ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (2024)

Table of Contents

Highly recommended

ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (1)

ExpressVPN

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ExpressVPN Review – Quick Summary Quick Summary

ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (2)

Out of all the VPNs I've tested, ExpressVPN is currently my favorite VPN service on the market.I’ve been using it daily for security, streaming, and torrenting while traveling for 10+ years, and have always had an excellent experience. This ExpressVPN review is based on that experience, but also on additional tests I ran for streaming, gaming, ease of use, speeds, and more.

I'm 100% confident to say that ExpressVPN is a great pick for everyone. It’s excellent for streaming since it works with 100+ streaming platforms (including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+), it’s perfect for gaming since it has a router app and cloud gaming support, and it has the fastest speeds on the market, thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol.

In addition, ExpressVPN also provides other awesome perks it has excellent P2P support since it allows torrenting on all servers, it has super intuitive apps for all major platforms, it works in restrictive countries like China without any issues, and it comes with tons of extras, including obfuscation, split-tunneling, and an ad and malicious site blocker.

The only thing I can complain about is the price. As of June 2024, it's still one of the more expensive VPNs on the market. That said, considering it offers such excellent value, it’s definitely worth it.

But, overall, ExpressVPN is the best VPN service for any kind of online activity. I've consistently ranked it as #1 on my best VPNs list for years. Plus, it backs all purchases with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee, and its longest plan usually includes extra months of service for free.

Quick ExpressVPN Review
ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (3) Rating

4.9

ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (4) Overall rank1 out of #19
ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (5) Streaming servicesNetflix, Hulu, Apple TV+, ESPN, HBO, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and many more
ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (6) Server NetworkUnknown number of servers in 100+ countries
ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (7) Number of Devices8
ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (8) Starting Price$6.67/month
ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (9) Money-Back Guarantee30 days
ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (10) CouponsExpressVPN Coupon 49% OFF

ExpressVPN Security Features Security Features

ExpressVPN comes with the following rock solid security features:

  • 256-bit AES encryption — Makes all of your internet traffic 100% unreadable. This is also the same level of encryption that banks and the military use.
  • Kill switch — This security tool shuts down all internet access if it detects that your connection drops. This way, it protects you from accidental traffic leaks. ExpressVPN’s kill switch is available on all of its apps, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
  • No-logs policy — ExpressVPN doesn’t store usage and connection logs, meaning it doesn’t know what your IP address is, what sites you browse, and when you connect to a server.
  • DNS leak protection — The VPN provider runs its own DNS servers, which means there’s no risk of your DNS requests leaking outside of the encrypted VPN tunnel. If that were to happen, your ISP could see what sites you’re browsing even though you’re connected to a VPN. Some VPNs refer you to a DNS leak testing site likeDNSleaktest.comto run a test.ExpressVPN,on the other hand, has its own DNS leak test feature built-in, so it’s more convenient.

ExpressVPN provides access to the following VPN protocols: Lightway, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPSec. Lightway is the VPN provider’s proprietary protocol that was designed to provide high-end security and super fast speeds — in addition, it has also passed an independent security audit. OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec are also secure and fast, but definitely not as fast as Lightway. Also, here’s a list of which mobile and desktop apps have which protocols:

VPN ProtocolsWindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroid
LightwayExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (11)ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (12)ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (13)ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (14)ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (15)
OpenVPNExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (16)ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (17)ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (18)ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (19)ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (20)
IKEv2/IPSecExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (21)ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (22)ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (23)ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (24)ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (25)

On top of DNS leak protection, you also get IPv6 and WebRTC leak protection. I’m happy to see this since not all top VPNs provide full leak protection. I actually ran leak tests while connected to 5+ servers from ExpressVPN, and I never experienced any leaks.

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In addition, ExpressVPN comes with more advanced security features. For one, it has perfect forward secrecy (PFS), which changes your encryption key for each VPN session to make sure hackers can’t steal past or future encryption keys to compromise your other sessions. And the VPN also has RAM-only servers (through its TrustedServer technology) — this means data is only written to the RAM and not the hard drive, so every server reset wipes all data.

Bottom Line: ExpressVPN provides the best security on the market. It has all essential VPN security features (including an audited no-logs policy), its own super secure and fast protocol called Lightway, and advanced security features like full leak protection, RAM-only technology, and PFS.

ExpressVPN Privacy Features Privacy Features

ExpressVPN Logging Policy
📍 IP AddressExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (27)
🌐 Web TrafficExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (28)
📧 Email AddressExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (29)
⏱️ Connection TimestampsExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (30)
💽 Bandwidth UsageExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (31)

ExpressVPN provides excellent privacy since it has a strict no-logs policy — it doesn’t log your IP address, it doesn’t collect your web traffic, and it also doesn’t store connection logs. It only records your email address (to communicate with you, set up your account, and handle support requests), payment details to process your purchases, and bandwidth usage.

