In a Nutshell
ExpressVPN is the undisputed king of VPN services, and it’s easy to see why. With more than 3,000 servers across 160 locations, an online VPN speed test, and unlimited bandwidth, ExpressVPN delivers faster speeds than almost any other VPN service. Add to that best in class encryption and security features, no activity or connection logs policy, and an easy-to-use UI, and ExpressVPN pulls ahead of the rest easily.
Pros
Smart Location feature automatically selects the best VPN server
Fast speeds with Lightway protocol
Good privacy and security features
Cons
Only 5 simultaneous connections (unless using router app)
ExpressVPN at a Glance
10.0
Editorial Score
Speed & Performance
10.0
Speed & Performance
10.0
ExpressVPN is regularly ranked as one of the fastest VPN services in the world. Most users do not notice a difference in speed
Compatibility
10.0
Compatibility
10.0
Suitable for all devices and OSs, Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Routers, Chromebook
Servers & Locations
10.0
Servers & Locations
10.0
3,000 servers across 160 locations
Ease of Use
10.0
Ease of Use
10.0
Easy to use, tech-savvy users can dabble with features like firewall-based kill switch, DNS leak protection
Pricing
10.0
Pricing
10.0
Price is high, limited time offer of 3 months free on annual plan, 30-day money-back guarantee
ExpressVPN at a Glance
Best for: Security-focused users
Price Range: From $6.67/month
Location: Server locations in 94 countries
Logging: No activity or connection logs
Number of Devices: Unlimited devices, but 5 simultaneous connections (unless using the router app)
Operating Systems: Windows, OS, Android, Linux, Routers
Browser Extensions: Chrome, Firefo
Privacy
ExpressVPN does not record and collect any activity or connection logs from their users. ExpressVPN categorically states that it does not log any IP addresses, browsing history, traffic destinations, metadata, or DNS queries (and has been independently audited to confirm this).
Your VPN traffic is encrypted with 256-bit AES encryption technology, the industry standard trusted by the best security experts and used by the U.S. government.
Features
Built-in speed test
Lightway protocol
Split tunneling
DNS leak protection
Auto-kill switch
Router app for unlimited connections
Stream content from anywhere
Unlimited bandwidth
30-day money-back guarantee
24-hour live chat support
ExpressVPN is an award-winning service with a sweet set of features. For one, it’s got an app for every device you can think of and a helpful tutorial on how to use each one.
ExpressVPN stands by their belief in an internet without borders. The VPN comes with unlimited bandwidth to help you overcome download limits and helps you bypass ISP throttling. Download and game all you want, without limited speeds and decreased bandwidth.
ExpressVPN provides strong security for you and your browsing. It’s got an auto-kill switch, DNS leak protection, and IP masking to ensure anonymity and privacy at all times. The built-in speed test allows you to check how fast your VPN speeds are, letting you pick the fastest server to connect to.
While you can install ExpressVPN on as many devices as you want, the catch is that you can only have 5 simultaneous connections. While 5 connected devices is generous compared to other services that only offer 1, from a major brand like ExpressVPN, we’d like to see it offer more. A good workaround is to install the ExpressVPN app on your router, allowing you to connect unlimited devices in your household and set up device groups to connect to different server locations.
And to end things on a heart-warming note, ExpressVPN has a $5,000 scholarship fund. In order to promote greater awareness of internet privacy and security, ExpressVPN set up a scholarship fund that gifts one lucky young winner a $5,000 prize for writing the best essay on the given topic for the year. This doesn’t say much about ExpressVPN’s VPN quality, but it certainly speaks volumes to its integrity and quality of character.
On a heartwarming note, ExpressVPN has a $5,000 scholarship fund. Set up to promote greater awareness of internet privacy and security, a scholarship of $5,000 is given to the young writer of the best essay submitted. This doesn’t say much about ExpressVPN’s VPN quality, but it certainly speaks volumes to its integrity and quality of character.
Speed
In our testing, ExpressVPN boasts an average speed of 77.14 Mbit/s. With speeds like this, ExpressVPN is one of the fastest in the industry.
ExpressVPN is famous for its fast network of servers and calls itself the fastest VPN on the market. We tested out a variety of servers across Europe and Asia and weren’t disappointed.
