ExpressVPN is renowned for its top-tier speed, privacy, and security features. While it may not be the cheapest option, few VPNs can match its comprehensive offering. In this article, I’ll break down ExpressVPN’s pricing and plans ⇣ to help you determine if the premium price tag is justified by its exceptional service.
“The best offshore VPN for privacy and unblocking”
Techradar
“The best just keeps getting better ExpressVPN is our #1 VPN”
Tom’s Guide
In my experience, no single VPN provider has it all. They usually offer a mix of features, with varying levels of encryption, jurisdictional advantages, client support, speed, and overall reliability. I’ve found that ExpressVPN strikes an excellent balance. Its speed is impressive, but that’s not the only reason I chose it. The ease of use, with no need for sideloading or manual updates, combined with its robust security features, makes it a standout choice. I can honestly say that I’m very satisfied with ExpressVPN when I use it.
Bigkenw, Reddit
While ExpressVPN isn’t the most budget-friendly VPN on the market, its premium features more than compensate for the higher price point. This fast and secure VPN service excels at unblocking websites, accessing geo-restricted streaming services, and safeguarding your online privacy and security.
Is ExpressVPN your express ticket to online freedom or just another overpriced service? With blazing-fast speeds, unlimited bandwidth across all plans, over 160 server locations worldwide, compatibility with virtually every device imaginable, and cutting-edge features like cryptocurrency payments and Tor integration, I was immediately impressed. The “Pay with Bitcoin” option, coupled with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee, sealed the deal for me.
But is ExpressVPN truly as exceptional as it claims? In an era where up to 61% of online reviews may be fake according to some sources, it’s crucial to have an honest, fact-based review. That’s exactly what I aim to provide here, based on my personal experience and thorough research.
By the end of this article, you’ll have a clear understanding of whether ExpressVPN is the right choice for you, ensuring that you’re not just getting a top-notch product but also entrusting your online security to a reliable provider.
Is ExpressVPN safe and legitimate? Is it truly the best value for your money? Are there any hidden costs or potential drawbacks? Let’s dive in and uncover the truth about ExpressVPN.
How much does ExpressVPN cost?
Based on my research and personal experience, ExpressVPN offers excellent value for its price. Here’s a breakdown of their current pricing structure:
ExpressVPN’s pricing is straightforward and transparent. Here are the details based on the latest information from their official website:
| Subscription Plan | Price | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 12-month plan | $6.67 per month | Billed as $99.95 for the first year |
| 6-month plan | $9.99 per month | Billed as $59.95 every 6 months |
| 1-month plan | $12.95 per month | Billed monthly |
It’s worth noting that ExpressVPN also offers a dedicated IP add-on, which is gradually being rolled out to all users and platforms. If available, you can add it to your VPN subscription at the following rates:
| Dedicated IP Plan | Price |
|---|---|
| 12-month plan | $3.99 per month |
| 6-month plan | $4.99 per month |
| 1-month plan | $8.99 per month |
All subscriptions, including the dedicated IP add-on, are billed in U.S. dollars and come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. This risk-free trial period allows you to test the service thoroughly before committing long-term.
It’s important to note that subscriptions purchased with certain payment methods, such as credit cards, PayPal, Apple in-app purchases, and Google Play in-app purchases, will automatically renew by default. However, you can easily turn off auto-renewal to avoid being charged at the end of your subscription period.
While the 12-month plan offers the best value, ExpressVPN occasionally runs special promotions. During my last renewal, I was offered an additional 3 months free with the 12-month plan, making it an even better deal.
Visit the ExpressVPN website for the most up-to-date information on their plans and any current special offers.
For a more comprehensive look at ExpressVPN’s features and performance, check out my detailed ExpressVPN review.
What is a VPN?
A Virtual Private Network (VPN) is a powerful tool that encrypts your internet connection, effectively shielding your online activity from prying eyes. This includes potential threats like advertisers, hackers, and even your Internet Service Provider (ISP).
In my experience, using a VPN has been crucial when connecting to public Wi-Fi networks or accessing sensitive websites. It provides an extra layer of security, ensuring that your data doesn’t leak and your privacy remains intact. Moreover, a VPN can bypass government censorship filters, granting you access to content that might otherwise be blocked in your region.
ExpressVPN stands out in the crowded VPN market due to its robust privacy protection and exceptional service quality. I’ve personally found its encryption and split tunneling features to be top-notch, offering peace of mind when browsing sensitive content or conducting online transactions.
One of the aspects I appreciate most about ExpressVPN is the flexibility it offers. Users can choose from a wide range of VPN servers and protocols, and select their preferred VPN server location. The VPN app is available on multiple operating systems, making it easy to protect all your devices.
A standout feature that I’ve come to rely on is the Network Lock. This kill switch functionality ensures that your internet traffic remains protected even if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly. It’s a crucial safeguard that has saved me from potential data leaks on several occasions.