What’s more, I also like how ExpressVPN has undergone tons of security audits over the past years. Its no-logs policy has passed several security audits and has also been proven true in server seizure in Turkey that took place in 2017 (local authorities seized one of the provider’s servers but couldn’t find any user data on it). In addition, the VPN also has had its desktop and mobile apps, server infrastructure, Lightway protocol, ExpressVPN Keys feature, and Aircove router audited — the audits always returned positive results.

The provider also releases a biannual transparency report, which details all the requests for user data ExpressVPN has received from third parties. The report details how the VPN doesn’t comply with such requests, as it doesn’t store any data.

ExpressVPN is also based in a privacy-friendly location — the British Virgin Islands. The country doesn’t have mandatory data retention laws. Also, it’s not part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances, which is a group of countries that gather and share surveillance data with each other.

Bottom Line: ExpressVPN offers very strong privacy since it has a strict and independently audited no-logs policy. What’s more, its server infrastructure, proprietary protocol, and apps have also undergone security audits. And the VPN also releases a transparency report and is located in a privacy-friendly location.

ExpressVPN Additional Features Additional Features

ExpressVPN has the following additional features, click to skip down below:

  • Split-Tunneling.
  • ExpressVPN Keys.
  • Advanced Protection.
  • Obfuscation.
  • Tor Support.
  • Shortcuts.
  • MediaStreamer.

Split-Tunneling

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ExpressVPN’s split-tunneling feature lets you pick which apps use the VPN tunnel and which apps don’t. For example, you can use this tool to only route traffic from one particular web browser through the VPN. The provider’s split-tunneling feature is available on Windows, macOS (only on versions older than macOS Big Sur, though), and Android.

Split-tunneling is a really good way to boost your VPN speeds — for instance, I only routed traffic from my Netflix app through the VPN, and that improved my streaming speeds by about 15%.

I’m happy with ExpressVPN’s split-tunneling, but I still think Private Internet Access implements it slightly better. That’s because Private Internet Access lets you also split-tunnel IP addresses in addition to apps — so you could just split-tunnel a streaming site instead of the browser you use to access it, which is very convenient.

Bottom Line: ExpressVPN provides access to a really great split-tunneling feature. It lets you split-tunnel app traffic, it works very well, and it’s available on Windows, macOS, and Android.

Advanced Protection

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ExpressVPN provides access to ad and malicious site blocking, and parental controls. Its Advanced Protection tool is available on its Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android apps.

I tested the provider’s Advanced Protection tool and it’s excellent. When I used the ad blocker, it successfully got rid of all pop-up and video ads on media outlets, and it even prevented me from seeing YouTube ads. And when I tested the vendor’s Threat Protection feature, it always prevented me from connecting to shady HTTP sites.

And I’m also really happy with the parental control setting — it doesn’t provide as much functionality as standalone parental apps do, but it’s still very good at stopping kids from accidentally accessing adult websites.

Bottom Line: ExpressVPN’s Advanced Protection feature is excellent — it gets rid of all annoying ads, it stops you from connecting to shady sites, and it provides some form of parental controls by blocking adult sites.

ExpressVPN Keys

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ExpressVPN Keys is a password manager that lets you secure your logins and other sensitive data. I really like that ExpressVPN Keys is included for free with each ExpressVPN subscription. Also, the feature is built into the iOS and Android apps, and it’s available on Windows, macOS, and Linux via browser extensions.

I really like that, on top of passwords, you can also secure credit/debit cards and add secure notes, like a passport, insurance details, or medical information. In addition, ExpressVPN Keys also has a password generator that lets you create very strong logins that are up to 55 characters in length.

Plus, you can store unlimited logins, credit/debit cards, and secure notes, and you also get access to auto-fill (automatically fills out login fields for you when you visit certain websites).

What’s more, ExpressVPN Keys can also audit your passwords. It does this via its Password Health tool, which alerts you if you’re using exposed, reused, or weak passwords.

And ExpressVPN Keys also provides really strong security — it uses zero-knowledge encryption (an industry-standard security feature among password managers), thus ensuring only you can see your passwords. In addition, ExpressVPN Keys has also passed an independent security audit.

Bottom Line: ExpressVPN has a very good password manager that comes free with each ExpressVPN subscription. It lets you protect unlimited passwords, credit/debit cards, and secure notes, generate very strong passwords, audit your passwords, and more.

Obfuscation

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ExpressVPN comes with obfuscation, which hides your VPN traffic and makes it look like normal internet traffic. Obfuscation is very useful in restrictive countries, as it allows you to bypass VPN connection blocks (and ExpressVPN is confirmed to work without issues in restrictive regions like China and Egypt). Also, obfuscation provides an extra layer of privacy, as nobody can see your VPN traffic.

This is actually one of the only VPN services that provides obfuscation across all of its VPN protocols, which is very convenient. What’s more, it also supports obfuscation on all of its server locations — some top competitors (like NordVPN) only allow you to use a certain number of obfuscated servers.

