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.
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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.
Advertising Disclosure

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.

ibVPN vs Buffered VPN 2024

Table of Contents
    Our Score: 7.5/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Our Score: 8.1/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, Cyberghost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Kate Richards
    Kate Richards

    Managing Editor

    Update: Both Buffered VPN and ibVPN have merged with StrongVPN and are no longer operating independently.

    Best alternative to StrongVPN

    Our Score: 9.9

    With a larger global fleet of servers and its proprietary Lightway protocol, ExpressVPN offers access to more streaming networks, plus improved speeds for buffer-free streaming. It’s the better overall service, as our testing showed, and comes with wider platform support, reliable 24/7 support, and headquarters in a privacy-friendly location.

    Our Score: 9.9
    Read more about ExpressVPN
    See ExpressVPN's Best Deals
    Compare ExpressVPN vs StrongVPN
    Visit ExpressVPN
    www.ExpressVPN.com

    Buffered VPN and ibVPN are two very popular choices for a good-quality VPN at a cut price. With a recently refurbished service, Romania-based ibVPN now offers enhanced connection speeds and combines VPN functions with SmartDNS in one package. Security is pretty solid with both ibVPN and Buffered, as they both use strong AES 256-bit encryption and have kill switches in some of their apps. However, ibVPN goes further with a double VPN protocol, Tor over VPN, and WebRTC leak protection. The two VPNs are compatible with routers and game consoles, as well as Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, and Linux. Nevertheless, there are critical differences between ibVPN and Buffered. While Buffered only supports OpenVPN, ibVPN supports a more diverse range of tunneling protocols, including OpenVPN, SSTP, L2TP, SoftEther, StealthVPN, and Shadowsocks. Even though both VPNs have relatively small server networks, with Buffered covering 30+ countries and ibVPN covering 40+ countries, ibVPN provides access to more geo-restricted websites and services. However, you may need to roll up your sleeves and get into manual configuration if you want to use ibVPN in China. On the other hand, even without live chat, Buffered has a highly responsive support team, backed up by a comprehensive Knowledge Base web page. What’s more, Buffered offers a 30-day money-back guarantee and allows up to five simultaneous connections across all its subscription plans. Meanwhile, ibVPN offers excellent 24/7 live chat support, but only a 15-day refund policy. You’ll only get support for five simultaneous connections with an Ultimate ibVPN membership. Still not sure which one to pick? Let’s dig deeper into this comparison by category.

    Our Score

    Features 7.5/10
    Pricing 7.8/10
    Ease of Use 8.4/10
    Reliability & Support 8.2/10
    Features 8.1/10
    Pricing 6.3/10
    Ease of Use 8.8/10
    Reliability & Support 8.6/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Doris Muthuri
    Doris Muthuri

    Senior Writer

    Our Score: 7.5/10

    Update: Recently, ibVPN merged with StrongVPN. We did indepth testing on StrongVPN, and you can find all the details in our review. ibVPN is a relatively small VPN, with a network of 180+ servers in 50+ countries. The name stands for "invisible browsing" VPN, and true to its name, ibVPN has a strong focus on security and privacy. This provider claims to be a great VPN for many different purposes, ...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    A
    Anonymously
    10.0/10
    Very stable, full option, the top if you look for a good privacy protection option!

    I am using ibVPN for about 5 years, and I never had an issue. It perfectly works with many protocols a... llowing me to use the VPN at home (with my DD-WRT router) and in many public places, like airports, even when some port usage is restricted --> Just switching the protocol! The 24h free trial is perfect for checking if the service fits your needs. I highly recommended it!More

    Latest negative user review
    D
    Daltonic
    6.0/10
    Some great features but a lot of drops

    I'm a customer since almost 2 years, paying 2.41$ / month. Choose them for the price, no-log policy a... nd because they support upnp/port forwarding (no NAT firewall + dynamic IP on 4 servers in the Netherlands). I always had a big problem with their server: connection drops.. If I use too much bandwidth, I loose the connection and the VPN client is not able to reconnect to the server by itself (I need to reconnect it manually). Same thing happens always with torrent clients and Socks proxy: tried with different clients but after some days or a week (if I'm lucky) their servers kick me out, and a restart of the torrent client is not enough. No!! I need to change manually the server to re-start to torrenting! No problem if we are slow, for that price I'm more than happy.. but all these disconnections are very, very boring. I will stay with them till I will not find something suitable for my needs, but there's too much work from my side to stay with them forever.More

    Read the full review
    Review by our expert
    Author Image Doris Muthuri
    Doris Muthuri

    Senior Writer

    Our Score: 8.1/10

    Update: Buffered VPN merged with Encrypt.me. We have thoroughly tested Encrypt.me, and you can find everything you need to know in our review. Buffered VPN has a lot to offer due to its user-friendly interface, fast connection speeds, and reliable security. One thing it can't do is unblock Netflix, you'll need a premium vendor like ExpressVPN for that. In addition to dedicated apps available for ...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    D
    Don Bartlem
    10.0/10
    I considered a number of VPN's before going with Buffered which I find excellent.

