Virtual private networks (VPNs) like ExpressVPN have become crucial today as more people need internet privacy and security due to rising cybercrime.
ExpressVPN keeps your online activity private while ensuring access to restricted services and sites. But is ExpressVPN safe? Is ExpressVPN worth it?
In this Express VPN review, I will discuss its features, cost, pros and cons, and cover ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN and its other competitors and more.
Key Takeaways
- ExpressVPN is a popular choice for fast and secure VPN services, keeping your identity private online while shielding you from censorship and snooping.
- Among the features that keep ExpressVPN superior are its TrustedServer Technology, the proprietary Lightway Protocol, VPN Split Tunnelling and ExpressVPN Smart Location.
- ExpressVPN costs $12.95 per month and $8.32 per month for a 1-year plan. All ExpressVPN plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
What is ExpressVPN
VPNs are crucial tools that provide a secure tunnel between your device and the internet, protecting your internet traffic from interference, censorship and snooping. It works to keep your identity private while you are online.
One such company is ExpressVPN.
Created in 2009 to help protect user privacy and personal data, it has grown to become one of the top VPN services in the world.
With millions of users in more than 180 countries and over 3,000 servers in 90+ countries, ExpressVPN has become a household name when it comes to fast and secure VPN services.
ExpressVPN Features
ExpressVPN subscriptions come with several features that make the provider a highly-rated service.
TrustedServer Technology
One of ExpressVPN’s main features, TrustedServer is an advanced VPN server technology in which VPN servers run only on volatile memory (RAM) and not on hard drives.
The 100% RAM-only server tech wipes out all data with every reboot, preventing apps and operating systems from retaining data. The provider reboots its servers every 1-2 weeks.
Lightway Protocol
Lightway is ExpressVPN’s open-source protocol designed to increase the speed and dependability of its VPN connection. It is designed to run faster, use less battery and is easier to maintain and audit.
This modern VPN protocol can better handle network changes and encryption options.
Stealth VPN
ExpressVPN is referred to as a Stealth VPN as its servers support obfuscation technology to mask your VPN traffic and display it as regular internet traffic.
A stealth VPN is an excellent solution for sustaining a connection in locations with heavy censorship or network restrictions.
Threat Manager
This ExpressVPN feature identifies and blocks potential threats and protects users from malicious sites and cyberattacks. It blocks apps and sites from using trackers and communicating with them and other malicious third parties.
VPN Split Tunnelling
The split tunnelling feature from ExpressVPN lets you use two different network connections simultaneously, letting you decide which apps use the VPN and which do not. It enables you to leverage the VPN to encrypt sensitive and confidential information while maintaining direct access to the internet without affecting internet speeds.
Network Lock Kill Switch
The Network Lock Kill Switch mechanism ensures your data is secure even if your VPN connection drops. It blocks internet traffic until your VPN connection is restored and helps you maintain your privacy and security while keeping your IP address and data safe from exposure.
ExpressVPN Smart Location
This feature automatically selects the best VPN server location, allowing users to explore the internet securely at fast speeds. The Smart Location algorithm utilizes key metrics like download speed, latency and distance in ranking server locations.
10Gbps Servers
ExpressVPN has upgraded from 1Gbps to 10Gbps servers for faster speeds and better connections worldwide. Over 80% of its global bandwidth runs on these servers, with more in the pipeline. This enables ExpressVPN to deliver a superior VPN experience.
Is ExpressVPN Free?
ExpressVPN does not offer a free trial in the usual sense. Rather, it offers plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee, during which time you can use the full-featured version of ExpressVPN with no restrictions.
To get ExpressVPN’s free 30-day VPN, follow these steps:
- Sign up for an ExpressVPN plan.
- Enter your email address and choose your mode of payment.
- Download the latest VPN app version to your device.
- Follow the instructions to install ExpressVPN on your device.
- Connect to ExpressVPN and start browsing securely.
