IPVanish VPN review

IPVanish is a feature-rich and user-friendly VPN. In fact, it’s a great tool to increase your online security and privacy or simply enjoy Netflix or YouTube TV. Moreover, all of this comes at a wallet-friendly price.

Based in the United States, IPVanish is perfect for streaming Netflix and unblocking other popular streaming services. It also works with various torrenting clients and offers rather high speeds with the WireGuard tunneling protocol.

IPVanish also can offer you a wide range of features, some of which aren’t found in any other VPN. For example, you can set your VPN connection to work on your preferred Wi-Fi network or application with the On Demand feature. Plus, the SOCKS5 proxy is included, which can come in handy if you're a torrenting fan.

Of course, just like any other VPN provider, IPVanish also has its own shortcomings. For instance, apps might be awkward to use.

Continue reading this IPVanish review to find out what you may expect from it. And don’t forget to grab the limited Cybernews offer!

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Is IPVanish safe?

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.

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Encryption

IPVanish uses 256-bit AES encryption along with ChaCha20 with WireGuard. Originally known as Rijndael, AES-256 is considered one of the safest options to encrypt data. Additionally, IPVanish received VTI (VPN Trust Initiative) accreditation representing their dedication to safeguarding their user online security. For these reasons, it's widely used in government and financial institutions. It's simply too complex to be brute-forced by 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. However, this feature is only available with the OpenVPN protocol.

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.

Recently, IPVanish 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 app.

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

So, the kill switch works as advertised. If you're doing something sensitive and the connection breaks, the kill switch will have your back.

Logging

IPVanish is located in the US – the home of the NSA (National Security Agency), which is tapped into all of the country's data lines. The US government is also one of the founding members of the Five Eyes alliance.

In the privacy policy, however, IPVanish promises to treat your data with utmost respect. The company claims not to log or sell your data or info regarding your online activity, and it only collects your email address and billing information. So, how is it, does IPVanish keep logs?

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.

Also, 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 has successfully audited the application and confirmed that IPVanish does not collect information regarding user activity or traffic logs.

How much does IPVanish VPN cost?

IPVanish offers 3 different plans: Monthly subscription ($12.99/month), Yearly subscription ($2.79/month), and 2-Year subscription ($2.19/month).

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Considering the number of features you get, the initial IPVanish prices are quite attractive. However, after the first month, first year, or second year (depending on your plan), the initial discount is no longer valid, and the pricing increases.

All in all, IPVanish is one of the cheapest VPNs to use for a year, especially if you opt for a plan with the SugarSync bundle that offers encrypted storage. You can reach out to IPVanish directly to get more information regarding the bundle.

IPVanish’s 30-day money-back guarantee only applies to their annual plans. If you want to get an IPVanish free trial, don't pick a monthly option, as you won't get a refund. All plans support unlimited simultaneous connections, so you'll have total freedom over the number of devices you can use with the VPN. This is a special perk because only IPVanish and Surfshark among the top providers in the market offer unlimited simultaneous connections.

Available payment options include credit cards, PayPal, and Google Pay. So, if you're planning to pay with cryptocurrencies, you won't be able to do it.

• If IPVanish prices look a little bit steep – we might have a solution. Check out our page for IPVanish coupons to see if there's a deal waiting for you.

Can you get IPVanish VPN for free?

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 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 merge the two deals and enjoy 37 days of free premium IPVanish VPN.

IPVanish use cases

With IPVanish, you can stream content from services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, or Max without buffering. Also, it helps bypass content blocks, allowing access to censored content while traveling abroad, such as accessing the full Netflix library from various countries.

Is IPVanish good for streaming?

While IPVanish can unblock some major streaming platforms, including Netflix or YouTube TV, it can struggle with the rest, including Hulu and Amazon Prime Video.

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IPVanish doesn't have specialized servers for streaming. You will be using the same ones as for everything else. Therefore, it might get quite irritating as you are unable to bypass pretty important streaming sites.

