ExpressVPN review: A fast and furious solution to your internet privacy

Abeerah Hashim Last updated: May 3, 2023 Read time: 36 minutes Disclosure
Facts checked by Ali Qamar

A superfast, highly secure, and user-friendly VPN that respects your privacy. Though it misses out on some fancy security add-ons despite high prices, its tremendous security is worth the money.

As security breaches and online tracking are rising, VPN use has become more essential than ever for individual internet users and organizations.

However, finding a reliable and trusted VPN service from many inferior VPNs is a chore.

Yet, a quick online search about the best VPNs will always bring one name to you as the best of the best – ExpressVPN.

From corporate to personal use, everyone recommends ExpressVPN for everything.

But is it worth it? How about the other good VPNs that are cheaper?

We know these are just a few questions from other queries that strike your mind whenever you read about ExpressVPN.

And you’re not alone in this – as we’re also equally curious to know the facts.

So, we got our hands on this VPN and tested it ourselves to develop this honest ExpressVPN review for you.

ExpressVPN — Quick look

Key features

Pricing $8.32-$12.95 per month, depending on your subscription length
Country locations Available in 94 countries
Number of Servers Over 3,000 servers globally
Device compatibility User-friendly apps for all major devices, including Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, game consoles, streaming services, and WiFi routers
Logging Zero log keeping
Support Ticketing system, 24/7 live chat support, FAQs, troubleshooting guides, and email
Works with Netflix Yes
Other streaming sites (I tested and unblocked using it) Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, HBO, ABC iView, 7Plus, SBS On Demand
Free Trial None
Refund 30-day money-back guarantee
VPN Protocols Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2
Data Authentication SHA-512 HMAC authentication
Handshake 4096-bit RSA key
Data Encryption AES-256-GCM
Official Website https://www.expressvpn.com

Pros

  • Boasts a resilient server network that evades most VPN-blocking attempts from different services.
  • Offers stealth browsing features to support users in repressive regions like China.
  • Provides blazing-fast speed even on slow base connections.
  • User-friendly apps ensure quick installation and setup.
  • The first VPN to adopt RAM-based servers to ensure no data logging.
  • Responsive and knowledgeable customer support is accessible via email and 24/7 live chat.

Cons

  • Has relatively costlier subscription plans.
  • Lacks some fancy features like Double VPN and optimized servers

ExpressVPN Overview

ExpressVPN isn’t a new name in the realm of virtual private networks. Instead, it is one of the key players in this industry, having endured all ups and downs for over a decade.

The service was started in 2009 by an independent firm Express VPN International Ltd. The company is located in the neutral zone of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) – an autonomous British overseas territory with no strict data retention laws.

However, recently, it has been acquired by the Israeli-based giant Kape Technologies, the parent company behind the popular Private Internet Access (PIA) and CyberGhost. Nonetheless, this acquisition seemingly has no significant effect on ExpressVPN’s policies (we’ll discuss it later in this review).

ExpressVPN has clearly stated on its website that the firm is merely obliged to respect any court orders or subpoenas from the BVI government, which has its own criteria of ‘dual criminality’ for attending requests from any other government.