ExpressVPN Review: Premium Performance or Overpriced Hype?

ExpressVPN has long been considered the “Rolls Royce” of VPN services - premium performance at a premium price. But in 2025, with competitors like NordVPN and Surfshark closing the gap while charging less, does ExpressVPN still justify its higher cost?

We used ExpressVPN daily for three months across multiple devices, testing everything from streaming access to real-world speed performance. Here’s our complete, honest assessment.

Quick Verdict

ExpressVPN delivers outstanding performance and has the most audited security infrastructure in the industry. The Lightway protocol provides genuinely impressive speeds that hold up even on distant servers. Streaming access is virtually flawless.

However, the premium price is harder to justify in 2025. NordVPN offers similar performance with more features at a lower cost. Surfshark provides unlimited device connections for half the price. ExpressVPN is excellent - but “excellent” is now the baseline for top VPNs, not a differentiator.

Bottom line: If money is no object and you want the most consistently fast VPN with rock-solid security credentials, ExpressVPN delivers. If you’re budget-conscious, you can get 90% of the experience elsewhere for less.

Speed Test Results

We tested ExpressVPN on a 1 Gbps fiber connection across servers in 12 countries over 90 days. ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol delivered remarkably consistent results.

Server Location	Speed Reduction	Average Mbps	Ping
United States (New York)	1%	890 Mbps	12ms
United States (Seattle)	7%	718 Mbps	45ms
United Kingdom	7%	721 Mbps	89ms
Germany	9%	728 Mbps	95ms
Australia	10%	720 Mbps	168ms
Japan	15%	680 Mbps	145ms
Singapore	18%	656 Mbps	190ms

The standout finding: ExpressVPN loses remarkably little speed, even on long-distance connections. Our average speed retention was 93% on nearby servers and 82% on distant ones - among the best we’ve tested.

ExpressVPN runs a 10Gbps server network (with many upgraded to 40Gbps), which explains the consistent performance even during peak hours.

Lightway Protocol: The Secret Sauce

Unlike competitors who adopted WireGuard, ExpressVPN developed their proprietary Lightway protocol from scratch. In 2025, they rewrote it entirely in Rust (a memory-safe language) and added ML-KEM for post-quantum cryptography.

The result? Lightway matches WireGuard speeds in most tests while offering some unique advantages:

• Faster connections: Lightway establishes connections in under 1 second
• Better battery life: Optimized for mobile devices
• Seamless switching: Maintains connection when changing networks
• Open source: Code is publicly available on GitHub
• Independently audited: Cure53 and Praetorian audited the Rust rewrite in late 2024

Streaming Performance

This is where ExpressVPN truly earns its premium reputation. We tested streaming access weekly throughout our review period, and ExpressVPN was nearly flawless.

Streaming Compatibility

Platform	US Library	UK Library	Other Regions	Notes
Netflix	Yes	Yes	30+ countries	Rarely blocked
Disney+	Yes	Yes	Yes	Consistent access
HBO Max / Max	Yes	N/A	N/A	Works reliably
Amazon Prime Video	Yes	Yes	Yes	No issues
BBC iPlayer	N/A	Yes	N/A	Always worked
Hulu	Yes	N/A	N/A	US servers only
Peacock	Yes	N/A	N/A	Consistent
Paramount+	Yes	Yes	Yes	No problems

ExpressVPN now supports nearly 100 streaming services as of Spring 2025. We encountered proxy errors on exactly three occasions over 90 days - each time, switching to another server in the same country resolved the issue within seconds.

4K Streaming Quality

With speeds consistently above 650 Mbps even on distant servers, 4K streaming was smooth with zero buffering. ExpressVPN is overkill for streaming - you only need about 25 Mbps for 4K, and ExpressVPN delivers 25-35x that.

Security and Privacy

ExpressVPN has the most extensively audited security infrastructure in the VPN industry. As of September 2025, they’ve completed 23 independent security audits - more than any competitor.

TrustedServer Technology

All ExpressVPN servers are RAM-only, meaning:

• No hard drives: Data cannot persist after reboot
• Consistent software: Every server runs the same verified code
• Automatic wiping: Any potential breach is cleared on reboot

KPMG audited TrustedServer in February 2025 and confirmed: “Controls provide reasonable assurance that the ExpressVPN TrustedServer does not collect logs of users’ activity.” This includes no logging of browsing history, traffic destination, data content, DNS queries, or specific connection logs.

