TL;DR
ExpressVPN is a polished, privacy-first VPN that stays fast and simple across nearly every device you own. It costs more than most competitors and limits you to eight simultaneous connections, yet it backs that premium with strong audited privacy claims, an extensive location list across 105 countries, and modern, future-minded cryptography. A 2024 Windows DNS-leak bug tied to split tunneling did happen and was fixed with removal then restoration of the feature, and the company has faced past scrutiny over its parent’s history and a former executive’s unrelated legal case. If you value dead-simple apps, reliable streaming access, and proven privacy architecture, ExpressVPN is still a top pick.
What makes ExpressVPN different
ExpressVPN’s appeal is that it gets the basics right with almost no tinkering. You download the app, tap Connect, and it just works. The service focuses on a few core pillars: a wide global footprint, consistency on every platform, thoughtful security choices, and 24/7 human support. Its apps now run on phones, computers, routers, smart TVs and even Apple TV, which recently gained a native app.
Quick facts
- Locations: Servers in 105 countries
- Device limit: 8 simultaneous connections per subscription
- Plans: Monthly, annual, and long-term options, all with a 30-day money-back guarantee
- Standout tech: RAM-only TrustedServer, Lightway protocol, post-quantum crypto by default, third-party audits
- Support: 24/7 live chat
These are anchored in ExpressVPN’s public materials and third-party coverage.
Apps and day-to-day use
ExpressVPN’s apps are consistent across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux and popular TV platforms. The interface is clean, the Connect button is front and center, and default settings are sane. Setup is equally straightforward on routers thanks to ExpressVPN’s own firmware and its Aircove router line, which can protect every device in your home without installing individual apps.
Apple TV support deserves special mention. As of tvOS 17, ExpressVPN released a native Apple TV app, so you can change locations directly on the device rather than relying on Smart DNS workarounds. That reduces friction for streaming and keeps the experience familiar.
Privacy and security
Jurisdiction and logging posture
ExpressVPN is operated by Express Technologies Ltd., a company registered in the British Virgin Islands. BVI has no mandatory data retention laws, which the company highlights as part of its privacy posture. ExpressVPN also maintains a no-logs policy that has been independently audited multiple times.
Audits and architecture
ExpressVPN runs its fleet on TrustedServer, a RAM-only design that wipes on reboot and avoids writing data to disk. PwC audited TrustedServer and key privacy controls, and KPMG has conducted repeated no-logs assessments, most recently in June 2025. The in-house Lightway protocol was re-implemented in Rust and received dual audits from Cure53 and Praetorian in 2025. These steps do not guarantee perfection, yet they provide rare, repeatable transparency for a consumer VPN.
Post-quantum protection
ExpressVPN added post-quantum cryptography to Lightway and has since upgraded to ML-KEM, the NIST-selected standard. TechRadar also covered this broader post-quantum push, and the company published details of the transition. In 2025 ExpressVPN extended its post-quantum strategy to a hardened version of WireGuard as well. This is unusual leadership in a market where most providers still treat post-quantum as a future problem.
The 2017 “no logs” test in the real world
When Turkish authorities seized an ExpressVPN server in 2017 during a high-profile investigation, they reported no usable logs on the machine. This incident is often cited in privacy discussions because it provided a public stress test of the company’s claims.
The 2024 Windows DNS-leak incident
Between May 19, 2022 and Feb 7, 2024, some Windows users who turned on split tunneling had DNS requests escape the VPN tunnel. ExpressVPN removed the feature in a February 2024 update, then restored it after fixes and further testing. Independent reporting documented the issue and the timeline. If you use Windows, keep your app current and review split-tunneling settings.
Network, speed and performance
ExpressVPN’s network spans 105 countries, giving you unusual geographic variety for travel, streaming or work. The company no longer publishes a server count, and independent reviewers have noted that change, but location coverage remains broad. In mid-2025 ExpressVPN also expanded to have server locations in every U.S. state, which is handy for people who need state-level IPs for regional content or blackouts.
