Pros & Cons
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- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Good speed results in testing
- Customizable multi-hop servers
- Transparent privacy policy
- Knowledgeable support team
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- Expensive
- Confusing annual renewal rates
- Mixed results unblocking Netflix
IPVanish VPN Specs
| 500+ Servers | |
| Blocks Ads | |
| Free Version Data Limit | No Free Version |
| Geographically Diverse Servers | |
| Server Locations | 150 Locations |
| Simultaneous VPN Connections | Unlimited |
| Supported Protocols on iOS | WireGuard, IKEv2, IPSec, OpenVPN |
IPVanish is a reliable VPN with an extensive global server network, unlimited device connections, and a solid privacy policy. I appreciate its design consistency across platforms, and I was impressed by its speedy performance in testing. That said, it comes at a high price compared with much of the competition, and it failed to unblock Netflix catalogs in a number of regions, leading us to lower our score by half a point since our last review. While IPVanish is worth considering if you value its fast speeds and transparent approach to privacy, NordVPN and Proton offer more for the money and remain our top VPN picks.
How Much Does IPVanish VPN Cost?
The base plan, IPVanish Essential, costs $12.99 per month, which is almost 30% higher than the average monthly price of $10.30 among the VPNs we've tested, as you can see in the chart below. With the VPN, you also get an ad and tracker blocker, and a 3GB eSIM from aloSIM. To compare, NordVPN costs the same $12.99 and offers dark web monitoring, the option to add Incogni-powered personal data removal (at an added cost), and a full 30-day money-back guarantee for all subscribers (IPVanish's 30-day money-back guarantee applies only to one or two-year subscriptions).
The second tier, IPVanish Advanced, increases the price to $14.99 per month and includes all features from the Essential tier, plus a secure browser, 1TB of cloud storage through LiveDrive, file synchronization, live phone support, and a 5GB eSIM.
Note that we use the monthly price for evaluations, as this enables us to make apples-to-apples comparisons between services that may offer discounts for longer subscriptions. Furthermore, we recommend starting out with a short-term contract with any VPN, at least until you're sure it's the right one for you. IPVanish's value-to-feature ratio becomes more in line with the industry when you consider its heavily discounted annual subscriptions. However, keep in mind that you're trading flexibility by opting for a long-term plan.
The annual Essential plan is $39.99 per year ($3.33 per month) as of this writing and renews at $89.99 after the promotion. The Advanced plan is $53.88 for the first year ($4.49 per month) and renews at $109.99 per year. Note that if you clicked an IPVanish offer or ad, these two options might be all you see. You also don’t get any information regarding renewal rates on this page, which can easily be mistaken for the main pricing and payment page. The screenshot below shows what this offer page looks like:
(Credit: PCMag/IPVanish)The actual pricing page can be found here and appears as shown in the image below:
(Credit: PCMag/IPVanish)This page provides more information about IPVanish’s plans, along with the option to subscribe to the two-year Essential plan for $52.56 (renewing at $89.99) or the Advanced plan for $78.96 (renewing at $109.99). If you just click through the plans, though, you likely won't see the note about renewal rates until you get to the page where you enter your credit card information to sign up. You must either manually visit the rate renewal page, which contains the details, or scroll down to the FAQs on the pricing page and expand the “How much does IPVanish cost?” question. I'd like to see IPVanish be more up front about its subscription renewal model, as other VPNs, such as CyberGhost and ExpressVPN, provide that information directly on their pricing pages.
You can technically get a free trial for IPVanish by signing up for a two-year plan on Android or iOS. Doing so will grant you a seven-day trial, but you must provide a payment method to receive it. All IPVanish plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if the service isn’t the right fit.
You can pay for the service with any major credit card or Amazon Pay, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or PayPal. If you're looking to use bitcoin, prepaid gift cards, or some other anonymous method of payment, you're out of luck here. IVPN and Mullvad both allow you to pay for subscriptions anonymously by sending cash directly to their respective headquarters.
What Do You Get for Your Money With IPVanish?