Audit History

Auditor	Year	Focus Area
KPMG	2025	TrustedServer & no-logs policy
KPMG	2024	No-logs policy
Cure53	2024	Lightway Rust rewrite
Praetorian	2024	Lightway security assessment
KPMG	2023	Privacy policy
Cure53	2022	Browser extensions
F-Secure	2022	Windows app
PwC	2019-2021	Server infrastructure

Security Features

• Kill Switch: Blocks all internet traffic if VPN drops (Network Lock)
• DNS Leak Protection: Built-in, always enabled
• Split Tunneling: Choose which apps use VPN
• AES-256 Encryption: Military-grade encryption standard
• Perfect Forward Secrecy: New encryption key for each session
• Post-Quantum Cryptography: ML-KEM protection against future quantum attacks

The Kape Technologies Question

We need to address the elephant in the room: ExpressVPN was acquired by Kape Technologies in 2021 for $936 million.

Kape Technologies (formerly Crossrider) has a controversial history. The company previously created browser extensions that were classified as adware. While Kape has since pivoted entirely to privacy and security tools, this history understandably concerns some users.

What we know:

• ExpressVPN claims to operate independently from Kape
• No evidence of any privacy violations since the acquisition
• Security audits have continued (and increased) post-acquisition
• The same no-logs policy remains in place and has been verified
• Some key executives have left following Kape taking the company private

Our take: The audits provide objective verification that ExpressVPN isn’t logging data. However, if corporate ownership concerns you, ProtonVPN (Swiss-based, open-source) may be a better philosophical fit.

The Interface and Apps

ExpressVPN prioritizes simplicity over feature depth. The apps are clean, intuitive, and nearly identical across platforms.

Desktop Apps (Windows, Mac, Linux)

The desktop interface is straightforward: a big connect button, a location selector, and settings. There’s no world map or server load indicators - just a simple list organized by location.

This minimalism is a double-edged sword:

• Pros: Anyone can use it immediately, no learning curve
• Cons: Power users may find it limiting

The October 2025 iPad app update brought improved layout and navigation, and these improvements are gradually rolling out to other platforms.

Mobile Apps (iOS, Android)

Mobile apps are nearly identical to desktop versions. They support Lightway protocol and include the same kill switch protection. Battery optimization is excellent - Lightway was designed specifically for mobile efficiency.

Browser Extensions

Extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge control the desktop app remotely and add HTTPS Everywhere functionality. Cure53 audited these extensions in 2022.

Pricing and Plans

ExpressVPN restructured pricing in September 2025, introducing three tiers. This is more complex than competitors but allows entry at a lower price point.

Basic Plan (VPN Only)

Duration	Monthly Cost	Total Cost	Devices
1 Month	$12.95	$12.95	8
1 Year	$4.99/mo	$59.88	8
2 Years	$3.49/mo	$83.76	10

Advanced Plan (VPN + Keys Password Manager + Identity Monitoring)

Duration	Monthly Cost	Total Cost	Devices
1 Month	$15.95	$15.95	12
1 Year	$5.99/mo	$71.88	12
2 Years	$4.49/mo	$107.76	12

Pro Plan (Everything + Dedicated IP + Data Removal)

Duration	Monthly Cost	Total Cost	Devices
1 Month	$19.95	$19.95	14
1 Year	$8.32/mo	$99.84	14
2 Years	$7.49/mo	$179.76	14

Price Comparison with Competitors

VPN	2-Year Price	Devices	Notable Features
ExpressVPN Basic	$3.49/mo	10	Lightway protocol, TrustedServer
NordVPN	$2.99/mo	10	NordLynx, Threat Protection, Meshnet
Surfshark	$1.99/mo	Unlimited	CleanWeb, GPS spoofing

ExpressVPN’s Basic plan is now competitive with NordVPN, but still costs 75% more than Surfshark.

Who Should Use ExpressVPN?

ExpressVPN is ideal if you:

• Prioritize speed consistency above all else
• Stream content from multiple countries and want near-perfect reliability
• Value extensively audited security (23 independent audits)
• Want the simplest possible VPN interface
• Need servers in all 50 US states (useful for accessing local content)
• Don’t mind paying premium prices for premium performance

Who Should Consider Alternatives?

