IPVanish VPN Review 2024 – All Pros and Cons of This Service

ipvanish review

This IPVanish Review was written by Troy from TROYPOINT after using the VPN service regularly for over seven years.

IPVanish VPN is a well-known virtual private network (VPN) provider globally.

This impartial VPN review delves into IPVanish’s features, speeds, price, settings, pros, cons, and more.

IPVanish is self-proclaimed as the “fastest top tier VPN in the world,” boasting over 2,000 VPN servers in 75 locations worldwide.

Below you will find an in-depth IPVanish Review where we dive into the VPN provider's highlights, speeds, price, comparisons, device installations, and more.This VPN service has also been featured in respected publications like the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, IGN, DigitalTrends, TechRadar, among others.

In this review, I will be utilizing two popular devices commonly used with IPVanish VPN – a Fire TV Stick 4K Max and Windows PC.

You can access our setup guide for Fire TV Stick/Fire TV and Android TV devices through the link provided below.

IPVanish VPN Tutorial for Firestick & Android TV

IPVanish did not have access to this review before its publication.

IPVanish Review

This IPVanish VPN review will explore all its popular features and aspects it may lack.

You can discover further details by visiting the IPVanish Website through the link provided below.

IPVanish Website

Prior to going into the details of this review, let’s get a quick overview and evaluate the pros and cons of IPVanish VPN.

IPVanish VPN Highlights

  • Zero log policy
  • 256-bit encryption
  • Unlimited devices with one account
  • Over 2,000 VPN servers in 75 countries worldwide
  • Over 40,000 encrypted IP addresses available
  • Blazing fast download speeds across the globe
  • Compatible VPN apps for Firestick/Fire TV, Android TV, Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, and more
  • VPN protocols include Wireguard®, OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP, SSTP, and PPTP
  • SOCKS5 Proxy Server
  • Compatible with Real-Debrid
  • Enhanced security on public Wi-Fi networks
  • Available Kill Switch feature
  • Split Tunneling capability
  • 30-day money-back guarantee
  • 24/7 customer support
  • Accepts PayPal and all major credit/debit cards

Blazing Fast Speeds

Speed is a critical factor when assessing VPN providers, and IPVanish excels in this aspect compared to others.

ipvanish review speed tests

With 2,000+ servers worldwide, IPVanish ensures customers experience quick connections.

In 2021, IPVanish introduced its WireGuard® VPN Protocol known for providing rapid connections.

Regarding speeds, IPVanish mentions on their website:

“Enjoy all the benefits of a VPN without sacrificing your speed in the process. Our VPN service has been engineered to provide the fastest connections possible, and now it’s faster than ever with the WireGuard® VPN protocol.”

When discussing VPN speeds, it’s essential to consider numerous factors such as internet speed plans, network setup, server locations, and more.

Hide Your IP Address

Utilizing IPVanish VPN will prevent your Internet service provider (ISP), hackers, app/addon developers, website operators, and others from monitoring your online activities.

Prior to diving more into this IPVanish Review, it's important to understand what a VPN is and why you likely need one.

A VPN will encrypt your connection to the Internet and create an anonymous connection through a masked IP address. This will hide your identity and activity.

Whenever you click the Connect button within your IPVanish VPN application, your IP address will be masked. This ensures you can’t be identified online.

Strict Zero-Log Policy

IPVanish VPN has a strict zero-log policy. This means they do not keep track of any traffic logs.

Zero VPN Log Files on Firestick

If they were ever requested to provide your internet history, it doesn’t exist. This is one of the reasons why IPVanish is considered the Best VPN for Streaming among the cord-cutting community.

Unlimited Devices

IPVanish VPN supports unlimited devices simultaneously with one account. This ensures all your internet-connected devices are protected without needing multiple VPN subscriptions.

This feature is particularly beneficial due to the numerous Internet-connected devices used daily. It sets IPVanish apart as one of the few VPN providers offering this. Compared to others who typically limit accounts to 5-10 devices.

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Secure Internet Connection

IPVanish VPN utilizes AES 256-bit encryption, the industry standard for data encryption recommended by the NSA.

A VPN will encrypt your connection to the Internet and create an anonymous connection through a masked IP address. This will hide your identity and activity.

AES 256-bit encryption is a common feature among top VPN providers. Diving deeper into encryption and VPN security, we’ll explore the different VPN protocols used by IPVanish.

ipvanish review vpn protocols

WireGuard® Protocol

The WireGuard® Protocol is the latest VPN protocol offered by IPVanish. It claims to be the fastest protocol available in the market, designed for superior speed and security.

ipvanish wireguard

As an open-source project, the WireGuard® protocol is continuously evolving to provide maximum security. It is already recognized as one of the most reliable VPN solutions in the industry.

