ExpressVPN Price in 2024: Worth It for Privacy

ExpressVPN comes with a variety of servers, advanced features, and even a proprietary router to blanket you in security.
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If you connect to public Wi-Fi, you need a virtual private network (VPN) to mask your IP address. It’s so easy for hackers to access your computers, mobile devices, and other internet-connected devices from a shared internet connection. And if you get a service like ExpressVPN, it comes with features, like unblocking streaming services, that make your entire browsing experience better, even if you aren’t on public Wi-Fi.

While the ExpressVPN price tag may be a little bit more than you’d want to pay, there are features that make it one of the best VPN services. It has a large number of servers, works with a variety of operating systems, has advanced security features, and can keep your internet service provider (ISP) from throttling your bandwidth. ExpressVPN even comes preinstalled on its proprietary router, giving you a blanket of security. 

So do the costs outweigh the benefits and is it worth it for privacy and security? Let's find out.

In this article
How much is ExpressVPN?
What do you get with ExpressVPN?
How to save money on ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN subscription prices compared
ExpressVPN cost FAQs
Bottom line: Is ExpressVPN worth it?

How much is ExpressVPN?

ExpressVPN is one of the costlier VPN services available. For one month, you’ll pay $12.95/mo, but if you go up to six months, it drops to $9.99/mo (billed every six months), billed all at once for $59.94. The best deal is the annual plan, which costs $99.84 for the year or $6.67/mo (billed annually). That price tag comes with a slew of features.

The six-month option is also less expensive than paying month to month and gives you more flexibility if you need a VPN for only a short amount of time. If you were to pay for ExpressVPN month to month, you’d be looking at a total cost of $155.40 for the whole year.

If you’re looking for ExpressVPN deals, you’ll likely find them during the holidays or by participating in the referral program.

ExpressVPN pricing

Plan Monthly price Total amount billed
1 Month $12.95/mo $12.95/mo
6 Months $9.99/mo (billed every six months) $59.94/6 mos
12 Months $6.67/mo (billed annually) $99.84/yr
Prices as of 06/23/2023.

You can use bitcoin to pay for ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN accepts bitcoin for those who want to stay truly anonymous. If you’re not into crypto, you can use a credit card, PayPal, or alternate payment options like SOFORT or Giropay.

Does ExpressVPN have a free trial?

There are no free trials, but ExpressVPN does offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. The biggest risk is remembering to cancel ExpressVPN within the 30-day window if you don’t like it. Otherwise, you’ll be able to cancel before your next cycle renews. Cycles are monthly, twice a year, or yearly.

What do you get with ExpressVPN?

Everyone wants their VPN to have options and features. And ExpressVPN meets those criteria with a variety of server locations, split tunneling, and a kill switch on certain apps. It also allows you to watch geo-restricted content. And if you’re in need of customer support, ExpressVPN has you covered no matter where in the world you’re located.

ExpressVPN is a highly rated VPN with lots of features and excellent security

  • Unblocks Netflix: ExpressVPN unblocks Netflix as well as Hulu, Disney, Amazon Prime, and other streaming services.
  • No logs: ExpressVPN’s no-logs policy is so intense it has an entire page dedicated to it so you don’t have to go searching.
  • Headquarters in the British Virgin Islands (BVI): Even though Great Britain is part of the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes alliances, the BVI does not fall under that jurisdiction and therefore is outside of the Eyes alliances.
  • Servers in 105 countries: Whether you’re looking to watch geo-restricted content or hide where you’re browsing from, having a plethora of VPN servers gives you lots of options.
  • Apps for (almost) every device: ExpressVPN is compatible with iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, VPN-capable routers, smart TVs, and certain game consoles.
  • Split tunneling: Split tunneling simply means routing some of your internet traffic through the VPN and some of it through your normal Wi-Fi connection,allowing you to avoid the VPN if necessary. If your banking app hates VPNs, you can access it without having to turn off ExpressVPN, leaving the rest of your traffic vulnerable.
  • Network Lock kill switch: You’re using a VPN to mask your IP, so you don’t want to risk exposing yourself through a DNS leak if your connection drops. The Network Lock kill switch with ExpressVPN blocks all traffic until your VPN connection is restored.
  • Fast VPN connections: A VPN can actually speed up your internet connection if your ISP is throttling your connection. Make sure to choose a VPN like ExpressVPN that offers fast download speeds.
  • 24/7 customer support: You may not be contacting support in the middle of the night (no shame if you are) but you may need ExpressVPN support at an odd time when traveling internationally. Luckily, Express VPN has 24/7 customer support. Compatibility: Whether you’re accessing the ExpressVPN app on an Android or iOS device, or changing ExpressVPN servers via the browser extension on Chrome, you’ll have no issues with compatibility. It even works with Amazon Fire TV.

