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Ivacy VPN - Full Review
If you want to protect your privacy while on the internet, a virtual private network (VPN) offers a simple solution, using encryption software to mask your IP address and keep your data secure. With so many competing products around offering their own unique sets of features, however, you may be unsure which is most suited to your needs.
The company website proudly says that Ivacy is, quite simply, “the best VPN service” – it’s certainly a bold claim, but does it stand up to scrutiny? We tested Ivacy across a range of categories including internet speed, server range and added features to check just how good this service really is.
Speed
Whichever VPN you buy, you’re likely to notice a decrease in your internet speed – the security protocols that protect your privacy re-route your connection through servers in other countries, which inevitably slows things down.
The level to which your speed is affected depends on which VPN you use, and Ivacy is towards the lower end of the spectrum with severe drop-offs in speed. Our internet connection had a base level of 190mbs without a VPN, but when we connected via Ivacy this dropped to just over 80mbs – meaning we lost almost 60% of our speed when the VPN was connected.
If your internet speed is not very high to start with, this level of decrease could make playing games and streaming video almost impossible.
Servers
With 1,000 servers in just over 100 locations around the world, Ivacy’s server range is nowhere near the size of those offered by ExpressVPN or NordVPN.
That said, it is a perfectly reasonable number given Ivacy’s low price, and spans 50 countries, so there is plenty of choice when it comes to deciding where you want to connect to – which could be a major benefit if you want to access geo-restricted content from around the world. Ivacy’s server base should make it easy to find a reliable, fast connection while maintaining your privacy.
Features
Ivacy packs in more features than most rival VPNs in the same price bracket – including a highly efficient kill switch. This function disconnects you from the internet if your VPN disconnects, ensuring that your IP address remains private until your VPN connection is restored. During testing, Ivacy immediately blocked the internet collection and sent a notification to confirm the issue – and once the VPN was reconnected, it restored our internet.
The service also offers split tunnelling, which allows you to decide which apps are routed through your VPN and which remain public – ideal if you are running any apps that require high internet speeds but don’t need to be kept private.
Streaming
Popular streaming apps like Netflix and BBC iPlayer offer different libraries in different countries, with content restricted to that region and not available to people from other countries. This can be a problem if your favourite shows are made in other countries, or if you work abroad and want to view content from back home.
Luckily, a VPN can help – by masking your IP address and routing your internet connection through the country whose library you wish to view, you can trick the streaming service into thinking you are in that country and access the content you wish to view.
Ivacy claims to let you stream ‘anything, anytime, anywhere’, and they’re right – with a proviso. Although we were able to access Amazon Prime, Disney Plus and BBC iPlayer, when we tried to access a foreign Netflix library we were unable to do so as the service saw that we had a VPN and blocked their content. However, by using the Ivacy browser extension for Chrome, we were able to bypass the geo-blocking restrictions and view the library.
Torrenting
If you’re a regular user of torrent software, you may have noticed the increasing number of torrenting websites that are blocked by your ISP – even though torrenting is legal provided you only use the software for legitimate purposes.
Ivacy is an excellent choice if you need a VPN to bypass these restrictions, providing a ‘secure download’ section of servers designed with P2P data transfer in mind. These servers reduce the possibility of low speeds while trying to download large files, and Ivacy’s no-logs policy ensures your torrenting will remain anonymous.
Gaming
Anyone who has ever played a game on a poor internet connection will be aware how frustrating the impact of low internet speeds can be, with lag making some games almost unplayable. This can be an issue with some VPNs – as mentioned earlier, they can throttle your bandwidth and lower your internet speed – but this was not a problem with Ivacy during testing, with very little lag while playing games.
Ivacy’s ability to bypass geo-restrictions also allows you to access games that are only available in other countries, or games that are not yet out in your country but have already been released elsewhere.
Free Trial
Ivacy does not offer a free trial; however, it does provide a 30-day money back guarantee, with no restrictions on data usage.
FAQ
How many servers does Ivacy have?
Ivacy has in excess of 1,000 servers based in 100 locations around the world. Their server base covers 50 countries worldwide.
Does Ivacy offer a lifetime subscription?
Ivacy is one of the few VPNs on the market to offer a lifetime subscription. For $39.99 (five simultaneous devices) or $59.99 (ten simultaneous devices), you can enjoy permanent access to the service. This offer is made up of rolling five-year terms, so every five years you will need to contact Ivacy to renew your subscription free of charge.
Does Ivacy work on Kodi?
Ivacy works on Kodi, and even has a dedicated Kodi app that allows you to enjoy everything the service offers with a minimum of fuss.
Verdict
If you’re looking for a low-cost VPN that offers reliable, reasonably fast connections, then Ivacy is certainly one to consider. The service includes a range of excellent security features, a decent-sized server base and the ability to bypass geo-restrictions during testing, with no major drawbacks.
There are more expensive alternatives on the market that can boast higher speeds and a wider range of servers, but in this price bracket you’ll struggle to find better value than Ivacy.
