ExpressVPN Review 2026: Premium VPN Worth the Price?
ExpressVPN is consistently rated among the top VPNs, but it’s also one of the most expensive. At $6.67/month on the best plan, it costs 2-3x more than competitors like Surfshark ($1.99/mo) and NordVPN ($2.99/mo). Is it worth the premium? We tested everything to find out.
ExpressVPN at a Glance
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Servers | 3,000+ in 105 countries |
| Simultaneous Connections | 8 devices |
| Protocol | Lightway (proprietary), OpenVPN |
| No-Logs Policy | Yes (audited by PwC & KPMG) |
| Kill Switch | Yes (Network Lock) |
| Headquarters | British Virgin Islands |
| Price | From $6.67/month (1-year plan) |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days |
Speed Performance
ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol delivers competitive speeds:
| Server | Download | Upload | Ping |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local | 875 Mbps | 820 Mbps | 5 ms |
| US → UK | 750 Mbps | 690 Mbps | 75 ms |
| US → Japan | 520 Mbps | 450 Mbps | 155 ms |
| US → Australia | 460 Mbps | 400 Mbps | 190 ms |
Speeds are excellent but slightly behind NordVPN’s NordLynx, which consistently hits 900+ Mbps locally.
Streaming — Where ExpressVPN Shines
ExpressVPN is arguably the best streaming VPN available:
- ✅ Netflix (US, UK, Japan, Germany, Australia + 15 more)
- ✅ Disney+ (all regions)
- ✅ Amazon Prime Video
- ✅ BBC iPlayer
- ✅ Hulu
- ✅ HBO Max
- ✅ DAZN
- ✅ Peacock
- ✅ Paramount+
- ✅ Sky Go
The MediaStreamer feature also works on devices without VPN support (smart TVs, Apple TV, gaming consoles).
Security & Privacy
ExpressVPN’s security infrastructure is enterprise-grade:
- Lightway Protocol: Open-source, fast, audited
- TrustedServer: RAM-only servers (data wiped on every reboot)
- AES-256 Encryption: Military-grade
- Network Lock: Kill switch active by default
- Private DNS: On every server
- No-Logs Audits: PwC and KPMG verified
- BVI Jurisdiction: No data retention laws
- Bug Bounty Program: Up to $100,000 rewards
Controversy: Kape Technologies Acquisition
ExpressVPN was acquired by Kape Technologies in 2021. While this raised concerns, ExpressVPN continues to operate independently with its BVI jurisdiction and regular audits.
Apps & User Experience
ExpressVPN’s greatest strength is simplicity:
- One big connect button — can’t get simpler
- Smart Location auto-selects fastest server
- Clean, uncluttered interface on all platforms
- Available on Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, routers
- Browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge
- Aircove router with built-in ExpressVPN
Pricing — The Elephant in the Room
| Plan | Monthly Cost | Total |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Month | $12.95/mo | $12.95 |
| 6 Months | $9.99/mo | $59.94 |
| 1 Year | $6.67/mo | $99.84 |
ExpressVPN is 2-3x more expensive than alternatives:
Pros and Cons
✅ Pros
- Best-in-class streaming unblocking
- Extremely easy to use
- TrustedServer (RAM-only) technology
- Works reliably in China and restrictive countries
- Lightway protocol is fast and audited
- Excellent 24/7 customer support
- Aircove router option
❌ Cons
- Most expensive mainstream VPN
- Only 8 simultaneous connections
- Smaller server network than NordVPN/CyberGhost
- Owned by Kape Technologies
- No ad blocker built in
- No multi-hop/double VPN
Who Should Use ExpressVPN?
ExpressVPN is worth the premium if you:
- Need the most reliable streaming across all platforms
- Travel to China or other censored countries frequently
- Value simplicity over advanced features
- Want router-level VPN with Aircove
- Don’t mind paying more for polish and reliability
For everyone else, NordVPN offers 90% of the experience at half the price.
FAQ
Is ExpressVPN the fastest VPN?
It’s very fast, but NordVPN with NordLynx is slightly faster in our tests. ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol is competitive at 875 Mbps locally.
Does ExpressVPN work in China?
Yes. ExpressVPN is one of the most reliable VPNs in China, thanks to its obfuscation technology. Download and configure it before arriving.
Is ExpressVPN worth the price?
For streaming and ease of use, it’s excellent. But NordVPN at $2.99/month offers very similar features at a much lower price. ExpressVPN is only worth it if you specifically need its streaming reliability or China performance.
Final Verdict: 8.5/10
ExpressVPN is a premium product that delivers premium results — especially for streaming and use in restrictive countries. However, the steep price is hard to justify when NordVPN offers comparable performance at half the cost. Our recommendation: try ExpressVPN with the 30-day money-back guarantee, but don’t overlook the more affordable alternatives.
Best for: Streaming power users, travelers to China, simplicity seekers