ExpressVPN's preferences and settings set up.

If you’re wondering what sets ExpressVPN apart from the sea of VPN choices, additional features like Threat Manager and the Aircove router set it apart.

ExpressVPN Threat Manager

We know our apps are tracking us and recording what we’re doing. Threat Manager aims to eliminate that invasion of privacy. From the ExpressVPN website:

Threat Manager prevents all apps and websites on your device from communicating with a set of third parties known to track activity or engage in malicious behavior.” [1]

Settings for ExpressVPN's Threat Manager features for blocking trackers and malicious websites.

You can read more about the ExpressVPN Threat Manager and other features in our ExpressVPN review. There are plenty of unique features included with ExpressVPN, but this is one we really appreciate.

ExpressVPN Aircove router

At the time we’re writing this, Aircove is the only router that comes preinstalled with a name-brand VPN. Having a VPN on your router isn’t a new thing, but if you’re not comfortable configuring a VPN on a router you purchased, this could be a game changer for you.

You will need an additional ExpressVPN subscription, but if you’re going to have a subscription anyway, why fiddle with installing it on a new router?

The ExpressVPN Aircove router
Source: ExpressVPN.com

We included the Aircove router in our rundown of the best VPN-enabled routers for people looking to include this in their tech stack. Having a VPN on your router means that all of your internet traffic is encrypted. It doesn’t matter if you’re using a gaming console, smart home device, or even a Wi-Fi-connected vacuum, your traffic will be encrypted.

If you’re in the market for a new router and want a VPN attached, give this a try. It’s even compatible with a mesh system.

How to save money on ExpressVPN

If you’re looking to save money on a VPN, there are several ways to get discounts on your ExpressVPN subscription. Whether it’s through one of the company-run deals or the referral program, ExpressVPN has options.

Waiting for Black Friday and Cyber Monday shopping could net you a good price. Just be sure to purchase only through the ExpressVPN website or a verified dealer like Apple’s App Store or the Google Play store.

ExpressVPN deals

Did you know you can regularly find ExpressVPN discounts or free months of service? The coupon code is subject to change, but that doesn’t mean ExpressVPN doesn’t run similar deals throughout the year. We’ve seen Black Friday deals advertised before, so if you want to purchase a monthly subscription before committing, you could potentially get a great deal on a longer subscription.

Refer a Friend program

ExpressVPN has a generous referral program. Not only will you and your friend both get 30 days free, but there’s no limit to how many friends you can refer.

Your friends need to sign up and become customers, but they’ll receive their 30 days immediately while yours begins on your next billing cycle. You can even get credit for referrals of former customers if your referral persuades them to come back and sign up again.

However, if your ExpressVPN billing is through either the Apple or the Google Play stores, you won’t be eligible for this referral program.

ExpressVPN subscription prices compared

Besides the VPNs listed below, CyberGhost and IPVanish are two other VPN options. ExpressVPN has more features than CyberGhost and is actually less expensive than IPVanish.

