IPVanish VPN review

IPVanish is an easy to use and feature-rich VPN. It offers robust security and solid unblocking capabilities, so you can enjoy streaming Netflix or YouTube TV. Moreover, it’s very affordable and offers unlimited simultaneous connections.

It works great with various torrenting providers and delivers impressive speeds due to the WireGuard tunneling protocol. IPVanish also includes unique features like On Demand, which lets you automatically connect the VPN based on specific Wi-Fi networks or apps you choose, adding flexibility and control over your connections. Additionally, the inclusion of a SOCKS5 proxy is a nice bonus for torrenting enthusiasts.

However, like all VPNs, IPVanish has its shortcomings. It doesn’t offer specialized servers, and its country selection is somewhat limited. In this review, I have covered everything you need to know about IPVanish and put it through rigorous testing to see if it's truly worth getting.

IPVanish score distribution

When testing IPVanish and determining its score, I rated its performance across seven categories on a scale of 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest score. IPVanish is a highly cost-effective VPN that offers unlimited connections and excellent customer support, including a dedicated phone line. Here’s a summary of its scores across various categories:

• Privacy and security – 8/10. IPVanish employs secure tunneling protocols and encryption methods, has an audited no-logs policy, and features a reliable kill switch. It is also DNS and IP leak-proof. However, past controversies and its US jurisdiction prevent it from receiving a perfect score.
• Cost and value for money – 9/10. IPVanish ranks among the most affordable VPNs on the market, providing unlimited simultaneous connections, which makes it a great investment. However, there are even cheaper alternatives available.
• Speed and performance – 9/10. IPVanish provides impressive speeds, maintaining about 80% of baseline connection speeds. However, it falls slightly short compared to NordVPN and Surfshark.
• Server network – 7/10. While IPVanish doesn't boast the largest server network among top VPN providers, it owns all of its servers. This ownership enhances security and speed since there are no third-party servers involved.
• Features and functionality – 8/10. IPVanish offers a variety of great features, including On Demand, split tunneling, traffic obfuscation, and SOCKS5 support. Some additional features, like encrypted storage and a secure browser extension, are only available with higher-tier plans.
• Compatibility – 9/10. IPVanish is highly compatible with all commonly used operating systems, including visionOS. However, it does not have a VPN browser extension.
• Customer support – 10/10. IPVanish provides excellent customer support through multiple channels, including email, 24/7 live chat, phone, and social media. It also offers great online resources, such as FAQs and various guides.

Privacy and security – 8/10

IPVanish is a safe VPN that uses strong high-grade ciphers and has essential security features (for example, IPVanish Threat Protection). You'll be protected against DNS or IP leaks. However, it does have some black spots in its past that make this provider's privacy claims questionable:

• Despite being based in the US, part of the Five Eyes alliance, IPVanish has a no-logs policy that has been independently audited and verified in 2022
• IPVanish offers a kill switch feature for Amazon Fire TV, along with an option to block LAN traffic for added security
• Our in-house tests confirmed that IPVanish is DNS and IP leak-proof, ensuring strong protection for secure browsing

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Jurisdiction

One of the main concerns with IPVanish is that it’s based in the US, a founding member of the Five Eyes alliance and home to the NSA (National Security Agency), which has access to the country’s data lines. Being in this jurisdiction means that IPVanish is legally required to hand over user information if requested by authorities. While some other US-based VPNs like Express VPN, have built trust through independently audited no-logs policies, IPVanish has previously been caught violating its own no-logs policy, raising valid concerns across users.

Independent audits

In its privacy policy, IPVanish promises to treat your data with utmost respect. The company claims not to log any data regarding your online activity and only collects your email address and billing information.

That said, the company admits to using tracking cookies. Although this shouldn't be a big deal, considering that their primary customer is privacy-minded, this doesn't reflect positively on IPVanish.

Overall, I found IPVanish's privacy policy to be quite transparent. It emphasizes its commitment to respecting GDPR and other privacy laws, stating that it will delete any information upon request.

On the other hand, the brand is no stranger to privacy scandals either. In the past, IPVanish has collaborated with the FBI, providing email, account status, real IP address, and connection timestamps. While this helped take a sexual predator into custody, it made IPVanish’s privacy promises questionable.

IPVanish has been independently audited by the Leviathan Security Group. The company successfully audited the application and confirmed that IPVanish does not collect information regarding user activity or traffic logs.

