IVPN review — maximum control over your VPN connection
IVPN offers multi-hop as standard, Monero payment without an account, and more configuration options than Mullvad or ProtonVPN. For those who want the maximum.
IVPN review
IVPN is less well known than Mullvad or ProtonVPN but has one of the strongest privacy positions on the market. No email address required, payment in Monero, multi-hop available as standard, and a small organisation that takes privacy seriously.
What sets IVPN apart
No account linking: Like Mullvad, IVPN works with an account number. No email address, no name, no linked identity. Pay with Monero, Bitcoin or cash and you are completely anonymous.
Multi-hop as standard feature: With all paid subscriptions you can route traffic through two servers in two countries. This is standard — no extra surcharge like some competitors.
AntiTracker: Built-in DNS blocking for trackers at VPN level. Two levels: standard (ads and trackers) and Hardcore (also completely blocks Google and Facebook domains).
Port forwarding: IVPN supports port forwarding — useful for torrents or self-hosted services behind VPN.
Specifications
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Jurisdiction | Gibraltar |
| Protocol | WireGuard, OpenVPN |
| Open-source client | Yes |
| Audits | Cure53 (2019, 2022) |
| Anonymous payment | Monero, Bitcoin, cash |
| Account creation | No email address required |
| Multi-hop | Yes (standard) |
| AntiTracker | Yes (built-in) |
| Servers | ~90 in 35+ countries |
| IVPN Standard | €6/month — 2 devices, WireGuard |
| IVPN Pro | €10/month — 7 devices, multi-hop, port forwarding |
IVPN vs Mullvad vs ProtonVPN
| IVPN | Mullvad | ProtonVPN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Account system | Account number | Account number | Email address |
| Monero payment | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Multi-hop | ✅ (standard) | ✅ | ✅ (Secure Core) |
| Free tier | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Server network | Small (~90) | Large (700+) | Large (8000+) |
| Port forwarding | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| Price | €6–10/month | €5/month | €4–10/month |
Choose IVPN if:
- You want multi-hop as standard without extra configuration
- Monero is the preferred payment method
- Port forwarding is needed
- You prefer a smaller, focus-oriented provider over a large network
Choose Mullvad if:
- You want a larger server network
- Price is the deciding factor (€5 fixed, simpler)
- DAITA (traffic analysis resistance) is relevant
Gibraltar as jurisdiction
IVPN is based in Gibraltar, a British Overseas Territory. It does not fall directly under the EU, US or the 14-eyes agreement — but as a British territory, British laws apply. IVPN has no known cases of data disclosure.
The real protection — like other VPN providers — lies in the no-logs policy: there is nothing to disclose.
Caveats
Small server network: ~90 servers in 35 countries compared to Mullvad’s 700+ and ProtonVPN’s 8000+. Sufficient for most users, but some regions are not available.
More expensive with multiple devices: IVPN Standard is limited to 2 devices. Pro (€10/month) for 7 devices.
Less name recognition: IVPN has fewer reviews and community feedback than Mullvad or ProtonVPN. That is not an objective disadvantage but less information available.
Conclusion
IVPN is the choice for users who want the maximum from a VPN: multi-hop as standard, Monero payment, account without email, AntiTracker. More expensive than Mullvad with multiple devices, but offers more configuration options.
For most users, Mullvad or ProtonVPN is an easier choice. IVPN is for those who consciously want to take the extra step.
See also:
- Which VPN should you choose? — full VPN comparison overview
- Mullvad VPN review — the most recommended VPN for anonymity
- ProtonVPN review — the choice with free tier and Proton ecosystem