ExpressVPN Review: Still Hard to Beat on Security and Streaming – Business Insider

When you buy through our links, Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more.

ExpressVPN is one of the biggest, most well-known, and popular VPN options out there right now. And there are plenty to pick from. That wasn’t always the case. In fact, ExpressVPN was one of the pioneers that first set out to provide tunnel-based security to homes and beyond. For that reason, it is still one of the offerings with the most experience, and that can mean a lot in this world. So much so, you’ll find it sitting atop plenty of best VPN guides around the world.

Sure, sitting as the leader can slow down progress, but in the VPN world, where changes are always happening, it has had to keep growing and progressing. As such, this is still one of the best VPN options out there right now in terms of speed, security, and features. But with some very strong competition, now backed in many cases by big-name software security firms, can ExpressVPN still command the higher-than-most price it asks?

While ExpressVPN offers a very specific solution to a certain security problem – remaining anonymous online or appearing to be online somewhere you aren’t – it doesn’t provide much more for the price. That said, you do get Keys, its secure password manager service, as part of the deal. However, some of the competition will throw in their VPN as part of a software security package with many other protection layers.

Auditing is a crucial area to talk about, and we’ll look at it more below. This is when third-party companies test out just how effective a VPN is. While many VPN services do now get audits to prove they can back up what they say they offer, few do it as often as ExpressVPN – which had a massive 11 audits in 2022 alone.

This ExpressVPN review aims to test the VPN service in every detail so you can determine if this is the best VPN for your needs.

Installation and Setup

Regarding setup, ExpressVPN is one of the most straightforward VPN options out there. Keep in mind these programs require deep levels of integration with your device to keep it secure, so the fact that it can now be installed like any other app is impressive in itself.

This installer package can be downloaded from the company’s website or via the app store that applies to your device. And the coverage across a wide range of devices is something to shout about as this covers – deep breath – Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, Vivaldi, Smart TVs, and directly on to many routers. That should mean this can have you protected natively on all your devices in your home.

ExpressVPN limits the number of devices you can connect at once to eight – for the six or 12-month plans. For monthly plans, that number drops to five devices. That said, if you set up a router with the service, any device using that WiFi will be protected by ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN now also offers its own hardware in the form of the Aircover router, a WiFi6 device that means the VPN service is built-in, so the setup of all your home devices at once is an even more straightforward process.

Back to the app installation process. Once the app is installed on whichever device you pick, you simply need to sign in, select a subscription option, enter your activation key, and you’re ready to go. You can then choose a server to connect to or let the smart connection wizard find the fastest one near you with a single icon tap.

Features

When it comes to features, you might be forgiven for thinking ExpressVPN is basic. That’s because the front end is just that, to offer a simplicity that works without overcomplicating things. But when you look at what is going on being that minimalist front-end, you realize this is a very powerful setup.

Security protocols, for example, are cutting-edge, with its own Lightway offering leading the charge. This essentially means you’re going to get the fastest speeds with the highest security. More on that in the security and privacy section below.

When it comes to encryption – the coding of data before it is sent out and decoding when received – this uses a 256-bit encrypted DNS on all of its servers. That should mean that even if your data were somehow to be compromised, it would be so heavily encrypted that even a powerful supercomputer would take lifetimes to get to it.

You also have a kill switch here which means, should your VPN drop, your internet connection will automatically be blocked to ensure you’re kept private and secure. And while online, there is a secure DNS setup which means that even your own internet service provider will be unable to see your traffic – keeping you totally anonymous. Plus, the DNS leak protection means that when your data is in the tunnel between you and a server, it is kept super secure so that nobody can access it in transit.

On the matter of tunnels, this does offer split tunneling – allowing you to define which apps use which connection. That could mean you appear in the US while watching Netflix but still appear in the UK when doing your banking, for example. It’s worth noting, though, that this is only supported on the Windows and Android apps and not on the Mac or iOS versions, unfortunately.

ExpressVPN also offers a MediaStreamer smart DNS system which means you should be able to access streaming video players from various locations without being blocked. This even lets you unblock certain websites where the app might not be able to run locally.

Server Locations 

ExpressVPN has grown for years, meaning it now commands 3,000 servers spread across 160 cities and 94 countries. All that should mean you can rely on a consistent level of performance and security, no matter where you go or what you need access to. The US and Europe have the best coverage, but Asia is also well covered, with 26 countries in the Asia Pacific alone.

