ExpressVPN Review 2023

ExpressVPN is one of the longest-running VPNs on the market. Since its launch in 2009, the company has consistently delivered robust privacy protections to a global subscriber base.

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Bleeping Computer Rating: 9.1

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What impressed us:

• The company is based in the British Virgin Islands. This is well out of reach of invasive jurisdictions like the USA, the UK, and the EU
• Highly functional apps for all popular platforms. You can use ExpressVPN on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Fire TV/Firestick, and VPN-compatible routers
• It maintains a solid no-logging policy. ExpressVPN does not keep any records of what you do while connected to its servers
• Diskless servers across the network
• Fully audited, both infrastructure and apps
• Includes a split tunneling feature. This lets you do some things with the VPN and others without
• Throws in a free Smart DNS service. This lets you stream US TV platforms on devices that won't let you install a VPN directly
• Has a massive global server network. You can connect to server locations in 94+ countries to access a wide variety of international services

What it could improve:

• Only allows five simultaneous connections. This is pretty limited compared to many similar competing VPNs
• Subscription costs are pretty high. ExpressVPN is considerably more expensive compared to its closest rivals
• Has no port forwarding feature. This will cause issues if you want a VPN that works for seeding torrents
• No dedicated or static IPs. If you want an IP address that is reserved for your use only, you will need an alternate provider
• Virtual server locations are not all labeled in the app. However, you can find this information (including where your data is really being processed) on its website

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Editor’s opinion:  

ExpressVPN is an outstanding VPN for those who place a high priority on privacy. The company's commitment to maintaining a strict no-logs policy, paired with advanced encryption and diskless servers that operate solely in RAM, provides a strong layer of protection for your online activity. Additionally, the service offers impressive speeds and the ability to access a wide range of Netflix regions and other popular streaming platforms.

While the cost of ExpressVPN may be slightly higher than some of its closest competitors, the level of security and privacy offered by the service largely justifies the expense. That said, it would benefit from increasing its simultaneous connections allowance to make it more competitive.

If you frequently engage in torrenting, a VPN with port forwarding may be a more suitable option. However, overall, ExpressVPN remains an outstanding option for the average internet user.

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ExpressVPN – Overview

ExpressVPN has led the pack since its launch in 2009. The company has kept a clean record with no major privacy breaches or scandals and is well-known for keeping its customers' data secure. However, being a trailblazer also has its downsides.

By setting the standard for consumer-facing VPNs, ExpressVPN has inspired a whole new generation of VPNs to up their game. Now, this well-known VPN brand is facing stiff competition from providers that offer additional features like malware filtering, ad blocking, MultiHop, port forwarding, dedicated servers, static IPs, and even Tor over VPN. 

Despite the growing number of adversaries, ExpressVPN is managing to hold its own as a market-leading VPN. So, would we recommend ExpressVPN over its rivals? And does it represent decent value for money? Keep reading to find out!

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ExpressVPN – Highlights

• Super-fast Lightway protocol
• Works with Netflix, Prime Video, Hulu, iPlayer, and HBO Max
• Large network of secure shared IPs
• Average global download speeds of 176 Mbps
• 24/7 live chat support
• 30-day money-back guarantee

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ExpressVPN Review

Below, you can see the results of our in-depth VPN review process. We tested ExpressVPN for two weeks using dedicated test servers, home broadband, and a selection of devices running various different operating systems. 

We split our results into seven important categories: Features, Pricing, Streaming, Speeds, Privacy, Security, and Customer Service.

Features

ExpressVPN has all the main features internet users should expect to find in a market-leading VPN, and it even has a few extras. However, it lacks some of the more interesting advanced features you get with some competitors. To highlight exactly what you get with a subscription, we have listed its features below.

Apps for all devices 

ExpressVPN has dedicated apps for Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. It can also be set up manually on Linux. Plus, it has its own firmware for routers (more on this later). 

ExpressVPN also has browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. Those extensions differ from the proxy extensions you get with many competing VPNs because they remote control the main ExpressVPN client. 