Military Grade Encryption: Why AES 256-bit Encryption Matters When You’re Using Your VPN
“I challenge anyone to find a VPN with more advanced security while keeping the experience simple and novice-friendly.”
Comparitech
AES 256-bit encryption is the gold standard for data protection, used by military and government agencies worldwide. In my research and personal use of ExpressVPN, I’ve found this level of encryption to be a crucial feature that sets it apart from many other VPN providers.
The Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) with 256-bit keys was developed by the National Institute of Standards and Technology to create an unbreakable form of security for computer networks. It’s so secure that the US Government chose it to protect classified information:
“Competing algorithms were to be judged on their ability to resist attack — as compared to other submitted ciphers. Security strength was to be considered the most important factor in the competition…The NSA chose AES as one of the cryptographic algorithms to be used by its Information Assurance Directorate to protect national security systems”.
Search Security
What impressed me about ExpressVPN is that they don’t stop at AES encryption. They also implement RSA encryption, creating a dual-layer security system:
“AES is used widely for protecting data at rest. Applications for AES include self-encrypting disk drives, database encryption, and storage encryption. On the other hand, the RSA (Rivest-Shamir-Adleman) algorithm is often used in web browsers to connect to websites, in virtual private network (VPN) connections, and in many other applications. Unlike AES, which employs symmetric encryption, RSA is the base of asymmetric cryptography. While RSA encryption works well for protecting the transfer of data across geographic boundaries, its performance is poor. The solution is to combine RSA encryption with AES encryption in order to benefit from the security of RSA with the performance of AES. This can be accomplished by generating a temporary AES key and protecting it with RSA encryption.”
In my experience, this combination of AES and RSA encryption provides an unparalleled level of security. ExpressVPN takes user safety to another level:
“ExpressVPN certificates are all signed using SHA512 hashing and a 4096 bit RSA key. As a comparison, the majority of popular websites—including those of most banks—only use a 2048 bit RSA key!
To put the strength of 4096 bit RSA key encryption into perspective, it would take the combined power of every computing resource on the planet longer to crack than the life expectancy of the Sun.”
ExpressVPN blog
What are the benefits of using a VPN?
In today’s digital landscape, the threats from hackers, identity thieves, government surveillance, and censorship have made VPNs an essential tool for online privacy and security. I’ve found that VPN usage has grown significantly in recent years, and for good reason.
A Virtual Private Network provides online anonymity by creating an encrypted tunnel between you and your chosen VPN provider. In my experience, this means that any data you send is encrypted before it leaves your device, making it nearly impossible for others on the network to intercept or decipher.
One of the primary benefits I’ve enjoyed while using a VPN is the ability to access geo-restricted content from around the world. Whether it’s streaming services, academic content, or websites blocked in certain countries, a VPN can bypass these restrictions without compromising your connection speed or revealing your
| Features | ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Private Internet Access (PIA) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Internet Speed | 135 Mbps | 115 Mbps | 68 Mbps |
| Encryption Type | 256-bit AES | 256 AES | 128-bit AES |
| Kill Switch | ✔ desktop only | ✔ | ✔ |
| DNS Leak Protection | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Allows P2P / Torrenting | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Records Activity Logs | ✖ | ✖ | ✖ |
| Unblocks Netflix US | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Unblocks Amazon Prime | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ |
| Unblocks Hulu | ✔ | ✔ | ✖ |
| Unblocks BBC iPlayer | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Desktop App / Mobile App | ✔ | ✔ | ✔ |
| Lowest Monthly Cost | $6.67 per month | $3.59 per month | $2.19 per month |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| More info | See our ExpressVPN Review | See our NordVPN Review | See our PIA VPN Review |
No-logs policy
When it comes to logs, ExpressVPN is really on the side of the user: as the company describes, even when compelled they can’t give up information they don’t have, so they collect the bare minimum:
“We do not collect logs of your activity, including no logging of browsing history, traffic destination, data content, or DNS queries. We also never store connection logs, meaning no logs of your IP address, your outgoing VPN IP address, connection timestamp, or session duration.”
Read more about NordVPN who, thanks to being located in Panama, can’t even be required to give up user information in the first place thanks to mandatory data retention laws and not being a part of the Five Eyes or Fourteen Eyes alliances. Pow!
Does ExpressVPN offer a free trial? What is their money-back policy?
There are many VPN providers out there, but how do you know which one is the best? You might think that if a provider offers more features and has the highest download speeds then it must be the best.
But in reality, it’s not that simple. The truth is, guides are great, but you’ll only find out if it’s a match made in heaven or a quick and dirty road to hell when you try it.
Here are a few reasons you want to try your VPN for free before you buy:
- Do you want to test that remote server speeds are for real
- You’re on a budget and need some assurance that the price will work for your needs
- You want to compare features against the competitors
- See how your PC deals with it (personal compatibility is always an unpredictable thing).
