ExpressVPN review
Our Verdict
ExpressVPN is the all-time VPN service we've tested, and there'southward very little to fault. With enough of servers, excellent speeds, rock-solid privacy features, innovative software developments and class-leading streaming performance, information technology'due south quite simply the best service on the market today.
For
- Tons of server locations
- Stable apps for just about any device
- Excellent speeds
- Form-leading support
Against
- A picayune expensive
- Only 5 simultaneous connections
Tom's Guide Verdict
ExpressVPN is the best VPN service we've tested, and there's very petty to fault. With plenty of servers, excellent speeds, rock-solid privacy features, innovative software developments and course-leading streaming operation, information technology's quite but the all-time service on the marketplace today.
Pros
- +
Tons of server locations
- +
Stable apps for just about any device
- +
Splendid speeds
- +
Class-leading support
Cons
- -
A little expensive
- -
Only 5 simultaneous connections
For the past several years, ExpressVPN has well and truly taken up the best VPN mantle, and rave reviews from users and industry experts alike take cemented it as the VPN to beat. In our full and unbiased ExpressVPN review, we unpack everything the provider has to offer and see if it can live upward to the hype.
Based in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands, ExpressVPN was established in 2009 and since and so has been on a race to the pinnacle. Its generous amount of global servers gives information technology worldwide appeal, and information technology's used past millions.
However, with somewhat hefty subscriptions costs it's not the very cheapest, so here we'll be seeing if, under the pare, ExpressVPN is genuinely worth the money, and how it compares to the competition.
If you're interested in a particular attribute of ExpressVPN, you can jump to the post-obit sections past clicking the navigation bar at the top of the folio. If not, and so go on scrolling for our full, in-depth ExpressVPN review.
ExpressVPN 1-minute review
Starting at $12.95 a month on a rolling monthly footing, and dropping to $6.67 a month (including the 3 months complimentary bachelor to Tom's Guide readers), ExpressVPN is no deal basement VPN. However, users are treated to a thirty-day money-back guarantee, during which they can test the total service and claim a total refund if they're not happy. And now, those signing upwards to a 12-month programme volition as well get a free year of cloud fill-in from Backblaze.
ExpressVPN uses industry-standard 256-AES encryption and a 4096-bit RSA certificate, with back up for plenty of protocols including the super-fast proprietary protocol Lightway. You'll besides get Perfect Forwards Secrecy, and all Express'due south 3,000+ servers are RAM-just (known as TrustedServer), meaning none of your data tin be physically be stored. Plus, its no-logging policy has been independently audited, bankroll up the strong claims fabricated on-site.
Speeds are excellent, and ExpressVPN'south in-house and open up-source protocol LightWay delivers splendid connections of well over 500mbps. Some WireGuard-enabled VPNs can top that, but in exercise that volition be enough fast plenty for almost whatever user. And, chiefly, connections are reliable and rarely, if always drop out.
That'due south practiced news, since it's nifty for unblocking pretty much every streaming provider we tried likewise – regional Netflix, BBC, iPlayer, Amazon Prime, Hulu, and more than. And, P2P sharers will be pleased as every server is optimized for torrenting – although the website seems to keep it pretty quiet.
In terms of usability, ExpressVPN's apps are available on a wide range of devices, and non just typical desktop and mobiles systems. You lot'll get access to a defended router app, a Linux client, and MediaStreamer (Smart DNS) support for games consoles to proper noun a few. All of these are like shooting fish in a barrel to use and powerful with in-depth setup guides.
The limit of five devices is something of a drawback, and disappointing because the price. Another small gripe is that while the browser extension is powerful, it relies on having ExpressVPN installed on your PC or Mac – not swell for those looking for a browser extension to avert just that.
However, with excellent back up – both written manufactures and 24/7 live conversation – whatsoever issues you have should exist sorted easily, and if we're honest, few VPNs offer everything ExpressVPN does in i bundle, and none exercise information technology as well.
Great to go stuck into the nitty-gritty details of ExpressVPN? Just go on scrolling, as we've got everything you need to know, right hither.
- Click to head straight through to the ExpressVPN website
Latest updates
While not direct related to ExpressVPN'due south performance or usability, the biggest change in recent months is undoubtedly the fact that the VPN was acquired past Kape Technologies for almost $1bn. Kape also owns Individual Net Access, CyberGhost and ZenMate.
