The popularity of VPNs has really gone up in recent years. It has gotten to a point where now there are hundreds of different options to choose from. So, what do you do when looking for a good service that fits your needs? Well, the answer to that question will depend on what you need in a VPN?
Is it speed you are looking for because you want buffer-free streaming and generally a smooth browsing experience? Do you want it to unlock all types of content from around the globe? Or maybe you are looking for something that will keep brands from collecting your information.
There are a number of VPNs that offer a variable mix of features but there are a few that stand out by catering to all the customer’s needs. Today, we are reviewing one that does just the same. Ivacy was launched in 2007 and in a short time has established itself as one of the leading services in the market.
So, what is it about Ivacy that makes it stand out? We are going to talk all about all of it here and find out whether it is really worth all the hype. We are going to start with a general overview and then dive into greater details.
Basic Roundup
Ivacy is a relatively new service but it has a lot of achievements to vouch for it including BestVPN.com awards and high ratings from some of the most credible organizations around. If you want a basic run down of all the highlighting features that Ivacy has then here they are:
- Headquarters: Singapore,
- Countries: 55+
- Servers: 1000+
- Logging policy: Strictly zero logging
- Encryption: 256-bit end-to-end encryption
- Trial period: None
- Customer support: 24/7 phone and chat support,
- Pricing: Starting from $7.50 per month,
- Multi-login: 5 and 10, priced differently,
- Money back guarantee: Yes, 30 days.
If your preferences are streaming then Ivacy has that covered too. It offers smart purpose selection that helps you configure the right settings for streaming or downloads. Servers spread across the world mean you can unblock content from almost every region. Also, there is unlimited bandwidth which means there are no restrictions on streaming or even downloading content.
Finding the best speeds
Ivacy is optimized to look for the server in your area that is providing the best speeds. BestVPN.com awarded the service for ‘Best Speed’ and we thought we would check it out. Ivacy and its speeds are consistent across most of their servers.
What’s more is that when you are initiating a connection, it shows you nearest locations that should be preferred. During a connection if users experience lagging internet, Ivacy can configure itself to look for the best possible alternative.
How good is Ivacy as a gaming VPN?
The gaming industry has grown to exceed $150 billion in net worth. It is such a lucrative field that people looking to that undue advantage of it just can’t hold back. The features that have become relevant to gamers today are cybersecurity tools like DDoS protection, encryption and speeds.
Ivacy is one of the best VPNs for gaming because it eliminates throttling in the most efficient way possible. On top of that there are secure protocols that help fight off any malicious elements trying to compromise user systems through various attacks.
Cybersecurity
The losses from cybercrime hit an excess of $5 trillion in 2019. This is a troubling statistic but it is as real as things can get. Almost everyone including major corporations, small businesses and individuals are being targeted equally.
We tested Ivacy on a lot of parameters like DNS leak protection, public wi-fi security and safeguards against IP detection. The results were promising as Ivacy offers stable and reliable cybersecurity enabling a worry-free browsing experience.
Encryption
Data is the most vulnerable during transit because standard network connections don’t provide any coverage to it. Ivacy offers peace of mind in this regard too by providing the highest level of encryption currently available.
The 256-bit end-to-end encryption ensures that all information remains secure as it crosses from one server to another. Even the best hackers in the world using the most powerful computers would need several years to crack a 256-bit encoded data because not only is the key highly secure but the whole protocol is designed to maintain sophisticated levels of security.
Additional protocols
You must have come across jargon like TCP, UDP and IKEV etc. while scrolling the internet. These are some of the protocols offered by VPN services to protect user privacy and their data online. In simple terms, these frameworks add extra layers of security to an already safe browsing experience.
Ivacy enables users to add one or more of these protocols to their secure connection just to be sure. With these additional layers in place, the encryption becomes military grade making it impossible to breach. It is the key to a smooth internet experience.
Internet Kill Switch
The purpose of an Internet Kill Switch is to make sure that no window is left open for a hacker or other entity to get hold of your private information. Of course, Ivacy offers a choice for you to keep the switch on or off but it is recommended to use this feature at all times.
The purpose of the internet kill switch is to disable the internet completely when the VPN connection drops. It can cause a slight inconvenience when streaming or playing a game but at the same time, it makes sure that the user remains out of harm’s way.
Split tunneling
Many people argue that split tunneling makes no sense because when you have a secure pathway, why would you send data through an unprotected route. Well, there are several reasons why split tunneling can come in handy. This includes cases like when you need to avoid bandwidth limitations.
Ivacy offers unlimited bandwidth to its users but even then, the load on a server can cause data transfer speeds to go down. This is where split tunneling comes in handy. Also, this feature prevents suspicion from the local internet service provider that you may be using a VPN.
Leak tests and threat protection
A hacker that is extremely persistent or other businesses etc. that may be keeping logs of your information can take advantage of even the slightest leak in the connection. Even with a good VPN installed and running, some data may get lost.
