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ExpressVPN is our favorite VPN. Simple as that.
Last Updated October 28, 2024
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Nine out of ten lists of the best VPNs consider ExpressVPN the winner. It’s one of the safest and fastest VPNs, but the price is a deal-breaker for many. Does it make sense to pay for ExpressVPN when there are cheaper options? This ExpressVPN review will answer that question.
I performed extensive ExpressVPN tests on desktop and mobile devices. I tested its speeds, latency, device compatibility, and unblocking abilities. To save you time, I read every line of the privacy policy. I also studied the company’s history and searched for independent audits to ascertain the trustworthiness of ExpressVPN.
My verdict: ExpressVPN leaves no chance for competition. It’s the fastest VPN I’ve tested. This VPN has advanced security features and a user-centric interface. It unblocks all popular streaming platforms and bypasses the Great Firewall of China. And since ExpressVPN has a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try it out risk-free.
Pros:
Cons:
ExpressVPN uses AES-256 military-grade encryption. The US government trusts this encryption to maintain classified data integrity. AES-256 is impossible to crack. It has more key combinations than there are atoms in the universe. Even the world’s most powerful computers would need billions of years to crack the algorithm.
ExpressVPN offers multiple VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP, and its proprietary protocol, Lightway (more on Lightway later). There is no WireGuard, but Lightway outperforms it in every aspect.
The VPN automatically picks the most suitable protocol for your device and network. However, you can manually change the protocol if you have specific requirements.
OpenVPN is a versatile open-source protocol with reasonable speeds and advanced encryption. It’s a time-tested, reliable option. IKEv2 is ideal for mobile VPN users because it offers quick reconnection, but some firewalls might block it. L2TP is useful for anonymization when other protocols don’t work, but it has lower security and works with fewer servers.
Most VPNs feature standard protocols, but Lightway is unique to ExpressVPN. It’s a state-of-the-art protocol with faster speeds than WireGuard and tighter security than OpenVPN. Lightway consumes less battery than any other protocol. The review tests these claims further.
ExpressVPN doesn’t support IPv6 yet, but so do most VPNs. For better protection, the provider recommends turning off the IPv6 connection on your device.
ExpressVPN implements a strict no-logs policy. It doesn’t collect your browsing history, VPN traffic destination, data content, or DNS queries, nor store your IP address or connection timestamps.
ExpressVPN may collect some personal data you submit with the registration form to identify you as a user, but that’s a standard and necessary practice for any online service. The app also collects VPN connection summary statistics for diagnostics and optimization. “VPN connection diagnostics” might sound vague, but it’s limited to crash reports and anonymized usability data that cannot be traced back to an individual user.
If you use the ExpressVPN Keys password manager, the app will collect your logins and passwords. The information is encrypted, so even ExpressVPN cannot access it. According to data protection laws, your data is retained for a limited period.
Overall, the privacy policy is transparent and complies with data retention laws imposed by the European Union. In 2019, PwC audited the policy and confirmed user data is safe. Independent professionals examined the VPN’s code, interviewed team members, and checked that the technology operated as described. You can read the entire report on ExpressVPN’s website.
ExpressVPN is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands and complies with BVI data retention laws. It gives ExpressVPN an advantage over competitors operating under US or Canadian law. The British Virgin Islands doesn’t participate in the 14 Eyes Alliance, whose members exchange intelligence data, including users’ browsing activities.
Firstly, ExpressVPN does not collect or store any identifiable information. Even if it did, it can’t be forced to share data.
One concern may arise from the fact that ExpressVPN is owned by Kape Technologies Inc., formerly Crossrider, which was inadvertently involved in malware distribution. For example, Crossrider’s platform was used to develop the “I Want This” app, which was flagged as malware. The company shut down Crossrider and rebranded to Kape in 2016, explaining the decision with the difficulty of combatting platform abuse.
Since then, Kape has focused on online privacy and security. The company has had a significant personnel change, including entirely new leadership. Currently, Kape Technologies is led by Ido Ehrlichman, who wasn’t part of Crossrider and owns several popular VPN services, including CyberGhost and Private Internet Access. Despite the company’s questionable past, it has regained user trust, and I’m firmly convinced ExpressVPN poses no privacy risks.
The 2017 news about VPN servers seized by Turkish authorities supports my trust in ExpressVPN. The provider came into the spotlight about the assassination of Russian ambassador Andrei Karlov. The authorities claimed ExpressVPN was used to delete relevant information from the suspect’s Gmail and Facebook accounts.
ExpressVPN was no help to authorities because it didn’t collect activity logs and could not provide information. ExpressVPN’s commentary on the case explicitly states that it fundamentally opposes any unlawful use of the VPN service and considers the assassination a tragedy. It was a perfect example of how strictly ExpressVPN complies with its privacy policy.
