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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

IPVanish Review 2024 — A Safe VPN, But Is It Any Good?

Our Score: 9.2/10
Ranked 6th out of 198 VPNs
James Everard Updated on 2nd December 2024 Fact-checked by Christine Johansen Senior Writer

IPVanish offers high-speed connections and an impressive list of advanced security features at a budget-friendly price. Over the years I’ve been working with this VPN, it’s continued to stand out as a reliable option for several different use cases.

My team and I carefully studied its privacy policy and tested its speeds, security features, and streaming capabilities. We also looked into its network coverage and ease of use before putting its customer service team to the test.

Overall, IPVanish is a safe and reliable option with fast speeds and a decent server network. Although it’s had a couple of issues surrounding its privacy standards, it’s taken several steps to mitigate these issues. If you decide to give IPVanish a try, you can take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re not happy with it, getting a refund is easy.

Try IPVanish for Free >>

IPVanish VPN Pros, Cons, and Needed Improvements

  • Works well for streaming

    My international team of testers and I could stream in high quality without buffering.

  • Excellent speeds

    We only encountered minimal drops in speeds.

  • Extensive server network

    IPVanish has over 2,400 servers across 135 countries that are compatible with P2P sharing and gaming.

  • Excellent security features

    These include military-grade encryption, a kill switch, advanced protocols, and DNS/IP leak protection.

  • Easy to use

    IPVanish is suitable for all-level users and you can connect as many devices as you want simultaneously. It has native apps for major operating systems and devices, including Amazon FireStick.

  • Trustworthy refund policy

    IPVanish has a 30-day money-back guarantee, and subscription plans are reasonably priced.

  • Average privacy standards

    While IPVanish adheres to a strict no-logs policy, it’s based in the US and has been previously involved in a privacy incident that I found a bit concerning.

  • Doesn’t work in China

    Despite having an obfuscation tool, IPVanish’s representatives have confirmed that it won’t work there.

IPVanish December 2024 Deal: It's hard to find active IPVanish offers so I was really surprised to find this one! Click here to get 83% off your IPVanish subscription today! Discount automatically applied (no code required).

IPVanish VPN Features — 2024 Update

9.2
💸 Price 2.19 USD/month
📆 Money Back Guarantee 30 Days
📝 Does VPN keep logs? No
🖥 Number of servers 2400+
🛡 Kill switch Yes
🗺 Based in country United States
🛠 Support 24/7 Live Chat Support
📥 Supports torrenting Yes

Streaming — Great Picture Quality and Short Load Times

8.8

IPVanish has greatly improved the number of platforms it works with, supporting HD access from anywhere. During our tests, it worked with nearly every popular streaming service. We were impressed with how it performed, especially when it came to streaming quality.

In fact, it compared favorably with streaming heavyweights such as ExpressVPN and NordVPN.

After extensive testing, we found it compatible with the following platforms:

Netflix Hulu Disney+ BBC iPlayer Max Crunchyroll
Channel 4 My5 ESPN+ Paramount+ Rai Play Pluto TV
Crave Zatto Kodi fuboTV CBC Gem Vudu
Globoplay Discovery+ Locast Rakuten Apple TV DAZN
beIN Sports ITV Hotstar Crackle ProSieben Peacock
Be advised: The VPNs we recommend have a strict no-logging policy, so they won’t track your online activities. Because of this, you’ll be responsible for how you use the VPN. We urge you to never break the terms of service agreements for any app, site, or service you utilize. The vpnMentor team does not condone any form of copyright infringement.

Works With: Netflix US, UK, Germany, India, and Japan

IPVanish’s servers in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Houston worked great with Netflix US. Loading times were minimal, and there were no drops in quality for the duration of our testing. We could also safely watch Netflix Germany, Japan, the UK, and India in HD with IPVanish connected.

Screenshot showing the IPVanish app over a browser streaming Netflix USThe load time was 3-5 seconds, which is similar to our non-VPN connection

In all the regions we tested, we were able to watch the full Netflix library, and weren’t restricted to Netflix Originals. That also included France, the Netherlands, and Canada.

