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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

ExpressVPN Review 2024: Safe & Fast, But Is It Still Worth It?

Our Score: 9.9/10
Best for Speed & Security
Author Image Matthew Amos
Matthew Amos Updated on 26th December 2023 Senior Editor

ExpressVPN is one of the safest, fastest VPNs around, but the one drawback has always been the price. It often offers discounts that make it more affordable, but there are other decent VPNs offering similar security features for much cheaper. So, do you really need to pay so much for a VPN as good as ExpressVPN?

To find the answer, I performed extensive tests on desktop and mobile devices running Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. I tested its speeds and explored its security features, device compatibility, and its own Lightway protocol. To see if it's still trustworthy, I dove into its privacy policy, independent audits, and company history.

My conclusion: ExpressVPN is tough to beat. It’s definitely worth the price — I even figured out some tricks that add even more value. Plus, it has a money-back guarantee, so you can test out all of ExpressVPN’s features risk-free. You have 30 days to ask for a refund if it’s not for you.

Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free For 30 Days!

ExpressVPN Offer March 2024: For a limited time only, you can get an ExpressVPN subscription for up to 49% off! Don't miss out!

Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

  • Superfast speeds. No other VPN performs so well at long distances. A location halfway around the world was faster than my base speed!
  • Vast server network. It has 3,000 servers in 105 locations, so you’ll be able to find one near you to ensure the fastest speeds possible.
  • Military-grade encryption with advanced security features. ExpressVPN keeps your connection anonymous with its encryption technology and advanced security features.
  • A trustworthy company dedicated to privacy. The strict no-logs policy isn’t just talk. It’s been proven that ExpressVPN protects its customers.
  • Native apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and routers. On every major operating system, you’ll get a user-friendly, feature-packed app, although there’s 1 that’s lacking a few features.
  • Great value for the price, especially with long-term subscriptions. The price is way more affordable if you opt for a year-long plan.

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ExpressVPN Features — 2024 Update

10.0
💸 Price 6.67 USD/month
📆 Money Back Guarantee 30 Days
📝 Does VPN keep logs? No
🖥 Number of servers 3000+
💻 Number of devices per license 5
🛡 Kill switch Yes
🗺 Based in country Virgin Islands (British)
🛠 Support 24/7 Live Chat Support

Server Network — A Vast Collection of Servers Distributed Worldwide

ExpressVPN has tons of servers worldwide, which will help you find a faster, more stable connection. When servers are crowded, the speed can slow down and the connection can become less reliable. Generally, your speeds will also drop a little the farther away a server is. That’s why it’s a good thing ExpressVPN has 3,000 servers in 105 countries. There’s a good chance you’ll find a server close by that isn’t crowded.

ExpressVPN doesn’t just have wide coverage throughout the world but also within countries. For example, it’s nice to see servers on both Australian coasts. There are also servers in several countries that other VPNs often neglect, including Hong Kong, Venezuela, and Turkey. Just keep in mind these are virtual locations, and that might affect speeds. Western Europe and North America have the best coverage with servers evenly distributed throughout each.

Having a huge server list with great coverage throughout the world is a big part of why ExpressVPN is so highly rated.

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Smart Location

Smart Location is convenient, but I was able to find faster servers on my own. This feature chooses a server for you based on distance, latency, and speed. While it definitely saves you time, you’ll be able to find faster servers with a little trial-and-error. For example, Smart Location connected me to the San Francisco server, but when I tried the East London location my speeds were 31 Mbps faster.

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TrustedServer Technology

ExpressVPN increases your security and privacy by running RAM-only servers. They call this TrustedServer Technology. RAM is incapable of storing any data, so once it’s restarted, any data from your session is deleted. Everything, including the operating system, is loaded fresh with each reboot from a secure read-only image stored on the hard drive. This increases the safety of the technology in the following ways:

  • None of your data is ever stored in a hard drive.
  • Data is stored for shorter periods of time.
  • The software is reinstalled every time the server reboots, so they’re all updated with the latest security patches.
  • It ensures the software is consistent across all servers. With some VPN services, the software can vary across servers, leaving some more vulnerable.

