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IPVanish Review 2024: Is it Fast, Safe and Good for Streaming?

Writer: Ray Walsh
VPN and Privacy Expert
Reviewed by: Ian Garland
Streaming, Kodi and VPN Expert

IPVanish_VPN_logo In this IPVanish review, I put the service through its paces to find out whether it offers good value for money, unblocks content, and secures your internet connection. IPVanish is known for its large network of servers and excellent apps but can it compete with or surpass other leading VPN brands?
When choosing a VPN, several factors come into play. First and foremost, a VPN is a privacy tool, so it must offer strong encryption and reliable security features. In this review, I exhaustively tested IPVanish to see how it fared on security, speed and support. I used the VPN for many data-intensive tasks: making Skype calls, playing games, streaming in Ultra HD, and torrenting. Furthermore, I tested it with popular streaming services in the US, the UK, Australia, and other countries.

Cheap VPNs often raise suspicions, and starting at just $2.75 IPVanish represents exceptional value for money. My tests revealed that IPVanish performs well above its pay grade. It’s secure and is superbly suited to most home internet users’ needs. Keep reading to find out exactly how IPVanish fared in each of our eight review categories.

Do I recommend IPVanish?

I recommend IPVanish to home internet users looking for a VPN that is a fantastic all-rounder. Anybody looking for a VPN that is secure, fast, and user-friendly will find it hard to find a service that outperforms IPVanish. The VPN has servers in 20 different US cities, making it one of the best VPNs for accessing US services – ideal for getting around blackouts.

Although it isn’t the fastest VPN on the market, our tests revealed that it had global average download speeds of 314 Mbps. This makes it staggeringly quick, and it is arguably the best-suited fast VPN for most home internet users thanks to its varied feature set and excellent apps.

If you want a VPN for streaming Netflix US or Hulu, this VPN is fantastic. IPVanish has stepped up its game internationally, and unlike a few years ago, it now works with an extremely varied catalog of streaming services, including the UK’s BBC iPlayer, Germany’s ARD Mediathek, and Max in the US.

The VPN now has more than 40,000 IP addresses and servers in 57+ countries to choose from. This makes it an excellent option for bypassing censorship, using VoIP apps in countries like the UAE, and accessing regional platforms while on vacation or traveling for work. Driven by its affordability, I can confidently recommend IPVanish to the vast majority of home users – including those who want to torrent.

IPVanish key data

OVERALL RANK:  #3 of 72 VPNs
Speed
Score: 9.5
Average Speed*: 314 Mbps
Video Streaming Support: 4K UHD
Streaming
Score: 8.8
Netflix: Yes
Other Streaming Services: Hulu, Prime Video, Peacock, Max, Disney+, Paramount+, BBC iPlayer, ITVX, Channel 4, ABC, NBC, CBS
Security
Score: 8.9
Encryption Type: 256-bit AES
Kill Switch: Yes (app-based)
Log Policy: No usage logs. Aggregated connection data only.
Protocols: OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2
Value for Money
Score: 9.6
Lowest Monthly Cost: $2.75
Money Back Guarantee: 30 days
Websitehttps://www.ipvanish.com

IPVanish pros and cons

Here’s a quick summary of what IPVanish gets right and where it could use improvement:

Pros:

  • Apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, FireTV, Apple TV, Chrome OS.
  • Strong encryption and a choice of protocols (OpenVPN and Wireguard)
  • Kill switch, obfuscation, and DNS leak protection features.
  • Lightning-fast servers, ideal for gaming, torrenting, and streaming.
  • Zero logs policy – keeps no records of your activities.
  • Works with Netflix, Max, BBC iPlayer, and many others.
  • Allows unlimited connections with a single account
  • Split tunneling available on Windows, Android, and FireOS – works for apps and domains
  • Threat Protection feature that blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites
  • Optimal location feature
  • App available in multiple languages

Cons:

  • Based in the US
  • No split tunneling on Mac or iOS
  • Lacks some advanced features available elsewhere (multi-hop, Tor over VPN)
  • No port forwarding
  • The auto-connect feature is for Windows only

IPVanish features

To give you a thorough understanding of what IPVanish offers, we’ve compiled a detailed list of its features below. This will help you grasp the full extent of the benefits available with an IPVanish subscription.