Encryption

IPVanish uses 256-bit AES and ChaCha20 encryption. Originally known as Rijndael, AES-256 is considered one of the safest options to encrypt data, commonly used among top VPNs. Additionally, IPVanish received VTI (VPN Trust Initiative) accreditation, representing its dedication to safeguarding its users’ online security. For these reasons, it's widely used in government and financial institutions. It's simply too complex to be brute-forced by malicious hackers.

Account authentication is processed with SHA-512 hash functions, scrambling your login information into hashes. Because it's SHA-512, each hash's size is 512 bits, and replicating such a hash would take a very long time, making your data safe.

IPVanish’s authentication mechanisms also support perfect forward secrecy, meaning that some portion of their encryption system is constantly changing. This means that the encryption keys the VPN was using merely an hour ago are slightly different from the encryption keys it is using now. This improves security in the case of a data breach.

Kill switch

Right now, IPVanish offers a kill switch on macOS, Android Mobile, iOS, and Windows apps. It's a tool that shuts down your internet connection if a link to a VPN server is interrupted.

You can also use the Block LAN Traffic feature to ensure that all local network traffic is blocked. This may be relevant if you're cautious about public Wi-Fi connections. In reverse, you can set it up so that you can block all other local network interfaces when you're connected to the VPN. This may help you prevent your data from leaking when you're downloading torrent files.

IPVanish has also introduced a separate kill switch app for Amazon Fire TV – devices that don't support split tunneling and network kill switches. To use the app, you need an active IPVanish subscription and the app.

In our tests, switching off the app didn't interrupt the connection to the VPN server with IKEv2, but interrupted it with OpenVPN. So, even if you accidentally close the app, you'll remain connected with IKEv2, but not on OpenVPN.

Disabling the OpenVPN process engaged the kill switch. The app also tried to reconnect in the background. The only issue was that it gave no notification about what was going on.

I also ran a DNS leak test, and the connection did not leak, confirming that the kill switch worked as intended. So, if you're browsing and the connection breaks, the kill switch will have your back.

Cost and value for money – 9/10

IPVanish is an affordable VPN option, with subscriptions starting at just $2.19/month. At this price, you get a reliable VPN along with an adblocker. Extra features are also available with higher tier plans, like cloud storage and phone support. Here's a breakdown of IPVanish’s value proposition:

• IPVanish offers unlimited connections, making it ideal for anyone using multiple devices
• You can choose between two subscription tiers and three different lengths making it easy to find a plan that best suits your needs
• Even the entry-level plan includes advanced features like Threat Protection, which protects you against trackers, blocks ads, and guards you from unsafe websites

IPVanish offers two tiers: Essential and Advanced. The Advanced plan includes extras like secure browsing and cloud storage. You can choose from three subscription lengths – monthly, yearly, or a 2-year plan.

	1-month	1-year (upfront cost)	2-year (upfront cost)
Essential	$12.99	$3.33/month ($33.48)	$2.19/month ($52.56)
Advanced	$14.99	$4.49/month ($53.88)	$3.29/month ($78.96)

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As with most VPN providers, you’ll get the best value by opting for a long-term subscription. If you plan on using IPVanish for more than 4 months, the 2-year plan is much more cost-effective than the monthly option.

When choosing between subscription tiers, it’s important to assess your needs. If you just need a VPN and an adblocker, the Essential plan should be more than enough. However, if you’re looking for additional features like a browser extension that shields you from viruses, trackers, and cookies, plus cloud storage, the Advanced plan is the better choice.

IPVanish also runs significant discounts during major sales events. I’d recommend keeping an eye on those deals to maximize your savings. For instance, the current IPVanish Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals are great opportunities to secure a lower price.

Pricing-wise, IPVanish falls somewhere in the middle compared to other cheapest VPNs. It’s cheaper than top options like NordVPN (starting at $3.39/month) and ExpressVPN (starting at $4.99/month) but slightly more expensive than Surfshark ($2.19/month) and CyberGhost ($2.03/month).

A standout feature is that all plans offer unlimited simultaneous connections, giving you full flexibility over the number of devices you can use. Among top VPN providers, only IPVanish and Surfshark offer this perk.

