If hide-and-seek was your favorite game as a kid, the modern Internet must be frustrating you since hackers can access all your private and confidential information from as little as an IP address.
With IPVanish, you can once again become a hide-and-seek master and vanish completely off the radar. This is possible because this secure VPN creates a virtual tunnel over the public internet that hides all your online activities from the world, including spying software. You will also be completely invisible to online hackers because IPVanish hides your IP address, so no one can trace any online activities back to you. Moreover, IPVanish's kill switch will help you stay protected from unintended data exposure.
Keep reading this IPVanish review to learn more about the provider.
IPVanish plans and prices
IPVanish now has three membership plans, Essential, Complete, and Advanced, and each can be bought for one month, one year, or two years. The longer the commitment, the lower the monthly price. Some of the benefits included in all plans:
Some of the benefits that are included in the packages are:
→ 30-day money-back guarantee on long-term plans
→ fast connection speeds for uploads and downloads
→ 3,400+ servers in 150+ locations
→ unlimited simultaneous connections.
- Essential. The core VPN functionality. The 2-year plan is the cheapest option at $2.19/month, and the 1-year plan costs $3.89/month.
- Complete. A mid-tier plan, from $2.79/month on the 2-year plan.
- Advanced. The most complete package, from $3.29/month on the 2-year plan. On top of the VPN, it adds a Next Gen Antivirus, 1TB of encrypted cloud storage, a secure browser, 5GB of eSIM data, and phone support.
Note that the one-month price is much higher, which is expected for such a short commitment, and monthly plans aren’t covered by the money-back guarantee.
Satisfied with the prices?
There are a few things to keep in mind…
The promotional price applies to your first term, and IPVanish renews at a higher rate afterward, so check the renewal price before you subscribe. IPVanish accepts credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and Google Pay. It doesn’t accept cryptocurrency, including Bitcoin.
Are there any differences between IPVanish packages?
To judge one of the best VPN providers in 2026, it helps to study its features in full. All IPVanish VPN plans include:
- 30-day money-back guarantee (on long-term plans)
- servers in 150+ locations
- unlimited bandwidth and unlimited server switching
- fast speeds and P2P traffic allowed
- 256-bit AES encryption
- independently audited no-logs policy
- modern protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2) and Double Hop
- easy-to-use apps
- unlimited simultaneous connections.
If you can’t install or connect to IPVanish, you can claim a refund, which protects you from extra expenses.
IPVanish VPN refund policy
We checked the provider’s refund policy and found that the only condition is being unhappy with the service.
When?
You have 30 days from the date of purchase to decide whether IPVanish is a worthy provider. Ask for a refund within 30 days, but not later. Automatic refunds are processed within about 10 business days.
What’s not covered?
Monthly plans aren’t eligible, nor are plans purchased through the Apple App Store, so subscribe on IPVanish’s website if you want the guarantee.
Payment
Since IPVanish only accepts credit cards and PayPal, there are no special refund rules for different payment methods, and the refund is issued to the original payment method.
IPVanish VPN for Routers
IPVanish can protect any device connected to your home network, including game consoles, smart TVs, and other gadgets that can’t run a VPN app. You set up the VPN on the router once, and everything behind it is covered. The most essential features of the service are:
- No-logging VPN. IPVanish says it doesn’t collect logs of your internet activity, and the policy has been independently audited.
- Network encryption. Your traffic is protected with AES-256 encryption, which keeps your activity safe from unauthorized access.
- Restrictions bypass. The service can help you reach geo-blocked or restricted websites and streaming libraries, though unblocking results can vary by service and server.
- Torrenting. P2P is allowed on all IPVanish servers, and the VPN hides your IP address and what you download from your internet provider.
- Unlimited devices. IPVanish allows unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can protect every gadget you own, with or without a router.
- Server switching. You can change your virtual location whenever you need to. On a router, this means changing the router’s configuration, while your other devices can switch in the app.
