IPVanish VPN is a highly regarded player in the VPN industry, offering a comprehensive range of features to help users protect their privacy, unblock restricted content, and secure their internet connection.
In this IPVanish VPN review, we aim to provide a thorough analysis of the service’s capabilities, as well as provide practical advice on how to use it to its full potential. We understand that there may be doubts about the effectiveness of the VPN, which is why we’ve addressed the most common concerns and questions in detail.
Join us as we explore the features of IPVanish VPN and give you the information you need to make an informed decision. Whether you’re looking for increased privacy and security, or simply want to access content that’s unavailable in your region, IPVanish VPN is a service that deserves your attention.
This US-based VPN does not keep logs, uses the industry-standard encryption and protocols and it's compatible with all major platforms. Hurry, try IPVanish VPN now and save up to 66% off and also get a 30-days money-back guarantee.
Last Update Made On: 16 December 2024
Presentation of IPVanish VPN
IPVanish, a leading VPN service provider, was founded in 2012 by StackPath LLC, based in Dallas, Texas. The company’s mission is to provide secure and private internet access for its users. IPVanish values user privacy and security above all else, and this is reflected in its no-logs policy and robust security features.
Some of IPVanish’s key features include:
- Access to over 1,600 servers in 75 countries.
- Fast download speeds.
- 24/7 chat support.
- Strict no-logs policy.
- Military-grade encryption.
- Multiple protocols.
- Easy-to-use software for all devices.
With its commitment to user privacy, security, and fast and reliable service, IPVanish is a formidable choice for anyone looking for a top-notch VPN provider.
Plans and prices
If you’re wondering how much does IPVanish cost, these are the current prices for the service:
- Monthly – $11.99.
- Yearly – $3.99/month. It’s also billed as $47.89 for the first year.
- 2-Year – $3.33/month. It’s billed as $79.99 for the first two years.
Coupon
This IPvanish VPN review can confirm you can use the current IP Vanish coupon to save 72% on all plans.
Free trial
IPvanish VPN offers a 7-day free trial for Android and iOS devices. This presents the perfect opportunity to test out all the features without any financial risk.
Summary sheet
FEATURE | VALUE |
---|---|
Logs | No logs at all |
Torrents | Torrents allowed |
Netflix | Yes |
Multi-login | Unlimited simultaneous login |
Covered countries | 75+ |
Supported devices | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, FireTV, Linux, Chromebook and Windows Phone. |
Money-back guarantee? | 30 Days |
Protocols | IKEv2, OpenVPN, and L2TP/IPsec protocols |
Traffic data | Unlimited |
Encryption | Military 256 bit |
IP Addresses | 40000+ shared IPs |
Servers | 1400+ |
Using the VPN
To help you understand how the service works, this IPvanish review took a look at its compatibility with certain services.
Netflix
Netflix has built a track record of having one of the strongest VPN blocking abilities. This has made it increasingly difficult for even the best VPN services to bypass its geo-restrictions.
However, we confirmed that IPVanish VPN is an excellent choice for watching Netflix, especially if you want to access the U.S., Australian and Canada libraries. This is because it offers fast speeds, unlimited device connections and a large and reliable server network.
If you notice the service has stopped working at some point, try the following solutions:
- Disconnect and reconnect the VPN.
- Change the VPN’s protocols.
- Clear your cache and cookies.
- Switch to a different VPN server.
- Check for leaks.
- Update the VPN.
- Contact customer service.
Torrent
We tested the IP Vanish VPN to see how effective it was at protecting users when downloading torrents. From our findings, IPvanish openly allows P2P and torrenting.
The downloads can be performed on any of the company’s servers and no users have been banned or blocked for file sharing. Users can start torrenting on IPVanish VPN with this process:
- Get an IPVanish subscription.
- Install the VPN.
- Switch on safety features.
- Connect to a VPN server.
- Download a torrent through the torrent client. We recommend using uTorrent.
China
Unfortunately, the use of IPVanish VPN in China is very limited. The company has a manual configuration guide you could follow in an attempt to get access. However, the process takes a long time and there’s no assurance you’ll bypass the Chinese Great Firewall.
On another note, only Chinese citizens are bound by internet usage laws and restrictions. This means you can use the service as a tourist with no worry.
Video games
IP Vanish VPN is one of the few services that’s guaranteed to give you the ultimate gaming experience. It can prevent DDoS attacks, safeguard your personal information and stabilize your internet connection.
The VPN also utilizes its optimized protocols (WireGuard) and global high-speed network to boost your gaming speed.