For streaming, we recommend trying other market-leading providers like NordVPN or Surfshark.

All in all, if you are a TV series binge-watcher, then IPVanish isn't the best option. You can find the best solution for this on our list of the best VPNs for streaming.

Unblocking Netflix with IPVanish

IPVanish is a reasonable option for bypassing Netflix geo-restrictions. With this VPN, we managed to unblock Netflix US, UK, and India. There were no freezing or buffering interruptions. In conclusion, IPVanish works with Netflix.

However, IPVanish couldn't unblock most of the European Netflix libraries, with very few exceptions. So if you want a VPN that unblocks the European Netflix, take a look at our best VPN for Netflix list.

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, looking for other BBC iPlayer VPNs is advised.

What other streaming platforms does IPVanish unblock?

We picked several large sites to test IPVanish’s capabilities, but the result wasn’t as exciting as you would want it to be. Four streaming platforms were unblocked with IPVanish – Netflix (US, UK, India libraries), Max, YouTube, and BBC iPlayer.

Unfortunately, IPVanish didn’t help access Hulu. The VPN was caught in the streaming provider’s filters, returning an error and blocking access to the site.

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 a straightforward process. 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.

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 same pool.

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 of the peers. So, the speeds were a little bit higher than we're accustomed 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 server list and locations

IPVanish has more than 2400 servers in 55 countries. The VPN continuously adds new server locations to grow its server fleet and offer enhanced services for its users. Although IPVanish has a decent number of servers, both NordVPN and Surfshark boast over 5,000 servers each.

Additionally, they offer virtual servers in regions with stricter internet regulations, like India. On the other hand, all IPVanish server list is owned by the company, which can improve the overall security of the available servers.

Out of six contents, IPVanish has the most servers in North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania:

It’s quite easy and convenient to pick a server and location on IPVanish’s application. Here’s how to do it:

• Option 1. Open the map, find the desired country and double-click a gray button to automatically connect to a random server
• Option 2. Go to the server list to find information regarding server cities and the number of servers, and connect to your chosen server

If you're planning to use IPVanish’s Asian or Oceanian servers, you may face crowding if more users decide to connect at the same time. However, those choosing North American or European servers will have a much better user experience.

Keep in mind that distance from the VPN server and your location will also affect your speed.

Speed and performance: is IPVanish fast?

We conducted tests using the IPVanish app on a Lenovo ThinkPad T14s Gen2 running Windows. We 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). We tested different tunneling protocols: WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN.i

Our tests show that IPVanish has excellent speeds using WireGuard, placing it in the top 3 of our fastest VPNs list. According to our results, the VPN has fast download speeds, retaining around 80% of the original performance in key locations. And, depending on your location and server, upload speeds can be very close to that as well.

If you connect to IPVanish via the OpenVPN tunneling protocol, you can also enjoy solid speeds. Of course, they depend on your physical location as well.

Data period: 08.30 - 09.13

	Download retention	Upload retention
US (NY)	88% (444 Mbit/s)	84 % (420 Mbit/s)
United Kingdom	94% (471 Mbit/s)	88 % (443 Mbit/s)
Australia	90% (450 Mbit/s)	31 % (158 Mbit/s)
Canada	91% (455 Mbit/s)	32 % (164 Mbit/s)
France	92% (461 Mbit/s)	82 % (410 Mbit/s)

Download/Upload baseline speed - 500 Mbit/s

IPVanish protocols

Apart from WireGuard and OpenVPN, IPVanish also supports other tunneling protocols.

• WireGuard. A new type of communication protocol that's capable of bringing the best speed, strong security, and is easy to deploy. Available on all IPVanish clients and set as a default tunneling protocol.
• OpenVPN (TCP/UDP). Open-source protocol, which still provides first-class security. Available on Windows, macOS, and Android.
• IKEv2/IPSec. The most popular mobile device option due to low resource usage, compatibility, and near-instant reconnections on interrupts. Available on all IPVanish clients.