Works With: Hulu

We could safely stream Hulu in HD on all the servers we tested, including Las Angeles, Phoenix, and Seattle. We could stream uninterrupted without encountering any buffering, so there are no complaints about watching this platform.

Screenshot showing the IPVanish app over a browser streaming HuluIt never took longer than 10 seconds to load movies and shows on Hulu

Works With: Disney+

We could safely access the different Disney+ regions. We streamed a full episode of Grey’s Anatomy in HD with zero lag on Disney+ UK while connected to one of IPVanish’s London servers. We could also watch Agatha All Along from the US library while connected to Atlanta.

Screenshot showing the IPVanish app over a browser streaming Disney+Our picture quality was crystal clear and there were no instances of buffering

Works With: Max

Max streamed securely through IPVanish’s New York server. We did have to refresh our browser to get some videos to load, but once running, they played without a hitch. Even with the connection encrypted, Curb Your Enthusiasm still played perfectly.

Screenshot showing the IPVanish app over a browser streaming MaxWe could also stream Max on servers in Chicago and Denver

Also Works With: BBC iPlayer, ESPN+, and DAZN

UK platforms proved to be no problem, and BBC iPlayer content streamed smoothly. We just had to confirm that we had a TV license, and videos played without lag. We tested servers in Manchester, London, and Birmingham, and all were successful.

ESPN+ and DAZN content also streamed without any issues when connecting to servers in Miami and San Jose.

Doesn't Work With: Amazon Prime Video

Unfortunately, Amazon Prime Video wouldn’t work with IPVanish. The platform detected the VPN and requested that we disable the connection.

Screenshot showing the error screen on Prime VideoThe standalone PrimeVideo domain wouldn't work with IPVanish

However, we were still impressed by IPVanish’s performance overall. It’s good to know that the VPN can keep you safe online while allowing you to stream in HD from anywhere.

Speed — Fast on Most Servers

9.4

IPVanish is very fast, especially on nearby servers, putting it among some of the fastest VPNs available. The slowdowns were minimal on servers in the same continent. The furthest server on the other side of the world was slower, but that's usual for most VPNs.

There’s an Optimal Location button, but we didn’t find it to be especially effective. It always connected to a server that wasn't the fastest, as we found faster ones manually.

No VPN
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USA (Dallas) USA (Dallas)
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USA (Miami) USA (Miami)
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USA (Los Angeles) USA (Los Angeles)
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USA (New York) USA (New York)
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Canada Canada
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Brazil Brazil
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UK UK
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France France
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Japan Japan
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Australia Australia
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Singapore Singapore
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246.22 Mbps
76.03 Mbps
3 ms
190.85 Mbps
88.91 Mbps
10 ms
120.72 Mbps
117.54 Mbps
51 ms
194.43 Mbps
146.69 Mbps
43 ms
168.82 Mbps
124.26 Mbps
51 ms
120.49 Mbps
102.81 Mbps
41 ms
53.08 Mbps
143.79 Mbps
144 ms
84.31 Mbps
159.99 Mbps
110 ms
166.91 Mbps
129.35 Mbps
133 ms
164.21 Mbps
83.29 Mbps
137 ms
47.82 Mbps
103.23 Mbps
386 ms
19.18 Mbps
80.88 Mbps
202 ms
182.72 Mbps
49.12 Mbps
6 ms
128.31 Mbps
29.79 Mbps
12 ms
125.59 Mbps
25.07 Mbps
51 ms
123.45 Mbps
31.53 Mbps
34 ms
122.72 Mbps
22.93 Mbps
48 ms
122.64 Mbps
45.93 Mbps
43 ms
109.40 Mbps
29.53 Mbps
150 ms
134.68 Mbps
68.59 Mbps
111 ms
140.86 Mbps
24.73 Mbps
118 ms
45.01 Mbps
8.10 Mbps
145 ms
172.88 Mbps
61.30 Mbps
178 ms
86.17 Mbps
30.60 Mbps
208 ms
218.55 Mbps
33.11 Mbps
3 ms
164.46 Mbps
97.64 Mbps
10 ms
142.95 Mbps
95.22 Mbps
52 ms
189.32 Mbps
15.44 Mbps
42 ms
142.27 Mbps
45.54 Mbps
43 ms
57.01 Mbps
35.80 Mbps
59 ms
153.39 Mbps
45.51 Mbps
139 ms
78.27 Mbps
65.09 Mbps
125 ms
74.53 Mbps
70.22 Mbps
116 ms
154.09 Mbps
66.89 Mbps
143 ms
83.71 Mbps
42.62 Mbps
199 ms
76.88 Mbps
52.38 Mbps
208 ms
These tests are conducted from the USA

