Insights on IVPNScore: 3.4 out of 5
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IVPN represents a VPN service catering to individuals and business owners, also presenting a Teams option for businesses. Its primary attributes consist of a killswitch, multihop feature, ad and site blocking, and scheduled IP address rotation. IVPN suits individuals needing essential VPN functions, especially those seeking an open-source alternative. It is also accessible as a mobile application for those prioritizing that.
Pricing for IVPN
IVPN provides two VPN packages, namely Standard and Pro. IVPN does not supply a no-cost trial for either package, but a 30-day refund policy is available if the service doesn’t meet your expectations.
| No-cost trial | ||
| Number of gadgets | ||
| Anti-tracking | ||
| Killswitch | ||
| Multihop |
IVPN Standard
The Standard plan commences at $6 per user monthly but is priced at $5 when paid annually. It safeguards up to two devices. If you desireWhen choosing between bi-yearly or tri-yearly billing, discounts are available. Opting for monthly or weekly purchases of IVPN Standard is possible, but it comes at a higher cost. I would suggest considering the yearly billing option.
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The Standard package offers support for all VPN protocols. Its primary additional feature is anti-tracking. IVPN Standard is an excellent option if you have few devices and seek the simplest VPN solution.
IVPN Pro
For the Pro plan, the cost is $8.33 per user each month when billed annually, protecting up to seven devices. Opting for two- or three-year plans further reduces the price.
IVPN Pro also backs all VPN protocols and includes features like anti-tracking and multi-hop. I would recommend the Pro plan if you are a home office user or freelancer with more than two devices.
Major Features of IVPN
I delved into five of IVPN’s most valuable features, such as a killswitch, anti-tracking technology, WireGuard IP address rotation schedules, multihop, and a mobile app catering to phone users.
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Killswitch Functionality
IVPN’s killswitch is accessible on macOS, Windows, Linux, Android, and iOS through the built-in on-demand feature. In the event of a VPN connection drop, the killswitch severs the internet connection. This action aids in safeguarding against DNS and IPv6 leaks, preventing your data exposure during VPN disruptions. A killswitch is an imperative VPN feature, offering fundamental protection for your online sessions.
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Anti-tracker Feature
IVPN’s anti-tracking function thwarts ads and adware on customer devices while also blocking data collectors and malicious websites. Anti-tracking, commonly seen in leading antivirus tools and VPNs, is a vital capability of IVPN. Besides enhancing privacy, anti-tracking is beneficial for users engaging in extensive online research to evade ad congestion.
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WireGuard Management
IVPN enables users to establish custom rotation schedules for keys and IP addresses, allowing them to set the frequency of IP address rotations based on their security requirements. This capability is especially beneficial for contractors or home office professionals in security-intensive sectors needing frequent key and IP address changes.
Multihop VPN
With Multihop, VPN users can sequentially link to servers in diverse locations, enhancing privacy by transitioning between servers. This approach restricts any potential snooping attempts on your internet activity even if someone attempts to trace you beyond the VPN connections.
Mobile Application
IVPN’s Android mobile app supports Android OS 7.1 and above, while the iOS version is compatible with iOS and iPadOS 15.0 and higher. The source code for both apps is accessible on GitHub for developers interested in reviewing the app’s programming. Both mobile apps offer multi-hop VPN pathways, WireGuard privacy controls, and anti-tracking capabilities. For individuals frequently using their phones for work or sensitive online tasks, IVPN’s mobile application is highly recommended.
Benefits of Using IVPN
IVPN offers several advantages to prospective users:
- Includes anti-tracking and ad-blocking functionalities.
- All platform applications are open-source.
- Does not retain logs of user browsing history.
If evading online service tracking is of interest to you or if you wish to explore the source code, IVPN is worth considering.
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Downsides of IVPN
Consider these drawbacks of IVPN:
- Support is limited to emails with no phone or live chat support.
- No compatibility with password managers.
- Training videos are not available.
If you are new to VPNs and seek setup help via videos, alternatives may be preferable. While email support suits many users, seeking chat or phone assistance might lead you elsewhere.
