IVPN 2024 Review: 3 cons and 5 pros

by Vít Nováček
updated January 1, 2024 (Report a bug)

1. IVPN: Fast VPN With an Emphasis on Maximum Anonymity

   • Small number of available servers (145) and countries (35)
   • Application is in English only
   • Can only connect on 2 devices at the same time

   • VPN can be used anonymously without an email account
   • Mask VPN connection for HTTPS
   • Short-term subscription option for as little as 1 week
   • Regular auditing of security infrastructure
   • Supports traffic on the router

   Gibraltar-based Privatus Limited is the company behind IVPN. Two different tariffs are available, the basic Standard and Pro, with a few additional features. This review is about the Standard version.

   The shortest subscription IVPN lasts just one week, which can be used to try out the product. The free or free trial version IVPN is not available. The most affordable subscription is the three-year subscription, where one pays $3.89 monthly. In addition to card or Bitcoin, payment options include, for example, a curious cash payment option by VPN standards. To ensure maximum anonymity, it is not necessary to provide an email address to use IVPN; a unique identification code is generated for pairing.

   The IVPN can only be used on 2 devices at the same time. The disadvantage compared to other VPNs is the low number of servers (145) and countries available (35). For example, Surfshark runs 3,200 servers and Private Internet Access has 5,813. The application and user support IVPN is only available in English.

   On the other hand, IVPN offers good transfer speed and a number of features to ensure security and anonymity on the Internet. The features include a kill switch, private DNS servers, or router support, partially compensating for the lower number of simultaneously connected devices. In addition, IVPN is very transparent, storing no logs or activity, as regularly documented by audits from, for example, Cure53.

   

2. IVPN Subscription: Discount Code, Free Trial, Money Back Guarantee…

   • Your Price: $6.00​35% off  $3.89 /mo (2 devices)
   • Money Back Guarantee: Yes (30 days)
   • Free Trial: No
   • Cryptocurrency payments:
     Yes

     Bitcoin :Yes
     Dash :No
     Ethereum :No
     Ripple :No

   

   6.8

   ★★★

   IVPN is an anonymous service usable without providing an email. It’s regularly audited for security but has a limited number of servers.

   $3.89 /mo  ​30-day money back guarantee

   Get this VPN 35% cheaper

   IVPN Standard is the basic version of VPN from Privatus Limited. The Pro version with additional features is roughly 40-60% more expensive, depending on the length of your subscription.

   There is no free version or trial period. The advantage of IVPN is the flexibility of the subscription; the shortest version is just one week. The other options are one month, one year, two years, and three years, which are the most affordable. There is a special subscription for businesses and non-profit organizations.

   The money-back-guarantee lasts 30 days from the time the service is paid for.

   You can use a credit card, Paypal, Monero, and Bitcoin cryptocurrencies, or cash when paying for services IVPN or when purchasing a subscription for a year or longer.

3. IVPN and Supported Devices: Android, iOS, macOS…

   • Device limit: 2

   Platforms supported

   • Android:
     Yes

     Android is supported by 98 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Android TV:
     No

     Android TV is supported by 36 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Apple TV:
     No

     Apple TV is supported by 18 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Fire TV:
     Yes

     Fire TV is supported by 43 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Chromebook:
     No

     Chromebook is supported by 20 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Chromecast:
     No

     Chromecast is supported by 16 % of reviewed VPNs
   • iOS:
     Yes

     iOS is supported by 99 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Kodi:
     Yes

     Kodi is supported by 21 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Linux:
     Yes

     Linux is supported by 61 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Mac:
     Yes

     Mac is supported by 98 % of reviewed VPNs
   • NAS:
     Yes

     NAS is supported by 24 % of reviewed VPNs
   • nVidia Shield:
     No

     nVidia Shield is supported by 14 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Playstation:
     No

     Playstation is supported by 20 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Raspberry Pi:
     No

     Raspberry Pi is supported by 17 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Roku:
     No

     Roku is supported by 16 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Router:
     Yes

     Router is supported by 53 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Windows:
     Yes

     Windows is supported by 100 % of reviewed VPNs
   • xBox:
     No

     xBox is supported by 20 % of reviewed VPNs

   Browser Extensions

   • Brave :
     No

     The Brave browser add-on is offered by 43 % of reviewed VPNs.
   • Chrome :
     No

     The Chrome browser add-on is offered by 43 % of reviewed VPNs.
   • Edge :
     No

     The Edge browser add-on is offered by 21 % of reviewed VPNs.
   • Firefox :
     No

     The Firefox browser add-on is offered by 34 % of reviewed VPNs.
   • Opera :
     No

     The Opera browser add-on is offered by 43 % of reviewed VPNs.
   • Safari :
     No

     The Safari browser add-on is offered by 0 % of reviewed VPNs.
   • Vivaldi :
     No

     The Vivaldi browser add-on is offered by 43 % of reviewed VPNs.

