Looking for a reliable VPN to safeguard your online privacy and bypass geo-restrictions? IPVanish, a leading VPN provider, delivers powerful encryption, unlimited data usage, and access to servers in over 190 locations worldwide.
In this review, we’ll delve into IPVanish’s key features, pricing, and performance to help you decide if it’s the right fit for your needs.
This article covers what you should know about this trusted VPN provider before signing up for its services.
About IPVanish
Founded in 2012, IPVanish has established itself as a prominent player in the virtual private network (VPN) market. Boasting over 190 server locations in 75+ countries, it caters to a global audience seeking online privacy, security, and freedom.
| Name | IPVanish |
| Found in | 2012 |
| Encryption | 256-bit AES |
| Server locations | 190+ in 75+ countries |
| Jurisdiction | United States (Five Eyes Alliance member) |
| Data and bandwidth | Unlimited |
| Simultaneous connections | 5 |
| Supported platforms | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire Stick |
Why should you trust IPVanish?
Before deciding to subscribe to a VPN service, it’s crucial to ensure that your chosen VPN can meet your internet connection requirements. IPVanish excels in all these aspects and more, making it an excellent choice even if you are uncertain about selecting the right VPN for your needs.
IPVanish is one of the few VPNs that owns and manages its own server network infrastructure. This means the company has full control over the physical hardware and network configuration for its VPN server locations, which prevents third-party network issues from impacting your internet browsing experience
Here is why we trust IPVanish:
1. Privacy and Security
- Military-grade encryption: 256-bit AES encryption keeps your data shielded from prying eyes, even on unsecured public Wi-Fi networks.
- Strict no-logs policy: It does not log your browsing history. This means your data is protected from government surveillance, local authorities, and any kind of data breaches.
- Automatic kill switch: Should the VPN connection drop unexpectedly, your internet access ceases, preventing accidental data leaks.
- DNS leak protection: DNS requests are routed through encrypted tunnels, ensuring privacy and preventing potential location leaks.
2. Unblocking Content and Bypassing Restrictions
- Global server network: It provides you with 40000 IP addresses and 2200+ servers in 75+ VPN locations of your choice. You can switch between servers and IP addresses as often as you’d like, allowing you to unblock geo-restricted content on popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer and use public Wi-Fi networks with peace of mind.
- Censorship bypass: Breakthrough internet censorship and access blocked websites, ensuring unrestricted information access regardless of your location.
- Unlimited data and bandwidth: It does not impose data caps or bandwidth usage restrictions. You can switch between servers as often as you’d like without worrying about incurring overage charges. Stream, download, and browse without worry, as IPVanish removes data caps and throttling limitations.
3. Ease of Use and Compatibility
- Intuitive apps: User-friendly apps are available for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire Stick, making IPVanish accessible on all your devices.
- Simple setup: Get started quickly with straightforward installation and guided connection setup.
- Five simultaneous connections: Protect your entire household or multiple devices with one subscription.
4. Performance and Speed
- High-speed connections: IPVanish consistently delivers fast and reliable speeds across its global network, minimizing interruptions and lag.
- Server load balancing: Intelligent server selection ensures optimal performance based on real-time usage, optimizing your connection experience.
5. Pricing and Value
- Flexible plans: Choose from monthly or yearly subscriptions to suit your budget, with yearly plans offering significant discounts.
- 30-day money-back guarantee: Try IPVanish risk-free and receive a full refund within 30 days if unsatisfied.
| Plan | Price per Month | Billing Cycle | Devices |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $7.99 | Monthly | 5 |
| Yearly | $3.59 | Annual | 5 |
| Best Value | $2.99 | Every 2 years | 5 |
Some other features include:
- Threat detection and removal: Protects your devices from malware and other online threats.
- Virus and malware scanning: Provides an extra layer of security against harmful software.
- Network firewall defense (Windows only): Adds barrier against unauthorized access attempts.
How to Install and Use
Here’s a general guide on how to install and use IPVanish:
- Sign Up and Subscribe: Visit the IPVanish website and choose your preferred subscription plan. Create an account by providing your email, password, and payment information.
- Download the App: Download the appropriate app for your platform (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, etc.) from the IPVanish website or your device’s app store.
- Install the App: Open the installer and follow the on-screen instructions to install it on your device. This usually involves accepting the terms of service and choosing the installation location.
- Launch the App: After installation, launch the IPVanish app and Log in using the credentials you created during sign-up.
- Connect to a VPN Server: Once you’re logged in, the app interface will display a list of available VPN servers. You can usually select a server based on factors like location, speed, and server load. Click or tap on a server to connect to it.
- Connect and Disconnect: Click the “Connect” button to establish a VPN connection to the selected server. This will encrypt your internet connection and mask your IP address. To disconnect, simply click the “Disconnect” button in the app.
- Customize Settings (Optional): IPVanish offers various settings you can configure to personalize your VPN experience, such as automatic connection on startup, automatic server selection, and protocol preferences.
- 8. Select a Different Server: If you want to connect to a different server, simply open the app and select a new server from the list. This can be useful if you want to access content from a specific location or if you’re experiencing slow speeds on your current server.
