Should you’re new to VPNs or simply need primary on-line privateness with out having to cope with tons of gimmicky options, IPVanish is a good alternative. (Disclosure: IPVanish is owned by CNET’s mum or dad firm, Ziff Davis.) IPVanish delivers constant efficiency throughout platforms and is usually efficient for streaming. Nonetheless, my most up-to-date analysis of IPVanish revealed that there’s nonetheless lots the corporate can do to enhance its service. I discovered that IPVanish covers the fundamentals that you just’d count on from a VPN, however I’d wish to see improved speeds, a bigger server community, a cleaner app expertise, a stronger dedication to privateness, and transparency and higher total worth.
6.4
IPVanish
Like
Limitless simultaneous connections
Deliberate privateness enhancements
Good for streaming
24/7 buyer assist with dwell chat and cellphone assist
Do not like
US jurisdiction (14 Eyes)
Knowledge assortment practices unsuitable for privacy-critical customers
Dear for what you get
Comparatively gradual speeds
Clunky app
I evaluated IPVanish by performing in-depth testing of its shopper apps throughout varied platforms, operating greater than 250 particular person pace assessments and on the lookout for DNS leak assessments on a number of VPN servers. I additionally examined IPVanish’s streaming efficiency by way of varied server areas on lots of the hottest streaming websites. I assessed the VPN service’s total worth and scoured its phrases of service and privateness coverage to find out how the corporate handles consumer knowledge.
In the end, I used to be underwhelmed by how little IPVanish has improved its service over the previous couple of years. Aside from a couple of minor enhancements, IPVanish is mainly the identical service it was two years in the past. In comparison with how rivals like ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark have pushed the boundaries over that very same time interval, IPVanish has lagged behind considerably. It’s additionally comparatively costly — for a similar worth and even cheaper, you may get a VPN that trounces IPVanish in practically all areas. Consequently, IPVanish not makes the minimize as one in every of CNET’s finest VPN suggestions. Learn on to take a deep dive into IPVanish’s providing.
Velocity: One of many slower VPNs we examined
- 44% pace loss in spring 2024 assessments
- Variety of servers: 2,400-plus
- Variety of nations: 56
Utilizing a VPN will gradual your speeds — usually by 50% or extra. The quickest VPNs, like NordVPN and Surfshark might minimize your speeds by 20% or much less. Sluggish VPN obtain speeds might lead to buffering whereas streaming content material, lengthy obtain instances whereas torrenting, extreme lag whereas gaming or dropped video calls.
IPVanish’s speeds have been constantly unremarkable over the previous few years. In 2020, we registered a 65% pace loss, and in 2022, a 58% pace loss — each readings far slower than what we’d sometimes wish to see from a VPN. IPVanish’s speeds had been significantly higher in 2023, once we measured a 26% pace loss, however regressed as soon as once more in our newest assessments the place we calculated a 44% common pace loss.
I ran a complete of 252 pace assessments in my newest spherical of testing and in contrast the speeds I received by way of IPVanish servers in New York, the UK, France, Germany, Australia and Singapore to the speeds I received by way of my common Wi-Fi connection from my testing location in Ohio. I examined IPVanish’s speeds by way of each OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols on my MacOS and Home windows tester machines. As anticipated, speeds had been typically quickest to New York, which is the closest out of the group of servers I examined to my bodily location. Speeds to areas farther away just like the UK and Europe had been barely slower, and the slowest pace readings I received throughout platforms and protocols had been by way of distant server areas like Australia and Singapore.
Additionally as anticipated, the speeds I registered by way of WireGuard had been quicker on common than they had been by way of OpenVPN. WireGuard is a light-weight VPN protocol that’s constructed for pace, whereas OpenVPN’s code is significantly bulkier and sometimes ends in barely slower speeds. In case your important goal is perfect speeds, then go together with WireGuard, but when your privateness wants are essential or if you have to bypass firewalls, then OpenVPN is the best way to go.