In fact, unlike some others out there, ExpressVPN not only offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, but it will return the money with minimum problems and time delays, usually in less than a week.
How can I cancel and get a refund?
You can find out literally everything you could possibly want to know in this guide. We used a website that isn’t biased to make your canceling process as difficult as possible, too.
What are the payment options?
As hardcore crypto fans, we think there’s no better sign of future success than a company embracing new tech like crypto.
All throughout humankind’s history, the companies that were the most successful were the ones that used the most advanced technology. That’s why the fact that ExpressVPN accepts crypto is inspirational to us.
If you’re not with Satoshi’s genius child (yet), you can go ahead and pay with Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, JCB, Delta, Diners Club International, OneCard, Maestro, Mint, FanaPay, Teencash, Boleto, Sepa Direct Debit, PostePay, Dankort, Elo, Carte Bleue, Mercado Pago, Culture Voucher, and Book Voucher, PayPal, Giropay, iDEAL, Interac, and Klarna, and Hipercard too. And even Yandex Money.
Will Russian hackers use that latter Russian system to hijack your OS and topple the free world into chaos so they can triumphantly play balalaikas and dance Kalinka with bears in the charred remnants of democracy? Probably. So don’t give up your credit card details and use crypto!
Our Verdict
ExpressVPN is an industry-leading provider of VPN services, renowned for its exceptional privacy and security features. The VPN company was founded in 2009, and it has since grown to become a key player in the cybersecurity space. ExpressVPN operates through parent company Kape Technologies, which is publicly traded on the London Stock Exchange.
With ExpressVPN, you're not just signing up for a service; you're embracing the liberty of the free internet the way it was meant to be. Access the web without borders, where you can stream, download, torrent, and browse at lightning-fast speeds, while staying anonymous and securing your online privacy.
Though some may raise concerns about Kape Technologies’s past, ExpressVPN vows to remain committed to its strict no-logs policy, ensuring its users’ online activity remains private and secure. The service’s success speaks for itself, along with the many accolades and awards it continues to win from independent reviewers and respected senior editors in the cybersecurity industry.
ExpressVPN’s transparency and steadfast commitment to privacy make it a top choice for users looking for VPN services they can trust.
Is ExpressVPN worth the money?
With an impressive array of functions like the no-logs policy, a kill switch, crypto payments, a very impressive price, and a firm 10/10 on download speed (which is even better than NordVPN),
ExpressVPN is a top-notch VPN that seems to have satisfied even Forbes’s demanding taste enough to name it one of the 2 Apex Predators in this niche.
You certainly owe it to yourself to take advantage of the trial offer and use it and see what you think.
I’d definitely advise reading up on NordVPN with its equally impressive features (but no Hulu!) so you don’t miss out on the other superheroes of this story.
How We Review VPNs: Our Methodology
In our mission to find and recommend the best VPN services, we follow a detailed and rigorous review process. Here’s what we focus on to ensure we provide the most reliable and relevant insights:
- Features and Unique Qualities: We explore each VPN’s features, asking: What does the provider offer? What sets it apart from others, such as proprietary encryption protocols or ad and malware blocking?
- Unblocking and Global Reach: We assess the VPN’s ability to unblock sites and streaming services and explore its global presence by asking: How many countries does the provider operate in? How many servers does it have?
- Platform Support and User Experience: We examine the supported platforms and the ease of the sign-up and setup process. Questions include: What platforms does the VPN support? How straightforward is the user experience from start to finish?
- Performance Metrics: Speed is key for streaming and torrenting. We check the connection, upload, and download speeds and encourage users to verify these on our VPN speed test page.
- Security and Privacy: We delve into the technical security and privacy policy of each VPN. Questions include: What encryption protocols are used, and how secure are they? Can you trust the provider’s privacy policy?
- Customer Support Evaluation: Understanding the quality of customer service is crucial. We ask: How responsive and knowledgeable is the customer support team? Do they genuinely assist, or just push sales?
- Pricing, Trials, and Value for Money: We consider the cost, available payment options, free plans/trials, and money-back guarantees. We ask: Is the VPN worth its price compared to what’s available in the market?
- Additional Considerations: We also look at self-service options for users, such as knowledge bases and setup guides, and the ease of cancellation.
Learn more about our review methodology.
References
- https://www.reddit.com/r/vpnreviews/comments/65165a/expressvpn_review
- https://www.expressvpn.com/order
- https://www.fortinet.com/blog/resources/cyberglossary/benefits-of-vpn
- https://www.expressvpn.com/features/money-back-guarantee
- https://donotpay.com/learn/express-vpn-refund/
- https://www.expressvpn.com/features/vpn-payments
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sq36J9pNaEo
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Legality_of_bitcoin_by_country_or_territory
