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ExpressVPN review: One of the fastest VPNs we've tested
ZDNET's key takeaways
- ExpressVPN offers competitive features for $99.96 per year.
- The VPN is great at handling geo-restrictions, providing speedy and secure server connections wherever you want to browse or access content.
- There are noticeable connection delays when switching servers, and subscription costs are inhibiting.
ExpressVPN lives up to its reputation as a stellar VPN service. With its sleek and colorful design, the app outclasses competitors like NordVPN in terms of appearance. Design aside, the two are toe-to-toe when I compared some crucial performance metrics. ExpressVPN was the most reliable for geo-blocks, and had faster connections in some geographic locations.
Also: The best VPN services: Expert tested and reviewed
After several tests and feature coverage, I can say that ExpressVPN is great, if not excellent. It often tops our best VPN shortlists. All its servers, spread across 105+ countries, are optimized for speed and privacy. The VPN even offers an ad blocker and a safe password manager with every subscription, which are relatively expensive.
How safe is ExpressVPN?
Best-in-class data transfer and encryption
Safety is ExpressVPN's major strength, as it encrypts connections with AES 256. Among the many encryptions in use today for secure end-to-end data relay, this is the gold standard. The NSA has even deployed it in military communications. Encryption scrambles data in transit into incoherent numbers and characters, then secures it with safe keys. This prevents third parties, including internet service providers and Wi-Fi admins, from seeing what you're up to online.
It's harder to get hacked while using ExpressVPN because of the additional perfect forward secrecy (PFS) cryptography, which frequently changes encryption keys, locking out any hacker who has luckily accessed one of your browsing sessions.
Protection from IP and DNS leaks
ExpressVPN hides your digital identity thanks to extra IP protection features. Network Lock, a kill switch feature, blocks internet access to avoid exposing your IP address if your VPN connection drops.
Once connected to a server, ExpressVPN also secures you from IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks (in browsers). ISPs and websites can see what you're doing if these details aren't hidden. The app has built-in IP/DNS/WebRTC leak test tools to help you check if any of this information is being exposed.
Secure traffic tunneling
Lightway, ExpressVPN's proprietary protocol, is secure and fast. A protocol refers to a set of instructions the VPN follows while tunneling your traffic. Your protocol of choice can have a noticeable impact on performance. ExpressVPN's in-house protocol has, from time to time, proven to be better than some of the industry's best protocols, like WireGuard (which ExpressVPN doesn't support).
Aside from Lightway, the app supports OpenVPN (TCP and UDP) and IKEv2/IPSec protocols. This is a slight advantage over NordVPN, which doesn't offer IKEv2/IPSec, especially on iOS and macOS devices. The latter is efficient, specifically on mobile devices, and can easily switch between networks without dropping the connection.
Threat Manager to prevent intrusion
The Threat Manager feature can stop malicious external websites and apps from communicating with your device and collecting data. Some applications can include trackers and malware that run when you download them to your device. This feature isn't on by default but you can enable it under Settings > Advanced Protection.
ExpressVPN also has parental controls to block adult sites and an ad blocker that minimizes intrusive ads while browsing, although it's only effective for some ads and annoyances. Ad blockers can speed up site loading and economize bandwidth data or battery life.
Safe password storage
Bundled together with your subscription is an encrypted password manager service called ExpressVPN Keys. It stores or generates secure passwords, allowing you to seamlessly access your online accounts in a few clicks. You can also use the vault to secure sensitive information like bank card details and personal notes.
Split tunneling
With the split tunneling feature, you can select certain apps or websites to route through the VPN while leaving out others. It gives you control over your connections and can even result in better speeds for the apps using normal unencrypted internet connections.
At the time of writing, however, I couldn't find split tunneling in the Windows app, despite having used it in the past. It turns out that the feature was temporarily removed (I'm using the latest version) to fix a bug exposing user requests.
Privacy: Can ExpressVPN be trusted?
ExpressVPN provides tight privacy right on the server level. All the servers use private DNS (domain name settings), locking out ISPs from monitoring your activities. Also, the VPN's TrustedServer technology means encrypted data is only saved to volatile and temporary RAM storage that gets wiped clean during server reboots.
ExpressVPN adheres to a zero-logging policy and doesn't collect or store records of your online searches, IP address, location, connection timestamps, and more. This policy has been audited and verified by Cure53, adding transparency to the service's operations.
I did some digging through the privacy policy document, but I mostly found it to be more reassuring than most providers I've reviewed, including NordVPN and CyberGhost. I didn't see contentious clauses, saying for example, that the service may, in some instances, share users' data with third parties like its partner companies.
Additionally, ExpressVPN being based in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) is a boost to privacy. The country doesn't have stringent data retention laws, as is the case with 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance countries like the US. These countries cooperate on intelligence and can freely share internet users' data for surveillance purposes.
