When it comes to choosing a VPN, ExpressVPN often stands out as a top contender in the market.

Known for its robust security features, lightning-fast speeds, and user-friendly interface, ExpressVPN has built a solid reputation among privacy enthusiasts, streamers, and everyday internet users alike.

But what exactly sets ExpressVPN apart from the competition? Whether you’re looking to secure your online activities, access geo-restricted content, or protect your personal data from prying eyes, this ExpressVPN Review claims to offer a solution that caters to these needs and more.

In this ExpressVPN Review, we will dive deep into what makes ExpressVPN a popular choice. From its industry-standard AES-256 encryption to its ease of use across various platforms, we’ll explore every aspect—from speed and server coverage to streaming and torrenting capabilities.

We’ll also highlight its strengths and any potential drawbacks to help you make an informed decision. So, if you’re wondering whether ExpressVPN is truly worth the investment.

This review will provide a comprehensive overview of its features, performance, and real-world usability, helping you determine if it’s the right VPN for you.

Pros and Cons of ExpressVPN: The Full Picture

When it comes to choosing a VPN, weighing the ExpressVPN pros and cons is essential to making an informed decision. Let’s break down what makes ExpressVPN stand out, as well as some areas where it could improve.

Why Do So Many People Choose Express VPN Recently?

So as of late, ExpressVPN has probably been one of the best VPN for security and it is easy to see why.

Featuring rock-solid security, ultra-fast speeds, and access to dozens of global streaming services, it is a solid all-around VPN pick.

Those features, in league with its ease of use, consistent customer support, and high privacy standards, likely helped contribute to the increase in popularity.

Making it the best VPN for security we now consider an easy recommendation for those seeking both performance as well as peace of mind online.

Security and Privacy with ExpressVPN Features: Let’s Dive In

ExpressVPN is usually near the top when it comes to great security and privacy. Let us break down what makes ExpressVPN features so reliable in these areas and we will make sure we cover all the important elements, so nothing gets left out.

Encryption Standards

This should begin with encryption, the most important part of any VPN. ExpressVPN employs AES-256 encryption, which is more or less the industry standard at this point.

AES-256 is the equivalent level of encryption used by governments and security professionals worldwide, so you can be guaranteed that your data is safe.

Furthermore, ExpressVPN uses Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS). So if someone breaks your session key, they wouldn’t be able to decrypt any past sessions.

PFS rotates your encryption keys periodically to keep sure that they are not stolen. So, is ExpressVPN worth it with this level of encryption? Many would say yes.

Also, ExpressVPN provides multiple security protocols. These consist of OpenVPN, IKEv2, and their own Lightway protocol.

OpenVPN and IKEv2 are proven fearless in the VPN world, delivering remarkable speed while not compromising on security.

The more exciting part is the Lightway protocol; it promises to be quicker, safer, and overall better at preserving a connection on mobile devices.

It sends messages in a lightweight format and helps react quickly to switch networks. So, if you care about both speed and security, is ExpressVPN worth it? This feature alone makes it definitely worth a try.

No-Logs Policy

Privacy is one major right which people want from all VPNs. ExpressVPN has a strict no-logs policy which means that they do not collect any logs of your online activity.

And it is not just a statement, third-party audits have confirmed this. In early 2019, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) inspected ExpressVPN’s server and verified their Zero-logging policy.

This is to say that they log no browsing history, retain the connection logs of users in aggregate form, and do not keep anything.

Whether you’re using ExpressVPN for streaming or browsing, all your online activities remain completely private and protected.

Jurisdiction

Now, let us discuss the location of ExpressVPN, the British Virgin Islands (BVI). It needs to be stressed that this is a pretty big deal when it comes to privacy.

Despite the BVI having strong privacy laws and no data retention agencies, ExpressVPN maintains not just zero logging but also prevents any data from passing through which would be under their control.

For anyone seeking an in-depth ExpressVPN review, this is a critical point. Moreover, being situated in the BVI means an island nation that falls under no warrant or duty can yield data, like a member of one 5/9/14 Eyes alliance.

A great way to shield your information from being offered over straightforwardly by any administration office.

Advanced Security Features

Alright, let us talk about some of the advanced ExpressVPN features that set it apart:

Network Lock (Kill Switch)

This is kind of your fail-safe feature. In case your VPN connection falls for whatever reason, the network lock is there to stop any data leak outside the secure VPN Tunnel.

This is important as one does his best to make sure their actual IP address and activities do not get revealed even for a split second.

