Since bursting onto the scene in 2012, IPVanish—a VPN hailing from the heart of the USA—has been touted as a game-changer in online privacy. But is it truly the guardian of anonymity it's claimed to be? Rather than take the chatter at face value, I rolled up my sleeves to delve into IPVanish's true capabilities.
In this IPVanish review, I've thoroughly examined every feature and included plenty of screenshots to give you a clear picture of what this VPN offers.
Here's what you'll learn in this article:
- How well IPVanish performs in terms of speed and security
- If it can effectively bypass geo-restrictions for streaming and gaming
- How easy it is to install and use on different devices
- Whether it's going to slow down your internet connection
- If IPVanish is really as trustworthy as everyone says
Let's examine and see what IPVanish is all about!
In a Hurry? Here's a Quick Summary
IPVanish is a solid VPN service that impressed me in several areas during my testing. How did I come to this conclusion? I thoroughly evaluated IPVanish over a two-week period, examining its features, performance, and user experience.
IPVanish stands out with its extensive server network, strong security features, and user-friendly interface. Some of its top features include support for the WireGuard protocol, a vast network of servers in over 90 countries, and robust privacy protections.
I was particularly impressed by IPVanish's minimal impact on internet speed, its intuitive interface across different platforms, and the responsive customer support. Every interaction I had with IPVanish felt refined and well-thought-out.
If you're in the market for a versatile VPN solution with a good balance of features, performance, and ease of use, IPVanish is definitely worth considering. You can download IPVanish today and investigate its features for yourself.
What You'll Like:
- Clean and intuitive user interface
- Fast and reliable connections
- Strong security features, including WireGuard protocol
- Excellent for streaming and torrenting
- Wide device compatibility
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
What You May Not Like:
- Advanced protection features like ad blocking are very limited
- No anonymous payment options like cryptocurrency
- Limited customization options in the app interface
What Makes This IPVanish Review Different?
Many VPN reviews you'll find online - even those on the first page of Google - aren't always genuine. They often just copy text and images straight from the product's official website. Can you really trust reviews that don't reflect real opinions of cybersecurity experts?
I'm committed to providing the most objective VPN reviews possible. To achieve this, I purchase, install, test, and thoroughly analyze the VPN software on my own hardware.
For this IPVanish review, I primarily used a Dell XPS laptop. However, I also tested it on a MacBook Pro and a Samsung Galaxy S20 FE to ensure a comprehensive evaluation. The entire process took about two weeks, during which I captured numerous screenshots to include in this detailed review.
Keep reading to learn more about the ins and outs of IPVanish and whether it's the right VPN for you.
Buying IPVanish
When it comes to purchasing IPVanish, you have three subscription models to choose from: 1 month, 1 year, or 2 years. Interestingly, only the 1-year and 2-year plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you're looking for the best value, the 2-year plan offers the biggest discount.
For this review, I decided to go with the 1-year subscription. I wanted a nice discount but wasn't ready to commit to two full years. Plus, I still get that reassuring 30-day money-back guarantee.
Speaking of discounts, IPVanish doesn't hold back. While the 1-month plan comes without any discount, the 1-year plan offers a whopping 69% off, and the 2-year plan takes it even further with a 76% discount. That's quite impressive!
The buying process was uncomplicated. I clicked the "Get Started" button, compared the subscription models, and made my choice. Then came the payment method selection - I went with a credit card, but Google Pay and PayPal were also available. After entering my email and credit card information, I was all set.
One thing that disappointed me a bit was the lack of anonymous payment options. Bitcoin wasn't available, which is a shame for those who prioritize privacy in their transactions.
On the bright side, there were no annoying upsells during the purchase process. After completing my purchase, I received a single email prompting me to create a password for my account. Simple and to the point - just how I like it.
Installation
After creating my password for the IPVanish account, I was able to access the online dashboard. I have to say, I'm quite impressed with it. The dashboard is easy to use and contains everything you need to manage your account and subscription effectively.
