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- Servers: ★★★☆☆ 3/5
- Countries covered: ★★★★☆ 4/5
- Supported platforms: ★★★☆☆ 3/5
- Storage space: ★★★★★ 5/5
- VPN encryption: ★★★★★ 5/5
- Customer Service: ★★★★☆ 4/5
- Pricing: ★★★★☆ 4/5
IPVanish Review [2022 Features, Price, Alternatives]
Fact-checked
Last Updated: February 1, 2023
- Servers: ★★★☆☆ 3/5
- Countries covered: ★★★★☆ 4/5
- Supported platforms: ★★★☆☆ 3/5
- Storage space: ★★★★★ 5/5
- VPN encryption: ★★★★★ 5/5
- Customer Service: ★★★★☆ 4/5
- Pricing: ★★★★☆ 4/5
Best For
Best for a large number of devices
STRENGTHS
- Secure storage integrates seamlessly with File Explorer
- No limits on the number of devices you can use IPVanish on
- Robust mobile apps
- Optional secure cloud-based storage for cheap
WEAKNESSES
- No advanced privacy features or security capabilities
- Cannot unlock all streaming services (Amazon Prime, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, etc.)
IPVanish is one of the longest-running and most noted names in the VPN (Virtual Private Network) industry. In this IPVanish review, I want to take an in-depth look at whether this stalwart can go toe-to-toe with its contemporaries, such as NordVPN and ExpressVPN. Another goal of mine is to see whether they can stop you from joining today’s frightening identity theft statistics.
To accomplish those, I’ll extensively cover everything you need to know about IPVanish in the following sections:
- IPVanish Overview
- What is IPVanish and How Does It Work?
- IPVanish Features
- IPVanish Ease of Use
- IPVanish Ratings and Reviews
- IPVanish Alternatives
- The Bottom Line
- FAQ’s
IPVanish Overview
Founded in 2012 by Mudhook Media Inc., IPVanish was created as a US-based VPN service. Starting out with only 32 servers and a Windows client, it has grown to have a global footprint with thousands of servers and platform support for a wide range of devices. Currently, it’s owned by J2 Global. along with a number of other VPNs.
IPVanish’s only controversy to date occurred when it released information about a customer suspected of child pornography to the Department of Homeland Security. That being said, CNET has since found them to be one of the top VPNs thanks to its no-logs policy and dedication to protecting user privacy and activity. IPVanish has also been recognized for excellence by other industry names, such as Security PG, Lifehacker AU, and PC Magazine.
What Is IPVanish and How Does It Work?
Throughout my review of IPVanish, the company has struck me as a no-nonsense, yet capable and effective tool. They might not be as flashy as some of their competitors, but it gets the job done and comes with unique privacy features of its own.
IPVanish is mainly a consumer VPN product. Like other VPNs, it provides the ability to secure connections and privatize browsing activity by establishing encrypted tunnel connections via secure servers positioned all over the world.
Essentially, IPVanish makes it nearly impossible to track your IP to personal devices and location. It also makes it harder for your connections or information to be hijacked or stolen over insecure connections, such as public WiFi.
Aside from being known as an identity theft protection company, it also provides protection from hacking and malware infections; it allows you to unblock geo-blocked content on streaming services or other online platforms too.
Among all of that, what makes IPVanish stand out from competitors is its partnership with SugarSync. This collaboration gives you the option of buying a VPN as well as secure, remote storage with a single account, securing both your browsing activity and your files.
IPVanish Features
My first impression creating this IPVanish VPN review was that it’s a no-frills VPN software solution. While it doesn’t go to the same extent as some of its competitors in terms of the number of protocols and servers, it does make sure to provide the top capabilities for security and privacy you would expect from a VPN service. It’s a collaboration with SugarSync for secure cloud-based storage is another unique facet users will appreciate.
| Feature | Description | Rating |
| Storage space | IPVanish offers a unique package deal that includes 500GB of SugarSync cloud storage. With a base SugarSync subscription costing $8.99 per month, you’ll save a small amount if you happen to need a VPN and cloud storage. | 5/5 |
| File syncing | SugarSync storage allows you to sync your data across all devices with native Android, iOS, Windows, and macOS apps. All apps are functional, easy to use, and can be included in your IPVanish pricing plan. | 4/5 |
| Remote device wiping | If you happen to lose a device or your account gets compromised, you can remotely wipe data from devices with the storage app to prevent data falling into the wrong hands. | 4/5 |
| VPN encryption | IPVanish utilizes 256-bit AES encryption to secure your internet connections on all devices, which is the same level used by government and security agencies. However, it’s pretty much the industry standard nowadays anyway. | 4/5 |
| Shared IP address | IPVanish claims to own 40,000+ IP addresses to share among its customers, reducing the risk of having the same IP address with someone else. While it’s impossible to prove, it does seem to be likely based on a lack of issues. | 3/5 |
| Zero traffic logs | IPVanish maintains a no-logs policy. All activity is automatically deleted and nothing is stored, eliminating data being leaked or used later. With no major incidents regarding leaked information, IPVanish is true to its word. This is just one among many policies leading to high IPVanish ratings for privacy. | 5/5 |
| Proxy web server | You can easily set up a SOCKS5 proxy server using IPVanish. This provides an alternative method for private P2P sharing that doesn’t use encryption and can provide faster network speeds. | 5/5 |
| Access to censored media | IPVanish can be used to unblock Netflix and other geo-blocked content. However, it’s not capable of bypassing other popular streaming services such as Hulu and Amazon Prime. | 3/5 |
| Multiple connection protocols | IPVanish supports multiple connection protocols, including KVE2, OpenVPN, L2TP, IPSEC, and PTPP. While it doesn’t have the widest range, it includes the top standards and is considered a decent collection. | 4/5 |
| No. of servers | IPVanish has over 1,600 VPN servers spread across 75+ regions. While some competitors have more servers, it’s still an impressive infrastructure that offers decent performance around the world. | 3/5 |
Ease of Use
As part of my review of IPVanish, I signed up for an account and tried out the software to test its usability. The first important thing I noticed was that IPVanish is available on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS devices. These are by far the most popular user usages, and with no limits, you can use IPVanish on all your devices with a single account.
