IPVanish VPN is a user-friendly VPN provider with impressive security and privacy features. The VPN has been under the radar since 2016, when its former parent company shared the data logs with homeland security. While the event occurred under previous ownerships, several users still have a lingering doubt.
The VPN is struggling to build its tarnished reputation. It even underwent an independent log audit process recently. With that, some might say there is a possibility of trusting IPVanish VPN again. However, it is best not to jump to hasty conclusions and check how much users can trust it. A detailed IPVanish VPN review explores how far the VPN goes to provide top-notch security and protection to the users. Before getting into the details of IPVanish VPN, have a quick overview of it:
Security and Privacy
Encryption
- AES-256 bit encryption
- SHA-512 authentication key
Jurisdiction
- The USA
Log Policy
- Follows a verified no-log policy
Security Features
- Kill switch
- Split tunneling
- SOCKS5 Proxy
- SugarSync
- Scramble Traffic
- IP Checker
- Password Manager
- Automatic setup
- VIPRE Antivirus
- Solution
Streaming and Torrenting
List of Compatible Streaming Platforms
- Netflix
- Hulu
- Sports streaming sites
- BBC iPlayer
List of Torrenting Features
- Split tunneling Only on Android
- SOCKS5 proxy
- Torrent IP leak protection
User-friendliness
No. of Servers
- 2000+ servers in 75+ countries
Pricing
- $11.99/m on a monthly plan
- $10.00/m on a quarterly plan
- $3.99/m on a yearly plan
Customer Support
- Online resources
- Live chat support
Compatible Devices
- Android
- iOS
- macOS
- Windows
- Kodi
- Chromecast
- Linux
- Firestick TV
The following IPVanish VPN review explores its services, features, and background history, determining whether the VPN is worth using.
Security and Privacy
A study found that 43% of people lack control over personal information. Using anonymous tools like VPNs is the best way to get around this problem. A VPN maintains and boosts your digital presence. However, a VPN is only reliable and secure if it belongs to a secure jurisdiction, follows a verified no-log policy, and uses strong encryption and protocols to safeguard your data from prying eyes.
What type of Encryption does IPVanish VPN use
IPVanish is a secure VPN provider that utilizes robust encryption ciphers and features to keep your data safe and out of the reach of prying eyes. The VPN uses:
- AES-256 bit encryption
- SHA-512 hash function
Also, the VPN protects from IP, DNS, and IPv6 leaks that further boost your online security. With such high and complex encryption standards, ISPs, government surveillance agencies, and hackers can’t intercept your data traffic. Hence, you can have peace of mind as your data remains safe.
Jurisdiction of IPVanish VPN
IPVanish VPN belongs to the US jurisdiction. The US is a prominent member state of the five eyes surveillance alliance, so it is not a privacy-friendly jurisdiction to operate a VPN. The country might retain and share your data and impose mandatory data retention laws on the users.
Logging Policy – Does it Keep logs
IPVanish VPN has improved its privacy policy from the past, which is something to appreciate. The VPN now follows a strict no-log policy and claims not to log or sell any data or information about your browsing activities. The privacy policy states:
The only information that the VPN provider collects is your email address and payment details. Since the collected data is for creating and maintaining user accounts, there is nothing to worry about. The best thing about the IPVanish VPN log policy is that it has undergone a third-party log audit process. In a blog post, the VPN provider revealed that they hired Leviathan Security Group to audit the technology and verify their no-log service. This gives users a reason to trust the VPN in handing over their data.
Which Tunneling protocols does it offer?
IPVanish VPN supports a range of tunneling protocols that ensure an increased level of online security, such as
- WireGuard
- OpenVPN
- IKEv2
IPVanish VPN has recently implemented the WireGuard protocol compatible with all supported devices. The protocol has a smaller codebase and delivers a faster connection speed than OpenVPN and IKEv2. Another reliable tunneling protocol that IPVanish VPN uses is OpenVPN which uses SSL/TLS for authentication and allows connection on UDP or TCP on ports 443 or 1194. You can use this protocol on your Android, MacOS, and Windows devices.
IPVanish VPN provider also allows you to use the IKEv2 protocol available on mobile devices, enabling you to switch between cellular and Wi-Fi networks without disturbing the VPN connection. Like the OpenVPN protocol, you can use this protocol on your Android, MacOS, and Windows devices.
Besides this, IPVanish VPN also supports PPTP, L2TP, and IPSec protocols. But since they are now pretty outdated and have security vulnerabilities, it is better to ignore using them.
How good is IPVanish VPN at bypassing censorship?
IPVanish VPN provider is among the few VPN providers that help bypass censorship and enable access to the free internet world. With the OpenVPN scramble feature, you can hide your traffic in countries that can detect your connection via a deep inspection packet and block your connection. This feature is handy in restrictive countries like China, Russia, and the UAE. Also, by switching to the OpenVPN protocol, you can defeat censorship and easily access blocked sites like Facebook.
