ExpressVPN Review 2023

I tested ExpressVPN hoping to find the best VPN service on the market. For a frequent traveler, a VPN tool fit for any purpose is essential. ExpressVPN often gets praised as just that sort of VPN, but so do many others.

Is ExpressVPN safe to use? Can I stream Netflix with it? How good is it for torrenting? Can it still be among the top after the ill-repute purchase by Kape Technologies in September 2021?

And finally, how fast is ExpressVPN – really? After all, this is one of the most expensive VPN services out there, and I want to get my money’s worth.

Stick around as I answer these and other questions in this new ExpressVPN review, but before you do, don’t forget to check out alternatives in our best VPNs review.

Overview

If you are searching for a cheaper option that ticks all marks on the checklist for an all-round VPN, we suggest trying out NordVPN.

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How much does ExpressVPN cost?

ExpressVPN is very expensive, even when compared to the best VPN services. You can get almost the same feature package for half the price by choosing NordVPN instead.

ExpressVPN has the following pricing plans:

• 1-month plan: $12.95/month
• 6-month plan: $59.95 or $9.99/month)
• 12-month plan: $99.95 or $8.32/month)

All ExpressVPN plans offer the same features (AES-256 encryption, Lightway, leak protection, kill switch, etc.), so you won’t feel forced into a more expensive deal. You can also get even better pricing by utilizing an ExpressVPN coupon code.

There is no free version or lifetime subscription, but you can get a 7-day free trial for iOS or Android on Apple Store or Google Play Store.

With that said, ExpressVPN does offer an unconditional 30-day money-back guarantee. While I haven’t tested it, all sources suggest the refund comes quickly!

Each subscription allows five simultaneous connections. That’s not much, but it will probably be enough for all your devices. In the end, you can always set up ExpressVPN on your router and protect as many devices as you want.

How fast is ExpressVPN?

ExpressVPN is among the fastest VPNs in 2023.

However, where ExpressVPN impressed me most was consistency. We are running long-term tests using our VPN speed tool with servers in three different countries and got very similar download speeds across the board.

So, just how fast is ExpressVPN?

ExpressVPN 14-Day Speed Average

01.18 – 02.01

Well, to put it into perspective, you’ll be able to stream in 4K. The latency also should be low enough for lag-free online gaming. As for torrenting, downloading a 10 GB file should take less than 10 minutes.

When it comes to uploading, ExpressVPN is still among the fastest providers. In fact, you shouldn’t be surprised to find it at the very top, especially in the UK.

What’s more, ExpressVPN’s Parallel connections feature improves connection times. Now the app tries different methods simultaneously instead of going one by one. Parallel connections are available on iOS but should roll out for other major platforms soon.

ExpressVPN server locations

ExpressVPN has 3000+ servers in 94+ countries. All of them are diskless, and nearly half of the locations have bare-metal options only. The company is also actively implementing 10 Gbps servers, providing better performance and stability.

Most continents are more than adequately covered, with a whopping 60+ ExpressVPN server locations available in Europe alone. Asia and North America are also popular locations, with more than 30+ server locations on both continents. While Central America and the Caribbean are perhaps a bit under-represented, most competitors overlook these regions entirely.

Due to their speed and reliability, ExpressVPN servers are suitable for 4K streaming, online gaming, and other demanding tasks. All of them are also torrenting-friendly, with no bandwidth limits and excellent security, thanks to a reliable kill switch and no leaks.

All ExpressVPN server locations are accessible with Lightway, OpenVPN, or IKEv2 protocol. However, if you want to use L2TP/IPSec, I advise checking on the ExpressVPN website to see which countries support those tunneling protocols.

To sum up, one would be hard-pressed to find more global coverage. No matter where you are, you can almost be sure that the fastest and the closest server is an ExpressVPN server.

