IPVanish VPN is a good VPN answer which will have issue standing out from the competitors. It has a decent 2,400-server suite with entry to servers from 90+ nations, limitless machine connections, and an impressively responsive reside assist chat.

Nevertheless, its US-based operation and lack of specialised servers could deter some customers from contemplating it as a prime choice. At present, IPVanish VPN helps Home windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Chrome OS, routers, and different platforms.

IPVanish VPN pricing

In 2023, IPVanish solely provided a single subscription tier with a month-to-month, yearly, and a two-year choice. For 2024, IPVanish now has two paid tiers: IPVanish Important and IPVanish Superior. Whereas Important consists of the primary VPN service and a few extra security measures, Superior has extra extras, resembling Cloud Backup and Safe Browser, to call a number of.

Value-wise, I just like the one-year IPVanish Superior plan at $4.49 monthly. Whereas it isn’t probably the most inexpensive of the bunch, it supplies all of IPVanish’s premium options at an affordable one-year contract size. In comparison with different suppliers, IPVanish falls within the center floor once we take into account Personal Web Entry VPN’s equal one-year plan at $3.33 monthly and NordVPN’s Plus annual subscription at $5.49 monthly.

IPVanish Superior’s one-year plan additionally gives an excellent steadiness of getting a decrease month-to-month payment with out getting locked into an extended, two-year contract.

I personally wouldn’t advocate going for the month-to-month plan, as it’s dearer by way of month-to-month VPN subscriptions. As well as, solely the one-year and two-year plans supply a 30-day money-back assure, permitting you to check IPVanish VPN and get a refund in case you’re sad with it.

IPVanish does supply a seven-day free trial by way of an Apple or Android machine. In case you join the trial utilizing a smartphone, you’ll be able to really entry IPVanish without cost in your desktop by signing in with that trial account. Whereas I personally want there was a extra direct free trial choice for desktop customers, I nonetheless recognize that IPVanish supplies free trial entry after the cell sign-up. That is very true since not all premium VPNs present any type of free trial entry for his or her desktop app altogether.

Safety: Is IPVanish VPN protected?

IPVanish comes with all of the requisite safety protocols we count on from a modern-day VPN. It has IPSec, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard — safety protocols that present customers with a alternative of each safe and quick VPN tunnels. For encryption, it makes use of AES-256 encryption, which is basically thought to be some of the safe encryption algorithms at the moment. It additionally has a built-in kill change and DNS leak safety.

Like many VPN companies, IPVanish has a no-logs coverage, which states that they don’t hold monitor of person web site visitors, search historical past, IP addresses, and add/obtain exercise.

Sadly, IPVanish does have one reported incident of supposedly handing logs off to legislation enforcement authorities. Again in 2016, beneath completely different possession, IPVanish reportedly gave logs to the USA Division of Homeland Safety to trace a suspect linked to little one pornography. Initially, the corporate stated they’d no logs, but it surely was ultimately reported that IPVanish handed off info to authorities, who allowed them to establish the suspect.

Whereas catching criminals concerned in heinous crimes is vital, the incident does put to query the credibility of IPVanish saying it recorded no logs.

A 12 months after the report, the corporate was acquired by new possession, and IPVanish has since doubled down on its no-logs coverage. IPVanish additionally lately handed an impartial third-party audit by Leviathan in April 2022, confirming and verifying their no-log coverage — an excellent signal for customers searching for arduous proof on their claims.

Normally, IPVanish will probably be a protected and safe service in 2024. Nevertheless, it’s hampered by the logging incident and the truth that it operates in the USA (a rustic recognized for its robust surveillance practices).

Key options of IPVanish VPN

If you wish to check out a VPN for private or enterprise use, IPVanish VPN generally is a appropriate decide. Let’s check out a few of IPVanish VPN’s key options and see whether or not they suit your wants.

24/7 Stay-chat assist

IPVanish gives an excellent mixture of buyer assist choices. You possibly can search assist by way of e-mail, reside chat, and article guides on their web site. Amongst these three, IPVanish’s reside chat is noteworthy as they supply buyer assist 24 hours a day, seven days every week.

Whereas testing IPVanish, I attempted out their reside chat to see if their 24/7 declare holds up. I despatched a assist message asking which protocol was finest for safety and which was finest for streaming. I used to be impressed as I used to be instantly linked with an agent in beneath one minute and obtained useful solutions that didn’t really feel templated or too robotic.

Determine A

Having a speedy reside chat function like it is a particular plus, particularly since issues can come up with software program like a VPN. That is additionally useful for customers who aren’t as well-versed in VPNs and need a little bit of real-world steering.

Dependable kill change

Determine B

IPVanish comes with a devoted kill-switch discovered within the app’s settings menu. If, for some purpose, your VPN connection fails, the kill change mechanically stops your machine from reconnecting to the web with out the VPN’s safety. That is helpful in case you’re in an space that commonly experiences energy outages, as this prevents any undesirable sharing of information or exercise along with your web service supplier (ISP).

In my testing, IPVanish’s kill change was one of many higher ones I’ve tried. It reliably minimize off any capacity I had to hook up with the web once I wasn’t linked by way of an IPVanish server. That is good, contemplating I’ve examined a number of VPNs that also allowed me to hook up with my ISP even when a kill change was on.

Limitless machine connections

IPVanish means that you can join an infinite variety of units with one subscription. Different opponents usually supply round 5-8 most machine connections, which is a win for IPVanish VPN.

This can be a worthwhile function for customers who commonly use a number of units and don’t wish to go away one among them on an unprotected connection. You additionally gained’t have to fret about paying for extra machine connections after your preliminary subscription.

