Neither VPN wins for everyone. Surfshark is the stronger fit if you value its larger reported server count, RAM-only infrastructure and bundled privacy and security tools. IPVanish may suit you if its feature set fits your needs and its displayed introductory price is lower. Compare the full checkout and renewal terms before choosing: the published prices are dated, and the providers’ speed results come from different tests.
Surfshark vs. IPVanish at a glance
| What matters | Surfshark | IPVanish |
|---|---|---|
| Two-year introductory price | $2.49/month for Starter, or $59.76 over 24 months at that monthly equivalent | $2.19/month for Essential, or $52.56 over 24 months at that monthly equivalent |
| Annual introductory price | $3.39/month, or $40.68 over 12 months at that monthly equivalent | $3.33/month, or $39.96 over 12 months at that monthly equivalent |
| Reported network | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries | 3,400+ servers in 112 countries |
| Simultaneous devices | Unlimited, according to Surfshark | Unlimited, according to Tom’s Guide |
| Published audit evidence | Deloitte no-logs reviews in 2023 and 2025; a SecuRing infrastructure audit completed December 2025 | Schellman no-logs audit in 2025, as reported by Tom’s Guide |
| Speed figures available | 663.6 Mbps average download and 269.8 Mbps average upload, from Cybernews figures reported by Surfshark | 738 Mbps nearest-server median and 449 Mbps farthest-server median for WireGuard in Tom’s Guide’s test |
The price and network figures in this table come from Surfshark’s comparison, updated July 1, 2026, and are not independent measurements. Its comparison lists prices in USD. The upfront totals above are calculated from the listed monthly equivalents; your checkout total, billing terms, local currency and renewal price may differ. Surfshark’s official pricing page showed a different promotion when accessed, and the renewal amounts are not stated in the comparison. Check the final checkout screen for both providers before paying.
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Which VPN is better for your priorities?
Choose Surfshark if its additional tools and infrastructure claims matter to you
Surfshark’s reported network has more servers, while IPVanish’s has coverage in more countries. Surfshark also says its servers use RAM-only infrastructure and offers additional security tools with higher subscription tiers. Those points may tip the choice if you value them, but check which tools are included in the tier you would actually buy; a separately purchased Dedicated IP is not the same as a bundled feature.
Quick wins for a faster PC:
Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Consider IPVanish if its price and features suit your use
In Surfshark’s July comparison, IPVanish Essential had the lower introductory equivalent for both the two-year and annual terms. The gap was small on the annual term, and the figures do not establish what either provider will charge at renewal. Evaluate the plan’s included features against your needs rather than treating the lowest introductory number as the whole cost.
#1 Best Overall
- 【Five Gigabit Ports】1 Gigabit WAN Port plus 2 Gigabit WAN/LAN Ports plus 2 Gigabit LAN Port. Up to 3 WAN ports optimize bandwidth usage through one device.
- 【One USB WAN Port】Mobile broadband via 4G/3G modem is supported for WAN backup by connecting to the USB port. For complete list of compatible 4G/3G modems, please visit TP-Link website.
- 【Abundant Security Features】Advanced firewall policies, DoS defense, IP/MAC/URL filtering, speed test and more security functions protect your network and data.
- 【Highly Secure VPN】Supports up to 20× LAN-to-LAN IPsec, 16× OpenVPN, 16× L2TP, and 16× PPTP VPN connections.
- Security - SPI Firewall, VPN Pass through, FTP/H.323/PPTP/SIP/IPsec ALG, DoS Defence, Ping of Death and Local Management. Standards and Protocols IEEE 802.3, 802.3u, 802.3ab, IEEE 802.3x, IEEE 802.1q
Neither is an obvious device-count winner
Both services advertise unlimited simultaneous connections. Surfshark states that users can connect as many devices as they like; Tom’s Guide reports unlimited connections for IPVanish. If you mainly wanted a VPN for several phones, computers or tablets, the reported device limits do not distinguish these services. They also do not make router hardware a prerequisite for protecting multiple devices.