Obfuscation normally lowers your VPN connection speeds, but you don’t need to worry about this with ExpressVPN. This is actually the fastest VPN on the market, meaning its obfuscated connections provide better speeds than non-obfuscated connections from other top VPNs.

Bottom Line: ExpressVPN provides excellent obfuscation, which is available via all of its protocols. What’s more, obfuscation is also supported on each ExpressVPN server, and you also get very fast speeds (even though obfuscation normally causes slowdowns).

Tor Support

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ExpressVPN has very good Tor support, as it allows dark web traffic across each server. This means you can first connect to ExpressVPN before using the Tor browser to access the dark web — that way, if the Tor network suffers a leak or if you accidentally use a Tor server that’s run by malicious actors, your real IP address won’t be exposed.

Mixing VPN and Tor connections usually results in big slowdowns, as the Tor network routes your encrypted VPN traffic through at least 3 encrypted servers. That said, ExpressVPN still maintained very good speeds for browsing the dark web — on average, it only took around 7–8 seconds for dark web sites to fully load.

I’m happy with ExpressVPN’s Tor support, but I’d go with other VPN services if you want to use Tor over VPN very often. For example, NordVPN comes with Onion Over VPN servers, which automatically route your traffic through the Tor network — this allows you to access .onion links in regular browsers like Chrome and Firefox, which is very convenient.

Bottom Line: ExpressVPN allows Tor traffic on each server, which is really great. It also provides the fastest dark web browsing speeds on the market.

Shortcuts

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Shortcuts is a feature that allows you to set up 1-click shortcuts for specific apps and sites. Those shortcuts then show up on your connection screen after you connect to a VPN server — so you can use them to get instant access to your favorite apps and sites. The Shortcuts feature is available on Windows, macOS, and Android.

Shortcuts is very simple to use, and I also find it very useful — I always use it when I want to get instant access to Netflix while taking a long train or bus ride while traveling.

Bottom Line: ExpressVPN’s Shortcuts feature is extremely handy, as it provides you with the option to get instant access to your desired apps and sites after you connect to a VPN server.

MediaStreamer

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ExpressVPN provides free access to a smart DNS tool that’s called MediaStreamer. A smart DNS is a streaming tool that allows you to access streaming content on devices that don’t work with VPN apps, like certain smart TV models and gaming consoles.

MediaStreamer requires a manual setup, but it’s really straightforward. The VPN provider has tons of easy-to-follow setup guides for different devices that all come with screenshots — honestly, it won’t take you more than 6–7 minutes to configure MediaStreamer on your device.

MediaStreamer mostly works with streaming sites from the US and the UK. I talked with several customer support reps, and they all confirmed the tool can access sites like Hulu, BBC iPlayer, ITV, Amazon Prime Video, and Netflix.

Just keep in mind that a smart DNS won’t provide any security — it doesn’t encrypt your traffic and it doesn’t hide your IP address.

Bottom Line: ExpressVPN comes with free access to MediaStreamer, which is a smart DNS tool that you can quickly set up on devices that don’t work with VPN apps to access streaming content from the US and the UK.

ExpressVPN Streaming Support Streaming Support

ExpressVPN Works With
NetflixExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (39)
Amazon Prime VideoExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (40)
BBC iPlayerExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (41)
MaxExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (42)
HBO MaxExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (43)
Disney+ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (44)
HuluExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (45)
YouTube TVExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (46)

ExpressVPN is in my opinion the best VPN for streaming on the market since it claims to work with 100+ streaming platforms. The VPN is compatible with tons of popular streaming platforms, including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, and Disney+. What’s more, it also works with more niche streaming services, such as Crunchyroll, Rai Play, Zatto, and 7plus.

In addition, ExpressVPN offers a smart DNS (called MediaStreamer), which is excellent for streaming content on gaming consoles and certain smart TVs.

And ExpressVPN is also my favorite VPN for Netflix — it works with the most popular libraries, including Netflix US, Netflix UK, Netflix Canada, and Netflix Japan. And ExpressVPN’s support reps also confirmed that the VPN can access around 15+ Netflix libraries, so you get very good variety.

ExpressVPN Netflix Support
Netflix USExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (47)
Netflix UKExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (48)
Netflix CanadaExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (49)
Netflix JapanExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (50)
Netflix GermanyExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (51)

Bottom Line: ExpressVPN provides the best streaming support out there since it works with 100+ streaming platforms, including tons of top sites like Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu. It also comes with a smart DNS and works with 15+ Netflix libraries, including popular ones like Netflix US and Netflix UK.

ExpressVPN Torrenting Support Torrenting Support

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ExpressVPN is excellent P2P VPN since it allows P2P traffic on all of its servers, which are located in 100+ countries. So it’s very easy for anyone to torrent on a nearby server to get the fastest download speeds.

I also had super fast download speeds with ExpressVPN in my tests. I downloaded a 12.7 GB file while connected to a distant server, and I was able to download it in around 13 minutes, which is really great. Plus, ExpressVPN comes with split-tunneling — so you can only route your P2P app through the VPN to get even faster download speeds.

