IVPN Review 2021: Is IVPN Good and Safe to Use?
Nowadays the online safety is one of the most significant issues. Unfortunately, some people don’t know its importance until they face any unpleasant downsides, such as data leaks. Here comes VPN, a virtual private network, which might be your saver. How can it help you? The simple software protects your online privacy and prevents you from being hacked by making your traffic and location anonymous. You may also use it for many other things like accessing blocked content or streaming service, torrenting and more. Choosing a VPN provider might be a challenging issue as it has to suit your preferences: particular technical peculiarities, amount of money you planned to spend, etc.
This review will draw your attention to IVPN, providing privacy service to its customers since 2009. It offers a fascinating mix between power and ease to use the service. IVPN is also independently audited and strictly follows the no-logs policy that the users believe. IVPN has DNS servers of their own, ensuring that your data and online activities are not leaked to any third party.
IVPN is a trusted brand and has a large number of users around the globe. It has gained popularity due to its compelling features and the privacy they provide to their customers. The users are very much convinced with this company and have switched from free trials to signing up for the plan.
All mentioned above was only the tip of the iceberg, so let’s proceed and examine the IVPN provider in more detail.
IVPN’s Pros and Cons
We like:
- Strict no data logging policy: IVPN only stores your mailbox address and payment information
- Multi-hop: provides you with an extra layer of encryption of your traffic
- Kill switch: even if the connection is lost, your data will remain secured
- Split tunneling: you can use both the private and the public network for your web traffic
- From two up to seven simultaneous connections depending on the subscription plan
We don’t like:
- No Netflix
- No torrenting on US servers
- Steep price: it’s a little expensive as compared to its competitors
Best for:
- Users whose privacy is #1 priority
- Anonymous cash payments
- All major OS
Features of IVPN
Data logging policy
As was mentioned above, IVPN has a strict no-data logging policy which is quite impressive. They hold on to your email address and payment information. No IP activity, no account information, no web traffic is stored. Moreover, if you end your subscription, they delete everything like you never existed. We believe this is an impressive example for other VPN providers.
Kill Switch
If you’re looking for this particular feature, IVPN has the Network Lock (kill switch), which suspends your connection to the internet until your VPN connection restores. For instance, you’re surfing the net using a browser or an app, and for whatever reason, IVPN goes out. At that exact moment, they’ll also end your internet connection with that browser or that app to make sure that no one can peer into what you’re doing on the VPN.
Split tunneling
Browsing with a VPN is usually slower, and that’s when the split tunneling feature might help. Fortunately, IVPN provides us with this possibility. You can split tunnel, which means you can be on both a public and a private network at the same time. Your bandwidth will be reduced, and your speed will be increased.
Compatibility and Simultaneous Connections
IVPN’s network is rated average because its servers are available only in 45 locations out of 32 countries. The company also does not allow users to use P2P, especially on the IS servers.
IVPN has good platform support for Windows, iOS, Mac, Linux, and Android. Whatever device you may use, IVPN lets you connect to all five of them and at the same time.
Streaming
Something else we love to do with our VPNs is to get onto Netflix. IVPN claims to be a very privacy-oriented website; unfortunately, there’s no Netflix access, so you won’t be able to use that service. When logged into the US Netflix and other streaming websites, an error occurs: ‘ the content you are attempting to reach is unavailable in your location.’ The support document realized by IVPN states that the company’s priority is the user’s security and privacy; hence, there is no official commitment to unblock US Netflix.
Torrenting
When it comes to torrenting, you can torrent with IVPN, just not on any of its US servers.
IVPN Reliability & Security
IVPN seems to be an impressive protector of users’ privacy. IVPN’s privacy policy is their defining feature and the reason for users to buy a subscription. To begin with, the company located its headquarters in Gibraltar, so they would not legally be required to log customer data. IVPN respects customer privacy, beginning with the signup actions. They collect no data that might be possible used to find out customers’ identity. The only thing required is a credible email address to be used for such tasks as resetting your password or service notifications. You can even pay in cash, so there will be no payment information stored at the company’s headquarters. The company declares it doesn’t collect your traffic data, DNS requests, user bandwidth, or IP address. Anonymized crash logs will be sent only upon your consent. What is more, the company stated not to sell any customer data.