We think the feature set provided by IPVanish makes it excellent value for money, and perfectly suited for home users who want to:

  • Work remotely securely
  • Prevent ISP tracking
  • Prevent government surveillance
  • Bypass blocks at work or on campus
  • Access regional websites and streaming platforms
  • Use public wifi safe against hackers and tracking
  • Access home services while on vacation
  • Bypass censorship in countries with widespread restrictions

Here is a comprehensive list of the features available with IPVanish:

  1. Servers in 57+ countries. Get an IP address in any continent.
  2. Zero logs Policy: IPVanish does not keep traffic logs of your online activities.
  3. Kill Switch: Automatically disconnects your device from the internet if the VPN connection drops, ensuring your data remains secure.
  4. DNS Leak Protection: Prevents DNS requests from being sent outside the VPN tunnel.
  5. Split Tunneling: Choose which apps or services use the VPN and which don’t.
  6. Obfuscated OpenVPN Protocol (Scramble): Helps you use VPN in regions where VPNs are normally blocked.
  7. Port selection: Pick from three different ports to connect using OpenVPN.
  8. WireGuard VPN Protocol: Supports faster and more secure VPN connections.
  9. Access to popular streaming services: Netflix US, Hulu, Max, BBC iPlayer, and more.
  10. Allows torrenting: Hide your IP address and torrent privately.
  11. Threat Protection feature: For added security on various platforms including Fire TV, Android, and iOS.
  12. Auto-connect feature for Windows: Reconnects you to the VPN automatically if the kill-switch becomes engaged (perfect for downloading torrenting uninterrupted)
  13. Watertight AES-256 and ChaCha20 Encryption: Ensures robust security for your data.
  14. A choice of VPN Protocols: Including OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2
  15. SOCKS5 Proxy: Useful for torrenting, offering fast speeds but no encryption.
  16. Unlimited simultaneous connections: Connect as many devices as you want at the same time.
  17. Supports all popular services: Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Fire TV, Chrome OS, Linux, and routers.
  18. User-friendly: IPVanish keeps its apps easy to use and doesn’t bother with niche features that the average user doesn’t need.
  19. 24/7 Support: Available through live chat, email, phone, and a knowledge database with guides and FAQs.
  20. Exceptional speeds: IPVanish consistently makes our list of the fastest VPNs.
  21. Independently-audited: IPVanish paid for an independent audit of its apps, servers, and policies. This massively improves trust in the service.
  22. Money-back guarantee: You can try the VPN for 30 days risk-free to test it with your streaming accounts and other services.
  23. VPN without limits: Connect and switch servers as much as you want and enjoy unlimited downloads with no bandwidth limitations.
  24. Shared IP addresses: IPVanish only uses shared IPs, which increases your privacy by mixing your activities with those of other users each session. This makes it harder to monitor a server in real-time in case of a server being raided by government authorities.
  25. Multi-language apps. Users who speak Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese can enjoy IPVanish in their own language.

Apps: What devices work with IPVanish?

IPVanish allows subscribers to connect an unlimited number of devices to its network at the same time under a single account. This makes it a fantastic option for larger families, people who own many devices, or people who want to share their VPN with friends or a roommate.

The IPVanish apps are available for:

IPVanish constantly improves its apps and services. In my experience, this is an important attribute of leading VPNs and is something that sets the best VPNs apart from other services.

Recently, IPVanish added DNS-based ad and tracker-blocking to its service. This Threat Prevention feature will monitor the websites you visit and block domains associated with marketing or malware to help protect you. Another benefit of this feature is that it will help save on data (perfect if you have a limited mobile internet data allowance) and improve page load times.

Routers

IPVanish supports routers that have an OpenVPN client built in, or that have DD-WRT firmware. Setting up IPVanish on a router allows you to automatically protect every device in your home without needing to install the VPN devices individually.

IPVanish provides guides for setting up an OpenVPN connection using DD-WRT on a variety of router models:

  • Asus
  • Belkin
  • Linksys
  • D-Link
  • Logilink
  • Motorola
  • Netgear
  • TP-Link
  • Sparklan
  • Toshiba
  • Fuji

If you find the idea of manually installing DD-WRT on a router too daunting (since it can potentially brick it), you have the alternative to purchase a router pre-configured from FlashRouters. These DD-WRT routers come set up to work with PureVPN right out of the box.

IPVanish pricing 

IPVanish plans August deal

One of the biggest selling points for IPVanish is that it represents incredibly good value for money. This makes it an excellent option for home users in need of a reliable VPN on a budget.