ExpressVPN is one of the pricier VPN options on the market. While it has great perks like the Aircove router and a referral program, it may be price prohibitive for you. That’s ok! There are a lot of great VPN options on the market.

ExpressVPN price compared to NordVPN

If you’re considering ExpressVPN compared to NordVPN, your biggest consideration may be price. NordVPN’s Standard tier is $12.99/mo and has comparable features to ExpressVPN. It comes in a few cents over ExpressVPN’s price of $12.95/mo.

While there’s no 6-month plan for NordVPN, its yearly plan actually ends up being less expensive than ExpressVPN at $59.88/yr, equaling out to around $4.99/mo, if you go with the Standard plan. And if you really want to stack up the savings, NordVPN offers a 2-year subscription that costs $3.99/mo, or $95.76/2 yrs, if you grab the Standard plan.

It’s worth noting that the Standard plan for NordVPN offers the least amount of features while ExpressVPN includes all of its features in all pricing tiers.

Read Our ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN Review

ExpressVPN price compared to Surfshark

Surfshark is another great VPN option, and you may be wondering about the differences between ExpressVPN or Surfshark. The pricing for the Surfshark monthly plan is similar to ExpressVPN at $4.49/mo. But Surfshark’s 12-month price is much more affordable than ExpressVPN at $59.76/yr, or $2.49/mo.

The real deal is the 24-month plan, however, because it’s also $59.76 and you get 24 months out of your subscription. Essentially, you'll pay about $2.29/mo with the 24-month subscription. Suffice it to say, Surfshark is willing to give you deep discounts if you stay with it for the long haul.

Read Our ExpressVPN vs. Surfshark Review

ExpressVPN cost FAQs


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Is ExpressVPN overpriced?

No, ExpressVPN might be one of the pricier VPN options, but for the features you get, the price point is accurate. It’s even a better deal than IPVanish.

If you want to save money, consider purchasing a longer subscription or waiting until a deal is advertised. Black Friday is usually a great time to purchase services like ExpressVPN.


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Why is NordVPN so much cheaper than ExpressVPN?

NordVPN is priced about the same as ExpressVPN if you purchase a monthly subscription. There are price differences of nearly 50% for the Standard NordVPN plan, if you purchase a yearly subscription. However, NordVPN’s Standard plan has the fewest features of all its plans.


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Is there a way to get ExpressVPN for free?

You can’t have an unlimited subscription to ExpressVPN for free, but you can cancel and request a refund within 30 days of purchase. And if you’re very persuasive, you could potentially have unending referrals, which would reward you with 30 days free for each person who signs up.

Bottom line: Is ExpressVPN worth it?

Yes, ExpressVPN is a great, reliable, and tested VPN option that protects you online. Features like Threat Manager and the Aircove router option make it even more of an asset to people looking for a well-rounded approach to security. The added bonus of being able to stream geo-restricted content just adds to its value.

If the price tag is a little too high for you, there are other great options with fewer features that encrypt your internet traffic and help you browse safely. Surfshark and Private Internet Access are both on our list of affordable VPNs and offer services at nearly half the cost of ExpressVPN.

For a truly free VPN with some limits, give PrivadoVPN a try. Whatever you do, make sure you have a VPN turned on anytime you’re on a shared connection. It’s the best way to keep yourself safe from hackers.

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  • Hides intrusive display ads when browsing the web, improving page speed and easing data usage on mobile
  • Privacy and safety benefits of a VPN with best-in-class encryption and innovative server technology in 105 countries
  • Enjoy no activity logs, malicious sites and trackers protection, and more on up to 8 devices
  • More expensive than NordVPN, Surfshark, and CyberGhost
Author Details
Mary is a seasoned cybersecurity writer with over seven years of experience. With a B.S. in Liberal Arts from Clarion University and an M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Point Park University, she educates audiences on scams, antivirus software, and more. Her passion lies in educating audiences on helpful ways to protect their data.

Citations

[1] Threat Manager: Block Apps and Trackers in One Tap