There are several leak tests available online and you can use these to check whether your VPN is experiencing a leak or not. We test several Ivacy servers for the possibility but found no leaks at all. This is one of the reasons that contribute to Ivacy’s credibility.
Privacy
Ivacy is based in Singapore and its servers spread far and wide across the globe. This means that it has the resources and expertise to provide comprehensive data security at all times. The servers of the service are properly protected to minimize any chances of data leaks.
Some VPNs have small clauses added in their privacy agreements that make users agree to certain terms that will compromise privacy. We’ve thoroughly gone through Ivacy’s policies so that you don’t have to and we are happy to report that there are no loopholes found anywhere in it.
Location
A user’s IP address is their location beacon online. In normal internet connections, this IP address is public which means that anyone can know what it is. This is extremely dangerous because the IP address alone can tell a hacker or other entities where you are located, what you are doing and other information that you may not be willing to share.
Ivacy’s IP masking is one of the most comprehensive and secure. Using state-of-the-art protocols they make sure that the data is not just encrypted and kept secure at all times but also safeguarded from malware attacks. Hiding your location alone can create a huge barrier between you and other dangerous elements on the internet.
AdBlocker
Although Ivacy doesn’t carry any ads of its own but it certainly doesn’t provide any tools to keep third party promotions at bay. This is one of thee few drawbacks that the service has and it can become quite a nuisance these days.
There are other trusted adblockers that you can use with Ivacy. These are crucial because otherwise the advertisements are just endless at all times. It is so annoying at times that you just wish it would end but it just doesn’t.
Ivacy logging policy
We touched upon this briefly in a previous section. Many VPNs say that they have a zero-logging policy but hidden somewhere in the user license agreement is a clause which allows them to store some data at certain times. Not just is this a breach of trust but it’s also unethical.
Ivacy’s privacy agreement is free from any such defective clause. The service follows a strict no logs policy. The only thing they store about a user is the email address and nothing else. All other data is wiped off the system at regular intervals.
Server spread
Another issue with most VPNs is that their servers are saturated in one region. This is usually North America or Europe. As a result, these VPNs are not able to unblock websites in areas where internet is heavily censored and regulated.
China, Saudi Arabia, Korea and other countries in Africa and the Middle East practice some extreme measures in controlling the internet. Ivacy’s server spread, however, makes sure that you can access the internet in the most remote places.
Dedicated applications and browser extensions
The hallmark of a good VPN is that it has extensions and support for almost every platform. Ivacy has specifically designed applications and browser extensions for every operating system out there. Ivacy applications cover Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, Blackberry devices and even gaming consoles.
Ivacy applications are also available for smart TVs and Wi-fi routers. They PC and Mac applications offer more functionality than the mobile phone ones as a few features are missing from the latter. However, we ran all the speed and leak tests on both mobile and computer applications. Thankfully, the results were similar.
Does Ivacy work with Netflix
Oh yes! And it’s not just Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO, Disney+, BBC iPlayer and Hulu etc. If you need a VPN for streaming and unblocking content around the globe, Ivacy is definitely the service of choice. The servers spread across the globe mean that it is the best for buffer-free streaming.
Ivacy unblocks region-specific Netflix in 7 areas including US, UK, France, Canada, Japan, Denmark and Australia. These are the biggest libraries of the streaming service and collectively offer every show and movie that you can hope for. It’s tested and works quite well.
The number of devices that can be added to one connection
Ivacy offers two customized packages. One offers 5 logins on one account while the other gives 10. This is a great thing because most people carry two devices with them at least. Then, this feature can also allow family members to share and help the whole household protect itself from cybercrime. It also gives everyone the opportunity to allow unrestricted access to the internet at all times.
Pricing
Ivacy is hailed as being one of the most affordable VPNs out there and it is true. The prices are slightly lower than that of other VPNs but there is no compromise on any of the facilities. The bundles are divided based on the number of multi-logins that they offer:
5 Multi-logins:
- Monthly – $7.50 per month,
- 1-year plan – $3.50 per month, billed at $42 upfront,
- 5- year plan – $1.5 per month, billed at $90 upfront,
10 Multi-logins:
- Monthly – $9.95 per month,
- 1-year plan – $4.25 per month, billed at $51 upfront,
- 5- year plan – $1.99 per month, billed at $119 upfront
Does Ivacy offer a free trial?
Unfortunately, not. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee though. You can pay for the service but if it is not up to your likings you can get the money refunded through the service. It is not as convenient as a free trial but it is still a good option.
Final verdict
At the end of the day, Ivacy may not be perfect but it does offer a good value for money. There are minor imperfections here and there but these become irrelevant when compared to the protection, speed and internet freedom that the service offers. If you are looking for a trustworthy and fast VPN then Ivacy is definitely a good option.
Also read: iProVPN Review
