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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering 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 the independent, 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.
Advertising Disclosure

vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering 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 the independent, 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.

Ivacy VPN Review 2024: Is This Really the Safest Free VPN?

Our Score: 7.3/10
Ranked 95th out of 306 VPNs
Matthew Amos Updated on 8th March 2024 Fact-checked by Anneke van Aswegen Senior Editor

Ivacy is a long-running VPN with some of the cheapest subscriptions around. It also offers a popular free version and an extensive server network with many rare locations. But is it actually safe or trustworthy with your data?

After all my tests, I’ve concluded that Ivacy is a solid option but not at the top VPN level. It offers above-average speeds and adequate security; the free version is better than most. However, some of its apps are missing key features, and it’s “good but not great” in most categories. I recommend you try one of the best VPNs around first.

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Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

Pros

Cons

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Ivacy VPN Features — 2024 Update

7.4
💸 Price 1 USD/month
📆 Money Back Guarantee 30 Days
📝 Does VPN keep logs? No
🖥 Number of servers 5700+
💻 Number of devices per license 10
🛡 Kill switch Yes
🗺 Based in country Singapore
🛠 Support 24/7 Live Chat Support
📥 Supports torrenting Yes

Streaming — Good Playback with Optimized Servers

7.6

My international team and I had solid results with Ivacy VPN, but it’s not perfect for streaming. While we could always find a way to safely watch the platforms offered where we live, the playback was a little grainy with some services.

While it’s theoretically possible to use Ivacy VPN to unblock content that’s not available in your country, be aware that this will probably result in a copyright infringement. My global team and I only connected to servers in our respective countries during our tests.

Important. The vpnMentor team is firmly against any form of copyright violation. Ivacy VPN follows a no-logging policy, so it won't view, collect, or share your online activities. This means it’s up to you to use it responsibly. We urge you to follow all relevant laws while using any VPN and to never break the T&Cs of any of the streaming platforms you engage with.

Works With: Netflix, Disney Plus, Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Peacock, and more

Using servers in our respective countries, we could watch full Netflix libraries from the US, the UK, and Japan. Since I live in Texas, I was able to test the Netflix optimized server, which is specifically for the US library. It worked, and the quality was good if a tad grainy.

However, my colleagues in Brazil, Canada, and Australia could only watch Netflix Originals. This is a version of the site that removes the content Netflix doesn’t own.

Screenshot of Netflix player streaming The Super Mario Bros. Movie while connected to Ivacy's Netflix-optimized serverI could even skip around the movie without long load times

Ivacy offers a good number of special streaming servers. While there aren’t specific servers optimized for them, I could also safely watch Peacock and YouTube from the US. Check out the table below to see if it offers optimized servers for the platforms available in your region:

Max Hulu Amazon Prime Video US BBC iPlayer
ITV ABC Raiplay Channel 5 UK
HBO Go SBS Hotstar Ten Play
Screenshot of Max player streaming Curb Your Enthusiasm while connected to Ivacy's Max optimized serverFrom the US, I could instantly load videos in good quality

Some of Ivacy’s streaming servers are only optimized for the United States (the Amazon Prime Video server, for example). Hulu is only available in the US, but I could use that server from the US to successfully load videos on Disney+.

While Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video are offered in many countries, my teammates in the UK and Italy couldn’t watch them with the Ivacy servers in their respective regions.

However, our UK correspondent could watch BBC iPlayer in decent quality. She did have to switch from WireGuard to OpenVPN TCP to get it going though. Overall, Ivacy is a good streaming VPN.

Speed — Varies Depending on Your Location

7.0

To gauge its overall performance, my teammates and I recorded speeds on a variety of Ivacy’s worldwide locations. This was purely done to assess its speeds in comparison to its competitors. As stated above, we are against copyright infringement and urge you to use any VPN responsibly.

Ivacy’s overall speeds are slightly above average. Our speed expert in Indonesia tested each server at least 10 times to create averages. The tests were done with the IPsec protocol, since it was the fastest one available to her on her Mac device.

Screenshot of a speed chart showing speeds on various Ivacy VPN serversSpeeds fell 23% on nearby servers and 49% on distant ones

The best VPNs usually only drop your speeds 10-20% on nearby servers. So, Ivacy did decently in that regard. However, virtual locations can create some surprising results. For example, the virtual server in China actually increased our tester’s speeds.