The quickest speeds I registered had been by way of WireGuard on MacOS, averaging a 17% pace loss. That’s respectable however not aggressive with the speeds we calculated with NordVPN’s WireGuard-based NordLynx protocol (3% pace loss) or with ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol (7% pace loss) on my Mac. I calculated a mean 33% pace loss by way of WireGuard on my Home windows machine, which is gradual — particularly for WireGuard. IPVanish’s OpenVPN speeds had been much more disappointing, leading to a 58% pace loss on MacOS and a 67% pace loss on Home windows. Though OpenVPN speeds are usually considerably slower than WireGuard, you must count on much better OpenVPN pace efficiency out of your VPN supplier than what I skilled with IPVanish.
General, speeds had been fairly secure throughout platforms and protocols, with a couple of exceptions. Speeds to the UK on MacOS by way of OpenVPN had been surprisingly sluggish for some cause, though the servers didn’t seem like overly congested. I constantly measured VPN speeds of round 52 Mbps to the UK on my 370 Mbps base connection. By means of OpenVPN on Home windows, I measured about 95 Mbps to the UK, which is barely higher, however nonetheless fairly underwhelming. WireGuard speeds to the UK had been extra favorable at 333 Mbps (MacOS) and 274 Mbps (Home windows). Additionally, I observed that speeds to Germany and Australia had been considerably unstable, fluctuating considerably from one pace take a look at to a different, no matter which platform or protocol I used to be utilizing. Minimal pace fluctuations to distant servers like Australia could also be anticipated once in a while, however I might have anticipated speeds by way of German servers to be way more secure than what I measured. VPN speeds can fluctuate from one take a look at to a different, however you’ll doubtless get much more constant speeds by way of a VPN like NordVPN or ExpressVPN than you’ll with IPVanish.
Optimum Location: A efficiency improve over IPVanish’s earlier Fast Join function
In my earlier evaluation, I famous that IPVanish’s Fast Join function was basically flawed, in that it usually did the other of what it was purportedly designed to do. As a substitute of connecting to the quickest obtainable server in a selected location, clicking on the Fast Join button would constantly join me to a server that was significantly slower than others in the identical location. I would want to manually hook up with a server with a light-weight load and a low ping to attain optimum speeds.
Nonetheless, IPVanish appears to have since remedied the state of affairs. IPVanish has revamped its apps and upgraded its Fast Join function with what it now calls Optimum Location. In my testing, I used to be completely satisfied to find that the Optimum Location function appeared to constantly join me to a quick server within the particular areas I examined, together with in France and the UK the place the earlier Fast Join function invariably failed.
IPVanish informed me through electronic mail that the optimum location function seems for pace, low ping and server load amongst different components. “If we solely related customers to the quickest server, it will rapidly grow to be overloaded and thus, not be the quickest server,” the corporate mentioned. “So we assist present a default choice to prospects to hook up with probably the most ‘optimum location’ based mostly on a wide range of elements.”
Key takeaway: Don’t rely on IPVanish’s speeds to get you anyplace in a rush, even in case you’re utilizing WireGuard. And OpenVPN speeds had been so abysmal that you could be be left annoyed when doing something data-intensive by way of the protocol with IPVanish. In case your major goal in a VPN is quick speeds for issues like streaming, gaming or torrenting, I’d advocate attempting a quick VPN like NordVPN, Surfshark or ExpressVPN.
Value: IPVanish doesn’t ship a ton of worth for the worth
- $13 per thirty days, $48 for the primary yr (then $90 yearly) or $72 for the primary two years mixed (then $90 yearly)
- Cash-back assure: 30 days (just for one- and two-year plans)
- Cost choices: Bank card, PayPal, Google Pay
- Apps obtainable for Home windows, MacOS, Linux (CLI), Chrome OS, Android, iOS, Fireplace TV, Apple TV
IPVanish isn’t fairly as costly as dear VPNs like ExpressVPN or NordVPN, however it’s nonetheless pretty costly for what you get. A month-to-month subscription prices $13, which is identical as ExpressVPN and NordVPN, however costlier than the $10 per thirty days that ProtonVPN fees or the $5 per thirty days for Mullvad. IPVanish’s yearly plan prices $48 for the primary yr, then nearly doubles in worth to $90 per yr afterward. Should you go for the two-year subscription plan, you’ll pay $72 for the primary two years mixed, then the common $90 per yr after the preliminary two-year time period. Nonetheless, CNET doesn’t advocate signing on with any VPN supplier for greater than a yr at a time as a result of issues are likely to shift fairly quickly within the VPN area. Efficiency might fluctuate, options might come and go, phrases of service might change or the VPN might change possession. A one-year plan typically affords good financial savings over the month-to-month worth whereas nonetheless permitting you flexibility on the finish of your plan.