Options to IVPN
| IVPN | Surfshark VPN | NordVPN | Hotspot Shield | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial cost (annual payment) | $5 per user per month | $2.99 per user per month | $4.59 per user per month | Free |
| Auto-stop feature | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Multi-jump | ✔️ | ✔️ | Double VPN | ❌ |
| Anti-tracking | ✔️ | ✔️ | ✔️ | ❌ |
Surfshark VPN
Surfshark VPN emerges as one of the finest consumer private networking solutions currently available. Its array of capabilities encompasses IP address rotation, unlimited VPN connections, and camouflage mode, which aids in concealing VPN usage by masking any traces of a VPN connection. Surfshark offers a more extensive feature set compared to IVPN at a lower cost. I highly recommend it to any consumer in the market for a VPN. It stands out as a remarkable offering.
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The entry-level Surfshark Starter plan commences at $2.99 per user per month with annual billing. For the most comprehensive feature set, Surfshark One+ is priced at $5.99 per user per month on an annual basis. Additionally, Surfshark provides a Teams package starting at $5.90 per user per month.
NordVPN
NordVPN represents a renowned VPN and internet security solution catering to individual users and small enterprises. Its feature set encompasses ad and domain blocking, secure browsing, and dark web monitoring. Furthermore, NordVPN offers an application for Android TV and tvOS, a useful feature if you intend to leverage your television for work purposes. The VPN functionality extends to 10 devices.
Priced at $4.59 per user per month for the Basic tier, NordVPN surpasses Surfshark Starter in cost but remains competitively aligned with IVPN’s pricing. The Ultimate package, akin to IVPN at $7.49 per user per month, introduces additional elements such as identity theft recovery and cyber extortion protection.
Hotspot Shield
Hotspot Shield emerges as a consumer-focused VPN solution capable of safeguarding up to 10 devices. Its suite of features includes IP leak protection, VPN traffic obscurity, and DNS filtering. However, Hotspot Shield lacks the multi-jump functionality and ad blocking features found in IVPN.
The basic Hotspot Shield plan is free and bundles anti-phishing protection, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection for a single device. The Premium subscription, priced at $6.66 per month with annual billing, incorporates gaming and streaming abilities and offers support for up to 10 devices. Furthermore, Hotspot Shield extends a 45-day free trial for those interested in first experiencing Premium features.
Approach
When evaluating IVPN, I formulated an assessment model comprising five primary categories commonly sought by VPN purchasers. Each category represented a core evaluation criterion, covering aspects such as pricing and customer service, and was further detailed with multiple subcriteria including specific features, pricing structures, and support options. The significance of each main criterion and subcriterion was weighted according to its relevance, culminating in IVPN’s final assessment based on the subcriteria set.
The five chosen criteria included pricing, feature set, user-friendliness and management, security and privacy measures, along with customer support.
- Pricing (20%): I examined both IVPN’s pricing models and the availability of trial options.
- Assessment: 3.5/5
- Feature Set (25%): Encompassing essential VPN features such as auto-stop and IP address rotation, this category also considered supplementary features like NAS compatibility.
- Assessment: 2.8/5
- User-friendliness and management (20%): Factors enhancing product usability, including documentation quality and OS support, were scrutinized.
- Assessment: 3.9/5
- Security and privacy (20%): IVPN’s transparency regarding encryption methods, logging policies, and potential association with global surveillance alliances like Nine or Fourteen Eyes was evaluated.
- Assessment: 4.5/5
- Customer Support (15%): Analysis of support channel availability such as phone and email, as well as operational hours for customer assistance, was conducted.
- Assessment: 2.3/5
Common queries
What encryption is employed by IVPN?
IVPN utilizes AES-256-GCM for OpenVPN versions 2.4 and above, while preceding OpenVPN versions employ AES-256-CBC. For versions 2.5 and beyond, a ChaCha20-Poly1305 encryption option is also available. According to IVPN, ChaCha20 can encapsulate packets when utilizing the WireGuard protocol.
Can IVPN bypass content restrictions on streaming platforms?
IVPN’s feature set does not extend to bypassing content restrictions on platforms like Netflix or Disney+. For enhanced flexibility in streaming service access, options like ExpressVPN, Surfshark VPN, or NordVPN, supporting streaming capabilities, are recommended alternatives.
Which operating systems are supported by IVPN?
IVPN extends support to macOS, Windows, and Linux operating systems. Mobile users can avail themselves of dedicated apps for Android and iOS devices, enabling protection for iPads as well. Notably, only recent iOS versions, specifically 15.0 and above, are supported, potentially limiting compatibility with older phone models.
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