If you are unsatisfied with the service, you can get your money back if you cancel the plan within 30 days.
ExpressVPN Pricing and Plans
| Length of Contract | 1 month | 6 months | 12 months |
| Monthly Rate | US$12.95 | US$9.99 | US$8.32 |
ExpressVPN plans include the following:
- 24/7 customer support by live chat
- Ultra-fast servers in 94 countries
- Apps for Mac, Windows, iPhone (iOS), Android, Linux and Router
- Best-in-class security and encryption
- No activity logs and no connection logs
ExpressVPN Speeds
ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs in the industry. Its proprietary VPN Lightway protocol allows fast and secure speeds with an almost instant connection time. ExpressVPN’s speeds depend on your location, the VPN protocol, the server’s location and current network congestion.
Does ExpressVPN Work for Netflix?
ExpressVPN works well with Netflix. Its global servers offer fast, reliable, secure and throttle-free access to Netflix streaming. With ExpressVPN for Netflix, you get fast streaming on Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Apple TV, Fire Stick, etc.
Netflix has different regional content libraries, which you cannot access outside their designated countries. Use ExpressVPN for Netflix to get an IP address from your target country. The streaming service, however, consistently tracks down VPN IP addresses and blocks them.
If ExpressVPN does not work with Netflix, try connecting to different servers, clear your browser’s cache or switch to another VPN protocol. If the options still do not work, contact ExpressVPN’s customer support by emailing [email protected] or using the 24/7 live chat option.
Pros and Cons of ExpressVPN
Pros of ExpressVPN
- One of the fastest VPNs
- Server locations in 94 countries
- Excellent for streaming
- Easy to use and quick to set up
- Numerous server locations
- Protects your privacy
- Increases your security
- Unblocks websites
- Supports split tunnelling
- Easy-to-use apps for every device
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Live chat support
- Multilingual interface
- Independently audited
Cons of ExpressVPN
- Pricey plans
- More expensive than its competitors
- Does not offer dedicated (or static) IPs
- Only allows five connections to run simultaneously (for the monthly plan)
- No business VPN tier
Is ExpressVPN Safe and Legit?
If you are wondering if ExpressVPN is safe, let me enumerate the numerous measures the provider takes to ensure a safe and secure VPN connection:
- Industry-standard 256-bit AES encryption
- TrustedServer Technology that wipes out all data with every server reboot
- IP masking using server locations around the world
- Network Lock (kill switch) for superior protection from leaks
- No activity logs and no connection logs
- Private, encrypted DNS on every server
Aside from being safe and secure, I must add that ExpressVPN is a legit, privately-held company with headquarters in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands.
To contact customer support, use live chat to get dedicated help or email [email protected]. You can also use the FAQ page or the search box to access ExpressVPN’s Support Center.
ExpressVPN Alternatives
ExpressVPN has numerous features that I personally find remarkable, such as the measures it puts into place to assure user privacy and security. Nevertheless, it pays to check out competitors in the field and see what they offer.
ExpressVPN vs NordVPN
| ExpressVPN | NordVPN | |
| OpenVPN data encryption | 256-bit AES | 256-bit AES |
| Number of servers | 3,000+ | 5,000+ |
| Server locations | 160 | 60 |
| Server countries | 94 | 50+ |
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Split tunneling | Yes | Yes |
| Allows Torrenting | Yes | Yes |
| Unblocks Netflix | Yes | Yes |
| Unblocks Amazon Prime Video | Yes | Yes |
| Unblocks Hulu | Yes | Yes |
| Simultaneous connections | 5 (monthly plan) (8 devices for 6- or 12-month subscriptions) | 6 |
| Offers dedicated/static IP addresses | No | Yes |
| Cost | $8.32/month for the 12-month plan $12.95/month for the monthly plan | $4.99/month for the Basic 1-year plan; $59.88 for the first year $12.99/month for the monthly plan |
| Money back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
| Country of registration | British Virgin Islands | Panama |
For more information about NordVPN, read this guide.