In addition, the provider has excellent security and privacy for torrenting. It protects you from leaks via full leak protection and a kill switch, and it also has an audited no-logs policy. What’s more, it comes with Advanced Protection, which blocks connections to shady sites, including malicious torrent sites.

Bottom Line: ExpressVPN is an excellent pick for torrenting since it allows P2P downloads on all servers. In addition, it also provides blazing-fast downloads and comes with high-end security and privacy features.

ExpressVPN Gaming Support Gaming Support

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I always have a very smooth gaming experience when I use ExpressVPN. For example, I connected to a distant server and downloaded Counter-Strike: Global Offensive on my device in only 15 minutes (the installation is around 30 GB). In addition, when I played the game, I never experienced any lag or disconnects, and I always had really stable ping.

What’s more, ExpressVPN is one of the only VPNs out there with a router app. That means you can just install the provider’s firmware on your router instead of manually configuring it, which is much more convenient. You can then use the VPN to play online games on gaming devices that don’t support VPN apps, like Xbox and PlayStation consoles.

And since ExpressVPN hides your IP, it protects you from DDoS attacks, which can force you offline. What’s more, ExpressVPN’s servers all come with anti-DDoS protection on them — this means nobody can DDoS your connection to the VPN server to disconnect you from it.

Another thing I love about ExpressVPN is that it comes with cloud gaming support. This means you can use it to access platforms that allow you to stream video games to various devices, like phones and laptops. The provider claims to work with up to 5 cloud gaming platforms, including GeForce Now, Amazon Luna, and PlayStation Plus.

Bottom Line: ExpressVPN is without a doubt the best VPN for gaming on the market. It provides blazing-fast speeds even on distant servers, and it always maintains stable ping. What’s more, it’s one of the only VPNs with a dedicated router app, all of its servers have anti-DDoS protection, and it even comes with cloud gaming support.

ExpressVPN Server Network Server Network

ExpressVPN Server Network
Number of ServersUnknown
Number of Countries100+
P2P ServersExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (54) (all servers)
Virtual LocationsExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (55)
Dedicated IP AddressesExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (56)

ExpressVPN doesn’t publish its total number of VPN servers. I asked the support reps why they don’t do this, and they told me it’s due to security reasons and because the total number of servers changes very often. I personally think those explanations make sense.

But it has server locations in 100+ countries, which is very good. It covers almost all parts of the world — the Americas, Asia Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. So it’s extremely easy for almost any user to find and connect to a nearby server to get the fastest speeds.

Plus, the VPN provider allows torrenting across all of its servers, which is really convenient. Some top competitors, only allow you to torrent on servers in certain countries.

ExpressVPN also uses virtual locations, which get you an IP address from the country you connect to — but the servers themselves are physically located in a different country. But the provider’s virtual locations are safe to use and they work very well. I tested 5+ virtual locations and they always provided me with the correct IP address. Plus, I really like how ExpressVPN is open about its use of virtual server locations.

The only thing that’s missing is the option to get a dedicated IP address, which is an IP that’s only assigned to you. If that’s a deal-breaker for you, try out NordVPN instead, as it offers dedicated IP addresses in 15+ countries for just a small extra cost.

Bottom Line: ExpressVPN has a really big server network, with locations in 100+ countries. It also allows torrenting on all servers, and discloses its use of virtual locations.

ExpressVPN Speed Tests Speed Tests

Since I travel a lot, I don’t really have the same baseline speeds for each review I do. So I can’t provide my readers with 100% consistent speed test results.I conducted multiple speed tests usingspeedtest.net.

Due to that, I decided to ask my friend from Romania to handle the speed tests for me. He’s not a travel vlogger like me, so his baseline speeds are always consistent. Also, for this review, he told me he used ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol.

He started with a speed test without being connected to the VPN. Here’s a screenshot of his baseline speeds:

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Next, he tested a nearby server in Hungary. He told me he didn’t notice any slowdowns — it was as if he wasn’t using a VPN at all! All the sites he connected to loaded instantly, the HD and 4K videos he watched loaded instantly too, and he didn’t experience any lag while playing online games.

ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (58)

After that, he connected to a distant server in the US. He reported a similar experience to the one on the Hungarian server — websites and HD and 4K videos loaded instantly, and the videos didn’t buffer at all. Plus, it only took him about 7 minutes to torrent a 15 GB file, which is super fast.

ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (59)

Finally, he ran a speed test on another distant server, this time in Australia. Just as before, he barely noticed any slowdowns — sites loaded instantly, HD and 4K videos loaded instantly and didn’t buffer while he skipped through them, he didn't experience high ping while playing online games, and his Skype calls never froze or dropped.

ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (60)

I can also confirm I always have a similar experience whenever I use ExpressVPN while traveling. I get super fast speeds for browsing, streaming, torrenting, and gaming, and don’t experience any noticeable slowdowns at all.

