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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.

Ivacy VPN vs Buffered VPN 2024

Table of Contents
    Our Score: 7.3/10
    %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

    Ivacy VPN and Buffered VPN are two well-known VPNs with notable differences. While both providers take privacy and security seriously by offering 256-bit encryption and kill switches, Ivacy goes beyond to include split tunneling, identity theft protection, IPv6 leak protection, and a secure Smart DNS add-on. Furthermore, compared to Buffered VPN’s 30+ servers in 30+ locations, Ivacy has a far larger network, with 1,000+ servers spread across 100+ locations. Ivacy is therefore a better choice for accessing a wider range of restricted sites with minimal server load issues. Ivacy is also a better choice for users in China, since Buffered VPN doesn’t reliably work there. In addition, Buffered VPN relies exclusively on the OpenVPN protocol, whereas Ivacy offers OpenVPN plus a diverse selection of other tunneling protocols suitable for different uses. Nevertheless, you will find some similarities between Ivacy and Buffered. They both support P2P and provide smooth access to popular streaming services including Netflix, Hulu, and the BBC iPlayer without bandwidth or speed restrictions. Both are compatible with all major operating systems and offer up to five simultaneous connections per subscription. Live chat support is also provided by both VPNs, though it’s easier to get in touch with Ivacy’s team. Buffered competes with more comprehensive FAQ and Knowledgebase website sections. It’s also worth noting that both Ivacy and Buffered offer 30-day money-back guarantees. Read on as we break this comparison down by category.

    Our Score

    Features 7.3/10
    Pricing 7.6/10
    Ease of Use 6.8/10
    Reliability & Support 9.4/10
    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 Matthew Amos
    Matthew Amos

    Senior Editor

    Our Score: 7.3/10

    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...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    P
    Pa Asten
    8.0/10
    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 devi... ce 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.More

    Latest negative user review
    J
    JB
    2.0/10
    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.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 $1/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 10 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

    With over 1,000 servers in more than 100 locations, low-priced plans, and multi-featured apps, Ivacy provides a more suitable VPN service for beginners and casual users than Buffered VPN. Advanced users will have no trouble setting up and customizing either VPN, but may find them both somewhat sluggish for streaming videos in HD.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    Both Ivacy VPN and Buffered VPN support torrenting. Buffered permits torrenting on all its servers, while Ivacy only allows torrenting on specific servers. However, Ivacy offers far more servers in more locations overall, and at cheaper subscription prices.

    Best VPN for Windows

    Ivacy VPN and Buffered VPN both went for simplicity in designing their Windows apps, which both include kill switches. However, Ivacy implemented more features, with a clear layout that makes it easy for you to navigate through configurations and settings.

    Best VPN for Android

    The same sleek and simple design can be found in both providers’ dedicated Android clients. While Buffered sticks to its basic VPN features in its Android app, Ivacy’s Android client comes with additional security and accessibility features, such as split tunneling and Smart Purpose Selection, which helps you connect to the ideal server for your desired activity.

    Best VPN for Mac

    Even though both Ivacy and Buffered have excellent, user-friendly apps for Mac that include core VPN features, Ivacy has an edge in reliability and overall performance.

    Best VPN for iOS

    Apple device users will find both providers’ dedicated iOS apps very easy to use. However, Ivacy’s iOS client is sleeker than Buffered’s, supports more than one protocol, and includes access to a far larger number of servers.

    Best VPN for USA

    The competition here gets tough, as both Ivacy and Buffered VPN have well-established networks of US servers. Both VPNs can bypass the toughest US geoblocks, including the ones on Netflix and Hulu. However, Ivacy’s cheaper prices and faster connections speeds on its US servers are too much for Buffered to match.

    The Bottom Line

    See Plans & Pricing

    In terms of affordability, security, number of servers, and geoblock bypassing capabilities, Ivacy outperforms Buffered VPN as a more reliable service. Not only is Ivacy’s server network three times bigger than Buffered’s, but Ivacy also offers more security features, tighter privacy protection, and better access to blocked content, even in China. On the other hand, although limited and more expensive, Buffered VPN is very user-focused and offers simple, intuitive apps. Ultimately, the choice comes down to overall value for your money, and by that measure, Ivacy scores a clear victory. However, if you compare Ivacy with a top-ranked provider like NordVPN, you will see that Ivacy still has plenty of room to improve.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

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

    FAQ

    Is Ivacy VPN better than Buffered VPN?

    Yes, Ivacy VPN is better overall than Buffered VPN. It has 5700 servers in 100 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $1 a month.

    What should I keep in mind when choosing between Ivacy VPN 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 Ivacy VPN may be perfect for you due to its performance during the tests .

    Is Ivacy VPN faster than Buffered VPN?

    Yes, Ivacy VPN 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 Ivacy VPN or Buffered VPN offer any deals?

    Both Ivacy VPN 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.