Screenshot of Ookla speed tests done with no VPN connected and while connected to Ivacy's Philippines serverVirtual locations might drop your speeds more (37% for us)

During my own tests, WireGuard was the fastest protocol on Windows, dropping nearby speeds by 23%. I was surprised that this was the same average rate my colleague recorded with IPsec.

However, the speed drops with OpenVPN were huge. The TCP version dropped my rates by 91%, and UDP wasn’t much better with a reduction of 78%. So, using the superior Windows app won’t help your speed.

In summary, you can get solid speeds with Ivacy if there’s a physical location close to you. However, if you want guaranteed fast speeds no matter where you live, check out our list of the fastest VPNs around.

Gaming — Too Much Lag for Action Games

6.2

Ivacy won’t be the best choice for staying safe while you play fast games. The ping is the most important factor when you’re gaming. You want it below 85ms, so your character can instantly react to your commands. Although I got rates as low as 78ms at times, I still experienced some lag using US Ivacy servers while gaming.

Screenshot of Steam running Counter Strike 2 while connected to Ivacy's Miami serverThere was a slight delay each time I tried to fire my weapon

It did work well with a card game like Hearthstone. So, it won’t be the worst choice if you mostly enjoy slower-paced titles. But, if you want to stay competitive with games that require rapid reflexes, you can try one of our favorite VPNs for gaming.

Server Network — Great Selection With Minor Issues

7.6

Ivacy has 5,700 servers in 100 countries. It’s a good amount, although there are VPNs that are available in way more countries. However, I’m happy to see several countries that most VPNs don’t provide, like Aruba and Nigeria.

It owns all of its servers, which makes it more secure. Most VPNs rent at least some of their servers. Ivacy also owns all of its virtual locations. These servers give you an IP in the country listed, but they’re somewhere else. The main issue is that these can affect your speeds as you saw in our tests.

Screenshot of Ivacy's Windows app highlighting the virtual locations in its server listThere are 7 locations marked with a "v" in the Windows app

One thing I don’t like is how long it takes to connect on certain servers. For example, it took 30 seconds to connect to an Australian server during our speed tests, and it even took 25 seconds to load the server list at one point.

The app completely disappeared one time when I tried manually searching for a server too. This concerned me because the kill switch couldn’t activate. On a less worrying note, it’s also annoying that you have to disconnect before you can switch servers.

Dedicated IPs are available in 7 different countries. It’s an extra $1.99 per month for an IP address only you use in Australia, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, Singapore, the UK, or the US. You don’t get to pick the city, but this is common with dedicated IPs. I like that these also come with port forwarding, which is $1 a month by itself.

These dedicated IPs aren’t a bad deal, but some VPNs offer it for cheaper in more locations. These can be useful if you’re running a website and need to keep using the same IP address. All in all, Ivacy offers a solid network, but its Windows app can be a little buggy.

Security — Solid Protection but Some Apps Are Lacking

7.0

Ivacy offers solid security, although it is missing a few key features. Most importantly, it secured your data with AES 256-bit encryption. This is the highest level available, and it’s used by militaries worldwide to protect confidential information.

Screenshot of a test done on ipleak.net showing Ivacy VPN successfully hiding my real IP with a Florida one In a dozen total tests, Ivacy always kept my location hidden

It also has an automatic port selection feature (called multiport), but there is no double VPN, ad-blocker, or WiFi protection.

These aren’t necessary features, but many of Ivacy’s competitors have them. Overall, it offers the essential security features you want, but you’ll miss out on some advanced options.

Protocols

The protocols offered differ depending on your device. You can see the full details in the compatibility section. Windows, Android, and iOS devices can access all its best protocols, while the Mac app is lacking.

OpenVPN is the most secure protocol because it’s open source. This means it’s always being checked for vulnerabilities by people worldwide. The TCP option is supposed to be faster, but UDP did better in my speed tests. UDP is also more stable, so I recommend using it.

WireGuard is the fastest protocol. The other protocols provided are older, and I would only recommend using them if you really need to. For example, if you’re having problems safely watching one of your local platforms.

Some protocols don’t work with every server. The majority of its servers function with OpenVPN UDP, WireGuard, and IKEv2. However, I’d like to see more compatibility with TCP in the future.