Bottom Line: ExpressVPN has without a doubt the fastest speeds on the market. It always provides blazing-fast speeds for all online activities on both nearby and distant servers.

ExpressVPN Censorship Bypassing Censorship Bypassing

ExpressVPN Works in
🇨🇳 ChinaExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (61)
🇪🇬 EgyptExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (62)
🇹🇷 TurkeyExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (63)
🇷🇺 RussiaExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (64)
🇦🇪 UAEExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (65)

ExpressVPN is an excellent choice for users in restrictive countries, as it works without issues in places like China, Egypt, and Turkey — I also use it regularly when I travel through China, and it always allows me to access the free internet.

Plus, ExpressVPN also comes with obfuscation, which hides your VPN traffic and allows you to circumvent DPI blocks (network traffic analysis methods that block VPN traffic). I especially like that obfuscation is available on each VPN server location, as it makes it easy for users in restrictive countries to connect to nearby servers to get the best speeds.

Bottom Line: ExpressVPN works without any issues in restrictive countries, including China, the UAE, and Russia. It also provides access to obfuscation on all of its servers.

ExpressVPN Apps and Ease of Use Apps and Ease of Use

ExpressVPN offers apps for all major platforms, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Fire TV, Apple TV, and Chromebook. What’s more, it’s one of the only VPN companies on the market that has a dedicated router app.

It’s also super simple to install ExpressVPN — it only took me up to 2 minutes to install it on my mobile and desktop devices.

And ExpressVPN allows up to 8 simultaneous connections. If you think this isn’t enough for you, you could just install the provider’s router app to secure an unlimited number of devices with it. Alternatively, you can try a VPN like Surfshark, which allows unlimited connections.

Android & iOS

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I really like ExpressVPN’s Android app and iOS app — they’re both very easy to navigate, and I like how it doesn’t take more than 4–5 seconds to find and connect to a server. Plus, there’s a quick-connect tool (called Smart Location) that automatically connects you to the fastest server for your location, which is helpful if you’re in a hurry to secure your traffic.

I also like how both the iOS app and the Android app come with an IP address checker. This is a helpful tool that lets you quickly verify if your connection to the VPN server is working. In addition, I also like how both mobile apps come with the Lightway protocol. What’s more, both mobile apps provide built-in access to the ExpressVPN Keys password manager. To be honest, I’m 100% confident that ExpressVPN has the best iOS and Android apps on the market.

Still, I think the Android app is slightly better than the iOS app. That’s because it’s more feature-rich, as it also provides access to split-tunneling, the Shortcuts tool, and the App Screenshots feature (prevents in-app info from being visible in screenshots and the multitasking view).

Bottom Line: I’m very happy with both the iOS and the Android app. They’re really simple to navigate and use, and they both provide access to very good features (although the Android app has a few extras that the iOS app lacks).

Windows & macOS

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I think ExpressVPN has the best Windows and macOS apps out there — they’re feature-rich, provide helpful explanations for all settings, and are very simple to use. It’s also super easy to install ExpressVPN on Windows and macOS because it has easy-to-follow installation wizards.

I really like that both desktop apps come with the Lightway protocol, as it’s super fast and secure. In addition, you also get access to split-tunneling and the Shortcuts tool on both apps — although split-tunneling isn’t available on versions older than macOS Big Sur.

Bottom Line: ExpressVPN offers excellent desktop apps — it’s very simple to install ExpressVPN on Windows and macOS, and both apps come with intuitive interfaces and very useful features.

Linux

ExpressVPN also has a really good Linux app. Although the app itself lacks a GUI, you can use the provider’s browser extensions to remotely use the Linux app — so you’ll be doing it via the browser extensions’ GUI. If that doesn’t sound convenient for you, try Private Internet Access instead since its Linux app is also good and comes with a GUI.

The Linux app is really secure, as it comes with the kill switch and the Lightway and OpenVPN protocols. It’s missing split-tunneling and Shortcuts, but I like that you get access to Advanced Protection, which is a decent trade-off.

Bottom Line: ExpressVPN has a great Linux app. While it’s missing a GUI, you can still use it remotely via the browser extensions’ GUI. Also, I like how secure the Linux VPN app is — it has a kill switch, the OpenVPN and Lightway VPN protocols, and Advanced Protection.

Browser Extensions

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ExpressVPN’s browser extensions are a bit more unique, as they allow you to remotely control the VPN app on your device. That means you need to have the VPN app installed to use the extensions. It sounds a bit inconvenient, but it’s actually great for your security — instead of only securing your browser’s traffic, the extension will secure your entire device’s web traffic.

The extensions share a very similar design to the desktop and mobile apps — meaning it’s very simple to navigate and use them. And also, all settings and features come with quick and helpful explanations.

In addition, the extensions provide access to additional security features:

  • Prevent HTML5 geolocation — Makes your browser location match the location of your VPN IP address, so that websites can’t use HTML5 geolocation to detect your device’s location (HTML5 geolocation can do that via Wi-Fi networks, cell tower triangulation, and GPS data).
  • Block WebRTC leaks — Stops websites from using WebRTC to detect your real IP address when you’re connected to the VPN. I ran 5+ WebRTC leak tests while connected to ExpressVPN, and I never experienced any leaks.

