If its website is to be believed, IPVanish is the no. 1 VPN Provider in the world. Judging on the volume of endorsements for this VPN brand, they could be the real deal. But then again, it could also be just publicity. Since the proof of the pudding is in the eating, I decided to size up this VPN service. Is IPVanish legit? Is IPVanish free? Keep reading this IPVanish review and find out.
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What Is IPVanish?
IPVanish is branded as a top-of-the-line US-based VPN service provider that boasts an expansive VPN network. With this capability, they claim to guarantee the most secure and private online environment for a person’s day-to-day use.
What does IPVanish do to stand out in the commercial VPN marketplace?
First off, it has a really hip interface that you can configure. If you’re an inquisitive client who likes to tweak a VPN service to your liking, the product is ideal. Also, this VPN has multiplatform compatibility. It’s ready to use on all devices you can get your hands on – Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS. Cool, right?
Still, is IPVanish worth it?
Plans and Prices
Is IPVanish free? Unfortunately, no. However, they can let you in on a one-week IPVanish free trial. If you’re not satisfied with their service during the free trial, you can request a full refund.
Plans come in subscriptions good for one month, three months, and cost-effective one-year offering. All subscription plans feature an IPVanish discount that you can maximize.
Exactly how much is IPVanish?
Prices vary and can go lower after applying the IPVanish discount, based on which plan you decided to subscribe to.
Summary Sheet
| FEATURE | VALUE |
|---|---|
| Zero-logs | Yes |
| P2p | Torrents allowed |
| Netflix | US (but not supported) |
| Multi-login | 10 simultaneous login |
| Covered countries | 75+ |
| Supported OS | Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Windows Phone, Chromebook |
| Money-back guarantee? | 7 Days |
| Protocols | IKEv2, OpenVPN, L2TP, IPSec, PPTP |
| Traffic data | Unlimited |
| Encryption | Military AES 256 bit |
| IP Addresses | Undisclosed |
| Servers | 1,300+ |
Review of IPVanish
Decent Speeds for Streaming
What is IPVanish streaming speed? Let me put it this way: while being hooked on a Netflix show when on an IPVanish VPN connection, buffering shouldn’t be a problem. As it is with all VPNs, connection speeds may dip a bit, but they’re still within the normal range. If you do a speed test on IPVanish servers from the EU to the US, you’ll notice no perceptible difference in speeds – just a measly throttle of around 15-18%. As far as VPN speeds go, this is decent.
The downside is that it has steeper pricing compared to other providers, which offer lower monthly rates of $4 at comparable speeds. They do, however, offer IPVanish discount rates.
What is IPVanish weak at? Well, streaming is where it marks low. While IPVanish can now unblock Netflix on some US servers, in general, it fails to dodge several VPN barriers.
In short, this IPVanish review finds that the VPN doesn’t make for a good case where streaming is concerned. ExpressVPN is a much better alternative if streaming geo-blocked entertainment is your top priority in buying a VPN.
Torrenting is accepted
Does IPVanish work in torrenting?
Torrenting may be IPVanish’s best selling point yet. With this service, torrenting is unabashedly advertised. Where some VPN providers may be shy about encouraging torrenting among their clientele, IPVanish isn’t. Great news for clients, but bad news for the anti-piracy lobby.
IPVanish Features
Auto Kill Switch
Expect an auto kill switch option that safeguards your IP from accidental exposure in the event a VPN connection drops. This is good news. For now, though, the kill switch is only available for macOS and Windows devices.
Zero-logs Policy
Does IPVanish keep logs? Well, yes, and no. IPVanish joins only a few VPN providers that can make you as untraceable as possible. This is due to their “no logs” policy, where no metadata is stored on all sessions or connections you had.
However, their methods were questioned when they did, in fact, hand over some logs to the Department of Homeland Security in 2016. New management has taken over since, and this issue has been put to rest.
Encryption
Is IPVanish good at ensuring anonymity? The service depends on AES-256, the same military-level encryption protocol patronized by top defense organizations and security agencies in the world. Given the onslaught of cyberattacks these days, this encryption level is a definite thumbs-up.
DNS Leak Protection
The DNS leak protection ensures your real IP location never leaks on the web. Because this is one of the risks when using a VPN. Some services do not have this must-have feature.
Windows Client
Interface
IPVanish offers a simple and easy-to-use interface for Windows users. And it’s easy to switch from one server to another to optimize speed and performance.
Settings
The settings are user-friendly and configurable. Their app lets you play around with settings. Experienced users will find this feature enjoyable. For non-tech-savvy users, however, having no instructions on how to set and use the SOCKS5 proxy could be a downside.
Platform Compatibility
What is IPVanish compatible with platform-wise? It is compatible with nearly all platforms – Windows, macOS, iOS, Fire TV, Linux, Chromebook, Windows Phone, and Android. This makes the app really accessible to the widest number of clients.
It also goes beyond the premium VPN industry-standard of 6 devices maximum on a single account. A single account on this service allows 10 device connections. This makes the VPN super-friendly for families and small businesses. Plus, you can avail of the IPVanish discount, making this service cost-effective.
Customer Service
This IPVanish review needs to tackle customer care, of course. IPVanish provides customer service through email, help section, and a 24/7 live chat feature. If you want faster response times, reach out to them through live chat.
Conclusion
To sum up this IPVanish review, IPVanish is a user-friendly VPN service that makes for a great partner for web browsing. With its multi-platform compatibility and configurable interface, it’s ideal for beginners.
It has to be said, however, that it falls short of expectations in terms of streaming capabilities. While its speed and performance surpass standards, its ability to bypass VPN barriers fails to impress.
Is IPVanish free? No, but they give you a 7-day guarantee.
If you want a VPN strictly for privacy and security, this service is for you. If you’re looking at a VPN that can guarantee full access to online entertainment, it’s best to look elsewhere.