Split Tunneling

Ivacy was the pioneer behind split tunneling, so it’s a shame its version isn’t one of the best. This lets you choose what traffic stays out of the VPN tunnel. I like to keep my banking app out of the tunnel, so they don’t think my account has been hacked.

Unfortunately, Ivacy’s split tunneling feature only lets you allowlist sites. This means you pick which sites move through the VPN tunnel. Other VPNs also allow you to blocklist sites, which can be more convenient. It also doesn’t work with WireGuard, which is disappointing.

Kill Switch

The kill switch functions effectively, however, it's crucial to remember to turn it on. This feature prevents your internet connection if the VPN unexpectedly disconnects. It ensures that you won't go online without encryption. It’s only available for Windows and Android apps for now.

Privacy — Good, Clear Policies

8.6

Ivacy has a great privacy policy with only a few small concerns. The company has also undergone independent audits, but I do have a few concerns about them. It's not in the most privacy-friendly country. So, Ivacy is good in this category, but not perfect.

Does Ivacy VPN Keep Logs? No

Ivacy will not log any of your identifiable information. Its policy states it won’t record your online activities, VPN IPs assigned, your originating IP, browsing history, connection logs, outgoing traffic, connection times, or the data you’ve accessed.

It does keep the information you give them like the email address you use to sign up, your payment method, and “name”. However, a support agent told me you can decline to include your name or make one up.

The company may also know the country you’re connecting from based on your payment method. Additionally, it records anonymized crash reports, failed connection attempts, bandwidth used, and information related to speeds.

All VPNs keep some anonymized data to maintain their services, so what it stores doesn’t concern me. It’s tough to find a VPN that records less information than this.

Was Ivacy VPN Audited? Yes

Ivacy VPN claims to have undergone regular audits, but the reports aren’t public. When I reached out, support stated they could not disclose the results of their audits or who performed them. They simply told me that they’re IOXT-certified.

The IOXT (Internet of Secure Things) is an alliance between many huge cybersecurity companies, so that’s impressive. However, I really wish Ivacy made its independent audits available for anyone to read like many top VPNs do.

Based in Singapore

It’s located in Singapore, a country that gives information to the 5-Eyes Alliance. This is an agreement between governments to share data on their citizens. That’s another knock against Ivacy because it means they could be compelled to store data in the future.

But so far, there haven’t been any incidents showing Ivacy storing identifiable information from its customers. Its parent company PGM Private Limited hasn’t faced any serious controversies either, so that may give you more faith in them as well.

Does Ivacy VPN Work in China? Yes

The support team advised me that using Ivacy VPN in China is possible.

Screenshot of a conversation with Ivacy support via its live chat where they claim it works in ChinaIts website has great guides for using several OS' in China

While the Chinese government has banned many VPNs, there have been no publicly-reported cases of them going after the individuals who use them. However, my team and I don’t condone any illegal activities. So, we urge you to read up on the local laws before you decide to use a VPN in the country.

Torrenting — Slow Speeds Along With Other Issues

5.4

Ivacy slowed my downloads significantly no matter what server I used. During my test, I downloaded a 700MB copyright-free movie. It normally takes me about 22 minutes to finish. However, with the optimized server in the Netherlands (the closest one to me), it would have taken nearly an hour.

A non-optimized server close to my location extended my wait time another 15 minutes. There are currently 20+ optimized servers for torrenting. However, it’s a bit annoying that you have to search for the P2P servers on its website.

It does have a “Secure Downloading” feature, which you can turn on to scan for malicious files. Its port forwarding feature could increase your torrenting rates, but you’ll have to pay extra for it (many VPNs offer this for free).

Torrenting is legal in most countries, but downloading copyrighted files is never legal. My team and I don’t condone any illegal activities, and we recommend you only access torrents in the public domain.

While Ivacy has the proper security and privacy features you want in a VPN for torrenting, its speeds are just too slow. You can find one of the best VPNs for P2P in this list.

Installation & Apps

6.8

Installation & Apps — Easy to Set Up but Some Apps are Lacking

I had no issues setting up or navigating any of Ivacy’s apps. However, some are much better than others.

Screenshot of Ivacy's Windows UI highlighting the settings menuIvacy's settings are clearly labeled and well-organized

In comparison, the mobile apps are a bit more simplistic and don’t have the same eye-catching design.

Setup & Installation

It’s a very straightforward process downloading Ivacy VPN.