IPVanish does not limit the number of devices you can connect simultaneously with a single subscription. It’s a feature that may not seem too important, but it’s always a headache when you encounter a device cap and have to manually disconnect or uninstall the service from your other phone, PC, or smart TV. IPVanish isn’t the only VPN that has removed device caps. Many top competitors, such as Surfshark and TunnelBear, have also eliminated connection limits entirely. However, it’s still common to see five, six, or seven simultaneous device limits.
IPVanish also has app-based split tunneling on Windows and Android. Domain-based split tunneling is available on Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS. You get a few other extras as well, such as a secure browser built into the VPN client and a link checker that verifies whether a site is safe or not.
(Credit: PCMag/IPVanish)The IPVanish Secure Browsing feature enables you to view potentially unsafe websites without compromising your device's security. To do this, it utilizes a form of remote browser isolation (RBI) known as pixel pushing. The content itself is processed on IPVanish's servers, so any embedded malware or malicious trackers can't touch your device. In other words, when you're using the browser, you're basically seeing a video feed of a website.
(Credit: PCMag/IPVanish)A threat protection tool is included with all subscription packages and utilizes Vipre’s antivirus technology to block ads, trackers, and malicious sites. Keep in mind that it only works when you’re connected to the VPN. The cloud storage that comes with each subscription is powered by SugarSync and Livedrive. (Editors' Note: Livedrive, SugarSync, and Vipre are owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag.com's parent company.)
Despite providing you with these extra tools, IPVanish doesn’t guide you on how to install, claim, or use most of them in the app. The VPN app includes a helpful built-in tutorial and, after your purchase, sends a welcome email with tips on installing the app and using threat protection, the secure browser, and cloud storage. However, you have to visit the site and access the help center’s FAQ page to find the necessary details on installing your eSIM or configuring Livedrive if you don't see those emails or want to set up your services immediately. I would like to see clearer in-app instructions for accessing these extras. An email link or a guide within the app's account section would help dispel any confusion about how to access them.
As far as the VPN is concerned, IPVanish supports native apps for Amazon Fire TV, Android (including Android TV), Apple TV, ChromeOS, iOS, Linux, macOS, and Windows. The VPN can also be configured on the Apple Vision Pro. Alternatively, you can configure your router to use the VPN or purchase preconfigured routers directly from IPVanish. Using IPVanish on the router enables its VPN protection to be applied to every device that connects through it, eliminating the need to manually configure each device.
What VPN Protocols Does IPVanish Offer?
IPVanish supports OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 protocols on all major operating systems. macOS, iOS, and Linux users can also use IPSec in addition to all other protocols.
When it comes to creating a VPN connection, I prefer the OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols. Both are open-source, meaning they can be picked over for any potential vulnerabilities. As a recent security measure, IPVanish has removed support for older, less secure options on its Windows app, like L2TP, SSTP, and PPTP.
(Credit: PCMag/IPVanish)IPVanish does not yet support post-quantum encryption. Competitors like ExpressVPN have been at the forefront of this new technology, preparing for a potential future with quantum computers. It’s not a must-have, as the technology has yet to be proven against actual attacks, but it is a good sign of a forward-thinking approach to security.
Servers and Server Locations
The service has approximately 3,400 servers spread across 150 server locations. Importantly, IPVanish has excellent geographic diversity. The company offers servers in Africa and South America—two continents often completely ignored by VPN companies. It does not, however, offer servers in regions with more oppressive internet restrictions, such as China or Russia. You can view the full server list to see if the VPN has service in your region. The server page is well-organized, with clear regional sections and icons that indicate whether a server is RAM-only or not.
(Credit: PCMag/IPVanish)The application provides additional important details, such as the current server load, the number of servers in each region, and whether the region is supported with virtual servers. The total number of servers a VPN company provides is usually linked to the number of subscribers it serves—more subscribers, more servers. However, it's not necessarily a marker of quality service.
(Credit: PCMag/IPVanish)IPVanish has an advanced multi-hop configuration (referred to as Double Hop) that lets you choose two servers to connect to at once. You pick your entry point and end point, thus doubling the number of stops your connection makes compared with a standard single-hop connection. Keep in mind that your performance will decrease due to the extra travel time your data has to take.
