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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

GIPVPN Review 2024 - Keep This in Mind Before Buying

Our Score: 2.8/10
Ranked 193rd out of 198 VPNs
Editor's Note: GIPVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.
Andreea Juganaru Updated on 17th May 2024 Former Senior Editor

GIPVPN is a tiny service that makes some big claims; if its sparse website is to be believed, it’s up there with some of the best VPNs on the market. The homepage promises “ultra-fast connections,” “secure internet,” and a “simple and intuitive” setup.

Unable to find any more information, I signed up and began a series of tests. I looked into the service’s streaming abilities, speeds, security and privacy measures, and customer service.

Does it live up to those claims? In short, no. Not only that, but my tests were hampered from the very beginning…

Try GIPVPN Today!

Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

GIPVPN Features — 2024 Update

3.5
💸 Price 1.99 USD/month
📆 Money Back Guarantee 30 Days
📝 Does VPN keep logs? No
💻 Number of devices per license 7
🛡 Kill switch No
🗺 Based in country United States
🛠 Support Via email

Streaming — Potential to Unblock German Platforms

GIPVPN only has 1 server in Germany, so should at least unblock German streaming sites.

However, I wasn’t able to test it — each time I tried accessing a website, I received a DNS error.

Even if you only want to access German services — like Sky Ticket, Magenta TV, and Maxdome — I can’t recommend this VPN for streaming. I recommend you take a look at these VPNs that can unblock any streaming website instead. They can unblock German sites and a range of international platforms and libraries, like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Hulu, and more.

Speeds — Fast in Theory, but Impossible to Test

GIPVPN should be able to provide you with fast speeds if you’re in or around Germany. Instead of the standard AES-256 encryption, it uses CHACHA20 IEFT Poly1305 for encryption (almost as secure as AES-256, but a little faster).

VPNs with tiny server networks like GIPVPN usually suffer from slow speeds as their limited bandwidth gets congested by too many users. I wanted to test whether the VPN’s speedy encryption was able to mitigate any delays.

The problem is that I couldn’t test the server at all. No matter what I tried, GIPVPN’s one German server never connected for me — so I couldn’t check out its speeds.

Server Network — 1 Location Available

GIPVPN only has 1 server in Germany and requires manual setup through Shadowsocks. I’m used to VPNs with intuitive apps and thousands of servers, like ExpressVPN, so having to go through manual setup to get access to one server felt frustrating.

To make matters worse, this location didn’t work in any of my tests. A support rep for the VPN told me that, as long as I follow the information in the onboarding email, the server should work. However, I couldn’t connect at all.

I recommend you choose a VPN with reliable and numerous server locations distributed all over the world.

Security — Lacks Important Security Features

GIPVPN uses Shadowsocks with the CHACHA20 IETF Poly1305 algorithm for encryption. CHACHA20 is a 256-bit cipher, and Poly1305 is a 256-bit key. The combination of the two algorithms was designed as a secure alternative to the industry-standard Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). It’s also supposed to be faster than 256-bit and 128-bit AES, thanks to a speedier decryption process — though I was never able to test this out for myself.

Shadowsocks is a tunneling proxy designed for speed and bypassing firewalls. It’s not considered to be the most secure tunneling option but, when paired with CHACHA20 IETF Poly1305, should keep your data safe.

Unfortunately, that’s where GIPVPN’s security features end. The VPN doesn’t come with any of the additional protections I expect to see, like a kill switch or DNS/IP/WebRTC leak protection. That means your sensitive information — like your real location, identity, and online activity — is at risk of being exposed at all times.

Take a look at these VPNs that offer all the tools you need for a completely secure online experience.

Privacy — May Log All Your Online Activity

GIPVPN may keep logs and you’d never know it. Frustrated with the lack of information on the website, I did a deep dive on the service to find out who’s behind it. I discovered that GIPVPN’s parent company is a shady website called “Get Into PC” that specializes in distributing cracked software and operating systems for free. This is a big red flag for me.

What I find even more unsettling is the VPN's lack of a comprehensive privacy policy, aside from a short assurance on its website. The representative I conversed with assured me that the service doesn't retain logs, but was unable to furnish any formal documentation to substantiate this assertion. I managed to locate Get Into PC's privacy policy, which was disappointingly brief and lacked substantive information.

If that’s not worrying enough, I also found out that GIPVPN has its headquarters in the US. America is a founding member of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance — a group of countries that monitor citizens online and share intelligence. That means, if GIPVPN does log your information, that data could easily be handed over to the US government (and every other Alliance country by extension).

Since I can’t recommend GIPVPN at all, I recommend you take a look at these VPNs that offer superior security and true no-logs policies.

Torrenting — Not Recommended

GIPVPN allows torrenting, but I can’t recommend it.

For starters, the VPN never worked for me so I couldn’t test it out with my torrent client. Secondly, it doesn’t have any security features to keep you safe in case you encounter malware or hackers on P2P networks.

Plus, everything you do online may be recorded — there’s no privacy policy to guarantee otherwise. This means that you can get in trouble if you accidentally download copyrighted content and the VPN hands over your data to a third party or the authorities.

My team and I don’t condone downloading and sharing copyrighted content. Make sure to check every file you access, as well as the laws and regulations in your country to stay on the safe side.

You’re better off with one of these VPNs for torrenting if you need a service to keep you secure on any P2P network.