This makes ExpressVPN one of the safest VPNs around, and your best bet if you’re looking to stay anonymous online.

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Does ExpressVPN Use Virtual Locations? Yes

Less than 3% of ExpressVPN’s servers are virtual locations, meaning the physical server is somewhere else. Your new IP address is within the target country, but the actual server is located nearby. All of ExpressVPN’s virtual locations are listed on its website.

It can also provide you with better speeds and more reliable connections. Some countries don’t have fast or stable internet connections, so the VPN’s performance is improved by placing the server in a country with better infrastructure.

The downside is these locations can lower your speeds if the server’s real location is farther away than the virtual one. Overall, these servers allow ExpressVPN to offer much wider global coverage than most other top VPNs.

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Does ExpressVPN offer Static/Dedicated IP Addresses? No

ExpressVPN doesn’t offer fixed IP addresses; all servers are used by everyone.

Some VPNs let you buy a dedicated IP address that only you use. This is useful for people who want to run a website and need a single IP, so it can be easily found. There are also certain online services, like stock trading, that may ban your account for logging in from multiple locations.

However, dedicated IPs aren’t as safe as shared ones, so I’d recommend avoiding them anyway. ExpressVPN mixes your IP with the traffic of other users, making it much harder to track your information and activity. All of ExpressVPN’s servers are listed as one location, but there are multiple IPs for each. Every time you reconnect, you’ll be randomly assigned a new one because they’re regularly rotated.

Rotating IP addresses increases ExpressVPN’s security capabilities. Although static IPs do serve a purpose, rotating IP addresses is the best way to stay safe online.

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Speeds — Lightning-Fast Speeds on Local and Distant Servers

ExpressVPN gave me the fastest speeds of any VPN I’ve tested. I was also impressed by how consistently fast my speeds were on both local and long-distance servers.

My tests were done on a Microsoft Surface laptop running Windows 10. I recorded my data with Ookla’s speed test tool. Even though I got good speeds using all security protocols, I chose to use Lightway TCP to make sure my results were consistent.

These were the 3 aspects I focused on during my tests comparing server speeds:

  • Ping is how long it takes data to travel. The lower the ping, the faster your inputs are received. It’s measured in milliseconds (ms).
  • Download speed is how quickly you can receive information. This affects your computer’s performance while loading web pages, downloading etc. It’s measured in megabits per second (Mbps).
  • Upload speed is how fast you can send data. This tells you how quickly you can post to social media, share files, etc. It is also measured in Mbps. It’s important to note that your upload speed will be considerably slower than your download speed on most home networks. Your connection is specifically set up this way because most people spend much more time downloading (receiving data) than uploading (sending data).

I tested servers in 30+ locations and didn’t record any speeds below 362 Mbps.

It’s normal for a VPN to slow you down, especially at long distances. So I was impressed that 2 distant servers actually increased my speeds. The East London location was 5% faster than my base download speed of 461 Mbps. But overall, my speeds decreased slightly as the servers got farther away.

My first test used Smart Location to connect to the San Francisco server. I compared this to my results with no VPN connected.

VPN Disconnected
(Fresno)
VPN Connected
(San Francisco)
Speed Drop with
VPN Connected
Download 461.38 455.17 1.2% slower
Upload 42.03 42.05 None
Ping 16 21

The VPN hardly affected my speeds at all. The ping was a few ms higher, but it’s so small you wouldn’t be able to notice it.

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Local Speeds

On average, servers 4,000 km away or less only dropped my speed by 1.5%! I was blown away by how well my speed held up. Since a VPN has to reroute and encrypt your traffic, most reduce your speed much more. After my Smart Location test in San Francisco, I connected to the Los Angeles 3 location.

Los Angeles 3:

Ping (ms) 26 (10 ms slower)
Download (Mbps) 441.19 (4% drop)
Upload (Mbps) 42.03 (0% drop)

Los Angeles is 110 km farther away than San Francisco, and it was around 3% slower. The ping was also 5 ms higher. Next, I tested the Dallas server, which is 2,547 km from me.

Dallas:

Ping (ms) 56 (40 ms slower)
Download (Mbps) 443.14 (4% drop)
Upload (Mbps) 41.97 (0.1% drop)

This was a little bit faster than the Los Angeles server. ExpressVPN’s speeds hold up well over long distances, and sometimes even the closest location won’t be the fastest.