Gaming — Fast Enough Across the Continent

9.5

Ping is the all-important metric when it comes to gaming. It measures the latency from your commands to the on-screen action. Under 100 ms is considered optimal for responsive gameplay. With IPVanish, we could get a game-friendly ping from anywhere in Europe. The UK ping of 31 ms was ideal for fast interaction.

Even the New York server, 3,200 miles away from our gaming testing base, was responsive enough at 96 ms. We could easily keep up with all the action on Brawlhalla on a macOS desktop machine.

Screenshot showing the IPVanish app over an online gameThe nearby ping of 31 ms was the fastest we got with IPVanish

Server Network — Large Network of Private Servers

9.2

IPVanish has an extensive network of 2,400 servers in 135 countries, with the US, UK, Canada, Netherlands, and Germany having the most connection options. You can choose city-level servers in many countries as well. There are even some servers in Africa and South America, which many VPNs don’t cover.

You can search for a location or sort servers by country, city, or load to manually select one. Additionally, you can use its interactive map to find a server on the Home tab. Being able to zoom in and out of the map makes it easy to navigate.

Screenshot showing IPVanish's server list on its appYou can also toggle servers via city, load, or number of servers

Many VPNs now have RAM-only servers that automatically wipe all user data on reboot, but IPVanish uses hard drive servers. It also doesn’t offer dedicated IP addresses — which are unique to one subscriber. If you need a private IP address, there are a few options available. Still, IPVanish makes up for the lack of these server options with a self-owned network.

Collocated Server Network

IPVanish operates a robust, self-owned (collocated) server network that spans multiple countries worldwide. Most VPNs rent servers from third parties, so this is impressive.

A self-owned server network provides significant privacy advantages compared to VPNs that rely on rented servers. For instance, it allows IPVanish to implement stringent security measures, ensure no third-party access to its hardware, and maintain complete oversight of data handling practices.

Virtual Locations

IPVanish currently has 39 virtual server locations. These can give you the IP address of a location without the server actually being physically located there. Sometimes this is for security reasons. For example, the government of India demands that all commercial servers be monitored. IPVanish, therefore, has a virtual location for India so its users’ privacy isn’t compromised.

Security — Robust Features With Limited Customization

8.8

IPVanish is a safe VPN, and one of the main reasons for that is its world-class security features. These features include military-grade encryption, a kill switch, DNS/IP leak protection, split tunneling, and advanced protocols. There’s even a Scramble feature for the OpenVPN protocol, making it look like you’re not using a VPN by obfuscating your traffic. Its main function is to help bypass tough firewalls.

I like that it has its own malware and ad blocker called Threat Protection. It also has a split tunneling feature, which lets you redirect some of your internet traffic through the VPN while the rest uses your regular unencrypted connection. Unfortunately, it lacks multi-hop, which adds extra encryption layers to your connection.

Military-Grade Encryption

Military-grade encryption, also known as AES 256-bit encryption, is the highest level of encryption available and is very secure. 256 refers to how long the character key is, which protects your data like a password. The longer the character key, the better, as it takes more time to crack it. In fact, 256 bits is so long that it would take several lifetimes for the world’s most powerful supercomputers to break it.

It also uses the SHA512 algorithm for authentication and the DHE-RSA 2048 key exchange that supports perfect forward secrecy. These encryption standards ensure that none of your data can be read even if a hacker gets hold of the decryption key (which is very unlikely, anyway).

