ExpressVPN Review

ExpressVPN is the highest-rated VPN service we’ve evaluated, achieving an impressive score of 9.6/10 based on our rigorous testing methodology. With servers in 106 countries, it offers exceptional speed and effectively bypasses geo-blocks, making it a top choice for streaming. The service employs AES-256 encryption to secure web traffic, ensuring that your browsing activities remain hidden from your ISP. Although ExpressVPN is priced higher than many alternatives, its outstanding performance, versatility, and advanced features justify the investment.

Ranked #1 out of 62 VPNs

ExpressVPN Category Ratings

• Streaming: 9.9/10
• Torrenting: 9.3/10
• Privacy & Logging: 9.2/10
• Speed: 9.7/10
• Server Locations: 9.9/10
• Bypassing Censorship: 9.0/10
• Security & Features: 9.6/10
• Ease of Use: 9.9/10
• Customer Support: 9.8/10
• Price & Value: 7.5/10

ExpressVPN Pros & Cons

Pros:

• Exceptional security and privacy features
• Compatible with Netflix, Hulu, and other major streaming platforms
• High-speed connections across all locations
• User-friendly apps available for all platforms
• IP addresses in 106 countries
• Torrenting supported on all servers

Cons:

• Higher cost compared to most competitors
• Does not support port forwarding
• Some IP addresses may trigger CAPTCHAs on search engines
• Lacks multi-hop and other advanced features

Established in 2009, ExpressVPN has grown into one of the most widely used VPN services globally. Owned and operated by Kape Technologies, it boasts over four million users worldwide.

In this review, we thoroughly tested all of ExpressVPN’s applications across various devices and categories, including security, speed, and streaming compatibility. The service consistently performed at a high level in each area.

ExpressVPN Key Data

Data Cap	Unlimited
Download Speed	97Mbps
Logging Policy	No Identifying Data
Data Leaks	No
Jurisdiction	British Virgin Islands (Privacy Haven)
Servers	3,000
IP Addresses	3,000+
Countries with Servers	106
US Netflix	Yes
Torrenting	Unlimited
Simultaneous Connections	8
Works In China	Yes
Support	24/7 Live Chat
Cheapest Price	$6.67/mo over 15 Months
Free Trial	7 Days (Payment Info Required)
Money-Back Guarantee	30-day Money-Back Guarantee
Official Website	ExpressVPN.com

Streaming

ExpressVPN: Compatible with All Major Streaming Platforms

Streaming Rating: 9.9/10

ExpressVPN is the top-rated VPN for bypassing geo-restrictions on streaming websites. During our testing, it successfully accessed US Netflix, Hulu, YouTube TV, and BBC iPlayer from any location. Additionally, it is one of the few VPNs that offer Smart DNS functionality, enabling use on virtually all digital media players.

Ranked #1 out of 62 VPNs for Streaming

Below is a list of popular streaming platforms that ExpressVPN currently unblocks:

Streaming Platform	Works with ExpressVPN
Amazon Prime Video	Yes
BBC iPlayer	Yes
Channel 4	Yes
Disney+	Yes
Hotstar India	Yes
Hulu	Yes
ITVX	Yes
Max	Yes
Netflix US	Yes
YouTube TV	Yes

For detailed insights into ExpressVPN’s streaming capabilities, please refer to the following sections.

Access to US Netflix and 17 Additional Regions

Over the past 12 months, ExpressVPN has consistently provided access to US Netflix in all tests. Videos load instantly and stream in HD without any buffering issues.

It’s important to note, however, that the default US server on ExpressVPN does not support Netflix streaming. Users must manually connect to the “USA – New Jersey – 1” server location to access Netflix.

While other VPN providers often automatically connect users to a server optimized for streaming, we would recommend that ExpressVPN consider implementing a similar feature.

Unlike many other VPN review platforms, we rigorously test each VPN with Netflix across all server locations. These tests are conducted weekly to ensure the data remains current and reliable.

Below, we present the results of our testing with ExpressVPN across popular Netflix regions, highlighting the frequency with which ExpressVPN successfully accesses each region.

