IVPN
App Telemetry
In our analysis, IVPN primarily establishes connections to its own domain, api.ivpn.net, which can be logically tied to the app’s core functionality. A notable feature is its lack of telemetry, reinforcing its standing as a true privacy-focused application. Additional connections to Apple’s ecosystem, namely inappcheck.itunes.apple.com and mzstorekit.itunes.apple.com, are indicative of routine in-app functionality rather than invasive tracking or advertising. Furthermore, domains such as apps.identrust.com and r3.i.lencr.org relate to certificate authorities and secure communications, which are essential components of any robust VPN service.
Given that the connections are largely restricted to primary service domains and standard app functionality, IVPN maintains a strong commitment to user privacy. The absence of telemetry data adds to its credibility as a privacy-centric application. Thus, IVPN achieves an A rating on our privacy grading scale, serving as a benchmark for what a privacy-focused app can offer.
Privacy Policy
IVPN’s privacy policy is pretty much a gold standard if you’re looking for anonymity and data security. They collect the bare minimum of information needed to operate their service—no personal info like your name or email required at sign-up. Even better, they have a strict no-logging policy for your VPN activity. They’re also transparent about what little data they do collect, mostly for transactional purposes, and give you options for anonymous payments. On the legal front, they’re under EU jurisdiction, which has strong data protection laws. Overall, if you’re concerned about your online privacy, IVPN seems to tick all the right boxes.
One of the most striking features of IVPN’s privacy policy is its commitment to collect the “minimum information required to operate our service.” The company explicitly states, “When you sign up for IVPN, you will not be asked for any personal information e.g. email address, name, etc.” By not collecting personal identifiers, IVPN makes it extremely difficult for any external entity to link VPN activity back to an individual user. This minimal data collection is a significant pro for those concerned about anonymity and privacy.
IVPN’s no-logging policy is another cornerstone of its privacy-centric approach. The company states unequivocally: “We do not log any data relating to a user’s VPN activity.” This includes no traffic logging, no connection timestamps, and no DNS request logging. Without these logs, even if the company were compelled by legal authorities, it couldn’t provide information about user activities. This no-logging policy significantly enhances user security and privacy.
IVPN sets itself apart by being transparent about what limited data they do collect, specifically for transactional purposes. They state: “When you add time to your account, the following information is stored: Payment ID, Account ID, Amount, Currency, Timestamp, Transaction ID.” While this data is necessary for transactions, the company also offers anonymous payment methods such as cash and cryptocurrency for those who wish to take extra precautions.
On the legal front, IVPN is subject to European Union (EU) law, widely considered to have strong data protection regulations. The company assures users that “if it ever becomes required by law for us to keep a persistent log of our customers’ connections or any personal data relating to their network activity, we will immediately notify our customers and do everything in our power to move jurisdictions or close the service.” This commitment to privacy even in the face of legal challenges further strengthens the company’s standing as a privacy-focused service.
Speed Test
Speed tests, by their nature, are highly contextual. They depend on various factors, such as the user’s location, hardware configuration, and the quality of the network infrastructure. That said, they still serve as valuable frames of reference. For our tests, we chose a server located in the Seattle region. The results were impressive: IVPN delivered 516 Mbps on the download and 24 Mbps on the upload, with a latency of just 18.5 ms. Unlike many other VPN services that often suffer from server overutilization or speed throttling, IVPN showed no signs of either. The high-speed performance and low latency indicate a well-maintained and robust server network.
