ExpressVPN Review
Final Verdict
Cut through the hype — there’s still no VPN that beats ExpressVPN in overall performance. It’s simple to use, barely affects your internet speed, and consistently protects your privacy and data. Although its price is a bit higher than some competitors, the quality and reliability make it absolutely worth the investment.
Overall Rating
✅ Pros
- Strict no-logs policy ensures complete anonymity
- Flawlessly works with Netflix, Disney+, and other major platforms
- Advanced security and data protection measures
- Consistent high-speed connections worldwide
- User-friendly apps for all devices
- Extensive server coverage in over 100 countries
⚠️ Cons
- Costs slightly more than competitors
- Doesn’t offer multi-hop or some advanced features
- Lacks port forwarding support
Express VPN Overview
Owned Company Name | Kape Technologies |
Geographical Location | London, United Kingdom |
Does Privacy Policy Imposed by Govt | Yes, GDPR Law implied on all Consumers |
Countries with Servers | 94 Countries & 160+ Cities |
Simultaneous Connections | Up to 10 |
Streaming Supported | Yes |
Torrenting Supported | Yes |
Works in Russia? | Yes |
Works in China? | Yes |
Works in the Middle East? | Yes |
Free VPN Available? | Only on Mobile for 7 Days |
Customer Support Available? | Yes |
Routers Supported? | Yes |
Extensions Available? | Only Chrome Extension |
AdBlocker Available? | No |
Dedicated IP Available? | No |
Antimalware Protection Available? | No |
Express VPN Rating
Speed | 9/10 |
Privacy | 9/10 |
Server Locations | 10/10 |
User Experience | 8/10 |
Applications and Extensions | 8/10 |
Streaming | 9/10 |
Security | 9/10 |
Torrenting | 8/10 |
Device Compatibility | 8/10 |
Additional Features | 7/10 |
Express VPN Full Review
The primary reasons for using a VPN generally fall into three or four categories:
- Streaming Websites and OTT Channels
- Unblocking Websites, VOIP Services, Games, etc.
- Ensuring Privacy and Anonymity from ISP and Government Surveillance
ExpressVPN not only provides the highest levels of privacy and security, but it is also one of the best VPNs for accessing streaming channels and unblocking websites.
When it comes to VPNs, ExpressVPN is often considered one of the top choices for users worldwide. Whether you’re looking to protect your online privacy, stream content from different regions, or bypass censorship, ExpressVPN offers a reliable and high-performing solution. In this review, we’ll dive deep into all aspects of ExpressVPN, including its features, performance, security, pricing, and more.
Express VPN Background Check
ExpressVPN is owned by Kape Technologies, a cybersecurity company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. However, despite being based in the UK, ExpressVPN operates from the British Virgin Islands (BVI), which is a privacy-friendly jurisdiction. This is crucial for users who are concerned about government surveillance and data retention laws, as the BVI has no mandatory data retention regulations.
However, Kape Technologies operates globally, and it has expanded its presence through acquisitions of several other cybersecurity and privacy-focused brands over the years (like CyberGhost and Private Internet Access). Despite being based in the UK, Kape Technologies has a broader international footprint due to its global service offerings and operational reach.
It’s also worth noting that Kape Technologies was formerly known as Crossrider Ltd., a company initially focused on ad tech but later rebranded and shifted its focus to cybersecurity.
While ExpressVPN itself operates from a privacy-friendly jurisdiction (the British Virgin Islands, which has no mandatory data retention laws), the parent company’s UK headquarters has raised some concerns among privacy advocates. However, ExpressVPN has maintained a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not store any data that could be used to trace users’ online activities.
Why does this matter?
- The British Virgin Islands is outside the Five Eyes and Fourteen Eyes intelligence-sharing alliances, meaning that ExpressVPN is not obligated to comply with surveillance requests from governments in these jurisdictions.
- ExpressVPN’s location in the BVI helps reinforce its no-logs policy, ensuring that there is no data to hand over in the event of a legal request.
Express VPN Privacy Policy: What’s Under the Hood?
ExpressVPN has a very strong no-logs policy, which is one of its key selling points. Here’s a breakdown of the important privacy measures it implements:
- No-Logs Policy: ExpressVPN does not store any logs of your online activity, IP address, browsing history, or connection logs. This is crucial for privacy-conscious users who want to ensure that their data remains private and cannot be traced.
- Independent Audits: ExpressVPN has undergone independent third-party audits to verify its no-logs claims, ensuring transparency and trust. These audits were conducted by leading cybersecurity firms like PwC.
- Independent Audits: ExpressVPN has undergone independent third-party audits to verify its no-logs claims, ensuring transparency and trust. These audits were conducted by leading cybersecurity firms like PwC.
- DNS Leak Protection: ExpressVPN uses its own private DNS servers, which helps prevent any accidental DNS leaks that could expose your browsing activity. This ensures that your internet service provider (ISP) cannot see what you’re doing online.