To help cater to as many people as possible, IPVanish provides various subscription plans. These plans all provide the same number of features and access to the entire IPVanish VPN network.

If you don’t mind committing for a longer period, you can get a sizable discount. The details of each subscription plan are below.

Special Summer deal for our readers!

IPVanish is offering a limited-time summer promotion, making it an excellent choice for those in need of a VPN during their vacation. The monthly plan, typically priced at $12.99, is now available for just $7.99 for subscriptions made between July 31 and August 19. This represents a savings of $5 per month if you access the offer through our link.

Lock in Your Discount Indefinitely

In addition to the monthly savings, anyone who subscribes during this promotional period will secure the $7.99 monthly rate permanently. This means you can continue to enjoy IPVanish at this reduced price until you decide to cancel, with no contracts or ongoing commitments required. Simply enjoy IPVanish for $7.99 per month as long as you need it.

Monthly subscription

The monthly subscription costs $12.99. This is about average for VPNs, and positions it competitively among peers like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark. That said, some decent monthly VPN options cost around the $10 mark.

Annual subscription

The annual plan is where IPVanish starts seeing significant discounts. One year costs $33.48, equivalent to $2.79 per month. The price compares favorably with competitors that have very similar services, including NordVPN ($3.99 per month), ExpressVPN ($5.48 per month), and Surfshark ($2.99). This makes IPVanish a solid choice for people who want a world-class VPN that keeps more cash in their wallets.

Two-year subscription

The best price available with IPVanish comes when you subscribe for two years. This reduces the cost to $52.56, equivalent to $2.19 per month, putting IPVanish in the ring for the title of best cheap VPN.

Payment options

IPVanish makes it easy for anybody to pay for an account using traditional payment methods.  You can opt to pay for an account using credit cards or debit cards (Mastercard, VISA, AMEX, Discovery, and Union Pay). Alternatively, you can pay via PayPal, Google Pay, or Amazon Pay.

For those wondering, IPVanish does not currently accept any cryptocurrency payments. If you are specifically on the lookout for a VPN you can buy with Bitcoin or some other crypto-asset, then you will need to shop elsewhere.

Money-back guarantee

IPVanish makes it easy for anybody to try the VPN themselves with its 30-day money-back guarantee. This allows you to test the VPN with your streaming accounts, TV network subscriptions, betting accounts, online games, shopping services, and any other regional or restricted services that you want to access (restricted social media sites, news sites, VoIP services, etc).

However, this guarantee is only available if you choose the annual or two-year plan. That’s fair, but several of IPVanish’s competitors include a guarantee with monthly plans too.

Free trial

Mobile users can try IPVanish for free for seven days. To get access to the trial, download the app from Google Play or the Apple App store. Bear in mind that you have to provide your card details and then cancel to get access to the free VPN trial. This aside, it is a very generous offer that lets anybody use the VPN risk-free.

Speed: Is IPVanish fast?

IPVanish defaults to the WireGuard protocol in all of its apps. WireGuard supports high speeds for streaming, torrenting, gaming, and other data-intensive tasks.

To see exactly how it performs in 2024, I tested the VPN’s download speed. My tests were carried out using a dedicated test machine in the USA with minimum speeds of 2 Gbps. This allowed me to measure the VPN’s top speed.

I tested servers in three locations, the UK, the US, and Hong Kong. This provides a measured analysis of the IPVanish network across multiple international locations.

Each test was performed three times at minimum three-hour intervals. The results were leveraged to get a global average. Below, you can see the results of each test. The global average was 314 Mbps, which puts IPVanish in the top 5 fastest VPNs.

Test 1 Test 2 Test 3 Average
UK (London) 272 Mbps 276 Mbps 264 Mbps 237 Mbps
US (New York) 417 Mbps 442  Mbps 424 Mbps 427 Mbps
Hong Kong 238 Mbps 337 Mbps 257 Mbps 277 Mbps
Global average 314 Mbps

The results are impressive, especially taking into account the relatively low cost of an IPVanish VPN subscription.

For real-world tests, I was able to share my VPN connection using a VPN-protected hotspot to play Population One on my Quest 3 headset without issues. I was also able to play PUBG on mobile, and Call of Duty Warzone on my Windows machine.  This is a huge selling point for IPVanish VPN – and a compelling reason for home internet users to subscribe to this VPN.

Does IPVanish work with Netflix & Kodi?

