Our Verdict
Our Thoughts on IVPN
IVPN secures a respectable position with a rating of 71.0%. The company’s strength is in its balance. It’s reliable but not groundbreaking. Performance is solid, though it doesn’t top the charts. It offers good functionality at a fair price. All these make IVPN a viable choice for those seeking a balanced blend of functionality and affordability in their VPN service.
Market Benchmarks
Our reviews delve deeply into each VPN service, scrutinizing aspects such as privacy, customer feedback, pricing, and usability to provide well-rounded insights.
Ratings are based on our comprehensive research of 96 VPN companies. Out of 96 VPNs we reviewed, only 11 surpass the 75% threshold in our evaluation, while half of the reviewed services score below average (54.1%).
Why Read Our Review?
- Our VPN reviews are unbiased and data-driven. We are not affiliated to any of the VPN companies listed on this website.
- Our rating system covers diverse user needs. We delve deeply into each VPN service, scrutinizing aspects such as privacy, customer feedback, pricing, and usability to provide well-rounded insights.
About IVPN
IVPN, established in 2009, is headquartered in Gibraltar. The service focuses on privacy and security, offering features like multi-hop VPN and a strong anti-logging policy. IVPN supports various encryption protocols and is compatible with multiple platforms such as Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux.
IVPN offers different subscription plans. The cheapest plan starts at $3.89/mo and require a 36-month commitment.
Visit IVPN Online: https://www.ivpn.net/
IVPN Technical Specs
| Features | Specifications |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Gibraltar |
| Servers | 89 |
| Countries with Servers | 37 |
| Works In China | Unlikely |
| Encryptions | AES-256 |
| Cheapest Price | $3.89/mo, 36-month Subscription |
| Protocols | IKEv2/IPSec, L2TP/IPSec, Open VPN, and WireGuard |
| Simultaneous Connections | 7 |
| Unblock Streaming Platforms | Netflix |
| Dedicated Device Apps | Both Android and Apple (iOS) |
| Ads Blocking | Yes |
| Support | Live chat, and Email |
IVPN Pros & Cons
Listed below are what we like and dislike about IVPN. As you explore the list, it’s crucial to weigh what sets this VPN apart from competitors against the aspects you might not favor.
The strengths of IVPN highlight its unique advantages in the VPN market – offering features and services that may align perfectly with your specific needs. On the flip side, the cons, while not deal-breakers, are areas that may not meet everyone’s preferences or requirements.
It’s important for you to carefully consider these factors in relation to your individual needs and priorities in choosing a VPN service.
✅ Competitive Pricing
IVPN offers an economically attractive option in the VPN market. Its cheapest plan, while requires a 36-month commitment, costs only $3.89 per month. This competitive pricing makes IVPN a compelling choice for those seeking affordable online privacy solutions.
However, users should still evaluate the overall value of the service, including features, security levels, and customer support, to ensure it meets their specific needs despite the lower price point.
✅ Jurisdiction Outside of 14-Eye Alliance Countries
Gibraltar-based IVPN is headquartered outside the 14-Eye surveillance network. The company HQ’s location can be advantageous for users seeking enhanced privacy. Being outside these jurisdictions reduces the risk of government surveillance and data requests. Privacy-conscious users often prefer VPNs based in non-14-Eye countries for these reasons.
What is the 14-Eyes Alliance?
The term “14-Eyes” refers to a group of countries that participate in a surveillance alliance known as SIGINT Seniors Europe (SSEUR). This alliance, an extension of the original Five Eyes (FVEY) agreement, includes countries that agree to collect, analyze, and share intelligence with one another. The 14-Eyes nations comprise the original Five Eyes — the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand — plus Denmark, France, the Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Spain, and Sweden.
What does jurisdiction outside of the 14-Eyes Alliance mean to you as a VPN user?
For those looking for a VPN service, the jurisdiction of the VPN provider is a crucial consideration. Why:
- Data Privacy Laws: Countries within the 14-Eyes alliance have agreements that may involve sharing intelligence and surveillance data. If a VPN provider is based in one of these countries, there’s a potential risk that user data could be collected and shared among these nations. This is particularly concerning for users who prioritize privacy.
- Legal Compliance: VPN providers operating in these jurisdictions may be legally obliged to comply with government requests for data. This compliance could include handing over user logs or other data, even if the VPN service claims to have a no-logs policy.