Next, I received a welcome email with a link to the download page. Following the steps, I downloaded the installer without any hassle.
The installation process was incredibly simple and took less than a minute. I didn't have to make any choices during the installation besides selecting the installation folder. It's refreshing to see a VPN that doesn't complicate things unnecessarily.
The IPVanish installation process is quick and straightforwardInterface
IPVanish's user interface is one of its standout features, combining simplicity with functionality. When you first launch the application, you're greeted with a clean main screen.
The IPVanish interface displays a clean, intuitive design with clear labels and easy navigationThe main screen includes these key elements:
- A central Connect button for toggling the VPN on and off
- A Location Picker to select servers
- A performance graph showing real-time data usage
- A detailed map with server locations, providing a visual representation of available servers
I like is how the interface highlights the active VPN protocol, making it easy to see which security method you're using at a glance.
IPVanish offers both light and dark themes, which you can switch between by going to Settings > Applications. This is great for customizing your experience based on your preferences or lighting conditions.
Another feature I appreciate is the ability to resize the UI. You can even maximize it if you want a full-screen view of your VPN stats and settings.
For those who prefer using the VPN in their native language, IPVanish supports 8 different languages. You can change the language in Settings > Applications. It's a nice touch that makes the VPN more accessible to a global audience.
The Application tab in settings offers options to change the app's language and themeThe Application tab in settings also offers options to launch the app at startup and manage notifications when the VPN connects or disconnects. These small but thoughtful features add to the overall user-friendly experience of IPVanish.
VPN Servers
IPVanish boasts an impressive network of over 2,400 servers spread across more than 90 locations worldwide. While this is a substantial number, some competitors like CyberGhost or Private Internet Access offer even more, with over 11,000 servers in 110+ countries.
One interesting aspect of IPVanish's server network is the inclusion of virtual servers. When you connect to a virtual server, you'll see "Virtual" displayed in front of the server name. This transparency is appreciated, as not all VPN providers are upfront about their use of virtual servers.
The server selection interface lists countries, cities, and their respective ping times and server loadsThe server selection interface is well-designed and informative. It lists countries, cities, and provides useful information like ping times and server loads. This allows you to make informed decisions based on your needs - whether it's lower latency for gaming or server load for streaming.
I found the Search Locations bar at the top particularly useful for quickly finding a specific country or city. There's also an Optimal Location button that suggests the best server for performance, which is handy when you just want to connect quickly without overthinking it.
While IPVanish doesn't categorize its servers for specific uses like gaming or streaming, you can easily find suitable servers by looking at the ping and load information. For gaming, for instance, you'd want to look for servers with low ping times.
All in all, I found the server network to be robust and well-distributed. The ability to see server load and ping times right in the interface is a big plus, making it easy to find the best server for your needs.
Gaming
While IPVanish doesn't specifically categorize servers for gaming, it does provide servers that are well-suited for this purpose. The key is to look for servers with the lowest ping times, which you can easily do through the server list.
Some advantages of using IPVanish for gaming include:
- DDoS Protection: This helps prevent potential attacks that could disrupt your gaming session.
- Online Gaming Privacy: Keeps your real IP hidden from other players and potential hackers.
- Consistent Gaming Speed and Performance: Thanks to their extensive server network and optimized connections.
- Split Tunneling: Allows you to route only your game through the VPN while other apps use your regular connection.
- WireGuard VPN Protocol: Offers a great balance of speed and security, ideal for gaming.
- VPN Servers in 90+ Locations: Gives you plenty of options to find low-ping servers close to game servers.
During my IPVanish review testing, I played CS:GO and Overwatch using IPVanish servers, and I have to say, the experience was smooth. I enjoyed low ping values and stable connections throughout my gaming sessions. There were no noticeable lags or disconnects, which is crucial for competitive online gaming.
Torrenting
IPVanish is quite torrent-friendly, supporting P2P file sharing on all its servers. This provides an unrestricted environment for torrenting, which is a big plus for users who frequently engage in P2P activities.
