ExpressVPN Review 2024: Private, Secure (and Pricey) [Tested]

ExpressVPN is arguably the most well-known VPN on the planet, offering blazing-fast speeds, top-level security, and an easy-to-use interface. The ExpressVPN app is available on loads of different devices, unblocking popular streaming services such as Netflix and Disney+.

We like that ExpressVPN has a no-logs policy, and that an independent audit by a team of experts at KPMG found the ExpressVPN privacy policy to be above board.

We don’t love how expensive ExpressVPN is (starting at $6.67/mo (billed annually)) compared to other popular VPNs, but we understand why you might pay a premium for this quality product. Check out our ExpressVPN review to see its complete list of features, pricing, and test results.

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AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

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ExpressVPN

Save 49% (3 months free)

• 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

ExpressVPN overview

Who is ExpressVPN best for?

• Recommended for people who want a fast and secure VPN that doesn’t keep logs, offers loads of server locations, and can unblock streaming libraries.

ExpressVPN is a leading virtual private network (VPN) provider because it delivers what it advertises. Namely, you don’t have to sacrifice your internet speed for a secure connection and your online activity is always kept private due to the ExpressVPN no-logs policy.

Any VPN can say it has a strict no-logs policy, but ExpressVPN actually provides proof to back up its claims. In 2022, ExpressVPN conducted 12 third-party audits to verify its browser extensions, apps, and router. One of these independent audits also included testing of its no-logs policy and was reviewed by KPMG.

ExpressVPN has proven that it complies with its privacy policy. On top of the audits, ExpressVPN is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, a territory with no data retention laws.

ExpressVPN offers several unique features you can't find with other VPN providers. It has its own VPN protocol called Lightway, and it's designed to run faster while using less battery. It also offers the Aircove router which can provide support to dozens of devices, including gaming consoles and smart home devices. It's easy to switch servers without needing to reconfigure the entire router as well.

Another unique element of ExpressVPN is its TrustedServer technology. Instead of using hard drives, ExpressVPN uses volatile memory (RAM) to store data. Since RAM requires power, it means the memory is wiped every time a server is turned off. TrustedServer tech means data isn't inadvertently stored on servers and creates a less vulnerable environment.

Finally, another noteworthy differentiator is that ExpressVPN has a Threat Manager feature. It blocks apps and websites from tracking and sharing your online activity. We'll discuss Threat Manager more in-depth below, but it's a great tool to prevent apps from sharing your personal data.

Note that ExpressVPN is owned by Kape Technologies, which also owns CyberGhost, Private Internet Access (PIA), and ZenMate VPN. As far as we can tell, the Kape acquisition of ExpressVPN in December 2021 hasn’t negatively affected anything regarding the ExpressVPN privacy policy or its everyday services. ExpressVPN still operates independently.

ExpressVPN pros and cons

ExpressVPN prices and subscriptions

ExpressVPN offers subscription plans for one month, six months, and 12 months (one year). All three plans offer the same security features, so the only difference is the cost. Similar to other VPNs, the longer your subscription, the less you’ll end up paying on a monthly basis for ExpressVPN.

• The cheapest option for ExpressVPN: One-year plan for $6.67/mo (billed annually)
• The most expensive option for ExpressVPN: Monthly plan for $12.95/mo

Paying $6.67/mo (billed annually) might not seem like much compared to everyday subscription services such as Netflix (up to $19.99/mo) or Amazon Prime ($14.99/mo). But here’s how ExpressVPN stacks up against other popular VPNs and their lowest monthly prices:

• ExpressVPN: $6.67/mo (billed annually)
• NordVPN: $3.99/mo
• Surfshark: $2.29/mo
• CyberGhost: $2.19/mo

As you can see, ExpressVPN is a few dollars more than the next closest competitor on this list. It’s also more than double the cost of Surfshark and CyberGhost.

It’s likely worth paying the additional cost if you want the reliability and fast speeds of ExpressVPN. It’s a simple VPN to use that accomplishes primary VPN tasks such as unblocking streaming services with ease. Plus, it offers access to loads of worldwide servers.

But if you want to save money on a VPN, there are plenty of lower-priced alternatives.

How much does ExpressVPN cost?

Alternatively, you may occasionally find special deals for ExpressVPN, such as extra months on a plan. Sometimes ExpressVPN offers seasonal promotions, but you'll need to sign up for its blog newsletter to get notified.

