ExpressVPN Reviews
Pros
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Extensive device support
-
Exceptional speed
-
Intuitive apps
-
Convenient extras
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7-day free trial for mobile devices
Cons
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Higher prices than competitors
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Only 8 simultaneous connections
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No multi-hop
With an extensive server network spanning 105 countries, apps for all major platforms, and even extra security tools like an ad blocker, ExpressVPN delivers all you need for a private and secure online experience.
The software is easy to use across all devices, and the speed trumps many of its competitors, making it one of the fastest VPNs on the market. Android and iOS customers can make the most of a 7-day free trial with unlimited bandwidth and everyone can enjoy three months for free when opting for annual billing.
Features
Features
Bandwidth
Unlimited
# connected devices
8
Kill switch
Created in 2009 and based in the British Virgin Islands, ExpressVPN sits comfortably among the top-tier VPN providers in the industry. The online platform serves as a client hub, providing users with subscription information, receipts, DNS settings, and setup guides.
Online portal
Servers
Servers and core features
When establishing a new connection via ExpressVPN’s visually pleasing app, users are recommended a server based on speed and distance. Alternatively, there’s the option to reconnect to the most recent server. Whichever you go for, your VPN connection will be up and running in no time.
Like any other reliable VPN, ExpressVPN features a killswitch (named Network Lock) and IPv6 leak protection. Furthermore, the VPN includes a threat manager that blocks trackers and malicious websites, an ad blocker, and parental controls to block adult sites.
Killswitch
IPv6 leak protection
Advanced protection
Shortcuts
Another great addition is the customizable shortcuts to apps and websites. These show up below the connected server name and provide users with a quick way to access their frequently used tools and sites directly from the interface.
Lightway protocol
With ExpressVPN, users get the usual options like IKEv2 and OpenVPN, plus its own protocol, Lightway. This protocol is faster, requires less processing power, and includes post-quantum protection.
Lightway is open source and available on GitHub, allowing users and developers to review the code and contribute to improvements. Still, for those who don’t know which protocol to use, the app lets you set ExpressVPN to automatically pick and connect the best protocol according to your network.
Additional features
Unlike some competitors, ExpressVPN offers extensive extras to enhance the user’s experience. The app includes a built-in speed test, and shortcuts to an IP address checker alongside a DNS and WebRTC leak test. Also, the company takes it up a notch with ExpressVPN Keys, the company’s password manager for iOS, Android, and Chrome, which is included in all plans.
Last but not least, while it is possible to set up the VPN on some routers, the company has developed its own – Aircove. It comes with ExpressVPN pre-installed and lets users fully manage each device’s connection.
Speed test
IP and leak check
DNS leak test
VPN network
VPN network
Countries
US, UK, CA, DE, RU, FR, NL, ES...
# countries
100
# servers
3
# IPs
ExpressVPN has 163 server locations in 105 countries, making it one of the most extensive VPN services. After running a few speed tests with the Lightway protocol, we were delighted with the results. We ran our tests from Europe, with an average network speed of 645 Mbps for download and 210 Mbps for upload.
Incredibly, the download speed decreased by a mere 9%, regardless of location. On the other hand, uploads showed a 40% decrease in speed and as usual, ping times greatly varied depending on how distant the server was.
It was a surprise that ExpressVPN doesn’t offer dedicated IPs or multi-hop, which are frequently offered by other VPN providers. While it supports split tunneling on most devices, macOS 11 and above doesn’t, so be sure to keep this in mind when considering ExpressVPN.
Privacy protection
Privacy protection
SSL
OpenVPN
PPTP
L2TP
SSTP
IPSec
Show all
To guarantee complete privacy and security, this VPN uses AES-256 encryption, which is highly endorsed by cybersecurity experts worldwide. Additionally, ExpressVPN has a policy that ensures that no browsing history, traffic destination, data content, DNS queries, or connection logs are collected.
Showcasing transparency, the company is occasionally audited, and most audit reports are freely available via its website. Others are accessible via its online platform for subscribers.
This solution also provides its own technology, TrustedServer. This technology runs connections entirely on volatile memory, which is RAM. Since it requires power to store data, all data is erased every time it’s powered off.