Test Results
- Domain Name Server (DNS) Leak Test makes sure that none of the domain names for the addresses you’re visiting are being leaked. No DNS leaks were found while testing IVPN.
- Web real-Time Communication (WebRTC) Leak Test shows whether any data was exposed while you were sharing large files, live streaming footage, or doing something like FaceTime-ing. There we no leaks found for WebRTC as well.
- Mac showed only a 6% difference as for download speed, which is almost nothing when we’re talking about VPNs. Download speeds on Windows slowed down by over 50%. When it comes to uploading speed, things changed inside out. There was a 6% slow down on Windows whereas Mac showed 20%
How Much is IVPN Cost – Pricing Packages and Discounts
IVPN provides a Pro plan that costs $10 per month and $8.33 if discounted for the annual plan. You’ll have access to such features as anti-tracker, port forwarding, and multi-hop. Pro plan allows you to connect seven devices simultaneously. The basic plan, which is limited, costs $6 per month and drops down to $5 for the annual plan. But this little pack allows only two connections simultaneously and does not allow port forwarding.
All IVPN plans include anonymous registration, no logs policy, private DNS servers, diverse payment options that ensure anonymity (Bitcoin, Monero), and a money-back guarantee for 30 days.
As you can see, these prices are not very bad for the features they provide, but if affordability is a concern for you, you may want to look somewhere else.
Support and Customer Service
There’re three options for getting help with your IVPN service:
- Go onto their online help center, check out some guides and FAQs, which are thematically divided (General, Troubleshooting, Billing, Passwords, Privacy, etc.)
- Fill out an online form, and the support team will get in touch with you within a few hours (in some rare cases up to 24 hours)
- Use a live chat with a customer service representative.
If you’re looking to call anyone, that’s not going to be an option for you.
Trustpilot Ratings and Reddit Views
According to the Trustpilot ratings, IVPN has been given a 3.4-star rating. The reviews say that the VPN service is very good with good speed, but some users have issues with money and find it a bit expensive.
The Reddit reviews say that IVPN has been the best VPN service provider by far and is very happy with it. The users’ reviews say that there has been no issue in contacting the customer service of the company if there is any trouble the users face and is recommended by them.
IVPN has excellent customer service. When you visit the ‘Help center’ page on their official website, you will find several general questions already posted with solutions, and you can find your answer to the problem over there. They also the live chat option that lets you talk to the right operator and solve your problem.
How to Install IVPN on Windows or Mac OS
There’s almost no difference in setting up the provider on Windows or Mac OS.
Like Mullvad, instead of creating a username and password, IVPN provides you with an account ID number, which activates your apps and plays the role of commonly-used login credentials. This step is good for privacy and makes logging in a snap, but it’s also sure to confuse some customers.
The IVPN app is simple: a white window with a big button for connection in the center. Click it, and the connection will be established. When you’re already connected, a Pause button will be exposed. The button impermanently breaks your VPN connection. What might you need this feature for? Once you need to disconnect the VPN for a short time, or a site is cracked.
Final Verdict
There are many VPNs in the market, and the competition is very high. But you have to choose the best VPN to keep your activities secure. Before selecting any VPN, it is essential to read and study about them and their services.
IVPN is a perfect VPN company and has excellent reviews online. The performance of this VPN is tested by many, and it turns out to be very good. While it comes many we come to expect from VPNs, it also goes a little bit beyond that. Like its strict no data logging policy. Privacy is the most crucial thing for the company. The company even states that security and privacy are what the users don’t have to worry about because they provide the best privacy. IVPN also gives you the option to multi-hop right there in the mobile application, which is straightforward and easy to use.
There are a few downsides to the service as well. If you’re someone who has Netflix as a centerpiece of the lifestyle, you’ll have to look for another provider. If you want to torrent on a US server or if affordability is a significant concern, you’d better find another VPN service as well.