As for refund policies, IPVanish offers a 30-day money-back guarantee – but only for long-term plans. You won’t be eligible for a refund if you choose the monthly plan, which is an uncommon move, in my opinion. Additionally, all subscriptions are set to auto-renew at a standard rate when your term expires. For example, the 1-year Essential plan, which costs $39.96 now, renews at $89.99/year. While the price increase is steep, it’s a common practice among many VPN providers.

One downside I found is that IPVanish's terms don’t clearly state when you’ll be notified about upcoming renewals. On top of that, a few users on Reddit have mentioned issues with canceling their subscriptions and errors causing double charges. However, in our case, I tried to cancel my subscription after some time, and all went well. There were no double charges or any problems with cancellation.

Payment options include credit cards, PayPal, and Google Pay. You can also subscribe through the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. However, IPVanish lacks anonymous payment methods like cryptocurrencies or gift cards, which I believe is a drawback.

Overall, I think IPVanish delivers solid value for its price. The choice between two subscription tiers and three plan lengths makes it flexible enough for different needs, and unlimited connections make it a great deal. However, it doesn’t offer as many extra features as some competitors, and it’s not the cheapest option out there.

Can you get an IPVanish free account?

Yes, you can get IPVanish VPN for free by using its 7-day free trial on iOS and Android devices. The trial gives you access to premium features.

To activate the free IPVanish account, download the IPVanish mobile app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. To confirm your account, authorize your subscription through the mobile app store.

IPVanish also has a 30-day money-back guarantee. So, you can combine the two deals and enjoy 37 days of free premium IPVanish VPN.

Speed and performance – 9/10

IPVanish delivers excellent performance, offering both stability and speed, making it one of the fastest VPNs available. Through extensive in-house testing, we’ve consistently confirmed these claims. Here are some key takeaways on its speed and performance:

• IPVanish ranks as our third fastest VPN, just behind NordVPN and Surfshark
• IPVanish uses the market-leading WireGuard tunneling protocol, which provides fast speeds and a stable connection
• It has servers in 100 countries, so you can always find one nearby, no matter where you are

Our tests show that IPVanish performs exceptionally well using the WireGuard protocol, securing its spot in the top 3 of our fastest VPNs. In terms of download speeds, it retained about 80% of the original performance in key locations. Upload speeds were similarly strong, depending on the server and location.

Compared to our test results from May, IPVanish has seen improvements in some areas but declines in others. Speeds on US servers dropped, with the download retention rate going from 88% to 78%, and UK server speeds also dipped. On the other hand, speeds in Australia and Canada improved. In Canada, download retention went from 91% to 94%, and upload jumped from 32% to 52%. As for France, the speeds have remained the same.

Together with our research team I conducted tests using the IPVanish app on a Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen2 running Windows. I compared speeds with and without a VPN connection, starting with a baseline of 2 ms/DL, 91.6 Mbps UL, and then connected to VPN servers in various regions (Latvia, the UK, the US, Japan, Germany, and South Africa). I tested different tunneling protocols: WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN.

One of the main reasons behind IPVanish’s impressive speeds is its use of the WireGuard protocol, which is currently the fastest tunneling protocol available. IPVanish also offers unlimited bandwidth, so your data is never restricted. With over 2400 servers in 130+ locations worldwide, you can easily find a nearby server, which is crucial for maintaining high speeds – since the distance to a server is one of the key factors that affect performance.

	Download retention	Upload retention
United States	78% (390Mbps)	13% (64Mbps)
United Kingdom	90% (451Mbps)	74% (370Mbps)
Australia	93% (467Mbps)	30% (152Mbps)
Canada	94% (468Mbps)	52% (262Mbps)
France	92% (461 Mbps)	82% (410 Mbps)
Japan	92% (461Mbps)	13% (64Mbps)

IPVanish delivers solid speeds that are ideal for everyday online activities like browsing, streaming, and gaming. In our tests, it performed just behind top contenders like NordVPN and Surfshark but still outpaced competitors such as CyberGhost and ExpressVPN.

Server network – 7/10

IPVanish offers a network of 2400 servers across 100 countries. While this number is smaller than other top VPNs, IPVanish stands out by owning and operating its entire network, eliminating third-party involvement, and enhancing both speed and security:

• IPVanish offers 1106 servers in the US, making it an excellent choice for accessing US content
• There are various ways to connect to the best server, such as filtering by ping time, using the optimal location feature, or saving your favorite servers for quick access

IPVanish consistently works to expand this fleet by adding new locations to enhance the experience. While this is a solid offering, it’s important to note that competitors like NordVPN and Surfshark provide larger networks, with 7100 and 3200 servers, respectively.