However in case you’re decided to go for the two-year plan anyway, I’ll allow you to in on a bit trick that may get you your first two years for $60 as an alternative of $72. The IPVanish web site affords a reduction if it thinks you are about to go away the web page. First, choose the two-year plan from the pricing web page. That’ll take you to the checkout web page the place you’ll must scroll down only a bit, then transfer your cursor towards the highest of the web page as in case you’re about to click on away from the checkout web page. This motion will set off an exit popup providing 25% off the preliminary two-year fee (leading to a $60 cost for the primary two years mixed). Observe that I used to be capable of make this work solely on desktop and never on a cellular machine. And in case you missed the popup and closed out of the web page earlier than clicking on the coupon, simply open an incognito window and it’ll present up once more. The coupon additionally contains a 10-minute countdown timer, however the timer is inconsequential as a result of I used to be nonetheless capable of entry the $60 worth lengthy after the ten minutes expired.
In contrast to Surfshark’s (and to a level, NordVPN’s), IPVanish’s pricing construction is clear. The corporate makes it clear on its checkout web page that the one- and two-year plans renew at a worth that’s totally different than the introductory worth — and affords a outstanding hyperlink to the relevant renewal costs proper at checkout as an alternative of burying it like another corporations do.
Should you’re unhappy with the service, you may get a full refund if requested inside the first 30 days of buy — however solely with the yearly or two-year plans. This can be a little bit of a disappointment as a result of most different VPNs’ 30-day money-back ensures apply to all of their subscriptions, together with the month-to-month plan. Nonetheless, IPVanish signifies on its Cash-Again Assure web page that month-to-month subscribers can contact customer support to make their case and nonetheless get a refund inside the first 30 days.
IPVanish’s fee choices are additionally considerably restricted. Whereas many different VPNs settle for cryptocurrencies and different different fee strategies, IPVanish doesn’t. You may pay for an IPVanish subscription solely with a credit score/debit card, PayPal or Google Pay, which can be a deal-breaker if you wish to keep as personal as potential and join the VPN with bitcoin or different cryptocurrencies.
IPVanish affords apps for a wide range of units
Apps can be found for Home windows, MacOS, Chrome OS, Android, iOS, Amazon Fireplace TV and Apple TV. Linux customers can use IPVanish by way of the command line interface reasonably than a full graphical consumer interface, which could possibly be suboptimal for Linux fanatics preferring a full GUI expertise. If that’s you, I’d recommend attempting an alternative choice like Surfshark or PIA — each of which provide a full Linux GUI.
IPVanish’s desktop and cellular apps ship a reasonably constant expertise throughout platforms, with a couple of slight variations. Every app contains a Residence display with a outstanding Join button that may join you to your optimum server the primary time you fireplace up the app. Afterward, the Residence display join button will join you to the final location you had been related to. To hook up with a selected server, you’ll be able to go to the Places tab and both scroll to your required location from an inventory of servers or use the search bar to sort in a selected nation or metropolis.
Although the general app expertise is basically the identical, you’ll discover variations in function availability and performance in case you’re utilizing IPVanish on varied platforms. As an illustration, break up tunneling isn’t obtainable on MacOS, and the kill swap is offered solely on MacOS in case you’re utilizing the OpenVPN protocol. The kill swap on Android must be enabled on the system stage (in your Android settings) and will not permit any web entry except you’re related to an IPVanish server. Equally, the kill swap on Home windows mechanically cuts your web connection except you hook up with a server, however you’ll be able to allow it straight from the app as an alternative of doing so out of your system settings.
All options labored as anticipated throughout my testing, and I discovered the apps to be principally straightforward to make use of. That mentioned, I can see the 2 separate Join buttons within the Places tab on the desktop apps doubtlessly inflicting some confusion. You might be related to a server that you just selected manually, and the Join button for the Optimum Location function nonetheless says “Join” though you’re already related to a server. I get it that it’s providing you with the choice to hook up with the Optimum Location, however in case you’re simply glancing on the app interface to make sure you’re related to the VPN, it could trigger a bit little bit of confusion (though there’s a reasonably inconspicuous indication on the high of the app that you just’re related). Different apps, like ExpressVPN and Surfshark make it apparent that you just’re related to a server even at a fast look.