Another option to help offset the high cost of ExpressVPN is to start referring it to people. You and the referrer can get a full month of free service for every referral. There's no limit to how many referrals you can make, so you could end up with heavily discounted VPN services overall.

ExpressVPN payment options include:

• Credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover)
• PayPal
• Bitcoin
• Paymentwall

ExpressVPN features

ExpressVPN highlights include its many server locations, especially its high number of available countries (105). ExpressVPN also has a no-logs policy, kill switch, and split tunneling.

The ExpressVPN interface is easy to use, though its minimalistic design on the Windows desktop app is a bit different compared to popular VPNs such as NordVPN and Surfshark. The main difference is you don’t immediately see the server list, which is often the first thing you see on other VPN apps.

This is more of a small difference rather than a glaring issue. But it’s something we noticed immediately and thought other users might find unfamiliar as well.

We'll go over the following ExpressVPN key features:

1. Server count
2. No-logs policy and headquarters
3. Kill switch
4. Split tunneling
5. Encryption
6. VPN protocol
7. MediaStreamer
8. Threat Manager
9. ExpressVPN Keys

1. Server count and countries

• Server locations in 105 countries

ExpressVPN has server locations in 105 countries. That’s a high number of countries compared to other popular VPNs such as Surfshark and CyberGhost, though it's beat by NordVPN.

It’s hard to determine exactly how many server locations ExpressVPN has, which makes it difficult to compare to other VPNs that typically provide a number of servers that reach into the thousands.

ExpressVPN does note that its servers span the globe, which means you're able to connect to VPN servers in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific.

According to an ExpressVPN customer service representative, each server location can have hundreds of servers.

Overall, ExpressVPN offers plenty of server options, which could be especially useful for streaming regional content.

Note that ExpressVPN uses RAM-only servers on its TrustedServer network for increased privacy. These servers don’t write to a hard drive, and data is wiped with every reboot. ExpressVPN also has a small percentage (less than 5%) of virtual servers.

2. No-logs policy and headquarters

• Does ExpressVPN keep logs?: No
• ExpressVPN headquarters: British Virgin Islands

ExpressVPN has a strict no-logs policy as part of its privacy policy. This means it doesn’t track or keep logs of your online activity other than the bare minimum required to operate the VPN.

This no-logs policy is backed up by the fact that ExpressVPN is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, a territory with no obligatory data retention laws.

The British Virgin Islands also isn’t part of the global surveillance groups of countries known as the Five, Nine, and 14 Eyes alliances. The U.K. is part of these groups and the British Virgin Islands is a U.K. territory, but it’s a self-governing territory.

ExpressVPN’s no-logs policy was put to the test in 2017 when the Turkish government seized an ExpressVPN server as part of a criminal investigation. But the seizure was believed to lead nowhere since ExpressVPN doesn’t keep customer connection logs because of its privacy policy.

Additionally, the independent security firm, KPMG, completed an audit in 2022 verifying the authenticity of ExpressVPN's privacy policy. It included testing the no-logs policy and confirming that TrustedServer technology operates as described by ExpressVPN.

Having an independent third party confirm ExpressVPN's privacy policy is unbiased evidence of the VPN provider's security and trustworthiness.

3. Kill switch

ExpressVPN provides a kill switch feature called “Network Lock.” This feature is designed to block all internet traffic if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly, which helps ensure none of your online activity travels over an unsecured internet connection.

This type of feature could come in handy in a number of situations, including if you switch Wi-Fi networks or you lose power and the internet is down for a minute or two.

We tested Network Lock by connecting to an ExpressVPN server and then putting our laptop in airplane mode. The ExpressVPN app immediately notified us that internet traffic was being blocked to protect our privacy (indicating the kill switch was working).

When we tried to switch to a different VPN server while already connected to ExpressVPN, we were notified that our internet traffic could be unsecure during the switch. So the kill switch might not function 100% effectively in this type of situation.

Find the ExpressVPN kill switch feature in your VPN options. The toggle to turn it on is in the “General” tab under “Network Lock.”

4. Split tunneling

ExpressVPN offers a split tunneling feature that allows you to select which apps use the VPN. This can be useful if you want certain apps to bypass the VPN connection for potentially faster internet speeds.

Find the ExpressVPN split tunneling feature in your VPN options in the “General” tab under “Split tunneling.”

5. Encryption

ExpressVPN uses AES-256 encryption, which is considered the best encryption available. It’s estimated that it would take billions of years to crack AES-256 encryption.

