Head to head · Updated August 13, 2026
IVPN vs Proton VPN
Proton VPN takes it by 7.5 points, 90.0 against 82.5. That margin is worth reading past — IVPN wins 1 of the seven criteria outright.
IVPN
82.5A deliberately small, transparent operation that costs more than the market and makes no attempt to hide it.
- From
- $6.00/mo
- Based in
- Gibraltar
- Devices
- 7
- Audits
- 1
We earn nothing from IVPN. This link is included because the ranking says it belongs here.
Proton VPN
90.0The best-documented security stack in this dataset, and the only free tier we consider safe to recommend.
- From
- $4.49/mo
- Based in
- Switzerland
- Devices
- 10
- Audits
- 2
We earn a commission if you subscribe through this link. It does not change Proton VPN’s score.
Criterion by criterion
IVPN wins 1, Proton VPN wins 3, 3 tied. Each row shows the raw score out of ten and the weighted contribution to the total.
| Criterion | Weight | IVPN | Proton VPN | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent audit | 20 | 8/10 (16.0) | 10/10 (20.0) | Proton VPN |
| Jurisdiction and ownership | 15 | 9/10 (13.5) | 9/10 (13.5) | Tied |
| Protocol and crypto stack | 15 | 9/10 (13.5) | 9/10 (13.5) | Tied |
| Leak protection | 15 | 9/10 (13.5) | 9/10 (13.5) | Tied |
| Transparency | 15 | 10/10 (15.0) | 9/10 (13.5) | IVPN |
| Price and refund terms | 10 | 5/10 (5.0) | 7/10 (7.0) | Proton VPN |
| Platform coverage | 10 | 6/10 (6.0) | 9/10 (9.0) | Proton VPN |
| Total | 100 | 82.5 | 90.0 | Proton VPN |
Where each one actually wins
IVPN is ahead on
- Transparency. Open-source apps, anonymous account IDs, cash accepted, and the affiliate programme was closed to remove reviewer incentives.
Proton VPN is ahead on
- Independent audit. Both the no-logs policy and the apps on every platform were audited by Securitum with public reports.
- Price and refund terms. Mid-market pricing with a genuinely usable free tier, offset by prorated rather than full refunds.
- Platform coverage. Native apps including Apple TV and Android TV, plus router support and 10 simultaneous devices.
Choose IVPN if
Readers who value published reasoning and anonymous signup over network size.
Choose Proton VPN if
Readers who want auditable software and a free option to test before paying.
Reasons to pick neither
Skip IVPN if: You want a large server network or the lowest possible price. IVPN is explicitly not competing on either.
Skip Proton VPN if: You want the cheapest possible long-term plan. Proton is priced as a security product, and the 2-year rate is still above the budget tier.
Questions
- Is IVPN or Proton VPN better?
- Proton VPN scores higher overall, 90.0 against 82.5, a gap of 7.5 points out of 100. The best-documented security stack in this dataset, and the only free tier we consider safe to recommend.
- Which is cheaper, IVPN or Proton VPN?
- Proton VPN, at $4.49/mo against $6.00/mo. Both rates require committing to the provider’s longest term; the monthly rates are considerably higher.
- Which one has been audited more recently?
- Proton VPN, most recently in 2024 against IVPN’s 2022.
- Does jurisdiction differ between them?
- Yes. IVPN operates from Gibraltar and Proton VPN from Switzerland. Both sit in the same position relative to the Fourteen Eyes agreement.
Related comparisons
Comparison generated from the same dataset as the ranking. Emphasis criterion definitions are on the rubric page. Criterion labels: Independent audit, Jurisdiction and ownership, Protocol and crypto stack, Leak protection, Transparency, Price and refund terms, Platform coverage.