   IVPN can only be used on 2 devices at the same time. The app has no data transfer limit.

   Supported platforms include Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. The IVPN supports NAS and can be installed on routers (instructions are available in support). Vilfo routers are also available, which work with IVPN and can largely bypass the limitation of using it only on 2 devices.

   Kodi and Fire TV users can follow the instructions for setting up OpenVPN and use IVPN on those devices as well. Smart TVs or game consoles are not supported, and IVPN unfortunately does not have a browser extension either.

4. IVPN App: User-friendliness, whitelist, server selection…

   • App Languages: 🇺🇸 English
   • Whitelisting:
     Yes

     Whitelisting is supported by 52 % of reviewed VPNs

   The IVPN app is only available in English, but this is not a barrier to normal use of the service. The mobile and desktop app is intuitive to use. There’s no need to remember a password to log in, just enter the account ID on the device, and if the subscription is active, the VPN will automatically appear. The desktop app allows you to choose between dark and light modes.

   The VPN is switched on simply by pressing a button. You can choose a VPN server either on the map or from a list, where there is an option to connect randomly or use the fastest server at the moment. From the list of servers, you can create a list of favorites or block those you never want to automatically connect to.

   The app allows you to identify safe and unsafe Wi-Fi networks and set the behavior of IVPN after connecting to them. For secure networks, the VPN can remain disabled and be enabled for unknown ones to prevent data leakage.

   If you need to deactivate the VPN for a short time, there is no need to turn off the app; the desktop version allows you to set a pause with automatic reconnection.

   For IVPN, you can set it to automatically connect when the computer boots. In the app, you can use the IVPN firewall, which remains active even when the VPN connection is disabled.

5. IVPN Connection Speed: Upload, Download & Latency

   • Traffic limit: Unlimited

   Download speed

   Higher is better. The average download of all tested VPNs is 115 Mb/s.

   Upload speed

   Higher is better. The average upload of all tested VPNs is 81 Mb/s.

   Server latency

   A lower value is better. The average response rate of all tested VPNs is 48 ms.

   The IVPN app booted up quickly on both phone and computer; also, connecting to the VPN was without noticeable lag on both types of devices.

   When measuring download speeds, the speed with the VPN was slightly slower than without, but when choosing to connect to the fastest server, the 209 Mb/s achieved was comfortably sufficient to play 4K video content.

   The upload 111 Mb/s experienced a more significant slowdown, but the speed achieved is still sufficient for uploading files.

   The response speed of 10 ms has also deteriorated, although it still falls in the better half of the best VPN providers IVPN.

6. IVPN Server Locations

   • Number of servers:
     145

     The average number of servers for the reviewed VPNs is 1699.
   • Number of countries:
     35

     The average number of countries available for the reviewed VPNs is 41.

   Europe	🇧🇪 Belgium 🇧🇬 Bulgaria 🇨🇿 Czech Republic 🇩🇰 Denmark 🇫🇮 Finland 🇫🇷 France 🇮🇸 Iceland 🇮🇹 Italy 🇱🇺 Luxembourg 🇭🇺 Hungary 🇩🇪 Germany 🇳🇱 Netherlands 🇳🇴 Norway 🇵🇱 Poland 🇵🇹 Portugal 🇦🇹 Austria 🇷🇴 Romania 🇸🇰 Slovakia 🇬🇧 United Kingdom 🇷🇸 Serbia 🇪🇸 Spain 🇸🇪 Sweden 🇨🇭 Switzerland 🇺🇦 Ukraine
   North America	🇨🇦 Canada 🇺🇸 USA
   South America	🇧🇷 Brazil
   Asia	🇭🇰 Hong Kong 🇮🇱 Israel 🇯🇵 Japan 🇲🇾 Malaysia 🇸🇬 Singapore 🇹🇼 Taiwan
   Africa	🇿🇦 South Africa
   Oceania	🇦🇺 Australia

   IVPN offers a below-average amount of countries and servers. Users can choose from 145 servers in 35 countries around the world. All servers are managed directly by IVPN, none of them are virtual.

   Servers are also available in the US, Canada, Australia, the UK, and South Africa. IVPN app separates the list of servers by protocol into OpenVPN and Wireguard.

   Individual servers can be saved to favorites in the app, use the random connection feature, or connect to the fastest server at the time. Additionally, selected servers can be added to the blacklist, and if a random connection is used, then IVPN will not connect to them. For all servers, the current response rate is displayed.

   The IVPN does not offer servers in locations with state-controlled censorship, such as Russia, China, or India.