Even the best VPNs sometimes drop your connection, making your network vulnerable. A kill switch prevents data leaks during such a drop by blocking all your network traffic. You regain internet access when the VPN connection is restored, and your data is again protected.
A kill switch is standard in modern VPNs, but not all providers include it. ExpressVPN is enabled by default, but you can turn it off if you’re more concerned about connection stability than privacy. Note that you can’t disable the kill switch on the router app. On Android, enabling the kill switch takes an extra step—the setting is called Network Protection, where you need to set the VPN to “Always On.”
I refreshed a website while switching to a different server to test the kill switch. Whenever the VPN connection is loading, ExpressVPN lets you know your traffic may be insecure. If you try accessing a website at that moment, you’ll see a “Please Stand By” message—this means your connection is on hold until it’s secured again by ExpressVPN. So, the kill switch works.
A DNS is a directory of websites on the global network that translates URLs into IP addresses. Usually, DNS requests are handled by internet providers that can learn a lot about you from the collected data. A VPN is meant to prevent leaks, but sometimes, DNS requests move outside of the VPN tunnel and become visible to internet service providers.
ExpressVPN runs a private DNS on each server instead of a free DNS. A private DNS prevents data leaks because your DNS requests always run through an encrypted VPN tunnel and aren’t exposed to third parties.
TrustedServer technology is a collection of features dedicated to maintaining user privacy. Here’s what you need to know.
Firstly, ExpressVPN uses RAM-only servers. RAM requires power to store information, so when the power goes off, all data is automatically wiped. Secondly, TrustedServer ensures each server runs the most recent software to minimize risks of misconfiguration. Thirdly, TrustedServer passed PwC’s audit.
ExpressVPN even introduced a $100,000 award for discovering security issues with TrustedServer. The award hasn’t yet been claimed, so you still have a chance!
ExpressVPN servers reboot every one to two weeks. The provider doesn’t store sensitive data, but frequent reboots and updates ensure all servers perform well.
ExpressVPN has a built-in firewall called Threat Manager. It prevents your device from communicating with blocklisted websites and apps. Threat Manager is only available on iOS 12 and above, macOS, and Linux. You must set it up manually—fortunately, ExpressVPN provides detailed step-by-step instructions on the website.
ExpressVPN Keys is a secure password manager. It allows you to store your login credentials in an encrypted vault or generate new complex passwords with a single click. I like that the app lets you choose the password length and characters.
This feature even shows how long it would take to crack the password. For instance, an eight-character password consisting solely of lowercase letters would take three hours to crack. Conversely, a 50-character password that could include all possible character types would take 3.84 × 1034 years to crack. I’m unsure why you’d need such a strong password, but I found the feature fun.
ExpressVPN Keys is free for all subscribers, regardless of the subscription plan. There’s no limit on passwords you can store. The ExpressVPN Keys app is only available on Android and iOS and as a Chrome extension for Windows, macOS, and Linux.
DNS leaks are virtually impossible because ExpressVPN runs private DNS. But let’s test it using a dedicated tool on the website. I performed a DNS leak test with over 15 ExpressVPN servers and didn’t identify any leaks.
No matter how you try, you won’t find leak reports from other users, so your data is safe.
ExpressVPN also has a WebRTC leak testing tool. Yet again, I was satisfied with the results because none of the servers were leaking. Another handy tool is the IP address checker, which shows whether other websites can see your IP address—and, of course, can’t.
Theoretically, thanks to over 160 server locations in 105 countries, you can access geo-blocked content worldwide. However, some VPNs fail to bypass firewalls despite having servers in the said region because content providers block VPN server IPs. Let’s check how ExpressVPN handles geo-restrictions in practice.
ExpressVPN unblocked every platform we tried, including Netflix Australia, Netflix US, Netflix Japan, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Hulu, Disney+, Kodi, and Vudu. Although ExpressVPN doesn’t have streaming servers like some competitors, its regular servers perform impeccably. Streaming speeds were almost the same without a VPN, so you could watch shows without buffering. I’ll share precise results later.
Netflix is very serious about geo-blocking, so I had minor issues accessing the Argentina library, which is connected via a virtual server. Instead of showing region-specific content, Netflix showed me the Originals library. However, I didn’t experience the problem with other virtual servers, so I suspect it’s temporary.
ExpressVPN’s constant monitoring and quick troubleshooting are why it effectively unblocks geo-restricted content. Whenever a streaming service blocks ExpressVPN’s server, it quickly replaces it with a different one. As a result, users only experience short VPN service interruptions, if any.
Some regions, like China, have stricter censorship, so most VPNs fail to bypass the restrictions. Fortunately, it was tested how ExpressVPN handled the Great Firewall. We shared the ExpressVPN account details with a source in Beijing. The source confirmed that ExpressVPN unblocked Facebook, Google, YouTube, Spotify, and other popular platforms in China.
