IPVanish Reviews

IPVanish is one of the best tools for ensuring sensitive data remains protected regardless of where the connection is established from, thanks to the full arsenal of security features it provides. These include secure Wi-Fi connections, advanced threat protection, cloud storage, secure file syncing, and secure browsing.

Along with pretty much every function of the VPN client, these different elements are easy to configure and edit, ensuring that all customers can adapt their VPN to their own individual needs. This includes double hop, scrambling, and split tunneling. Also, the ‘Default location’ feature automatically picks the best server and city depending on the user’s physical location.

Many VPN providers work with different companies to lease servers around the globe in an effort to offer more locations at a low cost. Typically, this means less reliability in terms of speed and uptime, as more parties are handling users’ private data.

IPVanish, on the other hand, prides itself on owning 100% of its server network, which means it has full control over every aspect of its VPN service. The VPN client reflects this particular aspect, showing the load and number of servers available in the locations list.

When it comes to security, IPVanish excels. Users have full control over the security and speed of the VPN’s connections, as well as the general functionality of the tool. In the settings tab, it’s possible to change protocols, auto-connect preferences, enable IPv6 leak protection, and more.

IPVanish has servers in more than 90 different countries across the globe, including some rarely seen locations like Hong Kong, South Korea, and Dubai. Plus, many countries have multiple servers available, making IPVanish an incredibly fast service.

We tested this VPN speed from Europe, with a baseline speed of 628 Mpbs for downloads, 209 Mpbs for uploads, and a 4ms ping, using WireGuard.

Our tests showed an average loss of only 15% for downloads and 14% for uploads, making IPVanish one of the best VPNs we tested performance-wise. Even in long distance servers like Los Angeles, IPVanish retained more than 70% of the speed for downloads and uploads. Naturally, due to the distance the ping times were significantly higher than the other tested connections.

IPVanish also allows P2P torrent traffic via a normal VPN connection or the restricted and secure SOCKS5 proxy servers in nine countries. which can be configured by the user. When it comes to DNS and IP leaks, IPVanish presented no issues, proving that the connections are trustworthy, accurate, and 100% safe.

IPVanish supports four main protocols – WireGuard, IKEv2, IPsec, and OpenVPN – which are responsible for the potential speed and encryption level of any given VPN connection. These can be changed anytime within the client to help achieve the best possible VPN experience.

For security, OpenVPN is the top choice, while WireGuard should be used whenever a fast speed is required. Meanwhile, IKEv2 is best for unstable Wi-Fi networks on both mobile and desktop versions, and IPsec a good choice if the other protocols aren’t working. Additionally, it’s possible to change the ports on OpenVPN connections, as well as toggle the option for traffic obfuscation (scramble).

But that’s not all, as other privacy measures are included, from the AES 256-bit encryption key to the essential kill switch. It’s also possible to enable or disable IPv6 and DNS leak protection, block LAN traffic, and even use custom DNS settings.

IPVanish is located in the U.S., falling under the Five Eyes Alliance. Although it faced some privacy-related controversies in the past, no other issues have emerged since StackPath acquired the company. In fact, IPVanish is now fully transparent with ongoing independent audits, which ensure a truly zero-log policy.

It’s one thing to have a great VPN service, but making it available and fully compatible with all the latest operating systems is another. IPVanish delivers in this field too, since its software works on Windows 7 or higher and Macs with macOS 10.6.8 and later.

Android and iOS haven’t been left out either, with apps that provide the same smooth user interface and experience as the desktop clients. These VPN apps work well in conjunction with VoIP apps, allowing for lower costs on calls via these services.

Although IPVanish's features are similar across devices, there are some differences. This is especially true for Linux, which doesn’t include features like threat protection and split tunneling. On the other hand, iOS users have access to ‘On Demand’ connections, making the VPN software auto-connect in pre-determined cases, such as unknown Wi-Fi. Besides these two differences, both apps share the same functionalities.

For complete device support, IPVanish can also be configured to run on Linux Ubuntu, Chromebook, Amazon Fire TV, and even routers using DD-WRT or Tomato. This compatibility makes it possible to reach extra platforms like game consoles, smart TVs, and other devices that don’t support VPNs directly. Opting for router protection also eliminates the need for simultaneous connections through the same account.

The pricing of IPVanish is as simple as it is competitive. The service offers three different options: a monthly, yearly, and 2-year plan.

The most affordable plan is Essential billed every two years. It costs only $2.19 per month, which translates to 83% off the $12.99 monthly plan. It includes all the essentials to navigate the internet securely.

Alternatively, for accessing IPVanish's additional features, such as cloud backup, secure browser, and file syncing, users can subscribe to the Advanced plan for as little as $3.29, billed biennially. Payment methods include most credit and debit cards, as well as alternatives like PayPal and Google Pay.

IPVanish offers mobile users a 7-day free trial with full access to the VPN service. This is a viable option for those who enjoy exploring a service before committing to a paid subscription. Besides the free trial, all plans (except the monthly one) come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. This way, users are able to fully test out the service without any risk, as unfortunately, there are no free versions of the program.

There are also support forums and the company’s social media pages, through which direct or community-based assistance is provided.

Although the free trial is only available for mobile users and there isn’t a free version, there’s little else to criticize. Even this is easy to overlook considering the competitive pricing and special discounts offered by the company.