Smart Location

ExpressVPN’s Smart Location feature automatically selects the best server for you. It’s especially helpful in Africa, the Middle East, or Asia, where there are fewer options. The same applies if you find yourself in China or another country restricting internet access.

The feature is easy to use – all you have to do is click on the big VPN On button. ExpressVPN router app will connect you to Smart Location automatically. Of course, you can always pick a location on your own.

Virtual servers

Most ExpressVPN servers are physical, meaning they are in the same country where their IP address is registered. However, sometimes it might be challenging to get and maintain a server in a remote location. In such cases, VPN providers may choose a virtual server in another country.

Virtual servers are universally shunned if they make up a large portion of the provider’s fleet. In fact, some VPN providers hide that they use such servers, which cost less but are noticeably slower. Luckily, less than 5% of ExpressVPN servers are virtual, and the company lists all of them openly on its website.

In short, you probably won’t be able to get an IP of those countries if it weren’t for the virtual servers. Now, ExpressVPN gives you a chance to connect to Bhutan, Cambodia, Mongolia, or Taiwan, to name but a few.

Is it safe to use ExpressVPN?

ExpressVPN is one of the most secure and private VPN services on the market if we ignore its worrisome ownership. To protect user anonymity, VPNs must consider many different aspects. Few do this as well as ExpressVPN, which has a rich set of cybersecurity features.

Encryption and tunneling protocols of ExpressVPN

With ExpressVPN, your data is protected by the strongest encryption on the market – AES-256. This is an unbreakable cipher currently used by government institutions, banks, and the military.

In other words, your data is safe even if a hacker (or the NSA) intercepts your connection. 256-bit Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) is simply too much to handle for brute force attacks.

ExpressVPN uses the following tunneling protocols (not all of them are available on each platform) and automatically selects the best one by default:

• Lightway (UDP and TCP)
  
• OpenVPN (UDP and TCP)
• IKEv2/IPsec
• L2TP/IPsec

These security protocols are responsible for creating encrypted connections between you and the VPN server.

• Lightway, ExpressVPN’s proprietary protocol, is your go-to option. It also uses different ChaCha20/Poly1305 encryption. Expect unbeatable security and exceptional performance, and choose UDP unless you experience connectivity issues.
• OpenVPN is still the most popular VPN protocol around. It’s supported by a wide array of devices and is primarily known for stability. TCP is a slower version but works virtually on all network types.
  
• IKEv2 is faster than OpenVPN but offers less compatibility. That includes both networks and platforms.
• L2TP/IPSec is a combination of older protocols that is no longer recommended due to its lower security. At the same time, not all ExpressVPN servers support it. Use it only if no other tunneling protocol works.

To sum up, you can rest assured that ExpressVPN is one of the most secure services available.

Is there a kill switch on ExpressVPN?

ExpressVPN has a kill switch named Network Lock for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and routers. Unfortunately, there’s no kill switch for iOS at the moment.

A kill switch stops all traffic and protects your real IP address from leaking in case your VPN connection drops. Therefore, it’s a crucial security feature, and all reliable services should have it. ExpressVPN’s kill switch is enabled by default.

To toggle the ExpressVPN kill switch, go to the General settings menu and untick the first box under the Network Lock section. Here you can also disable access to devices on your local area network (LAN).

ExpressVPN’s Network Lock is a very reliable kill switch. I tried several ways to interrupt my VPN connection, but the app protected my identity every time.

Leak protection

VPN services are susceptible to various kinds of leaks – DNS, IPv6, WebRTC leaks – the list goes on. ExpressVPN addresses all these risks.

This virtual private network has private zero-knowledge DNS servers that are also encrypted. Additionally, you’ll find leak protection measures built into the apps. My extensive tests revealed no leaks of any kind.

As the image above shows, ExpressVPN doesn’t leak your IP, WebRTC requests, or DNS queries.

To prove its commitment to a leak-free service, ExpressVPN offers various leak-testing tools on its website. Under the Products section, you will find Tools with an IP leak test, a DNS leak test, and a WebRTC leak test.

