Note: Recent media coverage has raised questions about the employment history of ExpressVPN's CIO. ExpressVPN acknowledged this history (and their knowledge of it when hiring their CIO.) Defending their decision, they have pledged to increase third-party audits and claim that their hiring of him brought unique benefits. At this time, while we'd recommend Express VPN for their speeds (especially for media streaming or P2P use) we would caution their use when transmitting highly-sensitive information.
In operation for more than a decade, ExpressVPN touts their ease of use, headquarters location, and speeds as major selling points. But with all the competition on the VPN market, do they have what it takes to compete?
Let’s see what reviewers have to say...
ExpressVPN has a simple pricing structure that allows you to pay either month-to-month, every 6 months, or every year. As with other VPN services, the yearly plan provides the biggest savings and even tacks on an additional 3 free months. Still, when compared to other VPN options, pricing is on the higher end.
You can use the service on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, and Android. They also have browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Safari. Unlike other VPN services that use an extension to supply proxy server connections, the ExpressVPN extension controls the desktop program so you can start the VPN without leaving your browser.
You can be a complete VPN beginner and still use ExpressVPN. When you start the client, all you have is an on/off button and two other buttons: “smart location” and “choose your location”.
There’s also a basic list of settings, such as deciding whether you want ExpressVPN to launch at boot, whether you want the Kill Switch enabled, and specifying your VPN protocol.
But overall, you won’t find a ton of customization options. Reviewers suggest looking elsewhere if you’re looking for a high level of flexibility and control. With that said, it’s perfect for people who want something simple to use.
Despite its higher price tag, ExpressVPN only allows for 3 connected devices. Many competitors offer more connections for a lower price.
ExpressVPN makes up for the higher price tag by including a lot of features such as:
Perfect Forward Secrecy adds a layer of security by assigning a new key each time you connect to the VPN and replaces your key every sixty minutes while in session. In addition, ExpressVPN runs their own 256-bit encrypted DNS on each server. This further reduces logging risks and protects against potential hackers.
If you’re worried about logging, don’t be.
ExpressVPN’s privacy policy states that is has a zero-log policy. In addition, it’s also based in the British Virgin Islands -- a region with no data retention laws. And, like other VPN services, it runs OpenVPN protocol, but on the server itself for an additional layer of security.
And while most reviewers were impressed by the company’s dedication to protecting their users’ identity, some were less than thrilled with the lack of information on the company. PC World was especially critical stating, “... the secrecy behind who runs the company and where they are is disappointing... hiding who you are is not how you build trust with customers.”
Reviewers mentioned very few issues with speed when browsing the Internet although some ran into issues with connecting to a handful of servers. However, resolving most issues was as simple as reconnecting a few minutes later.
Latency was good with the fastest speeds on servers nearest to their physical location and then getting slower the further away the server was.
Unsurprisingly, locations that didn’t have the best infrastructure were slower. But even with the slower servers, they could easily stream and download HD videos with no problem.
While all companies claim they have fast support, ExpressVPN backs up that claim with 24/7 live chat support. You’re able to connect with someone within minutes if you have an issue. And, as critics discovered, the representatives were always knowledgeable and able to fix the problem quickly.
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ExpressVPN might not be the cheapest VPN service available, but it provides a nice set of features for the price.
TechRadar notes, “ExpressVPN is a quality VPN which delivers in just about every area.”
- Jim Martin, Tech AdvisorExpressVPN delivers a great service that’s fast and offers support for many different types of devices. It’s expensive, though, and lacks a few features which rivals offer at a lower cost.
- Inga Valiaugaitė, CyberNewsOverall, ExpressVPN is a trustworthy, safe, and capable VPN service. It has fast connection speeds and works with streaming platforms such as Hulu, Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. However, other top VPNs, such as the ones below, offer better privacy and security features that are essen...
- Rob Watts, ForbesExpressVPN is a service geared toward individuals first and foremost. In fact, it openly touts not providing business VPN services to best protect the privacy of individuals, not corporations. However, ExpressVPN may still work for some small businesses in certain circumstances. ExpressVPN supports...
- Aliza Vigderman, Gabe Turner, Security.orgOverall, we recommend ExpressVPN to our readers, as it’s very secure, performs well, and allows us to go on Netflix and torrent movies. But since everyone has their personal preferences, we’ll break it down even further. We’d recommend ExpressVPN to anyone that wants a VPN based in a Five Eyes non-m...
- Wade, TheBestVPN.UKExpressVPN is a complete VPN solution that meets diverse needs. It is suitable for all those who need an easy-to-use VPN to protect their internet connection, watch streaming TV and download torrents on all their devices without limits. You'll get what you pay for!
Overview | |
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Headquarters | British Virgin Islands |
Pricing/Sign Up | |
Starting Price (per Month) | $6.67 |
Plans and Pricing | Visit Site |
Free Trial | No |
Money Back Guarantee | 30 Days |
Payment Options | Credit Cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, Other |
ID Required | Valid email address |
Features | |
Server Locations (# of Countries) | 94 |
Number of Servers | 3000 + |
Devices Per License | 5 |
Simultaneous Connections | 5 |
Unlimited Bandwidth | Yes |
Double-Hop / Double VPN | No |
Accesses Netflix | Yes |
P2P / Torrenting Allowed | Yes |
Accepts Bitcoin | Yes |
Non-US Company | Yes |
Protected | |
Protocols | IPSec, L2TP, Lightway, OpenVPN, PPTP, SSTP |
Encryption | AES-256, ChaCha20, Poly1305 |
No Logs / No Tracking | Yes |
Dedicated IP Available | No |
VPN Over Tor | Yes |
Wi-Fi Leak Protection | Yes |
Private DNS Server | Yes |
DNS Leak Protection | Yes |
IP Leak Protection | Yes |
WebRTC Leak Protection | Yes |
IPv6 Leak Protection | Yes |
Kill Switch | Yes |
Supported Platforms | |
Operating Systems | Windows, Mac OSX, iOS, Linux, Android |
Mobile App | Yes |
Router | Yes |
Browser Extension | Yes |
Customer Support | |
24/7 Support | Yes |
Live Chat Support | Yes |
Telephone Support | No |
Email Support | |
More | |
Additional comments |
Other Names (AKA): Express VPN |
Terms & Conditions | Official Terms & Conditions |
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