Screenshot of Ivacy's download page from its websiteit's nice that you can download it without having to sign up

On desktop, you’ll do it through its website, and it only takes about 3 minutes. It’s a little faster on mobile where you simply access the app from your phone’s store.

Device Compatibility

Ivacy offers apps for all the major operating systems, but it doesn’t support them all equally. The Windows app is by far the best, while every other version has some drawbacks (and some of them are pretty serious).

Desktop — Apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux

The Windows app gives you all of Ivacy’s best features. It can use the top protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2), and it comes with the kill switch and split tunneling.

Mac apps have an identical design, but they can only connect to the IKEv2 and IPsec protocols. They’re also missing the kill switch and split tunneling. On Linux, you can only connect to OpenVPN, you have to use the command line, and there’s no kill switch.

To find VPNs that offer necessary security features like a kill switch and top-notch protocols for Apple devices, check out our list of the top VPNs for Mac.

Android and iPhone (iOS)

The iOS and Android apps have the same protocols, but you don’t get the kill switch or split tunneling on iPhones. On the plus side, the protocols offered for mobile devices are top-notch (OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2).

Browser Extensions for Chrome, Firefox, & Edge

The browser extensions work well, but they’re only proxies, so they’re less secure. These let you toggle WebRTC leak protection on and off. These also come with Bypass Proxy, which is a split tunneling feature. You won’t get a kill switch with the extensions, though.

Apps for Amazon Fire Stick and Android TVs

You can download Ivacy straight onto your Firestick or Android smart TV through their app stores. Unfortunately, it’s not quite as easy with other smart TVs or streaming devices. Since there’s no smart DNS, you’d have to get Ivacy on your router, which isn’t that easy.

Router Compatibility

Ivacy offers manual configurations for routers. While I appreciate that there’s a way to connect to its servers on many routers, it’s a lengthy process, and you don’t get any additional features. There are installation guides on its website for many models including ASUS and DD-WRT.

Connecting a VPN to your router is a great way to protect non-compatible devices. Many VPNs sell pre-configured routers or offer full native router apps that are easier to install and use. You can learn more about the best VPNs for routers in this list.

Simultaneous Device Connections

You can use Ivacy VPN on up to 10 devices with 1 subscription, beating many premium VPNs. I tested this by simultaneously connecting my Android phone, Amazon tablet, Windows laptop, and roommate's iPhone. Each one worked well for watching social media videos; I didn't notice any delays or buffering. So, this is one area where Ivacy VPN excels.

Pricing

7.6
5 Years
$ 1 / month per month
1 Year
$ 3.5 / month per month
1 Month
$ 9.95 / month per month

Pricing — Good Free Tier and Affordable Plans

Ivacy VPN has an average price point with the cheaper tiers. The 5-year plan is a really good deal, but that’s a very long commitment. I recommend testing out its free plan or getting a shorter subscription first. If you do choose it, that plan is the only one that includes its password manager as well.

You can pay with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, Diner’s Club, or JCB credit cards. It also accepts Paypal, Paymentwall, ClickandBuy, iDeal, Dotpay, Neosurf, OneCard, Mobiamo, and PerfectMoney. To pay with cryptocurrency, you have to use Coingate or BitPay (which supports Bitcoin).

There is a 30-day money-back guarantee with the longer plans. The monthly plan only gets a 7-day money-back guarantee. I don’t like this because most VPNs give you a full month to test it, even with shorter plans. You also can’t get a refund if you paid with cryptocurrency.

Screenshot showing Ivacy's cancellation request page on its website and an email confirming my cancellation and refund After that, I had to go back and forth with agents via email

I tested its money-back guarantee, and the process was a bit frustrating. It took a few days of emails with support just to get everything approved, and they kept trying to get me to stay. Once my refund was accepted, my money was returned in 1 day.

You may have seen advertisements for a “lifetime subscription” to Ivacy, but this is just the 5-year plan. Support told me: “In the tech industry, lifetime refers to the life cycle of a software, which is typically 5 years.” While that feels a little deceptive, I do appreciate how quickly and honestly the support staff clarified this for me.

The free plan is generous and a good way to test it out. You get unlimited data and can use it as long as you want. However, you can only use the Automatic server, which connects you to the closest location. Extra features like streaming servers, a kill switch, split tunneling, etc., aren’t available.

