ExpressVPN DEALS
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ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is the easiest VPN I have tested, and the Basic plan at $2.99/mo finally makes it fairly priced. It is owned by Kape Technologies, and Surfshark One is still faster and better value in my tests.
- 113 countries and 214 locations
- 10 devices on Basic
- Lightway protocol
- Post-quantum protection
- Lite Protection ad blocking
- Easiest apps I have tested
- Basic now $2.99/mo with 4 months free
- 91% speed retention in my tests
- 113 countries and 214 locations
- Audited open-source Lightway protocol
- Renews at $99.95 per year on Basic
- Only 10 devices on Basic
- Owned by Kape Technologies
- Pricier than Surfshark One
ExpressVPN built its reputation on two things: the most polished VPN apps in the industry, and reliable performance on restrictive networks where many competitors fail. After hands-on testing on Windows, macOS, iOS and Android, I can confirm both reputations are earned.
Both also come with caveats. ExpressVPN is owned by Kape Technologies, which also owns CyberGhost, Private Internet Access and review sites such as vpnMentor and Wizcase.
The service, infrastructure and no-logs policy have not changed under Kape, but it is real context. I rank ExpressVPN #7 overall because of that ownership, the renewal pricing and missing extras like multi-hop and port forwarding, behind Surfshark One, my #1 pick.
ExpressVPN at a Glance: What I Liked and Didn’t
What I liked
- Most polished, consistent apps on every platform I tested
- Lightway protocol, rewritten in Rust in 2025, fast and stable on mobile
- 113 countries and 214 locations, including all 50 US states
- British Virgin Islands jurisdiction, outside the 14 Eyes alliances
- TrustedServer: 100% RAM-only servers, wiped on every reboot
- Audited no-logs policy, with the latest KPMG assessment published in 2025
- Post-quantum protection in Lightway and ExpressVPN’s WireGuard
- Automatic obfuscation on restrictive networks, no manual setup
- 91% speed retention in my tests
- Aircove router with per-device VPN locations
- Basic now costs $2.99/month with 4 extra months
What I didn’t like
- Owned by Kape Technologies, the same group as CyberGhost, PIA and several review sites
- No double VPN, no Tor over VPN, no port forwarding
- Does not publicly disclose its server count
- Slower than Surfshark One, which kept 96% of my speed vs 91%
- Basic renews at $99.95 per year after the first 28 months
- 10 devices on Basic, while Surfshark One is unlimited
- Split tunneling on iOS is more limited than on desktop and Android
- Email support can take up to 48 hours
- No dedicated P2P servers
ExpressVPN Pricing: Three Tiers and the Halloween Deal
ExpressVPN moved from a single plan to three tiers in 2025: Basic, Advanced and Express Pro. The core VPN is the same on every tier, while the higher plans add password management, email relay, eSIM data and AI tools.
The current Halloween promotion gives all three 2-year plans 4 extra months, so you get 28 months of service. The monthly figures are equivalents, and the full amount is billed upfront.
| Plan | Monthly equivalent | Billed for 28 months | Discount | Devices | Renews at |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic (my pick) | $2.99/mo | $83.72 | 80% off | 10 | $99.95/year |
| Advanced (most popular) | $4.49/mo | $125.72 | 73% off | 12 | $119.95/year |
| Express Pro | $7.49/mo | $209.72 | 67% off | 14 | $199.95/year |
What each tier adds
- Basic: the full VPN network advertised at up to 40Gbps, 10 devices, Lite Protection against ads, malicious and adult sites, and ExpressMailGuard with 10MB of monthly relay and 10 shared aliases. A dedicated IP is a paid add-on.
- Advanced: 12 devices, Advanced Protection with tracker blocking, ExpressKeys password manager with a 2FA authenticator, ExpressMailGuard at 100MB with 50 aliases and one custom domain, and a 3GB travel eSIM valid for three days.
- Express Pro: 14 devices, a dedicated IP included, unlimited ExpressMailGuard relay and aliases with 20 custom domains, the eSIM extended to five days, and ExpressAI with 500 daily credits, six models, web search and 2GB of storage.
My pick for most people is Basic. Lightway, post-quantum protection, the full 113-country network and TrustedServer are all included. Advanced is worth the extra $42 over 28 months only if you would use ExpressKeys, and Pro mainly makes sense if you need a dedicated IP.