Bottom Line: ExpressVPN has excellent browser extensions that allow you to remotely control its apps. That way, you can secure your entire device’s traffic. Plus, the extensions are very easy to use and are also feature-rich.

Router Support

I can honestly say that ExpressVPN has the best router support on the market. It’s one of the only VPN providers that comes with a dedicated router app — meaning you can just install the app on your router instead of having to perform a manual setup. This is much more convenient and also more user-friendly. The app is compatible with multiple Linksys, Netgear, and Asus models, and it only takes around 8–10 minutes to install at most.

And if you don’t want to deal with the router app, you can just buy Aircove, which is ExpressVPN’s proprietary VPN router. The router comes with the ExpressVPN app automatically installed on it. It’s also competitively priced compared to other VPN routers, and it has also passed an independent security audit.

What’s more, the router app is super user-friendly. It shares the same design with every other ExpressVPN app, so it’s very easy to get used to its layout. It even has the quick-connect feature, which is great.

Plus, I think it’s awesome that the ExpressVPN app for routers comes with Lightway, so you get to enjoy super fast speeds across all of your devices.

And I’m a big fan of the Device Groups feature, as it’s similar to split-tunneling. Basically, it allows you to create up to 5 device groups, and each group connects to a different server location. For example, you can set up one group for your streaming devices that connects to a distant VPN server, and set up another group for your PC or gaming console that uses a local VPN server, so that you can enjoy secure gaming and the fastest speeds.

Bottom Line: ExpressVPN is one of the only VPN services that comes with a dedicated router app. It’s very easy to install it, and it’s also really intuitive. Plus, it comes with Lightway and Device Groups, which is similar to split-tunneling. And if you don’t want to install the router app, you can just buy the provider’s Aircove router instead.

ExpressVPN Pricing and Refund Policy Pricing and Refund Policy

ExpressVPN Pricing
ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (69) Starting Price$6.67/month
ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (70) Free PlanExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (71)
ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (72) Money-Back Guarantee30 Days
ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (73) CouponsExpressVPN Coupon 49% OFF

ExpressVPN is one of the priciest VPN providers on the market, with plans starting at $6.67/month. Even so, I really think that getting this VPN is worth it since it provides the best value out there. It comes with a 1-month, a 6-month, and a 12-month plan — and the longest plan usually includes extra months of service for free.

I also like how the VPN accepts multiple payment methods, including credit/debit cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, and 10+ other payment options via Paymentwall (a third-party payment provider).

And ExpressVPN backs all purchases with a 30-day money-back guarantee. I especially like that the VPN offers a risk-free money-back guarantee, meaning you don’t need to meet any requirements to be eligible for a refund — just ask for your money back within 30 days, and you’ll get it back in up to 7 days.

Bottom Line: ExpressVPN is one of the most expensive VPNs providers on the market, but it’s 100% worth it since it provides excellent value. Plus, its longest plan often comes with extra months of service for free, and all purchases are backed by a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

ExpressVPN Customer Support Customer Support

ExpressVPN Customer Support
💬 Live ChatExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (74) (24/7)
📧 Email SupportExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (75)
📚 Support LibraryExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (76)
📞 Phone SupportExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (77)

ExpressVPN has multiple customer support channels, including 24/7 live chat, email support, and an in-depth support library that’s full of FAQs, troubleshooting guides, and setup tutorials.

I always use the provider’s live chat to communicate with it, and I’m always 100% satisfied with it. I’m usually connected to a live chat rep in less than 10 seconds, and all reps are very friendly and knowledgeable.

ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (78)

And the provider’s email support is just as good as its live chat support. On average, it takes less than 24 hours to hear back from the email support reps, which is really good. Plus, the replies are always very informative and answer all questions.

Finally, the support library is excellent as well. All support articles are formatted very well, so it’s extremely simple to read through them. Plus, I love how almost all tutorials come with helpful screenshots and even video guides.

Bottom Line: ExpressVPN provides excellent customer support. It has 24/7 live chat and email support, and its support reps are extremely friendly and helpful. Plus, its support library is very in-depth, and is usually able to answer all of your questions.

ExpressVPN Review 2024 — Final Words Final Words

ExpressVPN is definitely the best VPN out there. It’s excellent for streaming since it works with 100+ streaming platforms, it has the fastest speeds on the market, it has high-end security features and tons of cool extras (like split-tunneling and obfuscation), and it allows torrenting on all servers. Plus, all of its apps are very easy to use, and this is one of the only VPNs out there with a dedicated router app and cloud gaming support. In addition, ExpressVPN also works in restrictive countries without any issues.

The only drawback I can think of is the high price — but considering the value you get, it’s definitely worth it. Plus, the longest plan includes extra months of service for free, and all purchases are backed by a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee.