Give them a try to make sure your security has not been compromised.

Who owns ExpressVPN?

In September 2021, ExpressVPN was acquired by Kape Technologies for almost a billion dollars. That means that Kape now has four different VPN services under its belt – Private Internet Access, CyberGhost, ZenMate, and ExpressVPN.

The biggest concern is the history of Kape Technologies, formerly Crossrider. It has a reputation for infecting machines with adware by installing it with software bundles. It might be easy to dismiss such accusations as ancient history, but there are reports that it was still doing this in 2018, well after it had purchased CyberGhost.

Whatever their practices are now, it’s not ideal to choose a VPN from a company with a history of installing malware on your device. Plus, one of the Kape founders has ties to Israeli surveillance agencies.

If that wasn’t enough, ExpressVPN’s CIO, Daniel Gericke, is a former US military operative that worked illegally for the UAE as a mercenary hacker, helping create an iPhone exploit and a spying tool Karma. Most importantly, ExpressVPN fails to mention that according to Gericke’s Deferred Prosecution Agreement (DPA), he agreed to cooperate with the US Justice Department and FBI.

With these facts in mind, be aware that VPNs under the Kape umbrella could be harmful. But so far, this is just speculation, not fact.

What country is ExpressVPN located in?

ExpressVPN is located in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). This puts it outside the scope of the Fourteen Eyes intelligence country group. It is not subject to EU data protection laws or the far-flung reach of US Intelligence. While the BVI is a British overseas territory, it enjoys a high level of autonomy and has no data retention laws.

Operating under the jurisdiction of the BVI allows ExpressVPN to maintain a strong user-privacy standard. For example, they don’t have to collect sensitive user data or honor subpoenas from the US (and other Western states).

Does ExpressVPN keep logs in 2023?

ExpressVPN has a strict no-logs policy. It doesn’t collect your connection logs, activity logs, or other data that help identify you. This bold has already been proven on at least two occasions.

At the end of 2017, Turkish authorities seized an ExpressVPN server. They hoped to obtain information about the killing of a Russian ambassador in Ankara. Unfortunately for them, all this did was give ExpressVPN some free advertising.

ExpressVPN has also been independently audited by PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) – one of the most respected auditing firms in the world. After rigorous testing, they confirmed that this VPN isn’t logging anything.

ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer Technology

TrustedServer Technology eliminates the need to use hard drives and allows all ExpressVPN servers to run purely on RAM. All software is reinstalled every time the server starts, so even if some hacker manages to install a backdoor on ExpressVPN’s server, it would be gone after a reboot.

In comparison, traditional server software requires constant updates. This poses a risk that not all servers have the latest updates, which can be a nuisance to check given the ever-growing number of servers that VPN providers have. In the case of TrustedServer, every server runs the latest software, minimizing the risk of running outdated code.

Moreover, TrustedServer reduces the risk that user data can fall into the wrong hands. Whereas the data on regular servers has to be deleted periodically, on ExpressVPN servers, it gets destroyed automatically with each reboot — yet another example of privacy by design approach.

Threat Manager

Threat Manager helps against trackers, scams, and malware. Currently available on iOS, Mac, and Linux, this tool uses a blocklist to stop your apps from communicating with malicious third parties. It includes even those apps that are running in the background.

The blocklist updates itself automatically and will protect you as long as you keep it turned on. You can toggle Threat Manager in your app Settings. Overall, it’s a great feature for extra privacy.

Is ExpressVPN good for streaming?

ExpressVPN is a great option for streaming. It unblocks Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and other streaming platforms. You will also benefit from fast speeds and short buffering times.

What’s more, its MediaStreamer feature (SmartDNS) will let you watch your favorite movies and shows on a wide range of devices, including Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV & Fire Stick, and game consoles.

Finally, ExpressVPN works with Kodi – although there’s no custom app, you’ll be hard-pressed to find something better.

