Ivacy VPN Review

Ivacy VPN touts a robust feature list and a user-friendly interface that makes protecting online privacy a snap. With more than 10 years in the business, this Singapore-based company is a solid pick for most VPN needs. This review takes a look at Ivacy’s security standards, server coverage, and performance across several key categories, such as download speeds and data caps. Ivacy offers three pricing plans; we compare each and highlight the best value overall.

Pros & Cons of Ivacy VPN

Key Features of Ivacy VPN

We looked at the four most important features of any VPN, including: security and privacy, server coverage, performance, and price. Below is a breakdown of Ivacy VPN’s key features.

Security, Privacy, and Encryption

Protecting online privacy is one of a VPN’s most important functions, and Ivacy does a competent job of it. The company uses AES-256-GCM military-grade encryption, the highest level currently available. This is especially ideal when using public Wi-Fi, where weaker encryption can open networks to a brute-force hack and leave private data vulnerable. 256-bit encryption is nearly impossible to hack.

With Ivacy, users can switch between a few different VPN protocols as needed; for example, one type of protocol might favor security over speed. Available protocols include OpenVPN (TCP), OpenVPN (UDP), L2TP/IPsec, and IKEv2. Not all protocols may be available on every platform and device, though.

Ivacy comes with a kill switch function, which will automatically disconnect users from the internet if the VPN connection drops. This is an important feature because a lost VPN connection can expose a user’s actual IP address to anyone watching. The option can be enabled or disabled as desired. Unfortunately, the kill switch function doesn’t work on Mac or iOS devices.

Ivacy has a strong no-logging policy, which means it doesn’t collect information that could be used to identify users from their activity. IP addresses, DNS queries, timestamps, and other logs are never kept. The privacy policy is also clearly written and easy to understand.

Servers and Locations

Ivacy claims to have more than 1,000 servers in over 100 locations on almost every continent. Each location available has multiple servers from which to choose, so users have a better chance of connecting to the server in the country they want. Servers do go down sometimes, but Ivacy guarantees 99.9% uptime, meaning there’s little worry of a disconnect.

It’s not entirely clear how many of Ivacy’s servers are virtual rather than physical. Virtual servers can be spoofed or made to look like they’re located in one location when they’re physically in another. For the majority of users, this won’t cause any problems. It may, however, be an issue for users in countries with censored internet access or those who require a high level of security.

Features and Performance

Aside from protecting privacy, Ivacy can be used to unblock content that isn’t normally available in certain locations. For instance, some websites and videos won’t load in certain countries due to local laws and regulations. With Ivacy, users can change their location to a compatible one and view this content. This feature also works with services like Netflix, Hulu, iPlayer, and Amazon Prime, although streaming success seems to vary among users. Some had no trouble getting a certain service to load, while others were unable to access content or maintain a stable connection.

Ivacy comes with a split tunneling function, which lets users choose specific apps to run through the VPN while others connect through their usual IP address. This is handy for apps and services that don’t require a higher level of security or don’t work well with a VPN.

A single Ivacy subscription allows users to protect up to five devices at the same time and supports 10 simultaneous logins, plus unlimited bandwidth. That’s useful for people living in busy households or who want to share the service with friends or family.

The service includes a malware blocker and supports torrent downloading. Ivacy apps are available for all major platforms and devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and smart TVs. It can also be set up on video game consoles such as the Xbox One and PlayStation 4. The app’s interface looks clean and is simple to use whether on desktop, mobile, or another type of device. Settings are clearly labeled, so there’s little fuss to getting set up.

Ivacy has decent download and upload speeds, though performance can vary depending on country and the server chosen. Some loss of speed is almost inevitable when using any VPN service due to routing of data through another server.

The company prides itself on quick and helpful customer support. Help is available 24/7 via live chat, email, or support tickets. Troubleshooting guides and informative articles are also available on the website.

Plans and Pricing

Ivacy offers three subscription plans. The best value is the yearly plan, which comes with a seven-day trial for 99 cents and bills $3.99 a month after that. The trial can be easily canceled via an account menu on the Ivacy website.

The two-year subscription costs $2.25 per month and is billed biannually at $54. A one-month plan is available and costs $9.95. Subscribers can also buy optional security add-ons, such as port forwarding for $1.99 a month or a dedicated IP address for $1 a month. This IP address won’t be shared with anyone else, so it adds extra peace of mind.

Ivacy accepts an impressive number of payment options, including credit cards, PayPal, PerfectMoney, and Bitcoin. Subscribers who pay with any type of cryptocurrency can’t get a refund, though.

Ivacy VPN Overview

What Customers Are Saying

Subscribers praise Ivacy’s timely and helpful customer support team, writing, “Your Support Team Agents immediately assisted me in my problem and then found a solution to it. I’m very pleased with your team and your firm in general.” They’re also impressed with its user friendliness and ease of use. One customer says, “Easy to use and works well — The interface allows you to select which country you would like. No connectivity issues. What can I say, I am happy to use the software for its intended purpose. Zero complaints.”