Is It Actually as Safe as Claimed?

IPVanish VPN is a good VPN answer that will have issue standing out from the competitors. It has a decent 2,400-server suite with entry to servers from 90+ international locations, limitless gadget 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 high choice. At present, 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 contains the principle VPN service and a few extra safety features, Superior has extra extras, akin to Cloud Backup and Safe Browser, to call a couple of.

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 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 think about Non-public 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 presents a very good steadiness of getting a decrease month-to-month charge 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 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 in case you’re sad with it.

IPVanish does provide a seven-day free trial by means of an Apple or Android gadget. When you join the trial utilizing a smartphone, you may truly 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 supplies free trial entry after the cellular sign-up. That is very true since not all premium VPNs present any form of free trial entry for his or her desktop app altogether.

Safety: Is IPVanish VPN secure?

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 selection of each safe and quick VPN tunnels. For encryption, it makes use of AES-256 encryption, which is essentially considered one of the safe encryption algorithms right this moment. It additionally has a built-in kill swap and DNS leak safety.

Like many VPN providers, IPVanish has a no-logs coverage, which states that they don’t maintain monitor of consumer web 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, below completely 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 that they had no logs, but it surely 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 vital, the incident does put to query the credibility of IPVanish saying it recorded no logs.

A yr after the report, the corporate was acquired by new possession, and IPVanish has since doubled down on its no-logs coverage. IPVanish additionally not too long ago handed an impartial third-party audit by Leviathan in April 2022, confirming and verifying their no-log coverage — a very good signal for customers searching for laborious proof on their claims.

Generally, IPVanish shall be a secure 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 decide. 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 presents a very good mixture of buyer assist choices. You may search assist by way of 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 per 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 steerage.

Dependable kill swap

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 swap 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 usually 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 swap was one of many higher ones I’ve tried. It reliably lower off any capacity I had to connect with the web after I wasn’t related by way of an IPVanish server. That is good, contemplating I’ve examined a couple of VPNs that also allowed me to connect with my ISP even when a kill swap was on.

Limitless gadget connections

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

It is a useful characteristic for customers who usually use a number of units and don’t need to depart one in every of them on an unprotected connection. You additionally received’t have to fret about paying for extra gadget connections after your preliminary subscription.

Efficiency: Is IPVanish VPN quick?

In my testing, IPVanish rendered good speeds and an total 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 a couple of video calls as effectively.

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 could range relying in your location, however this was recorded whereas related by way of IPVanish’s “Optimum Location” server. However, IPVanish did carry out rather well for downloads. For DNS leak safety, I ran IPVanish a number of occasions by means of a public DNS leak device, 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 software. 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 need to say that whereas the app was dependable and useful, 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 fashionable interface would definitely improve IPVanish VPN’s total consumer expertise.

IPVanish VPN Servers and places

In 2024, IPVanish’s server fleet presents 2,400 servers from 95+ international locations 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 presents VPN servers from 55 extra places and greater than 90 international locations to select from — a commendable enhance in simply over a yr, in my view.

Regardless of different VPNs like Surfshark and NordVPN offering over 100+ VPN places, I believe having 95 international locations 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

When it comes to 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 presents is first rate.

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 most important promoting level.

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

IPVanish VPN Execs

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

IPVanish VPN Cons

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

Is IPVanish VPN value it?

IPVanish is a good VPN choice that gives stable safety protocols, good pace, a dependable kill swap, and limitless gadget 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 strive a easy, no-frills VPN that gives pace, safety, and a free trial — IPVanish is value a strive. When you’re searching for a VPN with an in depth server suite, specialised safety features and servers, and a service based mostly in a pro-privacy nation, IPVanish will not be your best option.

Alternate options to IPVanish VPN

Though IPVanish VPN is a good VPN answer, it could not have the right combination of options in your wants. We’ve listed comparable options under that will swimsuit you higher.

To be taught extra, try our full CyberGhost VPN overview.

CyberGhost VPN

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

NordVPN

For safety fans, NordVPN is a stable 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 total bundle, Nord is taken into account the most effective all-around VPNs round.

To be taught extra, try our full NordVPN overview.

ExpressVPN

Specific is one other dependable choice if you’d like a geologically-rich server community. It has round 3,000 servers unfold throughout 105 international locations — a good steadiness between server and site rely. It’s additionally well-regarded for its safety features and its easy-to-use software.

To be taught extra, try our full ExpressVPN overview.

Overview methodology

My overview of IPVanish VPN concerned an in depth evaluation of its key options and real-world efficiency. I had hands-on expertise with IPVanish by means 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 test for DNS leak safety, I ran IPVanish a number of occasions utilizing DNSLeakTest.

Lastly, I scored IPVanish on all the pieces from its safety protocols to its value 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 out there right this moment.