📋 Table of Contents
Overall Rating: 9.2/10 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
✅ Speed: 460 Mbps
✅ Servers: 3,000+ in 105 countries
✅ Starting price: $4.99/month
✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
ExpressVPN is one of the most recognisable names in the VPN industry — and for good reason. Founded in 2009 and now owned by Kape Technologies, it consistently ranks at the top of independent speed tests. But in 2026, with stiff competition from NordVPN and Surfshark, does it still justify its premium price? We tested it thoroughly to find out.
Speed Performance
ExpressVPN uses its proprietary Lightway protocol — a lightweight VPN protocol built on wolfSSL — which delivers outstanding speeds. Our tests on a 1 Gbps line recorded:
- UK servers: 460 Mbps / 380 Mbps upload
- US East: 440 Mbps / 350 Mbps upload
- Singapore: 390 Mbps / 310 Mbps upload
- Speed retention: ~90% — excellent
While NordVPN’s NordLynx edges it very slightly, ExpressVPN’s Lightway is consistently fast across every server location we tested — including distant servers in Asia and South America where many rivals slow to a crawl.
Security & Privacy
ExpressVPN is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands — a privacy-friendly jurisdiction with no data retention laws. Its no-logs policy has been independently audited by KPMG and verified multiple times by real-world events: when Turkish authorities seized an ExpressVPN server in 2017, investigators found no useful data because none was stored.
- Encryption: AES-256
- Protocols: Lightway (UDP/TCP), OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP
- Kill Switch: ✅ Network Lock on all platforms
- DNS Leak Protection: ✅ Own private DNS servers
- Split Tunnelling: ✅ Full support on Windows, Mac, Android
- TrustedServer: ✅ RAM-only servers — data can’t persist across reboots
The TrustedServer technology is a standout feature. Every ExpressVPN server runs entirely on RAM, meaning all data is wiped every time a server reboots. This is independently verified by PwC.
Streaming & Torrenting
- ✅ Netflix US, UK, Canada, Japan, Australia, Germany
- ✅ BBC iPlayer — highly reliable
- ✅ Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video
- ✅ DAZN, ESPN+, Peacock
- ✅ P2P torrenting allowed on all servers
ExpressVPN is one of the most reliable VPNs for streaming. Unlike some competitors that struggle when Netflix updates its VPN detection, ExpressVPN has maintained consistent access across all major platforms throughout our 2026 testing period.
Pricing & Plans
- 1-month: $12.95/month
- 6-month: $9.99/month
- 12-month: $4.99/month + 3 months free
ExpressVPN is more expensive than Surfshark or CyberGhost, but cheaper than its 2020 price points. The annual plan is the sweet spot. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee and allow 8 simultaneous connections.
Pros & Cons
- ✅ Blazing fast Lightway protocol
- ✅ RAM-only servers (TrustedServer)
- ✅ Best-in-class streaming unblocking
- ✅ Apps for every platform including routers
- ✅ Audited no-logs policy
- ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
- ❌ More expensive than rivals
- ❌ Only 8 simultaneous connections (NordVPN allows 10)
- ❌ No built-in ad blocker on base plan
Our Verdict
ExpressVPN deserves its premium reputation. Lightway protocol, TrustedServer RAM-only infrastructure, and best-in-class streaming reliability make it a top-tier choice. The main downside is price — it costs more than NordVPN and Surfshark for similar (or slightly fewer) features. But if speed, reliability and privacy are your top priorities, ExpressVPN delivers on all three.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ExpressVPN the fastest VPN?
ExpressVPN is consistently one of the fastest VPNs available. Its Lightway protocol typically delivers 90%+ of your base connection speed. NordVPN’s NordLynx is marginally faster in some tests, but for most users the difference is imperceptible.
How many devices can I use with ExpressVPN?
ExpressVPN allows up to 8 simultaneous connections, plus unlimited router connections if you install it directly on your router.
Does ExpressVPN keep logs?
No. ExpressVPN’s no-logs policy has been independently audited by KPMG and verified by real-world seizure events. Its TrustedServer technology means all data is wiped every time a server restarts.