We're fairly confident that ExpressVPN will stay independent in terms of its product – as have its stablemates – and while Kape has a somewhat chequered past, we're confident that this hasn't compromised ExpressVPN'south privacy. For more than info, read ExpressVPN's ain article on the matter.
Product-wise, we're very pleased to see Express'due south own protocol Lightway go fully open-source.
Its router app has also seen improvements. Now, you lot can group you devices, meaning that all your Smart TVs, for example, use a detail server for streaming overseas content, while your smartphones use a local server.
Finally, ExpressVPN's Windows app is becoming more accessible, with narrator support and keyboard navigation. We're pleased to see ExpressVPN introducing these easily missed features, equally many providers neglect this sort of update.
ExpressVPN on paper
Number of servers: iii,000+
Number of countries: 94
Platforms supported: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, BlackBerry, Kindle Fire, Nook, routers, consoles (MediaStreamer), Amazon Fire Goggle box Stick, Apple TV, Boxee, Chromebook, Windows Phone
Simultaneous connections: V
Split tunneling: Yeah
Impale switch: Yes
Supported protocols: Lightway, OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP, L2TP/IPSec, IKEv2
Country of registration: British Virgin Islands
Support: 24/7 live chat, e-mail, knowledgebase
ExpressVPN price: how much is it, and is there an ExpressVPN gratuitous trial?
To beginning off, permit's look at the numbers – an area in which plenty of potential users volition make up their minds.
Like just about every VPN provider, if you go for a one-calendar month rolling plan you'll be paying the most – $12.95 to be exact. If we're honest, this is really just any expert for truthful commitment-phobes, or those signing up to examination out the service.
Sign upwardly for six months and you'll meet that toll drop to $9.99, which isn't bad, but information technology's nevertheless adequately expensive compared to other providers. ExpressVPN is ane of the only providers to offering a mid-length program like this, though, so nosotros're certain information technology'll appeal to some users.
You'll become the all-time value if you sign upward for a year, and without any deals or discounts y'all'll exist paying $8.32 a month – which, overall, works out at $99.95 a year. That'due south yet essentially more expensive than inexpensive VPN providers like Surfshark, whose longest program dips under $ii.50 a month. However, if you sign up through Tom'due south Guide, y'all'll be able to claim iii months free on any 12-month plan, which takes the monthly price down to a much more reasonable $half-dozen.67.
It's also worth noting that other cheaper providers may creepo up the price upon renewal. If you're in it for the long haul, your ExpressVPN outlay volition stay the aforementioned for an indefinite corporeality of time (sans the three months free, of grade), whereas providers like IPVanish and Surfshark offer absolutely tasty introductory offers, but increment to prices similar to or fifty-fifty more than ExpressVPN subsequently the commencement term's upward.
- Sign up now and claim your three free months
In terms of payment methods, in that location'southward a good selection on offer. Alongside traditional methods like PayPal and credit carte, you'll also be able to use Bitcoin, and other payment providers including AliPay, Yandex Money, WebMoney and more than. Most of all, we're pleased to meet Bitcoin back up, as this can help make the whole paper trail more difficult to link back to yous.
If yous fancy a VPN free trial, downloading the Android or iOS app will go you seven days free, and plans of whatever length come with a xxx-day money-back guarantee so you tin can make sure the service suits you before yous commit – be enlightened that this chargeback is merely available once, though.
Thankfully, cancellation is straightforward. All you need to do is contact the back up team and request your refund, and they will oblige – there'll exist no investigation into how much you lot've used the service, and every bit long as information technology's within the 30 days, you'll get your coin back. That displays impressive conviction on ExpressVPN's function.
The question almost will be asking, so, is whether ExpressVPN offers enough to justify its slightly higher toll – and whether any sacrifices are worth it to salve a couple of dollars a month.
How private is ExpressVPN?
The cadre of any bully service, privacy is absolutely brand or break for VPN providers. And, while other providers might brand flimsy promises, ExpressVPN has some serious tech on prove to prove information technology.
To kick off – and be forewarned that we're getting technical here – ExpressVPN uses a 4096-bit SHA-512 RSA certificate, employs industry-standard AES-256-CBC to encrypt its control channel and HMAC to safeguard confronting real-time alteration of regular data. When nosotros inspected the OpenVPN config files, we confirmed this was absolutely the instance.
To give yous fifty-fifty more than protection, Perfect Forrad Secrecy is as well present, meaning that you lot're given a new session primal each time you lot connect, and a new one every threescore minutes after that. That means that even if your connectednessis somehow compromised, all they'll become is a maximum of 60 minutes of data before they're booted.
