I have been a user of ExpressVPN for the past four years, and it has been a great experience. I initially started using this service when I was living in Russia and needed to watch Netflix US shows. The VPN worked great, and I had no issues at all. The speed was good enough for me to stream 1080p content without issues.
Virtually everyone has heard of VPNs. In recent years, they have become common topic of tech discussion. However, not all people know what they are or how they work. VPNs actually aren’t as complicated as one might think when first hearing about them. However, I’m most certainly not the best person to explain the technical details of a VPN protocol, so I’m not going to go over those details in this ExpressVPN review. Instead, I’m going to talk about my positive and negative experiences while using their service, and then talk about who it’s best for and who it might not be a good fit for.
What is an ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a VPN that provides a private and secure internet connection. It offers unlimited bandwidth and allows users to access any geo-restricted websites or content on the web. This VPN is also user friendly, allowing you to connect anywhere in the world with a few simple clicks.
ExpressVPN is among the best VPNs that you can find. The company has servers in over 90 countries (I guess 94 total), which makes it easy to unblock content from around the globe. It also offers military-grade encryption, DNS leak protection, and an automatic kill switch to ensure your data is always private and secure. This VPN has been around for years, so it’s no surprise that they’re one of the most trusted VPN providers on the market. They have hundreds of thousands of users who swear by them because they offer fast connections and great speeds for streaming video or gaming online.
It is a British Virgin Islands based company, a Caribbean archipelago with no data retention regulations or other privacy laws. They also don’t log (keep record) your activity while you’re connected to their servers. The company also strongly commits to privacy, which means they don’t log any user activity or IP addresses associated with their users’ accounts (which is why we recommend them). They also have no bandwidth restrictions, so you can use as much bandwidth as you need without worrying about overage charges down the line (which can add up quickly if you aren’t careful).
Pros & Cons Of Express VPN
Pros
- Strong privacy and security practices
- Fast, and the service is reliable
- Offers a wide selection of servers
- The interface is well-designed and user-friendly
- It has a no-logs policy, that means it keeps no records of your online activity
- Unlimited bandwidth and speed
- Compatible with all devices and operating systems.
Cons
- There are no free trial periods. Users have to pay for the service before they can decide whether or not you like it. (Though they claim a 30-day free trial but is just a trick to charge you the money).
- The price is a bit expensive.
How Express VPN differs from other VPNs
Connectivity.
Express VPN is a better VPN than the others because it’s compatible with more devices and it has more servers. Express VPN supports up to 3 simultaneous connections on all devices, including Macs, Windows, and Linux PCs. Express VPN supports various mobile devices, including Android, tablets and iOS.
Compatibility across devices.
It is compatible with more devices than any other VPN. This means that you can connect to any device you want and still enjoy the same level of security and privacy as you would if you were using a desktop computer. It’s also compatible with routers and VPN-enabled gaming consoles like Xbox One for even greater flexibility and security. It is compatible with almost all platforms, including Linux, Android, Windows, Mac, iOS, Edge, Router, Firefox, and Chrome browsers.
No logs policy.
Privacy and security are two things that ExpressVPN takes very seriously. The company doesn’t log any of your activity while using their VPN service, and they don’t even keep your email address or payment details on file (unless you’re paying via PayPal). Their no-logs policy extends to every server they operate in 140+ countries worldwide. They also have an optional kill switch feature that will help keep your data safe if your connection drops unexpectedly.
Privacy and security.
ExpressVPN uses 256-bit AES encryption with OpenVPN protocol by default — which is considered the gold standard in security. It also offers L2TP/IPSec and PPTP protocols for users who want additional security features or compatibility with older devices.
Split tunneling.
The best thing about this VPN is that it offers split tunneling. This feature lets users to use the internet for a different purpose than your VPN connection. For example, you can use your VPN to access geo-blocked content and then use the rest of the internet for other things like emails or chatting with friends.
This feature is rare, and not many VPN providers offer it.You don’t have to worry about compromising your identity because even if you are using a VPN, there is no way someone could tell you what you are doing online as long as they don’t know your IP address.
Server network size and speed.
Another great thing about ExpressVPN is its server network size and speed. It has over 3000 servers in 94 countries which makes it one of the largest networks in the world. The speeds are also impressive because they have double data encryption that makes sure all your data stays secure at all times.
Salient features of Express VPN
- Unlimited server switches
- Unblocking Netflix
- It lets you stream Hulu, or Disney+ shows with ease
- Best VPN for iPlayer and DAZN
- A safe, fast, and secure choice for torrenting.
- All major platforms supported
- Split tunneling
- Best-in-class encryption
- OpenVPN, L2TP-IPsec, SSTP, PPTP
- Kill Switch
- 99% uptime
- 145+ servers, 94 countries
- 3 simultaneous connections
- No activity logs
- Zero-knowledge DNS
- Unlimited bandwidth
- 24/7 customer support
Pricing & Plan
Duration | Price |
Free trial | NA |
Monthly | $12.95/month |
6-month | $59.95 or $9.99/month |
Annual | $99.95 or $8.32/month (the company is offering 3 months free with an annual plan, so technically, it is $ 6.66/month |
Note: Please be advised that the 6-month and annual rates above are only applicable if you pay in advance.
ExpressVPN vs. competitors
Let’s see how ExpressVPN is holding up against some of its top competitors.
ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN
Here is ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN
If you want the best VPN service, you must know your options. Express and Nord, both two are the best VPNs on the market, but they aren’t identical. There are quite a few differences between them—some significant differences that could impact your experience with either one.