During our tests, the time to connect with IKEv2 was significantly lower than with OpenVPN. The download speeds were more consistent and overall higher but the upload speeds dropped substantially in many cases. On average, the download speeds dropped by 21%, while upload speed drops were around 89%. As with OpenVPN, ping times were also higher than usual.

IPVanish VPN features

IPVanish is a feature-rich VPN that will satisfy most of your needs. For example, it includes encrypted storage (which is pretty rare when it comes to VPNs), automatic connection features, split tunneling, traffic obfuscation, and even a SOCKS5 proxy.

SugarSync

When you're paying for your IPVanish subscription, you also can get encrypted storage for a small fee. It works similarly to Dropbox or Google Drive, with the upside that it's encrypted using the AES-256 encryption. So, your uploaded files are protected with the same standard as your VPN connection.

SugarSync lets you store up to 500 GB. The most significant selling point is that you can even enable upload by email. When you enable this option, you can forward emails with attachments to a unique email address. The attached files will be immediately stored in the cloud. This is convenient and solves some problems if you're using a secure email provider with limited inbox storage.

On Demand

IPVanish offers a method to automate your connections with the On Demand feature. When it's turned on, you auto-connect to the VPN in pre-determined cases. You can set it up to always connect automatically, disable the feature when connecting to a specific Wi-Fi, or turn it on when connecting to specified websites.

If you set it up for your mobile, you can choose not to use the VPN while at home but automatically connect in coffee shops or libraries. That way, you don't have to remember to enable it. The VPN does its good work from the background. However, this feature is only available on iOS.

Split tunneling

Split tunneling allows IPVanish users much better control of their VPN setup. With this feature, you can choose which apps connect to the internet, bypassing the VPN connection. This means that they will be connecting directly with your real IP address instead of going through an intermediary.

It makes sense to use split tunneling for local versions of applications that you're using. So, you can order food from a local retailer, rather than some chain that's located on another continent. It will work great for Netflix, as well.

This feature can also minimize the risk that your banking application will trigger security alerts. These apps are particularly sensitive to foreign IPs joining the website, as it's often a signal for scammers who got a hold of someone's data. With split tunneling, you'll be able to avoid such problems. IPVanish offers this feature on its Windows, Android, iOS, Fire TV, and Mac apps, and even Apple Vision Pro.

SOCKS5 Proxy

Every IPVanish subscription comes with a free SOCKS5 proxy. It's an unencrypted intermediary server that removes your IP address. For this reason, it's popular with torrenters who want to remain anonymous when downloading. Many torrent clients can be easily configured to use the SOCKS5 proxy, hiding your real IP address.

However, it's worth noting that the IP address being hidden is the only benefit. SOCKS doesn't encrypt your data. A snoopy ISP will be able to see what you're doing online. It just minimizes the risk that your IP address will end up on some shady list.

For more tech-savvy users, IPVanish terms of service don't restrict SOCKS5 usage for scraping. It means that if you want to scrape websites for data, you can theoretically use IPVanish without repercussions.

Traffic obfuscation

Another useful feature about the existence of which IPVanish isn't screaming from the rooftops is traffic obfuscation. The XOR cipher available with the OpenVPN protocol assists in bypassing networks where VPN usage is blocked. For example, in countries where there are strict geo-restrictions – like in China.

The first layer of encryption protects your exchanged traffic, for example, the visited websites. It leaves you with patterns that are very indicative of OpenVPN usage. However, with XOR, OpenVPN's traffic loses its VPN characteristics as they are scrambled with the XOR step.

It may seem irrelevant, but keep in mind that some governments have implemented firewalls with deep-packet inspection. Their function is to disable all VPN usage. So, with obfuscation, you're immune to their blocks to some extent.

