Ran Greenberg
New-Media and online expert, Venture Capitalist and investor
PureVPN and ibVPN take very different approaches to meeting their users’ needs. While PureVPN offers a host of features and a highly customizable app for a single price, ibVPN allows users to create the VPN package that is right for them, paying for only the features that they need. Both vendors offer unlimited bandwidth, 256-bit encryption, access to a range of tunneling protocols, and live chat support. PureVPN has the greater number of servers and server locations, but ibVPN has better connection speeds across its network. Both keep partial logs and are clear about what information they keep and what they do with it. PureVPN offers five simultaneous connections standard, while ibVPN offers one connection standard, with five connections available with its more expensive packages. Both vendors can bypass geo-restrictions and unblock US Netflix, but only PureVPN can access all regional Netflix versions.
Features
5.5
Pricing
7.8
Ease of Use
8.4
Reliability & Support
8.2
Features
7.4
Pricing
9.1
Ease of Use
8.0
Reliability & Support
8.0
Rating
Features
5.5
7.4
0.0
Pricing
7.8
9.1
0.0
Ease of Use
8.4
8.0
0.0
Reliability & Support
8.2
8.0
0.0
Reviews
Review by our expert
Katie Kasunic
Technology Researcher
7.4
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 purpose...
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 allowing 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!
Latest negative user review
xTwoOhSeven
2.0
Awful Customer Service and StabilityThey are not online during offpeak hours (only email support available), and their response is always "restart your computer and router and try again in 12 hours). In the end it turned out to be an issue with their servers, and they would not offer a credit for the 48 hour downtime. Awful service.
PureVPN is a premium service that operates 2,000+ servers in 140+ countries. It offers unlimited bandwidth, P2P compatibility, and high-end security features including military-level encryption and port forwarding.
Even better, it can unblock Netflix. But it's not as reliable as our top 10 recommended VPNs, since the speeds were slow and the quality was poor.
Streaming – Does PureVPN Work wi...
3 years as a customerBeen using Pure VPN for 3 years without any issues. I always disable auto-renew and buy a year's deal on discount at around £12 for the year. These deals can be found on many deals sites if you look around. Speeds are fine at around 2 thirds of my unconnected speeds testing from UK based servers and neighboring countries servers. I don't connect to far-reaching countries so can't comment on the connection speeds. Only had to use the support once and within 5 minutes my issue was resolved. Android app is a bit clunky compared to the likes of the top 10 but at £12 for a year I can't complain. Suffices my torrent and streaming needs to keep my activities hidden from my ISP. Note, I do not use their streaming profile as PPTP uses RC4 and is not secure enough to hide your activities. Always best to be safe!
Latest negative user review
JM
2.0
Terrible support, questionable business practicesI purchased a lifetime account with PureVPN about four years ago. I have emails that confirm this, including from their support team. At some point, they changed my account to a five-year subscription and then (because they must use a different type of math) set my account to expire after <4.5 years. I contacted support numerous times about this over the course of two months to which they only responded twice, both with " so sorry, we' ll look into it" with no actual follow-up despite a dozen messages from my side.
The issue was never got resolved, my account expired and I can't use it anymore. Many people have reported similar experiences, so research before giving them any money. Another consideration is that Hong Kong is steadily coming under Beijing's control, so privacy can't really be expected. With more reliable providers available at a similar price, I'd suggests staying far away from PureVPN.
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 purpose...
PureVPN is a premium service that operates 2,000+ servers in 140+ countries. It offers unlimited bandwidth, P2P compatibility, and high-end security features including military-level encryption and port forwarding.
Even better, it can unblock Netflix. But it's not as reliable as our top 10 recommended VPNs, since the speeds were slow and the quality was poor.
Streaming – Does PureVPN Work wi...
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 allowing 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!
Anonymously
10.0
3 years as a customerBeen using Pure VPN for 3 years without any issues. I always disable auto-renew and buy a year's deal on discount at around £12 for the year. These deals can be found on many deals sites if you look around. Speeds are fine at around 2 thirds of my unconnected speeds testing from UK based servers and neighboring countries servers. I don't connect to far-reaching countries so can't comment on the connection speeds. Only had to use the support once and within 5 minutes my issue was resolved. Android app is a bit clunky compared to the likes of the top 10 but at £12 for a year I can't complain. Suffices my torrent and streaming needs to keep my activities hidden from my ISP. Note, I do not use their streaming profile as PPTP uses RC4 and is not secure enough to hide your activities. Always best to be safe!
Latest negative user review
xTwoOhSeven
2.0
Awful Customer Service and StabilityThey are not online during offpeak hours (only email support available), and their response is always "restart your computer and router and try again in 12 hours). In the end it turned out to be an issue with their servers, and they would not offer a credit for the 48 hour downtime. Awful service.