While the extent of which isn't made public, ExpressVPN too has a number of obfuscated servers which are very useful for using information technology as a Communist china VPN. These servers cloak the fact that you're using a VPN at all, and can sidestep regional VPN blocks, or even go far useable at places like universities that may restrict VPN apply.
Finally, ExpressVPN's Android app has recently been given the ioXt certification. That means the pattern of the app and service has been investigated on a low level, and then users tin exist sure that the software is behaving in the right way. Undertaking these tests yourself is a tricky task, so this certification is a large green tick in our books.
How secure is ExpressVPN?
ExpressVPN runs its ain zero-knowledge 256-bit encrypted DNS on every one of its servers. This eliminates the demand to apply the vulnerable OpenDNS or whatsoever other third-political party DNS services. These third parties are liable to log your DNS requests and, if unencrypted, offer up a handy way for hackers to intercept and alter your requests.
While we didn't go super in-depth with this, brief testing on websites such as IPLeak and DNS Leak Examination proved that ExpressVPN indeed does not leak DNS information – and if you want to use it, the apps also provide this service also.
You'll also become a simple and functional impale switch to cut your internet in the event that your VPN-protected connection fails, which is very useful for torrenting. If you didn't have this, you could exist browsing or downloading for hours without realising y'all were asunder.
Finally, nosotros become to the fact that every one of ExpressVPN's servers is 100% RAM-only. Compared to traditional hard-disk servers, RAM-only servers are physically unable to save data afterwards power-downward (fifty-fifty after a complete wipe, data tin sometimes however exist retrieved from hard drives). This follows VPN best exercise to a tee, and leads us very well onto…
Does ExpressVPN keep logs?
ExpressVPN seems confident enough in its reputation to not plaster its homepage with claims of zero logging. You'll have to do a bit of excavation to find out.
On its 'What is VPN' page, you'll detect out that ExpressVPN believes that 'privacy is a key right. We don't keep connection or activity logs, and we never share your details with anyone.' What's more, to analyze this you'll find a unproblematic, effective no-logging argument written in plain English (you'll see that this is something ExpressVPN does very well afterward on, also).
You'll see that ExpressVPN does non proceed runway of the IP address used to connect, your login time, the IP yous're assigned, any of your traffic, or any information concerning the pages you visit.
Nonetheless, there are however some minimal logs kept, namely the date (not time) of when you connect, your server choice, the corporeality of data transferred, and the version number of your client. Without the time, IP, or browsing data though, information technology's impossible to utilize this to link any action taken on the web to any specific ExpressVPN user.
Another positive is that fact ExpressVPN is based in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands, just like competitor Surfshark. The BVI has no laws requiring companies based there to submit data to the Great britain or US, and information technology's also non function of either the 5 Eyes or fourteen Eyes alliances. This, combined with the fact Express logs no personally identifiable data and is very clear about what itdoes continue track of, makes for pleasing reading for the privacy-conscious.
However, don't take our give-and-take for it – ExpressVPN has been independently audited past PricewaterhouseCoopers, and while we're not permitted to quote from the study, it is freely available to read for anyone.
How fast is ExpressVPN?
Having good connection speeds is essential, even for the most privacy-focused user. And now, with the advent of WireGuard, many VPNs are pushing speeds to levels we've never seen before, and now that gaming VPN services are condign popular, it's imperative for any provider to ensure they're non left backside. Thankfully, ExpressVPN's Lightway tin go along upwards with the pack.
To briefly summarize our methodology, we used a Windows 10 car to connect ExpressVPN to the nearest location (United states and UK). To test the speeds we used a number of different speed test sites and services, and nosotros noted downwardly at least five results from each. Nosotros repeated the process 3 times, using OpenVPN and Lightway.
Starting off on our 1Gbps US line, ExpressVPN'southward OpenVPN connections were impressive, delivering speeds of around 310Mbps. That's consistent with our last test results, and although a couple of providers were marginally faster (Hibernate.me at 390Mbps and ProtonVPN at 400-600Mbps), it's safe to say ExpressVpn delivers some of the fastest OpenVPN connections around.
When using Lightway, speeds shot up to 580Mbps, which is comparable to most other services' WireGuard speeds. Some, such as NordVPN, CyberGhost, and IPVanish deliver faster connections notwithstanding, but for the boilerplate user on boilerplate abode Wi-Fi, there would be no discernible difference in performance.