ExpressVPN has obfuscated servers that help it bypass strict restrictions. The servers aren’t labeled as such, but the obfuscation kicks in automatically when necessary—for example, when you connect from China. Note that obfuscation might slow down your connection.
Speed is one of the top priorities with a VPN for people who often stream videos and share heavy files. Latency is critical for online gaming also. ExpressVPN is tested for local and distant servers using different protocols. Specifically, I looked at:
First, I’ll share my base speed results without a VPN. Speedtest.net showed I had a 342 Mbps download speed, 181 Mbps upload speed, and 4 ms ping.
My internet connection is initially fast. However, some VPNs significantly decrease speeds. Let’s see whether ExpressVPN is as fast as it claims to be.
If you’re short on time, scroll past the results to see my verdict.
I tested the Smart Location feature to pick the optimal server based on distance, latency, and download speed. The protocol settings were set to Automatic. The app doesn’t show which protocol is used when you pick the Automatic setting. ExpressVPN chose the London server, and I was impressed with the results.
I recorded a 320 Mbps download speed with the smart VPN location. That’s only a 6.5% drop in download speed, which is nearly unnoticeable. Some VPNs I’ve tested slowed down by almost 50%.
Unfortunately, the upload speed decreased significantly to 96 Mbps (-47%). The ping jumped to 44 ms, but that’s still considered great for online gaming.
Then, I tested the same server with the Lightway UDP protocol. The results were similar: 315 Mbps download speed, 79 Mbps upload speed, and 44 ms ping.
Connected via the OpenVPN UDP tunnel (screenshot below), I got nearly 321 Mbps download speed, 63 Mbps upload speed, and 44 ms ping. Although the upload speed decreased considerably, the download speed and ping were excellent.
Lastly, I checked how the Smart Location feature performed with the IKEv2 protocol. The download speed dropped to 316 Mbps and the upload speed to 23 Mbps, which was expected because IKEv2 is generally slower than OpenVPN UDP or Lightway. The ping was 43 ms.
I recommend using the Smart Location feature to stream videos or torrent files. Master Chef UK on Netflix quickly loaded, and I didn’t notice any buffering. I like that there’s no unnecessary hassle with picking torrenting or streaming-optimized servers.
Next, I checked my local server speed using the automatic protocol setting. The Irish server located some 100 kilometers from my home showed 320 Mbps download speed and 165 Mbps upload speed. That’s only a 6.5% and a 9.2% drop, respectively, an excellent result. Moreover, the ping was 4 ms.
Connected through the Lightway UDP tunnel, I got 319 Mbps download speed, 148 Mbps upload speed, and 4 ms ping. The upload speed dropped by 18%, but anything below 20% is considered insignificant.
Next in the queue was the OpenVPN UDP protocol. The results weren’t as great as with Lightway but still decent, with 247 Mbps download speed and 114 Mbps upload speed. The ping was even lower, only 3 ms.
IKEv2 results were similar, with 223 Mbps download speed and 107 Mbps upload speed. That’s a 35% and 40% drop, respectively, which isn’t great but not terrible. The ping was consistent across all tunnels, 4 ms.
I started the test with the remote New York server. The download speed with the Automatic protocol setting was 305 Mbps, the upload speed 72 Mbps, and the ping 109 ms. An 11% drop in download speed is excellent, considering I’m thousands of kilometers from the server. A ping of 109 milliseconds is pretty good.
As expected, the Lightway protocol performed brilliantly. I got 331 Mbps download speed, 88 Mbps upload speed, and 45 ms ping. The results are comparable with that of local servers. The New York server excelled at download speed, only dropping by 3.4%.
OpenVPN performed worse but still decently, with 195 Mbps download speed, 56 Mbps upload speed, and 44 ms ping. The 43% drop in download speed might seem significant, but some VPNs decrease it by over 90% with distant servers, so I can’t complain. Plus, the ping result is exceptional.
Next, I connected to the Brazilian server using the Automatic Protocol settings. I was satisfied with the download speed of 262 Mbps and upload speed of 81 Mbps, but the ping of 242 was rather disappointing. However, it was expected considering the physical distance.
Lightway showed similar results, with 258 Mbps download speed and 50 Mbps upload speed.
OpenVPN gave me a download speed of 193 Mbps and an upload speed of 47 Mbps. That’s a decent speed, but my connection was initially fast. If your internet is slow, the decrease might be noticeable.
I decided to try distant servers on every continent, so next in line was a server in Kenya. With the Automatic protocol setting, I got 20 Mbps download speed, 48 Mbps upload speed, and 202 ms ping. It’s the first time ExpressVPN has let me down, but African servers are always slower than the American or European.
The Lightway protocol showed similar results, with a 20 Mbps download speed, a 52 Mbps upload speed, and a 196 ms ping.
OpenVPN UDP fails again compared to Lightway, giving me 20 Mbps download speed and 26 Mbps upload speed.
