IPVanish Review 2024
Our Research
IPVanish is a popular virtual private network (VPN) provider that offers increased online privacy and high-speed encrypted internet access. IPVanish VPN boasts fast download speeds, 24/7 customer support, connection to unlimited simultaneous devices and access to more than 2,200 servers in more than 75 countries. If you are browsing the internet on public Wi-Fi, are seeking greater security for your online accounts or want increased privacy for your online business, IPVanish is a solid choice.
In our IPVanish review, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know to decide if this popular VPN is right for your needs.
IPVanish Pros & Cons
Pros
- Users can connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously
- Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee
- Servers from a wide number of geographic regions
Cons
- No dedicated IP address add-on
- No publicly released transparency report
How do I know I can trust this IPVanish VPN review?
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Overview
What Is IPVanish?
- IPVanish offers high-speed encrypted internet use with affordable annual plans.
- Unlike other VPN services, IPVanish allows users to connect to an unlimited number of devices simultaneously.
- IPVanish’s no-nonsense user experience (UX) is one of the reasons it made our list of best VPNs.
What Sets IPVanish Apart?
A VPN is a service that encrypts your activity on the internet and keeps your identity hidden while browsing. VPNs provide an extra layer of privacy, enable you to access foreign websites and can provide secure connections for transferring sensitive information. IPVanish has everything you need to add security to your internet activity at home at an affordable price.
Pros
IPVanish offers a feature called SugarSync file storage, providing you with advanced encryption to protect files stored online. It also keeps encrypted backup schedules so you can ensure your files are secure at all times. Other benefits include creating security settings to control file permissions and the ability to recover lost files due to factors such as ransomware.
Cons
IPVanish only offers a 30-day money-back guarantee for those who sign up for an annual plan. Plus, monthly pricing for its basic VPN service goes up to $11.99 after the first month for month-by-month plans, and up to $89.99 per year after the first year for annual plans.
IPVanish Core Features
IPVanish strikes a balance between powerful features and an intuitive, easy-to-use interface. Features include dedicated server locations for streaming, anonymous browsing, split tunneling and a kill switch. All these combine to give you the power to browse the internet securely and privately.
Anonymous Browsing
The fact that IPVanish never logs your internet traffic or VPN connections means that you can browse the internet anonymously. This guarantees that you will not be associated with any IP address or timestamp. Moreover, shared IP addresses cannot be used to track you down.
DNS Protection Measures
IPVanish uses its private DNS servers to resolve web addresses to their respective IP addresses. The DNS servers are only accessible when connected to its VPN ensuring that its DNS is private and secure
Dedicated IP
IPVanish does not offer a dedicated IP.
Kill Switch
A kill switch will disconnect your internet if your IPVanish connection stops working for any reason. This feature allows you to maintain your anonymity and privacy by ensuring your internet activity is channeled only through the VPN.
Currently, only IPVanish’s Android Mobile 8-plus, macOS and Windows client apps support the kill switch feature. And you’ll need to turn it on—it’s not done automatically.
Split Tunneling
IPVanish’s split tunneling feature allows you to choose which apps or programs will connect through the VPN and which will connect directly through the internet.
This feature grants you more control over what internet traffic is getting the protection of the VPN—and ostensibly it boosts your speeds because you can channel low-risk traffic through your normal internet connection.
With IPVanish, split tunneling only works on Android and Fire OS devices, according to its website.
IPVanish Pricing and Plans
IPVanish plans include all available apps, unlimited bandwidth and 24/7 live chat and phone support. Similar to most VPN companies, the main difference between IPVanish’s pricing plans is the length of time commitment. Monthly plans cost $11.99 each month. Yearly plans cost $39.99 while a two-year plan costs $69.99 initially. Both the yearly and the two-year plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
| Length of Contract | Monthly | Yearly | Two-Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Rate | $11.99 | $4.49 | $3.33 |
| Total Amount Billed | $11.99 | $53.88 | $69.997 |
| 30-Day Guarantee | No | Yes | Yes |
IPVanish Setup
IPVanish setup is easy to perform. Start by downloading its free app. The app is compatible on most operating systems including Windows VPN, Mac VPN, Android VPN, iPhone VPN and Chrome VPN. After you have successfully installed IPVanish, you will be ready to connect to VPN servers. IPVanish has step-by-step installation guides and videos on its website for every operating system it is compatible with.
IPVanish Ease of Use
You do not have to be a tech genius to grasp IPVanish’s easy-to-use features to help you securely surf the internet. IPVanish has a 4.5 rating over 8,000 reviews on the review website Trustpilot. Ease of use was a top comment from satisfied customers.
IPVanish Servers and Locations
IPVanish has more than 2,200 servers in over 75 server locations. The server locations are available online, so you can compare them based on the location you plan to connect to.
IPVanish Speed and Performance
IPVanish is known for providing high-speed encrypted internet connection and top performance. The actual speed you experience, however, will depend on a variety of factors including your location, internet service provider, where the servers are located and the distance between the server and your devices, and the specific device and VPN protocol you are using.
IPVanish Security and Privacy
IPVanish uses AES 256-bit encryption, the industry standard for data encryption. AES stands for Advanced Encryption Standard and 256-bit refers to the key length. A hacker would need to try 2^256 combinations to break a code, which would take millions of years for a computer to crack.