- WiFi protection. If you spend time in public places and connect to free Wi-Fi hotspots via VPN, IPVanish keeps your traffic encrypted and out of reach of snoopers on the same network.
To set up IPVanish on a router, you have two options. You can configure a compatible router yourself using IPVanish’s manual setup files, or buy a router with IPVanish already installed. IPVanish provides setup guides for routers running custom firmware.
Check your router’s compatibility first. Routers supplied by internet providers rarely support VPN connections, and a VPN on a router can be slower than using a VPN app on a powerful device.
IPVanish server network
IPVanish now operates more than 3,400 servers across 150 locations, with tens of thousands of shared IP addresses to help keep your connection private. Coverage includes North America, Europe, Asia, South America, Africa, and Oceania, and the provider counts well over 100 countries when virtual locations are included.
With IPVanish, you can access the web from many places around the world and use the internet as if you were in one of those locations, allowing you to reach content available only there. In supported apps, you can pick a country, a city, or even an individual server.
IPVanish has also been upgrading its network:
- Rebuilt infrastructure. It has just finished a two-year rebuild of its entire network, upgrading to faster server ports and improving traffic routing.
- RAM-only servers. IPVanish is replacing traditional servers with RAM-only ones, which erase all data on every reboot. Part of the network is already RAM-only, and the full switch is planned by 2027.
- Own hardware. IPVanish runs its own servers rather than renting them from commercial data centers.
IPVanish functionality
The functions of IPVanish VPN are diverse and make people all over the world subscribe to this service.
Access to the best streaming websites
The main focus of IPVanish is to hide where your connection originates while you are using the internet, so you can use its unblocking capabilities to stream from services like Netflix and Amazon Prime from anywhere in the world. This way, you can still enjoy a wide variety of content that these sites have to offer, even when they are not available in your location.
Be anonymous while web browsing
Another fun benefit of a reliable VPN service is that your IP address will be hidden, and you can access the internet from different servers in various countries, so it will appear to them as if you are in a completely different location. The safety features, encryption, and VPN protocols that IPVanish uses also ensure you are completely safe and secure when using public connections like hotspots.
Experience the best data transfer rates
Besides, IPVanish delivers the fastest VPN speeds and the most secure connections at the most competitive prices. The service gives its customers the possibility to surf the internet absolutely anonymously while running the unrestricted network.
No hacks of your accounts
Like using free Wi-Fi hotspots but afraid of being hacked this way? Forget about such a problem forever. With an IPVanish account, all your data will be reliably hidden from the prying eyes and those who want to seize your info.
Surf the internet as if you were at home
If you travel a lot, you will definitely appreciate the ability to connect to a VPN server in your home country. This way, you will be able to open the pages and websites you're used to. Thus, IPVanish VPN makes the distance unimportant.
Say no to deep packet inspection
If you are opposed to the ISP interfering with your online activity, IPVanish is a must-have. Your internet service provider will not manage to identify what data you send and receive, what pages and websites you open, and how much time you spend on this or that activity on the internet.
Security and privacy
IPVanish uses industry-standard protocols and encryption to help protect you from cybercrime, snooping on public Wi-Fi and ISP throttling, whether you’re at home or on the go. The apps support WireGuard (the default), OpenVPN and IKEv2, with ChaCha20 encryption on WireGuard and AES-256 on OpenVPN and IKEv2. A kill switch blocks your traffic if the connection drops, and IPVanish runs its own DNS servers with leak protection on by default.
Its no-logs policy has been independently audited by Leviathan Security in 2022 and by Schellman in February 2025. Because the company is based in the US and falls under the Five Eyes alliance, the audits matter. If there are no logs, there’s nothing to hand over. IPVanish also offers:
- Threat Protection. Blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites. The stronger Next Gen Antivirus comes with higher tiers and is limited to desktop.
- Split tunneling. Lets you choose which apps or websites to skip the VPN for, though the options differ by platform.