IPVanish protects you when streaming with Kodi on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Firestick. It can help you securely access a wide range of region-locked addons and streams. It ensures that your browsing habits stay private whenever you use Kodi.

Does IPVanish work with Netflix?

Yes. I tested IPVanish thoroughly to watch Netflix. I connected to the USA server and was able to stream the Great British Baking Show, which is a US exclusive. Next, I connected to the British server and I was able to watch It’s Always Sunny in Philadephia, which is a UK exclusive.

For my third test, I connected to the Japan server and tried to watch the movie Gintama, which is a Japanese exclusive. The film streamed perfectly.

Next, I connected to the France server and tried to watch The 400 Blows (Les 400 Coups). The movie played without errors.

Finally, I connected to the Canadian IPVanish server and was able to stream the new season of the hilarious Canadian comedy Mr. D.

The results of my tests left me with no doubt that IPVanish is one of the best VPNs for Netflix that I have ever tested. I was able to instantly access exclusive titles in a wide variety of countries, and they always played in HD without any buffering.

IPVanish Review - Speed

The process of finding servers compatible with Netflix is extremely easy. While you may have to try a few different servers to access smaller streaming platforms, we were able to use larger services with the first ones we tested.

Does IPVanish work to watch British TV?

Many people want to access British TV shows and news from abroad. To find out whether IPVanish is suitable for this purpose, I tested the UK server to watch a selection of British TV platforms. I was able to watch BBC iPlayer, ITVX, and Channel 4. This makes the VPN an excellent option for British expats, or people who want to stream British TV for free from abroad.

Does IPVanish work with popular US streaming platforms?

Many US citizens and people around the world are interested in streaming US TV platforms and streaming services from abroad.  Whether you are a US citizen on vacation, or you want to watch blackout NFL, NHL, NBA, or MLB games, it is essential to pick a VPN with US servers that are optimized for streaming.

The good news is that my tests revealed IPVanish to be a superb VPN for streaming US platforms. The VPN worked to access all of the following services:

  • ABC
  • NBC
  • CBS (New York server)
  • Crunchyroll
  • Hulu
  • Disney+
  • ESPN
  • Fubo TV
  • Max
  • Peacock
  • FreeVee
  • Midnight Pulp
  • Paramount+
  • Amazon Prime (US)
  • Tubi (US)
  • Netflix (US)
  • Pluto TV
  • Sling Freestream
  • Vudu
  • Xumo

IPVanish is one of the most comprehensive VPNs for accessing US streaming platforms. The only two US services I tested that did not work were Roku Channel and Crackle.

Does IPVanish work with other international streaming platforms?

In the past, IPVanish was better for streaming US platforms than international services. I wanted to check whether this was still the case, or whether IPVanish had made an effort to provide access to a wider catalog of streaming services. The results were generally very encouraging:

  • Germany: I watched ARD-Buffer on ARD Mediathek. This channel is usually inaccessible in the UK, which is where I tested the VPN. The channel loaded and played back without any buffering.
  • France: I tested IPVanish to watch France.tv and it worked perfectly.
  • Brazil: I navigated to GloboPlay and was able to watch free-tier channels that are usually restricted to viewers in Brazil.
  • Canada: I loaded CBC Gem and was able to watch region-locked content on feeds from various provinces (Ottawa, Calgary, and Edmonton).

As you can see, IPVanish was successful in streaming content in a wide variety of countries. This makes it a fantastic streaming VPN for people who like to enjoy home TV on vacation, or who want to access regional content to enjoy added online freedom.

Does IPVanish allow torrenting?

Yes. IPVanish allows torrenting throughout its network and it does not limit P2P traffic in any way. This means you are free to download and seed torrents on an unlimited basis.

Split tunneling comes built into its apps for Windows, Android, and FireOS, but not in macOS or iOS. This feature can be handy for doing some tasks outside of the VPN tunnel (such as streaming a local TV service) while torrenting under the protection of the VPN.

IPVanish provides a kill switch in all of its apps, which cuts your internet if the VPN connection drops out. This is an important feature for torrenting because it ensures that you never reveal your torrent activities to your ISP.

The only real drawback when it comes to torrenting is that IPVanish lacks port forwarding. This feature is especially useful for those who frequently share torrents and seed files for other torrenters.

Security

At Comparitech, our primary concern when testing and recommending VPNs is whether the VPN provides strong privacy levels and data security. A VPN is an online security tool first and foremost, and the VPN must implement its protocols to the latest standards required to protect its users.