All three plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users who buy on the website. A 3-day free trial is available through the iOS and Android apps, but app-store subscriptions follow Apple’s or Google’s refund rules instead.
For the checkout walk-through and eSIM fine print, see my ExpressVPN coupon page.
Get ExpressVPN Basic for $2.99/month
The 2-year plan includes 4 extra months, so the first 28 months cost $83.72. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users.
Privacy and Security
Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands
ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), outside the Five, Nine and Fourteen Eyes alliances and with no mandatory data retention laws. Panama, where NordVPN is registered, offers similar advantages.
Switzerland, home to Proton VPN, is arguably stronger thanks to its strict privacy laws. But BVI is a well-established, genuinely privacy-friendly jurisdiction, not a paper-thin claim.
No-logs policy: independently audited
ExpressVPN has repeatedly opened its privacy claims to outside review. KPMG’s latest assessment, published in June 2025, examined TrustedServer and the privacy policy as of February 28, 2025, following earlier KPMG and PwC work and separate Cure53 security audits.
What ExpressVPN does not log:
- IP addresses, which are not collected at all
- Browsing history
- DNS queries
- Traffic destination
- Session timestamps
What ExpressVPN does collect, for service improvement:
- App version activated
- Connection dates (not times) and server country
- Total bandwidth transferred
None of this can be tied to individual activity. Not collecting your IP address at all is a slightly stronger position than Surfshark’s 15-minute temporary retention.
TrustedServer: RAM-only infrastructure
Every ExpressVPN server runs on RAM-only hardware, which wipes completely on every reboot. Even if a server were seized, there would be nothing historical to recover.
Servers also load from a centrally managed, verified software image on every boot, and ExpressVPN resets them weekly. That keeps the whole fleet consistent and up to date.
Encryption and protocols
| Protocol | What it does | When to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Lightway | ExpressVPN’s own protocol with an open-source core, rewritten in Rust in 2025. AES-256 or ChaCha20, with post-quantum protection. | The default for most users: fast connections, mobile, streaming and browsing |
| WireGuard | ExpressVPN’s version adds post-quantum ML-KEM, ephemeral credentials, dynamic IP assignment and TrustedServer integration. | A fast alternative to Lightway on supported apps |
| OpenVPN (UDP/TCP) | Mature open-source protocol with strong compatibility, usually slower. | Routers and networks where newer protocols struggle |
| IKEv2 | Fast reconnections and broad compatibility on supported platforms. | Rapidly changing network conditions |
Lightway in Rust: ExpressVPN released the Rust implementation in February 2025, with the core still open source and independently assessed by Cure53 and Praetorian. Rust’s memory safety removes whole classes of bugs and makes the protocol easier to maintain.
Post-quantum protection: Lightway integrates post-quantum protection with DTLS 1.3, and the 2025 WireGuard implementation uses ML-KEM key exchange. You get two modern protocols with quantum-resistant protection.
Leak testing: no leaks detected
- IP leak test: only the ExpressVPN server IP was visible.
- DNS leak test: only ExpressVPN’s private DNS servers showed up, with no ISP DNS exposure.
- WebRTC leak test: no real IP visible on any browser I tested.
DNS and IP leak protection are on by default, so there is nothing to configure.
Kill switch: Network Lock
ExpressVPN’s kill switch, Network Lock, blocks all traffic if the VPN drops. I forced server disconnections repeatedly, and it blocked everything every time with no exposure window.
During a month of daily use it also triggered twice on its own, once on a server timeout and once when my phone switched networks. Both times it worked exactly as intended.
Speed Test Results
Lightway is consistently fast, but not class-leading. In my standard test ExpressVPN kept 91% of my base speed, level with NordVPN and behind Surfshark One at 96%, the fastest VPN I have tested.
The network spans 214 locations in 113 countries on a mix of 10Gbps and upgraded 40Gbps servers. That capacity is impressive, but your own connection and distance to the server decide what you actually get.
Long-distance results: Lightway (930 Mbps baseline from Europe)
| Server location | Download retention | Upload retention | Ping (ms) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK (London) | 88% | 92% | 62 |
| US (East) | 71% | 17% | 326 |
| Japan (Tokyo) | 55% | 2% | 474 |
| Australia (Sydney) | 52% | 17% | 515 |
Nearby European servers kept 87 to 92% of my speed, which you will not notice day to day. Long-distance servers drop more, especially on upload, so gigabit users who want to keep every megabit should look at Surfshark One first.