Since these servers are all owned by ExpressVPN and are subject to those audits mentioned before, you can rely on them being super secure. It also allows for the fastest speeds and the adaptation of that Lightway protocol with the hardware the company chooses to use. Plus, its servers run on RAM rather than hard drives, so all the data is only temporary and never truly stored at any point. All that means maximum security and speed – a combination that can be tough to get just right.

Since servers are worldwide, this can mean access to everything you need, even when in countries where VPN services are blocked. So in China or Iran, for example, you’ll still be able to get online and remain anonymous and undetected. Several services offer this, but not all can claim to be as quick as ExpressVPN in more remote or difficult locations.

Performance and Speed 

Speed is a significant factor when you pick a VPN, as you likely don’t want to sacrifice that in favor of security, where possible. Thanks to the options of the Lightway protocol, IKEv2, and OpenVPN, you can vary the security and speeds as needed. However, you can expect consistency when it comes to speed.

Tested in the UK using Lightway on a 362Mb line, it was possible to get speeds of 250Mbps for downloads and 21Mbps for uploads. Considering that without the VPN, active speeds were hitting 266Mbps for downloads and 15Mbps for uploads, that’s a very impressive rate to achieve.

When it comes to DNS leaks, when run through a thorough barrage of tests, there were no leaks found. This is likely thanks to the hardware and software setup and those regular audits that help ExpressVPN keep on top of remaining as secure as possible while still staying fast.

After running a Cloudflare speed test, in-depth, it revealed that latency is also not an issue with the Lightway protocol on ExpressVPN. Overall latency was 18.9ms, while jitter was just 3.27ms. This means the system is classed as “good” for video streaming, video chat, and online gaming. To compare, when the same test was carried out without the VPN running, a latency score of 14.7ms with a jitter of 1.54ms was achieved.

In terms of reliability, all of these come with stability. Connections are near instant when you hit the connect icon, and in years of using this VPN personally, among others, I have only experienced a drop of the VPN once – where the kill switch then did its job.

On streaming, the website of ExpressVPN is very clear, unlike many other providers. It can work on Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Google, Wikipedia, YouTube, and more. In testing, this works well across lots of different locations internationally.

Pricing and Plans

ExpressVPN is one of the more expensive options out there right now, but you certainly do get what you pay for. There are three pricing plans, starting at $12.95 for the month-to-month option. Go to the next tier with more commitment, and it’s $9.99 per month for the six-month option. Or go for the full year, and it works out at $8.37 per month. However, we have a special discount for our readers on the 12-month plan at effectively $6.67 per month and with an extra three months free, representing a massive 49% discount via our own links.

There is a seven-day free trial on the Android and iOS versions, allowing you to try before you buy. And should you pay, then decide it’s not for you, there is a 30-day no-questions-asked money-back guarantee in place too.

Privacy and Security 

As mentioned, ExpressVPN servers run on RAM, so your data is never really stored – plus, data travels in that 256-bit encryption keeping it secure anyway. But it’s also worth knowing that there is a strict no-logging policy which means that your IP address, time of login, VPN IP addresses accessed, website data, or any traffic data is not stored. In fact, the company outlines all this in detail on its clear policy towards logs section of the website, where it calls its policy a “zero logs” one.

All that said, if you dig in, you’ll find that the dates you connect, your server choice, and the total data amount used are logged. But since they’re stand-alone, they can’t be used to link any internet action back to any specific account.

The company itself is based in the British Virgin Islands, meaning that country’s laws regulate everything – so the US and UK don’t have jurisdiction to compel ExpressVPN to release any data at all. So even if the minimal records of ExpressVPN could be of any use – which it’s tough to see – there would be a long high court process involving serious criminal actions to even get started on accessing that.

The company says all this clearly and backs it up with independent audits covering its Lightway protocol, TrustedServer tech, apps, backend systems, and more, all to show it is living up to what the company promises.

Customer Support

ExpressVPN offers some fantastic customer support. That means that even if you want to ask which is the fastest server near you or want advice on the best option for torrenting, there is help. Crucially you can use a 24/7 online live chat to get quick support. This service was excellent in testing, and the level of care, knowledge, and professionalism was clear even across the live chat. That said, you may find an initial wait of up to 25 minutes to get chatting.

You can also fix most issues yourself, thanks to the wealth of guidance on the company’s website. This includes setup articles for apps, smart TVs, and routers that guide you clearly through the process, even if you’re a beginner.

Often you will find the troubleshooting support site is as far as you have to go – from password changes and error messages to slow speeds or dropped connections, most of it can be fixed with these guides.