Does GIPVPN Work in China? Yes (Apparently)

GIPVPN’s support team told me that the VPN works in China. This is rather surprising, as it only has one server in Germany that doesn’t work.

screenshot of GIPVPN's support answerThe support team said that I should be able to use GIPVPN in China, but I have my doubts

If you find yourself behind the Great Firewall, I’d try one of these more reliable VPNs for China.

Simultaneous Device Connections — Up to 7

GIPVPN allows you to use the VPN on 7 devices at the same time. However it’s only available for a handful of platforms, so you can’t really make the most of the offering.

Installation & Apps

5.3

Device Compatibility — Limited to Mainstream Operating Systems

GIPVPN is only compatible with Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. There’s no option to install it on routers, gaming consoles, smart TVs, or any other operating system.

This is a little disappointing, especially since it offers 7 connections. With this compatibility, you may not even get to use all of them.

Setup & Installation — More Complicated Than it Should Be

The VPN requires manual setup through Shadowsocks and the client is difficult, especially if you’re new to VPNs.

After you purchase a subscription, you receive an email containing the server address, Shadowsocks client, and a video tutorial. To set up the VPN, you need to download the archive containing the client and copy the server address to your clipboard.

When you extract the file and open the Shadowsocks client, it’s minimized — so you need to find it in the application tray and right-click. After that, go to “Servers,” and click on “Import URL from clipboard.” Then click on the “OK” button.

screenshot of GIPVPN's set upI prefer VPNs with an easy-to-use preconfigured app, like CyberGhost

To activate the proxy, you need to right-click on the Shadowsocks icon, then go to “System proxy,” and choose the “Global” option. In theory, this should start the VPN.

Unfortunately, all the setup process did for me was completely shut down my internet connection — I couldn’t access any websites with it. Some wouldn’t load, while others gave me a 500 error.

All in all, I can’t recommend GIPVPN. Its setup is far too complicated considering you only get access to one server that doesn’t even work.

Pricing

5.3
Premium
$ 1.99 / month per month
Editor's Note: GIPVPN and this site are in the same ownership group.

GIPVPN only accepts payments through PayPal. Even though it’s a small VPN, I would have liked to have more options, such as credit cards, Google Pay, and even cryptocurrencies for more anonymity.

It has a standard price of $1.99/month and doesn’t offer multiple plans to choose from. This means that you won’t make any savings if you choose to stay subscribed for more than one year (as is the case with top VPNs like ExpressVPN).

The VPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, which the support team grants for any reason. When I contacted the team because the VPN wasn’t working, they offered to give me a refund before even trying to fix my problem. This is odd, as most VPNs will usually do their best to fix the issue first.

Overall, GIPVPN’s low prices may be initially tempting — but not when you realize you’re paying for a service that doesn’t work.

Reliability & Support

3.3

GIPVPN only offers email support, and you don’t get the email address until you subscribe. This means that it’s impossible to ask any questions about the VPN before paying for it.

Support isn’t exactly fast either. Although the website promises 24/7 support, it took 6 hours for me to get a response.

What’s even more disappointing is that there’s no FAQ section or knowledge base either. GIPVPN’s website consists of a main page, where you can find basic information, and nothing else.

Compare GIPVPN With The Top Alternative VPNs
Our Score: 9.9
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Our Score: 9.5
Editor's Note: Transparency and impartiality are important to us when bringing you our best selection of VPNs. Some of the industry-leading products on our list, including Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost, and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company. The VPNs we choose are derived from a thorough testing process.

The Bottom Line

Final Verdict

Overall, I found GIPVPN to be a small and unreliable service. It only has 1 server in Germany, and I couldn’t connect to it at all. Even if the server works for you, you’re limited to accessing German content only — so you can’t unblock your accounts on international sites like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, or Disney+.

The VPN uses decent encryption but gives you no additional security features. Since it has no privacy policy, there’s no guarantee it’s not logging your data — which may put your online privacy at risk. This VPN simply isn’t worth that risk.

  • 1 location in Germany
  • CHACHA20 IEFT Poly1305 encryption
  • Works in China

FAQs on GIPVPN

Is GIPVPN safe?

Not really. The VPN uses CHACHA20 IEFT Poly1305 for encryption and has no additional security features or a privacy policy. This could put you and your personal data at risk, as there’s no guarantee you’re fully protected and that the VPN isn’t storing or selling your information.

Can GIPVPN unblock Netflix?

It may unblock Netflix Germany, but nothing more. GIPVPN only has 1 server in Germany, so it’s not suitable for accessing US or UK Netflix libraries. Plus, the server never worked in my tests.

Will GIPVPN slow my speeds down?

It may slow you down, but it depends on several factors. For starters, the server network is limited to just one location. Because of this, you may experience terrible drops — if you manage to connect in the first place. When too many people use the same server, its performance declines (just like running too many apps on your phone and computer).

That being said, the VPN uses the fast Shadowsocks proxy and CHACHA20 IETF Poly1305 algorithm for encryption. But I doubt even these are fast enough to overcome the congestion issues that come with such a tiny network. The server never even connected for me, so I couldn’t test the speeds out for myself.

Money Back Guarantee (Days): 30
Mobile app:
Number of devices per license: 7
We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
Learn more
vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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About the Author

Andreea Juganaru is a former senior editor for vpnMentor. She used her extensive knowledge in cybersecurity to research and analyze ways our readers can protect their online privacy.

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