When you use the ExpressVPN extension to connect to a proxy server in your browser, you still create a fully encrypted tunnel to the VPN servers, meaning that it offers the same level of protection as the full VPN client. 

Bear in mind that you need to have both the main app and the browser extension installed to use the browser extension. As long as you have the main ExpressVPN client installed, the browser extension will work even without launching the main ExpressVPN app, which is pretty cool!

Global server network

For many years now, ExpressVPN has maintained one of the largest server networks. It permits users to get a new IP address in 94+ different countries, with options available on every continent. 

It is worth noting, however, that many of those server locations are virtual. This means that although you will get an IP address in the location you pick, you are actually connecting to a server in an alternate country. This creates privacy considerations. Local authorities could potentially raid the physical server, which means that you should always consider where your data is actually being processed.

The good news is that (unlike many other VPNs that implement virtual servers) ExpressVPN explains precisely where your data is being processed on its website. This allows you to make conscious decisions about which servers you use. Of course, it also means that you constantly need to remind yourself to check whether a server is virtual or not, which is a bit of a pain.

Unfortunately, you can’t see which servers are virtual in the app. Instead, you must check ExpressVPN’s website. If you have an elevated threat model – and want to know exactly where your data is being processed – this extra step will be necessary each time you pick a new server location.

Below, you can see how ExpressVPN’s network compares to other popular services:

As you can see, ExpressVPN has a decent number of servers. This allows it to cater to a large global user base without concerns about server congestion. 

To serve American users who desire access to regional TV services, online casinos, or other state-level web services, ExpressVPN has servers in 18+ different US cities. These servers also let you get better speeds (by connecting to a server on the East or West coast) depending on your physical location.

Kill switch

A VPN kill switch is an important privacy feature that cuts your internet if the VPN connection drops out. It stops you from leaking your browsing habits outside of the VPN tunnel. It also prevents you from accidentally exposing your IP address to the websites you visit – or any peers you connect to directly. 

ExpressVPN offers a kill switch feature in its apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux via the command line. Its custom router firmware also includes a kill switch. 

We tested the kill switch feature to ensure it functions correctly. To do so, we forced the app to close using the task manager. This caused the kill switch to cut our internet, meaning that ExpressVPN works to cut your internet system-wide.

Auto-connect

An auto-connect feature is available in the settings menu. You can use this to launch ExpressVPN on startup and to connect to the last location you used. This ensures that the VPN always protects you, even if you forget to start it up manually. 

However, if you want to use a specific server location, you will need to maximize the application and switch the server manually (it always connects you automatically to the last server you used).  

It is worth mentioning that the auto-connect feature you get with ExpressVPN does not establish a connection when you join an unknown or unprotected WiFi network. This is a useful extra layer of protection that you get with many of its competitors nowadays. So, if you often use random public WiFi hotspots, you may prefer an alternative VPN.

Split tunneling

ExpressVPN’s split tunneling feature lets you specify which apps use the VPN and which do not. This allows you to use your normal internet connection for some applications; while protecting yourself with the VPN when using others. 

The ExpressVPN split tunneling feature lets you pick whether you want to include or exclude apps from the VPN tunnel. 

During testing, we found it better to exclude apps from the VPN tunnel. This ensured that the rest of our applications remained protected, which is better for privacy and security purposes. That said, you may decide to route your torrent client (or some other application) through the VPN while using the rest of your system without it. The option is entirely yours.

Bandwidth allowance and data use

ExpressVPN gives all subscribers unlimited use of its servers with no bandwidth or download limitations. The benefit of unlimited data is that you can use the VPN all the time! As a result, we could leave the VPN connected throughout our time testing it. 

We used the VPN while watching Netflix, YouTube, and BT Sport extensively. Also, while shopping for Christmas gifts and playing online games. We had no issues doing any of these tasks while connected to ExpressVPN. 

Simultaneous connections

One of the biggest drawbacks with ExpressVPN is that, besides being a touch more expensive (compared to competitors like NordVPN and Surfshark), it also provides a smaller connection allowance.