IPVanish does not bother with outdated protocols such as PPTP and L2TP/IPSec. Instead, the apps leverage trusted open-source VPN protocols that have been extensively tested and are trusted for gaining data privacy both now and for the foreseeable future.

Specifically, you will get access to OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 protocols.

For any tech-head reading, we have included the OpenVPN protocol details below:

  • AES-256-CBC cipher
  • SHA-256 for authentication
  • RSA 2048 for handshake
  • Perfect Forward Secrecy is implemented using a DHE key exchange

These are robust implementation standards of the OpenVPN protocol, which means the VPN can be trusted for securing your data when working remotely, accessing restricted or censored internet services, and protecting your data against hackers and eavesdroppers whether at home, at work, or using public WiFi.

IPVanish users can toggle on Scramble for OpenVPN. This feature adds an extra layer of obfuscation to the VPN protocol. It comes turned on by default, conceals VPN use from your ISP, and helps connect on networks and in countries that otherwise block VPN connections.

IPVanish lets you pick between OpenVPN UDP or OpenVPN TCP depending on your needs. UDP is best for most tasks because it delivers better speeds, but you may want to switch to TCP if you ever experience connectivity issues. Users can also choose which port they want to connect with (8443, 1194, or port 443).

IPVanish Review - Protocols

The WireGuard protocol is implemented using the reliable ChaCha20 cipher for encryption, and IKEv2 uses AES-256. Both of these protocols are robust for gaining online privacy.

Leak tests

For a VPN to be reliable it must secure all of your data, including your DNS requests inside of the encrypted tunnel.

The good news is that IPVanish always handles your DNS requests using its own servers, and it proxies those queries within the VPN tunnel. It also includes DNS leak protection and IPv6 leak protection in its apps. These both come switched on by default.

DNS Leak Tests

To be certain that IPVanish works as advertised to prevent leaks, I ran tests for IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks. These dangerous leaks would allow your ISP to track your activities, and permit websites to detect your real IP address.

Below, you can see the results of my tests:

DNS Leak Test Results

As you can see, the VPN has a clean bill of health. I did not detect my home IP address in any of the tests, which means that the VPN is working effectively to make me appear to be in the location I requested, while fully concealing my web traffic from local networks, my ISP, and government snoops.

Threat protection

This is a new feature recently added to IPVanish. It blocks domains associated with ads, trackers, and malware to prevent some of the web’s biggest annoyances and keep you safe from malicious sites and/or unwanted scripts.

This DNS-based blocking is handled on the server, which means that when you are connected to the VPN you will automatically enjoy fewer ads and a much safer online experience. This feature also helps with page load times and reduces the amount of data you’ll use on mobile devices.

Kill switch

A kill switch is a critical VPN feature that prevents any unprotected traffic from leaking outside of the VPN tunnel. It works by cutting off your internet should the VPN connection drop out. Note that the kill switch is deactivated, by default, so you will need to head to Settings > Connection > Kill Switch to turn it on.

IPVanish kill switch

The kill switch is only available for Windows, Android, and Mac. It is not currently available for iOS or Firestick.

The best VPN kill switches are system level, which means that even if the VPN application crashes, it will still block your internet. Unfortunately, the IPVanish kill switch is app-based. Although it will always work when the app is running it cannot protect you if the app crashes.

The good news is that the IPVanish apps were extremely stable during my time testing, and I never experienced any crashes. However, it is worth bearing in mind if you have an elevated threat model.

With that slight caveat out of the way, it is worth noting that IPVanish has a useful auto-connect feature that will reconnect to the VPN automatically if the kill switch is engaged. This feature will keep trying to reconnect you and will disengage the kill switch as soon as it can. This is perfect for users who leave torrents on when they go to work,

Logging

Jurisdiction

The biggest drawback of IPVanish VPN is that it is based in the US. This jurisdiction exposes IPVanish to the potential that it could be served a government warrant asking it to provide information about its users to the authorities.

IPVanish enforces a strict no-logging policy. Even if authorities requested data about users or their online activities, IPVanish would have no such info. This massively limits how much IPVanish can help the authorities during an investigation.

2016 DHS investigation

I would be remiss for not mentioning that under previous ownership IPVanish was served a warrant by the Department of Homeland Security. DHS served IPVanish with a warrant in 2016 to help investigate a child abuse case.

