Is It Actually as Safe as Claimed?

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

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

IPVanish VPN pricing

In 2023, IPVanish solely supplied 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 principle VPN service and a few further security measures, Superior has extra extras, comparable to Cloud Backup and Safe Browser, to call just a few.

Value-wise, I just like the one-year IPVanish Superior plan at $4.49 per 30 days. Whereas it isn’t essentially the most inexpensive of the bunch, it gives all of IPVanish’s premium options at an inexpensive 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 per 30 days and NordVPN’s Plus annual subscription at $5.49 per 30 days.

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

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

IPVanish does provide a seven-day free trial by way of an Apple or Android system. In case you join the trial utilizing a smartphone, you’ll be able to really entry IPVanish without spending a dime 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 gives free trial entry after the cellular sign-up. That is very true since not all premium VPNs present any kind 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 anticipate 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 essentially considered some of the safe encryption algorithms at the moment. It additionally has a built-in kill change and DNS leak safety.

Like many VPN providers, IPVanish has a no-logs coverage, which states that they don’t preserve observe 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 regulation enforcement authorities. Again in 2016, below totally different possession, IPVanish reportedly gave logs to the USA Division of Homeland Safety to trace a suspect linked to youngster pornography. Initially, the corporate stated they’d no logs, however it was finally reported that IPVanish handed off data to authorities, who allowed them to determine the suspect.

Whereas catching criminals concerned in heinous crimes is necessary, 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 — signal for customers on the lookout for arduous proof on their claims.

Typically, IPVanish will likely 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 could be a appropriate choose. Let’s check out a few of IPVanish VPN’s key options and see whether or not they suit your wants.

24/7 Dwell-chat assist

IPVanish affords mixture of buyer assist choices. You’ll be able to search assist through e mail, reside chat, and article guides on their website. 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 greatest for safety and which was greatest for streaming. I used to be impressed as I used to be instantly related with an agent in below one minute and acquired useful solutions that didn’t really feel templated or too robotic.

Determine A

Having a speedy reside chat characteristic 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 desire 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 cause, your VPN connection fails, the kill change routinely stops your machine from reconnecting to the web with out the VPN’s safety. That is helpful if you happen to’re in an space that commonly experiences energy outages, as this prevents any undesirable sharing of information or exercise together with your web service supplier (ISP).

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

Limitless system connections

IPVanish permits you to join an infinite variety of units with one subscription. Different opponents usually provide round 5-8 most system connections, which is a win for IPVanish VPN.

It is a invaluable characteristic for customers who commonly use a number of units and don’t wish to depart certainly one of them on an unprotected connection. You additionally gained’t have to fret about paying for extra system 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 related to IPVanish’s advisable, quickest server. My use consisted of utilizing Google Suite apps, watching 1080p YouTube movies, and making just a few video calls as nicely.

I did file a a lot larger drop by way of add pace with IPVanish, in comparison with different providers I’ve examined. In fact, your mileage might fluctuate relying in your location, however this was recorded whereas related through IPVanish’s “Optimum Location” server. However, IPVanish did carry out very well for downloads. For DNS leak safety, I ran IPVanish a number of occasions by way of a public DNS leak instrument, and it didn’t leak whatever the server I examined on.

Lastly, let’s discuss 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

In my view, a extra trendy interface would definitely improve IPVanish VPN’s general person expertise.

IPVanish VPN Servers and places

In 2024, IPVanish’s server fleet affords 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. Once I first reviewed IPVanish, the VPN solely had servers from 75 places. Now, it affords VPN servers from 55 extra places and greater than 90 nations to select from — a commendable enhance 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 inexpensive step up in comparison with its server suite in 2023. That is necessary 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). Total, the unfold of servers that IPVanish affords 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 primary promoting level.

SEE: All the pieces You Have to Know concerning the Malvertising Cybersecurity Risk (TechRepublic Premium)

IPVanish VPN Execs

• Very dependable kill change.
• Limitless simultaneous system 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 below surveillance-heavy United States.
• Expensive month-to-month subscription.
• Dated app design.
• Lack of specialised servers.

Is IPVanish VPN price it?

IPVanish is an honest VPN choice that gives strong safety protocols, good pace, a dependable kill change, and limitless system 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 gives pace, safety, and a free trial — IPVanish is price a attempt. In case you’re on the lookout for a VPN with an in depth server suite, specialised security measures and servers, and a service primarily based in a pro-privacy nation, IPVanish will not be your best option.

Alternate options to IPVanish VPN

Though IPVanish VPN is an honest VPN answer, it might not have the correct mix of options to your wants. We’ve listed related alternate options under 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 on the lookout for a VPN with a hefty server fleet, CyberGhost is likely one of the greatest 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 permits for the safe switch and sharing of information. As an general package deal, Nord is taken into account among the finest all-around VPNs round.

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

ExpressVPN

Categorical is one other dependable choice if you would like a geologically-rich server community. It has round 3,000 servers unfold throughout 105 nations — an honest steadiness between server and placement rely. 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 through 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 examine for DNS leak safety, I ran IPVanish a number of occasions utilizing DNSLeakTest.

Lastly, I scored IPVanish on every part from its safety protocols to its value primarily based on an inner 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 out there at the moment.