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Long-Distance Speeds

For the most part, my speeds dropped a little over long distances, but were still very impressive. The Tokyo 2 server is 8,494 km from my location, but I only lost 11% from my base connection. It’s normal for a VPN to slow you down about 15-20%, so this is a really good result on a server so far away.

Tokyo 2:

Ping (ms) 124 (108 ms slower)
Download (Mbps) 409.06 (11% drop)
Upload (Mbps) 37.36 (11% drop)

This was 10% slower than my Smart Location connection in San Francisco. I didn’t experience any difference while browsing compared to local servers. Next, I tried out the East London server, which is over 100 km farther from me than Tokyo.

East London:

Ping (ms) 148 (132 ms slower)
Download (Mbps) 486.30 (5% faster)
Upload (Mbps) 39.48 (6% slower)

Even though it’s on the other side of the world, London actually increased my base speed, which is super impressive.

Overall, ExpressVPN’s speeds hold up incredibly well at long distances. Even the Reykjavik location, which is remote, gave me a download speed of 414 Mbps, which is only a 10% drop!

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Protocol Speed Tests

L2TP/IPsec was the fastest in my tests when I compared the speeds of each protocol. Although L2TP/IPsec came out on top, each of the protocols performed well, giving me speeds over 300 Mbps.

Even though L2TP/IPsec was the fastest, I would always recommend using one of the other protocols if possible. This is because it’s an older protocol that’s less secure. Lightway TCP, OpenVPN UDP, and IKEv2 were almost identical in speed. I recommend using Lightway TCP for the best balance of security and speed.

Security — Highly Customizable, Top-Level Encryption

ExpressVPN’s wide variety of security features and military-grade encryption will keep your data safe in any situation. Many VPNs claim to protect you in the event of a connection failure or guarantee that your IP address always remains hidden. Researching, testing, and confirmation are the only ways to find out if the claims are valid.

I thoroughly tested ExpressVPN’s extra security features, like its kill switch, and split tunneling. Plus, I compared its protocols and did a deep dive into its exclusive Lightway technology. Lastly, I looked into the results of its third-party audits to see how its infrastructure and practices held up under scrutiny.

The only downside I found is that ExpressVPN doesn’t offer a built-in ad and malware blocker. This is a really convenient feature for sure, but the ad and malware blockers offered by other VPNs usually don’t work very well. You need to use a dedicated app or extension for full protection anyway. Since there are many effective ad blockers available for free, I wasn’t too bothered that ExpressVPN doesn’t have this built in to its app.

No other VPN matches ExpressVPN when it comes to security.

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Encryption — Military-Grade Protection

ExpressVPN’s encryption technology protects your private information. It keeps you safe with 256-bit AES encryption, which combines an AES 256-bit cipher with a 4096-bit RSA key and SHA-512 HMAC authentication. In layman terms, your data is essentially uncrackable. This is the same level of encryption used by militaries, banks, and governments to protect sensitive data.

The number of bits lets you know how many possible combinations are available to make the key. With 1 bit, there are 2 possible combinations. Once you get to 8 bits, there are already 256 — at 256 bits, it’s a number 78 digits long! Even the world’s most powerful computer would take billions of years to decrypt just 0.1% of the data it holds.

The SHA-512 HMAC authentication (or handshake) ExpressVPN uses is highly secure for data transfers, such as P2P file sharing. Using a shared secret key, both the sender and receiver of the download have a way of verifying the file’s authenticity. Any change in the secret key will be proof that somebody tampered with your file, so any breach would be quickly identified and dealt with.

ExpressVPN also uses perfect forward secrecy. Perfect forward secrecy changes your encryption key every time you log on. So, even if someone could figure out the key (improbable), none of your past or future VPN sessions could be decrypted (since they would have used a different key).

Each protocol will change your encryption level slightly. For example, the Lightway protocol uses wolfSSL instead of AES. This is still 256-bit encryption. It is just as secure, and it’s open-source, meaning it’s continuously tested and updated by third parties.

