Cryptostorm vs IVPN (2026): which should you pick?

Pick Cryptostorm if

• Fits if you want to pay with a token or in Monero and not hand over an email address
• Works for people who want OpenVPN or WireGuard configs they can read

Look elsewhere if

• Skip it if you want a free trial, because it dropped the old one
• Tight if you have several devices: monthly tokens allow 1 at a time, and 5 needs the two-year token
• Watch out: the weekly token is not sold through every payment method
• Watch out: the company says it has no central office and keeps its entities' locations private
• Watch out: if a data center gets a spam complaint, the FAQ says all SMTP on that server may be blocked

Pick IVPN if

• Fits if you want to sign up without an email and pay in cash or crypto
• Works for small teams at $90 a user a year for up to 20 seats, VPN only

Look elsewhere if

• Not for you if you want to try it free first, as there's no free plan or trial, only a $2 week
• Skip it if you torrent and need port forwarding, or want streaming promises; IVPN offers neither
• Tight if you have more than 5 devices, unless you pay $100 a year for Pro Suite
• Watch out: Portmaster Pro, the main Pro Suite extra, runs on Windows and Linux only
• Not for you if your team needs dedicated IPs or a way into the company network, which Teams lacks

Cryptostorm

• The number of devices connected at once depends on the term bought: 1 on weekly and monthly tokens, up to 5 on the two-year token.
• No free trial; the FAQ says the earlier trial was discontinued.
• The company says it has no central HQ and keeps its business entities' locations private.
• When a data center complains about spam, the FAQ says all SMTP on that server may be blocked until it stops.

IVPN

• There is no free trial or free plan; IVPN offers a 1-week plan and a 30-day refund, available once per customer.
• Servers are in 58 locations across 41 countries, and IVPN states it offers no port forwarding and no streaming guarantees.
• Portmaster Pro, the main Pro Suite extra, runs only on Windows and Linux.
• Teams has no dedicated servers or IPs and is not a way into a company network, per IVPN's teams page.

Cryptostorm

Anonymous tokens

Access is by a token that is hashed before connecting, so a captured server cannot be used to identify clients, the site says. Monero payments need no email or JavaScript.

OpenVPN and WireGuard

Both protocols are supported, including OpenVPN ECC instances with post-quantum options, and connections can be made on any UDP or TCP port.

Multihop

Server-side multihop chains two endpoints, and the site says client-side multihop through another VPN or Tor is also possible.

Obfuscation

SSH, HTTPS and obfs4 tunneling make VPN traffic look like other traffic on restrictive networks.

DNS ad and tracker blocking

DNS-based blocking of trackers, plus DNS and WebRTC leak protection and a kill switch.

Port forwarding and BitTorrent

Port forwarding is supported and BitTorrent is allowed, with no data caps or throttling.

IVPN

Signup without an email address

An account is a generated ID with no email required, and IVPN accepts card, PayPal, Bitcoin, Lightning, Monero and cash.

WireGuard, OpenVPN and IPSec

Quantum-resistant WireGuard is on by default in the apps, with automatic key and IP rotation on a schedule you set.

Multi-hop routes

Sends traffic through two servers in separate jurisdictions. Included on every tier since the May 2026 plan changes.

AntiTracker

A DNS-based blocker for ads, adware, malicious sites and trackers, built into the apps. modDNS on Plus and Pro Suite extends it.

Obfuscation for blocked networks

V2Ray obfuscation on every platform, plus obfs4 for OpenVPN on desktop, for connecting from networks that block VPNs.

Mailx, modDNS and Portmaster

Email aliases, filtered encrypted DNS and an app firewall run by IVPN, each signed into separately without sharing your IVPN account ID.

Cryptostorm

• One week$1.86

  for 1 week, as a recurring subscription or a single order

  1 device at a time. Not sold through every payment method.

• One month$6

  per month, as a recurring subscription or a single order

  1 device at a time.

• Three months$16

  for 3 months, as a recurring subscription or a single order

  Up to 2 devices at the same time.

• Six months$28

  for 6 months, as a recurring subscription or a single order

  Up to 3 devices at the same time.

• One year$52

  per year, as a recurring subscription or a single order

  Up to 4 devices at the same time.

• Two years$94

  for 2 years, paid once, with no renewal

  Up to 5 devices at the same time. Single order only, through PayPal, Monero, NOWPayments or BitPay.

IVPN

• Standard, 1 week$2

  per week

  The VPN on up to 5 devices, with Multi-hop and the AntiTracker blocker. IVPN suggests the weekly plan for trying the service.

• Standard, 1 month$6

  per month

  The same Standard VPN on up to 5 devices, renewing monthly.

• Standard, 1 year$60

  per year

  The same Standard VPN on up to 5 devices, renewing yearly.

• Plus, 1 year$80

  per year

  Adds Mailx email aliases and modDNS filtering, still on 5 devices. Also $3 a week or $8 a month.

• Pro Suite, 1 year$100

  per year

  Adds Portmaster Pro for Windows and Linux and raises the limit to 10 devices. Also $4 a week or $10 a month.

• Teams$90

  per user / year at 1 to 20 seats ($9 per user billed monthly)

  VPN only, 10 devices per seat, with admin tools. The seat price falls with team size, to $50 a year above 80 seats. Set up by email.

Cryptostorm

No public discounts listed.

IVPN

• Annual discount

  Yearly billing about 17% below monthly

  Standard costs $60 a year against $72 for twelve months at $6. Plus ($80 against $96) and Pro Suite ($100 against $120) save the same share.