Subscribers can connect up to five devices simultaneously, which will probably be enough for most users. However, ‌some VPNs permit you to connect an unlimited number of devices, which results in better value for money and means you can share your account with friends and family.

Obfuscation

ExpressVPN provides obfuscation to let users in countries that block VPNs connect to its servers. Obfuscation is enabled by default when you connect using the OpenVPN protocol. This makes ExpressVPN a reliable option for users in countries like China, Iran, and the UAE, where using a VPN could raise suspicion of wrongdoing.

If you want to use ExpressVPN’s obfuscation feature, select OpenVPN UDP or OpenVPN TCP in the settings menu. As you can see in the image above, you’ll find these options in the Protocol tab. 

This makes using obfuscation very easy. However, it can cause some initial confusion if you are not aware that you don’t need to enable the obfuscation elsewhere in the app.

Smart DNS

To help its users to access American streaming services from abroad, ExpressVPN throws in a free Smart DNS service called MediaStreamer. This allows you to spoof your location to the US to access popular streaming services from abroad.

You can use MediaStreamer to access Netflix US, Hulu, HBO Max, and other American streaming platforms on game consoles, smart TVs, routers, or any other device that won’t let you install a VPN directly.

The only caveat is that this feature only works to access US services. You cannot use MediaStreamer to access services in other regions around the world. So, if you want to watch other international streams or TV platforms, you will need to use the main VPN app.

ExpressVPN for routers

ExpressVPN has a dedicated app for VPN-compatible routers. You can install the ExpressVPN firmware onto the following routers: 

• Asus: RT-AC56(U/R/S), RT-AC68U (up to v3), and RT-AC87U
• Linksys: EA6200, WRT1200AC, WRT1900AC(S), WRT3200ACM, and WRT32X
• Netgear: R6300v2, R6400v2, Nighthawk R6700v3, Nighthawk R7000, and Nighthawk R7000P

ExpressVPN is the only VPN we know of that provides custom router firmware. Most competing VPNs stick with providing a setup guide to connect using the router’s own interface (or third-party firmware such as DD-WRT or Tomato).

Impressively, ExpressVPN also sells its own pre-flashed router. So, if you are in the market for a new router and you want it to be compatible with ExpressVPN right out of the box, this is an option well worth considering.

Additional features

ExpressVPN has one additional feature that is available on iOS. This feature is called parallel connections. It works by attempting to connect using various different protocols simultaneously and then connecting using the fastest one available. 

This allows the VPN to auto-connect as quickly as possible following the loss of internet connection (such as when you exit from the metro). ExpressVPN wants to introduce a similar feature in its other clients, but for now, this is available on iOS only (because users were complaining about connection times that took up to 30 seconds).

Note that you must set the VPN protocol to 'Auto' if you want to make use of parallel connections. If you set the VPN to a specific protocol manually, the client will not be able to try both options to get you connected faster. 

Subscriptions & Pricing 

With ExpressVPN, we found the cost of a subscription to be the biggest turnoff. We think most internet users could happily do without some of the additional features you get with its competitors. However, it is getting harder to recommend ExpressVPN when many of those rivals offer those additional features at a lower price point.

On the plus side, ExpressVPN makes it easy to understand its subscription plans. You can choose from a one-month, six-month, or yearly plan. All those plans offer all the features. The only difference is that you save a little money by subscribing longer. 

The cheapest option is the annual plan. This reduces the cost to $8.32 per month. Compare that to Surfshark, which will cost you just $2.09 per month, and you can see why the pricing is such a sticking point.

The six-month and one-month plans are even more expensive, costing $9.99 per month and $12.95 per month, respectively. That said, NordVPN also costs $11.99 for a single month, so ‌the price gap is much less significant when you compare the shorter plans.

Don't forget, however, that NordVPN also has a wider feature set. ExpressVPN remains one of the most expensive VPNs available. Add to this its smaller connection allowance, and you can see why we consider ExpressVPN expensive.

Money-back guarantee

Every ExpressVPN subscription comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. This refund guarantee is available regardless of the subscription plan you choose. The good news is that Express always honors that guarantee. This means you can test the VPN yourself risk-free.