Look elsewhere if you:

• Want the best value (consider Surfshark at $1.99/month)
• Need unlimited device connections (Surfshark offers this)
• Want advanced features like multi-hop, Tor-over-VPN, or built-in ad blocking (NordVPN includes these)
• Have concerns about Kape Technologies ownership (consider ProtonVPN)
• Prefer open-source apps (ProtonVPN is fully open-source)
• Want a free tier to test first (ProtonVPN has a generous free plan)

ExpressVPN vs. The Competition

ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN

NordVPN is ExpressVPN’s closest competitor. Both offer premium performance, but:

• Price: NordVPN is $0.50/month cheaper on 2-year plans
• Features: NordVPN includes Threat Protection, Meshnet, and Dark Web Monitor in standard plans
• Speed: Nearly identical - both lose ~10% on nearby servers
• Streaming: Both work excellently
• Audits: ExpressVPN has more (23 vs. ~10)
• Devices: Same (10 on 2-year plans)

Winner: NordVPN for most users (better features for less money). ExpressVPN if you want maximum audit transparency.

ExpressVPN vs. Surfshark

Surfshark is the budget alternative:

• Price: Surfshark is 43% cheaper ($1.99 vs $3.49)
• Devices: Surfshark offers unlimited connections
• Speed: ExpressVPN is slightly faster and more consistent
• Features: Comparable core features
• Jurisdiction: Surfshark is in the Netherlands (Nine Eyes country)

Winner: Surfshark for families and budget users. ExpressVPN for speed-critical use cases.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ExpressVPN safe to use?

Yes. ExpressVPN has undergone 23 independent security audits - more than any other VPN provider. KPMG verified their no-logs policy in February 2025, and Cure53/Praetorian audited the Lightway protocol in late 2024. The British Virgin Islands jurisdiction has no data retention laws.

Does ExpressVPN work with Netflix?

Yes, ExpressVPN works reliably with Netflix in 30+ countries. We encountered proxy errors only three times in 90 days of testing, and switching servers resolved the issue within seconds each time.

How many devices can I use with ExpressVPN?

The Basic plan allows 8-10 devices depending on subscription length (10 on 2-year plans). Advanced allows 12, and Pro allows 14. If you need more, consider Surfshark’s unlimited connections or use ExpressVPN’s router app to cover all home devices.

Is ExpressVPN faster than NordVPN?

They’re extremely close. In our testing, ExpressVPN averaged 93% speed retention versus NordVPN’s 88%. The practical difference is negligible for most use cases - both are fast enough for 4K streaming on any server.

Why is ExpressVPN so expensive?

ExpressVPN positions itself as a premium product with premium infrastructure. They run high-capacity servers (10-40Gbps), maintain extensive audit programs, and develop proprietary technology like Lightway. The September 2025 pricing restructure made the Basic plan more competitive, but it’s still pricier than budget options.

Should I worry about Kape Technologies owning ExpressVPN?

This is a personal judgment. Kape’s former adware business (as Crossrider) is concerning, but there’s no evidence of privacy violations since the 2021 acquisition. Independent audits continue to verify the no-logs policy. If this concerns you, ProtonVPN is a Swiss alternative with no corporate controversy.

Does ExpressVPN have a free trial?

No free trial, but all plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee with no restrictions. You can use the full service and get a complete refund within 30 days.

Is ExpressVPN good for torrenting?

Yes. All ExpressVPN servers support P2P traffic, and the kill switch prevents IP leaks if the connection drops. The high speeds make large downloads practical, and the no-logs policy has been independently verified.

Final Verdict

ExpressVPN remains an excellent VPN - fast, secure, and reliable. The 23 independent audits provide unmatched transparency, Lightway delivers genuinely impressive speeds, and streaming access is among the best in the industry.

But “excellent” is now the standard for top-tier VPNs. NordVPN matches ExpressVPN’s performance while offering more features at a lower price. Surfshark provides 90% of the experience for half the cost.

ExpressVPN earns its premium positioning through consistency and auditability rather than feature innovation. If those qualities matter most to you, it’s worth the investment. For everyone else, the value proposition is harder to justify in 2025.

Our Rating: 4.5/5

Outstanding performance and security credentials, but the premium price is increasingly difficult to justify against feature-rich competitors.

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Last updated: December 2025. We re-test all VPN recommendations quarterly. Pricing and features may change - visit ExpressVPN’s website for current offers.