The German server showed an impressive 303 Mbps download speed and 88 Mbps upload speed, with an 11% and 51% drop, respectively. The 35 ms ping was also satisfactory.
At this point, you might have noticed Lightway consistently outperforms other protocols, and this case isn’t an exception. With a download speed of 317 Mbps, an upload speed of 102 Mbps, and 32 ms ping, I felt I wasn’t using a VPN.
OpenVPN test results were satisfactory, with 211 Mbps download speed and 80 Mbps upload speed.
Australian streaming platforms have great content, so I was excited to test this location. Luckily, the results were decent considering the physical distance, with 224 Mbps download speed and 34 Mbps upload speed on the Automatic protocol setting.
Lightway gave me 246 Mbps download speed and 65 Mbps upload speed with the Melbourne server. The ping was high, but that was expected.
This time, I decided to test the Australian server with IKEv2 protocol instead of OpenVPN and got 155 Mbps download speed and 7 Mbps upload speed with 311 ms ping.
Lastly, I connected to the Hong Kong server via the Lightway tunnel because it consistently showed the best results. Despite the immense distance, the download speed only dropped to 250 Mbps and the upload speed to 54 Mbps.
ExpressVPN virtual locations supposedly provide better speeds than physical servers in said regions because traffic is routed through servers closer to you. However, that’s not always the case. Sometimes, the actual VPN server location is farther away from you than the virtual one, resulting in lower speeds.
The first virtual server I tested was in Thailand via the Lightway tunnel, which was routed through Singapore. I got 250 Mbps download speed and 73 Mbps upload speed with a 293 ms ping. Given the distance, the drop was acceptable.
The next server I tested was Monaco, routed through the Netherlands, which is much closer to my location. Connected through the Lightway tunnel, I got 326 Mbps download speed, 161 Mbps upload speed, and 49 ms ping. That’s a superb result, with only a 4.8% drop in download and an 11% drop in upload speeds.
Lastly, I checked the Bahamas server, which was routed through the United States. With Lightway protocol, I got 285 Mbps download speed and 55 Mbps upload speed with a 153 ms ping. Again, this is a satisfactory result.
I’ve performed extensive speed tests to determine whether ExpressVPN is as fast as reviews claim, and I can confirm that ExpressVPN is indeed lightning fast. The download speed with most servers dropped by less than 10%, and upload speeds by less than 20%. That’s particularly impressive with distant servers. For the record, some competitors decreased speeds by over 50%.
Some servers performed worse, dropping my speeds by 40%–50%. Still, that isn’t much compared to the results of other VPNs in the same locations. Only the Kenyan server disappointed me, dropping my speed by over 90%, which isn’t unusual with African locations.
I was initially skeptical about Lightway because ExpressVPN isn’t the only VPN provider to roll out a custom protocol. However, the speed test results convinced me that Lightway is a state-of-the-art solution. It consistently provided better speeds than OpenVPN or IKEv2, considered the industry standard. Lightway alone is a reason to switch to ExpressVPN from my current VPN provider.
My local server provided better speeds than the server chosen with the Smart Location feature. If speeds are your priority, I recommend connecting to the closest server via Lightway.
ExpressVPN started upgrading its servers from 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps in June 2022, so the progress is extremely fast. Each location in the United States and the United Kingdom already supports 10 Gbps speeds. This reduces the odds of overcrowded servers, so slowdowns are less likely.
ExpressVPN has a built-in speed test tool, handy for quickly comparing server speeds and picking the best one. Running the test takes under a minute, and servers are reordered by speed index. The results might be slightly off, but it’s still a helpful tool. Unfortunately, the speed test isn’t available in the Windows version of the ExpressVPN client optimized for Lightway, but the company is working on it.
Eight simultaneous device connections aren’t many. Some VPNs offer unlimited connections. However, a study shows that most users do not need more than 5 simultaneous connections. You can use a VPN on your smartphone, tablet, laptop, and smart TV, and you still have a connection left to share with a friend. Plus, you can install ExpressVPN on unlimited devices. The limit only refers to active connections.
ExpressVPN’s apps run on:
In short, ExpressVPN is compatible with nearly any device. You can also get ExpressVPN browser extensions for Firefox, Edge, and Chrome. The lack of a Safari extension is disappointing, but most competitors don’t have it either. As for Opera, the built-in VPN is decent, but you can always install ExpressVPN on your device itself to cover both browser and non-browser traffic.
ExpressVPN’s website warns there is no dedicated extension for Microsoft Edge in the store. Instead, users should install the extension from the Chrome Web Store. In other words, there are just two ExpressVPN browser extensions, but they work with three browsers.
You can bypass the five-device limit by installing ExpressVPN on your router. All devices connected to the router count as one. However, not just any router is compatible with a VPN. If your router is outdated, ExpressVPN’s Aircove router with its VPN built-in is a worthy option. It delivers speeds up to 1 Gbps via Wi-Fi 6 and covers up to 1,600 square feet. However, you’ll need to purchase the ExpressVPN subscription separately.