- Auto-connect. Turns the VPN on automatically when you join an untrusted Wi-Fi network, which helps on nearby hotspots your phone remembers.
- OpenVPN Scramble and Double Hop. Obfuscation for networks that block VPNs, and routing through two servers for extra privacy.
IPVanish customer support service
IPVanish offers 24/7 live chat and email support, plus a help center with setup guides and FAQs where you can look up answers yourself. Phone support is included with the Advanced plan.
When you contact support, describe the problem, provide your account email, and, where helpful, attach a screenshot or file. The support team handles issues from billing and technical problems to setup questions.
Terms of Usage
The terms of use and privacy policy are the main documents to read before subscribing to IPVanish, since your privacy depends on the agreement you sign. The most relevant points:
- Personal information. You agree that the information you provide is accurate and that you will keep it up to date. You can browse the website without registering, and personal details are only needed when you subscribe.
- Content and software. You may not copy the website’s content or use it commercially. The software can be updated from time to time, and breaking the rules can result in your account being blocked.
- No spam. The service prohibits spamming and any misuse of its network.
- Auto-renewal. Plans renew automatically, and the renewal price is higher than the promotional price. Cancel in your account control panel if you don’t want to continue.
- Third-party sites. IPVanish isn’t responsible for the privacy practices of websites you visit.
Money-back guarantee
You have 30 days from the date of purchase to ask for a refund if you’re not satisfied. The guarantee covers 1-year and 2-year plans, not monthly plans or purchases made through the Apple App Store. Cancel in your account and contact support within 30 days; the refund usually arrives in about 10 business days.
IPVanish account process
The process of creating an IPVanish account is incredibly simple. Here are the steps to follow:
- Choose a plan and enter your email address and password.
- Pay for the plan. IPVanish accepts credit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, and Apple Pay. Bitcoin isn’t accepted.
- Log in to the IPVanish control panel with your username and password.
- Download the IPVanish app for your operating system.
- Sign in to the app with your credentials.
- Choose a server, for example, in Luxembourg, and connect. Now we’re browsing the internet from another country.
IP Leak and Speed Test for IPVanish
After connecting to the server in Luxembourg, we’ve checked the provider for IP and DNS leak test. Fortunately, none of them were detected.
All VPNs reduce internet speed connection somehow. We decided to look into whether IPVanish is fast by comparing its speed retention rates against our baseline download speed of 940Mbps. On the UK server, IPVanish maintained 92% of our baseline connection speed, while on the US server, the speed retention rate dropped to 78% – which is still plenty.
As you can see, the closer the server is to your home country, the higher the speeds. That’s why a VPN with a wide server network is a must for those who need it for torrenting or using online streaming services.
Platforms
IPVanish has apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire TV, and Apple TV. Linux and Chromebook users can set it up with guides from the IPVanish support center, and so can routers. It works on wired connections, Wi-Fi, and shared hotspots.
Summary
IPVanish is a fast, straightforward VPN for people who want to protect all their devices without worrying about a connection limit. It has strong security protocols, an audited no-logs policy and good customer support, and it allows P2P. Its extras, such as Threat Protection, Secure Browser and cloud storage on the Advanced plan, go beyond a basic VPN. The main downsides are the US jurisdiction and higher renewal prices, so check what you’ll pay after the first term before you subscribe.
IPVanish pros
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Over 3,400 servers in 150 locations
- Fast speeds with WireGuard
- Audited no-logs policy
- Kill switch and DNS leak protection
- P2P file sharing allowed
- 24/7 live chat support
- 30-day money-back guarantee (on 1-year and 2-year plans)
- Affordable long-term prices
IPVanish cons
- US-based (Five Eyes), with a 2016 logging controversy under previous ownership
- Renewal prices are much higher than promotional prices
- No free plan, and the free trial is limited to mobile app-store sign-ups
- No money-back guarantee on monthly plans
- Split tunneling is limited on macOS and iOS
