Background: Introduction to IPVanish
In today’s fast-paced digital world, ensuring online privacy and security is of the utmost importance. Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) have been created to address these concerns, and IPVanish is among the top VPNs in the market.
IPVanish was established in 2012 and is currently headquartered in the United States. The company prides itself on offering its clients privacy, security, and the freedom to browse the internet without constraints. According to the company’s website, it has 40,000 IP addresses, 1,900 servers in 75 locations around the world, and all servers are self-owned.
One of the most appreciated things that IPVanish has to offer is automatic connection with smart filters. The app has split tunneling, allowing users to prioritize which apps or activities use the VPN connection. Users can also customize how their internet traffic is encrypted, enhancing their online security further. The app also has traffic obfuscation, which ensures your internet activity is indistinguishable from regular internet use to an observer.
IPVanish offers a kill-switch feature to its clients; this is essential in cases where the VPN connection is disrupted. The kill switch acts as a safety net, ensuring that your data is not accidentally exposed. The app is compatible with most standard operating systems, including Mac, Windows, Android, and iOS.
Despite offering excellent features, IPVanish is comparatively weak in terms of ad-blocking. Users have reported that the app is not as effective against malware and trackers as other leading VPNs in the market. Also, IPVanish is based in the United States, making some users wary due to the country’s participation in the Five Eyes Alliance. To combat these concerns, the company has a strict no-logs policy. This means that the only information they store is the user’s email and payment method.
Another significant advantage of IPVanish is the strong encryption it employs. IPVanish’s encryption is used by banks and government entities to ensure the safety of their data. The app has multiple protocols available for users to choose from, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP/IPSec. The platform’s security is further enhanced by the addition of WireGuard across all clients.
When it comes to performance, IPVanish is strong, with the latest addition of WireGuard which has transformed VPN speeds. Users have reported getting up to 90% of their original download speed on most servers across the main locations. Additionally, IPVanish offers unlimited simultaneous connections, making it ideal for users with many devices.
In conclusion, IPVanish is a capable VPN service that is suitable for most users. The app has all the modern protocols, robust security, and a good server pool. IPVanish’s long-term yearly plans are among the cheapest available in the market, making them good value for money. However, IPVanish’s lack of a dedicated kill switch for iOS and Android and the company’s past reputation may deter some customers.
Features: All You Need to Know About IPVanish
When it comes to features, IPVanish offers quite an impressive list. One of the standout features is automatic connection, which ensures that the VPN service is always on, protecting your web traffic from prying eyes. Additionally, the split tunneling feature allows for a more customized VPN experience, enabling users to decide which apps and websites should use the VPN connection and which ones should bypass it.
For those who need extra privacy, IPVanish offers traffic obfuscation, which makes it more difficult for other entities to see your web traffic patterns. This feature comes in handy for users living in countries that censor the internet or for those looking to bypass censorship measures.
The kill switch feature is yet another crucial aspect of IPVanish as it acts as a safety net, cutting off your internet connection if the VPN connection drops. This feature ensures that your IP address and traffic aren’t accidentally exposed to potential snoopers.
For torrenting enthusiasts, IPVanish offers a SOCKS5 proxy for added anonymity while downloading content. While this feature isn’t a must-have, it certainly is a useful addition for users who value their privacy and downloading a lot of media.
Furthermore, IPVanish offers encrypted storage, albeit at an extra cost. This feature allows users to store their sensitive data securely, providing a more comprehensive security solution than just relying on a VPN.
While these features are great, IPVanish falls short when it comes to malware and tracker blocking. Unlike some competing VPN providers, IPVanish doesn’t offer dedicated protection against malware and trackers. This means that users need to rely on third-party solutions to safeguard their online activities against these threats.
However, IPVanish makes up for this with its robust security measures. The platform utilizes top-notch encryption standards like AES-256, which is bank and government-grade type of encryption. Moreover, users can select from multiple VPN protocols based on their needs and preferences, with the addition of WireGuard across all clients being a notable improvement.
Regarding its server pool, IPVanish has around 1,900 servers in 75 locations, offering roughly 40,000 IP addresses. What’s unique about IPVanish is that it operates all of its servers, unlike other VPN providers who use third-party servers. This self-owned server setup adds an extra layer of security, ensuring that no third-party access is allowed to your data.
Performance-wise, IPVanish is a solid VPN provider, retaining around 80 to 90 percent of the users’ original download speed across the key locations. The addition of WireGuard has significantly improved the platform’s performance, providing an even faster and more secure VPN connection.