OpenVPN Protocol

The OpenVPN protocol, available on any port, is one of the most favored open-source protocols in the industry.

The most notable features of IPVanish VPN include its zero log policy, 256-bit encryption, blazing-fast download speeds, protocol options, and much more described in this ipvanish review below.

OpenVPN typically offers faster speeds than other protocols.

This uses both User Datagram Protocol (UDP) and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) Port to mask your VPN connection as HTTPS traffic, and to get away with blocking.

IPSec

IPSec (Internet Protocol Security) is a protocol that encrypts IP packets for tunneling and transport.

IPsec protects all application traffic over an IP network. This is available for most mobile devices.

Unlike OpenVPN and other connection types, IPSec does not define an authentication function of itself, it simply provides a framework for secure transport.

IKEv2 Protocol

The Internet Key Exchange v2 (IKEv2) protocol is also paired with IPSec for authentication and encryption.

While IKEv2 is only available in newer mobile devices, it is considered a more secure extension because devices can switch between a Wi-Fi and cellular network without disrupting the VPN connection.

L2TP Protocol

Layer 2 Tunnel Protocol (L2TP) is a protocol that is best suited for mobile devices that are not compatible with the OpenVPN protocol.

While L2TP fixes the vulnerabilities in PPTP, it may result in slower speeds than OpenVPN. Also, L2TP can be more challenging to configure on a router because it uses multiple ports.

Unblocking Geo-Restrictions

Another reason to use a VPN on your devices is to have the option of accessing sites or streams that are only available to people in certain geographical regions.

This is often referred to as “unblocking” websites, which is very popular among users of streaming services and sports fans who are often geo-restricted in certain locations.

Bypassing geo-restrictions is significant for those wanting to stream popular sports games and PPV events.

One of the most popular streaming services to unblock is Netflix, but unfortunately, IPVanish does not work with that.

VPN Servers Worldwide

As mentioned previously when we discussed speeds, IPVanish VPN will give you the option of connecting through 2,000 + servers located in 75+ countries worldwide.

IPVanish VPN will give you the option of connecting through 1,600+ servers located in 75+ countries worldwide.

It’s crucial to have thousands of servers to connect to for various reasons.

Firstly, you will typically experience faster speeds connecting to a server closer to your location.

Secondly, having multiple servers also allows you to get around geo-blocking often imposed by streaming services.

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SOCKS5 Proxy

IPVanish is one of the few VPN providers that offer the SOCKS5 proxy with their service.

Internet service providers are cracking down on those who use Torrent Websites to download streams and other files available on the Internet.

A recent example of this involved the popular YTS Torrent Site Handing Over User Data to Authorities.

Therefore, it’s essential to use a secure VPN with SOCKS5 proxy for such situations.

IPVanish VPN includes both a SOCKS5 Proxy Server and a kill switch option necessary for torrenting.

Kill Switch

IPVanish VPN offers a kill switch that disconnects your Internet if the VPN connection drops, a standard feature for most VPN services.

VPN Kill Switch

Your Internet will stay blocked until the VPN tunnel is reestablished on your device.

However, this feature doesn’t function on devices like Firestick or certain Android TV models.

For protection on those devices, VPNSafetyDot is recommended.

IPVanish VPN & Streaming Services

VPN Warning for Streaming Services

IPVanish VPN faces streaming service blockages like all other VPN services.

In tests, IPVanish didn’t work with popular services like Netflix, Peacock TV, or Amazon Prime Video.

Remember, IPVanish’s split tunneling feature allows you to bypass VPN for services that don’t function properly.

All VPNs encounter these issues as streaming platforms frequently find ways to block VPN services.

Split Tunneling

Sometimes, certain apps won’t work with VPNs enabled, like Netflix, Prime Video, and Peacock TV in specific regions.

IPVanish VPN Split Tunneling

Split tunneling allows bypassing VPN for specific apps on your device.

With this, there’s no need to disconnect from your VPN when using such apps.

Buffer-Free Streaming

For seamless streaming with a VPN, a fast connection is crucial to avoid buffering.

A quality VPN like IPVanish will protect your identity and make it impossible for your ISP, government, hackers, app developers, or any other 3rd party from tracking what you are doing online.

Given TROYPOINT’s focus on streaming, a VPN causing constant buffering is never advocated.

IPVanish, a highly rated VPN, shouldn’t have buffering issues unless using slow Internet, unreliable apps, or cheap streaming devices.

No Data Leaks

IPVanish VPN utilizes built-in DNS leak protection, a feature not common among many VPN providers.

By default, this keeps your traffic and location details secure within the network.

The Domain Name System (DNS) facilitates quick internet browsing by translating domain names into human-readable formats.

When connected to IPVanish VPN, your device uses DNS servers exclusively provided by IPVanish, securing your data and keeping it private.