DNS/IPv6 Leak Protection

Among the ExpressVPN features, it has built-in protection against DNS and IPv6 leaks.

This means that even if you are using a DNS server outside the VPN or you have enabled IPv6, your real IP address won’t be exposed to anyone.

These leaks are a common weakness in some VPNs, but with ExpressVPN, you are covered.

Threat Manager

This is a great new feature and worth mentioning, especially if you’re looking for the best VPN for security.

The Threat Manager works to block malicious third parties used for tracking or injecting malware, so apps and websites can’t communicate with these threats.

It acts like an additional line of defense that guarantees your device is not stealthily transmitting data to attentively malicious entities, making it a solid choice for anyone seeking the best VPN for security.

Split Tunneling

If you use ExpressVPN, this feature allows you to route some of your apps through the secured VPN connection and others directly to save bandwidth.

That is very useful if you want to access some things like streaming local content without the overhead of VPN. 

TrustedServer Technology

Another important option for the best VPN for security is the TrustedServer technology of ExpressVPN.

Their servers are powered by RAM-only, which clearly restricts them to hold no data for more time.

All of the data is wiped every time a server reboots. This in turn, also assures that your data can’t be saved or logged due to human error.

Performance And Speed With ExpressVPN

Speed is a big deal when it comes to VPNs. No one likes dealing with a buffering Netflix binge or the laggy mess that comes from participating in an online game.

Now let us see how well it works as regards speed and connection reliability in this ExpressVPN review.

Speed Tests Across Multiple Locations

When connecting to a server nearby, average web connection speeds should only fall by 5-10%.

As an example, if your speed before you were on ExpressVPN was 100 Mbps you might experience something like 90-95 Mbps when connected to a server that is near your location.

That is fairly decent and more than ample for HD streaming or gaming, thanks to key ExpressVPN features designed for optimized speed.

Speed wise, of course the more distant server like connecting to Europe or Asia being in the U.S, will be a little slower yet still quite good enough.

Because of this, expect around a 15-25% decrease in speed so on a 100 Mbps connection you could see speeds as low as 75 Mbps to an absolute best scenario of ~85 Mbps (14%).

As before, these speeds are still plenty for most uses including 4K streaming.

Impact on Internet Speed

ExpressVPN’s Lightway Protocol was developed to outstrip traditional VPN protocols such as OpenVPN.

Lightway is lightweight and uses less overhead to establish and maintain a secure connection.

The beauty of Lightway is it keeps a speed drop practically non-existent, no matter if you switch networks or restore your connection after disconnection.

In technical terms, this means that no matter what activity you have the freedom to do such as streaming, gaming, or browsing. Lightway ensures a connection that is reliable and fast.

Huge win for ExpressVPN features if users can use it without even feeling like they are using a VPN.

Streaming and Torrenting Performance

ExpressVPN is easily one of the best VPNs out there for streaming. Having tested it across Netflix, Hulu, and Disney+, ExpressVPN for streaming was able to handle the load without breaking a sweat.

It is cuddly to streaming fans with minimal buffering and rapid load times. ExpressVPN for streaming even has fast enough servers that should stream 4K content without issue.

ExpressVPN is also among the best VPNs for torrenting. While the speed is through, it does remain consistently high on P2P-friendly servers so let’s face it, you can get large files downloaded before too long.

The no-logs policy in conjunction with the kill switch which is also known as Network Lock, means that your torrenting activities are private and secure.

Latency and Connection Stability

Latency also matters a lot, particularly if you do any gaming or video conferencing. ExpressVPN is one of the better options we have seen on this front.

Our tests confirm that servers closer to home will have low enough latency for high-action gaming or other real-time communication, making it one of the best VPNs for security.

But if you are gaming on a local server, you might see a latency increase of just 10-20ms, which is barely noticeable.

This can be higher for servers further afield, but it typically remains within an acceptable range that is unlikely to interfere with your gaming or video voice calls.

Lastly, ExpressVPN has proven to offer an iron-clad stability of connection. With features like the Lightway protocol and seamless server automation, dropped connections are exceedingly rare.

ExpressVPN users also see a consistent connection during peak times or server hops to allow secure and streaming of data-heavy activity.

Server Network And Coverage With ExpressVPN

You must have thought the size and quality of the server network to be deciding factors, yeah?

It is literally what dictates the speed and reliability of your connection in any part of the globe.

So, we will discuss the flavor of services from ExpressVPN and how their ExpressVPN pricing aligns with their exceptional features.