VPN features
This IPVanish review examined the features of this apex service which include the following:
Split tunneling
This feature lets you have better control over how you channel your internet traffic via your devices while connected to the Ipvanish service. You can also use it to select the apps you’d prefer to be routed through your ISP and not your VPN.
IPvanish has successfully provided the split tunneling feature to its users to give them more browsing control while enjoying complete security and privacy.
Kill switch
The kill switch disables all internet traffic when your current VPN connection stops working. It’s an absolutely necessary feature that lets you maximize your privacy because the kill switch cuts off your internet if you’re not protected by a VPN. This means your privacy will still be safe and secure even if the connection to the IP Vanish service is lost.
Currently, the kill switch feature is supported on the IPvanish VPN macOS, Android Mobile and Windows App.
DNS leak protection
A DNS leak happens when requests to transform an address URL into an IP address end up passing through someone else’s DNS server instead of a VPN service. This is a major privacy breach as whoever owns the DNS server can record whatever site you visit or redirect your requests to a different website.
To solve this issue, the IPvanish comes with inbuilt DNS leak protection. It does this by assigning 198.18.0.1 and 198.18.0.2 as the primary and secondary DNS IPs.
Ad/malicious content blocking
The VPN service uses advanced tracker definition technology to block all trackers and third parties to provide total privacy to your internet and mobile providers.
SOCKS5 proxy
This is a more secure alternative to a traditional proxy that protects traffic in a specific source i.e. an application. When it’s used, data packets from the configured source are routed through a remote server. This server changes the IP address linked to these data packets before they reach their final destination.
By using a socks5 proxy, you can bypass online restrictions and get better browsing performance.
Multiple connection controls
The IPVanish has different connection controls including the following:
- WireGuard
- IKEv2 – used to configure the security association or the specific approach to how IP packets are encrypted over IPSec.
- OpenVPN – allows for multiple types of authentication methods but uses SSL/TLS for key exchange.
- IPSec (Internet Protocol Security) – This is a protocol suite that encrypts IP packets for transport and tunneling.
- Automatic startup
You can set up the IP Vanish VPN to start automatically when your phone is launched. Here is a process you can use:
- Tap the settings option on the menu at the bottom of your app’s screen.
- Toggle the switch to the right of the Connect on Android Startup to have IPVanish run when you start up your Android device.
- To activate the new settings, log out and log back into IPVanish or restart your Android device.
IPVanish Windows client
The IPvanish VPN is also successfully windows compatible in the following ways:
Interface
For Windows users, IP Vanish gives you a selection of different tabs including QuickConnect, Server List and Account settings. By switching between these tabs, you can alter your settings instantly or connect to a different server. This increases your efficiency in completing tasks and helps you fix errors quickly.
Settings
You can configure the VPN service in any way you want. For instance, the server list can be switched from list view to map view. You can also filter items according to the proximity and latency of the server. Moreover, it’s possible to add servers to a favorite list which will be displayed on the top country list.
Additionally, the Windows kill switch is a bit more customizable than on the macOS version.
Other applications
Beyond Windows, the IPVanish VPN works on other services for your browsing convenience such as Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, router, fire TV.
Test results
After conducting a series of tests on the VPN service, these are our findings:
Speed
Your VPN service needs to have fast connection speeds as this determines how much browsing you can get done. That said, this speed can be affected by multiple factors including:
- Distance between device and server.
- Regional bandwidth restrictions.
- Internet service provider.
- Number of users on the VPN server.
- Encryption strength.
- Processing power.
- Routing.
- Network setup.
- VPN protocol.
The IPVanish VPN isn’t affected by these issues with an overall score of 10/10
DNS leaks and torrenting
A DNS leak is when your information unintentionally becomes visible to your internet service provider. This happens when DNS queries are unencrypted or when the connection to the DNS occurs outside your encrypted VPN tunnel.
If you’re not sure this is happening, you can use this process to find out:
- Visit a DNS leak test website. We recommend you use IPleak.net.
- Click the button to run the test.
- View your results. If the results show the name of providers outside your VPN provider, it’s possible there’s a leak.
Luckily, you can avoid this issue by using the Ipvanish service which has a security score of 7/10.
Customer service
IP vanish offers some of the best customer support you can find. The response time is almost immediate with different communication channels including phone, email and live chat.
If you don’t want to contact the company directly, you can read the FAQs or join a community. This would save you the trouble of waiting for feedback from the customer support team.
Comparisons/alternatives
To give you a full view of how the service runs, we compared it against similar products.