The ExpressVPN website provides comprehensive installation guides for each device.
ExpressVPN doesn’t have torrenting-optimized servers but doesn’t restrict torrenting activity. Unlike many VPN companies, ExpressVPN doesn’t direct you to torrent on specific servers but allows torrenting on the entire network. In other words, there is zero hassle—if you want to download files, you do it. There are no restrictions, no problems.
Split tunneling is handy for P2P sharing because you can set the torrent client to use a VPN for security without slowing down other apps. Enabling split tunneling takes a few clicks. Unfortunately, split tunneling isn’t available on the iOS and Linux ExpressVPN apps.
To enable split tunneling in ExpressVPN apps, open the Settings menu. Then, find the Split Tunneling section in the General tab and choose “Manage connection on a per-app basis.” From there, you can customize split-tunneling options.
You can use ExpressVPN with Tor for extra security. To do that, you should connect to the VPN and then Tor, not vice versa. This ensures you can access Tor even if it’s blocked on your network. ExpressVPN even has a .onion website in the Tor network.
Because of Tor’s advanced encryption, connection speeds will always be slower with Tor than with other browsers. However, I noticed no significant difference between speeds when accessing Tor with or without ExpressVPN. The ExpressVPN.onion website loaded in eight seconds without a VPN and nine seconds with one connected.
With thousands of servers in 160 locations across 94 countries, ExpressVPN’s network outperforms most providers. Servers cover North and South America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa. I appreciate that ExpressVPN offers servers in lesser-known locations unavailable from other VPN companies, like Brunei and Macau. Of course, all popular locations like the UK, Germany, Australia, and Japan are present.
Like many providers, ExpressVPN has shut down servers in Russia. However, it still has locations in Belarus, Uzbekistan, and other neighboring countries, so you can access Russian social media and websites if you want to. The situation with Chinese platforms is similar. ExpressVPN doesn’t have servers in Mainland China, but you can access most websites via its Taiwan or Hong Kong servers.
There are 25 server locations in the United States, with most in Los Angeles and New Jersey. I like that the ExpressVPN website shows protocols available in each location.
ExpressVPN is upgrading the data handling capacity on all its servers from 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps. Over 70% of ExpressVPN’s servers already support 10 Gbps speeds.
Some countries have virtual server locations, including Algeria, Argentina, Bolivia, Egypt, India, the US, and Vietnam. These servers give you a VPN IP address from the relevant country while sending traffic through a server physically located in a different country. Usually, the physical location is near you to ensure the best possible speeds. If you want to connect to a virtual server in Algeria, your traffic will be routed through a server in Germany.
However, speeds aren’t the reason ExpressVPN offers virtual server locations. The real reason is that some countries have poor server infrastructure or invasive privacy laws. Virtual servers let ExpressVPN provide global coverage without risking user privacy.
Such a vast array of servers gives access to content worldwide and guarantees better speeds because each server is less crowded. ExpressVPN doesn’t offer static or dedicated IP addresses. Instead, IP addresses are rotated regularly to safeguard your privacy and bypass geo-restrictions. If you need a dedicated IP address, try PIA or CyberGhost.
Installing ExpressVPN is straightforward, even if you aren’t tech-savvy. Click the large green button on the landing page (you won’t miss it!), choose your plan, register, and proceed to payment. Then, download the app for your device, and you’re ready. You can download the app directly from the ExpressVPN website or your device’s app store.
Once you have the installation file, run it to complete the process. It only takes a minute, and you don’t need to restart your device like with some VPNs. One thing that confused me was the availability of two Windows versions. One runs on Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11 and is less optimized for Lightway protocol. Another one only runs on Windows 10 and 11 and is optimized for Lightway but lacks some features, like the Speed Test tool. I tried both so that you don’t have to.
To start using the ExpressVPN app, you will need an activation code. The activation code can be found under Set Up Your Devices on your dashboard. The code doesn’t expire until your subscription does.
Many VPN providers give installation instructions, but ExpressVPN stands out. The installation guides for each device are comprehensive and clear, with screenshots for each step. If you can’t find the activation code or have trouble signing in, ExpressVPN provides quick links to corresponding guides.
Another praiseworthy thing is the compatibility with other VPNs. Sometimes, VPN apps clash, causing connection issues, but I haven’t experienced any issues with ExpressVPN.
Installing and setting up the mobile app is easier than the desktop client. Find ExpressVPN in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, tap “Install,” and log in to your account. That’s it.
The ExpressVPN client is standard design-wise but appealing and easy to navigate. The dashboard has a large power button to turn the VPN on or off quickly. Underneath is a server location menu. Many VPN apps have an expandable menu, but the ExpressVPN Windows app opens it in a new tab. That’s neither good nor bad, but you may need time to get used to it.