Extra privacy and security features by IPVanish VPN
IPVanish VPN offers impressive security and privacy-boosting features that ensure the best user experience. Along with some basic privacy and security features like kill switch, split tunneling, and SOCKS5 Proxy, here are the extra features that IPVanish VPN comes with:
Automatic startup
IPVanish, in its iOS version, offers an impressive security-enhancing feature called the automatic startup. This feature activates your VPN connection automatically when it detects internet traffic. Doing so ensures that no one identifies your identity and what you’re doing on the web. It is an excellent feature that guarantees top-notch online protection while using the IPVanish iOS app.
Password generator
IPVanish VPN is also cautious about password privacy and security. It offers a unique password generator tool that allows you to create strong and uncrackable passwords for your online accounts. The users can create a password by setting a specific length and deciding whether to add symbols. You can use this tool for free on all IPVanish apps.
VIPRE Antivirus software
You can also use the IPVanish VPN with VIPRE Advanced Security protection. VIPRE is the award-winning antivirus security suite you can add to your existing account by paying $21.99. You can get advanced antivirus protection features like real-time scanning, zero-day exploits, and application patching. It defends you against emerging threats like ransomware, malware, and spyware.
Moreover, it also protects you from firewalls and keeps you safe from email-based online threats. The antivirus software is easy to use and user-friendly. It allows you to schedule threat updates and virus scans and customize your dashboard according to your preference. You can contact the customer support team via the 24/7 live chat option if you encounter any issues. Also, if you’re unsatisfied with the service, you can avail of the 30-day money-back guarantee feature.
Scramble option
IPVanish VPN offers an advanced feature that proves handy in circumventing internet censorship. The OpenVPN traffic scramble feature allows you to hide your OpenVPN traffic. It disguises your VPN traffic as regular internet traffic and makes it easy to bypass any firewall or filters that can detect the VPN traffic. You can also use this feature in countries that practice heavy internet censorship and use the deep inspection packet method to prevent you from accessing the free internet.
You can use this feature on Android, Windows, MacOS, and Firestick devices. Go to Settings > Connections > Tap to enable this feature to turn on the Scramble option.
SugarSync
IPVanish has an added SugarSync cloud storage service that allows you to store, sync, share, and back up important files and data. It has a 500 GB storage limit and works similarly to Dropbox and Google Drive. It uses AES-256-bit encryption and TLS to protect your data transfers. Also, it protects your data if your device gets lost or you become a victim of identity theft.
Moreover, it offers mobile apps and cross-device compatibility. If you buy this service, you can enjoy all the features of IPVanish with additional benefits like continuous file syncing, remote device wiping, restoring data, and automatic uploading of photos and videos. You can get this feature for an additional $12.99 per year.
IP Address checker
Your IP address reveals your online identity and activities. The key to the door gives someone access to your online activities. Hence, you must use a VPN to keep it private. With IPVanish VPN, your IP address remains hidden and out of the reach of prying eyes. The VPN provider offers a free IP address checker tool to check whether your VPN leaks your IP address. You can use this feature after signing up for an IPVanish premium account. If the test result shows you the IP address assigned by the VPN server, it means that your VPN is not leaking your IP address.
Streaming and Torrenting
Limited bandwidth and ISP throttling are not the only issues associated with torrenting and streaming; there are many more. There is zero anonymity in the P2P swarms; it’s easy for ISPs and copyright owners to know your real identity. Moreover, the malicious threat actor can monitor your activities and upload any malware-embedded file that can infect your device if you download it.
Similarly, you face geo-blocks or Netflix bans when unblocking content because of the licensing agreement. It prevents you from accessing your favorite streaming content. Thus, many people use VPNs to overcome the issues they experience while streaming and torrenting.
Compatible streaming platforms
IPVanish VPN works with a couple of streaming platforms, like:
- Netflix (the US, UK, Canada)
- BBC iPlayer
- Hulu.
Also, IPVanish VPN allows you to watch your favorite sports like UFC, baseball, and other sports events. But it doesn’t work on:
- Amazon Prime
- Disney Plus
- DAZN.
The VPN provider isn’t an ideal solution for streaming because it doesn’t have dedicated servers for streaming, meaning you can connect to any server and watch the blocked streaming content. But, the OpenVPN protocol and scramble VPN feature offers help to access geographically restricted content. Plus, the server network is also vast enough for a smooth streaming experience however, people have criticized the VPN for not working on US Netflix. If your prime concern while using a VPN is streaming, then you can consider using the best VPN for Netflix.
Is IPVanish VPN good for Torrenting?
IPVanish VPN is a good option you can use for downloading torrents. It allows P2P file-sharing across its servers and offers fast connection speeds optimized for P2P traffic.
The VPN provider offers 40,000+ shared IP addresses with unlimited bandwidth that you can use for anonymous downloading. By no means will your torrent-related traffic be recorded or shared with the ISPs or copyright trolls, which is all because IPVanish VPN follows a verified no-log policy.