6. VPN protocol

ExpressVPN uses a variety of VPN protocols, including:

• Lightway
• OpenVPN
• IKEv2

Choosing your protocol is set to automatic by default, but you can manually select a protocol in your VPN options in the “Protocol” tab. This includes choosing between UDP and TCP advanced options.

You should typically use the Lightway and OpenVPN protocols of the available options because they often provide the best security and fastest speeds. ExpressVPN recommends always choosing Lightway first, which is its in-house, open-source VPN protocol built for quick and secure connections.

Other notable features

7. MediaStreamer

MediaStreamer is a Smart DNS feature from ExpressVPN that could help you spoof your location on devices where you can’t install VPN software.

For example, you might consider using MediaStreamer on a PlayStation or Xbox gaming console to stream regional content from different streaming services. You might also use MediaStreamer on a smart TV that doesn’t have access to the ExpressVPN app.

You likely wouldn’t need to use MediaStreamer with a device that already has access to ExpressVPN via its iOS or Android app or other type of app.

You can set up MediaStreamer for different devices by first registering your IP address for MediaStreamer on the ExpressVPN website.

Keep in mind that MediaStreamer isn’t a VPN, so it doesn’t provide VPN security or privacy benefits.

8. Threat Manager

ExpressVPN subscriptions include access to Threat Manager, a service that’s designed to block apps and websites from tracking your online activity or engaging in other similar activities.

Threat Manager does this by preventing your device from communicating with any server that’s on a constantly updated “blocklist” of known trackers and malicious sites. Threat Manager is available for the following ExpressVPN apps:

• Windows
• macOS
• Linux
• Android
• iOS
• ExpressVPN Aircove router
• Apple TV (tracker blocker only)

Using an iPhone, we were able to open the ExpressVPN app and easily find where to turn on Threat Manager in the VPN settings.

Note that Threat Manager is only active if you’re connected to the VPN.

9. ExpressVPN Keys

Keys is ExpressVPN's built-in password manager. It allows for storage of unlimited items, including passwords, credit cards, and notes. 

Keys also comes with other standard password manager features, including: 

• Autofill
• Password generator
• Password health reports
• Ability to create and store two-factor authentication codes

It's also nice to see that ExpressVPN dedicates the same amount of security to its password manager. Keys has been independently audited for all platforms and it has zero-knowledge architecture, meaning only you can decrypt and view your stored items.

Keys currently has apps for iOS and Android. You can also install the browser extension for Google Chrome, which also works with Microsoft Edge, Brave, Opera, and Vivaldi.

ExpressVPN test results

We conducted four tests to determine whether ExpressVPN is high-quality or not. We check if internet speeds are impacted, if an IP address leaks, and if the VPN can unblock Netflix libraries.

Overall, ExpressVPN offered a mixed experience and wasn't always reliable—though after some tinkering it successfully passed all our tests. Let's dive into the problems we encountered during our testing.

Speed tests

• ExpressVPN speed test results: ExpressVPN passed its speed tests.

Turning on a VPN will automatically reduce your internet speed since it uses bandwidth to run. However, this should only impact your speed minimally.

As you connect to servers that are further away from your physical location, you'll see more of a reduced speed. But it shouldn't prevent you from running everyday internet activities like streaming or simple gaming.

We tested ExpressVPN from a MacBook in a physical location in the U.S. First, we established a baseline by running a speed test without a VPN turned on. Then we connected to various servers around the world and ran the speed test again. Here are the results:

ExpressVPN speed test results

The most shocking result was when we connected to a nearby U.S. server. We saw a drastic decrease in internet speeds and latency. It was a highly unusual result, so we tested a different U.S. server located on the other side of the country. The second test resulted in much better speeds and latency:

It did take some effort on our end to find a server that didn't significantly impact our speeds though. ExpressVPN didn't automatically connect to the fastest server available which is a downside.

Our initial testing showed that our best connection was in Australia on the other side of the world. It doesn't make any sense geographically since a local U.S. server or Europe server should've had faster connections compared to Australia.

Overall, it might take some work on your end to find a server that doesn't dramatically impact your internet connection. The first connection you make might not be the fastest server available.

ExpressVPN does offer an extensive list of “Recommended Locations,” but it’s not apparent why these server locations are recommended. The assumption is that these are some of the fastest servers available in different countries.

You can also select an option for a “Smart Location,” which automatically picks a VPN server location for you based on download speed, latency, and distance. This typically means choosing a nearby server location.