- TrustedServer Technology: ExpressVPN’s servers are built to run entirely in RAM (Random Access Memory), which means no data is stored on hard drives. Every time a server is rebooted, all data is wiped clean, adding an extra layer of privacy.
- Strict No-Logs Policy Proven: The no-logs policy has been tested in real-world scenarios, such as in the case of a legal request from authorities. ExpressVPN has not had any data to provide when such requests were made, further solidifying the trustworthiness of its privacy practices.
- Third-Party Independent Audits: In addition to internal audits, ExpressVPN has been independently audited to ensure compliance with its privacy promises. The audits have been conducted by PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers), ensuring that ExpressVPN’s no-logs policy holds up under scrutiny.
- Kill Switch (Network Lock): The Network Lock feature automatically disconnects your internet connection if the VPN tunnel drops unexpectedly. This prevents your real IP address from being exposed, ensuring your identity remains hidden at all times.
Express VPN Massive Server Network
ExpressVPN boasts a vast network of servers in 94 countries across 160+ cities, ensuring that you can always find a fast and secure connection, no matter where you are. This global reach makes it one of the best options for users who need access to geo-blocked content. Most common regions where VPN is a basic necessity are included in Express VPN such as:
Chinese Servers | Yes |
Russian Servers | Yes |
Indian Servers | Yes |
UAE Servers | Yes |
KSA Servers | Yes |
USA Servers | Yes |
Canadian Servers | Yes |
ExpressVPN’s Speed and Performance
One of the standout features of ExpressVPN is its speed. The VPN uses Lightway, its own proprietary protocol, which is designed to be faster and more efficient than other VPN protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2. Lightway enables ExpressVPN to maintain strong connection speeds, even when connecting to servers halfway across the world.
Whether you’re streaming 4K content, downloading large files, or engaging in online gaming, ExpressVPN delivers excellent speeds with minimal latency. The VPN service automatically selects the best server for you based on your location, ensuring optimal performance every time.
List of Supported Protocols
ExpressVPN supports the following VPN protocols:
- OpenVPN (UDP/TCP): Highly secure and reliable.
- Lightway: ExpressVPN’s own protocol designed for speed and security, optimized for mobile and desktop platforms.
- IKEv2/IPsec: Known for its fast connection speeds and stability, especially on mobile devices.
- L2TP/IPsec: Used in situations where OpenVPN isn’t available.
- PPTP: An older protocol, generally not recommended due to weaker encryption.
Express VPN Compatibility
ExpressVPN offers dedicated apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Amazon Fire Stick, Apple TV, and many other devices. These apps are easy to use, with a simple interface that allows you to connect to any server location with a single click.
- Windows (PC, Laptops)
- MacOS (MacBook, iMac)
- Linux (Ubuntu, Debian, CentOS)
- iOS (iPhone, iPad)
- Android (Smartphones, Tablets)
- Smart TVs (Apple TV, Samsung, LG)
- Amazon Fire TV Stick and Fire TV
- Chromecast
- Gaming Consoles (PS4, Xbox)
ExpressVPN is compatible with a wide range of routers, both via custom firmware and general router support:
- Asus (RT-AC86U, RT-AX58U, RT-AC68U, etc.)
- Linksys (WRT3200ACM, WRT1900AC, etc.)
- Netgear (R7000, R8000, Nighthawk X6, etc.)
- TP-Link (Archer C7, Archer C9, etc.)
- Synology routers
- Routers with DD-WRT and Tomato firmware
- FlashRouters (Pre-configured routers)
It also offer Browser Extensions including:
- Chrome Browsers Extension
- Firefox Browser Extension
- Safari Browser Extension
Express VPN Security and Privacy Features
Express VPN is one of the pioneer VPN providers with outstanding security and privacy features including:
- AES-256 Encryption: ExpressVPN uses military-grade encryption to protect your data, ensuring that your internet activity is kept safe from prying eyes.
- No-logs Policy: ExpressVPN has a strict no-logs policy, which means it doesn’t store any data on your browsing activity or connection details. This is crucial for users who want to maintain complete privacy.
- Kill Switch: The Network Lock feature automatically cuts your internet connection if the VPN drops, preventing your IP address and personal data from being exposed. This is especially useful if you need constant privacy protection.
- DNS/IPv6 Leak Protection: ExpressVPN ensures that even if there’s a leak, your IP address and DNS requests remain secure and private.
- TrustedServer Technology: ExpressVPN’s servers run entirely on RAM (volatile memory), meaning that nothing is stored on a hard drive, and all data is wiped clean upon every reboot.
- Obfuscated Servers: This is a useful feature for users in countries with heavy censorship (such as China). Obfuscated servers disguise VPN traffic, making it look like regular internet traffic, which helps you bypass government restrictions and access blocked content.