The design of the cellular apps may additionally create a specific amount of confusion. Should you’re on the house display on the cellular app, it’s apparent whether or not you’re related. Nonetheless, in case you navigate over to the Places tab, there’s no indication in any way whether or not you’re related or not. What’s extra, in case you’re related to the Optimum location and head over to the Places tab, the Optimum Location Join button nonetheless says “Join” as in case you’re not already related to the server.
IPVanish’s streaming capabilities are serviceable, although gradual speeds may cause complications
I used to be capable of entry a lot of the streaming content material I attempted to observe with IPVanish, with only a few hiccups. Whereas related to IPVanish servers, I had no points streaming content material on a few of the hottest streaming platforms, together with Netflix, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and Apple TV Plus. I used to be capable of watch the brand new Fallout sequence on Amazon Prime Video and The E book of Boba Fett on Disney Plus on IPVanish’s US servers. I used to be additionally capable of watch a number of regional Netflix content material, together with Higher Name Saul and Seinfeld by way of US servers, Hungarian comedy Riviera East on Hungarian servers ,and Dexter and Schitt’s Creek on Japanese servers.
Nonetheless, I observed that a few of the streaming websites took some time to load, particularly to distant servers like Japan. Netflix content material wouldn’t load in any respect by way of UK servers on Amazon Fireplace TV stick, which could possibly be associated to the pace points I encountered when connecting to the UK. Additionally, Netflix detected the VPN and blocked entry to content material once I was related to Canadian servers on Amazon Fireplace TV Stick. Should you’re a streaming fanatic, there are higher choices — like ExpressVPN and NordVPN — however IPVanish works more often than not, regardless of obvious pace points leading to longer load instances. Additionally, IPVanish has servers in solely 56 nations, far fewer than NordVPN (111 nations), ExpressVPN (105 nations) and Surfshark (100 nations). So in case you’re seeking to optimize your worldwide streaming capabilities, you might need to look elsewhere.
Key takeaway: IPVanish’s steep pricing is difficult to justify in contrast with suppliers that provide extra at that worth or cheaper. Its server community is small, its speeds generally intrude with its streaming capabilities and its up to date app appears to have regressed in sure methods in contrast with earlier iterations. For my part, you’re higher off paying a bit extra for ExpressVPN or NordVPN, or a lot much less for a service like Surfshark or PIA.
Privateness and safety: Deliberate enhancements on the horizon
- Jurisdiction: USA
- Encryption: AES 256-bit
- Protocols obtainable: OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2, IPSec
- Newest assessments: No leaks detected
IPVanish affords the entire industry-standard privateness protections that you’d count on from a VPN, together with DNS leak safety, a kill swap, AES 256-bit encryption and a no-logs coverage. It even affords a couple of extras like obfuscation, Menace Safety and on-demand connections that many different high VPNs present. It’s a strong VPN for novices or for informal customers simply on the lookout for primary on-line privateness. But when your privateness wants are essential, you might need to go for a unique supplier like ExpressVPN or Proton VPN.
IPVanish relies within the US, a jurisdiction that’s a part of the 14-Eyes knowledge sharing alliance, which can be a dealbreaker for privacy-critical customers. The VPN is owned by CNET’s mum or dad firm Ziff Davis — which additionally owns different VPNs StrongVPN and Encrypt.me.
IPVanish’s privateness coverage states that the corporate collects data like electronic mail tackle, title, billing tackle, bank card data, IP tackle and affiliate monitoring knowledge, together with aggregated nameless knowledge like a consumer’s language desire, machine model, machine mannequin, OS model, nation, crash reviews, session lengths, server utilization, protocol, construct model, UI interactions, API requests and response codes, and app construct model to “enhance the standard of its apps and providers.”
