One of the giants in the industry is of course ExpressVPN, a name you probably know by now. Their VPN service is both comprehensive and secure, as well as fast and convenient, offering apps for every device imaginable. Sure, they’re slightly more expensive than many of their competitors – but they’re really good at what they do, something you’ll quickly find out by reading our thorough review.
As they are registered in the British Virgin Islands, they are also not subject to strict data retention laws, while you can be sure that no logs are left on the servers. This is because the software runs directly in RAM, something they call TrustedServer.
Their network also extends to 94 different countries worldwide, and you can choose from over 3,000 servers to connect to. Other pluses are that they have extensions for browsers like Chrome and Firefox, but also that they use their own DNS servers to hide your location on the internet. Then add in a proprietary encryption protocol called Lightway and you have a clear winner compared to many other VPNs in the UK.
With support open 24/7, you can always get in touch with customer service, whether you prefer live chat or email. As ExpressVPN is packed with functionality, you’ll also find tools like speed tests, support for Apple TV and Fire TV, split tunneling that allows you to control which information is encrypted, and very comprehensive guides on the website.
Advantages and disadvantages
Below you’ll find the main strengths of ExpressVPN , but also some disadvantages to make sure the review is as transparent as possible.
Benefits
- 3000 servers in 94 countries
- 30-day money back guarantee
- Uses its own DNS servers to minimise leaks
- VPN servers run directly in RAM and no hard drives are used to store data
- Unlocks Netflix and other streaming services without hassle
- 256-bit AES encryption
- P2P and file sharing is allowed
- 24/7 support
- Split-tunnelling
- Huge knowledge database on the website
- Apps for every conceivable device
- Network Lock (Kill Switch)
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Torrenting is allowed
- Try for free with certain mobile devices
- Payments can be made with Bitcoin
- Offering the Lightway protocol that competes with WireGuard
Disadvantages
- More expensive than Cyberghost, NordVPN, Surfshark, Trust.Zone and VYPR
- No free period for Mac and Windows
- No support for WireGuard
- Only 5 devices can be connected at the same time
- No dedicated IP addresses
Price
With ExpressVPN, you get three different subscriptions to choose from: 1 month, 6 months or 12 months. Note, however, that the prices are presented in US dollars, which is slightly different from several other VPN companies that announce them in euros or Swedish kronor.
Below you will find the current prices at the moment:
- 1 months: usd 12.95 every two months
- 6 months: 9.99 usd per month / 59.95 usd for for 12 months
- 12 months: usd 8.32 per month / usd 99.95 for 36 months
You only get a discount if you sign up for a 12-month subscription, but you don’t need a discount code as it is automatically given out. You’ll also save 35% by choosing this option, which is beneficial if you opt for ExpressVPN.
Can you test for free?
You can try ExpressVPN for free, but only for specific portable devices. It also didn’t reveal which of these the offer applies to, with the company instead referring to its 30-day money-back guarantee. We did, however, find out that the trial period is 7 days and applies to iOS as well as Android devices.
Speed
When it comes to encrypted connections, you can always expect a downgrade in your overall speed, but ExpressVPN uses very modern servers with a proprietary protocol called Lightway. It’s very similar to WireGuard in its functionality, and since it’s only written with 1000 lines of code, it’s also significantly faster than OpenVPN.
The decrease in speed landed at about 35%, but this is not strange as the connection is encrypted. It can also vary greatly depending on the number of users per server, how close you are geographically, and the connection you use.
Overall, there’s nothing to complain about when it comes to this point, whether you’re downloading torrents or choosing to stream TV shows and movies. For Mac and Windows, you’ll also find a speed test that tells you how fast speeds you can expect, but also the latency between you and the server.
For those of you who play online games, we can report that our ping was very low on the Swedish servers, which is good for both PCs and consoles.
Servers
With over 3,000 servers in 94 different countries, ExpressVPN is a great choice for those who need a wide variety of geographical locations to connect from. They also offer multiple VPN protocols such as Lightway, OpenVPN, L2TP and IKEV2.
This provider has also focused a lot on user-friendliness and you will find several guides on the website to help you with connections. They also have a dedicated section that goes through connection issues in China, one of the most monitored countries in the world.
Each server runs 256-bit encryption in the various protocols used, which is recommended by security experts around the world. This level of encryption is also that used by the military, while all the IP addresses you connect to use their own DNS servers so that your requests sent via the browser are not leaked.
Some examples of countries where you can connect from are:
- USA
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- Sweden
- Mexico
- Panama
- Venezuela
- Bulgaria
- Cyprus
- Switzerland
- Czech Republic
- Australia
- Hong Kong
- India
- Egypt
- Kenya
- South Africa
Security and privacy
By using ExpressVPN, you get a very secure service that protects users’ privacy in a number of ways. First of all, the company is registered in the British Virgin Islands to avoid snooping authorities, but the territory also has no data retention directives to take into account.
In addition, the software continuously shifts IP addresses to secure your connection one more level, while having apps available for every conceivable device in use today. For example, you can secure your entire network at home by connecting your router to ExpressVPN.
