IPVanish is a decent option for VPN beginners, providing basic online privacy without overwhelming features. It offers consistent performance across platforms and works well for streaming. However, it falls short in several areas, especially for privacy-conscious users.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Good for streaming (most of the time)
- 24/7 customer support (live chat and phone)
Cons
- US jurisdiction (14 Eyes alliance)
- Questionable data collection practices
- Pricey for the features offered
- Relatively slow speeds
- Clunky app experience
Speed and Performance
IPVanish's speeds are a significant drawback. Our tests showed a 44% average speed loss, making it slower than many competitors. While WireGuard speeds were better than OpenVPN, they still lagged behind top performers like NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
Cost and Value
IPVanish is expensive considering its limitations. While monthly and yearly plans are available, the price jumps significantly after the first year. The limited payment options (no cryptocurrency) are also a disadvantage for privacy-focused users.
Privacy and Security
While IPVanish offers standard security features like a kill switch and AES-256 encryption, its US jurisdiction and data collection practices raise concerns. Planned privacy improvements, including a move to RAM-only servers and a new audit, are promising but remain to be seen.
Streaming and Other Features
IPVanish is generally good for streaming, but slow speeds and a smaller server network can be limiting. The apps are functional but can be clunky and confusing at times, especially when switching servers.
Final Verdict
IPVanish is an adequate VPN for beginners who prioritize simplicity. However, its slow speeds, privacy concerns, and high price make it hard to recommend over faster, more privacy-focused, and often cheaper alternatives like NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or Surfshark.