Netflix Library	Works with ExpressVPN
Australia	Yes
Brazil	Yes
Canada	Yes
France	Yes
Germany	Yes
India	Yes
Japan	Yes
Mexico	No
Netherlands	Yes
Switzerland	No
UK	Yes
US	Yes

Limited Access to Certain Netflix Libraries

It is worth noting that ExpressVPN does not provide access to some popular Netflix libraries, such as those in South Korea and Mexico. For users seeking to unblock a broader range of international Netflix libraries, Windscribe may be a more suitable alternative.

Access to YouTube TV, Hulu, and All Major US Streaming Services

ExpressVPN enables access to US streaming services from any location. We successfully connected to Disney+, Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, and even bypassed blocks on YouTube TV.

Unlike with Netflix, all US-based ExpressVPN servers, including those in New York and San Francisco, provided seamless access to these platforms.

In every instance, videos loaded within one second, consistently maintaining maximum quality at 4K or 1080p without any buffering issues.

Unblocking BBC iPlayer and Sky Go

ExpressVPN effectively bypasses geo-restrictions on BBC iPlayer across all five of its UK servers. This allowed us to stream live and on-demand content in HD, including popular shows like Match of the Day and Top Gear.

Previously, ExpressVPN was not the ideal choice for accessing BBC iPlayer, requiring the use of the VPN’s browser extensions or MediaStreamer Smart DNS service. We are pleased to see that ExpressVPN has made significant improvements in its streaming performance.

Additionally, ExpressVPN proved to be a reliable option for accessing other UK streaming platforms. It successfully worked with Sky Go, Now TV, Channel 4, and ITVX. It also stands out as the best VPN for France, effectively unblocking all French streaming services.

Secure Option for Kodi Streaming

ExpressVPN is a strong choice for securely streaming Kodi content, particularly with its user-friendly app for Firestick and Android TV Kodi boxes. While connected, we streamed non-copyrighted content from popular Kodi add-ons like Popcornflix and Crackle, ensuring that Kodi activity remained hidden from ISPs.

Speed

Fast Connection Speeds in Every Location

Speed Rating: 9.7/10

Based on our most recent speed tests, ExpressVPN ranks among the fastest VPN services available, surpassing PIA, NordVPN, and several other leading competitors. Utilizing its Lightway protocol, we observed speed losses of just 3%, ensuring optimal performance for demanding online activities such as gaming, streaming, and video calls.

Ranked #5 out of 62 VPNs for Speed

To evaluate ExpressVPN’s performance, we connected to servers across six different continents, using a 100Mbps internet connection similar to typical home broadband speeds.

Below is a table illustrating ExpressVPN’s speed test results:

	No VPN (New York)	US (New York)	Canada (Toronto)	US (Los Angeles)	UK (London)	Germany (Berlin)	Brazil (São Paulo)	Japan (Tokyo)	South Africa (Johannesburg)	Australia (Sydney)
Server Location
Download Speed	100Mbps	97Mbps	95Mbps	90Mbps	93Mbps	87Mbps	87Mbps	83Mbps	66Mbps	83Mbps
Upload Speed	100Mbps	91Mbps	92Mbps	88Mbps	92Mbps	89Mbps	90Mbps	89Mbps	64Mbps	91Mbps
Ping	1ms	8ms	14ms	256ms	74ms	204ms	128ms	145ms	584ms	69ms
Distance	0mi	5mi	300mi	2,500mi	3,500mi	4,000mi	4,800mi	6,700mi	8,000mi	9,900mi

Speed Analysis

As the data indicates, connecting to a nearby server resulted in a minimal impact on our download speed, with only a 3% loss. This suggests that regardless of your location, you can expect consistently high speeds when connecting to servers in close proximity.

To provide further context, the following chart compares ExpressVPN’s local speed performance with other leading VPN services:

ExpressVPN outperforms PureVPN by 16Mbps when connected to a nearby server. It also shows a slight edge over CyberGhost and NordVPN, with an average speed advantage of approximately 2%.

