The IPVanish Insider’s Guide
Everything we know about IPVanish in one document: what it costs, its grades, getting a refund, getting help and what else to look at. Read it here, or keep a copy.
IPVanish
The Insider’s Guide
Ziff Davis-owned VPN with no device cap and antivirus on higher plans
Every plan, grade, refund rule and rival among VPNs, read from IPVanish’s own pages.
Made by IPVanish · checked Oct 17, 2026 · toolgpa.com
Contents
- 01WelcomeWhat it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
- 02What it costsEvery plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
- 03What it doesIts main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
- 04Where it standsIts grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
- 05The alternativesThe tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
- 06Quick answersThe questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
- 07About ToolGPAWho made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
ToolGPA put this guide together from IPVanish’s own pages, its app-store listings and our grades. Every fact in it is on IPVanish’s page too, where it is kept up to date. Checked Oct 17, 2026.
Part 01 · Overview
Welcome
What it is, who it suits, its grades and the ten things to know first
2.6
GPA, above 10 of the 16 other VPNs we grade
IPVanish is a subscription VPN owned by Ziff Davis, with apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, ChromeOS, iOS, Android, Apple TV and Fire TV. It does not limit how many devices one account connects. Essential is the VPN with Threat Protection, Complete adds antivirus and phone support, and Advanced adds 1TB of cloud backup and a sandboxed browser.
To get you started, here are 9 things to know about IPVanish, taken from its own pages and our grades.
- 1
Best for covering TV boxes as well as phones
IPVanish doesn't count devices, puts ad and threat blocking on every plan, and has apps for Apple TV and Fire TV as well as computers and phones.
- 2
Paid plans start at $8.33 a month when paid by the year
As its pricing page puts it: $99.99 per year at renewal (Essential), after a first 2 years for $52.56.
- 3
You can try it first
Free trial in the iOS and Android apps; IPVanish does not state its length
- 4
It runs on 5 platforms
macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android.
- 5
Unmetered devices
IPVanish does not count simultaneous connections or installs, so one account can cover every device in a household.
- 6
Threat Protection
Blocks ads, trackers and malicious websites while the VPN is connected. Included on every plan.
- 7
Double Hop, kill switch and split tunneling
Double Hop passes traffic through two VPN servers, the kill switch stops traffic when the VPN drops, and split tunneling lets chosen sites and apps skip the VPN.
- 8
A 2.6 GPA, above 10 of 16
That is against the other VPNs we grade, on value, the free plan, features, ease of use and platforms.
- 9
Keep it
To replace IPVanish you would be making servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
IPVanish at a glance
- Pricing
- Free trial, from $99.99 per year at renewal (Essential), after a first 2 years for $52.56
- Free plan
- No
- Free trial
- Free trial in the iOS and Android apps; IPVanish does not state its length
- Runs on
- macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS, Android
- Made by
- IPVanish
- Category
- VPNs
- Our grade
- 2.6 GPA, good
- Store rating
- 4.6 on the App Store, 104,321 ratings
The report card
Best for covering TV boxes as well as phones
IPVanish doesn't count devices, puts ad and threat blocking on every plan, and has apps for Apple TV and Fire TV as well as computers and phones. The first two years of Essential are $52.56, which is cheap. Then it renews at $99.99 a year, near the top of what VPNs charge, so note the date.
| Subject | Grade | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | B | Essential bills $52.56 for the first 2 years, about $2.19 a month, inside the cheaper quarter of VPNs. But it then renews at $99.99 a year, in the dearest tenth, so the third year costs nearly twice the first two. Monthly is $14.99. |
| Free plan and trial | D | A free trial, but only inside the iPhone and Android apps, and IPVanish doesn't say how long it lasts. No free plan, nothing to try on a computer, and the money-back guarantee isn't a trial. |
| Features | B | Unlimited devices, Threat Protection against ads, trackers and bad sites, Double Hop, a kill switch, split tunneling, WireGuard and OpenVPN, with antivirus on Complete and 1TB of backup on Advanced. It covers the whole job. |
| Ease of use | B | 4.6 from about 104,000 App Store ratings, just under the 4.7 an A needs. Install, sign in, connect. |
| Platforms and integrations | B | Windows, Mac, Linux, ChromeOS, iPhone, Android, Apple TV and Fire TV, but no browser extension. There's no integration list or API on record, so it stops at B. |
An A is worth 4 points, a B 3, a C 2, a D 1 and an F nothing. The GPA is the average of the five.