Can ExpressVPN unblock Netflix?

ExpressVPN unblocks Netflix USA and other popular libraries regardless of your location. There are plenty of servers to choose from in the United States and other Netflix-critical areas, such as the Netherlands or Japan.

Even if you cannot unblock the stream from the first attempt, simply try another server in that location. ExpressVPN has plenty of them, and chances are you’ll find the one that works.

I tried unblocking Netflix with ExpressVPN in several countries across the world, and they all worked without a hitch. Also, the Lightway tunneling protocol speeds were more than enough for 4K (Ultra HD) across the board.

What streaming services work with ExpressVPN?

In addition to Netflix, ExpressVPN unblocks Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max, BBC iPlayer, and other streaming services.

Additionally, it works great with the Kodi media streamer. You don’t have to configure anything – just launch ExpressVPN on Windows, Mac, Android, Chromebook, or iOS and watch Kodi to your heart’s content.

Another reason why ExpressVPN is excellent for streaming these different platforms is its MediaStreamer feature (Smart DNS). Most VPNs only unblock Amazon Prime and other content libraries if you use the app. In contrast, ExpressVPN allows you to watch your favorite movies and shows on a wide range of devices like Apple TV or game consoles that don’t have dedicated VPN apps.

Does ExpressVPN allow torrenting?

Torrenting is allowed on all ExpressVPN servers. This means you should always be able to find one that’s not overcrowded and situated nearby for the best performance.

Additionally, ExpressVPN’s robust security features and the absence of IP or DNS leaks make it excellent in countries where torrenting is illegal. Thanks to the Network Lock, even if a VPN connection fails, your real identity will stay hidden from the government or your ISP.

P2P fans will also appreciate that this service has no bandwidth limit and great speeds. At the same time, ExpressVPN will help you avoid bandwidth throttling by your ISP.

Perhaps the only negative thing I can say is that ExpressVPN doesn’t offer a free SOCKS5 proxy. However, the split tunneling feature mostly makes up for it.

Does ExpressVPN cover all my devices?

Most likely, yes. ExpressVPN has apps for:

• Windows
• Mac
• Linux
• iOS
• Android & Android TV
  
• Amazon Fire TV & Fire Stick
• Chromebook
• Routers

There are also ExpressVPN web browser plug-ins for Chrome, Brave, Edge, and Firefox.

One ExpressVPN subscription will let you connect five devices at a time. This means you’ll probably be able to use the service on all your devices with just one subscription. If that’s not the case, you can always install the VPN on a router and protect your whole home network.

Most ExpressVPN apps have an almost identical interface, focusing on simplicity. The home screen has only a few buttons, and all features have clear explanations. While experienced users might miss some customization options, newbies definitely won’t feel lost.

ExpressVPN desktop apps: Windows, macOS, and Linux

ExpressVPN apps for Windows and Mac are very similar. They have the same interface and features, including the most crucial ones: AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection.

The home screen of each app has only a large connection button, a smaller hamburger menu button at the top left for more options, and the Smart Location area for picking the desired location.

Crucially, ExpressVPN for Mac is just as secure as for Windows. Rigorous tests show no leaks with either app – as expected with the VPN’s solid security suite.

The Linux app of ExpressVPN is available on Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Raspberry Pi OS, Linux Mint, and Arch. Rather than being a complete graphic interface, the Linux version is command-line based. Even though it lacks split tunneling, it’s still more than most VPN providers offer.

ExpressVPN mobile apps: Android and iOS (iPhone & iPad)

The simple, intuitive design of ExpressVPN makes it the ideal VPN app for mobile devices – Android and iOS. With only a few caveats, ExpressVPN for Android and iOS are just as secure as the desktop versions.

Android users get the native Android kill switch (Always-on VPN), but the iOS version doesn’t have a kill switch. Therefore, for iPhone and iPad owners, we recommend choosing NordVPN instead for maximum protection.