Security Protocols — Several Advanced Options

IPVanish provides strong security through several protocols: OpenVPN (TCP and UDP), WireGuard, IKEv2, and IPSec. These protocols allow you to customize your connection for whatever you’re doing online, mainly through speed and security. IPVanish also has an Automatic protocol setting. When you have this enabled, it will choose the best protocol for you based on what you’re doing, so you don’t need to manually select one.

Screenshot showing IPVanish's protocolsYou can also toggle ports on the OpenVPN protocol
  • OpenVPN. A highly secure open-source protocol. This means that its code is always visible, which allows people to examine and improve it. It offers 2 options: TCP and UDP. TCP provides reliable data delivery but can reduce speeds, while UDP offers faster transmission but may be less reliable.
  • WireGuard. A newer protocol that has quickly become the default for many VPNs. It provides a good balance between speed and security. It gave us faster speeds for long-distance connections than any other protocol the VPN offers. It’s also open source, so you can be confident it’s secure.
  • IKEv2. A fast protocol that works well on mobile devices. This is because of its ability to auto-connect, which protects you while you switch between a mobile and WiFi network. However, it’s not as fast as OpenVPN or WireGuard.
  • IPSec. A safe protocol that provides a framework for secure transport by encrypting IP packets. While it’s predominantly used for security, it still produced decent speeds in our speed tests, coming in as the 3rd fastest.

Overall, the protocol I’d recommend is WireGuard since it offers strong security without compromising your speeds, as was evident in our speed test results.

Kill Switch

IPVanish has a reliable kill switch, and it performed well during my tests. This is a standard feature with VPNs, so I expect to see it. The kill switch cuts off your internet connection if your VPN disconnects temporarily. It is available on most devices, including macOS, Windows, Android, and iOS.

The benefit is that it prevents any accidental exposure of your data. This makes it a handy feature to use on public WiFi networks because hackers can easily intercept your connection if it’s unprotected, even for a minute.

Enabling or disabling the kill switch is very easy on desktops. On Windows, there’s a kill switch check box in the main window, you don’t need to open your settings at all. On macOS, it can be toggled on or off by going to Network Security.

Screenshot showing IPVanish's kill switchYou can access the kill switch under the Settings panel

Threat Protection Ad & Malware Blocker

IPVanish also offers a Threat Protection feature that blocks ads, trackers, and malicious content, so you can browse the web with peace of mind. To test this, I visited various sites known to have pop-ups, such as Forbes and Daily Mail, and IPVanish blocked all pop-up ads. This also made the pages load noticeably quicker.

Screenshot showing IPVanish's Threat ProtectionThreat Protection blocked banner ads on Forbes

Leak Test Results — No Leaks Detected

IPVanish provides both DNS and IP leak protection on all of its apps and worked well during my tests. This ensures that your DNS requests and actual IP address remain hidden, so no one can uncover your browsing activity, location, and identity. These features are already in place, so you don’t have to enable them manually.

Screenshot showing leak tests with IPVanishIPVanish proved reliable in concealing my IP and DNS when I tested multiple servers

I conducted tests on 6 different servers located in the US, France, Australia, Germany, Japan, and the Netherlands using ipleak.net to check for DNS/IP leaks. The results showed no leaks.

Privacy — Independently Audited No-Logs Policy

9.4

IPVanish has a transparent privacy policy that is outlined on its website. The policy states it only collects payment details and email addresses from customers, which are used to make payments and contact customers when required.

While the company was involved in a dubious privacy scandal in 2016, it has changed ownership and come a long way since then. In March 2022, Leviathan Security Group conducted IPVanish’s first security audit.

Does IPVanish Keep Logs? No

IPVanish follows a no-logs policy. This means it won’t collect or record your data, such as the websites you visit, DNS queries, and connection timestamps. However, it collects random bits of data to help improve its product performance. But since this is anonymously collected, it can’t be traced back to you.