However, a key advantage of IPVanish is that it owns and operates all its servers, which can significantly enhance the overall security and reliability. This direct control allows IPVanish to maintain a high-performance standard across its entire server network.

IPVanish does not offer specialized servers, much like ExpressVPN. While this might seem like a disadvantage, I feel like it makes things easier. Whether you're bypassing geo-restrictions, torrenting, or streaming, all IPVanish servers deliver excellent performance, so you won’t need to switch servers for specific tasks.

In the US, IPVanish offers 1106 servers across 19 locations, making it a great USA VPN for bypassing blackouts or geo-restrictions. For comparison, NordVPN has 1970+ servers in 16 US locations, while Surfshark covers 22 US cities with 600 servers.

Server performance is typically affected by factors like distance, tunneling protocols, and server load. While my tests showed this to be the case with IPVanish, I did notice that US and UK servers were slightly faster than the rest.

Selecting a server is easy through the IPVanish’s app. You can choose directly from a server map or access the server list to see detailed information about cities and server counts. IPVanish also allows you to save your favorite servers for quick reconnections, and the Optimal Location feature automatically connects you to the nearest, least-loaded server for the best speeds.

Overall, IPVanish offers a strong server network that covers many parts of the world. Although it doesn’t provide specialized servers, its versatile performance across all servers makes it a reliable option for torrenting, streaming, and gaming.

Features and functionality – 8/10

IPVanish is a powerful VPN that excels in both security and functionality. It comes packed with a variety of features designed to enhance your online safety. One of its standout capabilities is the ability to customize and automate your VPN experience through custom connection rules. Here are some key features that set IPVanish apart:

• IPVanish provides Livedrive encrypted storage, offering up to 1TB with the Advanced subscription
• The VPN enhances your browsing experience with features like On Demand, split tunneling, traffic obfuscation, and SOCKS5 support
• With the Threat Protection feature, you can safeguard your browsing against trackers, cookies, and ads

With IPVanish’s Advanced subscription, you can access encrypted cloud storage similar to Dropbox or Google Drive but secured with AES-256 encryption. So, your uploaded files are protected with the same standard as your VPN connection. The service, powered by Livedrive, offers up to 1TB of storage.

VPN server network:	2400+ servers in 100 countries
Tunneling protocols:	WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec, OpenVPN
Data collection policy:	Independently audited no-logs policy
Online protection:	Threat Protection, AES-256 encryption with SHA-512 hash, kill switch, secure access to media
Maximum account connections:	Unlimited
Customer support:	24/7 live chat, phone (Monday-Friday), email, support center, social media
Money-back guarantee:	30 days (for 1-year and 2-year plans)
Free trial:	7 days for Android and iOS
IP addresses:	Shared and dedicated
Advanced features:	SugarSync, On Demand, SOCKS5 proxy, traffic obfuscation

One standout feature is the On Demand, which lets you auto-connect to the VPN in specific situations, such as when using public Wi-Fi or connecting to select websites. This way, you don’t have to manually connect to the VPN in places like coffee shops. The split tunneling feature gives you more control by allowing certain apps to bypass the VPN connection.

IPVanish also includes a free SOCKS5 proxy, which hides your IP address without encryption. This makes it popular among torrenters who want to hide their identity while downloading. However, keep in mind that it doesn’t encrypt your traffic, so your ISP can still see your activity. Also, IPVanish doesn’t restrict the use of SOCKS5 for data scraping.

The VPN offers traffic obfuscation that helps bypass VPN blocks in places with strict internet controls, like China. By scrambling OpenVPN traffic, this feature allows you to bypass firewalls that block VPN connections.

IPVanish’s Threat Protection works on multiple platforms, blocking ads, trackers, and malicious sites. In practice, IPVanish's version is quite similar to NordVPN’s Threat Protection. It works by using custom DNS addresses to enhance your browsing security. From my experience, it works just as effectively as NordVPN’s, providing a smooth and secure browsing experience.