However, it is important to note that ExpressVPN’s international speeds have shown some decline recently, making it no longer the fastest VPN for distant servers. Specifically, we observed a 27% speed decrease in South Africa and a 7% reduction in Germany compared to previous tests.

Fast Ping for Lag-Free Gaming

ExpressVPN’s impressive speed performance makes it an excellent choice for gaming. We recorded an 8ms ping time on a nearby server, which is faster than nearly every other VPN we’ve tested.

When using ExpressVPN on Xbox, our connection was swift enough to handle fast-paced games like Warzone and CS. The VPN consistently delivered the necessary speed for competitive gaming on every local server we evaluated.

Additionally, ExpressVPN offers servers in countries like Egypt and Argentina, where you might find less challenging gaming lobbies. However, as expected, ping times increase significantly when connecting to more distant servers. For optimal performance, especially in fast-paced games, we recommend using servers within your own country.

Privacy & Logging Policy

Privacy & Logging Policy Rating: 9.2/10

ExpressVPN is recognized as a reliable VPN service with a robust commitment to user privacy. The service does not retain any personally identifiable information, such as IP addresses or DNS queries. Moreover, being headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, ExpressVPN benefits from the absence of data retention laws.

Privacy & Logging Policy Ranking:

Ranked #8 out of 62 VPNs for Privacy & Logging Policy.

Below is a table summarizing the types of data that ExpressVPN logs:

Data Type	Logged by ExpressVPN
Account Information	Yes
Browsing Activity	No
Date of Last Connection	Yes
Device Information	No
DNS Queries	No
Individual Bandwidth Usage	Yes
Individual Connection Timestamps	No
ISP	No
Number of Simultaneous Connections	No
Originating IP Address	No
VPN Server IP	No
VPN Server Location	Yes

ExpressVPN collects significantly less data compared to most VPN providers. It also offers an anonymous payment option during sign-up, and its use of a diskless server network ensures that no activity data is logged.

That said, ExpressVPN does collect some anonymous connection logs, such as the date of your last connection and the amount of bandwidth used. This data is solely for diagnostic purposes and service improvement.

Importantly, this information cannot be used by third parties to trace your online activity. This has been repeatedly confirmed through real-world scenarios, including server raids and third-party audits.

While ExpressVPN has demonstrated its commitment to privacy, a true no-logs policy, as adopted by services like Private Internet Access and PrivateVPN, would be preferable.

The table below provides a comparison of ExpressVPN’s logging policy with other leading VPN services:

VPN Service	Logging Policy	Jurisdiction	Independent Audit
ExpressVPN	No Identifying Data	British Virgin Islands (Privacy Haven)	Yes
NordVPN	No Identifying Data	Panama (Privacy Haven)	Yes
PIA VPN	No Logs	US (Five Eyes Member)	Yes
Surfshark	No Identifying Data	Netherlands (EU Member)	Yes
PrivateVPN	No Logs	Sweden (14 Eyes Member)	Yes

Based in a Privacy-Friendly Jurisdiction

ExpressVPN is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), an ideal location for a VPN provider. The BVI has no mandatory data retention laws, allowing ExpressVPN to uphold the commitments outlined in its logging policy effectively.

Additionally, the BVI is not a member of any data-sharing alliances, such as the Five Eyes. This means that other governments and agencies cannot compel ExpressVPN to disclose any user information.

ExpressVPN Is Owned by Kape Technologies

In 2021, ExpressVPN was acquired by Kape Technologies, a development that sparked some controversy due to Kape’s past involvement with a software development kit (SDK) that was used by third parties for ad injection and malware distribution.

However, it’s important to note that Kape Technologies was not directly involved in the creation or distribution of the adware and malware. These were the actions of third parties using Kape’s platform, which was discontinued in 2016, well before the acquisition of ExpressVPN.

Since the acquisition, ExpressVPN’s logging and privacy practices have only strengthened. Kape Technologies also owns two other reputable VPN services, CyberGhost and Private Internet Access.