An extensive server network to connect anywhere
ExpressVPN has servers in 105 countries and 160 cities worldwide. This is a fairly good number of server locations, giving you secure IP addresses wherever you might want to access content. Unfortunately, the company doesn't disclose the total number of servers available as it once did.
The servers are well distributed on all continents. Some are virtual servers, meaning they provide you with an IP address for the country you want to connect to, but the server infrastructure is in a different nearby location. This isn't a concern because the servers work fine and can, even still, provide better connections. You can also pay a little extra for a dedicated IP address that is exclusive to you.
ExpressVPN's Smart Location feature automatically recommends the fastest server for your location. The Mac app also ha, a speed test tool to help you gauge speeds and latency on any server before connecting, so you can pick the right server in any location.
Performance: Putting ExpressVPN to the test
Speed
Speed is another area where ExpressVPN excels. It beat most services in our tests to get on the fastest VPNs shortlist, coming second only to NordVPN. Both of these providers use exclusive and proprietary protocols you won't find elsewhere. In my test results, ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol was faster than NordVPN's NordLynx on some distant server locations like Japan and Australia.
I experienced minimal speed drops with the ExpressVPN app, recording up to 97% speed retention on servers in my location. This is impressive, given that using a VPN often impacts internet speeds (due to the VPN encrypting and tunneling your connections). This means you can secure several devices with ExpressVPN and browse or stream simultaneously in high definition without buffering.
Below is a summary of my connections with ExpressVPN when I connected to servers in different regions from South Africa. I chose the locations randomly, mainly from regions with expected high user traffic.
| VPN server location | Server location distance | Download speeds | Ping/latency | Upload speeds |
| Without VPN | 0 | 126Mbps | 11ms | 79Mbps |
| South Africa | 0 | 122Mbps (3% drop) | 14ms | 77 (2% drop) |
| Ghana | 3,088 miles | 118Mbps (6% drop) | 21ms | 75 (4% drop) |
| US (New York) | 7,967 miles | 105Mbps (%16 drop) | 177ms | 69 (13% drop) |
| US (Miami) | 8,042 miles | 111Mbps (12% drop) | 144ms | 71 (10% drop) |
| Canada (Toronto) | 8,275 miles | 117Mbps (7% drop) | 125ms | 72 (9% drop) |
| Bahamas | 7,859 miles | 104Mbps (18% drop) | 189ms | 69 (13% drop) |
| UK (East London) | 5,607 miles | 117Mbps (7% drop) | 122ms | 73 (8% drop) |
| France (Paris) | 5,395 miles | 112Mbps (11% drop) | 157ms | 72 (9% drop) |
| Switzerland | 5,186 miles | 110Mbps (13% drop) | 171ms | 73 (8% drop) |
| India (via Singapore) | 4,969 miles | 102Mbps (19% drop) | 201ms | 67 (15% drop) |
| Australia (Woolloomooloo) | 6,723 miles | 99Mbps (21% drop) | 246ms | 67 (15% drop) |
| Japan (Osaka) | 8,393 miles | 93Mbps (26% drop) | 271ms | 65 (18% drop) |
While you can expect speed losses, like with any VPN, they are, in most cases, within tolerable limits. In fact, I couldn't distinguish when I was or wasn't using ExpressVPN because the speeds were fast on most servers. I did, however, experience significant connection delays when switching servers. Sometimes, I waited nearly 10 seconds to connect to a selected server.
Streaming
ExpressVPN has always been effective at bypassing geo-restrictions for the many years that I've been doing streaming tests. It consistently works with major platforms, including Netflix, Hulu, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, HBO, and DAZN, to name but a few, without any glitches. Coupled with the fast speeds, you can stream content anywhere and in the best picture quality. I'd easily proclaim ExpressVPN as one of the best VPNs for streaming.
There are possible explanations as to why the VPN is relentless with geo-blocked services. All the servers are reinforced with obfuscation technology, making it difficult for platforms to detect that you're using a VPN to access content. Also, the company frequently refreshes the IP address pool, with new IPs added frequently to remove those that may be already banned on major streaming platforms.
Gaming
Gaming on Xbox or PlayStation is a breeze with ExpressVPN, but you have to keenly choose the best server for lag-free performance. A server closest to you or your gaming host should always provide optimal connections for online gaming. This is because the ping or latency is significantly higher on far-away server connections (as with any VPN).
ExpressVPN is better for gaming than most VPNs I've tested, including CyberGhost, which has dedicated gaming servers. It was easier to find ExpressVPN servers with pings below 150ms (the acceptable maximum latency recommended for most high-profile games). ExpressVPN is also ideal for cloud gaming on GeForce Now, allowing you to play games like Fortnite on a PC or mobile without issues.
Torrenting
Unlike NordVPN, which only allows torrenting on specific P2P (peer-to-peer) servers, ExpressVPN supports torrenting on all servers. You can securely transfer and download large files with ease, especially since the VPN doesn't limit bandwidth usage. ExpressVPN hides your torrenting traffic and activities when using torrent clients like uTorrent, Vuze, and qBittorrent.