With this setup, you can trust that your information is safe from leaks and third-party monitoring.

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Privacy on the Go

It’s vital to emphasize that VPNs should

Also can be used when connecting to a public Wi-Fi Hotspot when away from home. If you ever travel and connect to public Wi-Fi hot-spots, always connect to the access point through a VPN service. You can use the same IPVanish account on your other devices, which is a great benefit. IPVanish provides applications through both Google Play and Apple App Store, so you can use your VPN account when away from home as well. IPVanish VPN is compatible with the most popular internet-connected devices and software used today. This includes Amazon Firestick/Fire TV, Android TV devices, Windows PC, Mac, iOS, Android phones/tablets, routers, Chromebooks, and Linux operating systems. Not all VPNs are compatible with these devices, and due to IPVanish’s large ecosystem of supported operating systems, you can use your account on your different devices. Since the Amazon Firestick and Android TV devices are the most popular devices used with VPNs, it’s important to use a VPN provider that works well on these devices. This is where IPVanish shines, as it provides the best VPN application for Fire TV/Android TV devices after testing against several others. The interface is extremely user-friendly, doesn’t crash, and provides easy access to settings for customization options.
See our quick IPVanish VPN setup video below that shows Troy installing and using IPVanish on the Amazon Firestick.


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24/7 Customer Support

IPVanish offers 24/7 support through their Website if you have questions about your account, billing, or need technical support.

You will notice a Help button on the bottom of the IPVanish VPN Website for live chat. Customer support via email is also available.

Real-Debrid Friendly

Many TROYPOINT fans use Real-Debrid, an unrestricted downloader that provides access to buffer-free media streams.

Real-Debrid does not work well with all VPN providers but IPVanish is on their Cooperative VPN Providers list.

TROYPOINT Speed Test tool on your Windows PC.

Unfortunately, Analiti is only available on Firestick/Android devices. This is why we are using the TROYPOINT Speed Test tool with the PC.

You can install Analiti directly through the Amazon App Store or Google Play.

The speed test was conducted on a 100 Mbps max Internet plan.

Wireless tests were done using the ASUS AC3100 Router placed approximately 20 feet away from the device.

IPVanish Speed Tests – Firestick/Fire TV

Before testing different VPN speeds, it’s important to know how to switch protocols within the IPVanish VPN app.

Depending on your Internet Service Provider, certain protocols may perform better than others. It is advisable to test speeds on all of them to find the most suitable one for you.

Follow the steps below on how to switch protocols. In this case, we are using the Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite.

1. Open the IPVanish VPN app on your Firestick/Fire TV and select the Settings icon in the top right corner of the screen.

Open the IPVanish VPN app on your Firestick/Fire TV and select the Settings icon in the top right corner of the screen.

2. Choose VPN Protocol.

Choose VPN Protocol.

3. Pick the VPN protocol you wish to use.

  • Note: For IPVanish VPN on Firestick, you have the choice of OpenVPN (UDP & TCP) or IKEv2 Beta

Pick the VPN protocol you wish to use.

4. Go back to the home screen and click connect

Go back to the home screen and click connect

That’s it! Check out our test results below after examining VPN speeds.

During testing, we maintained the same country, city, port, and server to ensure consistency.

We evaluated both the OpenVPN (UDP) and IKEv2 protocols as they are the most commonly used.

Note: When switching protocols to test speeds, always remember to click Disconnect before changing to another protocol.

OpenVPN (UDP) Protocol

Wi-Fi: 86 Mbps down & 21 Mbps up

ipvanish vpn speed test firestick openvpn protocol

Ethernet: 90 Mbps down & 21 Mbps up

ipvanish speed test firestick openvpn

IKEv2 Protocol

Wi-Fi: 62 Mbps down & 22 Mbps up

ipvanish vpn speed test firestick

Ethernet: 85 Mbps down & 21 Mbps up

ipvanish vpn speed test firestick

Fastest IPVanish VPN protocol on Firestick/Fire TV – OpenVPN (UDP)

You will need to test each protocol on your own device to determine what works best with your respective Internet Service Provider.

IPVanish Speed Tests – Windows PC

When using the IPVanish VPN application on a PC, you will notice there are more protocol options to choose from.

To switch between VPN protocols on a PC, follow the two short steps below.

1. Launch the IPVanish VPN app on your PC and click Settings within the left menu.

Launch the IPVanish VPN app on your PC and click Settings within the left menu.

2. Select Connection in the upper menu and choose whichever protocol you prefer under the Active Protocol dropdown.

Select Connection in the upper menu and choose whichever protocol you prefer under the Active Protocol drop down.

3. Return back to the main screen and click Connect.

Return back to the main screen and click Connect.

That’s it! Now check out our results below after testing speeds on a Windows PC.