The server location menu has two tabs: Recommended and All Locations.
The Recommended tab includes the Smart Location feature, which chooses the best-performing server based on your physical location and device. It’s convenient, but I found faster servers on my own. The Smart Location feature can be handy in countries with tight restrictions, like China. The algorithm saves you time searching for a server that works.
Alternatively, you can connect to Recent Locations (the app shows two) or one of the Recommended Locations. Recommended Locations aren’t always the closest to you—for example, I was offered Algeria, which is nowhere near my actual location. Instead, this tab includes servers with the fastest speeds.
The All Locations tab shows all options. ExpressVPN’s servers are sorted by continent. Countries in a specific continent appear to be ordered by popularity rather than name. You can create your Favorites list by clicking the star icon next to the country name. There’s also a search bar at the top, something I genuinely appreciate in VPN apps.
I wish the ExpressVPN app had labels for virtual servers. The only way to determine whether a server is physical or virtual is by checking the provider’s website. Servers supporting 10 Gbps speeds aren’t labeled either, but that isn’t a significant problem since over 70% of the ExpressVPN server network is already upgraded.
One ExpressVPN server option is labeled as Pick for Me. The app doesn’t show the server location, but I performed an IP test and determined I was connected to the Los Angeles server. That’s a different server than the one picked by Smart Location, so I figured this feature picks a server based on unspecified criteria.
Once you connect to a server, you will see an app shortcut menu on the dashboard. That’s a unique feature I haven’t seen in other VPN apps, but I never use it. It’s handy if you connect to the VPN before launching your browser. By default, the shortcuts include Firefox, Windows Mail, Wikipedia, and Google. I suspect that the first two options depend on your browser and operating system. You can manage the shortcuts by clicking the plus icon on the left.
The sandwich menu provides access to server locations, settings, and support. There’s also a “Quit” button and a gift offer—you can get 30 days of VPN service for free by successfully referring ExpressVPN to your friends. If you have the older Windows app version, you can also use a built-in speed test from this menu. However, I could not use that feature since I initially downloaded the version optimized for Lightway.
The Settings menu opens in a new window. It has the General, Account, Protocol, Shortcuts, Browsers, and Advanced tabs. From General settings, you can manage split tunneling and the Network Lock. Account settings are basic—you can see your subscription status, renewal date, and referral link. I advocate for simple menus, so ExpressVPN gets a bonus point here.
Protocol settings are equally clear, and each protocol is described because most users don’t know the difference.
Advanced settings only include language selection, IPv6 protection, and automatic crash reports because the fewer buttons, the better.
The Help and Support menu includes quick links to the ExpressVPN website and a contact form.
At the bottom is a link to knowledge base articles. The information changes when you restart the app. For example, ExpressVPN once offered an article on how it provides online security and another on how to check the server status.
The ExpressVPN desktop client window can’t be scaled larger or smaller, but that’s a problem with most VPN apps.
ExpressVPN’s desktop client is one of the best I’ve used. It doesn’t have many unnecessary features like some apps, yet it’s not too basic either. One feature it lacked is a whitelist of networks where VPN protection is unnecessary. I also struggled to find the kill switch settings initially, but ExpressVPN has a different name for the feature—Network Lock.
ExpressVPN’s Android app is functional and user-friendly, like the desktop client. The dashboard is similar—you can see a large power button and a server location menu. Additionally, the Android app shows your current IP address and analytics on how long your device was protected during the week.
The server menu has Recommended and All Locations tabs. The former has a Smart Location feature that automatically picks the best-performing server. Alternatively, you can choose your preferred server from Recommended or connect to one of your Recent Locations. You can also find your preferred location via the search tab on the top. Unlike the desktop client, the mobile apps lack the Favorites tab.
Another distinction between the desktop and Android apps is the lack of a sandwich menu. Instead, you navigate between tabs at the bottom of the screen. One of the tabs is dedicated to ExpressVPN Keys, the smart password manager. You can set it up for free. The Help tab includes quick troubleshooting guides, a referral program link, account settings, and an email link.
The Settings tab in the desktop app is somewhat different. It has the same customization options but in a different order. I found the mobile app settings more straightforward to navigate. The mobile app has built-in DNS, WebRTC, and IP leak test tools, regardless of the version. With Password Generator, you can instantly create a random secure password that would take thousands (or billions) of years to break. You can even choose the password length and character types.
Typically, VPN browser extensions only protect browser traffic and don’t affect other apps. However, the ExpressVPN browser extension is essentially a remote control for the desktop app. It helps spoof your HTML5 location and ensures you connect to websites via an encrypted HTTPS tunnel. If you quit the desktop client, the VPN will also be disconnected from the extension. However, if you close your browser without disconnecting the VPN, your connection will remain protected.