Threat Protection

IPVanish introduced the Threat Protection feature in late 2023 for Fire TV, Android, and iOS devices. The tool shares its name with NordVPN’s Threat Protection and provides many of the same perks. The feature is expected to grace Windows and Mac devices in February 2024.

For starters, IPVanish’s variant blocks online ads, thus improving overall performance and reducing data usage while browsing the web. Additionally, the tool stops trackers, such as intrusive third-party cookies and tracking scripts, that follow you everywhere online. Finally, the feature blocks malicious sites used for phishing attacks and malware distribution to give IPVanish customers an additional security measure.

How does IPVanish work?

When you open IPVanish, you'll see a big app window. You can connect by clicking on the map or choosing a server from the list of countries. The main dashboard has important features like the kill switch. You'll find other settings in the Settings menu.

In the Settings menu, you can adjust everything from how it looks to the protocols it uses. Plus, in settings, you can set up split tunneling for certain apps. IPVanish stands out for its privacy tools, making it great for both newbies and pros. You can quickly connect to your preferred servers from the Settings menu, too, by clicking on the green button.

You can check out the info section for diagnostics and contacts if you encounter any issues. Personally, I don't think regular users need diagnostics because they usually don't provide much help. You'll still need to contact customer support. That's why I prefer the mobile app over the desktop version. It lists all the features clearly, and getting help is just a click away.

Interface and ease of use

The apps of IPVanish VPN are pretty easy to use and are well-designed. However, I think they 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, but it doesn't provide any add-ons for extra browser security.

Overall the interface of the apps and browser extensions is quite simple and user-friendly, all of the features are handily found in the settings menu. On the other hand, users are facing issues while connecting. After a while, it looks like you need to uninstall and reinstall it again to make it work properly.

Another problem bugging Redditors is that it’s kind of complicated to cancel the subscription.

Canceling your subscription through the app isn't just difficult. Looks like there have been reports of 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 cancelation.

Windows

If you are a Windows user, with IPVanish, you get a selection from several tabs like 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.

Other than that, the macOS version is less customizable than the Widows app. But the experience with IPVanish doesn’t get worse.

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, which is quite easy to use and still appears to be customizable enough to get the best out of it. IPVanish also offers a VPN app for Apple TV, which you can download from the App Store.

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 iOS version has On Demand connections, Siri shortcuts, and an alternate connection mode. Otherwise, there's nothing else. Except for a comfortable and nice-looking interface.

The Settings section on iOS allows you to easily customize the functionality of the application. Also, you will find security tools that you may enable. For example, the On Demand feature.

While you are picking a server and location that you want to connect to, IPVanish makes sure you have the possibility of connecting to the best possible option. Meaning, it identifies what server and the city are the best available. This feature works the same with Android.

iOS and Android designs look pretty much the same, and, its functionality remains similar on Android, too. Except that the Android version additionally has a kill switch and Threat Protection (beta version). Also, you can use the obfuscation toggle and split tunneling.

To improve your safe browsing experience even more, IPVanish on Android has implemented status information, which provides information about a new IP address, the name of the server, location, time spent connected, and even more. 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 apk 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 they can help you set up your router, they don'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. They also offer 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, 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.

By following IPVanish instructions, your router will use one connection, which counts as one of the 10 allowed by IPVanish.

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.

Customer support

IPVanish offers various customer support options. You can contact the provider via live chat, email, and phone. Or you can check out their guides and articles, as well as social media.

If you have some questions about IPVanish, the best place to start is their knowledge center. Helpful FAQs can help you solve problems autonomously. The guides seem properly maintained and up to date.

However, if your problem needs a more unique approach, you can contact the IPVanish customer support agents via email, phone, or live chat. When we contacted them, asking if there was anything that could be done to unblock iPlayer, we received a reply three days later, asking what device was in use. So, email isn't the fastest option at their disposal. However, live chat proved to be much faster.

Overall, IPVanish customer service support left a positive impression. 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.

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 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 business location, 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.

Let us know your experiences and opinions on IPVanish in the comments section below!

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