Screenshot showing the IPVanish Privacy PolicyThe privacy policy is available in a couple of different languages

The collected information includes user language preference, device model, UI interactions, country, and session lengths. Also, you need to provide your email address, name, and payment information when signing up. And since you can’t pay with cryptocurrencies, there’s no way to pay anonymously.

Was IPVanish Audited? Yes

IPVanish has only had 1 third-party audit in its history, which was undertaken by Leviathan Security Group in March 2022. The audit confirmed that IPVanish doesn’t collect user logs or violate any part of its privacy policy, making it trustworthy.

Based in the US

A bigger concern is that IPVanish’s home base is in the US, at the heart of the 14 Eyes Alliance. This is a global surveillance network where member nations share data about their citizens. Plus, they have the power to make third parties hand over this data by law.

In fact, this occurred in 2016 when the FBI requested user data from IPVanish, revealing that the company was retaining user logs. IPVanish complied with the FBI following two requests as part of a criminal investigation. However, IPVanish has updated its privacy policy numerous times since the scandal.

Does IPVanish Work in China? No

IPVanish is unlikely to work in China. The country has blocked all of its servers and IP addresses and access to the IPVanish website. Its obfuscation tool, called Scramble, doesn’t help the VPN work in China and other restrictive nations. The customer service AI confirmed this when I contacted it.

Screenshot showing an IPVanish customer support replyYou may have some success using IPVanish in China but there are no guarantees

They also could not confirm that it works in other restrictive countries like Russia, Iran, or Saudi Arabia. While the Chinese government has banned many VPNs, it rarely goes after tourists, as there aren’t any public records of them getting fined. My team and I don’t condone any illegal activities and recommend you read up on the rules and regulations of the country you’re in before choosing to use a VPN.

If you need a VPN for your travels, here are several options that work reliably in China.

Torrenting — Allows P2P Sharing on All Servers

9.6

IPVanish is a great option for torrenting since its entire network works for P2P file-sharing. It also has unlimited bandwidth and no data caps, so you can torrent as much as you want for as long as you want.

It is advisable to use a VPN for torrenting as it shields your online identity and location while also encrypting your data. This adds an extra layer of protection against malicious entities. However, it is critical to activate your kill switch in the event of a VPN disconnection.

During our tests, we connected to its US, UK, and New Zealand servers to download a movie on uTorrent. We downloaded Night of the Living Dead on its London server, which took less than a minute to complete. It was a 700MB file, so this was really fast. However, IPVanish lacks port forwarding, which can help you find a larger number of seeders.

IPVanish also offers SOCKS5 proxies in more than 20 locations. You can manually configure this in your BitTorrent client to hide your IP address. Since it doesn’t encrypt your traffic, you’ll get slightly faster speeds for downloading. Our speeds were 5% faster using the proxy address in London as they were using the regular VPN server.

Screenshot showing how to configure a SOCKS5 proxy to a P2P download clientYou can find proxy details under your account dashboard on the IPVanish website

Even though the proxy offers good speeds, keep in mind that it is less secure since it doesn’t encrypt your data. You can access the full list of SOCKS5 proxy addresses in your IPVanish dashboard and there are guides on its website to help you set it up.

Be aware that many torrents are subject to copyright laws, and we do not endorse any unlawful actions. Before engaging in torrenting, always consult the legal regulations in your jurisdiction and refrain from downloading copyrighted content. Additionally, IPVanish specifies in its Terms of Service that it will deactivate the accounts of users found to be downloading materials protected by copyright.

Installation & Apps

9.0

Easy to Install and Use

IPVanish’s apps are easy to install and beginner-friendly. I found the individual apps and their settings easy to navigate, whether you’re a beginner or an experienced user.

The interface is modern, straightforward, and easy to understand. On the home screen, you can toggle between views with a few clicks. You can select the map view, app stats, or 50/50, which is the default.

Screenshot showing how to toggle views on the IPVanish appYou can zoom in and out of the map view to make navigation easier

There are several ways to choose a server location; you can use the map on the home screen or scroll through the server list in the Locations tab. Here, you’ll find several further options. There’s a search bar, or you can arrange the servers via country, city, server load, or number of servers.