There really isn’t a better option when it comes to protecting yourself online.

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Security Protocols — Multiple Options for All Devices

ExpressVPN offers multiple security protocols that let you customize the VPN for any situation. Protocols are a set of rules a VPN uses to tell it how to encrypt your information. They can be switched in the protocols tab for Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS. On Linux, you use commands in the terminal.

Each of the protocols is a little different:

  • Lightway: This protocol was developed by ExpressVPN and no other VPN offers it. It drains less battery and transitions between networks seamlessly, making it a good choice for phones. The TCP option is better for unreliable networks and was 10% faster than UDP in my tests.
  • OpenVPN: Since it’s open-source, this is one of the most secure protocols. People all over the world continuously examine the code to strengthen it. It also has UDP and TCP options. They were almost equal in speed for me.
  • IKEv2: Generally thought to be faster than OpenVPN, it was only 1% quicker in my tests. I only use this protocol if the others aren’t working because it’s not as secure. There’s no TCP option, so it’ll be blocked by some firewalls.
  • L2TP/IPsec: Being one of the older protocols, this is the least secure option. However, it was the fastest in my tests. It’s good to use when you’re prioritizing speed over security.

You’ll have different options for protocols depending on your device:

Windows Mac Android iOS Linux Routers
Lightway
OpenVPN
L2TP/IPsec
IKEv2

Overall, I’d recommend Lightway TCP since it gives you the best balance of speed and security.

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Lightway

Lightway is ExpressVPN’s proprietary protocol that’s super lightweight, making it ideal for mobile devices. These are some of the benefits of using Lightway:

  • Fast speeds. I was able to reach download speeds 5% faster than my regular connection. You can also switch from wolfSSL encryption to ChaCha20 to boost the speeds even more.
  • Updated encryption. wolfSSL is a modern cryptographic library vetted by third parties and provides military-grade 256-bit encryption.
  • Quickly changes networks. When the signal drops, Lightway idles your VPN connection rather than terminating it. This lets you reconnect right away when you’re moving from WiFi to a mobile network. It also helps you connect faster when you’re reactivating a phone from sleep or airplane mode.
  • Establishes connections instantly. I was often able to connect with Lightway in less than a second.
  • Small codebase. Lightway only has 1,000 lines of code, which is one of the lightest VPN protocol code bases. This makes Lighway easier to audit. It also means it drains less battery, so it’s great when you’re encrypting traffic on a phone.

ExpressVPN also plans to make Lightway’s core library open-source shortly, which will make it even more secure. Lightway makes ExpressVPN the best VPN service for mobile devices by far.

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Leak Test Results — Passed

ExpressVPN passed all of my leak tests on Windows, Mac, Android, and iPhone apps. In my first set of tests, I used ipleak.net with 10 different servers.

Even if a VPN does a great job protecting you in every other way, leaks like these can still occur. That’s why it’s great that ExpressVPN has built-in leak protection to conceal your data from every method hackers use to see it.

Private DNS on All Servers

One of the reasons ExpressVPN passed my leak tests is because of its private DNS servers. You use a network called the Domain Name Server to move between websites. A Private DNS server cuts out this middleman, eliminating one more area where your information can be leaked.

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Independently Audited

Independent audits done by Cure53 and PwC proved ExpressVPN is as secure as it claims. There aren’t many VPNs that have had independent audits performed on their logging policies. This shows that ExpressVPN has an honest policy and that they’re willing to put it to the test.

Kill Switch

ExpressVPN’s kill switch blocks your internet traffic if the VPN ever disconnects, so you’re always protected. This is an essential feature in any VPN, and ExpressVPN calls its version “Network Lock”

To test this feature, I tried refreshing a website while I was switching to the Toronto server. Whenever the connection is incomplete, ExpressVPN lets you know in the browser that the traffic is blocked.

On Windows, Linux, and Mac, the kill switch is enabled automatically. You can also use it with devices on the LAN. This is handy if you have a printer connected to WiFi, so your documents aren’t affected by a faulty server. With the desktop and Android apps you can toggle the kill switch on and off, but the router app cannot. It’s called Network Protection on Android, and it takes one additional step to activate: you just need to set the VPN to “Always On” in the Android settings.

