IVPN review
Based in Gibraltar - best for open-source apps and privacy-focused accounts
Gibraltar-based privacy-focused VPN provider with open-source apps, multi-hop connections, and published third-party audits.
Strengths
- 3 independent no-logs audits
- WireGuard protocol on offer
- 30-day money-back window
Watch out for
- Limited streaming unblock coverage
Key facts
- Server count
- 200+
- Countries
- 50
- Jurisdiction
- Gibraltar
- 14-Eyes
- No
- Audits
- 3
- Free trial
- No
- Trustpilot
- 4.6/5 from 2200 reviews
- Refund
- 30 days
- Best for
- Open-source apps and privacy-focused accounts
Streaming unblock
Protocols
Supported platforms
Audit history
Three independent audits covering no-logs policy, apps, and infrastructure.
IVPN pricing breakdown
IVPN currently lists Standard, Plus, and Pro Suite tiers. Standard is the core VPN plan; Plus adds IVPN's modDNS and Mailx services; Pro Suite adds Portmaster Pro and raises the VPN device allowance. IVPN does not offer port forwarding.
IVPN lists weekly, monthly, and annual billing, plus a 30-day refund window. Verify the current total and tier details on IVPN's pricing page before purchase.
Self-hosted servers, Gibraltar jurisdiction
Every server in IVPN's fleet is self-hosted and operated by IVPN itself, including the email and customer service infrastructure. There is no third-party hosting partner, no rented virtual servers, and no shared infrastructure with other VPNs. The fleet is small (200+ servers across 50 countries) by consumer standards, but every server is operated under IVPN's direct control, which is the structural guarantee behind the no-logs claim.
IVPN is incorporated in Gibraltar, which is a British Overseas Territory but is not part of the 14-Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance and has no mandatory data-retention law for VPN providers. Gibraltar's data protection regime is built on the EU GDPR, so users in the EU benefit from the same legal protections they would expect from a European provider, with the additional benefit of Gibraltar not being a 14-Eyes member.
Three independent audits and open-source apps
IVPN has been independently audited 3 times since 2019. The named firms on the public record are Cure53 and VerSprite, with the most recent assessment in 2024. Cure53 audited the desktop and mobile apps for security flaws, while VerSprite audited the broader infrastructure. The audits are published in full on the IVPN site rather than summarised, which is the standard most consumer VPNs should adopt but rarely do.
IVPN's apps are open-source on every platform (Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android), which means the code that runs locally can be inspected by anyone. IVPN also publishes its warrant canary and annual transparency reports. Unlike most consumer VPNs, IVPN does not run an affiliate program, which means the company is not paying for top-10 placement on review sites. The trade-off is name recognition: IVPN is less visible on consumer comparison lists, but the privacy posture is stronger than most competitors.
Current plan differences
Standard includes the core VPN, multi-hop, AntiTracker, obfuscation, and a five-device limit. Plus adds modDNS and Mailx. Pro Suite adds Portmaster Pro and raises the VPN limit to ten devices. Port forwarding is not offered.
The VPN supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2, plus IVPN's firewall and AntiTracker features. Check platform-specific documentation because feature availability can differ by operating system.
Streaming unblock coverage
IVPN unblocks Netflix and BBC iPlayer in the current editorial dataset, though coverage is best-effort rather than guaranteed. The smaller server fleet (50 countries) means there are fewer IPs to rotate when streaming providers push a block, so users may hit captchas or proxy errors more often than with a larger competitor. The apps do not label streaming servers by service.
IVPN is not marketed as a streaming-first service. If streaming is the primary use case, the consumer-focused competitors on the /netflix guide are the better fit. If streaming is one of several reasons for needing a VPN, and the others (privacy, audits, jurisdiction) matter more, IVPN is the cleaner answer.
