ExpressVPN Review
A stable, versatile and feature-packed VPN
Verdict
ExpressVPN performs well and has handy features such as RAM-disk servers, but it costs a lot compared to the competition.
Pros
- Fast HTTPS transfer speeds
- Wide range of endpoint countries
- No price increase on renewal
Cons
- Significantly more expensive than many rivals
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Key Features
- Endpoints for 94 countries:Express VPN has endpoints in 94 different countries, so you’ll have a lot of choice beyond the conventional.
- Supports a wide range of platforms and operating systems:Clients for Windows, macOS, Linux (command line), Android, iOS, Chrome, Kindle Fire and FireTV.
Introduction
ExpressVPN has always traded on its strong reputation for privacy and security. Since 2019, all ExpressVPN servers have used RAM disks that are automatically wiped on reboot, rather than hard disks from which data could be more easily retrieved in case of server seizures.
The company was bought in 2021 by Kape Technologies, which has also acquired a number of other VPN firms, including CyberGhost and Private Internet Access, and review sites such as vpnMentor.
I’m pleased to see that, under new ownership, ExpressVPN has continued with privacy-friendly practices, such as independent security audits from Cure53 and F-Secure.
ExpressVPN’s strong performance and established infrastructure mean that it remains one of the best VPN services you’re likely to see. It’s stable, versatile and feature-packed, with clients and documentation for a wide range of devices and operating systems.
Pricing and subscriptions
The price of an ExpressVPN subscription – which has never been cheap – has gone up in recent months. You’ll pay £10.89/$12.95 per month, £50.42/$59.95 for six months, or £84.06/$99.99 per year. If you’re after anonymous payment options, you can buy your subscription with Bitcoin.
However, unlike some VPN services, there are no hidden costs here. While many of ExpressVPN’s rivals provide a discounted subscription for first-time users that later increases in price, ExpressVPN’s rates are the same for all users, with no dramatic increase upon renewal, making this a good choice for long-term users.
Features and Usability
- Unproven no-logging policy with new ownership
- Features an internet kill switch
- Simple interface
Although its parent company Kape Technologies is based in the UK, ExpressVPN is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, which doesn’t share the UK’s strict data retention laws.
Under Kape’s ownership, ExpressVPN continues to have a clearly stated no-logging policy. The policy was proven in 2017, when ExpressVPN’s Turkish endpoint servers were seized and no logs were found on the systems.
However, until a seizure or a court order re-proves the point under new ownership, I’ll regard the current incarnation of ExpressVPN as having an unproven no-logging policy despite Kape’s stated hands-off management style.
The Windows version of ExpressVPN has a pleasingly simple interface, with a cheery-looking button that you can click to automatically connect to either an optimised endpoint or the last one you selected.
An options menu allows you to configure ExpressVPN to start and connect on Windows start-up, enable a VPN kill switch that stops all internet traffic if you lose your VPN connection, use split tunnelling and switch from automatic protocol selection to your choice of OpenVPN, ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol or IPsec. ExpressVPN doesn’t currently support the WireGuard protocol.
Extensions for Chrome, Firefox and Safari allow you to start the VPN directly from your browser, block potential data leaks from the WebRTC protocol and automatically connect to the last-used location when you open your browser.
Clients are also available for macOS, Linux and the usual mobile platforms, plus Amazon’s Kindle Fire and FireTV, with convenient instructions on using ExpressVPN with routers and other appliances.
Performance
- Fast speeds with UK and US endpoints
- Isn’t as good as it used to be for streaming TV
| VPN Provider | UK | Netherlands | United States | Average |
| ExpressVPN | 279.20Mbps | 316Mbps | 192Mbps | 262.40Mbps |
| Reference Group Average HTTPS | 191.20Mbps | 166.11Mbps | 110.35Mbps | 155.88Mbps |
In keeping with its performance in my previous tests of 2022’s best VPN services, ExpressVPN has again delivered extremely fast HTTPS throughput speeds, this time exceeding the group average for all endpoint locations.
It’s not quite as reliable as it used to be when it comes to supporting streaming TV, but it does enable split tunnelling, so that you can exclude the browser or client you use for streaming from the VPN, sending traffic to and from that app via your internet service provider as usual.
Latest deals
Buy ExpressVPN from £6.67 per month
Should you buy it?
You want a reliable and speedy connection:
ExpressVPN achieved above-average speeds in our performance tests, while also supporting a wide range of devices.
You want a cheap VPN:
ExpressVPN is a long way from being the cheapest VPN currently available, with almost every service except niche specialist Perfect Privacy costing significantly less.
Final Thoughts
ExpressVPN is far from being a budget choice, but this VPN service’s fast speed-test results and features such as RAM-disk servers remain solid credentials.
ProtonVPN – which is more costly at its standard price – outperformed it in some categories. While if security is more important for you than speed, check out Perfect Privacy instead.
If you’re on a budget, Surfshark costs less than ExpressVPN, even after its new-user discount no longer applies, and performs comparably. ExpressVPN’s stablemate, Private Internet Access, isn’t as fast, but it’s even cheaper.
How we test
All speed tests are run across a fibre connection with a maximum tested connection speed of 980Mbps, which means that we’re able to get a good idea of the upper threshold of each VPN service’s speed at the time of testing.
We test multiple endpoints from each provider in three locations: the UK, the Netherlands and the US.
We research security and no-logging claims.
We inventory and test client features on Windows and Linux.
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FAQs
No, you need to pay a subscription fee in order to use ExpressVPN, although you can make use of a free trial with select mobile devices.
ExpressVPN costs £10.24/$12.95 a month, £50.42/$59.95 for six months, and £84.06/$99.99 per year.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
