Protecting your data on public Wi-Fi, streaming geo-blocked content on hotel TVs, or just making sure your browsing habits aren’t for sale – there are plenty of reasons to use a VPN. I needed a solution that would handle it all, work smoothly across my laptop, phone, and TV, and wouldn’t break the bank. So I took IPVanish for a 30-day spin, testing it like a daily essential rather than a weekend gadget.
Here’s what actually happened – no marketing spin, just my genuine experiences.
Quick Verdict Table
| Rating | 8.5/10 |
|---|---|
| Best For | Households with many devices, remote workers, families, small businesses |
| Biggest Plus | Unlimited simultaneous connections |
| Biggest Minus | Based in the USA, streaming can be unreliable |
| Price From | $2.19/month (see latest offers) |
Day 1–5: First Impressions & Desktop (Windows/macOS) Testing
Setup and First Impressions
Downloading and installing IPVanish on my MacBook took less than 3 minutes. No hidden bloat, no third-party popups. The app design isn’t flashy but it’s functional – lists of servers, a map view, plus some advanced settings you won’t find in basic VPNs.
Server pings and loads are visible before you connect, which is great if you want to optimize for speed.
First Real Test IPVanish: Café Wi-Fi
I deliberately went to a local café with notoriously sketchy Wi-Fi. Connected to their open network, fired up IPVanish, and selected a Frankfurt server using the WireGuard protocol.
My base speed was 100 Mbps; with IPVanish, I got 91 Mbps – only a 9% drop, which is almost unnoticeable for regular use.
Security Features in Action
- Kill Switch: Simulated a dropped connection – IPVanish instantly cut off all traffic until the VPN tunnel was restored. Works as intended.
- Split Tunneling: Useful for excluding banking apps or streaming platforms from VPN, though the setting is a bit hidden in the menu.
- Ad Blocking: There’s a basic ad/tracker blocker, but compared to specialized privacy tools, it’s not a game-changer.
Honest note: The desktop app crashed once when waking my MacBook from sleep, but auto-reconnected. No leaks detected.
Day 6–15: IPVanish on Mobile (Android/iOS) – Travel & Security
Mobile App
Downloaded the IPVanish app on both iPhone and Android. The interface is very similar to the desktop version – a little less fancy than NordVPN or Surfshark, but highly functional.
- Auto-Connect on Untrusted Networks: Set up to auto-connect on any Wi-Fi that isn’t my home or work. Worked without fail; never forgot to protect me.
- Battery Use: On Android, I noticed about 3–4% additional battery drain per hour of active VPN use. That’s typical for any real VPN, but not invisible.
- Speed on 5G/LTE: Tested while streaming YouTube and Netflix during a train commute. Base LTE speed: 140 Mbps, with IPVanish: 121 Mbps – about a 14% drop, still enough for HD and 4K.
“Unlimited devices is the main reason I switched. So far so good, though sometimes Disney+ gets cranky.”
– u/techtraveller91
Mobile Streaming Test
IPVanish claims to work with Netflix and other major platforms, but reality was hit-or-miss. Netflix US worked when using a New York server, but Disney+ and BBC iPlayer were mostly blocked (or required lots of server hopping).
Banking Security:
Used for mobile banking – no flags or issues from my bank. All traffic routed safely through a US or EU server.
Day 16–25: Evenings with IPVanish on Smart TV
Smart TV Setup:
I have an Android TV and a Fire TV Stick. IPVanish offers a native app for both (plus a useful setup guide for routers and Smart DNS, though you have to configure that manually).
- Installation: On Android TV, downloaded the app from the Play Store. Logged in, connected to a US server, and within two minutes I was browsing American Netflix.
- Streaming Performance: 4K playback worked 80% of the time, with rare buffering only during peak hours. Disney+ did NOT work at all, which was disappointing. ESPN+ was accessible. No luck with BBC iPlayer.
- Router Install: Not beginner-friendly, but the guide is detailed. Once set up, every device in the house gets VPN protection – handy for consoles and devices that don’t support VPN apps.
What’s Under the Hood? Security & Privacy for the Curious
- Encryption: IPVanish uses AES-256 encryption, the gold standard used by banks and militaries. For everyday users, this means your data is unreadable even on public Wi-Fi.