Streaming & Unblocking Websites with Express VPN
ExpressVPN excels in unblocking popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more. With its fast servers and ability to bypass geo-restrictions, you can access content from anywhere in the world without interruption.
Additionally, ExpressVPN works well in countries with strict internet censorship, providing users in regions like China and the UAE with reliable access to blocked websites and services.
ExpressVPN allows access to various streaming platforms, including:
- Netflix (US, UK, Canada, Japan, and many other regions)
- Hulu
- Amazon Prime Video
- Disney+
- BBC iPlayer
- HBO Max
- YouTube
- Peacock
- ESPN+
- Sky Go
- Sling TV
- BBC Sport
- Hotstar
- DAZN
- Crave (Canada)
- And more!
ExpressVPN and Torrenting: A Perfect Match for Secure and Fast Downloads
One of the most common uses for a VPN is torrenting, and ExpressVPN stands out as an excellent choice for this activity. Whether you’re downloading movies, TV shows, music, or software, using a VPN ensures your privacy and security throughout the process. Here’s why ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs for torrenting:
High-Speed Servers for Fast Torrenting
ExpressVPN’s vast network of servers in 94 countries ensures that you can always find a high-speed server to download torrents without facing bandwidth throttling. When you use ExpressVPN for torrenting, you can expect fast speeds even on distant servers, making large file downloads quick and efficient.
This is especially important for users who rely on peer-to-peer (P2P) sharing, as fast speeds mean you won’t experience long wait times or lag during your downloads. ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol is optimized for speed and ensures that you get the best possible performance when torrenting.
P2P-Friendly Servers
ExpressVPN supports P2P file sharing across many of its servers. While not all servers are optimized for torrenting, ExpressVPN’s network includes P2P-friendly servers that ensure better speeds and privacy. These servers allow users to download and upload torrents without worrying about bandwidth restrictions or throttling from the VPN service itself.
Strong Privacy Protection for P2P
Torrenting without a VPN can expose your IP address to other users in the peer-to-peer network, potentially leaving you vulnerable to copyright enforcement and other legal threats. ExpressVPN solves this problem by hiding your real IP address and replacing it with one of their own, ensuring your identity remains private.
Split Tunneling for Torrenting
If you only want to route your torrenting traffic through the VPN while leaving other internet activities (like browsing or gaming) unaffected, ExpressVPN’s split tunneling feature is perfect for you. With split tunneling, you can choose to only run your torrent client through the encrypted VPN connection, ensuring your torrenting activities are fully protected, while other apps on your device connect directly to the internet.
Compatibility with Popular Torrent Clients
ExpressVPN works seamlessly with all major torrent clients, including uTorrent, qBittorrent, BitTorrent, and Transmission. The easy-to-use apps and fast connection speeds make torrenting a smooth experience, even for users who are new to VPNs.
Pricing Plans and What’s Included
ExpressVPN offers several pricing plans to cater to different user needs:
1-Month Plan: $12.95 per month
- Includes full access to all features, including unlimited bandwidth, all server locations, and 24/7 support.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
6-Month Plan: $9.99 per month (billed $59.95 every 6 months)
- Same features as the 1-month plan, with a lower per-month price.
12-Month Plan: $6.67 per month (billed $99.95 every 12 months)
- Offers the best value for long-term users.
- 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Occasional promotions like 3 extra months free.
What’s Included:
- Unlimited bandwidth and server switching.
- Access to all supported devices and streaming platforms.
- 24/7 customer support via live chat and email.
- A strict no-logs policy.
- Full access to AES-256 encryption, DNS leak protection, kill switch, and other security features.
What’s Not Included:
- Dedicated IP Address: Available as an add-on for an additional cost.
- Ad-blocking features: ExpressVPN doesn’t provide built-in ad-blocking. However, it works seamlessly with third-party ad blockers.
- Malware protection: While ExpressVPN provides excellent security for your internet traffic, it does not include comprehensive malware protection like some other services.
Is ExpressVPN Worth It?
ExpressVPN stands out as one of the best VPN services for a reason. With a large server network, excellent performance, top-notch security features, and exceptional streaming capabilities, it’s a great choice for anyone who values privacy and speed.
While it is a bit pricier compared to other VPN providers, the premium quality you get in terms of security, speed, and ease of use justifies the cost. Whether you’re looking to protect your online privacy, unblock websites, or stream your favorite shows from around the world, ExpressVPN delivers on all fronts.
Conclusion
In conclusion, ExpressVPN is an excellent VPN choice for users who demand both privacy and performance. Its ability to bypass geo-restrictions for streaming, coupled with its strong security features and robust privacy protections, makes it a top contender in the VPN market.
If you’re looking for a VPN that balances speed, security, and ease of use, ExpressVPN is one of the best options available today.
Pricing Plans
- 1 month $12.99 ($12.99/mo)
- 15 months $74.85 ($4.99/mo)
- 28 months $97.72 ($3.49/mo)