7. IVPN Security Features: DNS Leak Protection, Kill Switch…

   • DNS leak protection :
     Yes

     DNS leak protection is offered by 92% of the reviewed VPNs.
   • Kill Switch:
     Yes

     Kill Switch is supported by 87% of the reviewed VPNs.
   • Multi-Hop:
     No

     Multi-Hop connection is offered by 20 % of the VPNs reviewed.
   • Tor:
     No

     Tor support is offered by 19 % of the reviewed VPNs.

   DNS protection at IVPN is provided by its own servers. In the test, the application was able to hide our real IPv4 address and DNS information.

   The IVPN works with 256-bit encryption protocols: OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCS, and IPSec IKEv2.

   The Wireguard protocol uses several encryption tools: Curve25519 for key exchange, Salsa20 for symmetric encryption, and Poly1305 for message authentication codes and communicates only over UDP, not TCP like other protocols. In the IVPN application, the selected protocol can be selected manually. For WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols, servers are split in some locations. All of the available protocols are widely used among VPN providers.

   Additional protection can be set up on the computer with “Enhanced App Authentication,” whereby a password will first be required each time an application is started.

   Kill switch is supported in both mobile and desktop applications. The kill switch feature disconnects the device from the internet if the connection to the VPN is broken. This prevents data leakage and disclosure of the user’s real IP address.

   Additionally, split tunneling can be activated on Android mobile devices, and you can choose which apps will be used without VPN protection. Multi-hop for multiple connections is only available on the Pro version.

   The IVPN also offers a custom firewall that can either be active without the VPN app running or only on demand when the VPN starts.

8. IVPN & Streaming: Netflix, YouTube, Amazon Prime…

   • Amazon Prime:
     No

     Amazon Prime streaming is supported by 52 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Disney+:
     No

     Disney+ streaming is supported by 53 % of reviewed VPNs
   • HBO:
     No

     HBO streaming is supported by 57 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Hulu:
     No

     Hulu streaming is supported by 49 % of reviewed VPNs
   • Netflix:
     Yes

     Netflix streaming is supported by 67 % of reviewed VPNs
   • YouTube:
     Yes

     YouTube streaming is supported by 97 % of reviewed VPNs

   IVPN does not offer any dedicated streaming servers and explicitly notes on its site that it does not guarantee video playback. Netflix, HBO, and other platforms actively fight VPNs by blocking their IP addresses, and IVPN specializes primarily in user privacy.

   In testing IVPN, we were able to unblock Netflix and YouTube. We were able to choose a server and unblock local content streaming.

   Despite repeated attempts, we were unsuccessful in unblocking the Disney Plus, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, or HBO platforms. For streaming, other VPNs that offer better coverage and support are a better choice. For example, NordVPN or CyberGhost VPN achieve excellent results.

   The data transfer speed of IVPN is still sufficient for uninterrupted playback of 4K videos.

9. Features of IVPN: AdBlock, Static IP…

   • Blocks Ads:
     Yes

     Ad blocking is offered by 44 % of the VPNs reviewed.
   • Blocks Malware:
     Yes

     Malware blocking is offered by 33 % of the VPNs reviewed.
   • Blocks Trackers:
     Yes

     Trackers blocking is offered by 38 % of the VPNs reviewed.

   IVPN offers a kill switch that disconnects the user from the network when the VPN connection is lost. Additionally, split tunneling can be used in the Android app, where apps can be selected to communicate with the internet outside of the VPN.

   The app’s IVPN features also include AntiTracker protection, which blocks ads, risky sites, and third-party tracking. The level of protection can be set up to “HardCore mode,” which hardblocks access to Google and Facebook sites that collect the most data about users.

   A handy feature of the IVPN app is the ability to pause the VPN for a period of time only, so you don’t turn the service off and forget to turn it on.

   VPN usage can be kept secret with the Obfsproxy feature. This method is used to disguise VPN use in countries with government control of the internet, such as China, Vietnam, or Iran, and possibly in countries where VPN use is not legal. Data traffic with Obfsproxy enabled looks like normal HTTPS on the outside.

   The IVPN does not offer static or dedicated IP addresses to achieve higher customer privacy. This is ensured just by the higher number of people using the servers.

   In addition, the Pro variant can activate the Multi-hop feature, which routes connections through two different servers simultaneously. The user can choose the pair of servers themselves, whereas other VPN providers have fixed pairs.

   Using IVPN to connect to the Tor browser is not possible.

10. IVPN‘s CPU usage and App Performance

    VPN applications are developed so that they do not place too high demands on the device and their use does not limit the use of the computer. The IVPN application runs in the background and can be completely disabled when VPN protection is disabled.

    The IVPN application takes up approximately 260 MB of disk space. The application took an average of 0.15% of the computing power, and the impact on battery consumption was between 0.1 and 0.2%. The application took 40 MB of RAM.

    Given these numbers, you probably won’t even notice that the app is running when using a VPN on performance.