ExpressVPN Netflix tests

• ExpressVPN Netflix test results: ExpressVPN passed its Netflix tests, but we had to try a couple of different servers to connect to Netflix U.S.

Using a VPN while watching Netflix enables you to unblock content libraries around the world. But even if you are using a local VPN server, streaming providers often block your connection. We tested Netflix as we connected to local U.S. servers and other international servers. Here are our results:

ExpressVPN Netflix test results

Surprisingly, we had the most difficult time watching the U.S. Netflix. We used a U.S. server, and Netflix blocked our ability to stream content. This isn’t necessarily a red flag on ExpressVPN’s part since Netflix and other streaming services continuously work to identify and block VPN access.

ExpressVPN doesn't have streaming-specific servers. So we connected to a different, random U.S. server and managed to finally watch Netflix. But switching servers until you find one that works isn't an ideal experience.

We were able to access U.K., Canada, and Australia Netflix libraries while connected to a local server. We didn't experience any lag or buffering issues when we started streaming.

Note that ExpressVPN also advertises its compatibility with other streaming services such as Hulu, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, Discovery+, Spotify, ITV Player, and more. We personally found ExpressVPN worked with many other streaming services in our ExpressVPN firestick review below.

DNS and WebRTC leak tests

• ExpressVPN DNS leak test results: ExpressVPN passed its DNS leak tests.
• ExpressVPN WebRTC leak test results: ExpressVPN passed its WebRTC leak tests.
  

We do a domain name system (DNS) leak test to see whether any private information is being leaked online. We use the DNS Leak Test service from BrowserLeaks to test whether we had any DNS leaks before and after connecting to ExpressVPN.

Before connecting to ExpressVPN, we were able to see our IP address, internet service provider (ISP), and server locations. After connecting to the VPN, we could only see information associated with the VPN servers. This means leak protection was working because our information was masked.

WebRTC leaks are vulnerabilities in certain web browsers and applications that could expose your IP address. We used the BrowserLeaks website to test for WebRTC leaks before and after connecting to ExpressVPN.

We were able to see our true IP address before connecting to ExpressVPN. After connecting to the VPN, there was no local IP leak detected.

ExpressVPN compatibility

You can set up ExpressVPN on loads of different devices, operating systems, mobile apps, and browser extensions, including:

Operating systems:

• Windows 7+
• macOS 10.13+
• Ubuntu (20.04+), Debian (10+), Fedora (37+), Arch (latest rolling release), Raspberry Pi (10+), and Linux Mint (20+)
• iOS 15.0+ (iPhone, iPad, and iPod via Apple App Store)
• Android 5.0+

Browser extensions:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Microsoft Edge

Devices:

• Chromebook
• Fire TV
• Kindle Fire
• Apple TV
• Android TV
• Xbox
• Playstation
• Home or office router
• Smart home devices

ExpressVPN router app

You can set up ExpressVPN on a router one of two ways:

1. Manually configuring a compatible router
2. Buying a compatible VPN router

You typically need some advanced technical knowledge to correctly configure VPN software on an existing router. But ExpressVPN can help you pinpoint compatible routers and download the correct firmware. Then it’s down to using the ExpressVPN setup tutorials to configure your router.

For a potentially easier strategy, consider buying ExpressVPN's already configured Aircove router, which is one of our favorite VPN routers available right now.

ExpressVPN Fire TV Stick review

The Amazon Fire TV Stick is a useful streaming device. We personally use it at home or while traveling since all it typically needs is power and an internet connection — so plugging it in to a hotel or Airbnb TV is often a piece of cake.

But traveling out of the country presents the same issues with streaming services that you’d find on other devices. Namely, does the Fire TV Stick work with different VPN services to provide a simple and seamless streaming experience?

With ExpressVPN and the streaming services we tested — Netflix, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, Peacock, and Paramount+ — we found it did. Of course, your experience could vary depending on your location and bandwidth, but we had a good experience connecting to a U.S. server from an Airbnb (with 30+ Mbps internet speeds) in England.

ExpressVPN details how to step up Amazon Fire Stick and Amazon Fire TV on the website.

ExpressVPN customer support

ExpressVPN offers customer support options through its support center, email, and 24/7 live chat on its website. You can also participate in its bug bounty program or provide feedback through in-app support tickets.

You can email ExpressVPN at support@expressvpn.zendesk.com.