While Network Lock is available on desktop, Android, and routers, there’s no kill switch available for iOS. I keep track of the best VPNs for mobile, including for iOS, and ExpressVPN is among the best, so it’s a shame this critical feature is missing.

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Split Tunneling

Split tunneling lets you exempt some traffic from the VPN tunnel. This comes in handy if you need a local connection for printing but still need a VPN for other online activities.

To get started, you just need to decide which apps will use the VPN. Adding and removing apps is easy, but you will need to disconnect the VPN while adding in exemptions.

Under the Split Tunneling settings, you have 3 options:

  • All apps use the VPN
  • Do not allow selected apps to use the VPN
  • Only allow selected apps to use the VPN

I chose the second option to remove my online banking app from the tunnel and put this feature to the test.

I connected to a UK server and visited Google. It worked; I was given search results related to the UK while still staying connected to my US bank.

This feature is available for Linux, Windows, Android, Mac, and router apps. Unfortunately, there is no split tunneling in the iOS app.

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Privacy — A Trustworthy Company That Won’t Store Your Data

ExpressVPN’s privacy policy, location, and ownership make it one of the safest VPNs you can get. Trust is huge when you’re using a VPN. VPNs hide your information from governments, hackers, and online tech giants like Google. But to do this, they need the be able to see your data.

When you connect to a VPN, you’re handing your IP and logs of your internet activity over to a third party. That’s why it’s so important to choose a trustworthy company to be responsible for the information you give them. Luckily, ExpressVPN has proven that it takes customer privacy seriously.

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Does ExpressVPN Keep Logs? No

ExpressVPN has a strict no-log policy, so it will never store, share, or sell your personal data.

ExpressVPN states it only collects:

  • Information you used to sign up (billing details and email address)
  • How many apps and app versions you’ve activated
  • The day a connection was made (no specific time)
  • The server location you connect to (but not the IP address assigned to you)
  • The amount of data transferred in one day

I was impressed with how little information is stored; I can’t think of another VPN that collects less. This is the minimal amount of information needed to maintain the VPN and stay in contact with customers. It only reveals that you’ve used a VPN at some point, nothing more. This is another reason why ExpressVPN is the best way to protect your vital information online.

To protect yourself further, you can pay with cryptocurrency and make a new email for your account. I reached out to ExpressVPN support through the live chat to see if your data, payment, and email information can be deleted. It can, but only after you cancel your subscription.

ExpressVPN does not collect:

  • Your personal IP address or the VPN IP address you’ve used
  • Data on your browsing history (which websites you’ve visited)
  • Metadata
  • DNS queries (the websites you’ve attempted to visit)

In other words, there’s no record of where you used ExpressVPN from or what you did while connected.

Diagnostic information can be shared with ExpressVPN voluntarily. When you download the app, simply choose “No Thanks” on the “Help Improve ExpressVPN” page.

On top of all of this, ExpressVPN’s zero-logs policy was put to the test in 2017. One of ExpressVPN’s servers was seized by the Turkish government while seeking information about an assassination. But they found nothing because no data was stored, proving the no-logs policy is legitimate.

ExpressVPN International Limited (the parent company behind the app) uses ExpressVPN as its sole source of revenue. The company has also worked with the Center for Democracy and Technology to help improve privacy rights worldwide. This, along with its proven track record, shows me that ExpressVPN is dedicated to online anonymity.

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Based in the Privacy-Friendly British Virgin Islands

ExpressVPN is located in the British Virgin Islands, a country with no data retention laws. The country where a VPN company is incorporated is very important because it's required to follow the rules and regulations of its jurisdiction. Along with their strong privacy laws, it’s very difficult for prosecutors to acquire a warrant. They don’t have a mass surveillance program, and the BVI are also outside of the 14 Eyes Alliance (or SIGINT Seniors Europe). This is an agreement between countries to share data on their citizens.

Although it’s a British overseas territory, the BVI has a completely autonomous government. This is good because Britain is a member of 14 Eyes. Other countries can petition the BVI high court to share data, but they can’t be forced to reveal information about their citizens or companies. Even if another country was able to persuade them, ExpressVPN retains no data on its customers anyways. Still, it adds an extra layer of protection to be headquartered in such a privacy-friendly area. Placing itself in such a privacy-friendly country shows that ExpressVPN is dedicated to protecting its customers.