Unlike many VPN providers, ExpressVPN doesn’t like to water down mobile apps. In fact, sometimes, they are the first to get new features.

For example, the Android client now has Protection Summary that shows when your IP stays hidden and Security Assistant that gives you tips on staying safe online. Last but not least comes the Data Breach Alert feature that alerts if one of your email addresses has been found in a leak.

The ExpressVPN Android app can be found on Google Play or downloaded directly as an APK file on their website. It uses Lightway and OpenVPN protocols.

The iOS app is available via the App Store. iPhone and iPad users can choose between the Lightway, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPsec protocols.

How to add ExpressVPN browser extension to Chrome, Brave, Edge, and Firefox?

You can add the ExpressVPN browser extension to Chrome, Brave, Edge, and Firefox by downloading it from the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Browser Add-ons.

These extensions are not fully autonomous – you will need to launch the ExpressVPN app first. Instead, they let you control the service straight from your browser of choice.

The browser extension has three main features, letting you:

• Spoof HTML5 geolocation
• Block WebRTC to avoid leaks
• Add HTTPS Everywhere

You can also launch the ExpressVPN add-on automatically with your browser.

ExpressVPN for Chrome, Brave, Edge, and Firefox works on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It’s available in 17 languages and has over 1,000,000 Chrome users. The Firefox version has less than 100,000, but then again, the browser is not nearly as popular.

Can I put ExpressVPN on my router?

Installing ExpressVPN on your router is easy because this VPN has a router app, unlike most providers. This means you won’t have to do manual configuration, avoiding the hassle.

Using the ExpressVPN app for routers solves quite a few issues:

• Forgetting to turn on the VPN. The router keeps your VPN connection all the time, meaning there’s no risk of accidentally leaking your data.
• Bypassing the five simultaneous connections limit. The router counts as one device, but it protects all the traffic that goes through your wifi.
• Maintaining multiple VPN connections. Device Groups lets you connect to different locations or even exclude some devices with split tunneling that usually works on the app level.

The app is compatible with over a dozen router models from Asus, Linksys, and Netgear. If your router is not on the list, you can still manually configure ExpressVPN on Asus, D-Link, DD-WRT, Netduma, Sabai, Tomato, TP-Link, and Xiaomi devices.

Other platforms and ExpressVPN MediaStreamer

If there’s no custom ExpressVPN app for your device, that doesn’t mean you can’t use the service. You can still access the network via manual configuration, freeware OpenVPN apps, or MediaStreamer.

This way, you will be able to use ExpressVPN on game consoles (PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch), smart TVs (Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, LG Smart TV), and other platforms, such as Chromecast, Roku, routers, NAS, Kodi, and Nvidia Shield.

ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer is a SmartDNS tool. You can use it on your Android TV, Amazon Fire TV & Fire Stick, Apple TV, and other devices. It’s great for unblocking restricted content when there is no need for encryption. Do not use it if you’re doing something risky!

How to set up ExpressVPN on Roku

You can pair ExpressVPN and Roku together, even though there’s no dedicated app for it. In fact, it’s not supported by MediaStreamer either. Nevertheless, you can still protect your Roku device with a VPN-enabled virtual router or generic router.

For this, you’ll need a US Roku account. Therefore, if you already have one registered outside the US, you should do a factory reset and change the region. Afterward, you can easily set up Roku with ExpressVPN using the following step-by-step tutorial.

When your Roku device is ready and protected, you can start casting from your devices. However, don’t be surprised if it doesn’t work because casting is often disabled on those platforms that use a VPN. Instead, you can try screen mirroring from Windows, Android, Google Chrome, and other sources.

Does ExpressVPN be used in China?

ExpressVPN can bypass the Great Firewall of China and unblock restricted online content.