Who IPVanish is for
- Great if your household has more devices than a capped VPN allows
- Handy when you want the VPN on an Apple TV or Fire TV
- Good for anyone who wants antivirus or cloud backup on the same bill
Who it is not for
- Pricey if you stay past the first two years, as Essential renews at $99.99 a year
- Skip it if you want a browser extension, as IPVanish doesn't make one
- Not for you if you pay monthly and might want a refund, as the guarantee covers yearly and 2-year plans
Good to know
Good for
- Households with more devices than a capped VPN allows
- Buyers who want antivirus and cloud backup in the same subscription
- People who stream on Apple TV, Fire TV or other TV devices
Worth knowing
- Advertised prices cover the first term only; per the homepage, plans renew yearly at $99.99, $109.99 or $129.99.
- IPVanish's renewal price page lists Complete at $57.48 or $66.96 a year, matching its first-term prices and not the homepage's $109.99.
- The 30-day money-back guarantee covers yearly and 2-year plans; cancelling a monthly plan does not start a refund.
- There is no browser extension; the free trial is offered only in the mobile apps.
Part 02 · Pricing
What it costs
Every plan, the free plan, ways to pay less and how prices have moved
$8.33
A month to start, paid by the year
IPVanish is a paid product with a free trial, starting at $99.99 per year at renewal (Essential), after a first 2 years for $52.56.
A free trial, but only inside the iPhone and Android apps, and IPVanish doesn't say how long it lasts.
Essential, 2 years
$99.99
per year at renewal, after a first term of 2 years
VPN, Threat Protection and 3GB of eSIM data on unlimited devices. The first 2 years cost $52.56 ($2.19 a month), then it renews each year at $99.99.
Essential, 1 year
$99.99
per year at renewal, after a first year for $46.68
The same Essential plan. The first year costs $46.68 ($3.89 a month), then it renews each year at $99.99.
Essential, 1 month
$14.99
per month
The same Essential plan, renewing monthly at $14.99.
Complete, 2 years
$109.99
per year at renewal, after a first term of 2 years
Adds antivirus and phone support. First 2 years $66.96 ($2.79 a month). Also $57.48 for a first year, or $15.99 a month.
Advanced, 2 years
$129.99
per year at renewal, after a first term of 2 years
Adds 1TB of cloud backup, the Secure Browser and 2GB more eSIM data. First 2 years $78.96. Also $64.68 for a first year, or $17.99 a month.
Trying it first
Free trial in the iOS and Android apps; IPVanish does not state its length
Read from ipvanish.com on Oct 17, 2026.
Ways to pay less
Other savings
First 2 years of a 2-year plan from $52.56
Essential costs $52.56, Complete $66.96 and Advanced $78.96 for the first 2 years. The plans then renew every 12 months at $99.99, $109.99 and $129.99.
Stated on ipvanish.comOther savings
First year of a 1-year plan from $46.68
Essential costs $46.68, Complete $57.48 and Advanced $64.68 for the first year, before renewing yearly at the regular price.
Stated on ipvanish.com
Part 03 · Features
What it does
Its main features, where it runs, what it works with and who makes it
5
Places it runs: macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android
Ziff Davis-owned VPN with no device cap and antivirus on higher plans. Here is what it does, as its own site describes it, and what it covers: vPN, ad and tracker blocking.
Windows, Mac, Linux, ChromeOS, iPhone, Android, Apple TV and Fire TV, but no browser extension.
- Unmetered devices
- IPVanish does not count simultaneous connections or installs, so one account can cover every device in a household.
- Threat Protection
- Blocks ads, trackers and malicious websites while the VPN is connected. Included on every plan.
- Double Hop, kill switch and split tunneling
- Double Hop passes traffic through two VPN servers, the kill switch stops traffic when the VPN drops, and split tunneling lets chosen sites and apps skip the VPN.
- WireGuard and OpenVPN
- The apps connect over WireGuard or OpenVPN, under a no-traffic-logs policy that IPVanish says is independently verified.