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Installation & Apps

10.0

ExpressVPN’s desktop and mobile apps are attractive, stable, and user-friendly. It has a sleek, modern design with a big power button in the center. I know this seems like a simple thing, but you’d be surprised how many VPNs make something as essential as connecting difficult.

You can choose to select which server location to use or take advantage of the single-click Smart Location feature. This automatically connects you to the nearest high-speed server for fast protection.

Navigating through the app to find your settings is easy: just click on the hamburger menu. From here, you can use the speed test, change security protocols, use the split tunneling feature, and the toggles to turn other features on and off, such as the Network Lock.

ExpressVPN is the number one choice for simple, straightforward protection online.

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Set-Up & Installation — Straightforward and Fast on Every Device

It took me less than 4 minutes to sign up and install ExpressVPN. Here’s how you do it:

Quick Guide: How to Install ExpressVPN in 3 Easy Steps

  1. Pick a plan. Go to ExpressVPN’s website to begin the sign-up process. Choose a plan and enter your info.
  2. Install the App. Sign up on the website so you’re eligible for the money-back guarantee, then download the app on your preferred device and enter your activation code.
  3. Browse the web safely! Connect to a server in a single click and browse the web knowing you’re well protected!

This method works for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android devices. If you’re using Linux, you’ll need to use the command line. It’s just as fast as installing other versions, and ExpressVPN has detailed setup guides on its website.

ExpressVPN is one of the easiest VPNs to download and install.

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Device Compatibility — Available on a Ton of Hardware

ExpressVPN is compatible with every major operating system on a wide variety of devices. Native apps are available for devices running Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux. There are also apps available for many routers.

One great thing about ExpressVPN is how intuitive the apps are across every device. Each app functions in largely the same way no matter what operating system your device uses. The one exception is the Linux app. It doesn’t have a graphical interface, so I had to interact with it using text. I still found it quite easy to switch servers and use every feature using the command line.

While most apps look similar, there will be slight differences in the features available with each.

Windows Mac Android iOS Linux Router
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Kill Switch
IKEv2
Lightway
Split Tunneling

In addition to these operating systems, it also has browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge. All of this combined means it’s available on more devices than just about any other VPN.

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Desktop — Apps for Windows, Mac, and Linux

ExpressVPN’s Windows and Mac apps are nearly identical. They even share the same protocols (OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPsec, and Lightway), which is rare. The one difference is that you don’t get the split tunnel feature if you’re using OS 11 on a Mac.

You’ll need Windows 7 or newer, and macOS 10.10 or newer.

I found the app easy to use on all 3 versions of desktop, although it did take a little time to learn the commands for Linux. It doesn’t have a graphical user interface (GUI). So, it needs to be installed and used with commands in the terminal. For example, “expressvpn connect” will reconnect you to the last location you used. The command “expressvpn list all” will bring up the entire collection of servers for you to choose from.

Besides split tunneling, the Linux version has all the other desktop apps’ essential features. Other notable differences are that it only uses Lightway and OpenVPN and you can’t use app shortcuts like with Windows and Mac. This feature lets you visit a website in one click from the app, which I rarely used anyway. Apps are offered for Linux users with Ubuntu, Fedora, Arch, and Raspbian systems.

No matter which operating system you use, you’ll get a feature-packed version of ExpressVPN on desktop.

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Android & iPhone (iOS)

The Android and iOS apps are very similar to the desktop ones, but iOS is missing some key features.

The Android app has all the same features as desktop apps (split tunneling, kill switch, auto-connect), along with a few extras. The Protection Summary shows you a percentage of how often you’ve connected to the VPN since installing. There’s also a crawl on the bottom of the homescreen with tips that link you to ExpressVPN’s blog. You have to sign up on ExpressVPN’s website before downloading it through the Google Play Store and you’ll need Android version 5.0 or newer.