Your Privacy With IPVanish
IPVanish has a clear and thorough privacy policy that outlines how it handles user data. The document is on the more technical side compared with other, more approachable policies from competitors such as TunnelBear and Surfshark. It is still a readable policy, but I found that it took a few passes to get the full picture.
The standard assurances I like to see are present. IPVanish doesn’t sell or rent data to third parties. The VPN doesn’t collect or monitor your browsing activity, and it limits the data it does keep to aggregate information for analytics and app improvement. The exact nature of that aggregate information is clearly defined, though I found the amount and duration of stored information to be on the higher end of the spectrum. IPVanish does use third-party cookies and trackers on its site to track user behavior. While this practice isn’t uncommon, using any third-party infrastructure could result in your information being mishandled or compromised.
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To its credit, IPVanish does have a cookie policy that gives steps for opting out of every cookie that the site uses. However, doing so manually is tedious and time-consuming. You’re better off using a private browser or a free ad or tracker blocker, but we find it counterintuitive to have to resort to such measures just to download a VPN that has built-in tools to block ads and trackers in the first place.
IPVanish is part of the Vipre Security Group and is a subsidiary of Ziff Davis, which is part of NetProtect. As previously noted, Ziff Davis is PCMag's publisher. IPVanish is based in the US.
A company representative informs me that, although it responds to valid requests from law enforcement, it has no user data to provide. IPVanish has undergone a third-party audit, though only for its no-logs claims. Audits and reports are not a guarantee of quality and are admittedly imperfect tools, but undertaking them in a meaningful way is still valuable.
While VPNs greatly improve your privacy on the web, they won't protect you from every online danger. I strongly recommend installing antivirus software on all your devices, enabling multi-factor authentication on all your accounts, and using a password manager to create unique and complex passwords for every site and service.
Can You Watch Netflix With IPVanish?
I test every VPN to see if it can access regional Netflix catalogs in five countries: Australia, Canada, Japan, the UK, and the US. My recent tests have shown that most top VPNs can provide seamless access across all five countries. This situation may change if Netflix rolls out more aggressive blocks, which is why I don’t recommend choosing a VPN based solely on its unblocking capabilities.
A VPN’s unblocking capability will fall into one of three categories for each region: Open, Limited, or Blocked. An Open result means it provided unrestricted access. A Limited result is when I only see Netflix original content while connected to the network. Blocked means I could not access content at all and was asked by Netflix to turn off my VPN or proxy.
IPVanish was detected and blocked in the US and Canada during multiple tests across various servers in both countries. It could access catalogs in Australia, Japan, and the UK without restrictions. This is poorer performance than in previous testing, in which IPVanish provided Open access to all regions except a Limited result in Australia. You can view the full overview of my latest testing in the chart above.
Since previous tests granted access to all catalogs, I reached out to the company for comment. An IPVanish spokesperson said:
We have not seen widespread reports or customer complaints regarding Netflix not working on IPVanish. In isolated cases, reconnecting or resetting the VPN app can resolve most interruptions. Based on our latest hands-on testing at IPVanish, all major Netflix regions (including the US and Canada) are working as expected across supported streaming devices
As the IPVanish team noted, consistent access to streaming platforms can be tricky. Services are constantly blocking VPN servers, and VPNs are continually trying new methods to bypass those blocks. Your experience will likely vary depending. If you're blocked, it's always a good idea to try a different server or refresh the one you are on to see if a different IP address slips through the cracks.
Speed and Performance
A VPN service typically reduces download and upload speeds while also increasing latency. To compare the impact of each VPN on web browsing, I take a series of speed measurements using Ookla's Speedtest tool with and without the VPN running, and then calculate the percentage change between the two. For further details, see our story on how we test VPNs. (Editors' Note: Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag.com's parent company.)
IPVanish excelled in my most recent tests. I observed a slight 9.29% decrease in upload speeds and a more modest 6.38% decrease in download speeds. Latency increased significantly, rising to 103.86%. Its download and upload scores outperform the average, with decreases of 27.81% and 41.1%, respectively; however, its latency scores far exceed the average increase of 41.9%. You can see the full results in the table below:
Because your experience with a VPN will differ dramatically depending on when, where, and how you use it, I strongly advise against using speed as a deciding factor when making a purchase. Instead, I suggest focusing on features, cost, and the privacy protections a VPN provides.