How good is ExpressVPN for streaming?
It's no longer a underground that one of the most tempting VPN uses is unblocking streaming content on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime and many more.
ExpressVPN isn't shy – its website overtly states which services you'll exist able to unblock (hint: it'south pretty much all of them). This tin simply be good news, as information technology means the provider is essentially belongings itself to these claims, and using them as directly selling points.
We tested all the services – Netflix, Amazon, iPlayer, and Disney+ - from a selection servers worldwide.
Recent changes Netflix has fabricated to its VPN detection organization ways simply near every Netflix VPN has had serious issues with the streaming site. Even so, ExpressVPN has somehow found a fairly reliable manner around this, and is currently the just service we tested that can unblock the US, UK, Canadian and Australian libraries.
Amazon Prime unblocking doesn't piece of work the same mode as Netflix (your content is limited to your sign-up country), but if y'all're abroad and want to watch shows from back home, ExpressVPN works well too. In our testing information technology reliably accessed United states content from the UK.
BBC iPlayer can exist troublesome for many VPNs and the BBC has invested a lot of coin into protecting its free-to-watch content. However, ExpressVPN had no upshot unblock the British streaming site, and got us access every time we tried. Disney+ finished our testing on a high, with all our attempts being successful.
However, losing access to certain streaming sites is an effect all VPNs have to combat, as IP addresses are blocked and different protections are put into identify.
When ExpressVPN has had these problems, users haven't been left in the dark. If you lot have problem with a certain service or server, it'due south well worth opening a live chat and firing a question at a fellow member of the team. They'll unremarkably requite y'all a straight respond, and advice to remedy the situation.
Too, it's worth noting that ExpressVPN has a dedicated Smart DNS office chosen MediaStreamer, which lets users streaming on not-VPN supporting devices like Smart TVs and game consoles switch location and spotter geo-blocked content. Out of the VPNs that offer Smart DNS (and non all practice), ExpressVPN'southward MediaStreamer is probably the easiest to apply.
- Check out which VPNs work with Netflix
How expert is ExpressVPN for torrenting?
While not hugely publicised on the website, every VPN server ExpressVPN offers is optimized for P2P sharing – which is more than most other providers tin can say. That ways there's no faffing around trying to notice a torrenting server, considering whichever 1 you cull volition be suitable.
If you find other applications afflicted by ExpressVPN, you'll also be able to activate split tunneling. This allows you lot to divide the traffic from certain apps – in this case your torrent client – and direct that through the VPN while leaving the rest of your inter use unaffected.
At that place are also no caps on data transfer, and you'll never have your connection throttled. Plus, the excellent privacy and security features, alongside Bitcoin back up and no activeness logs make ExpressVPN an first-class option if you lot're looking for a torrenting VPN.
How easy is it to install ExpressVPN?
For many people, setting upwardly a VPN can be a daunting experience, just ExpressVPN has quite effectively taken the stress out of it. Different nigh providers, to download ExpressVPN yous'll have to sign up and make an account offset. However, once you've done that, the process is very uncomplicated.
From the homepage, ExpressVPN will observe your organisation OS and direct y'all towards the version information technology thinks you need – and it's e'er been correct in our experience. If you want to download a different version, you tin can also select that from the navigation bar at the top of the site.
Incidentally, these pages are far more than than just, say, links to the Google Play Store. Yous can go there if y'all want, but you can also download the .APK files for the Android VPN version, and even employ a QR code to electronic mail yourself a setup link.
Once you've downloaded and installed the app on whatever device you're using, y'all'll exist prompted to verify with an activation lawmaking. Thanks to this you don't need to enter your login details, which is more welcome than you lot'd think. And that'southward all there is to it.
If y'all'd prefer to apply a different customer, you can practise this easily by using Express's OVPN configuration files.
How good are ExpressVPN's desktop apps?
The bread and butter of any VPN service, desktop VPN apps should be unproblematic, clear, and give you access to everything yous'll want to practise in a couple of clicks. ExpressVPN does non disappoint.
With an initially simple interface, you'll meet the automatically chosen Smart Location plus a huge, inviting on/off push. If you merely want to become protected and forget about it, all you need to do is click that push button.
Clicking the selected location volition bring up a list and search box for choosing a different server, and the app also allows you to choose favorites and displays your two most contempo servers. You'll besides exist able to connect to your terminal three locations through a system tray icon on Windows, and the card bar on Mac, without opening the app.
