Ivacy VPN Review 2024: Best Value for Money VPN with Excellent Features
Have you ever wondered how secure your online activities are? With the rise in cyber threats, protecting your online privacy is crucial. VPNs, like Ivacy VPN, are designed to help you maintain anonymity and safeguard your data.
Ivacy VPN stands out as an affordable and feature-rich service, offering strong encryption, global servers, and seamless streaming support. This review will cover all you need to know about Ivacy VPN in 2024. We’ll look at its features, performance, ease of use, and pricing. Whether you’re new to VPNs or looking for a budget-friendly solution, this article will help you make an informed decision.
- Ivacy offers affordable long-term pricing, with the 5-year plan being one of the cheapest on the market.
- The service provides strong encryption with 256-bit security, keeping your data safe from cyber threats.
- No-logs policy ensures that your browsing activity is not tracked or stored.
- Ivacy unblocks popular streaming platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+, making it ideal for streaming.
- The VPN supports P2P/torrenting on all servers, with specialized servers for better performance.
- Split tunneling allows you to route some traffic through the VPN while leaving other traffic local.
- The VPN can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously on a single subscription.
- Available on multiple platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and even gaming consoles.
- Offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 7-day free trial for risk-free testing.
- Ivacy’s speeds, while decent, are slower than competitors like NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
- Split tunneling is only available on Windows and Android devices, limiting its use on other platforms.
- The VPN offers a paid trial instead of a fully free version.
- Dedicated IP and port forwarding come at an extra cost.
- The interface could use a visual refresh, as some users feel it’s slightly outdated.
Ivacy VPN Features
Security Protocols
Ivacy VPN uses 256-bit encryption, which is the industry standard for securing sensitive information. This level of encryption ensures that your data remains safe, even when you’re connected to public Wi-Fi networks. Additionally, Ivacy supports multiple VPN protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP/IPsec, providing flexibility for users with different security needs.
OpenVPN, widely regarded as the most secure protocol, is a popular option with Ivacy. However, you’ll need to install it manually, which may require some technical understanding. For most users, IKEv2 is the default protocol as it offers a balance between security and speed, automatically reconnecting if you switch networks.
Server Network
Ivacy VPN boasts a network of over 5,700 servers spread across 64 countries. This extensive coverage ensures that you can access content from anywhere in the world. Whether you’re in the US, Europe, or Asia, Ivacy’s global network provides fast and secure connections. Servers are available in key regions, such as the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, and Germany, making it an excellent choice for streaming and bypassing geo-restrictions.
Moreover, Ivacy includes specialized servers for P2P activities, which enhance the VPN’s performance for torrenting. You can choose servers optimized for streaming or downloading, ensuring smooth and secure data transfers.
Streaming and Torrenting
Ivacy VPN excels at unblocking popular streaming platforms. It supports services like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+, allowing you to enjoy content from various regions. The VPN’s specialized streaming servers help maintain fast loading speeds, so you can stream HD content without interruptions.
For torrenting, Ivacy provides dedicated P2P servers, ensuring that your file-sharing activities remain private. It also offers a kill switch feature, which cuts your internet connection if the VPN drops, safeguarding your IP address during downloads.
Split Tunneling
Split tunneling is one of Ivacy’s standout features. It allows you to route specific traffic through the VPN while letting other data use your local internet connection. This is particularly useful if you need to access local services or devices (like printers) without disconnecting from the VPN. However, split tunneling is only available on Windows and Android devices, which may limit its use for some users.
Speed Tests
In tests performed on both Windows and macOS, Ivacy VPN resulted in a speed reduction of about 58% on average. This means that while your internet connection will slow down when using Ivacy, it still remains fast enough for daily tasks, such as browsing and streaming. For instance, if you normally experience download speeds of 100 Mbps, you can expect speeds to drop to around 40-50 Mbps when connected to the VPN.
Streaming on platforms like Netflix or BBC iPlayer was smooth, with minimal buffering. HD videos loaded quickly and maintained their quality throughout. However, on servers located farther from the user’s actual location, some lag and buffering were noticed.
User Interface
Ivacy’s apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android feature a clean and straightforward interface. The home screen prominently displays a quick-connect button, which allows you to connect to the fastest server with a single click. You can also choose specific servers based on location or purpose, such as streaming or torrenting. This flexibility ensures that users can tailor their VPN experience to their specific needs.
Navigating through the settings is easy, with tabs for features like split tunneling, kill switch, and protocol selection. These options are laid out clearly, making customization simple for those who want more control over their VPN connection.
No-Logs Policy
Ivacy VPN follows a strict no-logs policy, which means that it does not track, store, or share your online activities. This is crucial for privacy-conscious users, as it ensures that even the VPN provider cannot see what you’re doing online. However, it’s important to note that Ivacy is based in Singapore, a location known for privacy-friendly laws, but it’s not part of the Five Eyes surveillance alliance, which adds an extra layer of trust.
Ivacy’s no-logging claims have yet to undergo independent audits like those of larger VPN providers. However, the company’s clear statements about its policy and its privacy-focused infrastructure help establish confidence.