Android apps let you choose Lightway or OpenVPN protocols. Having Lightway is great because it’s the best protocol for phones; it was designed specifically for seamlessly switching between networks and saving battery life. The Android version also has app and website shortcuts (up to 5) that can be added in. Overall, the Android app works just as well as the desktop versions. I was able to switch between mobile data and WiFi instantly using Lightway.

Unfortunately, the iPhone version is missing split tunneling and Network Protection (the kill switch feature). It’s also missing the Protection Summary and the tips that appear at the bottom of the Android app. However, it retains the website and app shortcuts available on other versions of the app.

Fortunately, the Lightway protocol is now fully available on iPhones. It was only available in a beta version for a long time. Connected to Lightway, I logged in to new networks in one second or less. IKEv2 is also available, but I recommend sticking with Lightway (TCP is faster than UDP).

The one feature you’ll get on iOS that isn’t on Android is “Reinstall VPN Configuration.” This lets you reinstall the VPN from within the app if you’re having issues. On Android, you have to manually uninstall and reinstall it from the Play Store, so this makes restarting the app if you’re having issues easier.

With your Apple phone, you’ll have to purchase and install through the App Store and need iOS version 12 or newer.

Overall, ExpressVPN has great apps on mobile devices. It’s too bad that the iPhone version doesn’t have split tunneling or a kill switch. But, this is pretty common for a lot of iOS versions of VPN applications.

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Browser Extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, and Vivaldi

ExpressVPN’s browser extensions give you a few extra security options, but you can only use them on desktop. There are dedicated browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. You can add it to Microsoft Edge as well, but you’ll need to download it through the Chrome Web Store and allow extensions from other stores in Edge’s settings. This process also works for Brave and Vivaldi.

Instead of proxies, these extensions are more like a remote control for your app. This is good because it gives you all of the app’s features. You’ll need to have ExpressVPN downloaded to your desktop. Connecting in the browser will also connect with your app.

You can make your browsing even more secure by activating “HTTPS Everywhere.” When a website is offered in HTTPS (a safe version of a site that uses encryption), ExpressVPN will automatically use it. I visited 6 different websites I normally use with this option activated, and it gave me the HTTPS version each time.

The browser extensions are super useful, but it’s a shame they’re not available for phones or tablets. Switching between apps and browsers on a desktop is easy, but with a touch screen, it’s a hassle. Browser extensions are available for Chromebooks (which use ChromeOS), but I had syncing issues when I tested it, so I don’t recommend using them. It’s also too bad there’s no Safari extension.

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Dedicated Router App

ExpressVPN has a native app for routers, along with manual configuration on selected devices. This is a great feature that makes ExpressVPN stand out, especially for ease of use. There just aren’t many VPNs out there with such a sleek app for routers.

Installing the app this way gives you several benefits. You'll protect every device connected to your home network, even if they don’t usually support VPN software. Plus, there’s no limit on the number of devices you can connect once it’s installed on your router.

You can also manually install ExpressVPN on router models from Asus, D-Link, DD-WRT, Netduma and more. However, manual configuration is more time-consuming, and you’ll only be able to switch IPs. Manual configurations and the router app are controlled through your browser.

The easiest way to get set up is to buy a router with ExpressVPN preinstalled. You can find several routers with the firmware already configured for you on the ExpressVPN website.

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Simultaneous Device Connections — Connect up to 8 Devices

You can use ExpressVPN on 8 devices at the same time without any issues. However, you can get unlimited connections by connecting it to your router.

To test this feature out, I set up ExpressVPN on my laptop, PC, iPhone, and Android phone. I didn’t experience any delays on the websites, and there was no lag. So, you won’t have to worry about simultaneous connections affecting ExpressVPN’s performance.

Pricing

9.2
15 Months Plan
$ 6.67 / month per month
6 Months Plan
$ 9.99 / month per month
1 Month Plan
$ 12.95 / month per month

You can save on ExpressVPN with a longer subscription, but even the monthly plan is worth the money.

It is true that there are many great VPNs available for cheaper. In addition, ExpressVPN doesn’t offer as much customization with its features as some competitors. However, I think it’s worth the extra price because of how well it performs. It’s superior to so many other VPNs when it comes to speed, reliability, customer service, and security.

