Proton VPN vs. ExpressVPN 2025: A Close Call

Proton VPN stands out for its strong focus on privacy and security, with its privacy-friendly headquarters, audited no-logs policy, and extensive security features. It's an ideal choice if you prioritize protecting your data above all else, and we think it wins the Proton VPN vs. ExpressVPN showdown.

On the other hand, ExpressVPN is known for its lightning-fast speeds and unblocking capabilities, thanks to its Lightway protocol and extensive compatibility. It's perfect for streaming enthusiasts and those who demand high-performance connections.

In this comprehensive comparison, we'll examine pricing, features, speed, and more to help you make an informed decision on which VPN best suits your needs.

Proton VPN vs. ExpressVPN at a glance

• Proton VPN: Best for privacy-conscious users
• ExpressVPN: Best for streaming and high-speed connections

	Our Pick
Lowest starting price	$2.49/mo	Starts at $3.49/mo
Max # of connected devices	10	14
# of servers	15,800+ servers in 120+ countries	Unlisted in 105 countries
VPN protocol	OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, Stealth	Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, WireGuard
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
24/7 customer support
	Get Proton VPN Read Proton VPN Review	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

Proton VPN pros and cons

The original Proton product was Proton Mail, an encrypted email service that keeps your communications private. From there, Proton VPN was created to protect activists and journalists further.

Proton is based in Switzerland, which isn't an Eyes Alliance country. It also actively protects user data with its legislation. And to back up Proton VPN's no-logs policy claims, it undergoes third-party security audits, and the Swiss court system tested it in 2019.

Proton VPN also offers the Stealth protocol, designed for privacy. Stealth can help you bypass internet censorship and other VPN blocks, which is helpful if you're living in a country with heavy censorship. Proton also supports OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2.

ExpressVPN pros and cons

ExpressVPN is a solid VPN for streaming and is compatible with countless streaming services worldwide, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, CBC, and more. 

ExpressVPN also offers extensive compatibility with most operating systems, smartphones, routers, and even smart devices. Plus, ExpressVPN created the Aircove router, which comes with the VPN preinstalled for ease and maximum coverage in your home.

When it comes to VPN protocols, ExpressVPN offers its proprietary Lightway protocol, designed for speed, reliability, and security. We're sure Lightway was the reason our internet speeds increased during testing. It also offers standard options like OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec.

Proton VPN vs. ExpressVPN: prices

	Our Pick
Price range	$2.49–$9.99/mo	$3.49–$12.95/mo
Best value plan	2-year plan for $2.49/mo	2-year plan for $3.49/mo
Money-back guarantee	Yes — 30 days	Yes — 30 days
	Get Proton VPN Read Proton VPN Review	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

Proton VPN has a wider price range than ExpressVPN, starting at $2.49/mo for the two-year plan. Proton even has a free plan, with access to servers in five countries (the U.S., Netherlands, Romania, Poland, and Japan). 

If you’re looking for more extensive features, Proton VPN’s Unlimited plan starts at $3.39/mo. This package includes all of Proton’s services: Proton VPN, Proton Mail, Proton Calendar, and Proton Drive.

Meanwhile, ExpressVPN's best value plan starts at $3.49/mo. There’s also a plan to pay $9.99/mo, $4.99/mo, or even $12.99/mo.

Although ExpressVPN doesn't offer a free VPN under the same name, it released EventVPN, a free VPN for iOS and macOS. We found EventVPN to be decent for a free VPN, but don't think the premium upgrade is worth it, given its limited feature set and server network. 

Additionally, ExpressVPN previously included Advanced Protection with all plans, but now the password manager and ad blocker are only available on tier 2 and tier 3 plans. Another slightly annoying change is that not all plans offer the same number of simultaneous connections. You can only get the maximum number of device connections (14) with the most expensive plan. 

Both VPNs offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test the service and decide if it meets your needs before fully committing to a subscription. With these guarantees, you can confidently explore each VPN's features and capabilities.

Proton VPN vs. ExpressVPN: payment options

Both Proton VPN and ExpressVPN offer various payment options, so you can pick the method that best suits you, whether for privacy or convenience. Anonymous payment methods, such as cryptocurrencies, can provide an added layer of privacy for users who want to keep their VPN subscription details discreet.

Proton VPN payment options:

• Credit or debit card
• PayPal
• bitcoin
• Cash

ExpressVPN payment options:

• Credit card
• Prepaid debit card
• PayPal
• bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies
• Online transfer payments via Giropay, iDEAL, Interac, and Klarna (or SOFORT)

Which VPN is faster?