The privateness coverage additionally states that consumer data could also be shared with “different companies owned by Ziff Davis, Inc.” Nonetheless, once I requested IPVanish if this meant that consumer knowledge could possibly be shared with any and all Ziff Davis companies, a consultant clarified that IPVanish “[does] not share data with any entities beneath Ziff Davis. Different IPVanish corporations solely embody the Shopper Safety companies, particularly VIPRE Antivirus, StrongVPN, Livedrive and SugarSync. Info shared would come with crash reviews and analytics, function requests to construct new applied sciences, and buyer assist interactions to coach brokers. Because the privateness coverage mentions, this knowledge is simply used to boost our providers, whether or not technologically or operationally.”
Based on IPVanish’s privateness coverage, consumer data may additionally be shared with Ziff Davis companies for the aim of focused promoting. IPVanish’s consultant additional clarified that the data sharing for promoting functions would once more solely apply to the beforehand talked about Ziff Davis companies and would encompass “electronic mail affords if a consumer has beforehand canceled their IPVanish service or has indicated curiosity in different cybersecurity protections (antivirus, encrypted backup, safety consciousness schooling, and many others.)” You may choose out of the sharing of your data for focused promoting by filling out the shape in IPVanish’s Privateness Portal.
Though IPVanish’s consultant mentioned that crash reviews and aggregated knowledge assortment are usually not enabled by default, I observed that I used to be opted into each by default on the Home windows app, after a recent set up of the most recent app model. Knowledge assortment was disabled by default on MacOS and iOS, and I couldn’t discover anyplace to choose in or out on Android. Should you’re on Home windows and don’t need the app to gather crash reviews or any aggregated “nameless” knowledge, then click on on Settings, then Software and scroll all the way down to Telemetry to choose out.
The extent of information assortment and sharing that IPVanish employs is a priority, particularly for a privateness firm — and particularly when different VPNs like ExpressVPN and Mullvad exit of their method to not share consumer data.
Privateness and transparency enhancements coming
IPVanish says it employs a strict no-logs coverage whereby it doesn’t acquire, monitor or log customers’ on-line exercise when related to its servers. However as with every VPN’s no-logs coverage, such a declare is unattainable to confirm with 100% certainty. Nonetheless, impartial audits can assist set up belief in a VPN supplier’s no-logs claims (even when they will solely be verified through the timeline of the particular audit.)
IPVanish had its no-logs coverage licensed in an impartial audit by Leviathan Safety Group in April 2022. Whereas it’s useful to be independently audited, IPVanish’s one and solely impartial audit to this point was accomplished over two years in the past. Ideally, we’d wish to see a extra common annual audit cadence to construct belief and supply constant documentation of a VPN supplier’s dedication to privateness. Additionally, the complete audit report is accessible solely to IPVanish prospects. Which means, as an alternative of constructing it publicly obtainable, it’s important to buy a subscription and supply private data to achieve entry to the complete report. Most different VPNs, like ExpressVPN and Surfshark make their audit reviews obtainable to most people, serving to to bolster transparency and a better sense of belief within the supplier.
Nonetheless, an IPVanish consultant informed me that the VPN is present process a recent audit in 2024 and can broadcast the outcomes to a wider viewers.
“We preserve excessive privateness requirements and don’t regularly alter our techniques in ways in which necessitate routine re-auditing,” IPVanish mentioned. “Nonetheless, as a dedication to steady enchancment and transparency we’re presently simply beginning a complete audit of our apps and infrastructure in 2024. The outcomes might be shared with each IPVanish subscribers and media companions, guaranteeing widespread communication of our practices.”
Along with the forthcoming audit, IPVanish is planning on a couple of extra privateness enhancements in 2024, together with increasing its MacOS kill swap performance to different protocols by June (presently obtainable solely on MacOS by way of OpenVPN) and a transition to a RAM-only server infrastructure by the tip of the yr. The transition to RAM-only servers is important and an enormous step towards guaranteeing consumer privateness. With RAM-only servers, knowledge is rarely saved on a tough drive and fully wiped with each reboot, making it much more tough to seize consumer knowledge.