I find the map view a little cumbersome since you have to scroll for a long time to find distant servers. Still, you can zoom out to make it easier, but I prefer to use the location list.

The settings are grouped into 4 submenus. For beginners, there’s a simple explanation of each setting alongside a simple checkbox or button. Similarly, the Info section is grouped into 4 easy categories.

Setup & Installation

Downloading and installing the IPVanish app is very easy and requires no technical knowledge. It only took me a few minutes to install the app on each of my devices.

Screenshot showing the download page on the IPVanish websiteYou can download and set up IPVanish in under 2 minutes

Quick Guide: How to Install IPVanish in 3 Easy Steps

  1. Select a plan. Go to the IPVanish website and choose one of the pricing plans that are listed. Create your account through the website — this way you won’t have to deal with third-party app stores if you want to claim a refund using the money-back guarantee.
  2. Install the app. Choose the app for your device, download it, and follow the installation prompts. Log in using the credentials you created when you signed up.
  3. Enjoy safe browsing. Connect to a server and use the internet with peace of mind.

Device Compatibility

IPVanish has native apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire TV Stick. There is also a native app for Chrome OS, but it can only be installed if your Chrome OS device can run Android apps through its Play Store. It offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge, too.

Furthermore, you can use IPVanish on Roku, gaming consoles, and Raspberry Pi if you install it on a router. The router option is great because it will secure all your home devices at once.

Unfortunately, IPVanish doesn't have a smart DNS service, which could let you use it on devices that don't support native apps.

Desktop — Apps for Windows, Mac, and Compatible With Linux

IPVanish’s desktop apps are easy to install and use. I tested it on both macOS and Windows and each time, I was able to download and install the VPN in less than 2 minutes.

While there’s no Linux desktop app, you can manually configure the VPN on your device through OpenVPN (with the help of the step-by-step guides on IPVanish’s website if you need them). You can set IPVanish up on Ubuntu, Fedora, Kali Linux, Linux Mint, Lubuntu, and Pop! OS. The protocols available on Linux are OpenVPN, L2TP, and IKEv2. It also lets you adjust your encryption level between AES 128 and 256.

Screenshot showing a side-by-side comparison of IPVanish's Windows and macOS appsIPVanish's apps have cross-platform functionality

Android and iPhone (iOS)

Downloading IPVanish on my mobile app was just as easy as the desktop apps. I simply downloaded them from the App Store and Google Play and signed in with my credentials. The Android and iOS apps are slightly different, but they have pretty similar features.

Both mobile apps offer the WireGuard and IKEv2 protocols and Threat Protection ad/malware/tracker blocker. They also come with features that some VPNs don’t offer on their mobile apps (especially iOS), like a kill switch and split tunneling, which allows you to choose which traffic runs through the VPN and which doesn’t.

The Android app has the OpenVPN protocol and the Scramble feature for obfuscation, which is lacking on iOS. But the iOS app has a unique Connect On Demand feature, which connects the VPN automatically when the app detects you’re using an untrusted WiFi network.

You can get the IPVanish app on mobile devices using iOS 14 or higher and Android 5.1 and above.

Apps for Amazon Fire Devices

IPVanish also has a native app for the Gen2 Fire TV Stick or newer. It comes with the OpenVPN Scramble feature, split tunneling, and AES 256-bit encryption. This app only offers the OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 protocols.

It’s easy to install, too. The app can be downloaded directly from the Amazon Appstore to a device running Android 5 or higher.

Router Compatibility

You can set up IPVanish on your router and protect all the WiFi-enabled devices in your household. It offers pre-configured FlashRouters that you can purchase from its website. You can also configure the VPN on the one that you already have at home if it’s compatible. Unfortunately, though, IPVanish is only compatible with Asus, DD-WRT, OpenWRT, and Merlin routers.