The advantages of using IPVanish for torrenting include:
- No-logs policy: Ensures your torrenting activity remains private.
- Strong encryption: Protects your data from prying eyes.
- Unlimited bandwidth: No restrictions on how much you can download.
One feature that sets IPVanish apart for torrenting is its SOCKS5 proxy support. You can use the IPVanish SOCKS5 proxy with uTorrent, which can provide faster speeds for P2P transfers while still maintaining a level of privacy.
During my testing for this IPVanish review, I used IPVanish to download a couple of Linux installers via torrent. The process went smoothly, with good download speeds and no interruptions. The ability to use any server for P2P activities is certainly convenient, as you're not restricted to specific "P2P-friendly" servers like with some other VPNs.
However, it's important to note that while IPVanish provides a secure environment for torrenting, they emphasize that their service should not be used for copyright infringement. Always ensure you're downloading legal content.
Streaming
IPVanish can be a useful tool for streaming enthusiasts. It allows you to watch streaming platforms more securely by adding a layer of encryption to your internet connection. This helps safeguard your traffic and ensure your online activities remain private, protecting against potential risks like third-party snooping and hacking attempts.
One of the main advantages of using IPVanish for streaming is its ability to bypass ISP bandwidth throttling and connection slowdowns that can cause lagging. This can result in a smoother streaming experience, especially during peak hours when ISPs might otherwise slow down your connection. This also benefits YouTube watching.
While testing, I was able to access streaming platforms from my country easily. In some cases, I could even access content from other countries, although this depends on whether the specific VPN servers are recognized and blocked by the streaming platform.
It's worth noting that IPVanish doesn't market itself specifically as a solution for accessing geo-restricted content. They clearly state that their VPN service is not intended for use as a means of copyright circumvention or to violate streaming service usage terms. Always make sure to check your streaming service's Terms and Conditions before using IPVanish (or any VPN) with that service.
For my speed tests, I used a Dell XPS laptop with an Intel i7-1065G7 CPU @ 1.30GHz and 16 GB of RAM running on Windows 11. My network configuration is Wi-Fi 5 protocol with a theoretical speed of 866 MBps.
My general observations on speed and performance across different servers and during different times of day is that IPVanish is stable and pretty consistent regarding speed.
To test the speed of the VPN servers, I used Ookla's Speedtest. Here are the results:
- No VPN: 481 Mbps download, 491 Mbps upload, and 33 ms latency
- Dallas, USA: 242 Mbps download, 248 Mbps upload, and 174 ms latency
- Detroit, USA: 223 Mbps download, 74 Mbps upload, and 157 ms latency
- New York, USA: 184 Mbps download, 429 Mbps upload, and 127 ms latency
- Germany: 309 Mbps download, 447 Mbps upload, and 57 ms latency
- France: 332 Mbps download, 365 Mbps upload, and 49 ms latency
- Spain: 236 Mbps download, 455 Mbps upload, and 64 ms latency
- Italy: 279 Mbps download, 370 Mbps upload, and 93 ms latency
- UK: 242 Mbps download, 445 Mbps upload, and 57 ms latency
- Brazil: 214 Mbps download, 412 Mbps upload, and 247 ms latency
- India: 100 Mbps download, 393 Mbps upload, and 259 ms latency
Speed test results when connected to a server in Dallas, USAI was impressed with IPVanish's speed performance. While there was some speed loss compared to my base connection (which is expected with any VPN), the speeds remained more than adequate for most online activities, including streaming and gaming. The European servers performed particularly well, often maintaining over 60% of my base download speed.
The increased latency on distant servers (like Brazil and India) is normal and expected. Despite this, the download and upload speeds remained quite good even on these far-off servers.
In conclusion, IPVanish delivers solid speeds across its server network. While you might notice some speed reduction, especially on more distant servers, the overall performance is strong enough for most users' needs, including streaming, gaming, and general browsing.
VPN Privacy Features
This section of the IPVanish review takes a closer look at its privacy features, from encryption and protocols to its no-logs policy, assessing its ability to protect your data.