The live chat button can be found in the bottom-right corner of most pages on the ExpressVPN website. Simply click it to start chatting with a live customer service representative.

You can also interact with the ExpressVPN team via its social media channels, including Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.

The ExpressVPN YouTube channel could be helpful if you want to catch some of the latest ExpressVPN updates. But we recommend checking out the ExpressVPN YouTube if you’re more of a visual learner and could likely benefit from video tutorials. For example, there’s a full playlist of router tutorials if you want to set up ExpressVPN on a Netgear, Linksys, or Asus router.

Live chat

We initiated a live chat with a customer representative to judge the overall customer support experience.

We were connected to Tristan in about a minute or less and they set to responding to our query about setting up ExpressVPN on an Amazon Fire TV Stick. They asked whether we preferred being walked through the steps or having the steps sent via email, which we thought was a nice touch.

We opted to walk through the steps. It’s important to note that Tristan actually typed out the steps in the chat with us rather than refer us to a guide or tutorial that surely exists.

Upon receiving the installation instructions, we received another helpful response for a question that we hadn’t actually asked yet. Tristan let us know that connecting to any server location would do to get streaming services to work.

Certain VPNs such as CyberGhost recommend specific servers for different streaming services, but not ExpressVPN.

Tristan was very helpful, responsive, and easy to understand. Overall, the 24/7 customer service experience was successful.

Support center

The ExpressVPN support center offers troubleshooting guides, instructional videos and articles, and a “Contact Support” button (which just opens up the live chat feature). You can also use the search field to find information related to your search term(s).

The support center could be helpful in certain situations, but I’ve often found using a search engine is quicker. For example, typing set up playstation ExpressVPN into Google will probably bring me directly to the article I want. This bypasses the need to head to the support center first to type in my query.

Bugs and support tickets

ExpressVPN offers a bug bounty program on bugcrowd for ethical hackers to find vulnerabilities in the ExpressVPN system. If you find a legit vulnerability, you get paid between $150 to $2,500.

There’s also a $100,000 one-time award for finding a specific vulnerability within the ExpressVPN servers.

You can also open support tickets within the ExpressVPN app for everyday bugs and feedback. Navigate to Help & Support and select the Contact Support option. Then you can type out a message and include diagnostic information.

ExpressVPN alternatives

While ExpressVPN has strong security features, it is on the expensive side. You may want to choose an alternative VPN provider if you are looking for something more budget-friendly or have different VPN needs. Here are a few other VPN options to consider:

• NordVPN: NordVPN has all the security features you can imagine but without the high-end costs. In addition, it has over 6,300 servers in 111 countries. It makes it easy to connect to a fast server in several countries. Our tests have proven it to be reliable for speed and privacy.
  
  Get NordVPN | Read Our NordVPN Review | Compare ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN
• Surfshark: Surfshark has no device limit which means your household can connect as many devices as it needs. It has servers in 100 countries, so you'll have plenty of options to connect to a server. It's also one of the more affordable VPNs on the market with prices starting at $2.29/mo.
  
  Get Surfshark | Read Our Surfshark Review | Compare ExpressVPN vs. Surfshark
• CyberGhost: CyberGhost is the most affordable of the alternatives we've mentioned, but it still has lots to offer. It has an extensive server network with specialty servers for streaming, torrenting, privacy, and more uses.

  Get CyberGhost | Read Our CyberGhost Review | Compare ExpressVPN vs. CyberGhost

ExpressVPN FAQs

Bottom line: Is ExpressVPN good?

Yes, ExpressVPN is a good service that offers everything you need in a VPN, including fast speeds, a no-logs policy, and access to popular streaming services. You have plenty of server locations to choose from and you can easily access features such as a kill switch and split tunneling.

ExpressVPN is one of our top recommendations if you want both speed and security, as shown by our speed tests and the available VPN protocols.

But ExpressVPN has a much higher cost compared to basically every other popular VPN, including NordVPN and CyberGhost. And, in some cases, other VPNs, such as Surfshark, offer more features at a lower cost. For an affordable and trustworthy alternative, check out our recommendations for ExpressVPN alternatives.

Extensive Server Network Provides Protection Wherever You Go

4.6

AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.

Editorial Rating

Learn More

On ExpressVPN's website

VPN

ExpressVPN

Save 49% (3 months free)

• 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

Ben Walker

About the Author

Ben Walker is a writer at All About Cookies with a passion for all things internet and technology, whether it's using VPNs while away from home or organizing his life with password managers.