Most other VPNs I’ve tested let you manually set up the VPN on a lot more router models (ExpressVPN even has its own firmware that doesn’t require manual configuration). It’s also important to bear in mind that manually setting up a VPN on your router can be tricky, and doing so incorrectly can damage it. However, IPVanish offers detailed guides on its router setup on its website.

Simultaneous Device Connections

What makes IPVanish such great value is that it allows any number of devices to be connected simultaneously. This is great if you live in a larger household where each person owns at least 1 device. Having unlimited device connections means that everyone under the same roof will have their device secured with just a single IPVanish subscription.

We tested this out by connecting a Windows laptop, MacBook Pro, smartphone, and Android tablet to watch Netflix. It didn’t make any difference at all, and we noticed no slowdowns. The streaming quality was HD at all times. Many premium VPNs limit your connections to as few as 5 devices. The fact that IPVanish doesn’t limit you in this way shows its commitment to value.

Pricing

9.2
2-Years Essential Plan
$ 2.19 / month per month
Yearly Essential Plan
$ 3.33 / month per month
Monthly Essential Plan
$ 12.99 / month per month

Competitive Compared to Similar Services

You can choose between 3 pricing options with IPVanish: monthly, yearly, and 2-year.

These plans have the same features, but only the yearly and 2-year plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. You’ll also pay less if you sign up for the longest-term plan, which provides a 83% discount compared to the monthly plan.

However, it’s important to note that there’s fine print. Upon renewal, you won’t benefit from the introductory promo price, so you’ll be paying more (an extra few dollars a month). So, make sure you read carefully when you’re signing up. Note that at the time of writing, there’s nothing in the terms to stop you from canceling your subscription and resubscribing again at the introductory rate.

There are 3 payment options available with IPVanish — credit or debit card, PayPal, and Google Pay. This means that billing information is collected for payment processing but won’t be shared. Unfortunately, cryptocurrency payments like Bitcoin aren’t accepted, so you can’t pay anonymously.

Its 30-day money-back guarantee is legitimate and truly no-questions-asked. Unlike many VPNs, you don’t have to speak to customer service. Simply log into your account on the website, click Subscriptions, and Change. You’ll be asked to provide a reason for canceling, but it’s not mandatory. I got my refund in full after 4 days.

Reliability & Support

9.3

A Surprisingly Efficient AI Service

IPVanish has an AI chatbot that instantly answered many questions during my tests. It was able to immediately respond to questions about perfect forward secrecy and RAM-only servers, which many human agents might take some time to answer.

Human agents are still available; they just take a little digging to find. Go to Support Center, click About IPVanish, and scroll down to Contacting Support. Here, you’ll find live chat, email, and telephone support.

Screenshot showing a chat with one of IPVanish's live agentsIPVanish's Live Help is available 24/7

What I found really unique is that IPVanish offers over-the-phone customer support in 6 countries. It has phone lines in the US, UK, Australia, Spain, Mexico, and Brazil. These lines are open from 9am to 5pm in their local times Monday-Friday. Not many VPNs give this option to their users, so kudos to IPVanish for implementing it and making it accessible in different countries.

The Bottom Line

Final Verdict — Offers Great Security, Fast Speeds, and Is Great for Streaming

IPVanish’s robust security features make it a super-secure VPN. It also provides fast speeds across its global server network, and the fact that you get unlimited simultaneous device connections makes this VPN really good value. Plus, its customer support is reliable and available in almost every language (there’s even phone support in 6 countries!).

I had some concerns about its US home base and past compliance with the FBI. However, IPVanish has updated its privacy terms, been audited by a reputable third party, and found trustworthy.

Overall, I found IPVanish delivers an excellent service and is an easy-to-use VPN. Plus, its money-back guarantee is legitimate. So, you can test IPVanish out for yourself for 30 days, knowing you can easily get a refund if you change your mind.

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  • Works well for streaming
  • Fast speeds
  • Large, private server network
  • Reliable security and privacy protection
  • Torrenting on all servers
  • Unlimited device connections

FAQs on IPVanish

Is IPVanish safe and trustworthy?