VPN Protocols
IPVanish offers multiple VPN protocols, including WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN, and IPSec. Note that PPTP and L2TP, which are outdated VPN protocols with known security vulnerabilities, are no longer supported by IPVanish.
The standout protocol here is WireGuard, which offers a great balance of speed and security. Some advantages of WireGuard include:
- Faster connection times
- Improved performance on mobile devices
- Strong, modern encryption
You can easily switch between protocols in the IPVanish app by going to Settings > Protocol.
The Protocol tab in settings allows you to choose your preferred VPN protocolDuring my IPVanish review testing, I found the WireGuard protocol to be particularly impressive, offering noticeably faster connection times and overall performance compared to OpenVPN.
SOCKS5 Proxy Servers
IPVanish also offers SOCKS5 proxy servers, which can be a useful alternative to a full VPN in certain situations. A SOCKS5 proxy acts as a middle-man between your device and the internet, hiding your IP address without the encryption of a VPN.
Some advantages of using SOCKS5 proxies include:
- Faster speeds than a VPN (due to lack of encryption)
- Ability to bypass geo-restrictions
- Flexible traffic compatibility
- Fewer errors and better performance in some cases
To use the SOCKS5 proxy, you'll need to access your online dashboard and click the Proxy tab. There, you can find proxy credentials that you can use with various applications, such as BitTorrent clients.
The Proxy tab in the online dashboard provides access to SOCKS5 proxy credentialsIn my experience, the SOCKS5 proxy connections were stable, and I was able to connect to multiple proxies from different parts of the world without issues.
Strong Encryption
IPVanish uses AES 256-bit encryption, which is the industry standard for data protection. This encryption works by securing your data requests, re-routing them through a private and remote server, before sending an encrypted data response back to you.
The use of AES 256-bit encryption provides several advantages:
- Military-grade security
- Protection against brute-force attacks
- Ensures your data remains unreadable even if intercepted
No-Logs Policy
IPVanish maintains a strict zero-log policy, meaning they do not monitor, record, or store logs of customer VPN activity. This is crucial for maintaining privacy and protecting user data.
IPVanish has undergone external audits to verify their no-logs policy, which adds an extra layer of trust. You can find the latest third-party audit details on their blog.
Kill Switch
The kill switch is a crucial privacy feature that prevents your real IP address from being exposed if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly. IPVanish's implementation of this feature is called "Network Lock".
To enable the kill switch, go to Settings > Connection and toggle the switch labeled "Kill Switch". You can also enable the "Block LAN Traffic" feature if you want to block all local network traffic as well as internet traffic when disconnected from IPVanish.
The Connection tab in settings allows you to enable the Kill Switch and Block LAN Traffic featuresDuring my testing, I simulated VPN disconnects to check the effectiveness of the kill switch. I'm happy to report that it worked perfectly, immediately cutting off my internet connection to prevent any data leaks.
DNS and IP Leak Protection
IPVanish includes built-in DNS and IP leak protection to ensure your real location and browsing activity remain hidden. DNS leaks can occur when your device sends DNS requests outside the VPN tunnel, potentially exposing your online activity to your ISP or other third parties.
The Enhanced Security section includes options for DNS Leak Protection and IPv6 Leak ProtectionTo test IPVanish's leak protection, I used several online tools:
These results indicate that IPVanish effectively prevents both IP and DNS leaks, providing a strong layer of privacy protection.
Network Security
IPVanish offers several network security features to enhance your online privacy and protection. These can be found under Settings > Network Security.
The Network Security tab offers options for auto-connect and advanced protectionKey features include:
- Auto-connect on Untrusted Networks: Automatically connects the VPN when you join a public or unknown network
- Advanced Protection: Blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites while connected to the VPN
- Network Trust Management: Allows you to specify trusted networks (e.g., home or work) to bypass the VPN automatically
The Network Trust Management feature allows you to set trusted networksIn my testing for this IPVanish review, the auto-connect feature worked well, automatically securing my connection when I connected to public Wi-Fi networks. However, the advanced protection feature (ad and tracker blocking) was somewhat less impressive, occasionally failing to block ads or malicious sites. I recommend using a top antimalware suite like Norton or Bitdefender for enhanced malware protection.