Global Server Network

The server network of ExpressVPN is genuinely one to boast around the globe. We mean 3,000 servers in 94 different countries.

That is a lot of options. Whether you are located in North America, Europe, Asia, or pretty much anywhere else on the Globe.

Your server is not far away. When we say extensive coverage, it is not about the number of servers you have, in fact here what we are discussing is that there should be one with ultimate speed and performance within your reach.

Now, why does this matter? The closer the server actually is to you, less latency meaning faster connection.

This means that if you are in Europe, then connecting to a server located in Germany, France, or the UK will get blazing fast speeds.

You can also find some of the best servers for a VPN in ExpressVPN and since they have more countries to connect using their servers, you are nearly always going to get a server that is just right for what you need, all while considering ExpressVPN pricing.

Specialized Servers

But it is about more than just the volume, it also concerns quality. ExpressVPN has specialized servers for various activities:

• Streaming Servers: ExpressVPN offers fully optimized streaming servers which you will love. These are optimized for high-bandwidth tasks like streaming, and ExpressVPN for streaming ensures that whether you are trying to get the best of Netflix U.S., BBC iPlayer, or Hulu, you can avoid any buffering and keep the video quality level up.
• P2P Servers: For torrenters, ExpressVPN has P2P-optimized servers that are set up to handle the bandwidth-intensive nature of file sharing. The VPN also offers strong encryption and a no-logs policy, so you can download quickly knowing your activities are secure and private.
• Obfuscated Servers: ExpressVPN offers obfuscated servers so you can circumvent internet censorship in countries like China or Iran. These servers are meant to make your VPN usage look like a regular browsing session, so no one can tell you are using a VPN server when connecting from behind government firewalls which block access to the greater internet. 

Server Load Balancing

Have you ever wanted to know how ExpressVPN for streaming keeps things running smoothly despite its servers being congested with hordes of users?

Load balancing between servers is a neat feature, and ExpressVPN will automatically route traffic across its servers to make sure that any one service does not become overcrowded.

The way it works is if a specific server is getting crowded, ExpressVPN can redistribute some of its network load to another steadier one.

This keeps your line stable and means you should keep getting high speeds, even during the busy times.

All of this occurs transparently to you, except that your VPN connection remains fast and reliable.

Real-Time Monitoring and Maintenance

In order to keep your data running smoothly, ExpressVPN does more than just create a server and then walk away.

They are monitoring in real time 24/7, ensuring that no server is idle, which justifies their competitive ExpressVPN pricing.

These checks monitor things like server load, connection success rates and latency, allowing ExpressVPN to address issues quickly before they become a problem for its users.

As for maintenance, ExpressVPN plans it well enough that you need not worry about downtime during your browsing or streaming. 

Usability And User Experience With ExpressVPN

The key is in how practical a VPN can be if it were meant to serve the public, if you will. Because at the end of the day, a VPN is only strong as it is easy to use. We now look at usability and user experience, which includes what we like about the performance of ExpressVPN.

User Interface and Features

Now, a word on the interface because no one wants to use an ugly app. It is equipped with a clean, clutter-free client that feels intuitive and comes loaded with easy-to-use features. And you will have to make very little adjustments in case of new VPN users on your team.

• App Design: ExpressVPN also comes across with its simple design but does not lack functionality. At the top level, there was a big on/off button to connect and disconnect along with fast server selection options. Need to switch locations? Simply tap the spot bar and search for a country or scroll through the servers if you wish to choose one. That, of course, is effortless and does not want you to navigate via menus.
• Split Tunneling: One of the standout features is split tunneling, it allows you to decide which apps and websites pass through the VPN and take a detour of the rest directly onto your ISP’s internet. It is incredibly easy to get it going as well, simply flip the switch in settings and you can choose whether or not each individual app.
• Custom Server Selection: Allows you to custom select and store your favorite server for instant access. If there are a few particular servers you find work best for something like streaming or gaming, rest assured that you can favorite those and have them handy when launching the app.
• Advanced Settings: For those who are quite particular about things, ExpressVPN also provides a range of advanced settings where you can control many aspects from the VPN protocol to the kill switch. But fear not, this is really an advanced concept that most users never need, the default settings will work best for almost everyone.