Efficiency: Is IPVanish VPN quick?

In my testing, IPVanish rendered good speeds and an general dependable connection. I felt no noticeable drop in my day-to-day work whereas linked to IPVanish’s really useful, quickest server. My use consisted of utilizing Google Suite apps, watching 1080p YouTube movies, and making a number of video calls as nicely.

I did report a a lot larger drop by way of add pace with IPVanish, in comparison with different companies I’ve examined. In fact, your mileage could differ relying in your location, however this was recorded whereas linked by way of IPVanish’s “Optimum Location” server. Then again, IPVanish did carry out very well for downloads. For DNS leak safety, I ran IPVanish a number of instances by way of a public DNS leak software, and it didn’t leak whatever the server I examined on.

Lastly, let’s speak about IPVanish VPN’s in-app expertise. In my testing, I encountered zero points utilizing the IPVanish Home windows utility. I didn’t expertise any crashes or lag and used all its options with no drawback. Switching servers did take longer than anticipated, however nothing too jarring.

I do wish to say that whereas the app was dependable and practical, the in-app design feels and appears outdated for software program in 2024. The design is bare-bones and a bit too simplistic for my style.

Determine C

For my part, a extra trendy interface will surely improve IPVanish VPN’s general person expertise.

IPVanish VPN Servers and places

In 2024, IPVanish’s server fleet gives 2,400 servers from 95+ nations and 130+ VPN places. Whereas 2,400 servers appear small, the important thing metric right here is IPVanish is the extra location choices. After I first reviewed IPVanish, the VPN solely had servers from 75 places. Now, it gives VPN servers from 55 extra places and greater than 90 nations to select from — a commendable improve in simply over a 12 months, in my view.

Regardless of different VPNs like Surfshark and NordVPN offering over 100+ VPN places, I feel having 95 nations to select from is an affordable step up in comparison with its server suite in 2023. That is vital for customers primarily utilizing the VPN to unblock region-locked content material on-line.

Determine D

By way of its nation unfold, IPVanish has servers in North America (1,440+ servers), Europe (690+), Asia (160+), Oceania (75+), South America (35+), and Africa (6). General, the unfold of servers that IPVanish gives is respectable.

Sadly, IPVanish has no specialised streaming, safety, or torrenting servers. When you can nonetheless make the most of IPVanish servers for these use instances, not having specialised servers is a miss on IPVanish’s half. That is very true given how different VPN choices have specialised servers as a foremost promoting level.

SEE: Every little thing You Must Know concerning the Malvertising Cybersecurity Menace (TechRepublic Premium)

IPVanish VPN Execs

• Very dependable kill change.
• Limitless simultaneous machine connections.
• Good obtain and real-world speeds.
• Responsive 24/7 reside chat assist.
• 7-day free trial.
• Inexpensive 2-year choice.

IPVanish VPN Cons

• Operates beneath surveillance-heavy United States.
• Expensive month-to-month subscription.
• Dated app design.
• Lack of specialised servers.

Is IPVanish VPN value it?

IPVanish is a good VPN choice that provides strong safety protocols, good pace, a dependable kill change, and limitless machine assist. Its two-year subscription is inexpensive, and the seven-day iOS and Android free trial is a helpful choice for potential VPN customers.

Sadly, it does have its drawbacks. It has a smaller server fleet, is predicated within the surveillance-heavy United States, and has an older-looking app interface. It additionally doesn’t have that many standout options that make it higher than different VPNs.

If you wish to attempt a easy, no-frills VPN that provides pace, safety, and a free trial — IPVanish is value a attempt. In case you’re searching for a VPN with an intensive server suite, specialised security measures and servers, and a service based mostly in a pro-privacy nation, IPVanish might not be the only option.

Alternate options to IPVanish VPN

Though IPVanish VPN is a good VPN answer, it might not have the right combination of options in your wants. We’ve listed related alternate options beneath which will go well with you higher.

To study extra, take a look at our full CyberGhost VPN evaluation.

CyberGhost VPN

In case you’re searching for a VPN with a hefty server fleet, CyberGhost is among the finest choices. It has servers from 100 nations and 125 places. It even has devoted streaming, gaming, and torrenting servers, making it a best choice for customers who wish to unblock and maximize geo-restricted content material.

NordVPN

For safety lovers, NordVPN is a strong answer. It has built-in malware safety, robust impartial testing on its no-logs coverage, and distinctive security-focused options. It even has an encrypted Meshnet file-sharing system that enables for the safe switch and sharing of information. As an general bundle, Nord is taken into account the most effective all-around VPNs round.

To study extra, take a look at our full NordVPN evaluation.

ExpressVPN

Categorical is one other dependable choice if you need a geologically-rich server community. It has round 3,000 servers unfold throughout 105 nations — a good steadiness between server and placement depend. It’s additionally well-regarded for its security measures and its easy-to-use utility.

To study extra, take a look at our full ExpressVPN evaluation.

Overview methodology

My evaluation of IPVanish VPN concerned an in depth evaluation of its key options and real-world efficiency. I had hands-on expertise with IPVanish by way of its free trial by way of Android, and I examined it extensively on my Home windows laptop computer.

For add and obtain speeds, I examined IPVanish servers utilizing Ookla’s public Speedtest. To verify for DNS leak safety, I ran IPVanish a number of instances utilizing DNSLeakTest.

Lastly, I scored IPVanish on all the pieces from its safety protocols to its worth based mostly on an inside algorithm to get a ranking of three.9 out of 5 stars. I checked out IPVanish VPN each by itself and in relation to different VPN options obtainable at the moment.