Split Tunneling
Split tunneling is a useful feature that allows you to route some of your device or network traffic through the VPN while other traffic accesses the internet directly. This can be particularly useful for accessing local network resources while still protecting other connections.
The Split Tunneling tab lets you manage which apps or domains bypass the VPN connectionTo configure split tunneling, go to Settings > Split Tunneling. Here, you can choose which apps should use the VPN connection and which should bypass it.
During my tests, the split tunneling feature worked as expected. I was able to route specific apps through the VPN while others used my regular connection without any issues.
Device Compatibility
IPVanish offers broad device compatibility, supporting a wide range of platforms including:
- Windows
- Mac
- Android
- iOS
- Fire TV
- Chrome OS
- Apple TV
- Routers
One of the standout features of IPVanish is that it allows unlimited simultaneous connections. This is particularly generous compared to many competitors who often limit connections to 5-10 devices.
The advantages of this wide compatibility and unlimited connections include:
- Ability to protect all your devices with a single subscription
- Flexibility to use the VPN on any platform you prefer
- Great value for households with multiple devices
IPVanish Review: Conclusion and Recommendations
After thoroughly testing IPVanish, I can confidently say it's a solid VPN service that delivers on many fronts. Here are my key takeaways:
- Fast VPN connections: IPVanish consistently provided good speeds across various servers.
- Quick connect and disconnect: The app responds swiftly to connection requests.
- Mixed ping performance: Low ping on many nearby servers, but higher ping on more distant ones.
- Room for improvement in online threat protection: The ad and malware blocking features could be more effective.
- SOCKS5 proxy is a plus: A nice additional feature for users who need it.
- Good all-rounder: Performs well for gaming, torrenting, and streaming without specializing in one area.
- User-friendly interface: The app is intuitive and easy to navigate.
Based on my experience, here are some recommendations for getting the most out of IPVanish:
- Experiment with different protocols: While WireGuard often offers the best performance, try other protocols to see which works best for your specific needs.
- Use the split tunneling feature: This can help improve your connection for different activities.
- Take advantage of the unlimited connections: Install IPVanish on all your devices to maximize the value of your subscription.
- For gaming or streaming, choose servers with low ping and load: This will help ensure the best performance.
- Consider using the SOCKS5 proxy for activities where you need speed more than encryption.
Overall, IPVanish is a versatile VPN that should satisfy most users' needs. Its strengths in speed, security, and ease of use make it a solid choice for both VPN newcomers and experienced users alike. If you're looking for a VPN product with more complex features, I recommend ExpressVPN and NordVPN.
FAQs
- Is IPVanish good for streaming? Yes, IPVanish performs well for streaming. It can help bypass geo-restrictions and ISP throttling, although it doesn't guarantee access to all region-locked content.
- How many devices can I use with IPVanish? IPVanish allows unlimited simultaneous connections, which is more generous than many competitors.
- Is IPVanish safe and secure? Yes, IPVanish uses strong AES 256-bit encryption and offers features like a kill switch and DNS leak protection. They also have a no-logs policy that has been independently audited.
- Can IPVanish be used for torrenting? Yes, IPVanish supports P2P file sharing on all its servers and offers a SOCKS5 proxy, making it a good choice for torrenting.
- How does IPVanish compare to other top VPNs? IPVanish competes well with other top VPNs in terms of speed, security features, and ease of use. Its unlimited simultaneous connections are a standout feature, though some competitors may offer more advanced features or larger server networks.
Octav Fedor (Cybersecurity Editor)
Octav is a cybersecurity researcher and writer at AntivirusGuide. When he’s not publishing his honest opinions about security software online, he likes to learn about programming, watch astronomy documentaries, and participate in general knowledge competitions.