Overall, IPVanish offers all the essential VPN features. I found it very easy to customize to fit my needs. The On Demand feature and split tunneling let me automate when the VPN connects, so I don’t have to open the app whenever I want to turn it on or off. This makes browsing smoother and more convenient.

Compatibility – 9/10

IPVanish is compatible with various operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, FireOS, tvOS, and ChromeOS. Here are the key points regarding its compatibility:

• IPVanish maintains a consistent interface across devices, even though some features vary due to operating system limitations
• With unlimited simultaneous connections, you can set up a VPN on any device in your household and enjoy maximum security

The IPVanish VPN apps are pretty easy to use and well-designed. However, I think the apps will be more appreciated by advanced users – mainly thanks to the number of features, advanced settings, and detailed stats about the connection. Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS users have dedicated applications, while those who use Linux need to use the Command Line Interface. It's worth noting that IPVanish works with different browsers, offering a Secure Browser extension, which adds extra security for browsing, though it doesn’t function like a VPN.

Platform	Experience
Windows:	The richest experience with IPVanish
macOS:	Less customizable but easy to use
Linux:	No graphical app, works through terminal
Mobile devices:	Decent user-friendly applications
Router:	The supported router firmware includes DD-WRT (versions 2 and 3), Tomato, AsusWRT, and AsusWRT-Merlin
Browsers:	Chrome, Edge, and Firefox

Windows

If you are a Windows user, IPVanish allows you to select from several tabs, such as Home, Locations, Settings, Info, and Account. By switching the tabs, you can quickly alter your settings or connect to a different server.

The server list can be switched from map view to list view, which is very convenient. There's even a filter according to the proximity and latency of the server.

Moreover, you are able to add servers to a Favorite list which is displayed on the top of the country list. Also, the Windows kill switch is a bit more customizable than the one on macOS, allowing even local area network blocks.

macOS

Feature-wise, the macOS version has a kill switch, IPSec encryption, auto-reconnect, an obfuscation toggle, on-demand rules, and Threat Protection.

While the macOS version is slightly less customizable than the Windows one, it still provides a smooth experience. I really like that the IPVanish macOS app supports ARM 64 architecture, which makes it work better on Macs with Apple Silicon chips. This support helps the IPVanish app run smoother, using less battery and resources.

The whole interface remains similar. It is quite easy to use and still appears customizable enough to get the most out of it.

IPVanish mobile apps

If you’re focused on cybersecurity, you should already know that iOS apps rarely have the edge over Android. However, I think that iOS and Android versions are very comparable.

The Settings section on iOS has On Demand connections, Split Tunneling, Threat Protection, kill switch, and an option to select different protocols. I found the split tunneling feature especially handy, as many providers like NordVPN or ExpressVPN do not offer it on iOS.

While you pick a server and location to connect to, IPVanish ensures that you can connect to the optimal location. It identifies which server and city are the best available. This feature works the same way with Android.

To improve your safe browsing experience even more, IPVanish on Android has implemented status information, displaying details such as your new IP address, server name, location, and connection duration.. One more thing to mention, it's nice that with Android, even if the IPVanish app isn't available in your country, you can still install it by sideloading the IPVanish app on your Android device.

IPVanish on routers

IPVanish currently supports high-end RT series ASUS routers with either stock ASUSWRT firmware or custom ASUS-Merlin firmware, as well as routers flashed with DD-WRT or Tomato. While IPVanish can help you set up your router, it doesn't assist with flashing or installing these operating systems.

Not Sure if Your Router Works? For DD-WRT, check the compatibility list on the IPVanish website. It also offers pre-releases for newer routers. For Tomato, visit their website or another trusted source to check compatibility. Different editions of Tomato have different router support.

If you’re using ASUS routers, check if your model is compatible with ASUSWRT-Merlin on their website. Remember that there are different versions for older and newer models.

Newer ASUS RT series routers come with ASUSWRT firmware pre-installed. Just make sure your firmware is up to date for the latest features.

How to set up your VPN on the router? Once you've installed the firmware, head to IPVanish VPN Setup page for guides on configuring Tomato or DD-WRT. For ASUS routers, check out our ASUSWRT or ASUSWRT-Merlin setup guides.

To conclude, IPVanish offers solid compatibility across a range of devices, and the interface remains easy to use across operating systems. While it doesn’t offer a dedicated VPN browser extension, it can be installed on any device, providing seamless and secure browsing across platforms.