Although the VPN had no historical information to share with the authorities (due to its no-log policy) IPVanish’s previous management decided to comply with the warrant as best as it could. They did this by providing logs for the specific IPs that the suspect was believed to be using from the time the warrant was served until DHS had what it needed to prosecute.

New management and third-party audits

IPVanish was acquired by Ziff Davis (then known as J2 Global) in 2019. The new management had no control over any action taken by previous management. Since acquiring the VPN, Ziff Davis has done everything in its power to prove that the VPN meets privacy and security standards.

The company paid for an in-depth third-party audit of its apps, policies, and networks. The security audit, which was carried out by Leviathan, provided assurances that the VPN lives up to its no-logging promise.

Logging policy

A VPN logging policy details exactly what a VPN provider does with user data.  A VPN provider can theoretically monitor everything that their users do online because all of their metadata and browsing requests are being handled by the VPN server. That’s why it’s vital users are able to trust their VPN provider.

The best VPNs solve this issue by adhering to a no-logs policy. This type of policy transparently states that the VPN will retain no logs of the user’s IP address, the VPN servers they access, or the websites and services they use via the VPN.

IPVanish has a robust no-logs policy. I analyzed the policy closely and found it to clearly state that the VPN never stores, collects, or shares any important usage logs. However, the VPN does keep some limited aggregated usage logs to keep the VPN running smoothly. This includes “user’s language preference, device brand, device model, OS version, country, crash reports, session lengths, server usage, protocol, build version, UI interactions, API requests and response codes, and app build version.”

This data is aggregated, meaning it can’t be used to identify a specific user. Instead, the VPN analyzes the total number of subscribers connected to each server location. This allows the VPN to closely monitor server capacity, and implement additional servers to prevent congestion when necessary.

The most questionable part of the privacy policy is the part that states: “We also share information with other IPVANISH Companies for the purposes of targeted advertising. If you would like to opt out of the sale or sharing of your data with other IPVANISH Companies, you can do so via our Privacy Portal.”

You may rightly ask: how can the VPN be leveraging user data for targeted advertising if the VPN is storing no logs? The answer is that IPVanish could simply be using the minimal account information it has (such as the user’s name and email address) to target adverts about the VPN (such as offers when a subscription is nearing completion) to those users. Thus, the inclusion of this statement does not necessarily contradict its no-logs claims.

Overall, we found the IPVanish privacy policy to be well-written and robust. The policy has been audited by an independent firm, and was found to be secure and fit for purpose. I was also happy to see that the policy complies with GDPR by allowing subscribers to request, review, and delete any personal information held on file.

Does IPVanish work in China?

The Chinese government blocks Facebook, Google services, Instagram, Twitter, Reddit, and many other popular Western platforms and news services. If you are visiting China, you will require a VPN that can bypass this strict censorship.

Although IPVanish provides obfuscation for its OpenVPN protocol, IPVanish has decided not to officially support users in China. The IPVanish domain has been blocked and the VPN provider’s official line is that it “might not work” in China.

A representative at IPVanish told me that using Scramble does work for some people, but that it often “suddenly stops working.” With this in mind, anybody living in, or traveling to China may prefer a more reliable alternative.

Is IPVanish customer service any good?

For a VPN that costs less than $3, IPVanish has excellent support. The website is packed with useful resources, including setup guides, a knowledgebase, and FAQs that cover everything you about the VPN. It has a blog about the VPN, new features, and useful topics surrounding online privacy and security.

I was impressed by the information provided in the blog, which provides an excellent way to learn about how to protect yourself online. The VPN also provides articles that cover sporting events or new streaming shows coming to popular streaming platforms that you might want to access using your VPN. This helps to keep you informed not only about the VPN itself – but what you might want to do with it.

IPVanish Blog

I found the guides to be comprehensive and well-written. They can easily help you to get the VPN set up and working if you are new to VPNs. If you do have any confusion, you can always contact the VPN’s support team by email or using the live chat on its website.

Live chat is available 24/7. Don’t be discouraged by the fact that it is initially staffed by a bot. You can ask for an agent or click the Get in Touch button that appears after a few seconds to be forwarded to a human agent.

Overall I found the support staff to be knowledgeable about the VPN, I asked them many questions about the VPN’s features, how to use those features, and even how the features work. The agents were friendly and able to provide decent responses.