The extension resembles the desktop client and mobile app but has a dark theme you can’t change. Fortunately, most users prefer the dark theme anyway. The main screen features the already-familiar large power button, quick Recent Location options, and a server locations menu. On the bottom is a quick link to the knowledge base.
The server menu has two tabs, Recommended and All Locations. The former includes your recent servers and the best-performing servers. Other servers are ordered by continent. It lacked the favorites tab found in the desktop client.
The Settings menu in the browser extension is simple. It includes General settings, language selection, and the “Configure Desktop App Settings” button, which prompts you to open the ExpressVPN desktop client. That’s logical because the desktop client and extension are the same apps.
In Privacy and Security, you can turn location spoofing, WebRTC block, and HTTPS connections on or off. The Help and Support menu has a quick bug report button and a link to ExpressVPN’s live chat. The interface is easy to navigate, but if you need help, the ExpressVPN knowledge base has a comprehensive guide on using the extension.
ExpressVPN starts at $6.67 monthly with an annual subscription and goes up to $12.95 monthly with a monthly subscription. Plans are the same apart from the price and duration, meaning all users get the complete feature package. ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. The Terms of Service state that refunds beyond the 30-day purchase window will also be considered in some cases.
You can pay with PayPal, Bitcoin, Union Pay, iDeal, Qiwi, Sofort, GiroPay, Pix, Sepa, Mint, EPS, Mercado Pago, OneCard, or a credit card. ExpressVPN offers more payment methods than any other provider, which is handy if you can’t use conventional methods.
ExpressVPN Pricing is subject to change, but changes won’t affect your current subscription. Any changes will become effective only after your renewal date. If you want to use the VPN on more than five devices simultaneously, you can do so through the volume licensing option. There is no clear pricing on volume licensing—you need to contact support.
ExpressVPN offers a 7-day free trial on Android and iOS. If you purchase a subscription via the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, all payments and refunds will be processed through that app store. If you navigate to your subscriptions in your app store, you should find instructions for submitting a refund request, but you can always contact your app store’s support if you need additional help.
Getting a refund from ExpressVPN is simple, provided you’ve been using it for less than 30 days. I contacted When ExpressVPN support is contacted asking for a refund, an agent will reply within two minutes for email verification. In my case, the agent suggested that I keep the app until the end of the money-back period so I could utilize all 30 days. Many VPN providers will offer alternatives like this—just say you want the refund and you’ll get it.
Refunds are generally processed within seven days, but depending on your payment method, you may get your money back in a few hours.
Sometimes, ExpressVPN offers excellent service deals. You can find discount coupons online, but I recommend only trusting the provider’s official website. ExpressVPN offers three months of service for free when you purchase the 12-month plan, which is 49% off the monthly price.
ExpressVPN isn’t technically free, but you can use it for free if many friends are willing to purchase a subscription. When you refer a friend, and they download ExpressVPN via an affiliate link, you get 30 days of free service. There’s no referral limit, so the more friendly you are, the better. Say you referred 12 friends who purchase a subscription—you get an entire year for free. You can refer a friend directly via the app.
Alternatively, you can get a $5,000 award and a year of service for free if you win the ExpressVPN scholarship competition. It’s an annual essay contest where participants must write a 600- to 800-word essay on a specified theme. And since the winner is featured on multiple communication platforms, it’s an excellent resume-builder for careers in journalism, law, computer science, and other relevant fields of study. The best part? There’s no citizenship or age requirement. That said, the essay must be written in English.
Do you have a great social media presence? ExpressVPN’s influencer program might give you a free VPN and extra earnings. You could be a radio host, run a podcast, or be an Instagram influencer—each case is reviewed individually.
When it comes to customer support, ExpressVPN excels yet again. The FAQ section is well-structured and detailed, something other VPNs often lack. Questions are categorized into Basics, Subscriptions, About ExpressVPN, and Using ExpressVPN. Some answers include step-by-step instructions on setting up specific features or managing your account. If you didn’t find an answer to your question, you can jump directly to the customer support contact form.
There’s an entire page dedicated to setup tutorials for each device, including routers (with individual guides for each model), e-books, and streaming media consoles. One of the tutorials explains how to share your VPN connection from Windows 8 or Windows 10. The guides use pictures for each step and simple language, so even beginners will have no issue using the app.
The knowledge hub provides articles about VPN features, app use, payments, and account management. Important news and announcements are published on the blog, along with helpful articles on online security. For example, you can learn how to spot and avoid fake apps or detect Facebook Marketplace scams. Some articles are only remotely related to VPNs—for instance, past posts have recommended new movies to stream for specific holidays.
If you didn’t find help on the website, you can contact ExpressVPN customer support via email or live chat. Support agents are available around the clock, and I never had to wait over three minutes to get a reply via live chat. The support system is managed via Zendesk. ExpressVPN’s live chat is only available in English, but other resources are also available in German, Dutch, Portuguese, French, Italian, and Spanish.