NAT heartbeats are a small but practical advantage. Lightway sends tiny packets to keep the tunnel alive while your phone sits idle, so messages and emails are not delayed, with no noticeable battery cost.
Streaming with ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is one of the strongest streaming VPNs I have tested. It unblocked almost every major platform without switching servers or clearing cookies.
| Platform | Works? | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix US | Yes | Reliable, HD and 4K |
| Netflix UK, JP, AU, CA, BR, ES | Yes | All libraries tested worked |
| Netflix FR, DE | Inconsistent | Blocked in some tests |
| BBC iPlayer | Yes | Opened immediately, HD with no buffering |
| Disney+ | Yes | US and international libraries |
| Amazon Prime Video | Yes | US and regional libraries |
| Hulu, Paramount+ | Yes | US servers |
| ESPN+, DAZN | Yes | Sports blackout bypass working |
| Hotstar, GloboTV, Crunchyroll | Yes | Working via local servers |
Why it works so smoothly: the main screen is deliberately simple. You pick a country and connect, and the detection-bypass systems and obfuscation handle the rest automatically.
All 50 US states: ExpressVPN has servers in every state, which helps with regional sports blackouts on NBA League Pass, NHL.TV, ESPN+ and DAZN. Very few VPNs match that US granularity.
MediaStreamer: ExpressVPN’s Smart DNS unblocks streaming on PlayStation, Xbox, Roku and older smart TVs that cannot run VPN apps. It does not encrypt traffic, but it is handy for streaming-only devices. See my best VPN for Firestick guide for TV setups.
Torrenting with ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN allows P2P on all servers, so you just connect and torrent. I downloaded a 5.31GB Ubuntu ISO using Lightway on Windows:
- Download completed in 2 minutes 13 seconds
- Average speed: 39 MB/s (about 320 Mbps)
- Peak speed: 51 MB/s (about 410 Mbps)
Surfshark, NordVPN and Proton VPN all finished the same file in roughly a minute. ExpressVPN is perfectly usable for torrenting, but it trails the fastest options.
Features: What ExpressVPN Actually Includes
Automatic obfuscation
Obfuscation switches on automatically when ExpressVPN detects a restrictive network. NordVPN makes you pick obfuscated servers, and Proton VPN needs its Stealth protocol, while ExpressVPN handles it invisibly.
That is the main reason ExpressVPN is one of the most dependable choices for China, the UAE and Russia. Conditions change quickly, though, so no VPN can promise 100% uptime there.
Aircove router
Aircove is a Wi-Fi 6 router with ExpressVPN built in, and Aircove Go is a smaller USB-C powered travel version. Instead of a manual VPN router setup, Aircove lets you:
- Assign up to five different VPN locations to different device groups at once
- Route specific devices completely outside the VPN
- Manage everything from the router dashboard without apps on each device
Split tunneling
Split tunneling now works on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, with different controls per platform. Desktop apps route selected apps or IP ranges, Android is app-based, and iOS 15+ lets you exclude specific websites by IP.
ExpressKeys, ExpressMailGuard and ExpressAI
- ExpressKeys: an encrypted password manager with a built-in 2FA authenticator, on Advanced and Pro.
- ExpressMailGuard: email aliases that forward to your real inbox, with limits that grow from Basic to Pro.
- ExpressAI: a private AI tool with 500 daily credits, six models, web search and 2GB of storage, on Pro only.
Apps and Usability: Platform by Platform
The honest summary: ExpressVPN sets the standard for VPN app design. If you are setting up a VPN for a non-technical parent or partner, it is the one least likely to generate a support call.
- Windows: location selection front and center, advanced settings in a separate panel, and Smart Location picks the best server automatically.
- macOS: the redesigned app supports macOS 11 and later, with split tunneling, WireGuard, dedicated IP support, network automation and an advanced kill switch.
- iOS: mirrors the desktop app, with Lightway, WireGuard and website-based split tunneling on iOS 15+.
- Android: full feature parity, including app-based split tunneling.
- Linux: a proper GUI app, which is still rare among VPNs.
- TV devices: native apps for Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV and Google TV.
- Consoles: MediaStreamer Smart DNS on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch and Roku.
Customer Support
| Support channel | Available | My experience |
|---|---|---|
| 24/7 live chat | Yes | AI assistant first, human handoff in about 3 minutes |
| Email support | Yes | Slow, up to 48 hours |
| Phone support | No | Chat and email only |
| Knowledge base | Yes | Thorough setup and troubleshooting guides |
Once I reached a human, agents were knowledgeable and replied within a minute each time. Email is the weak point, and if phone support matters to you, IPVanish offers it.
