IVPNvsProton VPN

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IVPN

IVPN

App

72/100
Try
Pick it if you are:
Privacy-focused users and journalists; Linux and power users
Top complaint:
IVPN not working with Netflix, Disney+ and other streaming sites
Price:
From $6/mo
13 IVPN errors & fixes →
Proton VPN71/100
Try
Pick it if you are:
Privacy-focused users and journalists; People who need a free VPN
Top complaint:
Why does Proton VPN renewal cost so much more?
Price:
Free plan, paid from $9.99/mo
10 Proton VPN errors & fixes →

Score Comparison

72
Overall
71
58
Pricing
55
72
Usability
78
66
Performance
72
80
Support
50
76
Reliability
66
85
Onboarding
82
68
Mobile
70
94
Security
86
40
Integrations
–
IVPNProton VPN

Signals Comparison

Reliability

IVPN

  • IVPN not working with Netflix, Disney+ and other streaming sites(6/10)

Proton VPN

  • Proton VPN not connecting or stuck on Connecting(7/10)
  • Proton VPN not working with Netflix (proxy error)(5/10)
  • Proton VPN Stealth not working in restrictive countries(6/10)
Usability

IVPN

  • IVPN has a small server network compared with NordVPN or Surfshark(5/10)
  • No IVPN app for Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV or browsers(5/10)
  • Lost internet after disconnecting from IVPN (kill switch)(5/10)
  • Can't reach printers or NAS while IVPN firewall is on(4/10)

Proton VPN

  • Proton VPN free plan limits: one device, no country choice(5/10)
  • Proton VPN causes constant Google CAPTCHAs(5/10)
Pricing

IVPN

  • Why is IVPN so expensive? $60 a year for the cheapest plan(5/10)
  • IVPN port forwarding removed in 2023(7/10)
  • No free trial and weekly plan is the only low-risk test(3/10)

Proton VPN

  • Why does Proton VPN renewal cost so much more?(7/10)
  • Why is Proton VPN so expensive month to month?(5/10)
Performance

IVPN

  • IVPN slow speeds on far-away servers(5/10)
  • IVPN not connecting or stuck on connecting(7/10)

Proton VPN

  • Proton VPN free servers slow at peak times(6/10)
  • Why is Proton VPN so slow with Secure Core?(4/10)
Mobile

IVPN

  • IVPN drains iPhone battery(4/10)

Proton VPN

  • Proton VPN keeps disconnecting on Android(6/10)
Integrations

IVPN

  • Only 5 devices on Standard, 10 on Pro Suite(4/10)

Proton VPN

  • Proton VPN port forwarding changes every reconnect(5/10)
Support

IVPN

  • IVPN ended no-logs audits after 2019(3/10)

Proton VPN

  • Proton VPN refund taking too long(6/10)
  • Proton VPN has no 24/7 live chat(5/10)
Security

IVPN

No signals

Proton VPN

  • Is Proton leaving Switzerland? Surveillance law uncertainty(5/10)
  • Proton CEO political post backlash(3/10)

Pricing Comparison

IVPN

Standard
$6.00/mo

Users: 5 devices

Limits: No Mailx, modDNS or Portmaster; no TV apps or browser extensions

No free trial; only a paid 1-week plan ($2) to test. Port forwarding is not available. Cash and voucher payments are non-refundable.
Standard (annual)
Popular
$5.00/yr

Users: 5 devices

Limits: Same as Standard

Refund only within 30 days, no prorated refunds.
Plus
$8.00/mo

Users: 5 devices

Limits: Plus tier and extras only for accounts created after November 2020

Mailx and modDNS need separate credentials and an email address; downgrading purges them permanently.
Plus (annual)
$6.67/yr

Users: 5 devices

Limits: Same as Plus

Same as Plus
Pro Suite
$10.00/mo

Users: 10 devices

Limits: Portmaster only on Windows and Linux

Downgrading from Pro Suite logs out all app sessions on every device.
Pro Suite (annual)
$8.33/yr

Users: 10 devices

Limits: Same as Pro Suite

Same as Pro Suite

Proton VPN

Proton Free
Free

Users: 1.0

Limits: 1 device only, no country or server choice (random server with a Change server cooldown), no streaming-optimised servers, no P2P/torrenting, no Secure Core, no port forwarding, medium speed, no live chat support

Constant upgrade prompts (e.g. $1 for the first month, then $9.99/month). Free servers slow down at busy times
VPN Plus (monthly)
$9.99/mo

Users: 10.0

Limits: Proton Pass, Drive and Mail stay on their free tiers

Auto-renews monthly. Refund only within 30 days of first purchase, once per user
VPN Plus (1-year)
Popular
$2.99/yr

Users: 10.0

Limits: Proton Pass, Drive and Mail stay on their free tiers

Billed $35.88 upfront for the first 12 months, then renews at $83.88/year (about $6.99/month). Intro price seen on the pricing page in November 2026; a 2-year term also exists but its price was not shown
Proton Unlimited (monthly)
$12.99/mo

Users: 10.0

Storage: 500 GB

Auto-renews monthly
Proton Unlimited (1-year)
$6.49/yr

Users: 10.0

Storage: 500 GB

Billed $77.88 upfront for the first 12 months, then renews at $119.88/year (about $9.99/month)

Feature Comparison

FeatureIVPNProton VPN
Protocols
WireGuard (quantum-resistant by default in apps)

Also OpenVPN and IPSec/IKEv2

Pricing
Free plan with unlimited data

1 device, random server in about 10 countries

Free plan or free trial

30-day refund and 1-week plan instead

Privacy
Multi-hop

Included in Standard since May 2026

Kill switch (IVPN Firewall)

Windows, macOS, Linux, Android

Split tunneling
Anonymous account (no email)

Pay with cash, Monero or Bitcoin

Core
10 simultaneous devices

Paid plans

Smart Protocol

Cycles through WireGuard, OpenVPN and Stealth automatically

Security
Secure Core multi-hop

Paid plans; about 35% slower in tests

Stealth protocol

Anti-censorship; Settings > Protocol

Kill switch and advanced kill switch

Advanced mode blocks internet whenever the VPN is off

NetShield ad and malware blocker

Paid plans

Anti-censorship
V2Ray / obfs4 obfuscation

Cuts speed in tests

Trust
Open-source apps
Networking
Port forwarding

Removed 30 September 2023

Streaming
Streaming-optimized servers

Most services blocked in reviews

Smart DNS for TVs and consoles

Not offered per security.org

Performance
VPN Accelerator

On by default

Platforms
Apple TV / Fire TV / Android TV apps
Browser extensions
Support
24/7 live chat

Live chat about 9 AM-midnight CET, paid users only

Live chat support

Email support

Extras
Email aliasing (Mailx)

Plus and Pro Suite

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IVPN vs Proton VPN 2026 - Problems & Comparison | Try or Bye