JM
2.0
Terrible support, questionable business practicesI purchased a lifetime account with PureVPN about four years ago. I have emails that confirm this, including from their support team. At some point, they changed my account to a five-year subscription and then (because they must use a different type of math) set my account to expire after <4.5 years. I contacted support numerous times about this over the course of two months to which they only responded twice, both with " so sorry, we' ll look into it" with no actual follow-up despite a dozen messages from my side.
The issue was never got resolved, my account expired and I can't use it anymore. Many people have reported similar experiences, so research before giving them any money. Another consideration is that Hong Kong is steadily coming under Beijing's control, so privacy can't really be expected. With more reliable providers available at a similar price, I'd suggests staying far away from PureVPN.
Both vendors offer customizable services, good security, anonymous payment options, and apps for all major devices. While ibVPN offers better speeds and SmartDNS for streaming, PureVPN offers DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection, port forwarding, and DDoS protection, as well as dedicated Netflix servers.
Both vendors offer customizable services, good security, anonymous payment options, and apps for all major devices. While ibVPN offers better speeds and SmartDNS for streaming, PureVPN offers DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leak protection, port forwarding, and DDoS protection, as well as dedicated Netflix servers.
Both ibVPN and PureVPN allow torrenting on specific servers. However, ibVPN has better speeds for file sharing, and the provider also offers a package designed specifically for users who use the VPN primarily for P2P activities.
Both ibVPN and PureVPN allow torrenting on specific servers. However, ibVPN has better speeds for file sharing, and the provider also offers a package designed specifically for users who use the VPN primarily for P2P activities.
Both vendors have intuitive apps for Windows, and offer manual setup guides for technically advanced users. Both also offer extensions for Windows browsers, although ibVPN has previously had difficulties working with Google.
Both vendors have intuitive apps for Windows, and offer manual setup guides for technically advanced users. Both also offer extensions for Windows browsers, although ibVPN has previously had difficulties working with Google.
PureVPN and ibVPN both have dedicated Android apps. While ibVPN offers the greater speeds and more tailored subscription packages, PureVPN offers better protection, a clearer pricing structure, and a wider server network.
PureVPN and ibVPN both have dedicated Android apps. While ibVPN offers the greater speeds and more tailored subscription packages, PureVPN offers better protection, a clearer pricing structure, and a wider server network.
Both ibVPN and PureVPN offer intuitive native apps for Mac, as well as detailed guides if you opt to manually set up your connections or change the tunneling protocol. While ibVPN offers access to proxy servers, Socks5 Proxies, and Tor over VPN in its Ultimate package, similar levels of protection come standard with PureVPN, along with dedicated torrenting and streaming servers.
Both ibVPN and PureVPN offer intuitive native apps for Mac, as well as detailed guides if you opt to manually set up your connections or change the tunneling protocol. While ibVPN offers access to proxy servers, Socks5 Proxies, and Tor over VPN in its Ultimate package, similar levels of protection come standard with PureVPN, along with dedicated torrenting and streaming servers.
Dedicated iOS apps are available from both PureVPN and ibVPN. Both can be customized to meet your needs and both offer unlimited data, bandwidth, and speed. PureVPN offers the better server network, while ibVPN offers the better speeds.
Dedicated iOS apps are available from both PureVPN and ibVPN. Both can be customized to meet your needs and both offer unlimited data, bandwidth, and speed. PureVPN offers the better server network, while ibVPN offers the better speeds.
Both ibVPN and PureVPN work in the USA, although PureVPN has more US servers. Both can be used to access US Netflix, but ibVPN generally delivers faster speeds for streaming. On the other hand, only PureVPN has dedicated Netflix streaming servers that allow you to access geo-restricted Netflix from any region.
Both ibVPN and PureVPN work in the USA, although PureVPN has more US servers. Both can be used to access US Netflix, but ibVPN generally delivers faster speeds for streaming. On the other hand, only PureVPN has dedicated Netflix streaming servers that allow you to access geo-restricted Netflix from any region.
The Bottom Line
Ran Greenberg
New-Media and online expert, Venture Capitalist and investor
Both PureVPN and ibVPN offer great services that are aimed at meeting the needs of a variety of users. However, because the options you get depend on the subscription tier you choose with ibVPN, you might find yourself without features that you actually need. By putting everything in one package, while still offering multiple different connection modes, PurePVN has created a service that works well for both beginners and more experienced users. PureVPN also offers greater security and privacy protection overall, along with a larger server network.
Interestingly, if you compare PureVPN with LifeLock, which is our top ranked vpn, you'll see that PureVPN can learn a lot from LifeLock. Compare PureVPN with LifeLock
Honesty and transparency – our two core values – make the internet a friendly place. Our reviews are written by users themselves, and are not influenced by VPN companies. When you purchase a VPN, we sometimes earn affiliate commissions that support our work. Here is an explanation of exactly what we do and how to support our work.