OS, device support
Platform support
Web app
Mobile optimized
macOS
Linux
Android
Windows
iOS
PlayStation
Xbox
Apple TV
Chromebook
DD-WRT
Tomato
ExpressVPN offers comprehensive device compatibility. It supports desktop and mobile devices, wireless routers, browsers, smart home devices, and more. While it offers apps for the most popular operating systems like Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS, some require manual configuration. However, this doesn’t present a problem with the company’s thorough setup guides.
Such is the case with ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer, a DNS service that lets users access geo-restricted content on devices that don’t support VPN apps. It improves the connection to streaming services like Netflix on devices such as smart TVs.
The mobile apps for this VPN provider are accessible for both Android and iOS devices and are a breeze to navigate. The Android app presents a weekly overview of the device’s protection time, but this isn’t available on other platforms.
Android app
Android app server
Browser
Browser settings
For easy accessibility, this VPN solution offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, which work as a remote control for the desktop app. The extension is as smooth to navigate as the desktop app, can be fine-tuned, and contains a button and keyboard shortcut to open the main app.
ExpressVPN permits eight simultaneous connections across devices, which is fewer than some competitors. However, it is possible to set up the VPN on a router, which allows unlimited connections across devices. Additionally, this solution provides unlimited bandwidth on all connections.
Pricing
Pricing
Lowest price
$6.67/mo
Free trial
7 days
Money-back guarantee
30 Day(s)
Free version
ExpressVPN offers the same features across three billing cycles. You can subscribe for one, six, or twelve months – the longer you subscribe, the better deal you get. The yearly subscription costs $6.67 per month, providing a monthly discount of 49% compared to its monthly counterpart, plus three months for free.
12 Months
$6.67/mo
Billed annually
100+ countries
160+ locations
Unlimited bandwidth
10Gbps servers
Password manager
Ad and tracker blocker
3 months free
6 Months
$9.99/mo
Billed every 6 months
100+ countries
160+ locations
Unlimited bandwidth
10Gbps servers
Password manager
Ad and tracker blocker
–
1 Month
$12.95/mo
Billed monthly
100+ countries
160+ locations
Unlimited bandwidth
10Gbps servers
Password manager
Ad and tracker blocker
–
The three subscriptions include access to all ExpressVPN’s servers, unlimited bandwidth, a password manager, ad and tracker blockers, plus fast and reliable 10Gbps servers. While there’s a 7-day free trial for Android and iOS devices, computers and smart TVs don’t get this privilege. Still, you’re backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee regardless of the plan chosen, granting you a month’s worth of the service without financial risk.
It’s also possible to earn free days of service through ExpressVPN’s referral program. All users must do is refer friends via the company’s app and get 30 days free for each sign-up. To pay for the service, customers can use credit and debit cards, PayPal, ApplePay, Bitcoin, and other payment services via Paymentwall.
Payment options
Visa
Mastercard
American Express
Discover
PayPal
Wire transfer
Check
Cryptocurrency
Show all
Customer service
Customer support
24/7
Live chat
Email
Phone
Community
FAQs
Video tutorials
Remote desktop
Blog
Facebook
Instagram
X
YouTube
Show all
ExpressVPN offers 24/7 customer support through email and chat, with fast response times. The easiest way to reach the agents is via chat – we received a prompt, friendly, and informative response. Unfortunately, there is no phone number available for direct person-to-person queries. Nonetheless, with its numerous support resources like setup guides, troubleshooting articles, and account instructions, customers rarely have to contact ExpressVPN.
Resources
Chat
You can find ExpressVPN on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram, and YouTube. However, its activity on social media is limited to posting tips, news, and other relevant information about the industry, so you won’t get a response if you reach out via these channels.
Bottom line
ExpressVPN is clearly one of the best VPN providers worldwide. It has numerous servers and supports a diverse range of devices, from computers to smart home hubs, making it an excellent option for users with various tech setups. Despite the limit of eight simultaneous connections and platform-specific features, all its apps are intuitive and smooth to navigate with customizable shortcuts.
While it doesn’t provide multi-hop and limits split tunneling to some devices, ExpressVPN is undoubtedly a solution worth investing in. This is even considering its prices, which are a bit higher than other leading VPNs. The strict no-log policy, exceptional server performance with the Lightway protocol, and extras like a password manager make this price difference justifiable.
There’s a 30-day money-back guarantee policy in place, which covers all plans. Plus, users can enjoy discounts of up to 49%, but not before trying ExpressVPN with its 7-day free trial for Android and iOS devices.
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