Security & Technical Features

Secure, but Limited in Technical Features

Security & Technical Features Rating: 9.6/10

ExpressVPN is an exceptionally secure VPN service, successfully passing all of our security assessments. However, there is still room for enhancement. For instance, ExpressVPN utilizes its proprietary Lightway protocol instead of the widely recognized WireGuard. Additionally, during testing, the macOS app exposed our IP address when switching between servers.

Security & Technical Features Ranking:

Ranked #3 out of 62 VPNs for Security & Technical Features.

The table below details the encryption ciphers, connection protocols, and additional security features employed by ExpressVPN:

Protocols

Protocols	Available in ExpressVPN
IKEv2/IPSec	Yes
Lightway	Yes
OpenVPN (TCP/UDP)	Yes
WireGuard	No

Encryption 

Encryption	Available in ExpressVPN
AES-128	No
AES-192	No
AES-256	Yes
Blowfish	No
ChaCha20	Yes

Security 

Security	Available in ExpressVPN
Diskless Servers	Yes
DNS Leak Blocking	Yes
First-party DNS	Yes
IPv6 Leak Blocking	Yes
Supports TCP Port 443	No
VPN Kill Switch	Yes
WebRTC Leak Blocking	Yes

Advanced Features 

Advanced Features	Available in ExpressVPN
Ad Blocker	Yes
Dedicated IP	No
Double VPN	No
SOCKS	No
Split Tunneling	Yes
Static IP	No
Tor over VPN Server	No
Tracker Blocker	Yes

ExpressVPN Utilizes a Proprietary VPN Protocol

ExpressVPN employs a unique VPN tunneling protocol that distinguishes it from other VPN services. While a preference for more established technologies exists, given their extensive testing and user feedback, ExpressVPN’s default protocol, Lightway, is exclusively developed by the company. This protocol utilizes the AES-256 encryption standard, ensuring a high level of security for sensitive data.

Lightway is an open-source protocol, allowing for public scrutiny of its codebase. While this transparency helps foster trust, it may not match the reliability of more widely adopted open-source protocols, such as WireGuard. Although Lightway has demonstrated commendable performance in our security evaluations, we recommend that ExpressVPN consider incorporating WireGuard as an additional option.

Consistent with industry standards, ExpressVPN implements Perfect Forward Secrecy, a 4096-bit RSA key, and SHA-512 HMAC authentication. This combination effectively conceals user web activity and safeguards against real-time data alterations by potential attackers.

Kill Switch Functionality

All ExpressVPN applications feature a ‘Network Lock’ kill switch. It is uncommon for kill switches to be available across all platforms, including Fire TV and iOS, so we commend ExpressVPN for maintaining this functionality universally.

To assess the effectiveness of ExpressVPN’s kill switch, we utilized an in-house testing tool to monitor for IP address leaks following an unexpected disconnection. The results, as illustrated in the accompanying screenshot, confirm that ExpressVPN’s kill switch effectively prevented our actual IP address from leaking outside the VPN tunnel.

However, it is noteworthy that we identified a vulnerability in ExpressVPN’s macOS app, which leaks IP addresses when switching to a different server location. While the app provides a warning prior to this action, the lack of a complete resolution to this issue is concerning.

Success in Leak Tests

We conducted a series of IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak tests on ExpressVPN, all of which it passed successfully, confirming that no network traffic leaks occurred and that our personal information remained protected. The accompanying screenshot demonstrates that ExpressVPN effectively masked our actual UK network details.

ExpressVPN utilizes first-party DNS servers, meaning it manages and encrypts DNS requests rather than relying on the user’s ISP. This feature is not commonly found in many VPN services.

For enhanced security, we recommend that ExpressVPN develop support for IPv6 addresses. Currently, the service blocks the user’s true IPv6 address but does not substitute it with a VPN server address, which could lead to potential leaks if the blocking feature fails.

Secure Browser Extensions

Unlike many VPN browser extensions that merely function as basic web proxies without encrypting network traffic, ExpressVPN’s apps and extensions ensure that all traffic is encrypted, including activity conducted outside the web browser. We verified this using Wireshark, a tool for analyzing individual data packets, and found that ExpressVPN successfully concealed the websites accessed and obfuscated data on unsecured HTTP sites.