They offer similar features, like accessing Netflix and other streaming services. But ExpressVPN has a slightly better download speed, making it a little better for downloading files or downloading large updates. But you’re unlikely to notice much difference when browsing the web or watching videos online.
ExpressVPN has better connection speeds than NordVPN. While it may not seem like much of a difference, when you’re trying to stream video or download large files, it can be frustrating if your connection isn’t fast enough and you start getting buffering every few seconds.
ExpressVPN also has more features than NordVPN. For example, with ExpressVPN, you can choose which server you connect to first before connecting to another one—so if one server is slow or down, it won’t ruin your entire session. You also get a kill switch in ExpressVPN that will automatically stop your internet connection if something goes wrong with the VPN so that no one can snoop on your web traffic while the problem is being fixed. In addition, ExpressVPN lets you choose which country’s version of Netflix or BBC iPlayer you want to watch (for example, if there’s only an American version available).
ExpressVPN vs. Surfshark
Here is ExpressVPN vs. Surfshark
While both offer excellent features for all users, some key differences make ExpressVPN a little better.
The first thing that sets ExpressVPN apart is its unlocking ability of geo-restricted contents like Hulu and Netflix. This is a huge advantage because it means that you can access your favorite shows no matter where in the world you are.
Surfshark, on the other hand, has slightly slower speeds when compared to ExpressVPN. If you want to play games online or stream videos directly, Surfshark may not be right for you.
ExpressVPN has more servers, which can be good if you want to connect to the fastest server possible. Surfshark has fewer servers than ExpressVPN, but they’re still pretty good in number—and they have servers in every continent except Antarctica (sorry, penguins!).
One more thing, ExpressVPN is consistently ranked as one of the fastest VPNs in the world by third parties like TorrentFreak and PCMag. And while we’re not sure how much it matters to you, ExpressVPN also has a knack for being able to keep up with your torrenting habits—which is pretty important when you’re trying to download Game of Thrones episodes before they air on TV!
To sum it up: If you want a VPN that has fast speeds, strong encryption and a big server network go with ExpressVPN!
FAQs
How do I contact ExpressVPN tech support?
You can contact ExpressVPN tech support by live chat, email, or phone. Live chat is available 24/7, and you can connect with an agent within seconds.
Email support is available from Monday-Friday between 9 AM and 5 PM PT.
Phone support is available Monday-Friday between 9 AM and 5 PM PT.
How fast is ExpressVPN’s upload speed?
The upload speed is pretty good if you’re using a VPN. The average upload speed on ExpressVPN is around 50 Mbps, which is about as fast as most people need for uploading files and sending emails.
You can also expect speeds as high as 70 Mbps during non-peak usage hours.
What is the ExpressVPN downloading speed?
The average download speed for ExpressVPN users is around 20 Mbps. However, there are a some other things that can affect your download speed, and these include:
- The distance between you and the server you are connected to
- The location of other users accessing content at the same time as you
- The bandwidth and processing power of your computer’s CPU
How good is ExpressVPN’s browser extension?
ExpressVPN’s browser extension is excellent. It’s easy to use and powerful, allowing you to set it up in just a few minutes.
The extension makes it easy to get connected wherever you are, as well as protects your privacy and security while you’re browsing. You can easily switch between locations at the click of a button—no longer waiting for buffering or slow speeds when trying to stream content!
ExpressVPN extensions are compatible with the following browsers: Chrome, Firefox, Safari (Mac), Edge (Windows 10), Opera, and Yandex (Android).
Does it work on Android and iPhone?
Yes. It works on iPhone and Android, as well as Mac, Linux and Windows. You can find them on the Google Play Store and App Store by searching for “ExpressVPN.”
Can ExpressVPN keep you safe while torrenting?
Yes, ExpressVPN fully supports torrenting and P2P file sharing. It consistently scores near the top of TorrentFreak’s VPN rankings for its high speeds, reliable connections, and ability to unblock websites and services like Netflix.
This VPN also allows you to download torrents directly through their apps, as well as monitor your bandwidth usage while connected to a VPN. Plus, all of their servers are optimized for P2P file sharing—and they’re located worldwide where P2P downloading is legal.
Can I get ExpressVPN for free?
We all know that there are no free trials with VPNs. ExpressVPN is no exception to this rule.
If you’re interested in trying out ExpressVPN, you can sign up for their service and pay for the first month of service upfront. After that, you’ll be charged monthly unless you cancel your subscription.
ExpressVPN does offer a thirty-day money-back guarantee, but it’s not a trial period—it’s just a way for them to charge your credit card for the first month of service. If you don’t like the service or decide it isn’t right for you after the first month, they will refund your payment minus any usage charges accrued during that period.
Is ExpressVPN legal?
The answer is: It depends on what you’re doing. If your online activities are illegal, then yes, using ExpressVPN might be illegal too. But if what you’re doing is legal, then we think you’ve got nothing to worry about!
To further elaborate, of course, yes, it is legal—but that doesn’t mean that you are free to do whatever you want with your VPN. Laws regarding VPNs vary from country to country, and it’s up to you to know the laws in your area. This can be tricky because laws can change without notice, meaning that even if something is legal when you first start using ExpressVPN, it may not be as soon as tomorrow!
Final Words
In conclusion, I highly recommend Express VPN for anyone looking for a fast, easy-to-use VPN for their home or small business. The installation process is straightforward, simple and quick. The app itself is intuitive and convenient. The support staff is friendly, helpful and knowledgeable and—their knowledge base on their website makes it easy to find answers to common questions.
The price point is comparable to other high-quality VPNs, though ExpressVPN offers a much better value with more servers than most competitors at no additional cost.
If you’re looking for an easy way to protect your privacy while surfing the web, ExpressVPN is worth checking out!