Last but not least, IPVanish’s pricing is quite affordable, particularly its long-term plans, making it one of the cheapest options among its competitors. Users also benefit from unlimited simultaneous connections, which is a remarkable perk for users who need to connect multiple devices to a VPN simultaneously.
Overall, IPVanish offers a comprehensive set of features, with outstanding security measures, a server pool run by the company itself, and a remarkable pricing plan. However, the lack of malware and tracker blocking and dedicated kill switch for iOS and Android may deter some users from choosing IPVanish.
Performance: How Well Does IPVanish Perform?
When it comes to choosing a VPN service, one of the most important factors to consider is its performance. How well does it protect your privacy and security while maintaining your internet speed?
IPVanish has around 1,900 servers and roughly 40,000 IP addresses spread across 75 locations, all self-owned for added security. The addition of the latest protocol, WireGuard, has significantly improved IPVanish’s performance, retaining 80 to 90 percent of the users’ original download speed across the main locations.
The app is compatible with all standard operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and Fire TV. However, it’s worth noting that IPVanish’s Windows app offers a more customizable experience compared to its mobile apps.
Overall, the app is easy to use and offers a decent user experience. It’s worth noting that IPVanish doesn’t offer a browser extension like some of its competitors.
While IPVanish has an impressive server pool and modern protocols to protect your internet connection, it falls short in some areas. The platform doesn’t offer a malware and tracker blocker, unlike top competitors such as NordVPN and Surfshark – which may affect your privacy and security.
Another drawback is IPVanish’s reputation. The company is based in the US, one of the founding members of the Five Eyes Alliance, a multinational intelligence alliance comprising Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States. This alliance is known for its mass surveillance of internet users, which raises some questions about IPVanish’s security and privacy.
To counter this, IPVanish claims a strict no-logs policy, logging only users’ emails and payment methods. They state that they don’t monitor your internet activity or store your IP address, which is a good sign of a quality VPN service.
An exciting feature that IPVanish offers is the ability to stream for most users, making it an attractive choice for those who enjoy streaming content online. It also includes unlimited simultaneous connections, which means you can connect numerous devices at once using a single account.
In terms of pricing, IPVanish has a range of plans to choose from, starting from $3.49 per month for an annual subscription. However, it’s essential to note that the most appealing plans are the long-term yearly ones, making IPVanish one of the cheapest VPN providers in this regard.
While IPVanish has its drawbacks, it remains a popular choice among users thanks to its server pool, modern protocols, and affordable pricing. However, its reputation and lack of a dedicated kill switch for iOS and Android may deter some customers.
Pricing: Is IPVanish Worth Your Money?
When it comes to choosing a VPN service, many users make their decision based on how much it will cost them. In terms of pricing, IPVanish offers both monthly and yearly packages, with significant discounts for long-term plans.
The monthly subscription costs $9.99, which is relatively standard in the VPN market. However, the real savings come with the yearly plans. IPVanish offers a yearly subscription for $79.99, which equates to $6.67 per month. This is an impressive discount and one of the cheapest VPN plans available.
Moreover, IPVanish often runs promotions, offering its yearly subscription at an even lower rate. For example, at the time of writing, IPVanish is offering a yearly subscription for $39, which is a whopping $3.25 per month.
With all that said, is IPVanish worth your money? It ultimately depends on the user’s needs and budget. IPVanish’s plans offer excellent value for money, especially the long-term options. However, users who are only looking for short-term VPN services may find the monthly subscription too expensive.
Additionally, unlike top competitors NordVPN and Surfshark, IPVanish does not offer a free trial. This may be a deal-breaker for users who want to test out the service before committing to a long-term plan.
IPVanish does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is generous. However, users should keep in mind that refunds are subject to certain conditions, such as not exceeding 500MB of traffic.
It’s also worth noting that IPVanish does not accept cryptocurrencies as payment. This may be a drawback for users who prioritize privacy and anonymity.
Overall, IPVanish’s pricing is competitive and offers good value for money, especially for long-term plans. However, users must evaluate whether the lack of a free trial and the limitations of the money-back guarantee outweigh the discounted rates.
In conclusion, while IPVanish’s pricing is impressive, it’s essential to consider other factors such as security, performance, and features before making a decision. Users should also be aware of potential drawbacks, such as the lack of a dedicated kill switch for iOS and Android and the past reputation of the company. Therefore, it’s important to weigh all the pros and cons before committing to any VPN service.