Privateness options work properly, however one potential safety hole exists
Throughout my testing, the kill swap labored properly on all platforms, the Menace Supervisor function helped block advertisements, and I detected no leaks. Remember that the kill swap is turned off by default, so that you’ll must manually allow it within the IPVanish app (which I extremely advocate for optimum privateness). I used to be completely satisfied to see that DNS leak testing websites not recognized the IPVanish host like they did once I examined for leaks for my earlier evaluation. Whereas the recognized hostname didn’t represent a DNS leak and didn’t expose consumer exercise, it might have made customers’ VPN use obvious to web sites, colleges, governments and community admins — a deal-breaker for privacy-critical customers.
Whereas that was a welcome enchancment, I noticed that the IPVanish Home windows and Android apps didn’t show any sort of disconnection warning earlier than I jumped from one server to a different. Should you swap from one server straight to a different, the encrypted tunnel is damaged previous to the app establishing the brand new connection. Which means even for the break up second that the connection breaks through the server swap, your true IP tackle and on-line exercise could possibly be uncovered — which could be a main privateness vulnerability in case you occur to be engaged in any delicate exercise if you bounce from one server to a different. I confirmed this by leaping straight from one server to a different whereas conducting a DNS leak take a look at. The DNS leak take a look at displayed my true IP tackle and placement sandwiched in between the IPVanish server I jumped from and the IPVanish server I jumped to.
A seasoned VPN consumer is prone to anticipate the disconnection and shut out of something delicate prior to creating the server swap. Nonetheless, some customers might not be conscious of the intense privateness dangers related to disconnecting from a server, even for a fraction of a second. IPVanish’s Android app confirms if you want to hook up with a selected server location in case you select one from the Places tab. For instance, in case you click on on Belgium from the Places tab, a popup asks “Would you want to hook up with Belgium?” and you may both verify or cancel. Should you then resolve to jump over to Denmark, the identical query will pop up: “Would you want to hook up with Denmark?” Although there technically is a popup, there isn’t a indication from the app {that a} disconnection is about to happen. It’s not sufficient to imagine that the consumer will count on the VPN to disconnect through the swap.
IPvanish’s Home windows app shows neither a disconnection warning nor any form of popup asking to substantiate the connection to a different server. You may allow a notification that allows you to know if a connection is manually disconnected. Nonetheless, this notification is of no use on this case as a result of it notifies you of the disconnection after you could have already chosen to change servers, at which level it’s already too late. The connection standing indicator on the high of the Home windows app does point out that the VPN has disconnected, however once more, it’s solely after you’ve already initiated the server swap. IPVanish’s MacOS and iOS apps set off a disconnection warning if you hop from one server to a different earlier than the disconnection truly happens. I’d wish to see an identical notification on Home windows and Android, reminding customers {that a} disconnection is about to happen and giving them an opportunity to shut out of something delicate earlier than hopping from one server to a different.
Key takeaway: IPVanish has the entire privateness fundamentals in place, however there’s loads of room for enchancment. I’m inspired by the deliberate privateness and transparency enhancements IPVanish’s consultant informed me had been on the best way — these will go a good distance in enhancing consumer privateness and constructing belief. Although it’s tremendous for common privateness, I nonetheless wouldn’t advocate IPVanish to privacy-critical customers.
IPVanish is an ample possibility for novices and anybody on the lookout for primary on-line privateness
I like that IPVanish delivers a reasonably constant expertise throughout platforms. It doesn’t embody any flashy options or tons of choices for personalisation, however it has all the things {that a} newbie VPN consumer wants. The app itself might be clunky and complicated to make use of at first (in contrast with extra streamlined apps like ExpressVPN and NordVPN), though when you get used to its little quirks, it’s straightforward to make use of, whether or not you’re new to VPNs or an skilled consumer. IPVanish is an efficient VPN for streaming, however I’d wish to see quicker speeds and an expanded server community — each of which might tremendously improve the streaming expertise.
And whereas it’s received all the things you want for primary on-line privateness, it doesn’t fairly tick the entire packing containers for customers with essential privateness wants like journalists, dissidents, attorneys and whistleblowers. IPVanish even falls brief in some ways for informal customers, with its clunky app, gradual speeds and modest server community. General, I’m nonetheless not satisfied that the comparatively excessive worth is commensurate with the standard of the service right now. That, together with the shortage of great enchancment over the previous couple of years is why IPVanish not ranks as one in every of CNET’s high VPN picks.