- Trust and Transparency: For users seeking the highest levels of privacy and anonymity, operating outside the 14-Eyes jurisdiction is often preferred. VPN services based in non-14-Eyes countries are perceived as less likely to be subject to government surveillance and data requests.
✅ Offer a Kill Switch Feature
IVPN enhances its VPN services with a robust kill switch feature. This security measure ensures that if the VPN connection unexpectedly drops, the user’s device will automatically disconnect from the internet, thus preventing any accidental exposure of the user’s real IP address and online activities.
A kill switch feature is particularly valuable for users who handle sensitive information or looking an added layer of privacy protection.
✅ Strict No-Logging Policy
Our market study finds that IVPN adheres to a strict no-logging policy. The company does not track or store logs of users’ internet activities, including browsing and download history, traffic data, or IP addresses.
A VPN’s no-logging policy is a significant factor for users who prioritize privacy, as it ensures that their online activities are not monitored or recorded. In an era where digital privacy is increasingly valued, IVPN’s commitment to not keeping logs enhances its appeal to privacy-conscious individuals seeking a trustworthy VPN service.
Furthermore, IVPN reinforces its commitment of no-logging policy by engaging Cure53 to audit its infrastructure and software configurations.
✅ Support Double VPN
One key differences between IVPN with most other VPNs is the inclusion of a double VPN function. Double VPN is an advanced security feature typically offered by premium VPN providers – it is only available in 26 VPNs (out of the 96) we studied.
What is a Double VPN?
Typically, only one VPN server is used to route data. Double VPN technology routes data through an extra server, making it essentially twice as secure. The core benefits of double VPN are a further boost in security and anonymity. Since all your data is protected with an extra layer of encryption, this makes it twice as hard for hackers to crack. Users requiring higher security levels, such as journalists or activists, might need to look for other providers that offer this enhanced privacy feature.
✅ Support Split Tunneling
IVPN also stands out with its split tunneling feature. This functionality allows you to choose which apps or websites are routed through the VPN and which access the internet directly. The split tunneling feature is a plus for those wanting the best of both worlds: speedy local access without VPN interference and protected browsing for select tasks. Compared to VPNs that do not come with such a feature, IVPN could save you countless hours of frustration.
❌ Unlikely to Work in China
At least half of the VPN companies we studied are unlikely to function effectively in China, and IVPN falls into this category.
Due to China’s stringent internet regulations and advanced censorship technologies, many VPN services struggle to bypass these restrictions. Users planning to access the internet from within China should be aware that IVPN may not be the most reliable option in this region. This limitation is a crucial consideration for travelers or residents in China who require consistent VPN access.
❌ Small Server Fleet
We noted in our market research that the average server fleet size is1,679. In comparison, IVPN operates just 89 servers. This places it below half the market average in terms of server count. While a small server network might suggest limited geographical reach and potentially higher server load, it doesn’t automatically equate to a compromised user experience. You should consider how the server count aligns with your specific needs, such as subscription cost, desired server locations and expected network performance.
✅ Unblock Major Streaming Platforms
Our analysis indicates that IVPN excels in bypassing geo-restrictions on most streaming platforms including Netflix. Whether you’re a film buff, a TV series enthusiast, or simply wish to enjoy local content while traveling abroad – its proficiency in unblocking streaming platforms enriches your viewing experience without the hassle of geographical limitations.
Bottom Line: Is IVPN Right for You?
Verdict Recap
IVPN secures a respectable position with a rating of 71.0%. The company’s strength is in its balance. It’s reliable but not groundbreaking. Performance is solid, though it doesn’t top the charts. It offers good functionality at a fair price. All these make IVPN a viable choice for those seeking a balanced blend of functionality and affordability in their VPN service.
When considering our VPN ratings, remember they are for reference only and may not reflect every individual’s unique needs. It’s essential for you to understand your specific requirements and choose a VPN service accordingly.
If your priority is extreme security, features like a double VPN and a jurisdiction outside of the 14-Eyes should be your focus, rather than factors like pricing, streaming platforms unblocking, or server count. Conversely, if you’re seeking extra privacy for casual internet browsing, advanced security features might be less critical, allowing you to opt for a more basic, cost-effective VPN solution.
We encourage you to actively try and test various VPNs yourself to find the one that best fits your unique requirements.
Alternatives to IVPN
There are many IVPN alternatives in the market – many of which are powerful and reasonably priced. Read further to compare and choose below.