IPVanish uses the following protocols:
- Internet Key Exchange Version 2 (IKEv2): A tunneling protocol that uses cryptographic algorithms and keys to encrypt communication between a VPN client and a VPN server.
- Internet Protocol Security (IPsec): A protocol suite that protects traffic over an IP network and provides a secure framework for transport.
- OpenVPN: A security protocol with open-source code, which means the entire cybersecurity community is able to monitor any potential bugs and fix them.
IPVanish uses another protocol called WireGuard, another common VPN protocol. WireGuard is an open-source project that enables a secure VPN connection without storing any data on the VPN server.
No-logs Policy
IPVanish adheres to a no-logs policy and has been independently audited and verified. This means the company will not log any data whatsoever about its users, including traffic destination or content, IP addresses, connection time stamps and DNS inquiries.
Multifactor Authentication
IPVanish does not have multifactor authentication.
IPVanish Customer Service and Support
One of IPVanish’s key benefits is the fact that customers can get live help at any time. If you need assistance, IPVanish’s support team of experts is available 24/7/365 through live chat, email and phone. The company also maintains an extensive knowledge database with FAQs and tutorials for all your VPN needs.
IPVanish Device Compatibility
One advantage IPVanish has over some of its competitors is the fact that it can support an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. IPVanish is compatible with most operating systems from Windows, Apple, Google, and Amazon. IPVanish protects desktops, tablets, smart TVs, streaming devices and even VPN routers.
The list of supported devices and operating systems includes:
- Windows: 10 and higher
- macOS: 10.13 and higher
- iOS: 13 and higher
- Android: 5.1 and higher
- Chrome OS: 11
- Fire OS: 5 and higher
- Linux: Debian or Red Hat-based distros
- Router Firmware: DD-WRT v2 and v3, Tomato, ASUSWRT, Merlin
IPVanish for Streaming
IPVanish is known for its reliable and fast internet connection, however, it is difficult to say definitely how fast it is when it comes to streaming. This is because internet speed when using a VPN is based on a number of factors, including the location of the server, your VPN protocol, your original internet speed, your device and how far the server is from your device.
The number of servers and locations of servers can both increase the speed of your internet connection. IPVanish offers an average number of servers (2,200) in a higher number of locations (75). A dedicated IP is recommended to ensure a reliable and fast encrypted internet connection, however, IPVanish does not offer this service.
IPVanish Alternatives and How They Compare
| IPVanish | ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Surfshark | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ratings | ||||
| Starting Monthly Price | $11.99 | $12.95 | $12.99 | $12.95 per month |
| Anonymous Browsing | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| DNS Protection Measures | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Dedicated IP | No | No | Yes | No |
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Split Tunneling | Yes | Yes | Yes | Bypasser |
| Multifactor Authentication | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| No-Logs Policy | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
IPVanish vs. ExpressVPN
While IPVanish and ExpressVPN have several of the same features, one of the biggest differences between the two services is the number of devices customers can use simultaneously. ExpressVPN limits its customers to the use of five devices at a time while IPVanish allows customers to use an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. ExpressVPN, however, has more servers (3,000 versus 2,200) and more server locations (93 versus 75) than IPVanish. The larger number of servers and server locations could indicate an increase in security and internet speed.
IPVanish vs. NordVPN
Like IPVanish, NordVPN offers a dedicated IP (DIP) add-on for an additional cost, while IPVanish does not offer this option. However, IPVanish allows users to connect to an unlimited number of devices while NordVPN is capped at six. Overall, both are solid choices and the better fit will depend on your individual needs.
IPVanish vs. Surfshark
IPVanish and Surfshark are very similar in pricing, length of contracts and features. They both support unlimited simultaneous devices, yet neither IPVanish nor Surfshark offers a dedicated IP add-on. Surfshark has servers in 100 countries versus IPVanish’s 75 countries, which could affect the upload and download speeds, security and the range of content you can access with a VPN. In addition to a VPN, Surfshark offers other features, such as Surfshark Antivirus, a private web search engine called Surfshark Search and a data breach detection program called Surfshark Alert.
Is IPVanish Right for You?
IPVanish is best suited for those who want to connect as many devices as their hearts desire—so long as the lack of a dedicated IP address isn’t a deal-breaker. In other words, IPVanish is best suited for individuals looking to browse the internet privately across many devices while bypassing geo-blocking restrictions.
IPVanish for Personal Use
IPVanish is one of the best VPN services available today. IPVanish stands out from the crowd with its no-nonsense user experience (UX), top-notch security and affordable price. The fact that it allows unlimited device connection makes it ideal for large households with several devices.
IPVanish for Business Use
What separates IPVanish from the competition, according to our standards, is its lack of additional features and primarily its lack of a dedicated IP address add-on. Without a dedicated IP, IPVanish may not be the best choice for heavy work or business use.
Our Experience
We recommend IPVanish as an affordable, secure and easy-to-use VPN for personal use.
The fact that it does not include a dedicated IP address, however, might limit its usefulness for some remote workers and small business owners.
Bottom line
IPVanish is an excellent choice for anyone looking to secure their internet usage no matter where they are in the world. You can utilize its services to secure your connection – even when surfing on an unsecure Wifi channel – access all your favorite shows or channels, and keep important information safe.
