Proton VPN vs IVPN

Proton VPN and IVPN are both respected privacy-first VPNs with open-source apps and genuine transparency. But they serve different needs. Proton VPN is a full-featured VPN with streaming support, a free tier, and integration with the Proton privacy ecosystem. IVPN is a minimal, principles-first VPN that prioritizes anonymous signup and ethical marketing over features. Both are trustworthy - the choice is about what else you need beyond privacy.

Quick Verdict

Proton VPN is the more capable VPN. Faster, more servers, streaming support, a free tier, port forwarding, and ecosystem integration. IVPN is the more minimal VPN. Anonymous signup, flat pricing, and the most honest marketing in the industry. Proton VPN wins for users who want privacy plus functionality; IVPN wins for users who want privacy plus principles.

At a Glance

| Category | Proton VPN | IVPN | Winner | |----------|------------|------|--------| | Overall Score | 8.7 | 7.9 | Proton VPN | | Privacy Score | 9.5 | 9.6 | IVPN | | Speed | 81.6 Mbps | 74.1 Mbps | Proton VPN | | Streaming | 8.2 | 4.8 | Proton VPN | | Open Source | Yes | Yes | Tie | | Free Tier | Yes | No | Proton VPN | | Transparency Score | 90 | 92 | IVPN | | Connections | 10 | 2 (Standard) | Proton VPN |

Speed Comparison

| Location | Proton VPN | IVPN | Difference | |----------|------------|------|------------| | US (New York) | 81.6 Mbps | 74.1 Mbps | +10.1% | | UK (London) | 77.3 Mbps | 70.6 Mbps | +9.5% | | Germany (Frankfurt) | 79.2 Mbps | 72.3 Mbps | +9.5% | | Japan (Tokyo) | 64.8 Mbps | 56.8 Mbps | +14.1% | | Australia (Sydney) | 61.3 Mbps | 53.2 Mbps | +15.2% |

Winner: Proton VPN. A consistent 10-15% speed advantage across all locations. Proton VPN's 4,600+ servers provide better coverage than IVPN's 80.

Pricing Comparison

| Metric | Proton VPN | IVPN | |--------|------------|------| | Free Tier | Yes | No | | Monthly | $9.99/mo | $6.00/mo (Standard) | | 2-Year | $3.59/mo | $6.00/mo | | Renewal | $4.49/mo (yearly) | $6.00/mo | | 3-Year True Cost | $164.28 | $216.00 |

Winner: Proton VPN on long-term plans and free tier. Proton VPN's 2-year plan is $2.41/mo cheaper. The free tier adds value that IVPN cannot match. IVPN is cheaper on monthly ($6 vs $9.99). Over three years, Proton VPN saves about $52.

Streaming

Winner: Proton VPN. Proton VPN (Plus plan) unblocks Netflix US, UK, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and most major platforms (10/12). IVPN scores 0/12. Proton VPN's free tier does not support streaming - you need the paid Plus plan.

Privacy

| Factor | Proton VPN | IVPN | |--------|------------|------| | Jurisdiction | Switzerland | Gibraltar | | Email Required | Yes | No | | Anonymous Payment | Crypto | Cash, crypto | | Open Source | All apps | All apps | | Post-Quantum | No | Yes | | Transparency Score | 90 | 92 | | Ethical Marketing | Good | Industry-leading |

Winner: IVPN, slightly. IVPN's anonymous signup (no email), cash payments, post-quantum encryption, and honest marketing give it the edge in pure privacy. Proton VPN requires an email and was once compelled by a Swiss court to log a user's IP. Both are excellent, but IVPN's zero-information approach is slightly stronger.

Ecosystem and Features

| Feature | Proton VPN | IVPN | |---------|------------|------| | Connections | 10 | 2 (Standard) / 7 (Pro) | | Countries | 91 | 37 | | Servers | 4,600+ | 80+ | | Port Forwarding | Yes | No | | Tor over VPN | Yes | No | | Stealth Protocol | Yes | No | | Split Tunneling | Yes | No | | Ecosystem | Mail, Drive, Calendar | VPN only |

Winner: Proton VPN. Dramatically more features and the Proton privacy ecosystem. 10 connections vs IVPN's 2 on the Standard plan. Port forwarding, Tor over VPN, Stealth protocol, and 4,600+ servers in 91 countries.

Who Should Choose Proton VPN

• Privacy-focused users who also want streaming
• Users who want to try before paying (free tier)
• Anyone building a Proton privacy ecosystem
• Users in censored regions (Stealth protocol)
• Torrenters who need port forwarding
• Households needing more device connections

Who Should Choose IVPN

• Users who want anonymous signup with no email required
• Privacy purists who value post-quantum encryption
• Anyone who appreciates the most ethical marketing in the VPN industry
• Users who prefer simple, flat-rate pricing
• Technical users with minimal device needs

Our Recommendation

Proton VPN for most privacy-focused users. It offers strong privacy, streaming, a free tier, and ecosystem integration at a lower long-term price. IVPN for privacy absolutists who want the most minimal, principled approach possible. Both are trustworthy. Both deserve your consideration. Proton VPN simply offers more for the money.