For instance, when connecting to the server in Dublin, Ireland, we received a connection speed of 69.52 Mbps, a 23.63 Mbps on our baseline connection speed of 93.15 Mbps. This represents a relatively modest 25% drop in connection speed—and the almost 70 Mbps connection that we had through the VPN was more than fast enough for all purposes.
How Much Does Express VPN Cost?
The biggest drawback to ExpressVPN is its price. ExpressVPN is known to be the top of the charts in VPN services, and you know what they say—, you get what you pay for.
| 1 Month | 6 Months | 1 Year | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | $12.95 | $9.99/month | $8.32/month |
For a limited time, ExpressVPN is offering an additional 3 months free when you sign up for the annual plan. This brings the price of the annual plan down to $6.67/month.
ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. You’ll get to try the full-featured version of ExpressVPN with no restrictions. So, you can test it out and see if it’s what you’re looking for. If you don’t feel it’s the right fit, you can request a full refund. Additionally, if you refer a friend, you’ll get another 30 days of service free. There’s no limit to the number of friends you can refer—for every referral who signs up, you’ll both get 30 free days added to your account.
Client Setup
ExpressVPN is easy to use for everyone. Tech-savvy users can dabble with features like firewall-based kill switch, DNS leak protection, and more. What’s even nicer about ExpressVPN’s app is that it is the same for both Mac and Windows. You will not be short-changed on features if you’re an Apple user.
ExpressVPN has apps suitable for a variety of devices including:
Apps
Windows
Mac
Android
iOS (iPhones, iPads, iPods)
Linux
Routers
Chromebook
E-Book readers
Windows phones
NAS devices
DDNS
You can also get tutorial assistance for setup of apps like Lubuntu, Parrot Security, Peppermint, and pfSense (OpenVPN).
How Does ExpressVPN Compare?
| ExpressVPN | NordVPN | CyberGhost | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | From $6.67/month | From $2.99/month | From $2.75/month |
| Number of Devices | Unlimited devices, but 5 simultaneous connections | 6 devices | 7 devices |
| Number of Servers | Servers in 94 countires | Servers in 59 countires | Servers in 91 countires |
| Best for | Fastest speeds, reliable connection, good secuirty | Good security, fast speeds | 1-click setup |
| undefined | undefined | undefined |
Ease of Use
ExpressVPN is very easy to set up. Before downloading the app, you need to sign up for an account. Once you’re logged in, click on the “Set Up ExpressVPN” link and you’ll be directed to the app download screen. From there, you can set up your account on your own or follow a device-specific tutorials from the ExpressVPN support pages provided. Once your account is set up, you just hit “Connect” to get VPN protection.
Customer Support
ExpressVPN offers 24/7 customer support and live chat. You can also send in an email using the online contact form. The staff is knowledgeable and answers your questions quickly. Ease of Use ExpressVPN is fairly easy to set up. Before you can download the app, you’ll have to purchase a plan and create an account. Once you have logged in, click on the Set Up ExpressVPN link where you’ll be able to access the app download screen. From there, you can set up your account on your own or follow one of the many device-specific tutorials on the ExpressVPN help pages provided. Once your account is set up, you just select a location and hit Connect to get VPN protection.
FAQs
Q: Why is ExpressVPN more expensive than other VPN services?
A: ExpressVPN is dedicated to quality and uncompromising service. As such, it invests more time, energy, and resources into providing superior quality service and tools. From more reliable platforms to more servers and greater security features, ExpressVPN uses those extra dollars to create a better user experience.
Q: Does ExpressVPN use static or dynamic IP address?
A: ExpressVPN uses neither dynamic nor static IPs. Instead, it constantly rotates the IP addresses being used. This maximizes anonymity and ensures the best privacy possible.
Bottom Line
ExpressVPN’s reputation precedes it. If you’re looking for superior quality in terms of security, service, and speed, ExpressVPN is the way to go. You’ll be paying more for ExpressVPN than some of the competition, but what you’ll get in return is incomparable. Top-notch security, no logging whatsoever, and fast connection, among other benefits, are reasons to choose ExpressVPN.