Payment options

You can pay for ExpressVPN using a debit card, credit cards (including Amex and Union Pay), and PayPal. You can also opt to pay using Bitcoin if you prefer. The latter option means that you can sign up with a fake name and a burner email for added anonymity.

Speeds

We conducted speed tests on ExpressVPN using a dedicated test server in Ohio. Our test server has a 5 Gigabit internet connection, which allowed us to evaluate the VPN's top speeds. 

To get accurate results, we used the desktop version of Ookla's Speedtest application and chose the closest test server available for each VPN location. We used ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol because this is the fastest protocol available. 

To provide a comprehensive overview of the VPN's performance, we tested servers in New York, London, and Hong Kong at three-hour intervals and calculated the average for each location.

We recognize that our test server is faster than the typical home internet connection. To provide a more realistic understanding of the VPN's performance, we also conducted tests using home broadband. This gives you an idea of how the VPN may affect your speeds during everyday use.  

In the table below, you can see the results of the tests performed using our dedicated test server. As you can see, the global average was 176 Mbps.

Next, we conducted speed tests of the VPN on an Asus Zenbook 14 laptop. Our home broadband connection, provided by Cogeco in Canada, had a base speed of 32.6 Mbps on the day of testing. The results of the home tests, which were carried out while connected to servers in the UK, US, and Hong Kong, are shown below:

• UK London server. Download speed of 31.6 Mbps. This is a 3.1% drop
• US New York server. Download speed of 31.7 Mbps. This is a 2.8% drop
• Hong Kong server. Download speed of 27.8 Mbps. This is a 14.7% drop

As you can see, the results of our home tests were impressive. The largest drop occurred on the Hong Kong server. Even then, it only caused a drop of 14.7 percent, which is not serious. The London and New York servers only slowed down the connection a few percent, which is imperceptible. This reveals that ExpressVPN is a fantastic option for anybody who wants to torrent, stream in HD, play games, or do other data-intensive online tasks.

Streaming

Many people want to use a VPN to access their favorite streaming services on vacation, at work, in school, or on other restricted networks. We tested ExpressVPN by connecting to various international server locations to see if we could log in and use popular streaming services.

First, we tested ExpressVPN to watch Netflix. We connected to various US servers and were able to watch exclusive US titles without issues. The Miami and New Jersey servers gave us the best experience, so keep that in mind.

In our tests, ExpressVPN also worked to access regional Netflix libraries in the UK, Japan, Canada, and France. According to ExpressVPN’s customer support team, the VPN works to access around 24 catalogs in total. This makes it one of the best VPNs for Netflix available on the market.

Next, we tested the UK servers to watch UK TV streams. We were able to access BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, Channel 4, and Channel 5 without issues. The VPN also worked to watch BT Sport. Just remember that although BBC iPlayer worked for us at the time of writing (it worked on the Docklands, London, East London, and Midlands servers during our tests) there are some reports online of people struggling – so you may want to test it yourself.

Our tests revealed that ExpressVPN also works with the following platforms: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Crunchyroll, Sky TV, YouTube, DAZN, ITV Hub, Disney+, Paramount+, and HBO Max. This makes it one of the most comprehensive VPNs for streaming currently available on the market.

Add to this its Lightway protocol, which gave us excellent speeds for streaming without buffering or lag, and it is easy to understand why so many customers keep coming back to this service year after year.

Security

It is essential for a VPN to have strong security features for it to protect your digital footprint online. To check how each VPN performs, we use a thorough testing method to evaluate each VPN. Our tests enable us to determine whether the VPN will safeguard you against hackers, government surveillance, and tracking by websites, local area networks, internet service providers, and public WiFi hotspots.

Before we dive into the tests themselves, we will mention that ExpressVPN regularly invests in third-party audits. This includes audits of its policies, its infrastructure, and its apps. These kinds of audits allow the VPN to improve its service and fix any potential vulnerabilities. They also help to provide transparency for users and to increase trust in the service.

Protocols and encryption

ExpressVPN uses robust, uncrackable encryption every time you connect to its servers. This prevents any data snoops or eavesdroppers from being able to analyze the contents of your internet traffic. 