You have 3 different subscription plans to choose from with ExpressVPN and each comes with the full version. Many other services have cheap plans that only give you a handful of features.

There’s 1-month, 6-month, and year-long plans currently being offered. The cheapest one is $6.67/month, which gives you a 49% discount, so you can save a lot of money.

You can purchase ExpressVPN with Visa, Mastercard, Paypal, Qiwi Wallet, Maestro, Bitcoin, and more. If you pay with cryptocurrency and use an email you create specifically for the service, you’ll be able to sign up and use ExpressVPN completely anonymously.

It also has a hassle-free money-back guarantee, so you have up to 30 days to ask for a refund if you’re not happy with it. To test this, I contacted live chat support to ask for a refund. They asked me why I was leaving and approved the cancellation in about 12 minutes. The support team member told me it would take 5-7 days to process, but I had all the money back in my account in 3.

The only exception is for iPhone users that order ExpressVPN through the Apple store. Here, you get a 7-day trial and need to request a refund from Apple if you decide to continue after those 7 days are up. They won’t be obligated to uphold the 30-day money-back guarantee. This is why I recommend you always sign up on ExpressVPN’s website. You can easily download it on your phone and sign in afterward.

Another trick that can save you some money is to refer a friend. When you do this, both of you get 30 days of the service for free. Under your account settings, you’ll see a little gift package icon where you can enter their email.

Even though it costs a little more, ExpressVPN is the absolute best value for the price.

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Reliability & Support

10.0

ExpressVPN’s live chat service is user-friendly, super helpful, and available 24/7.

I contacted support over 20 times while writing this review, and I received a response from an agent within 10 seconds every time. They always had the answers to my questions, although sometimes it took them 2 or 3 minutes to research tough queries.

For example, it wasn’t super easy to find information about using its browser extensions on tablets or Chromebooks on the website. The support team member responded with everything I needed to know about these devices after a few minutes.

One minor issue with the chat is how quickly it disconnects. Once, I left the room for a few minutes while I was waiting for an answer. When I returned, the chat box was closed out. This isn’t a huge deal since you can request to speak to the same agent when you open a new one. Its agents also take your email address if you’re registered, so they can send you answers via email if the chat gets disconnected.

ExpressVPN’s website has a massive library of FAQs and setup guides. If you’d prefer not to talk to a live agent, you’ll most likely be able to find your answers there. It also lets you use its ticketing system or send direct emails, although I find the live chat more convenient.

The ExpressVPN website is easy to navigate and full of helpful resources. It’s also available in 16 different languages.

When you sign up with ExpressVPN, you’ll always have someone available to help you.

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The Bottom Line

Final Verdict — Super Reliable, Top Speeds, and Excellent Security Make it Worth the Price

ExpressVPN is by far the fastest and most reliable VPN I’ve ever used. Some of its long-distance servers even increased my speeds.

When it comes to security, ExpressVPN is tough to beat, too. Its military-grade encryption and private DNS servers helped it pass all of my leak tests. On top of that, it has a strict no-logs policy and is headquartered in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands. This makes it a VPN service I trust to handle my data.

The only slight negative I found was that it doesn’t come with an ad blocker, which many other top VPNs have. However, this isn’t a big deal since there are several great ad blockers available for free.

Overall, I recommend ExpressVPN to anyone interested in using a VPN. It’s absolutely worth it for the price.

  • Lightning-fast speeds
  • Vast server network with 3,000 servers in 94 countries
  • Military-grade encryption and an automatic kill switch to protect your data
  • Strict no-logs policy
  • Native apps for tons of devices as well as routers
  • Its own Lightway protocol is superfast and great for mobile devices
  • Excellent 24/7 live chat support
  • Comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee
Money Back Guarantee (Days): 30
Number of devices per license: 5
VPN Plans: expressvpn.com
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

About the Author

  • Author Image Matthew Amos
  • Matthew Amos Senior Editor

Matthew is a writer and editor for VPNMentor with a proven track record of providing in-depth analysis of the most highly regarded VPNs, including ExpressVPN and CyberGhost. His unparalleled expertise has enabled him to consistently deliver cutting-edge insights on the most sought-after (and newest) VPN services.

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