IVPN - Secure VPN for Privacy

<update> After submitting a few crash reports to IVPN, the developers got back to me with instructions on how to “downgrade” to the previous version of IVPN (linked in the developers response below), which works just fine on my 6S Plus. They mentioned it was an issue with the iPhone 6s series and they are working on a fix for the next update. For now the previous version works perfectly and I’m very happy with the the VPN and with IVPNs customer service. </update> I’ve been using IVPN for a few years now on my 6S+ and everything has been great up until they updated the app 2 weeks ago. They updated the design of the app, which looks fantastic, but now crashes whenever I click on anything - the settings icon, the connect icon slider, the server. It all crashes and restarts. Eventually after 5 or 6 attempts I can at least connect, but I can’t change servers or mess with any of the settings. As of right now it’s pretty much barely functioning. This was on iOS 13.7, and the newly released iOS 14, so it wasn’t just the new phone update that broke it. I’d update this review to 4 stars if they can get the functionality back.

I reviewed all of the top rated VPNs (and tried most of them) before deciding on IVPN. I’ve been very pleased with the app and service so far (about two years running now). Connection is fast, configurable, and doesn’t appear to slow me down one bit. It just works without having to think about it once set up. I can’t understand how this app has so few reviews. It often doesn’t show up in the “big name” reviews, and that initially concerned me, but I always dig much deeper into products than those superficial reviews anyway. I found IVPN to have all the features I wanted and more than most. It was a little more expensive, but so far it has been completely worth it to me. I highly recommend this VPN solution. Whatever VPN solution you choose, make sure it has “leak” protection. This was a requirement for me, because my previous VPNs, before they became mainstream, would shut down when the phone or PC went to sleep, and wouldn’t automatically reconnect on awakening, which left you unprotected, often unaware. Not good. So once enabled, IVPN prevents all device network traffic until the VPN is (re)established. That’s good.

App on macOS and iOS is flawless. I’ve tried all the big players like PIA, NordVPN, BlackVPN, ExpressVPN (which is good - but still a far second to IVPN) etc, but they do not compete on a variety of levels. Big plus for this service is software. On iOS you can throw weak connections, switching from WiFi to LTE back again and it handles well with no evidence of leaks - queuing up data until the connection is secure. Same with MacOS client. I close my laptop, restart etc and it automatically firewalls until it connects no matter what - and it does it seamlessly. I barely know it’s there. And fastest speeds available bar none. It is expensive when compared to the competition, but you’re paying for a flawless service IMHO. You might think I’m overselling the service, but I’m just happy I found a vpn that doesn’t want to make me tear my hair out - and I’ve done my time doing just that with the others.