Reliability & Support

9.4

Reliability and Support — Excellent 24/7 Live Chat

Ivacy offers some of the best customer support in the cybersecurity industry. Its 24/7 live chat was always available, and I accessed it 20+ times. I only have a few minor complaints. For example, you start with a bot, and some agents seem eager to leave. However, it never took more than 15 seconds to get in touch, and they could usually answer my questions promptly.

Screenshot of a conversation with Ivacy support staff where they cancelled a mistaken charge on my accountThey immediately canceled an unexpected charge on my account

It also offers support via email, tickets, and TeamViewer. There are tons of in-depth guides on the site too, but I wish you could access support without an account (especially since the free version is so good).

My experience with Ivacy’s customer support was fantastic, and the 24/7 live chat worked every time I tried it. Many VPNs claim to have 24/7 live chat, but it’ll be down at random times. I haven’t found many other services that match Ivacy in this category.

Compare Ivacy VPN With The Top Alternative VPNs
Our Score: 9.9
Our Score: 9.7
Our Score: 9.5
Our Score: 9.4

The Bottom Line

Final Verdict — An Imperfect VPN That’s Good All-Around

There’s a lot to like about Ivacy VPN. Its network is large and offers servers in many unexpected locations. Ivacy is also solid in most crucial areas, like speed, security, and privacy.

However, it has some things that could be improved, and it doesn't stand out in any areas the way top VPNs do. I'm disappointed by its Mac and iOS apps, and its performance for gaming and torrenting isn't top-notch. You can find faster VPNs that are great for torrenting and offer better device compatibility. However, it wouldn't hurt to check out Ivacy's free app.

cnlDrFdccJQ
  • Good for safe streaming
  • Decent speeds
  • Large server network
  • Offers solid security
  • Strict no-logging policy

FAQs on Ivacy VPN

Is Ivacy VPN free?

Yes, you can use a limited version of Ivacy VPN for free. This only lets you use its automatic location, which connects you to the closest server. You also miss out on many features like its kill switch, split tunneling, and optimized servers. However, it does offer unlimited data usage, so it’s a great way to test Ivacy out.

Does Ivacy have a lifetime subscription?

No, it doesn’t really have a “lifetime” subscription. Support told me that the lifetime subscription advertised is really just its 5-year tier. It’s offered for a great price, but there is no way to pay for the VPN once and retain access to it for life.

Is Ivacy VPN any good?

Yes, Ivacy is a good VPN, but not one of the very best. It offers a large network, essential security features, and it comes with a great privacy policy. However, its Mac and iOS apps are missing some crucial features. It’s also not the best option for gaming or torrenting.

Money Back Guarantee (Days): 30
Mobile app:
Number of devices per license: 10
VPN Plans: ivacy.com
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 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering 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 the independent, 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.
Ivacy VPN User Reviews (User reviews are not verified)
8.0
Based on 282 reviews in 9 languages

Write a Review on Ivacy VPN

Please rate VPN.

All Speed Streaming Security Сustomer service
JB
JB
2/10
Terrible support

I was a customer 6 years ago. They still email me frequently, despite me unsubscribing many times and reaching out to their customer support 8+ times. If Ivacy can't get this right then I wouldn't trust any other promise that they make.

Pa Asten
Pa Asten
8/10
Not sure where all these negative thoughts come from.

Never had a problem connecting my desktop pooters with Ivacy. Had minor problem connecting my IOS device to my dedicated European IP but that was soon sorted. I daresay most of the negativity comes from the younger generation who have no patience. Staff at Ivacy who helped this 75yr old were awesome and ever helpful. Keep at it guys! I'd give them 9.5.

Redbull236
Redbull236
2/10
Scam company likely installing spyware

Completely shady company. They offer a "free" trial period that costs .99. Not a huge deal but still deceptive. Then they automatically roll that into a year-long subscription and if you try to cancel they tell you you can't have a refund because the .99 "free" trial is a "special account" and special accounts don't qualify for refunds. They advertise a 30-day money-back guarantee but refuse to honor it. If they're that shady about their billing practices who knows what kind of spyware they're installing?

About the Author

Matthew is a writer and editor for VPNMentor with a proven track record of providing in-depth analysis of the most highly regarded VPNs, including ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. His unparalleled expertise has enabled him to consistently deliver cutting-edge insights on the most sought-after (and newest) VPN services.

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