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#6 of 8 in VPN services

ExpressVPN review

A long-established premium VPN known for simple apps and its own Lightway protocol. It has moved to tiered plans, so features and device limits now depend on the plan chosen.

Last checked · Available: Global

8.0/10, Very good

Weighted across
5 criteria

Strongest on apps & ease of use (9.0).

See every score and reason

Scorecard

How ExpressVPN scores

Each criterion is scored 0-10 from public information, with the reason underneath. The total is the weighted average.
Privacy & audits30% weight8.5

Has published multiple third-party audits of its apps, servers and policy.

Security features20% weight8.5

Lightway protocol, kill switch and RAM-only server design.

Value for money20% weight6.5

Historically one of the pricier options, though the newer tiers narrow the gap.

Apps & ease of use15% weight9.0

Clean apps on all major platforms plus router firmware.

Devices & flexibility15% weight7.0

Device allowance depends on the tier, so check the plan before buying.

Best for

People who value very simple, polished apps.

Not ideal for

Budget buyers who want the lowest price.

Trade-offs

Pros and cons

What stands out

  • Very easy-to-use apps
  • Own Lightway protocol
  • Router app support
  • Several published audits

Worth knowing

  • No free plan
  • Generally priced above most rivals
  • Features and device limits vary by tier

At a glance

Key facts and pricing

As ExpressVPN publishes them. “Not published” means we could not confirm the figure.
Free plan
No
Money-back window
30 days
Simultaneous devices
Not published
Independent audit published
Yes
Company jurisdiction
British Virgin Islands
Main platforms
Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, routers
Price band
Premium
Founded
2009
Based in
British Virgin Islands

Pricing: Tiered paid plans introduced with a price cut; longer terms cost less per month. Free plan: no.

Head to head

Compare ExpressVPN with

Also consider

ExpressVPN alternatives

Scored on the same rubric in the same list.

Full VPN services ranking

Questions

ExpressVPN: common questions

Is ExpressVPN good?

ExpressVPN scores 8.0 out of 10 in our VPN services scorecard, rank 6 of 8. A long-established premium VPN known for simple apps and its own Lightway protocol. It has moved to tiered plans, so features and device limits now depend on the plan chosen.

Who is ExpressVPN best for?

Best for people who value very simple, polished apps. Less suited to budget buyers who want the lowest price.

How much does ExpressVPN cost?

Tiered paid plans introduced with a price cut; longer terms cost less per month. Free plan: no.

What are ExpressVPN's key terms and features?

Free plan: No; Money-back window: 30 days; Independent audit published: Yes; Company jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands; Main platforms: Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, routers. As published by the brand, last checked 2026-11-01.

What is a good alternative to ExpressVPN?

Proton VPN (8.7/10) is the top-scoring option in the same list. See the full VPN services ranking for every alternative.

Transparency

Sources and how we make money

Sources we used

Checked 1 Nov 2026. Brands change terms often; confirm on the brand's site before you buy.

How we make money

Some links to brands may earn AltFTool a commission. That never changes a score, a rank or whether a brand is listed. Scores come only from the criteria above.

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