IPVanish offers two VPN plan types: Essential and Advanced. The Essential plan is focused solely on VPN service, while the Advanced plan includes additional components such as IPVanish Secure Browser and Livedrive Cloud Storage.[5]
In 2021, during the Nigerian Twitter ban, IPVanish reportedly emerged as the most popular VPN service in the country for those accessing the site.[9]
Uses
IPVanish funnels the internet traffic of its users through remote servers, obscuring the user's IP address and encrypting data transmitted through the connection. Users can simultaneously connect an unlimited number of devices.[10]
Like other VPN services, IPVanish also has the ability to bypass internet censorship in most countries.[unreliable source][spamlink?] Remove all and change By selecting a server in a region outside of their physical location, VPN users can easily access online content which was not available in their location, or play games that are regionally-restricted due to licensing agreements.
Technical details
Encryption
IPVanish uses the WireGuard and OpenVPN technologies in its applications, while the IKEv2/IPsec and L2TP connection protocols can also be configured. PPTP was discontinued in 2022.[11][12][13] IPVanish supports the AES (128-bit or 256-bit) specifications, with SHA-256 for authentication and an RSA-2048 handshake.
Servers
IPVanish owns and operates more than 3100 remote HDD and RAM-only servers in over 145+ locations.[14][15] The largest concentration of VPN servers is located in the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia.[16][non-primary source needed]
The company suspended operations in Russia as of July 2016, due to conflicts with the company's zero-log policy and local law.[17][18] In July 2020, IPVanish removed its servers from Hong Kong, alleging that the Hong Kong national security law puts Hong Kong under the “same tight internet restrictions that govern mainland China.”[19] As of 2022, IPVanish had removed its physical servers from India in response to data retention regulations that require VPN providers to log certain personal information of their users.[20][21] In December 2023, Turkey blocked 16 VPN providers, including IPVanish, as part of a broader crackdown on circumvention tools.[22]
IPVanish does not log traffic destination or content, IP addresses, connection time stamps, or DNS inquiries according to multiple independent audits. Information about what is done online, what is downloaded, or what is searched for is not logged.[24][25]
In 2018, TorrentFreak reported that in 2016, IPVanish handed over personal information about a customer who was suspected of sharing child pornography on an IRC network to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).[26] The information allowed DHS to identify the customer but the disclosure contradicted IPVanish's privacy policy, which stated that "[IPVanish] will never log any traffic or usage of our VPN."[26][27] In 2017, IPVanish and its parent company were acquired by StackPath.[26] At the time, its founder and CEO, Lance Crosby, claimed that "at the time of the acquisition, [...] no logs existed, no logging systems existed and no previous/current/future intent to save logs existed."[26]
In 2022, under new ownership under Ziff Davis, IPVanish underwent an independently verified no-logs audit conducted by Leviathan Security Group, confirming it abides by its no logs policy.[28] In 2025, the company completed a n additional independent audit conducted by Schellman Compliance, again reaffirming that that IPVanish follows its no-logs policy and does not retain data related to customer traffic.[24][29][30]
Recognition
In 2016, Lifehacker AU rated the service as its #1 VPN.[31] In a 2018 review highlighting IPVanish ‘zero logs’ policies and nonprofit support, CNET ranked IPVanish as one of the best VPN services of the year.[32] The reviewer also noted that its integrated plugin for Kodi, the open-source media streaming app, was unique to the VPN industry.
TechRadar rated the service 4 out of 5 stars in their March 2018 review, commending it for its powerful features while criticizing its “lethargic support response”.[33] An annually-updated TorrentFreak article reviewing the logging policies of VPN services lists IPVanish as an anonymous provider. Tom's Guide wrote that the lack of a kill switch on the mobile application "may be a downside for some".
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