Multi-Platform Support

It is available on multiple platforms providing multi-platform support, so if you are switching between devices. Here is how it stacks up across different platforms:

• Smart TVs and Streaming Devices: If you own an Android TV, Amazon Fire TV Stick or even Apple TV then ExpressVPN will support you. For the most part, you can get them on just about any smart TV or streaming device and be joining your streams in no time. And if your device doesn’t support VPN apps, you can configure ExpressVPN MediaStreamer which is known as Smart DNS to stream any content.
• Routers: When you download ExpressVPN on a router, your entire household can be protected with one connection. It is a little more work than loading up an app on the computer or phone, but you will find some pretty clear step-by-step guides at ExpressVPN. 
• Browser Extensions: If you just need protection for your browsing and don’t want to run a full client, then ExpressVPN also provides browser add-ons for Chrome, Firefox and Edge. These are not just proxies, but full VPN which has the same level of encryption and safety just like their desktop app. It also plays nicely with just about every app on your device so you can use it to secure your browsing while not impacting anything else.
• Gaming Consoles and IoT Devices: You cannot install a VPN directly on gaming consoles or most internet-of-things devices but running ExpressVPN from your router ensures these can all benefit from VPN protection. 

Streaming And Bypassing Geo-Restrictions With ExpressVPN

If you’re like us, then catching up with your favorite shows or movies is important no matter where in the world you are.

But few things are more annoying than discovering there is geo-blocked content and your preferred show is not available in that particular region.

And it is especially where ExpressVPN for streaming really excels, continue reading as we talk through its performance with streaming and how it can help you bypass geo-restrictions.

Streaming Platform Access

Bypassing region restrictions is one of the main reasons why people use VPNs. ExpressVPN for streaming is a cool choice in this area.

ExpressVPN works remarkably well with Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer or Disney+ and Amazon Prime Video.

• Netflix: The big one of course is Netflix. Need to access the largest Netflix library available, one that boasts nearly double as many titles from the U.S. Or perhaps you need to see the newest shows on British or Japanese netflix? And what is amazing, every server you connect to from ExpressVPN have been regularly updated so even Netflix works on clamping down VPNs and yes with a high chance of finding one that will give you full HD or 4K quality all the way without buffering.
• Hulu and Disney+: In case of Hulu and Disney+, the performance is nearly identical as you get with ExpressVPN. So whether it is Hulu shows of Disney+ classics and new releases, ExpressVPN will give you the best streaming experience. 
• BBC iPlayer: Want to watch the best of British drama or documentaries? ExpressVPN got your back with BBC iPlayer. It is one of the better VPNs that you can use to access iPlayer if you are not in the U.K. and want things like Doctor Who or The Great British Bake Off though!
• Amazon Prime Video: Amazon Prime Video is another platform where ExpressVPN does well. You can easily switch between different country libraries, whether you are looking to catch up on U.S. exclusives or see what is trending in Germany or India.

The best thing about ExpressVPN is you can unblock these platforms more easily.

A big oversight from most VPNs is to overlook the importance of buffering-free streaming, using Lightway means you won’t suffer any drop in speed, so full 4K streams will stream smoothly. 

Censorship Circumvention

And now for something a little less fun, censorship. Not everywhere in the world allows you to access every site and streamer requires tools.

Yes, ExpressVPN is made to help bypass these restrictions especially if you live in China or Russia besides many other countries where internet access and content are heavily monitored.

• China: The Great Firewall of China is a household name when it comes to censorship systems. Though ExpressVPN has been proven to be consistent walking in. ExpressVPN even has servers preconfigured to bypass VPN-blocking measures and hide your traffic from the prying eyes of web filtering devices, perfect for accessing websites that may be under fire in heavily-censored regions. So you could still use something like Google, Facebook or Youtube even in China.
• Russia: In Russia, internet censorship is becoming more strict with the matter of VPN most especially. Their obfuscation and server network are key components of ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN works by sending your traffic through servers that pretend you are not using a VPN, which allows it to trick government filters and connect with the open internet.
• Other Restrictive Regions: ExpressVPN also works in other censored regions like Iran, Turkey and the UAE. High-end encryption, obfuscated servers and the ExpressVPN no-logs policy all combine to keep your online activities private and allow you access content which otherwise might be out of reach.

Customer Support And Reliability With ExpressVPN

Let’s discuss how they got your back. Good customer support is a benefit when it comes to using a VPN.

Knowing help is available when you either troubleshoot a connection issue or are seeking outstanding device setup, discussion, etc.

And then there is reliability, because let us be honest, a VPN that is always down isn’t doing anyone any good.

So, let us dive into this ExpressVPN review to see how it fares in these critical areas.