11. IVPN Torrenting Servers

    • Torrenting servers:
      Yes

      Torrenting support is offered by 89 % of the reviewed VPNs.

    IVPN does not restrict P2P traffic in any way, but at the same time, does not offer any dedicated torrenting servers.

    The fact that IVPN does not reduce the connection speed too much and has no limit on the amount of data transferred makes it suitable for torrenting.

    In relation to torrenting, IVPN only asks users not to use US servers for P2P sharing, as the company has received several copyright notices and there is a risk that the servers here could be removed from the menu.

12. What is the country of origin of IVPN?

    • VPN Provider: IVPN Limited
    • Country of origin: 🇬🇮 Gibraltar

    IVPN is operated by Privatus Limited, a company registered in Gibraltar.

    Gibraltar itself is not a member of the 5/9/14 Eyes alliances, which have an intelligence-sharing agreement. However, it is a British territory, which can override Gibraltar’s regulations in special cases. Thus, the country is sometimes considered a member of the 14 Eyes alliance.

13. IVPN and Privacy: Logging Policy, Security Issues…

    • No-Logs Policy:
      Yes

      The No-Logs Policy is followed by 78% of reviewed VPNs.

    For operators of IVPN, customer privacy is an absolute priority. Thus, no registration or email address is required to use the VPN, a unique user ID will be generated as identification. However, this means that the company cannot contact the user directly in cases of technical problems with the service, for example. The email can be entered voluntarily in the app.

    The IVPN also does not collect other personal data such as IP address or name. If a credit card or Paypal is used to pay for the subscription, a payment ID is associated with the user account.

    Logs, DNS requests, time spent visiting individual sites and applications, or customer IP addresses are not stored by IVPN.

    The IVPN is subject to the jurisdiction of Gibraltar, which may fall under the United Kingdom in certain cases and is often classified as a 14 Eyes alliance country because of this. Privatus Limited states that if it receives a court order to hand over data, it must obey it. It also adds that it does not request personal customer data, so it has nothing to hand over to the authorities.

    Should a change in the law result in the need to store customer data, they will be notified, and IVPN will attempt to change jurisdiction so that it can continue to provide services under the existing terms.

    The IVPN operates its own servers, so there is no risk of the data being used by other companies.

    Data collected by IVPN includes crash logs when there are problems with the application. If you use mobile apps, anonymized data about the version of the app or operating system of the device being used will be automatically sent to help fix bugs and prevent future problems. You can turn off the data sending in the app settings. When using IVPN on a desktop, the upload feature is automatically disabled, however, it can be manually enabled.

    When using apps on iOS and Android, access to the device may be required, for example, to use the camera when scanning a QR code or to access the Wi-Fi SSID when connection protection is turned on.

    The operator IVPN publishes an annual “Transparency Report” in which it publishes the authorities’ requests for data release and handling. Each month a “Warrant Canary” is issued with information on whether there have been searches or seizures of data pursuant to a court order.

    The IVPN service is audited for security by Cure53, an independent company. As part of the report, it issues information about the audit findings and a commitment on how it will deal with the identified deficiencies.

    It is one of the few services IVPN to publish the source code of its program on GitHub, so users outside the company can contribute to the development of the application.

14. IVPN Support: Chat, e-mail…

    The IVPN offers Live Chat on their site, but it is not available non-stop. You can still use the email address support@ivpn.net to contact technical support. One of the company’s founders mentions in the forums that the company responds to 99% of emails and resolves all requests within 8 hours. Support is provided in English only.

    A large amount of information about the application or problems is available under the “Guides” and “Help” tabs, which act as a database of frequently asked questions. The IVPN also has its own thread on Reddit, Mastodon, and Twitter to report the news. Advanced users can also find information on GitHub.

15. IVPN FAQ

    Is IVPN good?

    With a rating of IVPN, 6.8/10 is one of the above-average VPN service providers. The main advantages of IVPN include good privacy protection, high transparency regarding data handling, good transfer speeds, an intuitive app, and flexible subscription lengths.

    Disadvantages of IVPN include the availability of the app only in English, problems with unblocking streams, or being based in Gibraltar. The latter is a territory of the United Kingdom, one of the countries where the Secret Service can monitor the activity of citizens.

    Is IVPN free?

    The IVPN is a paid service, the most affordable subscription comes out to $3.89 per month. There is neither a free version of IVPN nor a free trial to try it out. However, flexible subscription periods allow users to try IVPN for, say, a week and then decide whether to renew. They can also take advantage of a money-back guarantee within 30 days of purchase.

    Is IVPN suitable for streaming?

    The IVPN is not suitable for streaming. Its operator states directly on its website that although many users use VPNs to unblock foreign video content, IVPN is primarily concerned with protecting their privacy. Thus, it cannot guarantee the ability to unblock streaming platforms. For streaming purposes, better choices include NordVPN or CyberGhost VPN.