    No issues in any aspect, On the rare occasions that I required assistance (in the initial set up stage... ), the Help Desk was outstanding. Would highly recommend Buffered to anyone considering using a VPNMore

    Latest negative user review
    T
    Trev
    2.0/10
    They are no more

    After being a customer for more than 2 years and paying a premium price for a good service. THEY DON'T...  EXIST ANYMORE.. No warning, just logged in one day and my app doesn't work and they have changed their website name. STAY AWAY, sounds dodgy.More

    Read the full review

    Pricing

    Starting price $4.95/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 15 Days
    Number of devices per license 25 devices
    Starting price $8.33/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 5 devices

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    Each of these VPNs is a very good choice for users with particular needs, but ibVPN provides a very reliable service overall, with lots of options and features. Mooreover, at current prices, you can get ibVPN’s Ultimate plan at a lower cost than Buffered’s basic subscription.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    You can use either ibVPN or Buffered for torrenting and other P2P activities. Buffered allows torrenting and file sharing across its network on all servers, whereas ibVPN has dedicated servers for torrenting, with access to the Tor network.

    Best VPN for Windows

    You’ll find all you need from a VPN in ibVPN’s client PC app, from security features like a kill switch, IPv6 leak protection, and customizable protocols to streaming-friendly features like SmartDNS. By comparison, Buffered doesn’t offer much in its dedicated Windows app, only basic VPN features plus a kill switch.

    Best VPN for Android

    The two VPNs stick to simple and user-friendly designs for their dedicated Android apps. Buffered’s app for Android devices is more stable than ibVPN’s Android client, and equipped with DoS protection and built-in tests for bandwidth and firewalls. Buffered for Android also allows you to choose between UDP and TCP for your OpenVPN connection. Meanwhile, ibVPN also supports OpenVPN (UDP/TCP) in an Android app with a NAT firewall for extra protection.

    Best VPN for Mac

    You get a pretty intuitive and customizable app for MacOS from ibVPN, with a selection of tunneling protocols, a kill switch, and a list of servers suitable for P2P and streaming. As for Buffered, its Mac app has the same simple layout and basic features as the Windows client.

    Best VPN for iOS

    Apple users will find the dedicated iOS apps provided by both ibVPN and Buffered to be thumb-friendly and lightweight. Buffered’s iOS app is rather limited in features, but secure on unprotected public networks. In contrast, ibVPN has a more customizable app, with support for OpenVPN, IKEv2, and IPsec, as well as an auto-connection feature called VPN On-Demand.

    Best VPN for USA

    Choosing between ibVPN and Buffered for bypassing US geoblocks is challenging. Both VPNs are capable of unblocking popular US-restricted services and websites like Netflix and Hulu. However, ibVPN does offer more affordable packages and feature-rich apps.

    The Bottom Line

    See Plans & Pricing

    Buffered is a simple, no-frills, reliable VPN service that delivers decent speeds and basic VPN features for those on the go. However, with its impressive features, versatile security options, and consistent access to popular restricted services, ibVPN delivers more value for your money overall. It may not be the fastest VPN out there, but it does enough to win this competition fair and square. That said, if you need a VPN with a far-reaching network that gives you access to content in remote countries, you might find that both of these VPNs let you down.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

    Go with ibVPN
    Go with Buffered VPN
    Or click here to check best VPNs, rated by {{review_count}} users

    FAQ

    Is ibVPN better than Buffered VPN?

    Yes, ibVPN is better overall than Buffered VPN. It has 130 servers in 47 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $4.95 a month.

    What should I keep in mind when choosing between ibVPN and Buffered VPN?

    When choosing a VPN, you want to pay close attention to its number of servers, overall speed score, pricing, and the number of simultaneous device connections it offers. While some VPNs provide a flawless online experience, others will really slow you down.

    If you’re ready to commit, then ibVPN may be perfect for you due to its performance during the tests .

    Is ibVPN faster than Buffered VPN?

    Yes, ibVPN is faster than Buffered VPN. Since your VPN is your computer’s main connection to the internet, you need to use a service that won’t slow you down by more than 20%.

    If speeds are important to you, then I recommend you take a look at ExpressVPN. It’s the fastest service out there, provides unlimited bandwidth, and you won’t experience any slowdowns even when you connect to the other side of the planet. You can try it out risk-free. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if you don’t like it.

    Do ibVPN or Buffered VPN offer any deals?

    Both ibVPN and Buffered VPN offer deals on occasion. You can check out the current coupons and discounts here. However, ExpressVPN has the best deals. Right now, you can get a 49% discount and up to 3 months for free with a new subscription.

    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.

    About the Author

    Kate is a Managing Editor at vpnMentor. Kate promotes the use of VPNs as a means to achieve unhindered access to the internet, as she strongly believes in online freedom for everyone.