Customer support – 10/10

IPVanish offers excellent customer support, and most importantly, you can reach it through various communication channels, ensuring you're never left without assistance. Here are some key points about IPVanish’s support:

• IPVanish’s knowledge base and FAQ sections are extremely helpful, offering setup guides and solutions for common issues
• IPVanish provides phone support, making communication even easier
• IPVanish is highly active on social media platforms like Reddit, Facebook, and X (Twitter)

There are several ways to get help from IPVanish. You can contact them through live chat, email, or phone. Alternatively, you can explore their guides, articles, or social media channels for quick solutions.

Customer service options	IPVanish
24/7 live chat:	✅ Yes
Email:	✅ Yes
Phone line:	✅ Yes
Guides or articles:	✅ Yes
FAQs:	✅ Yes
Social media:	✅ Yes

If you have some questions about IPVanish, the best place to start is their knowledge center. The FAQs are very detailed, helping you troubleshoot and resolve issues on your own. The guides seem properly maintained and up to date.

For more specific or complex problems, you can contact their customer support agents directly via email, phone, or live chat. While testing the email option, I experienced a three-day wait before receiving a response that asked for further device details when trying to unblock BBC iPlayer. So, email isn't the fastest method. However, the live chat was much quicker, connecting me to an agent in just a few minutes. The agent resolved the issue efficiently, making live chat a more reliable option for immediate help.

IPVanish also garners positive reviews from users online, especially on Trustpilot, where customers commend the prompt and effective service. That said, some negative reviews mention unexpected charges as a downside. Nonetheless, the majority of feedback highlights satisfaction with the service and support.

Additionally, IPVanish is very active on social media. Its team regularly interacts with users on Reddit, Facebook, and X (Twitter), even managing a dedicated subreddit. This presence ensures that you can get help or updates on various platforms.

IPVanish offers phone support, which is uncommon amongst most VPN providers. It’s especially useful when dealing with more technical or complicated issues.

Overall, IPVanish customer service support left a positive impression on me. Conveniently, the VPN's customer support portal shows whether there are any major problems with the service. That way, you know that the problem isn't on your end.

In summary, IPVanish’s customer support is reliable, responsive, and easy to access. Whether it’s through phone support, live chat, or helpful online resources, it has proven to be effective at resolving issues quickly and efficiently. IPVanish’s inclusion of phone support is particularly noteworthy, providing an extra layer of convenience for more challenging problems.

IPVanish use cases

With IPVanish, you can stream content from services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, or Max without buffering. It also helps to bypass content blocks, allowing access to geo-blocked content while traveling abroad, such as the full Netflix library from various countries.

Is IPVanish good for streaming?

IPVanish can unblock all major streaming platforms, including Netflix and YouTube TV. It has also resolved its past issues with Hulu and Amazon Prime, making it a solid choice for streaming.

Platform	Does it work?
Netflix	✅ Yes
BBC iPlayer	✅ Yes
YouTube TV	✅ Yes
Max	✅ Yes
Hulu	✅ Yes
Disney Plus	✅ Yes
Amazon Prime Video	✅ Yes

Start streaming with IPVanish

IPVanish doesn't have specialized servers for streaming. You’ll be using the same servers for everything else. In my experience, I had to switch servers a few times to get some streaming services working. While it can unblock most platforms, it may take some trial and error.

For streaming, I recommend trying other market-leading providers like NordVPN or Surfshark. These options provide a consistent streaming experience and effortlessly unblock the most popular streaming platforms.

All in all, if you're a TV series binge-watcher, IPVanish is a solid option. That said, there are better solutions on Cybernews list of the best VPNs for streaming, which may give you a smoother experience overall.

Unblocking Netflix with IPVanish

IPVanish is a reasonable option for bypassing Netflix’s geo-restrictions. With this VPN, I unblocked Netflix in the US, UK, and India without experiencing any freezing or buffering. In conclusion, IPVanish works with Netflix.

Unblocking BBC iPlayer with IPVanish

Unblocking BBC iPlayer was pretty complex. While it is possible to unblock content, the quality may be poor and you may experience buffering. Consequently, I recommend looking for other BBC iPlayer VPNs.

What other streaming platforms does IPVanish unblock?