IPVanish vs. #1 VPN
The ExpressVPN makes a strong argument for best service in terms of speed but IPVanish has a better payment plan. You can learn more by reading our ExpressVPN review and what it offers. If it gets your interest, you can start with the ExpressVPN free trial.
IPVanish vs. #2 VPN
Private Internet Access has servers around the world but IPVanish combines that with unlimited connections. You can read our Private Internet Access review and how it operates. After that, you can start using the Private Internet Access service.
FAQ
To help you understand the IPVanish service, we’ve provided answers to questions commonly asked by its users:
What is IPVanish VPN?
IPVanish is a VPN service that masks your true IP address and protects your data when you’re browsing online.
Does IPVanish really work?
IPVanish has received generally positive reviews from users and experts in the VPN industry. As with any VPN service, the actual experience can vary depending on a number of factors such as network conditions, server locations, and individual usage.
However, IPVanish is generally considered to be a reliable and effective VPN service that can help users improve their online privacy and security.
It’s always recommended to research and compare different VPN providers to find the one that best fits your needs and requirements.
Who owns IPVanish VPN?
IPVanish VPN is owned by Ziff Davis Inc.
Is IPVanish legit?
Yes, IPVanish is legit. It’s a secure service with military-grade encryption and excellent DNS leak protection.
Where is IPVanish based?
IPVanish is based in Dallas.
How does IPVanish work?
IPVanish works by encrypting the user’s internet connection and routing it through a remote server. When a user connects to the internet through IPVanish, their online activities are protected from being monitored by third parties such as ISPs, governments, and hackers.
Here’s how IPVanish works in a nutshell:
- Installation: Users install the IPVanish software on their devices (computers, smartphones, etc.).
- Server selection: The user selects a server from IPVanish’s network of over 1,600 servers in 75 countries.
- Connection: The user connects to the internet through the selected IPVanish server.
- Encryption: IPVanish encrypts the user’s internet traffic using military-grade encryption, making it unreadable to anyone who tries to intercept it.
- Routing: The encrypted traffic is then routed through the IPVanish server, which acts as an intermediary between the user and the internet.
- Protection: By connecting to the internet through IPVanish, the user’s online activities are protected from prying eyes and the user’s IP address and location are masked, making it appear as if the user is located in a different location.
IPVanish’s VPN technology provides users with a secure and private internet experience, allowing them to surf the web, download files, and use online services without fear of being monitored or having their data intercepted.
What is IPVanish used for?
IPVanish is a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service that is used to improve the privacy, security, and freedom of internet users. Some common uses of IPVanish include:
- Online privacy: IPVanish protects users from online surveillance, data collection, and hacking attempts by encrypting their internet traffic and masking their IP address.
- Bypassing censorship: IPVanish allows users to access websites and online services that may be restricted in their country due to government censorship or geo-restrictions.
- Secure browsing: IPVanish keeps users’ online activities private and secure, allowing them to use public Wi-Fi networks, such as those found in cafes, airports, and libraries, without fear of being hacked.
- Torrenting and P2P file sharing: IPVanish provides a secure and encrypted connection for users who want to download files or use torrenting and P2P file sharing services.
- Streaming: IPVanish unblocks popular streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video, allowing users to access their favorite shows and movies from anywhere in the world.
- Gaming: IPVanish provides a low-latency, high-speed connection for online gaming, helping users to reduce lag and improve their gaming experience.
Overall, IPVanish is a versatile VPN service that provides users with a secure and private online experience, enabling them to access the internet freely and securely from anywhere in the world.
Is IPVanish a paid VPN?
Yes, IPVanish is a paid VPN with a monthly and yearly billing plan.
Is IPVanish VPN for free?
No IPVanish is not free but the service offers a 30-day free trial for new users with a money-back guarantee if they aren’t satisfied.
Conclusion
Our review of IPVanish finds that it is a decent VPN service, particularly for torrenting and streaming. The software is easy to install, making it a good option for users with older computers, cell phones, and notebooks. IPVanish offers flexible payment options, including a discount, and their customer support team is available 24/7 and generally responsive and polite.
However, one drawback of IPVanish is that it does not offer a free version. While you can test the service through their 7-day trial, a paid subscription is required for continued use. Additionally, some users have reported slower speeds and inconsistent connection reliability compared to other VPN providers.
If you’re in the market for a VPN, we recommend considering ExpressVPN as a valid alternative to IPVanish. ExpressVPN is known for its fast speeds, strong security features, and broad server network. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try the service risk-free.