ExpressVPN pricing: Which is the right plan for you?
Unfortunately, ExpressVPN isn't cheap. The one-year plan, which I'd expect to be most affordable because it's the longest, costs $99.96 (8.33 per month). That's almost twice as much as NordVPN and thrice as expensive as Surfshark's cheapest plans. The value ExpressVPN brings is worth the price, if you can afford it. If cost is a major issue, then go for cheaper VPN services that are as reliable as ExpressVPN.
Other ExpressVPN plans available are for six months and one month, totaling $119.88 ($9.99 per month) and $12.95 respectively. The prices change often and might be different when you're reading this. Always check the provider's website for current prices.
ExpressVPN has a seven-day free trial, although only for Android and iOS (if you download from the Google Play Store or Apple's App Store). That said, all of ExpressVPN's plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test the service risk-free (with the possibility of getting a refund). The payment options are bank cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, and more.
User experience and compatible devices
It's pretty straightforward installing and using ExpressVPN even if it's your first time with VPNs. You can easily download a native app on most devices and connect in a few clicks. I also like how simple it is to sign in to the app without passwords, using an activation code or link sent to your email. If you come across efficient servers that you want to use again later, you can save them as favorites for easy access.
ExpressVPN works on these devices:
- Mobile: iOS and Android
- PCs: MacOS, Windows, and Linux
- Smart TVs: Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, and Samsung TV
- Browsers: Chrome, Firefox, and Edge
- Consoles: PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch
- Routers
If you're using a device like a console that doesn't support direct VPN installation, you can use MediaStreamer, ExpressVPN's smart DNS feature, to access geo-restricted content (without encryption). ExpressVPN also supports Android APK installation in case you're having issues with direct installation.
You can have up to eight simultaneous connections with an ExpressVPN subscription, enough for your personal and home devices. Installing the VPN on a router, however, secures all devices connected to the network. ExpressVPN is compatible with most routers and even sells a series of Aircove brand routers with a built-in VPN.
Round-the-clock support is available to all subscribed ExpressVPN users. You can contact the staff for assistance 24/7 via live chat or email.
ZDNET's buying advice
ExpressVPN is one of the best VPN services money can buy. It's expensive, but the seamless global server connections and rich online protection tools justify the above-average pricing.
I applaud ExpressVPN mostly for how smoothly it works on geographically-restricted content websites and apps. You can even stream live sports in crystal clear HD, or play games online with ease. Using the app is easy, too, so beginners don't require any extra setup on their device to use the service.
Does ExpressVPN work in China?
ExpressVPN may or may not work in China. A censorship system called The Great China Firewall blocks most foreign websites and traffic encryption apps. It's still worth trying the VPN if you're keen on securing your devices while traveling to China. Make sure to download and install the app before arriving in China to avoid inconveniences.
If all that you want is to access content in the People's Republic of China from abroad, then ExpressVPN might help. It has servers in Hong Kong to spoof your current location, making it possible to access local services in China as if you're in the country.
Which is the best free alternative to ExpressVPN?
Proton VPN offers a free app if you don't want to pay for a VPN. You can use the service all year round without any bandwidth limit restrictions, although some useful features are locked behind a paywall. For example, you can only connect to servers in five countries and a maximum of one device per account. Proton VPN is only one among several safe and free VPN services you can try.
If you want a VPN like ExpressVPN only for temporary use, you can take advantage of the service's 30-day money-back guarantee, which allows you to use all premium features for a month and then get a full refund.
Can I use ExpressVPN on Roku?
Yes, ExpressVPN can be used on a Roku device. There isn't a native Roku app to download because the device doesn't support direct VPN setup. One workaround is to install the VPN on a router and then connect your Roku TV to the network. This encrypts your connections and allows you to access content, like with a VPN.
Also, you can configure your Roku device with ExpressVPN's MediaStreamer (smart DNS feature). This option could let you watch geo-blocked content anywhere, but it doesn't secure your connections from hacks or hide your online activities from third parties.
Why is ExpressVPN not working on my device?
If ExpressVPN isn't working as it should, for example you can't connect, try some things to troubleshoot the app. Confirm first that the problem isn't your internet. Also, check if there are any pending updates and if there are, download and install them. Next, choose a different server or location, as sometimes individual servers might be down or experiencing issues.
Check that your antivirus isn't blocking ExpressVPN (add it to the allowlist if it's blocked). Further, try uninstalling and reinstalling the VPN if you're still having challenges. Uninstall any other VPNs running or installed on your device.
If all else fails, contact customer support for assistance.
ZDNET's buying advice
ExpressVPN is one of the fastest and most secure VPNs we've tested. If you don't mind paying a bit more for the higher quality, you'll likely be happy with your choice.