Similar to our Firestick tests, we used both the OpenVPN (UDP) and IKEv2 protocols.

Note: When switching between protocols to test speeds, always click Disconnect before changing to another protocol.

IKEv2 Protocol

Wi-Fi: 92.1 Mbps down & 69.2 Mbps up

Ethernet: 95.3 Mbps down & 87.2 Mbps up

OpenVPN (UDP) Protocol

Wi-Fi: 85.6 Mbps down & 58.9 Mbps up

Ethernet: 88.1 Mbps down & 55.2 Mbps up

Fastest IPVanish VPN protocol on Windows PC – IKEv2

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Pricing as of May 17th, 2023

Price is always one of the most important factors when reviewing a VPN service.

AsSeen in the image below, you will find that IPVanish has a competitive price when compared to other popular VPN services. We suggest purchasing either the IPVanish VPN annual plan or a two-year plan for the most savings. You have nothing to lose because all plans offer a 30-day risk-free guarantee. If you don’t like it, simply ask them for a refund.

These prices/discounts are subject to change. IPVanish VPN Plans: 2-Year Plan – 77% Off – $59.99, One Year Plan – 72% Off – $39.99, Monthly Plan – $11.99. Click here for IPVanish Discount. IPVanish Review – Pros and Cons. Now after touching on all of the important points above, let’s evaluate the pros and cons of IPVanish VPN.

What We Like: Zero Log Policy, Fast download speeds across the world, Advanced 256-bit encryption, Low Price with an annual subscription, Unlimited connections with one account, Several VPN Protocols now including WireGuard®, SOCKS5 Proxy Server, Unblocks Netflix, YouTube, and other services, Cooperative with Real-Debrid and other debrid services, Easy to install apps for all of the popular devices, Kill switch on some applications, 24/7 customer support, 30-day money-back guarantee.

What We Don’t Like: Has problems unblocking geo-restrictions for most streaming services such as Netflix, No ad blocker / malware scanner, No kill switch on Firestick / Fire TV Cube / Fire TV / Android TV systems. IPVanish Review – Settings & Features. To access the settings menu, click the gear icon in the top-right corner. Start IPVanish will automatically launch the application when the Firestick or Fire TV is turned on.

We suggest leaving this off since there are some apps that we won’t use the VPN with. Allow LAN access when turned on will not route local are network traffic through the VPN. I keep this setting turned on so that I can connect to the Firestick/Fire TV through the network with various apps such as Plex or the Amazon Fire TV Remote control app. Split Tunneling allows the user to choose apps that can connect to the Internet without being routed through the VPN. This is handy when using applications that don’t allow for VPN use such as Peacock TV, HBO Max, Disney Plus, and other paid services.Split Tunneling allows the user to choose apps that can connect to the Internet without being routed through the VPN.

Once inside the Split Tunneling settings, you can check which apps don’t require VPN protection.

Once inside the Split Tunneling settings, you can check which apps don't require VPN protection.

Scramble adds obfuscation to OpenVPN. It may allow it to bypass websites or services that block VPNs.

I keep this off unless there is a website that is blocking my VPN, where this setting circumvents the action.

Scramble adds obfuscation to OpenVPN which may allow it to bypass Websites or services that block VPNs.

VPN Protocol is the connection protocol used by the application.

VPN Protocol is the connection protocol used by the application.

The available VPN Protocols within IPVanish on Firestick include OpenVPN (TCP), OpenVPN (UDP), and IKEv2.

On a Windows PC, the available IPVanish VPN protocols include OpenVPN (UDP), OpenVPN (TCP), IKEv2, L2TP, SSTP, and PPTP.

OpenVPN (UDP) usually provides faster download speeds when using a VPN, so we recommend that option.

If your VPN app is not connecting, it may help to switch your connection protocol.

The available VPN Protocols within IPVanish on Firestick include OpenVPN (TCP), OpenVPN (UDP), and IKEv2.

Port is the IPVanish VPN tunnel through which your Internet traffic moves.

Port is the IPVanish VPN tunnel through which your Internet traffic moves.

Port 443 is the default option since this is usually used for HTTPS traffic and may help get around various blocks.

I suggest leaving this setting on 443 unless directed otherwise by IPVanish support to change it.

Port 443 is the default option since this is usually used for HTTPS traffic and may help get around various blocks.

Contact Support will directSupport for IPVanish is available 24/7 and can be reached via live chat, email, or phone. For Terms of Service, you will find the most recent document related to IPVanish. Licenses provide documentation on the licenses used within the IPVanish application/service. Overall, IPVanish is a popular VPN choice for cord-cutting, torrenting, streaming, and general Internet use due to its features like fast download speeds, encryption, unlimited connections, and more. Its rating by TROYPOINT is 4.5/5 stars, making it a recommended VPN provider.

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