- Enjoy Enhanced Online Privacy and Freedom: Once connected to the VPN server, your internet traffic is encrypted and routed through the server, providing you with increased privacy and security. You can now browse the internet, stream content, and download files with the added protection of a VPN.
How to login to IPVanish after installation?
After installing the VPN app on your device, you will have to login to your IPVanish account using the credentials like – username and password provided when you signed up for the service.
Is it free?
No, IPVanish is not a free VPN service. They offer subscription plans with monthly or yearly options, though they do not have a free trial like some other VPNs.
If you’re looking for a completely free VPN, there are options available. However, it’s important to be aware that free VPNs may come with limitations, such as data caps, slower speeds, or limited server locations. Additionally, some free VPNs have been criticized for their privacy practices.
Does IPVanish keep logs?
The company claims to have a strict “no-logs” policy, meaning they do not deliberately record or store any information about your online activities while using their VPN service. This includes:
- The content of your internet traffic: They don’t monitor what websites you visit, what files you download, or what content you stream.
- Your IP addresses: They don’t keep track of your original IP address or the IP addresses of the VPN servers you connect to.
- Your connection timestamps: They don’t log when you connect to or disconnect from the VPN.
- Your browsing history: They don’t store any information about the websites you visit or the searches you perform.
Pros and cons of using the IPVanish
Pros:
- Good availability: IPVanish offers a wide network of servers, covering over 60 countries
- Owns its infrastructure: It owns and manages its own servers, potentially reducing third-party involvement
- Unlimited devices: Connect as many devices as you want simultaneously
- Strong security: Features 256-bit encryption, a no-logs policy, multiple protocol choices, and a reliable kill switch
- Fast speeds: Capable of handling even 8K video streaming
- Budget-friendly: Offers competitive pricing with the latest IPVanish Discounts and Coupon Codes
- Good for torrenting: Supports P2P file sharing
- Free SOCKS5 proxy: Provides an additional layer of anonymity
Cons:
- Limited streaming capabilities: Has inconsistent performance with unblocking geo-restricted content on streaming services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video
- Mediocre customer support: Reviews often cite slow or unhelpful responses
- Occasional connection drops: Some users report experiencing occasional disconnections
- Lacks advanced features: Missing features like split tunneling and multi-hop connections found in some competitors
My Experience, Reviews, and Resources
Having used IPVanish, I found the installation straightforward, experienced impressive speeds, and appreciated robust security features.
The occasional inconsistency with certain streaming services was notable, but responsive customer support and overall reliability make it a solid choice. This information is based on my personal experience with the VPN.
Online Reviews and Resources:
- Reviews by Cybernews – 2024 – How Good & Reliable is this VPN?
- Reviews by SecurityTech – 7 Pros and 8 Cons.
- Reviews by Get app – Pros & Cons, Ratings & more.
- Reviews by Bitcatcha – 4 Pros & 4 Cons of Using IPVanish VPN.
How to install IPVanish on Firestick?
1. Prepare Your Firestick: Ensure your Amazon Firestick is connected to your TV and set up with an active internet connection.
2. Allow Third-Party Apps: IPVanish isn’t available on the official Amazon Appstore. To install it, you’ll need to allow the installation of apps from unknown sources.
- From the Firestick home screen, navigate to “Settings” at the top.
- Scroll right and select “Device” or “My Fire TV,” depending on your Firestick version.
- Choose “Developer options.”
- Turn on “Apps from Unknown Sources.”
3. Download the Downloader App: The Downloader app will help you download the IPVanish app’s installation file. It’s available on the Amazon Appstore, so you don’t need to sideload it.
- On the Firestick home screen, use the search function to search for “Downloader.”
- Install the Downloader app and open it.
4. Download and Install: Using the Downloader app, you can download the IPVanish APK file and then install it.
- In the Downloader app, enter the following URL to download the APK:
https://www.ipvanish.com/software/android/IPVanish.apk - Wait for the download to complete.
- Once the download is finished, the Downloader app will prompt you to install the APK. Select “Install” to proceed.
5. Open and Set Up: After installing, you can open and set it up.
- Go back to the Firestick home screen.
- Navigate to the “Your Apps & Channels” section.
- Scroll down to the bottom to find the IPVanish app. It might be in the “See All” section.
- Launch the app.
- Log in using your account credentials. If you don’t have an account, you’ll need to sign up first on the IPVanish website.
6. Connect to a VPN Server: Once you’re logged in, the IPVanish app will present a list of available servers.
- Choose a server based on your preference (e.g., location, speed).
- Click the “Connect” button to establish a VPN connection.
7. Disconnect and Use: When you’re done using the VPN, disconnect by clicking the “Disconnect” button in the app.
Final Words: Is IPVanish Worth the Effort?
The short answer is yes, it is worth the effort. If you want to unblock geo-restricted content, protect your privacy and personal information online, or just get around bandwidth throttling or data capping imposed by your ISP, IPVanish is a reputable option that can help.
The only real challenge is deciding which of the three subscription plans is right for you.
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