IVPN Problems & Issues
Real user-reported problems, complaints, and limitations for IVPN. Based on analysis of 13 signals.
Overall score: 72/100
Issues by Category
IVPN has a small server network compared with NordVPN or Surfshark
IVPN runs bare-metal servers in 41 countries, with only a handful of locations in Africa, South America and Oceania. Privacy forum users name server count as the most common criticism versus Mullvad, and say fewer servers mean less fallback when one is blocked or slow.
No IVPN app for Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV or browsers
IVPN ships apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android only. Top10VPN notes there are no TV apps and no Chrome or Firefox extensions; consoles and smart TVs need a router or manual setup.
Lost internet after disconnecting from IVPN (kill switch)
The IVPN Firewall (kill switch) blocks all traffic outside the tunnel, so browsing stops when the VPN disconnects until you reconnect or turn the firewall off. IVPN documents this as expected behavior, but it surprises new users.
Can't reach printers or NAS while IVPN firewall is on
With the firewall enabled, local network devices are blocked until you tick 'Allow LAN traffic' in the firewall settings. This is a frequent first-week confusion on desktop.
IVPN port forwarding removed in 2023
IVPN phased out port forwarding from the Pro plan: new reservations stopped on 29 June 2023 and the feature was removed on 30 September 2023. Torrent seeders and self-hosters who relied on it had to move to another provider.
Why is IVPN so expensive? $60 a year for the cheapest plan
Standard costs $6 per month or $60 per year, Plus $80 and Pro Suite $100 per year. Reviewers call it pricier than mass-market VPNs that sell 2-year plans for under $4 a month, and Cloudwards flags the plan structure as a drawback.
No free trial and weekly plan is the only low-risk test
IVPN has no free trial or free plan. It offers a paid one-week plan and a 30-day money-back guarantee, and some purchases (cash, vouchers, IVPN Light) are non-refundable.
IVPN not connecting or stuck on connecting
Users on iOS and desktop report the app sitting on 'connecting' or failing to connect on some networks. IVPN's own help center says most failures are caused by something blocking the connection and recommends changing port, protocol or enabling obfuscation.
IVPN slow speeds on far-away servers
Reviewers measured 5% download loss on a nearby server and about 14% on average abroad with WireGuard, but Australia lost 22%, and WizCase measured much larger drops in its tests. Obfsproxy cut speeds by about 45% in Top10VPN's test. IVPN itself says to expect 10-20% loss.
IVPN not working with Netflix, Disney+ and other streaming sites
Top10VPN found only US Netflix working, and only intermittently on a few servers, while BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hulu, Prime Video, HBO Max, UK Netflix and others were blocked. WizCase reported a similar picture. IVPN does not market itself for streaming, but buyers who expect it to work are the group most likely to regret it.
IVPN drains iPhone battery
IVPN's help center acknowledges high battery use from strong encryption and an always-on tunnel, and suggests WireGuard and turning off 'Keep alive on sleep' on iOS, at the cost of occasional wake-up reconnects.
Only 5 devices on Standard, 10 on Pro Suite
The Standard plan allows 5 devices (raised from 2 in May 2026) and Pro Suite 10. Families or heavy users with many devices need the $100 plan or a router setup, which is manual.
IVPN ended no-logs audits after 2019
IVPN says it will not commission further no-logs audits, arguing they can create false confidence, though it commits to annual security audits (eight since 2019). Some users see this as honest, others as a gap compared with providers that repeat no-logs audits.
Regret Patterns
Common reasons users regret choosing IVPN.
Bought it for streaming
Users expect Netflix, Disney+ or BBC iPlayer to open and find most blocked.
Expected a bigger network
Buyers comparing server counts find only 41 countries and fewer IPs per server.
Surprised by the price
$60 a year is more than long-term deals from mass-market VPNs.
Needed port forwarding for torrents
Seeders discover the feature was removed in 2023.
Internet dead after disconnecting
The firewall blocks traffic when the VPN is off until you reconnect or disable it.
Wanted it on a TV or console
No Apple TV, Fire TV or Android TV app, so a router or manual config is needed.
When IVPN Breaks Down
Specific scenarios where IVPN fails or underperforms.
Streaming foreign libraries
Most services detect IVPN IPs; only US Netflix works occasionally.
Connecting from public Wi-Fi, hotels or cellular hotspots
Some networks block default ports; change port, protocol or enable obfuscation.
Long-distance servers such as Australia
Reviewers saw larger speed drops on far servers.
Home network with printers, NAS and cameras
The firewall blocks local traffic unless LAN access is allowed.
More than 5 devices
Standard and Plus hit the device limit and show authentication failure on the sixth.
Restrictive countries
Obfuscation can connect but cuts speed by around 45% in tests.
iPhone on cellular all day
Always-on tunnel uses battery; keep-alive and protocol settings matter.