One thing that impressed me is IPVanish’s commitment to transparency and straightforwardness. When you ask a question, the agents don’t sidestep in an attempt to sell you a subscription. Instead, they provide honest answers like the one in the screenshot. This is a testament to the service and its professionalism. It seems IPVanish is aware that (unlike many cowboy VPNs) it does not need to deceive users because there are plenty of people who will like the VPN exactly as it is.

The only real issue I encountered was relatively long wait times for live chat during peak hours. However, the live chat window shows you where you are in the queue, which means you can easily keep track. With that minor gripe aside, I found customer support with IPVanish to compare favorably with other market-leading VPNs.

Should I buy IPVanish?

Having used IPVanish for several weeks, would I recommend it to others?

My answer is a resounding yes!

Despite its affordability, IPVanish delivers an exceptional service with fast speeds and a wide selection of features. It’s a fantastic option for those looking to bypass online blocks, or to stream TV and movies from abroad.

The security features are robust, making it a safe VPN for remote work and gaining online privacy. It will stop ISP tracking, shield you from hackers on open wi-fi, and curb government surveillance.

The applications are user-friendly, catering to both VPN novices and seasoned users alike. Admittedly some competing VPNs have more server locations, so if you need to connect to a specific country you may want to check if it’s available. Also, remember that the kill switch is app-based – which could be improved.

These are minor quibbles for what is otherwise an impressive VPN for the price point. IPVanish is an excellent no-log VPN that is well-suited to home users who want a VPN they can use on an unlimited number of devices. Hard to beat.

IPVanish Coupon
SAVE 83% on the 2 yr plan
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IPVanish alternatives

IPVanish is excellent, but it does have some stiff competition:

  • Surfshark is very similar to IPVanish in terms of price and features, and like IPVanish it offers unlimited connections. In many ways, these two VPNs can be considered long-lost twins.
  • ExpressVPN is extremely popular and offers many of the same advantages. However, it is quite a lot more expensive. On the plus side, it works in China.
  • CyberGhost has more server locations to pick from – but works with fewer streaming platforms and only allows seven simultaneous connections.

Here’s a breakdown of how IPVanish compares with two of the most popular services, ExpressVPN and Surfshark:

No valueIPVanishExpressVPNCyberGhost
WebsiteIPVanish.comExpressVPN.comCyberghost.com
OpenVPN data encryption256-bit AES256-bit AES256-bit AES
Kill SwitchmacOS, Android Mobile, and WindowsDesktop only
Allows Torrenting
Connection logsSome aggregated dataSome aggregated data
Unblocks Netflix US
Unblocks Prime Video
Unblocks Hulu
Unblocks BBC iPlayer
Money back guarantee30 days30 days45 days
Overall rating8.39.38
Best deal (per month)$2.19
SAVE 83% on the 2 yr plan
$4.99
SAVE: 82% + 6 months free on 2 year plans
$2.03
SAVE 84% on the 2 year plan + 4 months free!

IPVanish testing methodology

Comparitech reviewers put VPNs through a detailed series of tests. Our VPN testing methodology includes:

  • VPN speed tests
  • Testing VPNs for leaks of any information
  • Testing compatibility with popular streaming services
  • Using virtual servers to test locations that block VPNs
  • Analyzing privacy policies and checking encryption implementation

You can see our full VPN testing methodology here.

IPVanish FAQs

Is IPVanish good value for money?

Yes. When compared apples for apples with other leading VPN providers, IPVanish is extremely impressive. The level of service and features you get with IPVanish put it in a very rare group of low-cost VPNs that perform well above their pay grade. This makes it a superb option for home users looking for a VPN that represents value for money.

Is IPVanish good for gaming?

A VPN that is good for gaming requires fast servers and VPN protocols above all else. In our tests, IPVanish performed in the top percentile of fast VPNs, which makes it an excellent option for playing foreign game servers, finding easier lobbies, and finding fuller lobbies at night. You can also use IPVanish to buy games for less and to play your home server while traveling abroad.

IPVanish can also protect you from DDoS attacks while playing online.

Can I use IPVanish with a games console?

Although VPNs like IPVanish do not have custom apps for Xbox or Playstation, you can share your VPN connection from a Windows PC or Mac by setting up a hotspot. Alternatively, you can set IPVanish up on a router. This will protect all devices in your home with the VPN (including your games console).

Does IPVanish provide dedicated IPs?

No. IPVanish does not rent dedicated static IPs. It only provides access to a network of shared IPs in 57+ countries. If you require a VPN IP address that is reserved for your use only, then you will need to shop elsewhere.