Getting up and running with IPVanish is extremely simple; all you have to do is head over to their website and pick the appropriate plan for you.
You will then need to input an email and password to create an account, and finally add your payment details to complete the transaction. I found it convenient that you’re able to choose between either using a credit card or PayPal.
Installing IPVanish on mobile devices is even simpler, as you can just install it from the official app stores like any other app.
It doesn’t take much effort to understand how IPVanish works. From the dashboard, you can immediately use the quick connect feature to connect to the fastest server. Or, you can open the server list from the left-hand menu and connect to one of your choices. IPVanish might not have the most attractive or modern interface, but it recently upgraded and doesn’t take long to get used to.
IPVanish Plans & Pricing
The cost of IPVanish is relatively straightforward. Your main options come down to choosing between a monthly subscription or yearly subscription and whether you want cloud storage included with your VPN plan. All other features come standard with all plans, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on anything.
| Plan | VPN | VPN + Storage |
| Monthly | $9.99/month ($3.49 for first month) | $10.99/month ($3.84 for first month) |
| Yearly | $89.99/year ($31.49 for the first year) | $99.99/year ($34.99 for first year) |
As you can see, you can get significant savings on your first subscription term. However, the 30-day money-back guarantee only applies to yearly packages.
IPvanish Ratings and Reviews
At the time of writing this IPVanish review, the company held an Excellent Trustpilot score of 4.7/5 from 6,920 reviews. Unfortunately, this is a different story on BBB where IPVanish reviews only average 1.38/5. However, this is from a much smaller group of only 82 users.
Overall, most positive reviews highlight the stability of IPVanish’s connection uptime and speeds as well as their fast and diligent customer support. While bad reviews are rare, they typically concern IPVanish not being able to unlock services, such as Amazon Prime.
IPVanish Alternatives
IPVanish vs NordVPN |
IPVanish’s main advantage over NordVPN is that you can get secure cloud-based storage for all your devices on a single account, alongside your VPN. On the other hand, NordVPN is known as one of the top VPNs for unblocking video streaming content as it is compatible with nearly all streaming services. If you want to unlock services such as BBC iPlayer or Hulu, NordVPN might be for you. |
IPVanish vs ExpressVPN |
IPVanish is overall more affordable than ExpressVPN, especially considering that you can get the VPN + Storage package for the same yearly cost. ExpressVPN outdoes IPVanish (as well as most other VPNs) when it comes to device support for smart TVs and gaming consoles. You may want to consider ExpressVPN if it supports specific devices you want to secure. |
IPVanish vs Surfshark |
Surfshark is one of the pricier VPNs on the market, meaning IPVanish is clearly the more affordable option between the two. That being said, Surfshark is one of the most secure VPNs in business with superb malicious sites and malware blockers, and other safety nets. If you do a lot of sensitive or important work online, Surfshark is the top option to secure your device as well as privacy. |
In terms of pricing, IPVanish is competitive with most of its peers, especially considering there is no device or data limit. The main difference for finding a VPN that works for you is simply specific features. For those who happen to need low-cost secure storage for their work or personal files and digital assets, IPVanish can be a gamechanger.
Bottom Line
To summarize this IPVanish review, I found it to be an accessible, affordable, and convenient VPN tool. While most will be attracted to its competitive pricing and unlimited devices, it’s also an effective tool at keeping your data and activity private online.
Where IPVanish Dominates
| PROS | No limits on the number of devices you can use IPVanish on |
| Optional secure cloud-based storage for cheap | |
| Secure storage integrates seamlessly with File Explorer | |
| Robust mobile apps |
Where the IPVanish Falls Short
| CONS | Cannot unlock all streaming services (Amazon Prime, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, etc.) |
| No advanced privacy features or security capabilities | |
IPVanish stands out for its all-inclusive pricing plus cost-effective solution to purchase both a VPN and cloud-based storage service.
FAQ
Yes. IPVanish uses 256-bit AES encryption which is the same level of security employed by government organizations. IPVanish comes with a number of security features to secure and privatize your connections, and their storage will help keep your cloud data and files safe.
It depends. You can subscribe to IPVanish on a month-to-month or yearly basis. Month-to-month pricing starts at $9.99 with a $3.49 introductory offer or $10.99 with a $3.84 introductory offer with cloud storage included. Yearly plans work out at either $7.49/month or $8.33 with cloud storage.
IPVanish can be hacked like any other online service but it’s highly unlikely. All connections and to and from its apps and platforms are secured and encrypted. As part of this IPVanish review, I can report that I haven’t uncovered any major security incidents in their history either. Even if they are hacked, their no-logs policy ensures minimal user data will be leaked.
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