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ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (80)
  • Approved by our experts
  • Most readers pick ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (81) Server NetworkServers in 100+ countries
ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (82) Key FeaturesLightway protocol, industry-leading speeds
Works in China
ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (83) AppsExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (84) ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (85) ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (86) ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (87) ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (88) ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (89) ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (90)
ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (91) Number of ConnectionsUp to 8
Free Plan
ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (92) Money-Back Guarantee30 days

Visit ExpressVPN Now

expressvpn.com

ExpressVPN Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, ExpressVPN is actually the most secure VPN on the market. It has all industry-standard security features, including military-grade encryption, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, and a no-logs policy (that has even been audited multiple times). What’s more, it also has IPv6 and WebRTC leak protection, and advanced security features like perfect forward secrecy and RAM-only servers. And it also provides free access to a really good password manager, and it has Threat Manager, which protects you from shady sites.

Lightway is ExpressVPN’s proprietary VPN protocol. The provider designed it to provide super fast speeds, while also being able to maintain very strong security and privacy at the same time. Lightway is open-source, meaning anyone can inspect the code for security issues — plus, it has also been independently audited. And it can also resist network changes, meaning your VPN connection won’t drop if you switch from Wi-Fi to wired connections.

No,ExpressVPN doesn’t offer a free plan— but it does cover all purchases with a generous and risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning you can just ask for your money back if you’re not 100% satisfied with the service. And while its plans are pretty pricey, you do get extra months for free if you opt for the longest subscription.

Yes —you can set up ExpressVPN on up to 8 devices. If you need to cover more devices, you can either set up ExpressVPN on your router or just go with Private Internet Access instead since it allows unlimited connections.

ExpressVPNhas apps for tons of devices:

  • Windows 7 and above.
  • macOS 10.13 and above.
  • Linux distros: Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, Arch, Raspberry Pi (armhf), and Mint.
  • Android 5.0 and above.
  • iOS 15 and above.
  • Smart TVs running Android TV or Fire OS.
  • Chromebook devices that support Android apps.
  • Kindle Fire.
  • Linksys, Netgear, and Asus routers.
  • Extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browsers.

Yes,ExpressVPN can circumvent web restrictions in China without any issues— I always rely on this VPN when I need to access the internet while traveling through China. Plus, in addition to IP blocks, ExpressVPN can also bypass DPI blocks since it providesobfuscation, which hides your VPN traffic.

Yes,ExpressVPN comes with a split-tunneling feature,which is available on its Windows, macOS, and Android apps — just keep in mind you will only be able to use the feature on macOS versions that are older than Big Sur.

I think the provider’s split-tunneling tool is really good— it lets you split-tunnel app traffic, it’s very easy to use, and it works as intended (I never experienced any bugs while using it).

Yes, ExpressVPN is actually the best VPN for gaming on the market.It provides a very smooth gaming experience, as it has ultra-fast gaming speeds and stable ping across all servers. Plus, it also has split-tunneling, which you can use to route just gaming traffic through the VPN to get faster speeds. On top of that, it’s one of the only VPNs with a dedicated router app and cloud gaming support, and ExpressVPN’s servers all come with anti-DDoS protection.

Yes,ExpressVPN has a Fire Stick app, and it’s actually the best one out there.The app has a very intuitive design, is really simple to navigate with your remote, and provides helpful explanations for all settings. Plus, its Fire Stick app also comes with split-tunneling and the Shortcuts feature. On top of that, ExpressVPN is also the best streaming VPN out there,as it works with 100+ streaming services, and it also has super fast speeds.

Yes, and ExpressVPN is actually the best VPN for Netflix out there.That’s because it works with 15+ Netflix libraries, including top ones like Netflix US, Netflix UK, and Netflix Japan.

In addition,it also provides super fast speeds for streaming— I never experience buffering or slow load times with both HD and 4K videos in my speed tests. Finally, ExpressVPN also has a smart DNS, which lets you watch Netflix on devices that don’t work with VPN apps, like gaming consoles.

Yes,ExpressVPN is an excellent VPN for torrenting— it allows P2P traffic across all of its servers, which are located in 100+ countries. In addition, it also provides super fast torrenting speeds, andit also has very strong security featuresfor torrenting (a kill switch, an audited no-logs policy, full leak protection, and even a malicious site blocker).

Yes,ExpressVPN gets rid of ads via its Advanced Protection feature— in my tests, it always got rid of all ads on the sites I visited. What’s more, the Advanced Protection tool also stops you from accessing shady websites, and it even provides some level of parental controls since it lets you block adult websites.

No,but ExpressVPN has a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee instead— you don’t need to meet any requirements to be eligible for the refund. You just need to ask for your money back within 30 days if you’re not completely happy with the VPN.

Still, you can get a free 7-day trial on iOS and Android through the app store. You need to provide your payment details, but you get access to all of the provider’s features. Just remember to cancel the free trial before the 7 days are up, and get a subscription through the provider’s site (that way, you’ll be covered by its 30-day refund).