Together with our research team I tested several large streaming platforms, and IPVanish was able to unblock all of them. I had no issues with YouTube TV, Max, Hulu, Disney Plus, and Amazon Prime Video. While there was some occasional buffering, I still think IPVanish is a solid VPN for streaming.

Does IPVanish work with streaming boxes?

Yes, you can set up IPVanish with streaming boxes, such as Kodi Box, Amazon Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, or Roku.

With Kodi Box, you can download the .apk file from their website and install it on the device. With IPVanish for Kodi Box, unblocking particular content libraries is straightforward. Regarding the Amazon Fire TV Stick, you will need Amazon Fire TV, Amazon 2nd Generation, or later Fire Stick to install the VPN service and access content.

Roku will also work, but additional hardware is required, as the streaming platform is not capable of connecting to IPVanish by itself. You can connect your Roku through a DD-WRT or Tomato router, or by sharing a VPN connection from a computer.

Overall, IPVanish seems a decent option for streaming. If you're only interested in Netflix and YouTube TV, IPVanish will do just fine. However, if you need more niche streaming websites unblocked, you may run into some problems. This is a shame since IPVanish has apps for Fire TV, Fire Stick, and even Fire Cube, which makes streaming all the more convenient.

Is IPVanish good and safe for torrenting?

Yes, IPVanish is quite good and safe for torrenting. However, calling it excellent for torrenting wouldn’t be right. Truth be told, IPVanish isn't making a huge selling point out of its P2P capabilities. The service doesn't offer specialized torrenting servers, so you'll have to use the standard servers.

All in all, this isn't such a massive problem because torrenting with IPVanish works without problems. During the tests, the download speed was 7-8MB/s (56-64mbps) once it connected to all the peers. So, the speeds were a little bit higher than we're used to seeing on average.

There's also a free SOCKS5 proxy, which is great for those who seek to maintain great speeds but, at the same time, want to be secure and have online privacy.

Check out our top VPNs for torrenting guide to see how IPVanish compares to other VPNs.

IPVanish VPN video review

Check out our IPVanish review in video format below. You'll learn everything about the tool’s ease of use, features, value, and more.

Latest IPVanish news and updates

If you're curious whether IPVanish keeps up with updates and improves its services, check out their latest announcements.

• IPVanish releases Secure Browser extension (2024). This extension provides a true incognito mode, blocking all trackers, ensuring no browsing history is logged, and offering protection against viruses.
• Cloud storage is available with the Advanced plan (2024). IPVanish now includes up to 1TB of encrypted Livedrive storage with the Advanced plan.
• IPVanish has received the Google Secure VPN Certificate (2024). Google checked the Android app with its App Defense Alliance and NowSecure, one of their trusted labs. This shows IPVanish meets Google's security rules and goes above and beyond to offer a safe and easy-to-use VPN service.
• Threat Protection is available on all IPVanish platforms (2024). Whether you're using it on Fire TV, Android TV, Windows, Mac, Android, or iOS, you'll have extra protection against online threats right at your fingertips.
• The IPVanish VPN kill switch is now on iOS, and FireTV (2024). It's a crucial feature, making sure you have uninterrupted security and peace of mind while browsing online.
• New Mac VPN app (2023). With release, it came with a fresh look, new features, and performance upgrades. The app is now easier to use and more intuitive. Plus, IPVanish added new features like the Optimal Location feature and more options to customize your network security.
• Free trial implementation on mobile devices (2022). The IPVanish VPN free trial is only available for subscriptions started in a mobile app store. You can get the IPVanish app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
• Renewed iOS, Android, and Windows apps (2022). Crowded data panels were replaced with easy-to-use navigation, making the interface clean and attractive.

Is IPVanish good and worth getting?

IPVanish is a middle-shelf VPN service that offers most of what you’d expect from a VPN. This provider has all the necessary features, like a functional kill switch and numerous servers to connect to. It also unblocks Netflix, has P2P compatibility, and offers a very affordable price for the first year. There are no IP or DNS leaks to speak of.

That said, due to IPVanish’s jurisdiction, it may not be the go-to choice if absolute privacy is your goal. Moreover, it has difficulties unblocking some streaming services. However, if you're mostly watching Netflix or YouTube TV, it can unblock them easily. And with the updated WireGuard speeds, you'll be streaming high-definition content in no time. For a cheap and fast option for Netflix and torrenting, IPVanish is an excellent VPN.

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