How should you compare their privacy evidence?
Audits have different scopes
Surfshark says Deloitte reviewed its no-logs policy in 2023 and 2025, and that SecuRing completed an infrastructure audit in December 2025. Tom’s Guide reports a 2025 IPVanish no-logs audit by Schellman Compliance. These are not identical assessments: a no-logs review and an infrastructure audit examine different things, and an audit applies to its stated scope and period. Neither should be read as proof that a service never handles operational data.
Rank #2
- 【AC1200 Dual-band Wireless Router】Simultaneous dual-band with wireless speed up to 300 Mbps (2.4GHz) + 867 Mbps (5GHz). 2.4GHz band can handles some simple tasks like emails or web browsing while bandwidth intensive tasks such as gaming or 4K video streaming can be handled by the 5GHz band.*Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【Easy Setup】Please refer to the User Manual and the Unboxing & Setup video guide on Amazon for detailed setup instructions and methods for connecting to the Internet.
- 【Pocket-friendly】Lightweight design(145g) which designed for your next trip or adventure. Alongside its portable, compact design makes it easy to take with you on the go.
- 【Full Gigabit Ports】Gigabit Wireless Internet Router with 2 Gigabit LAN ports and 1 Gigabit WAN ports, ideal for lots of internet plan and allow you to connect your wired devices directly.
- 【Keep your Internet Safe】IPv6 supported. OpenVPN & WireGuard pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers. Cloudflare encryption supported to protect the privacy.
“No logs” does not mean no temporary connection data
Surfshark’s comparison says it temporarily retains user IDs and connection timestamps during service operation, then deletes them within 15 minutes after a session ends. That disclosure is compatible with a no-logs policy claim only if “logs” is understood in the policy’s defined sense; it is not the same as saying no transient operational information is processed.
Consider historical reporting and jurisdiction in context
Security.org discusses IPVanish’s past no-logging controversy and says later audit work confirmed its policy. The historical controversy and the 2025 audit are separate pieces of context; older conduct should not be presented as proof of current practices. Security.org identifies Surfshark as headquartered in the Netherlands and IPVanish in the United States. A company’s jurisdiction alone does not establish how it handles data, so weigh it alongside current policy disclosures and the scope and date of published audits.
Rank #3
- New-Gen WiFi Standard – WiFi 6(802.11ax) standard supporting MU-MIMO and OFDMA technology for better efficiency and throughput.Antenna : External antenna x 4. Processor : Dual-core (4 VPE). Power Supply : AC Input : 110V~240V(50~60Hz), DC Output : 12 V with max. 1.5A current.
- Ultra-fast WiFi Speed – RT-AX1800S supports 1024-QAM for dramatically faster wireless connections
- Increase Capacity and Efficiency – Supporting not only MU-MIMO but also OFDMA technique to efficiently allocate channels, communicate with multiple devices simultaneously
- 5 Gigabit ports – One Gigabit WAN port and four Gigabit LAN ports, 10X faster than 100–Base T Ethernet.
- Commercial-grade Security Anywhere – Protect your home network with AiProtection Classic, powered by Trend Micro. And when away from home, ASUS Instant Guard gives you a one-click secure VPN.
Do the speed tests show which VPN is faster?
No. The available figures were produced under different test conditions and cannot be ranked as a controlled head-to-head. Tom’s Guide’s 2026 IPVanish review reports WireGuard median speeds of 738 Mbps on its nearest tested server and 449 Mbps on its farthest. Surfshark’s comparison, updated July 1, 2026, reports Cybernews figures of 663.6 Mbps average download and 269.8 Mbps average upload for Surfshark WireGuard. The tests use different sources, methods and setups; the numbers do not tell you which service will be faster on your connection.
For a practical decision, use a current trial or refund window if available in your region, and test both services from the same device and network. Compare the same destination and protocol, at similar times, against your unprotected connection. Your local ISP, distance to the server, congestion and chosen VPN protocol can all affect the result.