Diskless Servers Ensure No Logging

In contrast to most VPNs that store server data on hard drives, ExpressVPN operates diskless servers, referred to as TrustServer. This innovative feature prevents any logging of user data and eliminates the risk of data extraction by hackers.

ExpressVPN is among the few VPN providers to have undergone a third-party audit of its diskless server network. The audit conducted by Cure53 confirmed that all of ExpressVPN’s servers are diskless and that “no IP addresses or personally identifiable information (PII) can be written to physical disk.”

Moreover, all servers are owned and operated by ExpressVPN, minimizing the potential for interference by hackers or malicious actors.

Threat Manager: A Sufficient Ad and Tracker Blocker

ExpressVPN’s applications feature an ad and tracker blocker known as Threat Manager.

Based on our data, Threat Manager successfully blocks approximately 60% of ads and trackers. In comparison, competitors like Private Internet Access and Atlas VPN achieve over 80% effectiveness in this regard.

While Threat Manager is a valuable addition that improves the protection of your web activity against data profiling, there are more effective alternatives available in the market.

Technical Features We Would Like to See

ExpressVPN currently offers fewer advanced features compared to other leading premium VPN services. Below are some technical enhancements we believe would benefit ExpressVPN:

• Always-On Kill Switch: Implement a feature that blocks all network traffic, even when the VPN connection is disrupted.
• Dedicated IP Address: Provide users with the option of a dedicated IP address to mitigate issues related to IP address blocklisting and CAPTCHA prompts on search engines.
• Multi-Hop Servers: Introduce multi-hop server capabilities to enhance the security and privacy of VPN connections.
• Open-Source Software: Transition to open-source software to improve transparency and allow the broader community to assess the security of ExpressVPN’s applications.
• WireGuard Support: Incorporate support for WireGuard, enabling users to connect via a fast, open-source, and widely adopted tunneling protocol.

While ExpressVPN may lack some common features, the app’s simplicity remains one of its most significant advantages. Should the company decide to integrate these requested features, we hope they are implemented discreetly to prevent overwhelming users with unnecessary options.

Price & Value

How Much Does ExpressVPN Cost?

Price & Value Rating: 7.5/10

ExpressVPN is priced at $6.67 per month, which is approximately double the cost of its primary competitors. However, this pricing reflects the high quality of the service offered. A seven-day free trial is available for mobile sign-ups, and all subscription plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Additionally, users can opt to pay anonymously using Bitcoin.

ExpressVPN is ranked #12 out of 62 VPNs for price and value.

Subscription Plans:

• Monthly Plan: $12.95 per month (billed monthly)
• 6-Month Plan: $9.99 per month (billed $59.95 every 6 months)
• 15-Month Plan: $6.67 per month (billed $99.95 for the first 15 months, then $116.95 annually thereafter)

Although these prices are above average for VPN services and higher than those of competitors, ExpressVPN maintains consistent pricing even after the initial subscription period, unlike many other VPNs that increase their prices significantly after the promotional period.

For example, Surfshark, a leading budget VPN, is initially priced 70% lower than ExpressVPN. However, after 12 months, its cost doubles, making it only 40% cheaper. The superior performance of ExpressVPN justifies the additional expense for those who can accommodate it.

ExpressVPN Free Trial

While there is no completely free version, ExpressVPN does offer a seven-day free trial for new users on Android or iOS devices. Once registered, users can access the ExpressVPN app on any device using their new account credentials.

Additionally, all subscription plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing users to test the VPN before committing to a long-term subscription. In our testing, we contacted customer support within 30 days of signing up and received a full refund within five days.

Payment Methods

ExpressVPN accepts a wide range of payment methods, including:

• Alipay
• American Express
• Bitcoin
• Giropay
• iDeal
• Klarna
• Mastercard
• Mint
• PayPal
• SOFORT
• UnionPay
• Visa
• WebMoney
• Yoo Money (Yandex.money)