Reviewed by the VPNStreamer Team · Last updated: July 2026 · How we compare VPNs
IPVanish is our #7 pick overall on the full best VPN for Australia list — and our top pick specifically for Kodi and Android TV setups. It had a rough patch under previous ownership, but under Ziff Davis, it’s genuinely turned itself around: two independent no-logs audits, a growing server network, and streaming that’s now solidly reliable rather than hit-or-miss.
SPECIAL OFFER – Save 83% on the 2-Year Plan
Pros
Cons
- Based in the United States, a Five Eyes member
- Streaming is solid but slightly less consistent than NordVPN or Surfshark on some platforms (Amazon Prime Video and Hulu can require a manual server switch)
- No port forwarding or dedicated IP option
- Kill switch can’t be customized — it’s all-or-nothing
- A 2016 logging incident under previous ownership — addressed below/custom_list]
IPVanish Pricing
| Plan | Price/mo | Billing |
|---|---|---|
| 2 Years | $2.19 | Billed $52.56 every 2 years |
| 1 Year | $3.33 | Billed $39.99 every 12 months |
| 1 Month | $12.99 | Billed Monthly |
Every plan covers unlimited device connections regardless of tier. A 30-day money-back guarantee applies — refunds are handled through support and don’t require a reason. Payment options include credit card and PayPal.
Key Features
Protocol Support
IPVanish supports OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard, with AES-256 encryption throughout. An OpenVPN traffic scramble option is available for getting past networks that actively try to detect and block VPN use.
DNS Service
IPVanish owns and runs its own DNS servers rather than relying on third parties, with built-in leak protection across every app.
Platforms Supported
Native apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Fire TV, and Linux (GUI-based, not command-line only), plus router support for whole-network coverage.
Device Support
Unlimited simultaneous connections on every plan — a genuine strength, matching Surfshark and PIA, and ahead of NordVPN’s and ExpressVPN’s device caps.
Security Extras
Threat Protection and VIPRE-powered malware defenses are included, a meaningful addition since IPVanish’s earlier years when it offered no built-in security tools beyond the VPN itself.
Privacy and Security
IPVanish’s history includes a real, serious incident: in 2016, under previous ownership, it provided user data to US authorities despite an advertised no-logs policy at the time. That’s worth being upfront about rather than glossing over. Since then, ownership has changed twice — first to StackPath in 2017, then to Ziff Davis (then operating as J2 Global, before rebranding to the Ziff Davis name in 2021) in 2019 — and the current company has backed up its no-logs claims with two separate independent audits, in 2022 and 2025, both confirming the current infrastructure simply can’t retain what was handed over back in 2016.
It’s a decade-old incident now, under an entirely different ownership structure, addressed more thoroughly than most VPNs that have never faced a comparable test. We don’t think it should define IPVanish in 2026 — but we also think you deserve to know the full history rather than a sanitized version of it.
IPVanish is based in the US, a Five Eyes member. If jurisdiction outside any intelligence-sharing alliance matters most to you, NordVPN (Panama) or ExpressVPN (British Virgin Islands) sit outside all of them.
Ease of Use
Sign-Up
Sign-up is quick: choose a plan, enter your email and password, select a payment method, and you’re set. Apps are available from your confirmation email or IPVanish’s own download page.
Setup and Interface
Beginner-friendly — nothing requires configuration out of the box, and a skippable tutorial walks first-time users through the basics. The main interface shows your server list, connect/disconnect controls, and account settings from a left-hand menu, with a status panel showing protocol, connection time, and data usage once connected. A map view is available for picking servers visually, alongside sorting by response time or keyword search.
Advanced Features
Split tunnelling is available, letting you route specific apps outside the VPN tunnel. A SOCKS5 proxy option is also available for torrent clients specifically — faster than the full VPN, but without encryption, so it’s a speed option rather than a privacy one. Exact proxy server addresses and ports change over time, so check IPVanish’s current support documentation directly rather than relying on a fixed value from any review, including this one.
Browser Extensions
No dedicated browser extension currently, though manual setup guides for Chrome and Firefox are available via support.
Performance and Servers
IPVanish runs 3,200+ servers across 150+ locations in over 110 countries, backed by 40,000+ shared IP addresses — a significant expansion from its earlier, smaller network. We haven’t run our own lab-based speed tests on this specific connection (see our methodology), so treat performance claims as a reflection of current third-party benchmarks rather than an in-house result. Current independent testing shows strong results even on distant servers, including Australia — a real improvement from IPVanish’s earlier reputation for long-distance slowdowns.
Streaming and Torrenting
IPVanish now reliably unblocks Netflix (including 4K), Disney+, and BBC iPlayer. Amazon Prime Video and Hulu can be less consistent and occasionally need a manual server switch — worth knowing if those specifically matter to you, though NordVPN or Surfshark will generally get you there with less trial and error. For torrenting, all servers support P2P traffic with no restrictions, and SOCKS5 proxy support is included — though IPVanish doesn’t offer port forwarding, which matters more to serious seeders than casual downloaders (see our Private Internet Access review if that’s your priority).
SPECIAL OFFER – Save 83% on the 2-Year Plan
Customer Service
24/7 live chat, email, and phone support — a broader range of contact options than most competitors offer. A knowledge base with searchable articles covers setup, troubleshooting, and billing, and a system status page flags any company-wide issues.
FAQ
Where is IPVanish based?
Orlando, Florida, USA.
Who owns IPVanish?
Ziff Davis — also the parent company of StrongVPN and the tech publication PCMag. Ziff Davis acquired IPVanish in 2019 (at the time still operating under its former name, J2 Global).
Does IPVanish keep logs?
No — and this has been independently verified twice, in 2022 and 2025, following a real incident under previous ownership back in 2016 (see our Privacy and Security section above for the full history).
How many devices can I connect?
Unlimited, on every plan.
Is IPVanish good for Kodi?
Yes — it’s our top pick specifically for Kodi setups. See our current Kodi repositories guide for what’s actually still active in 2026.
Does IPVanish work with Netflix?
Yes, reliably, including 4K streams. Amazon Prime Video and Hulu can be more inconsistent.
How much does IPVanish cost?
The 2-year plan works out to $2.19/month, the 1-year plan to $3.33/month, and the monthly plan is $12.99.
Is IPVanish Right for You?
IPVanish earns its place on our list for unlimited devices, a genuinely rehabilitated privacy track record backed by real audits, and being the strongest option here specifically for Kodi and Android TV setups. If Netflix and mainstream streaming are your main priority, NordVPN edges it out on consistency. If torrenting with port forwarding matters most, Private Internet Access is the stronger pick.
Alternatives to IPVanish
| NordVPN | Read Review | Visit Site |
| Private Internet Access | Read Review | Visit Site |
| CyberGhost | Read Review | Visit Site |
