ExpressVPN Price in 2024: Worth It for Privacy

ExpressVPN is one of the best virtual private networks (VPNs) available, but you might be curious about the prices. If you connect to public Wi-Fi, you need a VPN to mask your IP address. A service like ExpressVPN has features, like unblocking streaming services, that improve your browsing experience, even if you aren’t on public Wi-Fi.

ExpressVPN has many server options, works with various operating systems, has advanced security features, and can prevent your internet service provider (ISP) from throttling your bandwidth. It even comes preinstalled on its proprietary router, giving you a blanket of security. 

Do the costs outweigh the benefits, and is it worth it for privacy and security? Let's get into 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). The best deal is the annual plan, which costs $6.67/mo (billed annually). That price tag comes with a slew of features.

The six-month option is also less expensive than paying monthly and gives you more flexibility if you need a VPN for only a short amount of time. 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	Billing frequency
1 Month	$12.95/mo	Monthly
6 Months	$9.99/mo (billed every six months)	Upfront every 6 mo
12 Months	$6.67/mo (billed annually)	Upfront yearly

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. ExpressVPN meets those criteria with various 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.

• Unblocks Netflix: ExpressVPN unblocks Netflix and Hulu, Disney, Amazon Prime, and other streaming services.
• No logs: ExpressVPN’s no-logs policy is so intense that it has an entire page dedicated to it, so you won’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 your location when browsing, having a plethora of VPN servers gives you many 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 means routing some of your internet traffic through the VPN and some 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 turning 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 speed up your internet connection if your ISP is throttling it. Make sure to choose a VPN like ExpressVPN that offers fast download speeds.
• 24/7 customer support: You may not contact 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.

If you’re wondering what sets ExpressVPN apart from other options, additional features like Threat Manager and the Aircove router make it unique.

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]

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

ExpressVPN Aircove router

Aircove is the only router preinstalled with a name-brand VPN when we're writing this. 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.

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?

We included the Aircove router in our rundown of the best VPN-enabled routers for people looking to add this to 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 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 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 get a great deal on a longer subscription.

Refer a Friend program

ExpressVPN has a generous referral program. You and your friend will both get 30 days free, and 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 referring former customers if your referral persuades them to sign up again.

However, if you bill ExpressVPNle or through the App 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 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 has features comparable to those of 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 ends up being less expensive than ExpressVPN, equaling out to around $4.59/mo (billed annually) if you go with the Standard plan. And if you want to stack up the savings, NordVPN offers a 2-year subscription that costs $3.59/mo (billed every two years) if you grab the Standard plan.

It’s worth noting that NordVPN's Standard plan offers the fewest 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 and Surfshark. The pricing for the Surfshark monthly plan is similar to ExpressVPN at $3.99/mo (billed every two years). But Surfshark’s 12-month price is much more affordable than ExpressVPN at $2.49/mo (billed every two years).

The real deal is the 24-month subscription. Essentially, you'll pay about $1.99/mo (billed every two years) with this option. Surfshark will give you deep discounts if you stay with it for the long haul.

Read Our ExpressVPN vs. Surfshark Review

ExpressVPN cost FAQs

Bottom line: Is ExpressVPN worth it?

Yes, ExpressVPN is a reliable, 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 adds to its value.

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