Not sure ExpressVPN is the right fit? My full ranking compares it with every VPN I currently recommend.
Comparing ExpressVPN with the rest?
See my full ranking of the best VPNs I tested. Surfshark One is my #1 pick for speed, unlimited devices and value.
See the best VPNs →ExpressVPN vs the Main Competitors
| ExpressVPN Basic | Surfshark One | NordVPN Plus | Proton VPN | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2-year price | $2.99/mo | $2.49/mo | $3.59/mo | $2.99/mo |
| Speed retention (my tests) | 91% | 96% | 91% | 92% |
| Devices | 10 | Unlimited | 10 | 10 |
| Jurisdiction | BVI | Netherlands | Panama | Switzerland |
| Owner | Kape Technologies | Nord Security | Nord Security | Proton AG |
| Obfuscation | Automatic | NoBorders, Camouflage | Obfuscated servers, NordWhisper | Stealth protocol |
| Port forwarding | No | No | No | Yes |
ExpressVPN vs Surfshark One
Surfshark One is $2.49/month on the 2-year plan with 3 extra months, cheaper than ExpressVPN Basic while adding unlimited devices, Antivirus, CleanWeb, Alert and Alternative ID. It was also faster in my tests, 96% vs 91%.
ExpressVPN wins on app simplicity, automatic obfuscation and its router ecosystem. Surfshark’s trade-offs are its Netherlands base and a $99 per year renewal on One. For most people, Surfshark One is the better buy, as I explain in my Surfshark One review.
Surfshark One: 87% OFF + 3 months free
Unlimited devices, Antivirus, CleanWeb and 96% speed retention in my tests, for $2.49/mo on the 2-year plan.
ExpressVPN vs NordVPN
ExpressVPN Basic is cheaper than NordVPN Plus at $3.59/month, and both kept 91% of my speed. NordVPN offers more advanced settings and dedicated P2P servers, while ExpressVPN is simpler and handles obfuscation automatically. See my NordVPN coupon page for its current deal.
ExpressVPN vs Proton VPN
Proton VPN costs the same $2.99/month and is the stronger privacy pick, with Swiss jurisdiction, fully open-source apps, port forwarding and a free plan. Read my Proton VPN review for the details.
Who Should Buy ExpressVPN
- Non-technical users: nothing is easier to use across all devices.
- Travelers to restrictive countries: automatic obfuscation is the best implementation I have tested.
- Streamers who want it to just work: simple country selection and servers in all 50 US states.
- Aircove owners: per-device VPN locations at the router level are hard to match.
- Apple users: the most consistent macOS and iOS experience available.
Who Should Look Elsewhere
- Best overall value: Surfshark One is cheaper, faster and covers unlimited devices.
- People avoiding Kape Technologies: Surfshark, NordVPN and Proton VPN are independent of Kape.
- Tight budgets: PrivadoVPN, based in Iceland, starts at $1.11/month, and my best cheap VPN list has more.
- Heavy torrenters: Proton VPN, PIA (Kape-owned) and PrivateVPN offer port forwarding.
- Big households: Surfshark One, IPVanish and PIA allow unlimited devices.
- Privacy maximalists: Proton VPN’s Swiss base and open-source apps make it the stronger privacy pick.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does ExpressVPN cost?
As of October 27, 2026, Basic is $2.99/month on the 2-year plan with 4 extra months, billed $83.72 for 28 months. Advanced is $4.49/month ($125.72) and Express Pro is $7.49/month ($209.72).
What does ExpressVPN cost after renewal?
After the first 28 months, Basic renews at $99.95 per year, Advanced at $119.95 and Express Pro at $199.95. You can turn off auto-renewal in your account.
Is ExpressVPN trustworthy given the Kape Technologies ownership?
ExpressVPN has been part of Kape Technologies since 2021, and Kape also owns CyberGhost, PIA, vpnMentor and Wizcase. ExpressVPN still operates under BVI jurisdiction and keeps publishing independent audits, so the concern is corporate concentration rather than evidence of weaker privacy.
Does ExpressVPN work in China?
It is designed for restrictive networks, and Lightway applies obfuscation automatically. Reliability in China changes as the Great Firewall is updated, so no VPN can guarantee constant access.