That said, ‌Lightway is a proprietary protocol. This means that the code for that protocol is closed-source. With that in mind, we would recommend sticking to OpenVPN for privacy and security purposes. Lightway is great for non-sensitive tasks that require fast speeds, such as streaming.

We have provided details of how ExpressVPN implements its OpenVPN protocol below:

• 256-bit AES cipher for encryption
• 4096-bit DHE-RSA keys
• SHA512 hash authentication
• Elliptic curve Diffie-Hellman key exchange provides Perfect Forward Secrecy. This is a security feature that ensures that even if an attacker obtains one of the long-term keys at a later time, they cannot use it to decrypt the session key and access your encrypted data.

This encryption implementation is highly secure and means that you can trust ExpressVPN to protect your data. We were also happy to find that the OpenVPN protocol is available in Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux, so you can use this trusted protocol on any platform.

On macOS and iOS, you can also connect using the IKEv2 protocol. This protocol is not available on Android and is only available in version 10 of the ExpressVPN app for Windows. It uses robust AES-256 encryption, which is also secure.

Note that there are two versions of ExpressVPN for Windows, version 12 and version 10. If you want to use the IKEv2 protocol on Windows, you will need to download version 10 from the member’s area of its website.

Leak tests

We tested Express for leaks that would allow our ISP or local networks to detect what we were doing online. These kinds of leaks can also allow websites to detect your real IP address. VPNs that suffer from leaks are dangerous because they give you a false sense of security. 

We tested the VPN thoroughly using an incognito window in Chrome. This ensures that no previous cookies or cache affect the results. We used browserleaks.com to perform the tests. 

The good news is that ExpressVPN is completely leakproof. We found it to be clear of IP leaks, DNS leaks, and WebRTC leaks. 

As you can see, my home IP was not detected anywhere. This means that the VPN works to provide effective online privacy. We were also happy to see that ExpressVPN proxies DNS requests to its own servers. This is the most secure way for a VPN to resolve your DNS requests because it means that no third parties are involved in the process.

Additional security features

ExpressVPN has a couple of additional security features that are worth mentioning. Firstly, the VPN implements a feature called TrustedServer technology. This ensures that its VPN servers run exclusively in RAM. 

As a result, if the company pulls the plug on a server, it will delete any residual data. This security measure helps mitigate the risk of a server being raided.

As of September 2022, ExpressVPN has also started rolling out a free password manager. The password manager is called ExpressVPN Keys. It allows users to generate secure passwords for their accounts, to auto-fill those passwords when they log in, and securely sync those passwords across their devices. 

ExpressVPN has developed its password manager using a zero-knowledge framework. A master password generates a securely derived key, which protects a 256-bit AES encryption key that secures your data. 

The client encrypts passwords client-side before transmitting them to ExpressVPN’s servers, where they are inaccessible to Express or its cloud infrastructure partner, Amazon Web Services. 

In theory, this is highly secure. However, it also means that if you lose the master password (or the recovery code generated when you set that master password), you cannot regain access to your password vault. 

Although we have no reason to doubt the security of ExpressVPN Keys, it seems fair to mention that numerous password managers have suffered breaches over the years. ExpressVPN Keys is closed-source (and new), so you decide to wait until it has had a full third-party audit before trusting it with your passwords.

Finally, although many competing VPNs offer other extras like ad blocking, tracker blocking, and malware filtering, these features are not currently available with ExpressVPN. If you want these extras, you may decide to shop elsewhere. Alternatively, you could install free browser extensions like Privacy Badger, uBlock Origin, and Adblock Plus and protect yourself against threats that way instead (recommended).

Privacy

In order to provide high levels of privacy for its users, ExpressVPN has shared IPs. This means that your traffic is mixed with many other users each session. As a result, it is harder for your online activities to be connected back to you in real-time, which helps to increase anonymity. 

ExpressVPN’s shared IPs are dynamic. This means that when you connect to a specific server location, you will not consistently receive the same IP address (you could get the same IP, or receive a different one because they rotate in each location). This means that you cannot choose to connect to the same IP address each time.