DNS and IP Leak Protection
Ivacy includes DNS and IP leak protection in its features, ensuring that your true IP address is never exposed, even if there’s a disruption in the VPN connection. In our tests, Ivacy passed all DNS leak tests, confirming that the VPN hides your real IP address and DNS requests. The option for leak protection is available in the settings, although you’ll need to enable it manually.
Kill Switch
Ivacy also provides a kill switch, which immediately cuts off your internet connection if the VPN drops. This prevents your data from being transmitted unprotected in case of a disconnection. While some users may find this feature intrusive, it’s essential for maintaining privacy, especially during activities like torrenting or when connected to unsecured networks.
Port Forwarding and Dedicated IPs
For users needing additional security, Ivacy offers port forwarding and dedicated IP addresses as optional add-ons. Port forwarding, available for an extra $1 per month, is useful for activities like gaming, hosting servers, or securely accessing remote devices.
A dedicated IP ensures that your connection remains private and reduces the risk of IP blacklisting by websites. This feature costs $1.99 per month and can be useful for business users or those who frequently encounter CAPTCHAs with shared IPs.
Device Compatibility
Ivacy VPN is compatible with a wide range of devices. Aside from the usual platforms like Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android, it also supports Linux, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and even gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox. This makes Ivacy a versatile option for users who want to protect multiple devices with a single VPN subscription.
In addition to the mobile and desktop apps, Ivacy provides setup guides for routers, Kodi, and Raspberry Pi, expanding its usability for more advanced configurations. You can connect up to 10 devices simultaneously under one subscription, ensuring that all your gadgets are covered.
Auto-Connect and Customization Options
Ivacy includes an auto-connect feature, which automatically connects your device to a VPN server when it detects an unsecured Wi-Fi network. This is particularly useful for mobile users who frequently switch between different networks. Additionally, the protocol selection feature allows you to switch between different VPN protocols (like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP/IPsec), giving you more control over speed and security.
Plans and Pricing
| Plan | Price | Billed As |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly Plan | $9.95 per month | Billed monthly |
| 1-Year Plan | $3.66 per month | Billed $44 annually |
| 5-Year Plan | $1.00 per month | Billed $60 every 5 years |
Ivacy VPN is one of the most affordable premium VPNs on the market, offering competitive long-term pricing. It provides three main subscription plans, each designed to fit different budgets. While monthly subscriptions are on the pricier side, the longer plans offer significant discounts. Also, during Black Friday, they also offer some extra discounts.
The 5-year plan stands out for its remarkable affordability, priced at just $1.00 per month. This is one of the lowest prices available in the VPN market, making it an excellent choice for users willing to commit long-term. Compared to other VPN providers like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, Ivacy’s long-term pricing is far more budget-friendly.
If you’re looking for a more flexible option, Ivacy’s 1-year plan costs $3.66 per month, which is in line with the industry standard. This plan offers a balance between affordability and commitment, and is still cheaper than some of the big names in the VPN industry.
Ivacy offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on its annual and 5-year plans. This gives users a risk-free opportunity to test the service before making a long-term commitment. For the monthly plan, users can request a refund within 7 days. There’s also a 7-day free trial, which allows you to try the service without entering any payment details—an option not commonly found with other VPN providers.
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q)
Does Ivacy VPN Work with Netflix?
Yes, Ivacy VPN works well with popular streaming platforms, including Netflix. It supports various Netflix regions, such as the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Germany, giving you access to content libraries that might otherwise be geo-restricted.
Is Ivacy VPN Fast?
Ivacy VPN offers above-average speeds, though not as fast as some of the top-tier VPNs like NordVPN or ExpressVPN. In speed tests, Ivacy showed a reduction in download and upload speeds, but it was still capable of handling HD streaming, gaming, and torrenting without significant lag. Speed depends heavily on the server location and protocol you use, so connecting to a server close to your actual location will likely yield better performance.
Can Ivacy VPN Be Used for Torrenting?
Yes, Ivacy VPN supports P2P file-sharing on all its servers, making it a good option for torrenting. The VPN also provides dedicated P2P servers, which offer faster speeds for torrent downloads. Plus, with the kill switch and DNS/IP leak protection, you can be sure that your torrenting activities will remain private and secure. Just remember that Ivacy prohibits the sharing of copyrighted content, so make sure your torrenting is legal.
What Devices Does Ivacy VPN Support?
Ivacy VPN is compatible with a wide range of devices, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. It also supports Android TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick, and even gaming consoles like PlayStation and Xbox. If you’re looking to protect multiple devices, Ivacy’s support for 10 simultaneous connections under one subscription is a major plus. Additionally, it offers setup guides for routers, Kodi, and Raspberry Pi.
Wrapping Up
Ivacy VPN offers an impressive range of features at a highly competitive price, making it a strong contender in the VPN market for 2024. Its robust security features, such as 256-bit encryption, no-logs policy, and DNS leak protection, provide peace of mind for privacy-conscious users.