Does ExpressVPN work with Netflix?
Yes, reliably across US, UK, Japan, Australia, Canada, Brazil and Spain in my tests. France and Germany were occasionally inconsistent, and access can change as platforms update their VPN blocking.
Is ExpressVPN fast?
Yes. It kept 91% of my base speed with Lightway, level with NordVPN. Surfshark One was faster at 96%, the best result of any VPN I have tested.
What is the Lightway protocol?
Lightway is ExpressVPN’s own protocol with an open-source core, rewritten in Rust in 2025 and audited by Cure53 and Praetorian. It connects quickly, switches networks smoothly and includes post-quantum protection.
How many devices can I use with ExpressVPN?
Basic supports 10 simultaneous connections, Advanced 12 and Express Pro 14. Surfshark One, IPVanish and PIA offer unlimited devices.
Is ExpressVPN good for torrenting?
It is fine for casual torrenting, with P2P on all servers and a reliable kill switch. It lacks port forwarding and dedicated P2P servers, and it was slower than Surfshark, NordVPN and Proton VPN in my download test.
Is ExpressVPN worth more than Surfshark One?
For most people, no. Surfshark One is cheaper at $2.49/month, faster in my tests and covers unlimited devices. ExpressVPN is worth it if app simplicity, automatic obfuscation or Aircove matter most to you.
Does ExpressVPN still support third-party routers?
Yes. Router firmware is still available for selected Asus, Linksys and Netgear models, and manual OpenVPN works on others. Aircove and Aircove Go remain the easiest plug-and-play options.
Does ExpressVPN have a free trial?
There is a 3-day free trial through the iOS and Android apps. Website purchases get a 30-day money-back guarantee instead, which I think is the better way to test it.
Final Verdict: Should You Buy ExpressVPN in 2026?
Yes, if simplicity, restrictive networks or router support matter most to you. For everyone else, Surfshark One is the better overall value.
ExpressVPN is stronger in 2026 than a year ago:
- 113 countries and 214 locations, including all 50 US states
- Lightway rewritten in Rust, plus a post-quantum WireGuard option
- Split tunneling back on macOS and new on iOS
- Three tiers, with Basic now just $2.99/month
The privacy foundation is solid: BVI jurisdiction, RAM-only TrustedServer infrastructure and repeated independent audits. The drawbacks are Kape Technologies ownership, no double VPN or port forwarding, a 10-device cap on Basic and a $99.95 per year renewal.
If ease of use is your top priority, ExpressVPN is an easy recommendation at this price. If you want the fastest speeds, unlimited devices and more features for less, Surfshark One remains my #1 pick.
ExpressVPN
Get ExpressVPN Basic for $2.99/mo on the 2-year plan with 4 extra months, 10 devices, Lite Protection and servers in 113 countries.
- 113 countries and 214 locations
- 10 devices on Basic
- Lightway protocol
- Post-quantum protection
- Lite Protection ad blocking
Read next
- ExpressVPN Coupon: current deal and pricing
- Surfshark One Review: my #1 VPN
- Surfshark Coupon: the best VPN deal right now
- NordVPN Coupon: current deal and pricing
- Proton VPN Review: the privacy pick
- The Best VPNs I Tested
- All Current VPN Deals
The Review
ExpressVPN
One of the most polished, beginner-friendly VPN on the market. Lightway protocol delivers fast speeds, BVI jurisdiction provides strong privacy, and TrustedServer RAM-only infrastructure backs the no-logs policy. Where it falls short: no double VPN, no port forwarding, and owned by Kape Technologies — the same corporate group as CyberGhost and PIA.
PROS
- Very easy to use for beginners.
- Apps are polished on all major platforms.
- Works very reliably in restrictive countries.
- Works very reliably in restrictive countries.
- RAM‑only servers improve data security.
- RAM‑only servers improve data security.
- Unblocks many streaming services consistently.
- Lightway protocol gives stable mobile connections.
- 24/7 live chat support is available.
CONS
- More expensive than many competitors.
- Fewer advanced features (no double VPN, no port forwarding).
- Owned by Kape, which some users distrust.
- Torrenting works but is slower than top rivals.
- Split tunneling missing on iOS and newer macOS.
- Long‑term plans renew at much higher standard prices.
Review Breakdown
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Value for Money
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Speed
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Privacy & Logging Policy
-
Streaming Performance
-
Ease of Use
ExpressVPN DEALS
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