If you need a static IP, or want a dedicated IP that is reserved for your use only, you will need to shop elsewhere. This feature is not currently available with ExpressVPN.

Jurisdiction 

ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands. This is a country that lacks mandatory data retention directives or overreaching intelligence agencies. As a result, it is a safe place for a privacy service to be headquartered. 

Being based in the BVI also puts ExpressVPN well out of reach of invasive jurisdictions like the UK, the US, and the EU. This improves user privacy by reducing the potential for the VPN to be served data requests or warrants that force it to log use data in secret.

Privacy policy 

ExpressVPN has a solid no-logs policy that promises never to track or keep records of what you do while connected to its servers.

The privacy policy clearly states that it does not log any of your internet traffic or record your IP address or the IP address of the VPN server you connect to. This qualifies ExpressVPN as a no logs VPN. We were also happy to see that the policy is GDPR and CCPA-compliant. 

That said, the VPN collects some non-invasive information that is worth highlighting. The policy admits to monitoring the dates (not times) that you connect to its servers. It also tracks the general location of the server you use (but not the specific server), as well as the amount of data you transfer each day. 

ExpressVPN stores this information in an aggregated form, which means the data cannot be used to identify you or identify your online activities. ExpressVPN explains in its policy that it only uses this information for diagnostic purposes; to keep its network running smoothly for its users.

The privacy policy also mentions that the MediaStreamer feature uses a system that registers your home IP address to let you connect to its smart DNS servers. This means that you will need to supply ExpressVPN with your home IP address to use this feature. If you would prefer ExpressVPN not to process your home IP address, you may want to refrain from using its MediaStreamer feature.

Customer support

ExpressVPN was one of the first VPNs to begin providing 24/7 live chat on its website, and it continues to have an excellent level of service. Both subscribers and prospective customers alike can use the live chat support to ask questions, get help, and find out more about using the service and all of its features.

During our time testing the help desk, we found the agents to be polite, knowledgeable, and helpful. They could always forward us to useful resources on the VPN’s website to help us with installing apps or understanding specifics about the service. We also found the live chat agents to be responsive and available at all times of the day.

In addition, ExpressVPN’s website is packed with useful resources. This includes fully illustrated setup guides for using the VPN on all popular platforms, FAQs, and a blog that provides articles about online privacy, security technologies, and using the VPN – including articles that explain newly-released features or techy details about how the VPN is implemented.

Overall, we were highly impressed with the level of customer service that ExpressVPN provides. The only thing it really lacks is telephone support; however, you can contact them via email if you prefer not to use the live chat function.

Is ExpressVPN easy to use?

ExpressVPN is user-friendly and straightforward to use, even for beginners. The apps are visually appealing and provide simple information about each feature. The settings menu is divided into manageable sections, which makes it easy to find what you need.

ExpressVPN comes pre-set to provide high levels of protection. This means you can start using it right out of the box. Some of its advanced features, such as obfuscation, happen in the background without the user needing to activate anything. This helps to improve the ease of use. 

Even its more advanced features, such as split tunneling, are not difficult to learn. This means that ExpressVPN is suitable both for beginners and people accustomed to regularly using VPNs.

Our verdict

ExpressVPN is a service that emphasizes privacy and security. Located in the British Virgin Islands, it falls outside the jurisdiction of the UK and the US. It also has a no-logs policy, which means it keeps no records of what its users do while connected.

The apps for ExpressVPN are available on all popular platforms, and they are easy to use, reliable, and versatile. Although it may not have as many advanced features as some competitors, it is still one of the most effective VPNs available.

ExpressVPN excels at regaining access to international streaming services while traveling, and it has fast speeds thanks to its Lightway protocol. This makes it a good choice for watching Netflix or playing online games.

Its pricing is not as competitive as it could be. Some competitors offer a similar service at a lower cost and have additional features such as malware filtering, ad blocking, tracker blocking, port forwarding, MultiHop connections, rotating IPs, and Tor over VPN. If you want these features, or want better value for money, consider other options.