You won't find much information about the health of any particular server from the server listing, merely a congenital-in speed test is also easily bachelor and can give you exact data on whatever servers you wish.
Open settings, and you'll take a choice of protocols, including Lightway, OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP, L2TP/IPSec, and IKEv2 (support for the ancient and vulnerable PPTP has been dropped). You can toggle the reliable kill switch from here, alongside IPv6 leak protection and DNS settings. You also get admission to split tunneling, which allows yous to select which apps route through the VPN and which don't.
How proficient are ExpressVPN'southward mobile apps?
In terms of interfaces, both the Android and iOS apps are very similar to the desktop versions – and both are available from their respective apps stores. Setup is super simple on both systems, and simply requires you to enter your login details and have a couple of permissions.
Both versions include some interesting extra utilities across VPN protection, including an IP address checker, a DNS leak tester, a WebRTC leak tester, and a password generator. Neither of the mobile apps back up the useful speed examination that the desktop version provides, and then there's no piece of cake way of telling how quick a server is before you connect, only Smart Location can usually solve this.
The iOS version has a couple of limitations thank you to the OS. You don't get divide tunneling or a kill switch – both of which the Android version has – but yous practise get the selection of automated reconnection, which is as close to a impale switch as iOS volition permit. It's not perfect, just it's about every bit good equally we're going to get with Apple'south software for now.
While they lack some other practiced features such as the ability to gear up your preferred DNS servers, ExpressVPN's mobile apps are powerful, well designed and, importantly, like shooting fish in a barrel to use. We've seen some others provide marginally more than in-depth apps, just unless you're genuinely going to miss DNS customization, these mobile versions will be more than enough.
How practiced is ExpressVPN's browser extension?
ExpressVPN besides offers a useful browser extension, available for both Chrome and Firefox. And, unlike some competitors, it'south not a elementary proxy – this is a full-blown VPN in your browser. While this does hateful you'll take to take the standalone client installed as well, it does give you some serious added benefits.
In effect, it means you don't have to switch between windows to change settings (again, more than useful that you might recollect), but in that location are a few actress bonuses. Firstly, the extension will enforce HTTPS Everywhere, prevent HTML5 geolocation from revealing your true location, and it as well blocks WebRTC leaks.
While the extension doesn't offer everything the app does (no favorites, for example), it'southward a useful addition that you may or may non want to use. Nosotros certainly welcome the choice.
However, many users of Chrome VPN extensions (and browser VPNs as a whole) use them because they don't want to install a true VPN client on their PC – and in this case, ExpressVPN'southward browser add-on won't fit the bill. But, in terms of features, information technology'southward i of the very best.
What customer support does ExpressVPN offering?
While ExpressVPN has proven to be very stable in our experience, like whatever circuitous software, bug tin crop up – from server upsets to lost Netflix access. This is when it'south of import to take an experienced customer support squad on hand when you need it the nigh.
Your start port of call should ExpressVPN'due south encyclopaedic raft of articles and setup guides, which cover topics as varied as remedying connections that drop out, setting up the VPN on a router, how to cancel your account and how to ready MediaStreamer.
These manufactures don't get on for thousands of words, but they're not besides brief either – you'll get the groundwork info necessary to understand the trouble, and so the steps you demand to take to resolve information technology. Each app besides has a dedicated setup guide, and we're comfortable maxim they're the best-written FAQ articles from any VPN.
If you don't want to search through that, though, you'll want to hop on the 24/7 live chat – and male child, are they good. We asked a whole bunch of admittedly geeky questions, and each time a real person replied within minutes – it was evident we weren't talking to a bot.
Even if you think you lot might not need this sort of support, information technology'southward incredibly useful when you come up up against an result that you can't work out – or tin can't be bothered to exercise the digging effectually to resolve yourself. Plus, they can likewise tell you the best servers at any given betoken to employ to admission blocked Netflix locations, and that'south a actually useful tool in itself.
Final verdict
Only about every aspect of ExpressVPN impresses, with unproblematic apps that make information technology easy to admission all the expert-level features on offering – and we'd hope and so. Any less than that would draw our attention even more towards the hefty price tag, but as it stands, it's thoroughly worth the extra expenditure to access what's quite possibly the almost polished and usable VPN service on the market today.
Source: https://www.tomsguide.com/reviews/expressvpn-review
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