- Antivirus on Complete and Advanced
- Real-time scanning for malware and phishing sites with background checks for suspicious activity, sold as IPVanish Antivirus.
- Cloud backup and Secure Browser
- Advanced adds 1TB of encrypted cloud backup with automatic syncing, and a sandboxed browser that deletes session data when closed.
Where it runs
- macOS
- Windows
- Linux
- iOS
- Android
What it works with
Its own pages name no integrations.
IPVanish is made by IPVanish.
Part 04 · Standing
Where it stands
Its grades against its category, and whether to keep it or make your own
10/16
Other VPNs it is graded above
IPVanish's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 10 of the 16 other VPNs we grade, and level with 2.
It stands best on value for money (B, above 11 of 16) and worst on free plan and trial (D, above 6).
Its paid plans start at $8.33 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $5 for the category: 13 of the 15 others that charge start lower.
On features, ease of use and platforms it scores 3.0 out of 4. 1 tool scores higher and costs less.
Each grade against the category
Every bar is all 17 VPNs we grade, cut by the letter each got. IPVanish’s own letter is outlined.
- BValue for moneyAbove 11 of 16
- DFree plan and trialAbove 6 of 16
- BFeaturesAbove 5 of 16
- BEase of useAbove 6 of 16
- BPlatforms and integrationsAbove 0 of 16
Price against what you get
Each dot is one of 16 VPNs. Further left costs less; higher up scores better on features, ease of use and platforms. IPVanish is the marked dot.
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
Keep it, or make your own?
Whether this is something you could build for yourself with an AI app builder, and what you would give up.
Keep it
To replace IPVanish you would be making servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private. That is not a weekend's work, with an AI app builder or without one.
It costs $99.99 a year.
What you could make
- Ad and tracker blocking: an app builder makes this well.
What you could not
- Servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private.
- Apps for macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android that stay in step with each other.
- The depth: we grade its features B, which means it covers the whole job.
What this rests on. IPVanish’s listing: what it does, where it runs, what it plugs into and what it costs. It is a judgement about the kind of software this is. We have not built a replacement for it, and making your own means looking after it too. How we decide, and every tool’s verdict.
Part 05 · Alternatives
The alternatives
The tools it is most often weighed against, side by side
Surfshark, NordVPN, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access and PureVPN
The 5 tools IPVanish is most often weighed against, with where each one differs from it.
- 2.8GPA
Surfshark
Free trial · from $79/yr
VPN with no device limit, sold alone or in security bundles.
- Only Surfshark lists a browser extension.
- 2.4GPA
NordVPN
Free trial · from $139.08/yr
Subscription VPN with threat protection and Meshnet device links.
- Only NordVPN lists a browser extension.
- 2.4GPA
CyberGhost
Free trial · from $56.94/yr
VPN for seven devices with a 45-day money-back window on long plans.
- Only CyberGhost lists a browser extension.
- 2.2GPA
Private Internet Access
From $47.88/yr
Open-source VPN with unlimited devices and servers in all 50 US states.
- Only Private Internet Access lists a browser extension.
- Private Internet Access is open source, according to its own site.
- 2.2GPA
PureVPN
From $47.95/yr
VPN sold in three tiers that add a password manager and data removal.
- Only PureVPN lists a browser extension.
- PureVPN also covers password manager.
Part 06 · Questions
Quick answers
The questions people ask about it, each answered in a line or two
11
Questions, each answered in a line or two
The short version of everything above, for when you only need the answer. Each one is told in full in its part of the guide.
Is IPVanish free?
No, IPVanish is a paid product, but you can try it first. Free trial in the iOS and Android apps; IPVanish does not state its length.
How much does IPVanish cost?
IPVanish lists 5 plans. Essential, 2 years: $99.99 per year at renewal, after a first term of 2 years.
What platforms does IPVanish work on?
IPVanish is available on macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS and Android.
Does IPVanish offer any discounts?
IPVanish publicly lists the following: First 2 years of a 2-year plan from $52.56; First year of a 1-year plan from $46.68.
How is IPVanish rated?
IPVanish's iPhone and iPad app averages 4.6 out of 5 from 104,321 ratings on the App Store in the United States, as read on Oct 17, 2026.
Is IPVanish open source?
IPVanish is not described as open source on its own site, as read on Oct 17, 2026.