Rank #4
- 【DUAL BAND WIFI 7 TRAVEL ROUTER】Products with US, UK, EU, AU Plug; Dual band network with wireless speed 688Mbps (2.4G)+2882Mbps (5G); Dual 2.5G Ethernet Ports (1x WAN and 1x LAN Port); USB 3.0 port.
- 【NETWORK CONTROL WITH TOUCHSCREEN SIMPLICITY】Slate 7’s touchscreen interface lets you scan QR codes for quick Wi-Fi, monitor speed in real time, toggle VPN on/off, and switch providers directly on the display. Color-coded indicators provide instant network status updates for Ethernet, Tethering, Repeater, and Cellular modes, offering a seamless, user-friendly experience.
- 【OpenWrt 23.05 FIRMWARE】The Slate 7 (GL-BE3600) is a high-performance Wi-Fi 7 travel router, built with OpenWrt 23.05 (Kernel 5.4.213) for maximum customization and advanced networking capabilities. With 512MB storage, total customization with open-source freedom and flexible installation of OpenWrt plugins.
- 【VPN CLIENT & SERVER】OpenVPN and WireGuard are pre-installed, compatible with 30+ VPN service providers (active subscription required). Simply log in to your existing VPN account with our portable wifi device, and Slate 7 automatically encrypts all network traffic within the connected network. Max. VPN speed of 100 Mbps (OpenVPN); 540 Mbps (WireGuard). *Speed tests are conducted on a local network. Real-world speeds may differ depending on your network configuration.*
- 【PERFECT PORTABLE WIFI ROUTER FOR TRAVEL】The Slate 7 is an ideal portable internet device perfect for international travel. With its mini size and travel-friendly features, the pocket Wi-Fi router is the perfect companion for travelers in need of a secure internet connectivity on the go in which includes hotels or cruise ships.
Which one is better for streaming?
Both have been reported as options for streaming, but that does not guarantee access to a particular service, country catalog or title. Tom’s Guide says IPVanish unblocks a fair share of streaming services, while Security.org reports Netflix support. Availability can vary by region and change as streaming services update their restrictions, so check the service you care about rather than relying on a blanket promise.
Surfshark’s NoBorders feature is described by Surfshark Customer Support as allowing VPN use through network restrictions such as geoblocking or government censorship; its feature documentation was updated October 2, 2026. That description is not a guarantee that a particular site will work or that circumvention is lawful or safe in every jurisdiction.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Next-Gen Gigabit Wi-Fi 6 Speeds: 2402 Mbps on 5 GHz and 574 Mbps on 2.4 GHz bands ensure smoother streaming and faster downloads; support VPN server and VPN client¹
- A More Responsive Experience: Enjoy smooth gaming, video streaming, and live feeds simultaneously. OFDMA makes your Wi-Fi stronger by allowing multiple clients to share one band at the same time, cutting latency and jitter.²
- Expanded Wi-Fi Coverage: 4 high-gain external antennas and Beamforming technology combine to extend strong, reliable, Wi-Fi throughout your home.
- Improved Battery Life: Target Wake Time helps your devices to communicate efficiently while consuming less power.
- Improved Cooling Design: No heat ups, no throttles. A larger heat sink and redefined case design cools the WiFi 6 system and enables your network to stay at top speeds in more versatile environments.
What to check before subscribing
- Compare the checkout totals. Confirm currency, billing period, taxes, introductory discount and the amount charged now. The July 1 comparison is not a substitute for the live checkout price.
- Check renewal terms. The cited comparison does not state renewal amounts. Review the renewal price, billing cadence and cancellation deadline shown by each provider before purchase.
- Match features to the plan. Confirm which security tools are included in the tier you plan to buy and whether an add-on, such as Dedicated IP, costs extra.
- Verify the use case that matters most. If streaming access, a particular country location or a specific device app is essential, check current availability for that service and region.
- Test performance locally. Published speed figures from separate reviews cannot predict your own connection. Compare both services under the same conditions if a trial or refund period is available to you.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