Who should pick IVPN
IVPN is the right pick for buyers who want a privacy-first VPN without the marketing surface of a major consumer brand. It fits users who care about self-hosted servers, no affiliate program (which means no paid placement on review sites), open-source apps, Gibraltar jurisdiction, and the flat $6 per month Standard tier without a renewal price hike. It is also a strong fit for users who want a small operator that publishes full audit reports and transparency records rather than marketing summaries.
Consider alternatives if you want a free tier (ProtonVPN), if you want a larger server fleet (PIA at 35,000+, NordVPN at 8,900+, ExpressVPN at 105 countries), if you want a 2-year or 3-year promo (NordVPN, Surfshark, CyberGhost), or if you want unlimited simultaneous devices (Surfshark). For a privacy-first VPN with a flat price and open-source clients, Mullvad is the closer neighbor.
IVPN alternatives
If IVPN is close but not quite right, three VPNs cover similar buyer profiles with different trade-offs.
- Mullvad - the most philosophy-aligned alternative. Mullvad is based in Sweden, ships open-source clients, and runs on a flat $5.50 per month pricing model with no long-term plan. Similar feature set, slightly cheaper, smaller country count (44 vs 50). Read the Mullvad review for the full breakdown.
- ProtonVPN - the audited alternative with a free tier. Proton is based in Switzerland (outside 14-Eyes), ships open-source clients, and offers a free plan plus a paid tier with Secure Core multi-hop. Larger feature bundle, higher entry price, more visible on consumer comparison lists.
- NordVPN - the premium alternative. NordVPN caps simultaneous devices at 10, ships Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, Meshnet, and Threat Protection, plus five independent audits. Higher headline price, longer-term commitment, broader feature set. Read the NordVPN review for the full breakdown.
IVPN - frequently asked questions
Is IVPN based in a 14-Eyes country?
No. IVPN is headquartered in Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory that is not a direct member of the 14-Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance. UK law technically applies in Gibraltar, and IVPN mitigates that exposure by owning its infrastructure and publishing annual transparency reports that document every legal request received.
Does IVPN keep logs?
No. IVPN operates a strict no-logs policy that has been independently audited three times, with the most recent assessment in 2024. The audits confirm that IVPN does not record connection timestamps, source IPs, DNS queries, or browsing activity on its network.
How much does IVPN cost?
IVPN starts at $6 per month on the monthly plan, $5 per month on the yearly plan, and $4 per month on the 2-year plan. All paid tiers include the same feature set, with discounts applied to longer commitments. Verify current pricing on the IVPN website before purchase.
Can IVPN unblock Netflix?
IVPN is built as a privacy tool first and does not market itself as a streaming unblocker. In the current editorial dataset Netflix blocks most IVPN exit IPs, and the service does not maintain a streaming-optimized server list. Users who prioritize streaming should compare providers on the /netflix guide.
How many devices can I use IVPN on?
IVPN lists up to 5 simultaneous VPN connections on Standard and Plus, and up to 10 on Pro Suite. Native apps cover Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android; router deployment is also documented.
Does IVPN support port forwarding?
No. IVPN completely removed port forwarding on September 30, 2023. Current plans do not include it.
Does IVPN have multi-hop?
Yes. IVPN ships a built-in multi-hop feature that routes traffic through two separate VPN servers in different jurisdictions, adding a second layer of separation between your real IP and the exit node you present to websites.
Can I pay for IVPN anonymously?
Yes. IVPN accepts Bitcoin, Monero, and cash sent by mail, in addition to standard cards and PayPal. No name, email, or account identifier is required for the cash-by-mail option, which is the strongest anonymous-payment workflow among audited consumer VPNs.
Is there an IVPN free trial?
No. IVPN does not offer a permanent free tier or a free trial on its consumer plans. Every paid plan is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, which functions as a risk-free trial window.
Who owns IVPN?
IVPN is operated by Privatus Limited, a Gibraltar-registered company founded in 2009. The team is publicly listed and the company is independently held, with no parent conglomerate or outside investors.