On speed, results vary by reviewer and region, yet top outlets consistently place ExpressVPN near the front. Engadget’s July 2025 tests measured about a 7% average download hit and a 2% upload loss worldwide, which is excellent for day-to-day use. Tom’s Guide found multi-gigabit peaks in recent roundups and called out improved results year over year. Lightway’s design helps mobile devices establish connections quickly and recover cleanly from network changes. Your mileage will depend on proximity to servers and your base line.
Streaming and unblocking
ExpressVPN is one of the most reliable options for unblocking popular platforms. It promotes compatibility with BBC iPlayer and other services and is commonly recommended by mainstream tech reviewers for streaming. As with any VPN, you may need to switch locations when a service rotates blocks. The addition of an Apple TV app reduces friction since you can do the location switching on the couch.
If your device does not support VPN apps, ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer Smart DNS is included with your subscription. MediaStreamer is not a VPN, so it does not add encryption or location toggling in the same way, but it can help with streaming access on devices like certain smart TVs and consoles.
Extra features worth noting
- Advanced Protection: toggle ad blocking, tracker blocking, and DNS-level parental controls inside the app. These features are included with every plan. They work when the VPN is on, and you can manage them centrally on the Aircove router.
- Ad blocker: built-in filtering for most display ads to reduce clutter and page weight.
- Threat Manager: a blocklist-driven system that stops device communications with known trackers and malicious hosts.
- ExpressVPN Keys: an integrated password manager included with your VPN plan, with a Cure53 audit of its components. Nice to have if you want fewer subscriptions.
- Dedicated IP: a paid add-on for people who need a stable address for banking or hosting use cases. Availability varies by region.
- Aircove and Aircove Go: Wi-Fi 6 routers with ExpressVPN built in, device groups per room, plus ad blocking and parental controls at the network edge. These are optional but deliver whole-home protection in one place.
Pricing and value
ExpressVPN sits at the higher end of the market. As of August 2025, the common promotional plan is $4.99 per month on a two-year term with extra months bundled, and the monthly plan is $12.95. You can confirm current offers on the checkout page. Major deal roundups from Tom’s Guide and TechRadar show comparable numbers across the industry, with many rivals undercutting ExpressVPN on long-term pricing. All ExpressVPN plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee.
The service allows up to 8 simultaneous connections per account, which is enough for most households though not unlimited like Surfshark or PIA. You can cover unlimited devices through a router if you need more.
Ownership, transparency and trust
ExpressVPN became part of Kape Technologies in 2021 in a nearly $1 billion deal. Some buyers care about corporate lineage and past controversies. In 2021 a then-executive at ExpressVPN, Daniel Gericke, settled U.S. charges related to prior work on an unrelated government hacking program before joining the company. ExpressVPN addressed the concerns at the time. This history does not automatically reflect on the service’s present behavior, yet it is reasonable for privacy-minded users to weigh it alongside the company’s audit trail and technical safeguards.
Pros
- Audited privacy stack
TrustedServer runs diskless, Lightway is open to scrutiny, and KPMG, PwC and Cure53 have all examined parts of the service. Multiple audits across years are stronger than one-and-done claims. - Modern cryptography, future focus
Post-quantum protections ship by default in Lightway and have expanded to WireGuard, putting ExpressVPN ahead of most rivals on crypto agility. - Broad location coverage and strong device support
105 countries, native Apple TV support, and router-level options make it easy to protect any screen in your life. - Consistent streaming access
Regular success with iPlayer, Netflix and more, plus MediaStreamer for devices that cannot run VPN apps. - Excellent usability and support
The apps are simple and the live chat is 24/7, which reduces the chance you will need to fiddle with settings.
Cons
- Price
ExpressVPN costs more than most top competitors on comparable terms. You can often find multi-year deals elsewhere for half the price or less. - Eight-device limit
Eight simultaneous connections cover many people, yet families with lots of gadgets may prefer unlimited-device providers unless they use a router. - Feature breadth
ExpressVPN focuses on core VPN functionality and light extras. If you want heavyweight suites with built-in antivirus, data-breach monitoring and elaborate automation, some rivals go further. - The 2024 Windows DNS-leak episode
Split tunneling caused partial DNS leaks for a subset of Windows users. The company removed, fixed and restored the feature, then commissioned extra testing, but the incident is part of the record. - Corporate baggage for the cautious
The 2021 Kape acquisition and the former executive’s DOJ settlement might be deal-breakers for some despite years of audits and architectural safeguards.
