When it comes to VPNs, many users today aren’t just protecting one laptop — they want to secure multiple devices at once. Whether it’s a family household, a small business setup, or a tech-savvy individual with a mix of phones, tablets, and smart TVs, multi-device support has become a deciding factor.

Two popular VPN providers, Surfshark and IPVanish, approach this need differently. Both advertise generous device connection limits, but the way they handle simultaneous use, speed, and account management sets them apart.

Multi-Device Policy Overview

Surfshark has made headlines for offering unlimited simultaneous device connections on a single subscription. That means you can connect your phone, laptop, smart TV, work PC, tablet, and more — all at the same time — without worrying about hitting a limit.

IPVanish also offers unlimited connections, which puts it in the same elite category. However, IPVanish only introduced this policy in 2021; before that, it had a 10-device cap. The change was a welcome move for large households or users with many devices.

At first glance, it seems like a tie. But as we’ll see, real-world performance can differ when those connections are actually in use.

Speed & Performance on Multiple Devices

A VPN’s speed can dip when several devices are connected at once — especially if they’re streaming, downloading, or gaming.

• Surfshark supports modern protocols like WireGuard, which is designed to maintain high speeds even with heavy network load. In practice, you can have multiple people streaming in 4K or playing online games without noticeable lag, provided your base internet connection is strong.

• IPVanish also supports WireGuard along with IKEv2 and OpenVPN. While its speeds are competitive, some users note slight slowdowns when multiple devices are connected to the same server, particularly for long-distance routes.
  
  

If maximum performance under heavy load matters, Surfshark’s optimization with WireGuard and its global server spread give it a small edge.

Device & Platform Compatibility

Surfshark offers native apps for:

• Windows, macOS, Linux

• Android & iOS

• Smart TVs (Android TV, Fire TV)

• Browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge

• Manual setup for routers and other devices
  
  

IPVanish supports:

• Windows, macOS, Linux

• Android & iOS

• Fire TV and select smart TVs

• Chromebook (via Android app)

• Router configuration for network-wide coverage
  
  

Both can protect devices that don’t have VPN apps (like game consoles or Apple TV) by running the VPN on a router. But Surfshark’s Smart DNS feature is easier to set up for streaming devices, which is useful when different family members want geo-unblocked content without installing full VPN apps.

Account & Connection Management

With many devices online, ease of management becomes important.

Surfshark lets you log in with your account credentials across all apps without constant re-authentication. It also supports device grouping via certain router setups, letting you apply different VPN locations to different devices simultaneously.

IPVanish offers a similar login process, but one standout is its visual connection status screen, showing each active connection’s protocol, server, and IP in real time. This can help power users quickly spot if a device is misconfigured.

Streaming & Content Access

When multiple devices are streaming at the same time, VPNs must handle both speed and unblocking capabilities.

Surfshark is well-known for bypassing geo-blocks on Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and more. This makes it easier for households where one person is watching US Netflix, another is on UK BBC iPlayer, and a third is on Disney+ — all without switching servers manually each time.

IPVanish, while fast, isn’t as consistent at unblocking major streaming platforms. It works reliably with some, but users report mixed success with Netflix and BBC iPlayer. If streaming variety is important across multiple devices, Surfshark is more dependable.

Security for All Devices

Both Surfshark and IPVanish use AES-256 encryption, kill switches, and DNS/IP leak protection. Surfshark adds MultiHop (double VPN routing) and CleanWeb (ad/tracker blocking), which apply across all connected devices.

IPVanish includes encrypted cloud storage (250GB via SugarSync) with some plans, which is useful if you want secure backups for multiple devices — a feature Surfshark doesn’t natively offer.

Pricing & Value for Multi-Device Users

Surfshark’s pricing (as low as ~$2.29/month on a 2-year plan) is among the lowest for a premium VPN, especially given unlimited devices and strong streaming support.

IPVanish typically runs ~$3.99/month on a 2-year plan, and sometimes bundles the secure cloud storage, which adds value for those who want both VPN and backup in one subscription.

For pure multi-device VPN coverage, Surfshark is slightly cheaper long-term. For VPN + storage in one, IPVanish may be more appealing.

Final Verdict – Which is Better for Multi-Device Use?

If your main goal is to connect as many devices as possible and maintain streaming access, Surfshark is hard to beat. It pairs unlimited connections with optimized speeds, strong unblocking, and features like Smart DNS that make it simple for all household devices to work without fuss.

IPVanish matches Surfshark in unlimited connections and delivers competitive speeds, with the bonus of secure cloud storage for backups. However, it’s less consistent for streaming, which may be a limitation for households that rely on VPNs for entertainment.

Choose Surfshark if:

• You want strong streaming support across many devices

• You value features like Smart DNS, MultiHop, and ad blocking

• You want the best price-per-device coverage
  
  

Choose IPVanish if:

• You want unlimited connections plus secure cloud storage

• Streaming isn’t a top priority

• You prefer detailed connection monitoring
  
  

Either way, both providers have moved beyond the traditional “device cap” model — making them top picks for users who need VPN protection everywhere, all the time.