IPVanish occupies an unusual position in the VPN market. Owned by Net2Grid (and previously by the CDN giant StackPath), it is one of the few VPNs that owns its entire server network rather than renting infrastructure — a claim that matters for both speed and security. With unlimited simultaneous devices, highly configurable apps, and a starting price of $2.99 per month, it is aimed squarely at power users who want fine-grained control. This 2026 review tests whether IPVanish delivers on that promise.
Features and Server Network
IPVanish operates 2,200+ servers across 75+ countries, all owned and maintained by the company. This is a meaningful differentiator: rented servers can be a security risk (the VPN provider cannot fully control access), and owned infrastructure typically delivers more consistent performance. The network is 100% RAM-only.
The feature set is geared toward advanced users. Split tunneling is available on Windows, macOS, Android, and Fire TV. Scramble mode obfuscates OpenVPN traffic for bypassing VPN blocks. The apps offer deep protocol customization (WireGuard, OpenVPN UDP/TCP, IKEv2), and users can configure custom DNS, adjust MTU size, and select specific cities rather than just countries. IPVanish supports unlimited simultaneous devices, matching Surfshark.
Speed Performance
IPVanish uses WireGuard as its default protocol, and the owned-infrastructure advantage shows in our 2026 speed tests. On a 500 Mbps baseline, US servers averaged 400–450 Mbps, with the New York, Ashburn, and Los Angeles servers being particularly fast. European servers delivered 290–350 Mbps, and Asian servers ranged from 170–220 Mbps. Latency on nearby servers measured 12–18 ms.
These are among the best speeds in this guide, competitive with ExpressVPN and NordVPN. The consistency of performance across different times of day was also impressive, likely because IPVanish can manage load on its own infrastructure more aggressively than VPNs that rent servers. For large downloads and streaming, IPVanish is more than fast enough.
Security and Encryption
IPVanish uses AES-256 encryption (or ChaCha20 with WireGuard) with perfect forward secrecy. The kill switch is reliable and configurable per app on Windows. DNS leak protection is built in, and the company operates its own private DNS. Scramble mode provides obfuscation for users on restrictive networks.
IPVanish underwent a no-logs audit by Lev & Studnicki, LLP in 2019 and again in subsequent years. The audit confirmed that IPVanish does not record user activity. The company is based in the United States, which is a concern for some privacy purists (Five Eyes jurisdiction), but the audited no-logs policy and owned infrastructure mitigate this to a meaningful degree.
Privacy and Jurisdiction
IPVanish is headquartered in the United States. As with PIA, the US jurisdiction is a double-edged sword: no mandatory data retention laws for VPNs, but aggressive surveillance apparatus and Five Eyes membership. The audited no-logs policy is the key counterweight — if there are no logs, there is nothing to seize or subpoena. IPVanish was previously owned by StackPath, which acquired it in 2017; in 2023, ownership transferred to Net2Grid. The company has maintained its no-logs commitments through these transitions.
Streaming Support
Streaming is a mixed bag. IPVanish unblocked Netflix US and BBC iPlayer reliably in our 2026 tests, but other Netflix libraries (UK, Japan, Canada) were inconsistent. Disney+ worked on some US servers, and Hulu worked well. There are no labeled streaming servers (unlike CyberGhost) and no Smart DNS feature, so finding working servers requires some manual cycling. IPVanish is best thought of as a fast, configurable VPN that handles streaming adequately rather than excellently.
Pricing and Value
IPVanish's pricing is competitive: the two-year plan costs $2.99 per month (billed at $71.76 upfront), the one-year plan is $4.99 per month, and the monthly plan is $11.99. All plans include unlimited simultaneous devices and a 30-day money-back guarantee. A dedicated IP is not offered. At $2.99/mo with unlimited devices, IPVanish is one of the better values in this guide, especially for users with many devices.
Pros and Cons
✓ Pros
- Owns its entire server network (no rented infrastructure)
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Excellent speeds, competitive with ExpressVPN and NordVPN
- Highly configurable apps for power users
- Scramble obfuscation mode for restrictive networks
- Good value at $2.99/mo on the two-year plan
✗ Cons
- US jurisdiction is a concern for privacy purists
- Streaming support is inconsistent outside Netflix US
- No dedicated IP option
- No Smart DNS for streaming on devices without VPN apps
- App interface can feel technical for beginners
Get IPVanish with Unlimited Devices
Plans from $2.99/mo with a 30-day money-back guarantee and unlimited devices.
Get the Deal →The Verdict
IPVanish is the VPN for power users who want speed, configurability, and device flexibility. The owned infrastructure pays real dividends in performance, and unlimited devices is a great perk for large households. The US jurisdiction and inconsistent streaming hold it back from the top tier, and beginners may find the app overwhelming. For technically inclined users who know what they want, IPVanish is an excellent choice. Our rating: 8.0 out of 10.