Who will love ExpressVPN
- Frequent travelers and remote workers who need reliable access across many countries and platforms, including hotel TVs and streaming devices
- Privacy-first users who want repeatable third-party assurance and modern cryptography without wrangling advanced settings
- Households that prefer simplicity in the app, clear on/off controls, and help on chat at all hours
- Streamers who want dependable unblocking on living-room hardware like Apple TV
Detailed look at performance and stability
Across a mix of independent tests in 2025, ExpressVPN delivered stable connections and competitive speeds. Engadget measured only a 7% average download penalty across global hops, which is within the margin where you rarely notice a slowdown in browsing or 4K streaming. Tom’s Guide’s broader speed roundups also show ExpressVPN holding its own. If raw benchmarks are your top priority, NordVPN and Surfshark occasionally chart higher, but ExpressVPN remains fast enough for gaming, UHD video and large file sync. Your best bet for speed is to use the Automatic protocol setting, let the app choose a nearby location, and if you are on mobile, stick with Lightway.
Advanced features in practice
Advanced Protection runs at the DNS layer to block ad domains and known trackers. In daily use that reduces clutter and can shave milliseconds from page loads. Pair it with Threat Manager to keep apps from quietly calling home to analytics and ad networks. If you manage a family network, Aircove brings these controls to every device, including gadgets that cannot run a VPN at all. Assign a kid’s tablet to a device group with time limits and adult-content blocking, keep work devices in a stricter profile, and leave the game console on a low-latency nearby location. This is where ExpressVPN’s ecosystem shows value beyond the app itself.
Keys, the integrated password manager, is basic compared to dedicated tools yet convenient for many. It stores passwords, payment details and notes, syncs across devices and has undergone a Cure53 security assessment. If you already pay for a top password manager, Keys will not replace it, but for new users it lowers the barrier to better habits.
If you need to access services that dislike shared IPs, the Dedicated IP option can reduce login friction. Be mindful that any dedicated address is more identifiable by design, so weigh convenience against anonymity.
Pricing clarity and how to save
ExpressVPN’s most visible deal right now is $4.99/month on a long plan that bills upfront, with a $12.95 monthly alternative if you want flexibility. Deal trackers at Tom’s Guide and TechRadar regularly surface limited-time promos, though ExpressVPN rarely matches the ultra-low headline prices of budget rivals. If you plan to cover a whole home, consider buying once at the router level rather than adding more individual subs. Always set a calendar reminder before renewal so you can re-shop the market with fresh deals.
Comparisons you might be weighing
- NordVPN: usually faster in automated tests and stuffed with extras like Threat Protection and Meshnet. Better price per month on long plans. ExpressVPN is simpler to drive and has more mature Apple TV and router experiences.
- Surfshark: far cheaper on two-year deals and offers unlimited device connections. ExpressVPN remains ahead on polish and audits.
- PIA and CyberGhost: great pricing and large networks. If you want unlimited devices or deep configurability, they stand out. ExpressVPN offers broader country coverage and a steadier cross-platform feel.
Verdict
ExpressVPN earns its reputation by sweating the fundamentals: clean apps, fast connects, strong cryptography and a real audit trail. It is not the cheapest and it does not chase every shiny feature. It also owns the 2024 DNS-leak misstep and an ownership story that will not sit well with some. But if you value a VPN that you can set up once, trust on every device, and forget about, ExpressVPN remains one of the safest long-term bets in 2025.
Recommended for people who want a premium VPN that puts privacy engineering first and keeps the experience fuss-free
Not ideal for buyers who need unlimited device slots or the absolute lowest price
Pros and cons at a glance
Pros
- Strong, repeatable third-party audits for core privacy claims
- Post-quantum protections across Lightway and a hardened WireGuard
- 105-country coverage with a native Apple TV app and router options
- Reliable streaming access with MediaStreamer for edge cases
- 24/7 live chat and beginner-friendly apps
Cons
- Higher price than close competitors
- Eight-device limit unless you use a router
- Fewer bolt-on extras than some suites
- 2024 Windows DNS-leak history tied to split tunneling
- Ownership and past executive scrutiny that some will avoid