The website also goes a step further by offering tests for WebRTC leakage, but also the DNS servers used to convert IP addresses into names. That’s because ExpressVPN has dedicated IP addresses for DNS, which means you don’t have to rely on Google’s own, or those provided by your ISP. Last but not least, you can pay completely anonymously via Bitcoin, something many people prefer when acquiring a VPN service.
Fast, modern and with full support for your devices
What sets ExpressVPN apart from many other providers is that it offers a complete package. You simply get access to the vast majority of additional services, while their proprietary Lightway protocol can offer extremely fast speeds.
As they have servers in many, many countries, they have a good competitive advantage on this point too, but best of all, the service works without hassle. You never have to worry about the US library not opening up, or not being able to access foreign offerings on Amazon Prime, Disney or Hulu. You can also use ExpressVPN from China, which isn’t always common.
ExpressVPN to Netflix
Few VPNs are as good at unlocking geo-blocked content as ExpressVPN, which is a big plus for those who want to watch Netflix abroad. The service is also great for accessing shows and movies that are only shown in the UK, Germany and other countries.
ExpressVPN to SVT, TV3, Kanal 5 etc.
You can enjoy SVT, Viaplay or other Swedish streaming platforms when you use ExpressVPN. They have servers located in Sweden that are tailor-made for streaming media, magazines and other locked content.
ExpressVPN for iPhone and Android
Both iOS and Android have their own apps ready for download via the App Store or Play Store, but you’ll also find support for your smart TV, routers, Windows, Mac and Linux. By entering your login and password, you can seamlessly access all the available servers, but you can also specify the encryption protocol and the country you want to connect from.
Customer service
We think ExpressVPN has absolutely brilliant customer support, both via the FAQ, the guides and the helpful live chat. You can also email them if you want to be more specific, or if the error is very complicated.
The customer service is open 24/7 and many of the guides are written in English, which is another point where ExpressVPN differs. Note, however, that much of the support platform is only offered in English, just like when you chat with their employees.
ExpressVPN for torrenting
There are no restrictions on P2P networking or file sharing via Bittorent, but unfortunately it is not possible to open any ports as the IP address changes from time to time. This is especially important for those who use torrenting to “seed”, i.e. upload files.
However, we find that ExpressVPN is well suited for downloading even the largest files, especially with the Lightway protocol. It’s both fast and convenient to use different torrent clients when you’re connected, regardless of the device you’re using. All servers allow file sharing, so the service has no specific IP addresses for this purpose.
What does Flashback and Reddit think about ExpressVPN?
On Flashback, ExpressVPN is frequently mentioned among visitors, but especially in terms of security and functionality. It is also featured in a thread about the best VPN providers that is over 100 pages long.
Reddit, in turn, contains a lot of troubleshooting and problems that users encounter with the service, as well as the fact that some think it performs better than competitor NordVPN. Some, however, think the opposite so it’s really a mixed bag of opinions.
ExpressVPN to bypass the Chinese firewall
If you ever need a VPN that is capable of getting around the restrictions in China, ExpressVPN is a great option. They are constantly working to bypass the firewall in the country, which is also considered a mark of quality in the industry.
On the website you will find a specific guide on the subject, which can be useful when travelling to China. So you can log in even from one of the most restrictive countries in the world, which definitely stands out a bit.
Payment methods (card, crypto, paypal etc.)
- PayPal
- BitBay (Bitcoin)
- Payment cards (Amex, VISA, Mastercard, etc.)
- Klarna
- Yandex
- Webmoney
- Immediately
- Giropay
Summary and conclusion
ExpressVPN impresses right from the start with features that are usually included as options, but also a robust platform that works well on most devices. Their add-ons for browsers like Chrome and Firefox are also a plus, while they also support gaming consoles, routers, and IoT devices in the home.
In terms of price, it is more expensive than its competitors, but this is justified by several features such as a proprietary VPN protocol, split tunnelling and servers in over 90 countries. Using their own DNS servers also prevents information leaks when browsing different sites online, while security is further strengthened with 256-bit AES encryption.
ExpressVPN is also registered in the British Virgin Islands, which does not share logs or information with any international authorities. As the servers run directly in RAM, there are no hard drives to retrieve data from. This is truly a secure and proven VPN provider that meets all the stringent requirements of today’s digital society!
Frequently asked questions and answers
How much does ExpressVPN cost?
The cost of the different subscriptions is usd 12.95 for 1 month, usd 59.95 for 6 months, and usd 99.95 for 12 months. Converted into euros, the prices are EUR 10.89, EUR 50.43 and EUR 84.08.
How good is ExpressVPN?
As a supplier, they are one of the very best on the market, both in terms of user-friendliness and functionality. The only real drawback is that you can’t order a dedicated IP address, but this is only due to the strict security procedures used. If you’re looking for a VPN that reaches all of the most common requirements, ExpressVPN is a top choice, but also for those who want to know that you’re definitely 100% safe when using a VPN.
How does ExpressVPN work?
When you use the app or software, you connect via an encrypted tunnel to a server owned by ExpressVPN. Once inside, all traffic is then sent anonymously via their IP addresses so that your own address is never visible on the internet.