Skiers travel a lot, especially when winter comes you may go abroad to visit different snow mountains. At the end of the day, you’ll probably connect to your hotel’s Wi-Fi to check out emails or watch your favorite Netflix shows. Or you are working from home these days, you want some privacy on the Internet.
That’s when you need a VPN. VPN stands for Virtual Private Network, it is a technology that encrypts your Internet data thus makes your network connection more secure. Best of all, by choosing a VPN lane that’s in your home country (or even in your city), you can access all your favorite web services just like at home.
But, which VPN services are the best for skiers? In the last few days, I had the chance to test out Ivacy VPN and in this review, I’ll share what I like and dislike about this VPN.
Disclaimer: the Ivacy team is kind to offer me one-month access to their VPN service for testing purposes, however, they have no editorial input on the content of this Ivacy VPN review.
Contents
Quick Summary
Ivacy VPN is a reliable VPN that is easy to use by downloading the app onto your computer, phone, or other connected devices. It is a fully functional VPN service that works well to provide secure downloads, unrestricted streaming services, and other security and privacy needs.
Due to its easy interface and affordable price, Ivacy makes for a good entry-level option for those who are using a VPN for the first time and looking for basic needs that this type of service provides. It does not offer a vast amount of servers and can take a while to connect to some locations so is not the best option for those with high-level VPN needs.
Before we get into an in-depth look at these test-based findings, here is a quick look at both the good and the bad of Ivacy VPN:
Pros:
- Affordable
- Intuitive and really easy to use
- Works on a variety of devices
- A wide selection of servers
- Smart purpose selection for customized control
- Internet kill switch that prevents browsing when VPN connection drops
- Split tunneling to allow local and international browsing and streaming
- Secure downloading to scan and remove suspicious malware and viruses
Cons:
- Won’t always connect to every server
- Limited worldwide server options compared to other VPNs
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Ivacy VPN FAQs
Is Ivacy VPN Free?
The full version is not free and is only available with a monthly subscription plan. Ivacy Lite is free and offers limited VPN services for everyone, anywhere.
How much does Ivacy VPN cost?
A one month plan costs $9.95/month. A 2-year plan is $2.25/month and a 1-year plan is $3.50/month.
How does Ivacy VPN work?
Ivacy works like any other VPN by establishing a secure connection through encryption routes to block your IP address. This allows for secure and anonymous browsing, streaming, and downloading.
Where is Ivacy VPN Based?
Ivacy is based in Singapore but has over 2,000 servers scattered across more than 100 worldwide locations.
Ivacy VPN Review: Test-based Findings
In order to establish an in-depth review of Ivacy VPN, time was spent exploring all of the features the app had to provide both on a mobile device and on a computer. Ivacy performed well overall across the board and earns high marks for its intuitive interface that is really easy to set up and use – especially for those who have never used a VPN before. It is also really affordable if you sign up for a yearly plan.
Once the app is installed on your device, using this VPN is a breeze. You simply turn it on with the click of a button and can choose which location you want your IP address to connect from or use the automatic function to connect to the fastest nearby server to your current location. Once connected, you have access to all the benefits that Ivacy provides from secure encryption to buffer-free streaming and much more.
Now let’s dive a little deeper and take a look at a breakdown of our test of Ivacy VPN:
Features
A key element to any quality VPN is the number of servers it has. Ivacy will give you access to over 2000 servers in 100 or more countries. This is a decent amount, no doubt, but far from other VPN options that can have 5000 or more servers. This makes Ivacy a middle-of-the-road option when it comes to speed and reliable server connection.
This test was conducted in the US and because of the high number of servers in this region, there was a reliable connection and solid speed when broadcasting from an IP address here. When connected to other locations, there were some problems with slowdowns and dropped connections. Some locations are simply not available all of the time but the app will automatically connect you to a new one if this happens.
This variation in server speed based on locations means that there were some connection issues when attempting to access overseas streaming services. It was possible to access these services but speeds can be slow or variable depending on which location you are trying to access. The app did produce a noticeable reduction of ISP throttling with streaming speeds increased while connected to a server in the current location.
You can also select your intended purpose of use from the left-hand side of the app’s screen (see image below). While the company doesn’t explain how this works exactly, it did seem to increase speeds slightly.
Privacy & Security
Ivacy gets good marks when it comes to the privacy and security features the VPN provides. The app utilizes up to 256-bit encryption which provides peace of mind that it will work well to keep your browsing location safe and secure. It also gives you the opportunity to switch encryption protocols based on your needs.
The company seems to really care about your privacy and has a ‘no logs policy’ which means they don’t log or monitor your online activity when using the service. Ivacy does collect some data for its own internal use when you sign up for the service such as your name, email address, and payment method. According to their privacy policy, this is only to collect statistics and provide correspondence to registered users.
The app also allows various forms of payment, including cryptocurrency through Bitpay and a range of other crypto-payment portals as an additional level of privacy and security.
Ease of Use
One of the best features of Ivacy is its ease of use. Once you have downloaded the app onto your computer or mobile device, you simply open it up and can connect your VPN with the touch of a button. As you can see in the image below, the app is really easy to navigate and is straightforward in both function and feel.
The Smart Connect feature allows you to quickly get started with all of the features and functions the VPN provides. By simply clicking the large button on the main screen of this section of the app, your device will connect to the nearest VPN and you can begin browsing or streaming securely. You can also easily choose your location from the drop-down menu on this main screen as well.
Pricing
Ivacy VPN is also very affordable which makes it a great option for those who don’t want to spend a lot of money on the service or are trying a VPN out for the first time and want a cheap way to get a feel for it.
The service is available in several monthly subscription plans. A standard monthly subscription will cost users $9.95/month. A one-year plan costs $3.50 a month but is billed yearly for a total of $42/year. A two-year plan costs $2.25/month and is billed biannually which breaks down to $27/year. The yearly plans offer the best deal for customers and can save them up to 77% off of the regular monthly rate.
Customer Support
Customer support on Ivacy was found to be mediocre and a need for improvement with the VPN, overall. The company claims to offer 24/7 customer service via chat to troubleshoot any problems you may run in to. In reality, the chat service doesn’t appear to be very functional and cannot be accessed through the app itself. This can be frustrating if you are dealing with problems and seek an immediate solution.
Although the 24/7 chat function may be overhyped, Ivacy does offer the ability to write a support ticket through the app that will put your inquiries in front of a customer service representative. The response time for this feature was not immediate, but someone should respond to your questions or issues pretty quickly via email (usually within a day or two).
To access the customer service window from the app, click on the question mark (?) icon from the main window as seen in the image below. You can then submit your question or inquiry in the dialogue box here.
Conclusion
Ivacy VPN is a good overall option for common security and privacy needs. It’s very easy to use which makes it appealing for anyone who is unfamiliar with using a VPN or intimidated by its function. Once the app is downloaded and installed, all you need to do is click a button to turn it on and enjoy all of the features Ivacy provides. It is a very affordable VPN service which makes it enticing as well.
The downsides of the app include a smaller server selection than more expensive VPN providers which can lead to sometimes slower streams and downloads as well as customer service that could be improved. These problems are easily outweighed by the benefits and functions that Ivacy provides, however, and is a good and affordable VPN option that will meet the needs of the average user.
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