ad blocker. This makes it exceptional value for money. And ensures that families can get a complete online security bundle without needing to manage multiple accounts or services.

We found TotalVPN particularly useful for streaming, browsing privately, and preventing ISP tracking or local network monitoring.

It’s not designed for high-risk users. However, for most people (whether at home, traveling, or working remotely), it provides privacy in a simple, reliable package.

In short, TotalVPN is better for convenience, affordability, and entertainment. IPVanish is the stronger choice for serious privacy and bypassing censorship.

Want to test them out? You can compare them yourself by making use of their 30-day money-back guarantee, making it completely risk-free to try them on your own devices before deciding which suits you best.

Total VPN vs IPVanish FAQs