Moreover, the VPN offers various torrent-specific features that boost downloading security. Like, IPVanish VPN protects from DNS and IP leaks and even uses a kill switch feature to prevent your identity and activities from getting exposed.
IPVanish VPN also offers a free SOCKS5 proxy that works with any port and ensures greater online anonymity and speed. It masks your IP address and expands your network access while downloading torrents. The VPN offers SOCKS servers in 30 locations and lets you manually configure the proxy in your torrent client without installing additional software. The SOCKS5 transfers smaller data packets and offers faster downloads than a VPN. But it’s not secure because it doesn’t encrypt the data traffic. The VPN provider provides a split tunneling feature to ensure a safe and secure downloading experience.
How fast is IPVanish VPN
IPVanish VPN offers a stable internet connection. The VPN provider works well while streaming, ensuring a smooth and buffer-free experience. Its performance with torrenting also features fast downloading, and even with mere online browsing, the VPN ensures a barely noticeable drop in speeds that is commonly experienced while connecting to a VPN.
The VPN provider delivers a high-speed connection speed using the WireGuard protocol on local and international servers. The speeds are 3x times faster than IKEv2 and 10x times faster than OpenVPN. Because of its light bandwidth and small code size, it processes the data quickly and ensures greater speeds.
OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols also offer decent connection speeds. But other than that, if you use any other protocol like PPTP or SSTP, you might experience frequent lags and poor connectivity. Another reason why IPVanish offers fast speed is its extensive server network. You can find multiple servers in more than 75 locations, which results in less ping time and establishes the connection in less time. However, still sometimes the speeds fluctuate and result in high ping time.
User-Friendliness
IPVanish VPN might look intimidating for some users, but it’s an easy-to-use VPN. It has a clean, intuitive interface and offers well-designed app for all platforms. Changing the servers and using various features and privacy settings is easy. The apps are suited for both beginners and advanced users.
The number of servers IPVanish VPN provides
IPVanish offers global server network access with high speed. The VPN provider consists of more than 2000 servers in 75+ locations. You can connect to these servers with one tap wherever you’re located. Here’s a look at how the servers are distributed:
- Asia 90+ servers
- North America 1300+ servers
- Europe 500+ servers
- Oceania 70+ servers
- South America 30+ servers
However, a few users on Reddit have complained about the lack of availability of servers that effects the user experience. If you want to connect to a server of any specific city but are unsure, you can use the best available server option. Similarly, try the best available city option to connect to an optimal server in a particular country. Moreover, you can even save a server as a favorite if you want to use the same server again. Unfortunately, the VPN provider doesn’t offer servers optimized for specific activities like streaming and torrenting.
How good is IPVanish VPN customer support
IPVanish offers excellent support to the users via the live chat and submits a ticket option. If you’re in a hurry and looking for an instant reply, you should opt for the live chat feature. The chat agents are pretty knowledgeable and respond quickly around the clock. However, they ask for your account details first, meaning if you’re a potential user, you first have to tell them, and then they’ll address your query.
You can even contact the customer support team by submitting an email ticket. For this, click the Get Help option at the bottom of the page under the contact us section and submit your query. However the email support is ineffective and only provides internal resources article links in the response.
Besides this, the VPN offers technical help, affiliate information, and issues related to billing and sales. You can even do that if you want to add or drop files. The VPN’s website also offers a range of online materials to help users. A support page includes FAQs, troubleshooting, announcements, billing information, and setup guides. Plus, a separate blog category keeps you informed and updated about maintaining a top-notch level of online privacy.
What devices is IPVanish VPN compatible with
IPVanish VPN offers a multiple-device compatibility feature. You can download the VPN on a range of devices and operating systems. The VPN offers dedicated apps for all major platforms like:
- Android
- iOS
- MacOS
- Linux
- Windows
Advanced users can use the IPVanish VPN on Chromebooks, Amazon Firestick TV, and Kodi. It also allows the users to install the VPN on some selected routers. The apps are easy to use and download, but their features vary, impacting their performance. IPVanish doesn’t offer browser extensions for Google Chrome and Firefox, unlike other VPNs, which isn’t a big drawback, but some users who are fond of extensions might not like this.
Conclusion
This IPVanish VPN review concludes that it is a fairly decent VPN provider with tough security and protection. Introducing the WireGuard protocol and undergoing the log audit process has improved its privacy standards. Furthermore, this provider has all the basic features you might look for in a VPN. You can enjoy some extra benefits with the IP checker and password generator features.
IPVanish VPN, to further improve your online security offers VIPRE Antivirus software included in the yearly subscription plan. The VPN also unblocks Netflix and other popular streaming services and lets you download torrents safely. In a nutshell, IPVanish VPN offers good value, though its jurisdiction is somewhat problematic, its strict no-logs policy makes up for it.
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About the Author
Rebecca James is an IT consultant with forward thinking approach toward developing IT infrastructures of SMEs. She writes to engage with individuals and raise awareness of digital security, privacy, and better IT infrastructure.
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