Hands On With IPVanish VPN for Windows
I tested the Windows client on an Intel NUC 12 "Serpent Canyon" desktop running the latest version of Windows 11. The main dashboard features a world map with pins showing the locations of different servers that you can connect to. A green Connect button in the upper right corner gets you online immediately.
(Credit: PCMag/IPVanish)Tabs along the left side of IPVanish's Windows app allow you to access account information, advanced settings, and a comprehensive server list. The server list is searchable by name only. There are no filter options, which can make it difficult to find the right server. I’d like to see filters for ping, server load, virtual/physical locations, and protocol compatibility. Clicking on a region expands to show the specific servers, ping time, and load percentage.
Beyond VPN protocol selection, the app also offers split tunneling, threat protection, and a kill switch that blocks access to the web unless the VPN is connected. You can also configure IPVanish to connect automatically when your machine boots up. By default, the app allows local network traffic, but you can also toggle this off.
Some VPNs may leak personal information, including your actual IP address and DNS details. IPVanish specifically has a DNS Leak Protection setting. I tested with this feature enabled and verified that my IP address had been changed. I did not experience any leaks while connected to IPVanish.
IPVanish on macOS
I tested IPVanish using a 2024 M4 Mac Mini running Sequoia 15.7.2. The dashboard is visually identical to the Windows interface, with the server map occupying most of the space.
(Credit: PCMag/IPVanish)You’re not missing out on any features with the macOS version of IPVanish. Split tunneling and multi-hop options are available. In addition to all standard protocols, macOS users can also utilize IPSec.
IPVanish on iOS and Android
I tested IPVanish on an iPhone 14 running iOS 16.3. The same black and green design is also present on mobile devices. Instead of the larger dashboard, the mobile version of IPVanish features a large map that takes up the upper half of the screen. Below a stylized crescent is a quick-connect button and statistics about your current server.
(Credit: PCMag/IPVanish)IPVanish has a consistent feature set across platforms. iOS shares the same settings and advanced options as macOS. The one standout mobile tool is the QR code scanner, which works similarly to the link checker but ensures the code you’re about to scan isn’t malicious.
(Credit: PCMag/IPVanish)I tested the Android app using a Samsung Galaxy S23 FE running Android 14. Aside from the absence of the IPSec protocol, the Android interface and design are identical to those on iOS. All advanced options available on desktop, such as split tunneling and multi-hop servers, are available on Android.
Customer Support Options
IPVanish offers a comprehensive help center, featuring guides, an FAQ, and troubleshooting steps. Written guides feature videos and images that ensure all steps are clear and easy to follow for both beginners and advanced users. The guides cover a wider range of topics, so most general questions are answered. You’ll also find detailed installation instructions for every supported platform.
Regarding human support, I encountered difficulties locating the relevant channels. There is no obvious button to take you to a support agent on the help center page. I prefer support options to be presented at the bottom of the page or after you have read through a guide. Eventually, a chat box appeared in the bottom-right corner of the screen, where I could talk with an AI trained on the site’s help center content. I found it to be slow compared with similar implementations. Simple questions often took it over a minute to respond.
After some back and forth with the AI, I discovered that the support options are in a blog post behind the “About IPVanish” page, located under the “Our Service” section. You can contact IPVanish via chat, email, phone, or on certain social media platforms. Although locating the page was challenging, I found the support staff helpful and informative when I asked a handful of questions about the VPN service and how it worked.
Live chat was quick and responded within a couple of minutes. Email was a bit slower and took just under 24 hours to get a response. Calling the support number doesn’t require you to navigate through menus; instead, it connects you directly with the next available agent. I waited about five minutes before my call was answered. The representative I spoke with was patient and answered all of my questions.
Final Thoughts
(Credit: IPVanish)
IPVanish VPN
IPVanish VPN is fast, covers a substantial portion of the globe with its servers, and allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously, albeit at a higher price than many competitors.