ExpressVPN vs SurfShark
| ExpressVPN | SurfShark | |
| VPN Protocols | Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN |
| OpenVPN data encryption | 256-bit AES | AES-256-GCM |
| Number of servers | 3000+ | 3200+ |
| Server locations | 160 | 144 |
| Server countries | 94 | 100 |
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Split tunneling | Yes | Yes |
| Allows Torrenting | Yes | Yes |
| No-logs policy | Yes | Yes |
| Unblocks Netflix | Yes | Yes |
| Unblocks Amazon Prime Video | Yes | Yes |
| Unblocks Hulu | Yes | Yes |
| Simultaneous connections | 5 | Unlimited |
| Offers dedicated/static IP addresses | No | Yes |
| Cost | $8.32/month for the 12-month plan $12.95/month for the monthly plan | US$3.99/month for the 12-month Starter plan; US$47.88 for 12 months, then US$59.76 annually (plus tax) US$15.45/month for the monthly Starter plan) |
| Money back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
| Country of registration | British Virgin Islands | The Netherlands |
Related: Surfshark review.
ExpressVPN vs Proton VPN
| ExpressVPN | Proton VPN | |
| VPN Protocols | Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec |
| OpenVPN data encryption | 256-bit AES | AES-256 and ChaCha20 |
| Number of servers | 3000+ | 2970 |
| Server locations | 160 | 101 |
| Server countries | 94 | 69 |
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Split tunneling | Yes | Yes |
| Allows Torrenting | Yes | Yes |
| No-logs policy | Yes | Yes |
| Unblocks Netflix | Yes | Yes |
| Unblocks Amazon Prime Video | Yes | Yes |
| Unblocks Hulu | Yes | Yes |
| Simultaneous connections | 5 | 10 |
| Offers dedicated/static IP addresses | No | Yes |
| Cost | $8.32/month for the 12-month plan $12.95/month for the monthly plan | 5.99€/month for the 12-month plan; 71.88€ every year 8.99€/month for the monthly plan |
| Money back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
| Country of registration | British Virgin Islands | Switzerland |
Is ExpressVPN Worth It?
If privacy is essential to you and you want a VPN committed to transparency and user privacy, using ExpressVPN would be worth it. Even if you are a casual internet user who simply prefers a VPN that provides fast and excellent streaming services, ExpressVPN would be an ideal choice.
While it is true that its plans are more expensive than what other players in the field offer, we can see that it has maintained its advantage through the services it delivers. Based on multiple online reviews, ExpressVPN is one of the best in the market. Considering the overall value it gives to its users, I can say that it is an excellent buy.
So, how does ExpressVPN stack up?
Based on the many comprehensive and detailed tests by industry experts such as CNET and TechRadar, ExpressVPN continues to rate very highly, thanks to its innovative and robust security features.
Basically, ExpressVPN is a secure and private VPN with phenomenal speeds, extraordinary device support, a vast number of servers and privacy features that work perfectly.
FAQs
ExpressVPN is a solid choice for users who value their privacy. The features that make it an exceptional VPN provider are its industry-standard 256-bit AES encryption, RAM-only servers, no-logging policy, IP masking, kill switch and private, encrypted DNS on every server.
No, China does not own ExpressVPN. British-Israeli digital security software provider Kape Technologies PLC bought ExpressVPN in September 2021 for $936 million, following Kape’s acquisition of Romanian VPN provider CyberGhost VPN.
Although Netflix imposed a VPN ban in August 2021, ExpressVPN continues to be able to work with Netflix more than other VPN services. With ExpressVPN’s 3000+ servers, you have numerous server options to use in the same or nearby location. Once you shift to another server, reload the service or restart the app.
To cancel ExpressVPN subscription, send an email to [email protected]. ExpressVPN will either send your money back or stop charging your account once the subscription period ends.
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