Most importantly, the customer support staff was accommodating and genuinely cared about my problem. Instead of talking to a robot, I got an instant reply from a real person who clarified my question before giving me an answer. I asked how to enable the kill switch in the ExpressVPN app, and the support agent first asked about my device to ensure they provided a precise reply.
When you send an email query, you get an email confirming it was received. The email mentions that customer support aims to answer within 24 hours, but I got a reply in about nine hours. The email support staff was equally friendly and helpful as the live chat staff.
After thoroughly testing ExpressVPN, carefully reading the user agreement, and studying the company’s history, I concluded that ExpressVPN beats the competition in every aspect. It’s a fantastic VPN provider with top-notch security, helpful customer service, and a sound privacy policy approved by an independent audit. It’s a VPN that fits anyone’s needs, whether you’re a power user or a novice.
I want to emphasize ExpressVPN’s unblocking capabilities and speeds. It’s challenging to find a VPN that bypasses the Great Firewall of China, but ExpressVPN does so as if it doesn’t exist. It has some of the most extensive server networks I’ve seen and does an outstanding job at constantly upgrading it. The superb speeds allow you to game online without lag and stream video content without buffering.
The only drawback of ExpressVPN is the five-device limit, but keep in mind that the limit refers to active connections, not devices with ExpressVPN installed. Fortunately, if you max out the connection limit, there’s a simple workaround—you can install the VPN on your router and simultaneously protect all devices on your home network. As for the price, ExpressVPN is worth every cent, and I can’t recommend it enough.
NordVPN is a decent VPN, but ExpressVPN has more server locations. My tests have shown slightly better speeds and more consistent unblocking results with ExpressVPN. However, NordVPN is a bit cheaper and allows six simultaneous device connections, so the choice ultimately depends on what's more important for you in a VPN.
Yes, using a VPN is legal almost everywhere in the world because, first and foremost, a VPN is a privacy tool. Some countries, like China, Russia, and North Korea, have stricter laws regarding VPNs, so you must confirm that using a VPN is legal in your country. Furthermore, you should never engage in any illegal activities with a VPN. In other words, ExpressVPN is legal if you use it for legitimate purposes and comply with local legislation.
ExpressVPN costs more than most competing premium VPN services, but it's worth the money. It has the fastest streaming and download speeds of all VPNs I've tested, servers on every continent, user-friendly apps, and advanced security features. Most importantly, you can trust ExpressVPN with sensitive data because of its strict, independently audited privacy policy. The bottom line is that ExpressVPN beats other providers in almost every way.
One of the main reasons ExpressVPN is so expensive is regular feature upgrades. ExpressVPN invests large funds to improve and grow its server network, implement new security features, and provide reliable customer service. Ensuring the VPN works in countries with strict censorship and unblocks every streaming service also requires significant investments. ExpressVPN excels at nearly every parameter, so its price is justified.
ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs for bypassing China's Great Firewall. However, maintaining a VPN that works in China is challenging. The government takes serious measures to prevent people from accessing Western platforms and regularly blocks VPN server IPs. Sometimes, users may have trouble accessing certain websites from China, even with ExpressVPN, particularly during major political events. That's typically a temporary problem, so trying later or connecting to a different server usually helps.
No, ExpressVPN is never free, regardless of the operating system. However, it has a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can risk-free try it on your Android device. The money-back guarantee applies to all plans, including the monthly plan. There is no limit to how much data you can use during the guarantee period, but you shouldn't upgrade your plan, or else the guarantee will be waived.
Yes! ExpressVPN has advanced security features, including AES-256 military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and TrustedServer technology, ensuring all data is wiped from servers during reboots. It also has a strict, independently audited no-logs policy. My DNS and WebRTC leak tests were satisfactory—I didn't identify any issues, nor did I find any leak reports from other users.
ExpressVPN might be blocking your internet connection because of the kill switch. You can find it in Settings, where it's called Network Lock. The kill switch prevents data leaks when the VPN connection goes down, leading to service interruptions. You can disable the Network Lock anytime, but bear in mind this will make your private data vulnerable to exposure.
Some users might experience connection issues if they have two VPNs installed or active, which can be resolved by disconnecting or uninstalling one of the apps.
ExpressVPN's Smart Location feature picks the best-performing VPN server based on download speed, latency, and distance to your location. Smart Location is the easiest way to choose a server that should be nearly optimal. If you prefer to connect to a server in a specific region, expand the location menu and scroll through the list of 94 countries.
ExpressVPN offers several VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, and Lightway. The latter is unique to ExpressVPN. It's a state-of-the-art protocol offering better speeds, a more stable connection, and improved security. ExpressVPN also claims Lightway consumes less battery than traditional protocols. I've tested the app with each protocol and noticed my laptop lasted longer when connected through the Lightway tunnel.
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