Customer Service Responsiveness

Let us first embark on customer support. ExpressVPN is often promoted as offering some of the most responsive customer support available in any VPN, but that tagline is not just a marketing gimmick, they are really serious.

Their 24/7 live chat would be the most direct and easy way to go. When you come across an issue or have a question there is live chat that connects you with someone almost instantly most times.

This is more than just bots or overseas agents on a script, they actually know what to do and can assist with everything from getting started all the way up through advanced troubleshooting.

If live chat isn’t your thing, they also offer email support. While not as instant as live chat, it is still pretty quick.

You will generally get a response within a few hours and the support team is thorough, they will walk you through your issue step by step.

Reliability and Uptime

So, onto reliability because let’s face it, even a VPN is great when it works and not one of the best if you constantly find yourself disconnected or otherwise unavailable.

Fortunately, this category is one of the few things this ExpressVPN review confirms they do well.

With 99.9% uptime, you can trust that the product will be up whenever you require it to.

This is not a marketing claim as user experience affirms that there has been minimal downtimes, even during rush hours.

Then how do they achieve such a high level of reliability? To start with, their server network is among the most powerful.

They have more than 3,000 servers covering nearly a hundred countries so they can distribute the loads efficiently enough for any single server to be overwhelmed. 

Their maintenance aspects are just world class. ExpressVPN performs regular maintenance at off-peak hours to avoid any possible interruptions.

And since they have such a huge server network, wait until one of them goes down for maintenance and jump on another without skipping a beat.

Pricing And Value For Money With ExpressVPN: Is It Worth It?

When you think of a VPN, price—well, the money it will cost to get that type of factor comes to your final perception.

ExpressVPN pricing is not the most affordable out there, so we will describe what you receive in exchange for its cost and why it might be worth your investment.

Subscription Plans and Pricing

You can select any of these since ExpressVPN offers many subscription options because different plans favor your needs.

ExpressVPN pricing structure, as of this moment, can be broken down into:

As you can see, the monthly plan is the most expensive option, but it offers flexibility if you only need the service for a short period.

The 6-month plan offers a decent discount, but the 12-month plan gives you the best value with a 48% savings over paying monthly.

It is worth mentioning that ExpressVPN does have a higher price point than some other VPNs, but this is arguably justified for the premium features it offers and its robust history of reliability with solid customer support.

Free Trial and Money-Back Guarantee

But despite the fact you do not get a common free trial, ExpressVPN will provide one thing even higher, a 30-day money-back guarantee.

This is practically a risk free trial period. You can sign up for the service, use it to your heart’s content and if you are not satisfied for any reason then in the first 30 days they will give a full refund without asking a single question. It’s a good way to try the service out before making long term decisions.

ExpressVPN usually runs promotions which will give you extra months for free with select plans, so make sure to check their site and see if there are any current deals running before signing up.

Value-Added Features

What really sets ExpressVPN apart and justifies its pricing are the value-added features that come with the service. Let’s talk about a few of these:

• Threat Manager: Blocks trackers and malicious websites that further secure you instead of hiding your IP address only. Even better to use if you are concerned about your privacy and don’t want websites tracking everything that you are doing on the internet.
• MediaStreamer (Smart DNS): Smart DNS feature from ExpressVPN, this is the protocol that can be used to bypass VPN settings in a sense you will still have access not directly through your mobile device despite having it enabled on other devices. For the streaming obsessed, this is a great way to expand what you can watch without any complicated setup.
• TrustedServer Technology: As previously mentioned, ExpressVPN uses TrustedServers to run servers on RAM only. Meaning no data stored temporarily or permanently on hard drives. That adds on a level of security and ensures every reboot is as good as new.

FAQs

Conclusion

We have shown you how ExpressVPN can be your digital Swiss Army knife, letting you slice through geo-blocks and encrypt your data faster than you can say “cybersecurity”. And those speeds? It is like strapping a rocket to your internet connection.

The VPN world is always evolving and always trying to stay one step ahead of the next big threat.

But with what you have learned about ExpressVPN, you are more than ready to join the game.

So, what is next on your internet freedom bucket list? Maybe you are planning to become a globetrotting digital nomad?

Whatever it is, you now know if ExpressVPN is the right sidekick for your online adventures.

So whether you decide to hop on the ExpressVPN train or keep shopping around, you are now equipped to make an informed decision.

The internet is your oyster and you have got the tools to crack it open. Happy browsing and may your buffer times be ever in your favor.