Despite the VPN bans there, it’s still possible to use ExpressVPN in China.Just be sure you download the ExpressVPN app before leaving for China. This is particularly important for Android users because the Google Play Store isn’t accessible there. I talked about this topic in detail in my blog post aboutusing ExpressVPN in China.

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TREVOR JAMES

Full Time Digital Nomad

ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (93)
ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (94)

About The Author

Hi! I’m Trevor James, a Canadian YouTuber who travels the world full-time. I make videos about food, travel, and cybersecurity. I have been traveling the world and making videos for over 10 years. You can read more about me here.

ExpressVPN Review: How is it in Reality? (June 2024) (2024)

FAQs

Is ExpressVPN still trustworthy? ›

Yes, ExpressVPN is safe thanks to a secure, encrypted tunnel that it creates. The AES-256 encryption that the provider uses scatters your online data into pieces, ensuring governmental-level protection used by security experts worldwide.

What is the disadvantage of ExpressVPN? ›

Another drawback with ExpressVPN is that it is more expensive than many rival VPN services (but also not the most expensive VPN). In short, this is not a cheap VPN. With the regular pricing, the cheapest you can get ExpressVPN for is $8.32 per month or $99.95 per year.

Is ExpressVPN owned by China? ›

ExpressVPN was founded by two close friends and techpreneurs Peter Burchhardt and Dan Pomerantz in 2009. It was then acquired by Kape Technologies in 2021. Kape Technologies is a British-Israeli digital security provider. So, no, it's not owned by China.

Is NordVPN or ExpressVPN better? ›

NordVPN's NordLynx protocol offers superior download speeds, making it the faster and better-performing option. While ExpressVPN outshines NordVPN in some server locations for upload speeds, overall, NordVPN emerges as the clear winner in the comparison of download and upload speeds.

Does ExpressVPN slow down your internet? ›

Yes, all VPNs have the potential to slow down your internet. At ExpressVPN, we optimize our service so that you'll barely notice a difference.

Do I need antivirus with ExpressVPN? ›

Malware: While VPNs like ExpressVPN can reduce the risk of malware with its ad blocker by preventing malicious ads from displaying, they can't prevent malware installation if a user inadvertently downloads it. Malware that makes its way onto your device can operate independently of the VPN's encryption.

What is the controversy with ExpressVPN? ›

Their Recent DNS Leak Controversy

The most recent issue ExpressVPN has faced was the uncovering of a bug in their Split Tunnelling feature on their Windows platforms.

Is NordVPN owned by Russia? ›

The Company That Owns NordVPN

The Panamanian company Tefincom & Co., S.A. owns the NordVPN service. They are well-known provider of financial services, is located in the stunning Central American nation of Panama, and specializes in safeguarding the security and privacy of its clients.

Why did China ban VPN? ›

VPNs are outlawed in China because they allow users to jump the “Great Firewall” and securely connect to the internet outside the country while blocking their IP address. Rob Binns, a journalist with Techopedia, said China's increasingly strict censorship policies may explain the rise in VPN usage there.

What is the #1 best VPN? ›

What is the best VPN in 2024?
  • ExpressVPN holds CNET Editors' Choice Award for best overall VPN. ...
  • Surfshark is a great choice for folks seeking good features on a budget. ...
  • NordVPN is an excellent feature-packed VPN.
May 13, 2024

Which VPN is better than ExpressVPN? ›

ExpressVPN and Surfshark are two of CNET's top VPNs for a reason: They're both well-rounded VPNs and each is a solid choice for most any online activity. Surfshark exhibited better speed performance than ExpressVPN overall, but ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol demonstrated slightly faster speeds on MacOS devices.

Which type of VPN is best? ›

The Best VPN Services of 2024
  • NordVPN - Best VPN for Privacy.
  • Surfshark - Best VPN for Security.
  • Private Internet Access VPN - Best VPN for Windows.
  • Hotspot Shield - Best VPN for Netflix.
  • Norton Secure VPN - Best VPN With Dynamic IP Addresses.
  • IPVanish - Best Customer Support.
  • ExpressVPN - Best Encryption.
May 31, 2024

Is ExpressVPN legal and safe? ›

It is legal to use a VPN to stream with greater privacy and security, although it might violate a streaming service's rules. As a privacy and security tool, ExpressVPN is designed so that no one can see or control what you do when connected to our VPN service—not even us.

Does ExpressVPN sell data? ›

ExpressVPN uses your Personal Data only for the purposes listed in this Privacy Policy, and we do not sell or lease your Personal Data to third parties.

Can websites detect ExpressVPN? ›

But it turns out websites can actually tell that you're using a VPN, and a simple visit at "whatsmyipaddresscom" can show your IP marked as a "public VPN server".

Is it safe to pirate with ExpressVPN? ›

Torrenting is safe with ExpressVPN.

Moreover, it's a great choice for torrenting, thanks to its fast speeds and convenient split tunneling feature. You can try it for free with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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