Quick and consistent internet speeds are essential for a smooth online experience, whether you're streaming, gaming, or surfing the web. We run a speed test to measure our baseline internet speed, then connect to a VPN across server locations to calculate how much the service impacts our speed.

The speed test results below show how much our internet speed was affected by either Proton VPN or ExpressVPN. Note that the further your server is from your physical location, the more likely it is to decrease your internet speeds. Here is a look at the average speed change for both VPN providers.

Proton VPN vs. ExpressVPN speed test results 

Server location		Our Pick
Average speed change	41% slower	12% slower
Learn more	Get Proton VPN Read Proton VPN Review	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

Other than Canada, Proton VPN had an expected effect on our internet speed. Proton slowed our speed progressively with each server location farther away. The Canada server actually had the smallest speed drop, but none of the servers caused our internet to lag or buffer much.

On the other hand, ExpressVPN increased our speeds by 10% or less at every server location during historic testing. We anticipate VPNs slowing down our internet, especially because they route our traffic through a server, so we're glad that ExpressVPN lived up to its self-defined standards. However, ExpressVPN underperformed in recent testing, possibly because it updated its protocols. We anticipate it achieving consistently steady speeds in our next round of testing.

Which VPN is more secure?

Feature	Our Pick
Number of servers	15,800+ servers in 120+ countries	Unlisted in 105 countries
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs
VPN headquarters	Switzerland	British Virgin Islands
Encryption	AES-256 or ChaCha20	AES-256
VPN protocol	OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, Stealth	Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, WireGuard
Kill switch
Split tunneling
DNS leak protection
Ad blocker
	Get Proton VPN Read Proton VPN Review	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

Proton VPN offers more servers than ExpressVPN with 15,800+ servers across 120+ countries. We also like that Proton VPN is explicit about its server count, while ExpressVPN is not.

Both VPNs have a strict no-logs policy, with Proton VPN's policy being most recently audited in August 2025 by Securitum. ExpressVPN's policy was most recently audited in February 2025 by KPMG. These audits help ensure the VPNs are living up to their privacy claims.

Both VPNs use AES-256 encryption and support the OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec protocols. However, ExpressVPN also offers its proprietary Lightway protocol, which aims to provide faster connections and enhanced security, alongside OpenVPN and IKEv2. 

On the other hand, ProtonVPN can also use ChaCha20 encryption and the WireGuard protocol. It also offers its custom Stealth protocol, which can be used to bypass internet censorship and geoblocking. It does this by disguising your VPN connection so it can't be detected by other parties. 

Both services share many features, including a kill switch, split tunneling, smart DNS/routing, and ad- and tracker-blocking. 

Proton VPN stands out for offering double VPN and port forwarding. Double VPN will route your internet connection through two tunnels. Port forwarding allows remote servers and devices to connect with other services and devices over the internet.

Proton VPN vs. ExpressVPN: compatibility and customer support

	Our Pick
Windows
macOS
Android
iOS
Linux
Router
Smart devices
Browser extensions	Chrome, Firefox	Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, Vivaldi
24/7 support
Support options	Live chat, email, online guides, social media	Live chat, email, online guides
	Get Proton VPN Read Proton VPN Review	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

Proton VPN and ExpressVPN both offer excellent compatibility across various platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and routers. Both VPNs also support smart devices and browsers, including Firefox. This wide range of compatibility ensures you can enjoy a secure, private browsing experience across multiple devices.

In terms of ease of use, both Proton VPN and ExpressVPN provide user-friendly interfaces, with easy-to-navigate settings and options. Their apps cater to beginners and advanced users, ensuring that everyone can find and customize their VPN experience according to their preferences.

Proton VPN and ExpressVPN both offer a range of customer service options to assist users with any issues or questions. They both offer live chat and email. Note that Proton VPN's live chat is only available to paid users, while ExpressVPN's 24/7 live chat is available to anyone, regardless of whether they have an ExpressVPN account. 

Proton VPN vs. ExpressVPN alternatives

Proton VPN and ExpressVPN are two heavy hitters, but both services may be too expensive for VPN beginners. We think NordVPN is the best overall, whereas Surfshark offers the most value. Here's a snapshot of how Proton VPN compares:

FAQs

Which is the best VPN: Proton VPN or ExpressVPN?

We think Proton VPN is the better VPN because it offers a robust feature set, including double VPN, port forwarding, and Secure Core servers, making it better for privacy-minded users. It also offers a free plan, making its services accessible to customers on a tight budget. However, it offers slower speeds than ExpressVPN and can be a bit more expensive depending on the plan term. 

ExpressVPN stands out for its speed, server locations, and streaming ability. It also offers a unique Lightway protocol for increased performance.