Whether it’s censorship or more sinister things you want to avoid in China, ExpressVPN will do the job. However, we recommend downloading the app before your visit. But even if you’re already in the country, you can get the subscription from their .onion page without anyone seeing you enter the shop.

China is known to employ Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) – an efficient method for finding VPN traffic on the network. Best VPNs for China use the so-called Stealth VPN to hinder the effectiveness of DPI by scrambling the traffic. ExpressVPN turns it on automatically if it detects Deep Packet Inspection being in use.

Support: live chat, email, extensive guides

ExpressVPN has excellent customer support. It will please those who prefer dealing with issues themselves and those who would rather ask for assistance. You will find:

• 24/7 live chat
• Email
• FAQ
• Troubleshooting guides
• Setup instructions
• Video tutorials
  

The whole knowledgebase is searchable and you can filter results by category and sort according to relevance or date.

There will always be cracks in the support system, but with ExpressVPN, these seem minimal. The customer service agents available via the chat are competent and quick to respond.

When I couldn’t get a quick answer, the self-help resources on the website gave me a way out. Guides and FAQs are available in English, French, Dutch, Italian, German, Spanish, and Portuguese. I also tried submitting a few tickets and got my answers within hours that were both detailed and concise.

To sum up, you should contact ExpressVPN’s 24/7 live chat first and try other methods only if the chat is temporarily unavailable. This is the fastest way to get help.

ExpressVPN video review

Is ExpressVPN worth your money?

Even though ExpressVPN is one of the best services, I don’t believe it’s worth that much. In today’s VPN market, you can find a secure and transparent VPN service for a way better price. To get the idea, check out our in-depth ExpressVPN vs NordVPN comparison.

Is ExpressVPN the best VPN? It’s undoubtedly one of the top few if we put aside the cost. Its security is as great as its performance, and you’ll always have someone to help you troubleshoot 24/7.

Those only looking for an entertainment tool will also appreciate ExpressVPN because of its ability to unblock online content and secure torrenting efforts. Power users may want more advanced options to tinker with, but for most, the high cost and the Kape Technologies ownership are probably the only serious issues.

FAQ

Can you get ExpressVPN for free?

Unfortunately, ExpressVPN is not a free VPN. This service never had a free version, and the 7-day free trial only works on iOS and Android. Desktop users can sign up for the service and use its 30-day money-back guarantee.

How much is ExpressVPN per month?

ExpressVPN prices start at $8.32/month. Yes, it’s not a cheap service by any means, and to get the mentioned offer, you’ll need to sign up for one year. The six-month plan is $9.99/month while one month costs $12.95/month.

Who owns ExpressVPN?

Kape Technologies own ExpressVPN. It’s registered in the British Virgin Islands, a country with privacy-friendly laws. Although there are some claims about ExpressVPN’s ties with China, there are no solid arguments that would lead us to believe this.

Which is better, ExpressVPN or NordVPN?

NordVPN is better than ExpressVPN. It offers similar features and better speeds for half the price without concerns over ownership. You can find more arguments in our detailed NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison.

How to watch Netflix with ExpressVPN?

To watch Netflix with ExpressVPN, turn on the VPN and connect to the desired location. You should be able to access not only Netflix US but other libraries and popular streaming platforms as well.

How to install ExpressVPN on Fire Stick?

Get ExpressVPN, download the app on your Amazon Fire device, and sign in. Now you can pick a VPN server and start streaming. Unfortunately, the 1st generation of Amazon Fire devices is not supported by ExpressVPN or any other provider.

How many devices does ExpressVPN support?

ExpressVPN supports five simultaneous connections. If that’s not enough, I advise installing the router app. This way, every device behind the router will stay protected and won’t be counted as a separate connection.

How to cancel ExpressVPN subscription?

Ensure doing so before the renewal, or the 30-day money-back guarantee expires. It’s impossible to cancel ExpressVPN from the app, so you should visit the ExpressVPN website and log in. Now, simply follow our step-by-step guide.