Who makes IPVanish?
IPVanish is made by IPVanish.
What are the alternatives to IPVanish?
The closest alternatives to IPVanish in our directory are Surfshark, NordVPN, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access and PureVPN.
How does IPVanish compare with other VPNs?
IPVanish's GPA of 2.6 is higher than 10 of the 16 other VPNs we grade, and level with 2.
Is IPVanish good value for money?
ToolGPA grades IPVanish B for value for money. Its paid plans start at $8.33 a month when paid by the year, against a middle price of $5 for the category: 13 of the 15 others that charge start lower.
Could I make my own version of IPVanish?
To replace IPVanish you would be making servers in dozens of countries, kept fast and private.
Where this guide comes from
The prices, plans, platforms and features were read from IPVanish’s own pages on Oct 17, 2026, and the grades were given on Oct 17, 2026. Graded from this listing, whose facts were read from IPVanish's own pages on 17 October 2026, and its App Store rating. Not based on using the product, and shorter than our full reviews.
Every tool we list gets five grades, A to F, each with its reason, and a GPA that averages them. How each is decided is at toolgpa.com/grades. This guide is ToolGPA’s own work; it is not made, paid for or approved by IPVanish. Prices change, so check ipvanish.com before you buy.
Part 07 · About
About ToolGPA
Who made this guide, what else is on the site, and how to cite it
1,858
Tools graded, in 46 categories
ToolGPA grades software the way a school report grades a pupil: five subjects, a letter for each with the reason written beside it, and a GPA that averages them. Prices, plans and platforms are read from each maker’s own pages and dated, so you always know how fresh a figure is.
ToolGPA is free to read. It may earn a commission from affiliate links and it works with sponsors, but anything paid for is labelled and no one can pay for a grade. Every tool on the site has a guide like this one, free to download and pass on. It all lives at toolgpa.com.
1,858
tools graded
46
categories
426
price changes on record
579
apps priced in 12 countries
What else is on toolgpa.com
- IPVanish, kept up to dateEverything in this guide, with prices and grades as they are todaytoolgpa.com/tools/ipvanish
- How grades are givenThe rules behind every letter and every GPAtoolgpa.com/grades
- Value chartsWhat each tool costs against what it scores, for every categorytoolgpa.com/charts
- CompareAny two tools side by side, plan by plantoolgpa.com/compare
- Price changesEvery price rise and cut on record, each with its sourcetoolgpa.com/price-changes
- Prices by countryWhat apps cost on the App Store in 12 countriestoolgpa.com/prices-by-country
- Pay lessEvery public discount: yearly billing, students, nonprofitstoolgpa.com/save
- Keep or makeWhich tools are worth paying for, and which you could build yourselftoolgpa.com/keep-or-make
Scan for the live page
Prices and grades as they are today
Quoting this guide?
Please name ToolGPA and link to the live page, so readers can check the figures for themselves:
ToolGPA, "IPVanish: The Insider's Guide", checked Oct 17, 2026. https://toolgpa.com/tools/ipvanish
Know someone choosing between VPNs?
Send them this guide: toolgpa.com/tools/ipvanish/guide
ToolGPA elsewhere: youtube.com/@toolgpa
See our other guides
The best-graded VPNs after IPVanish, each with an Insider's Guide of its own.
- VPNs Insider's GuideEvery one of the 17 VPNs we grade, compared
- hide.me Insider's GuideMalaysia-based VPN with a no-signup free plan and flat renewal prices3.0 GPA
- PrivadoVPN Insider's GuideVPN with a 10GB free plan and ad blocking on paid plans2.8 GPA
- Proton VPN Insider's GuideOpen-source Swiss VPN with a free plan that has no data cap2.8 GPA
Choosing software? Every tool graded, every price dated.
Compare tools at toolgpa.com ›Everything in this guide is ToolGPA’s own summary of what IPVanish’s pages, its app-store listings and public reviews said on the dates shown. Grades are our judgement under the rules at toolgpa.com/grades. ToolGPA uses affiliate links and may earn a commission from them, and it works with sponsors; anything paid for is labelled, and no one can pay for a grade. IPVanish is a trademark of its owner, and this guide is not made, paid for or approved by IPVanish. Prices and plans change: check ipvanish.com before you buy.