Review Overview
Privacy
Server Network
Performance
Torrenting & P2P
Video Streaming
Pricing
Offshore Incorporation
User Support
GOOD
Summary : Affordable, but with disappointing speeds.
ibVPN or Invisible Browsing VPN is one of those prominent VPN service providers based out of Romania, with offerings at rather cheap prices. Just as we were curious about the possibility of what this service had in store, we found them to be pretty good on the whole in terms of all major aspects. However, it wouldn’t be wrong to say that we did have certain issues, mainly with respect to speeds offered later on. Read on to know everything in our ibVPN review.
Reviewer’s Pick
- Low prices
- 6-hour trial period and 15-day money back policy
- P2P allowed
- Fair logging policy
- Good clients and apps
- Good customer support
- We weren’t impressed, at all, with that speeds offered
Infrastructure
ibVPN does boast of a very good server network that consists of 90+ servers across 37 countries and all 6 continents. In terms of addresses available, the number stands at a massive 2500+ IPs. Also, it runs a proxy service that is present across 5 countries.
Protocols, which are generally used by ibVPN for its services, include OpenVPN, L2TP/IPSec, PPTP, and SSTP. The SmartDNS feature that is provided by a number of VPN service providers is also offered by ibVPN.
Performance
ibVPN’s performance was something that was rather mixed. During the initial review period, we did happen to get very good browsing speeds, which can easily be noticed in our speed test results (no VPN, with OpenVPN, with L2TP). However, something of a problem that we faced was very slow speeds after the review period was over. This is pretty annoying, in fact, the Internet became slow and there were even frequent instances of web pages being timed out. We feel this largely bogs down this service.
IbVPN is known to employ the use of shared IPs with allocations available in both, static and dynamic types. It also supports a SmartDNS feature, known as ibDNS. This is something that allows users to access geographically restricted content, mainly streaming services, as it uses their servers to resolve DNS. In addition, ibVPN also runs a proxy service with 5 location offerings.
Generally, ibVPN allows up to 2 simultaneous connections per user. Those interested in availing more connections at a go can subscribe to their user package system, with the Family VPN allowing up to 3 connections and the Small Business Package offering up to 20 connections.
Privacy Quotient
ibVPN allows connections through all the common VPN protocols that are known to exist. As such, it implements a default 256-bit Blowfish encryption technique with OpenVPN. Switching between different protocols is also easy if someone wishes to do so.
Being based in Romania, where data retentive laws aren’t very forceful, ibVPN does offer an acceptable logging policy. Just like a number of companies, it does maintain logs for connection timings, bandwidth used and time and location from where a connection is made. Also worth noting, is the fact that these logs are kept for at most 10 ten days.
Platforms Supported
ibVPN’s services can be accessed by many platforms and devices. They have very intuitive clients and applications for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android and Linux, accompanied by very detailed tutorials that are largely helpful.
Besides, there is also available support for ibVPN usage with DDWRT and Tomato routers.
User Support
IbVPN‘s user support was something that we largely liked. They are known to offer support through 24/7 live chat, email ticketing, and also, remote desktop, which is worth having. Response to our queries, via live chat also, happened pretty quickly.
There is also a FAQ section and a knowledgebase, and these can also be very helpful in many situations.
Pricing
ibVPN offers subscription plans that are adequately priced. As such, it also provides users with a large array of options to pick from. Basically there are 4 plans for VPN options, with having their own set of featured offerings. Regional VPN plans are also offered to users (US & Canada, UK & Ireland, EU). Besides these, there are also options for family and business users, which mainly offer multiple connections. As far as plan durations go, they are mainly of four types 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year.
There are plenty of payment options supported by ibVPN, including many of the common ones such as PayPal, American Express, Mastercard, Visa, Bank Transfer, etc. Also, there is support for Bitcoin as a payment option.
People willing to try the service out can do so with the free trial window. Besides, there is also a 15-day money back policy in place, in case, you aren’t happy with their services.
Public Perception
From what we figured out, ibVPN generally does not have a very good review, as per stances made on Internet forums. Problems mainly pertain to speed and frequent disconnections, which thus proves that we weren’t the only people who faced it.
Final Verdict
IbVPN is definitely a reliable service out there, and more so, an affordable option for plenty of users. However, its problem, that largely pertains to speed, is something that generally brings its level down by a bit.
Review Overview
Privacy
Server Network
Performance
Torrenting & P2P
Video Streaming
Pricing
Offshore Incorporation
User Support
GOOD
Summary : Affordable, but with disappointing speeds.