Yes, IPVanish is a safe VPN service that prioritizes user privacy and security. With its robust AES-256 encryption, IP/DNS leak protection, and kill switch, your online activities and data are protected from prying eyes. IPVanish has a strict no-logs policy, ensuring that your browsing history, connection timestamps, and any other sensitive information are not stored or monitored.

What does raise concerns is that IPVanish is based in the US, a member of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance, and it was involved in a scandal in 2016 when it handed user data over to the police. However, its privacy policy has been updated multiple times since then. Plus, its no-logs policy was audited in 2022, proving that IPVanish does not retain personally identifiable information.

What is the overall IPVanish review on Reddit?

IPVanish has long-term users on Reddit who praise it for its reliability and fast speeds. Redditors also point to its affordability since IPVanish is competitively priced compared to similar premium services. Customer service is also noted for its speed and quality, while its money-back guarantee is commended for its trustworthiness.

Is IPVanish better than NordVPN?

Both deliver strong performance, solid encryption, and reliable speeds, but NordVPN holds a slight edge. One advantage that IPVanish has going for it is that it has no notable connection issues, while NordVPN occasionally experiences delays when connecting.

In terms of privacy, NordVPN is based in Panama, outside the 14 Eyes Alliance, giving it a privacy advantage over IPVanish, which is US-based. Both services offer no-logs policies, kill switches, and DNS leak protection. However, NordVPN surpasses IPVanish with a larger global server network and advanced security features like Double VPN and Onion Over VPN servers. You can read our full comparison for a more elaborate review of the two.

Is there a free version of IPVanish?

IPVanish offers a 7-day free trial for iOS and Android on annual plans. It also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, which allows you to try the VPN free for a limited time and claim a full refund within the guarantee period.

You can get all your money back without providing a reason for your request or talking with a customer support representative. You just need to log into your IPVanish account on the website, click Subscriptions, then Change Plan, and follow the on-screen prompts. Unfortunately, the guarantee is only offered on the annual or 2-year plan, so you will have to pay a bit upfront to use it.

Money Back Guarantee (Days): 30
Mobile app:
Number of devices per license: Unlimited
VPN Plans: ipvanish.com
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
IPVanish VPN User Reviews (User reviews are not verified)
7.8
Based on 185 reviews in 29 languages

Write a Review on IPVanish VPN

Please rate VPN.

All Speed Streaming Security Сustomer service
Beth Gray
Beth Gray
2/10
Misleading, false advertising, don't honor guarantee. BEWARE

IP address and region not effectively blocked on most sites. Streaming sites do NOT work with their services, but they do not disclose that anywhere on their website. The support team had no idea in terms of technical knowledge. They claim that their 30-day guarantee is unconditional and there is no risk, but they have so many exclusions buried in their fine print that the average user would have huge difficulty finding. They advertise on many streaming how-to websites where they KNOW their services do not work. COMPLETE WASTE OF MONEY. If I could give less than one star I would. SO unethical.

Douglas
Douglas
4/10
Won't refund

Seems to have too many subscribers as we experienced significant buffering issues while streaming. We purchased a one-year subscription and after thirty days they would not refund our money. Very poor business ethics.

AM
AM
2/10
Unreliable Product, Poor Customer Service, and Unethical Business Practices

Customer service, and unethical business practices. There were IP leaks through their VPN connection from my Mac PC. The issue persists after their troubleshooting and resulted in repeated exposure of my personal and financial information. I’m a few months into my 2nd annual subscription. Despite the technical issues with their product and my investment in their troubleshooting process, they have repeatedly refused to refund the remainder of my annual subscription. I’m escalating to the BBB. ExpressVPN provides a much reliable product and engages in ethical business practices. BEWARE.

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Editor's Note: Transparency and impartiality are important to us when bringing you our best selection of VPNs. Some of the industry-leading products on our list, including Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost, and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company. The VPNs we choose are derived from a thorough testing process.

About the Author

James conducts rigorous hands-on research and testing to evaluate dozens of VPNs for his articles. He's an advocate for digital freedom.

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