Both allow unlimited simultaneous connections — the device-count split that separates most VPN pairs doesn't apply here. Surfshark is owned by Nord Security and registered in the Netherlands; IPVanish is owned by Ziff Davis and operates from the United States. The comparison runs on jurisdiction, ownership, and what each service is optimized for.

What you get that IPVanish doesn't offer

Netherlands registration — outside the 5-eyes alliance that US jurisdiction carries. Nord Security ownership vs Ziff Davis, a digital media company. Published independent audit of the no-logs policy; IPVanish has no published third-party audit. CleanWeb ad and tracker blocking. Security feature scope is more developed. Streaming access is a maintained product commitment.

What you give up

IPVanish provides SOCKS5 proxy built in. IPVanish's long-term value position is more accommodating. Refined Fire TV and Firestick interface. Netherlands is an EU jurisdiction with data-retention framework obligations — IPVanish's US entity carries different legal exposure.

What you get that Surfshark doesn't offer

SOCKS5 proxy built in. More accommodating long-term value position. Refined Fire TV and Firestick interface. Both allow unlimited connections — no difference on this dimension.

What you give up

United States is a 5-eyes member. No published independent audit. IPVanish's clients are closed-source. Ziff Davis owns IPVanish as part of a digital media portfolio; privacy infrastructure is not the parent company's primary business. Surfshark's CleanWeb blocking, security feature depth, and streaming access reflect a different product investment. Netherlands' EU position carries its own obligations, but the 5-eyes membership gap is structural.