- Protocols: Supports OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard. WireGuard is the fastest and most reliable in my tests.
- No-Logs Policy: Recently audited by Schellman Compliance (2024/2025), who confirmed IPVanish doesn’t log your activity or connection data.
- Jurisdiction: Based in the USA, which is part of the Five Eyes alliance. This is a significant privacy consideration – US law can compel companies to turn over information if they have it.
- RAM-Only Servers: IPVanish has begun rolling out RAM-only servers, but the rollout isn’t yet complete across the network.
What I (Didn’t) Like: Brutally Honest Pros & Cons
Table: IPVanish Pros vs. Cons
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unlimited simultaneous connections | Based in the USA (privacy concern) |
| Great speeds on nearby servers (WireGuard) | Inconsistent streaming unblocking (Disney+, BBC) |
| User-owned and managed server network | Past privacy incident (2016, now resolved) |
| Clean, no-nonsense apps on all platforms | Smart DNS setup isn’t easy |
| Strong, recent no-logs audit | Lacks advanced features like Double VPN, Onion |
| Reliable kill switch & DNS leak protection | Ad-blocking is basic |
| 30-day money-back guarantee |
“Had a bad taste from the old logging scandal, but the new audit helped convince me to try again. Still cautious, but happy with performance so far.”
– u/cyberjunkiee
IPVanish Pricing: Is It Worth Your Money?
| Plan | Monthly | Yearly (Total / Per Month) | 2-Year (Total / Per Month) |
|---|---|---|---|
| VPN Only | $12.99 | $47.88 / $3.99 | $52.56 / $2.19 |
- See latest IPVanish deals: Click here for the official site
- Unlimited devices: Share with your whole family, no extra fees.
- 30-day money-back guarantee: Try it risk-free, no questions asked.
Compared to most competitors (NordVPN, Surfshark), IPVanish’s main advantage is the unlimited connections. If you have a smart home, or want VPN on every gadget, you’ll appreciate this.
Verdict: Who Should Choose IPVanish (And Who Shouldn’t)?
IPVanish is for you if You
- have LOTS of devices to protect (family, smart home, office).
- value speed on servers near your location.
- want a simple, robust VPN without bloated extras.
- like the idea of a provider that owns its own servers.
Look elsewhere if
- Top privacy is your #1 concern (choose a Panama-based provider like NordVPN).
- You need reliable unblocking of every streaming platform, worldwide.
- You want advanced features (Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, specialized security extras).
Final Thoughts & Call To Action
My month with IPVanish was a mixed bag – but with more positives than negatives, especially if you need VPN on everything you own.
The speed was excellent, setup a breeze, and the new audit helps restore trust after a rocky past. For people with a houseful of devices or small teams, it’s probably the most affordable, user-friendly option out there.
But privacy maximalists and hardcore streamers will want to look at something like NordVPN instead.
Ready to try it?
Check IPVanish’s latest offers and get started here with 83% discount
FAQ: IPVanish – Everything You Want to Know
Does really offer unlimited devices?
Yes. Lets you connect an unlimited number of devices at the same time on one account. You can protect your phone, laptop, tablets, family computers, even your smart fridge – no restrictions.
Is IPVanish safe to use for online banking and sensitive work?
Absolutely. It uses AES-256 encryption (the same as banks and militaries) and has strong DNS leak protection and a kill switch. Just remember: while the VPN protects your connection, always use strong passwords and updated apps for best results.
How fast is? Will it slow down my internet?
Is one of the fastest VPNs, especially on nearby servers using the WireGuard protocol. My real-life speed drop was usually between 8–15%. For HD streaming or video calls, you’ll barely notice – but far-away servers can be a bit slower.
Can I use IPVanish for streaming Netflix, Disney+, or BBC iPlayer?
Netflix US works reliably. Some users (including me) have had trouble accessing Disney+ and BBC iPlayer, depending on the server. It’s not as consistent for streaming as top competitors, but you may get lucky by switching locations.
Where is based, and why does it matter?
IPVanish is based in the USA, which means it’s under US jurisdiction and Five Eyes alliance. This is a privacy tradeoff compared to providers based in countries like Panama or the British Virgin Islands.
How does the 30-day money-back guarantee work?
Just sign up, try risk-free for 30 days, and if you’re not satisfied, request a refund via support – no questions asked.
