ExpressVPN Review 2024: Premium Speed, Security, and Streaming Capabilities
ExpressVPN remains one of the top VPN services in 2024, continuing to offer speed, security, and privacy for users across the globe. Known for its robust privacy policy and blazing-fast speeds, it has maintained a high ranking in the competitive VPN market. However, many users wonder if its higher price point is still justified in comparison to its rivals.
In this review, we’ll explore ExpressVPN’s features, performance, and pricing to see if it lives up to the hype. Whether you’re concerned about online privacy, looking for fast and secure browsing, or trying to unblock streaming services, ExpressVPN claims to be a solution for all these needs.
- Fast Servers: ExpressVPN provides high-speed servers, making it great for streaming and downloading large files.
- Strong Privacy: It has a no-logs policy and operates from a privacy-friendly jurisdiction, ensuring user data is not stored or shared.
- Works on Multiple Devices: You can use ExpressVPN on many devices, including desktops, smartphones, and routers.
- Excellent Customer Support: ExpressVPN offers 24/7 live chat support for quick assistance.
- More Expensive: ExpressVPN costs more than many other VPNs, which might not suit budget-conscious users.
- Lacks Some Advanced Features: It doesn’t include extras like double VPN or dedicated IPs in its standard plans.
- No Native WireGuard: ExpressVPN doesn’t support the WireGuard protocol, which some users prefer.
ExpressVPN Features
Speed and Performance
One of ExpressVPN’s strongest selling points is its remarkable speed. Powered by the proprietary Lightway protocol, it delivers fast connections, making it one of the top performers in the VPN world. Unlike many other VPNs that rely on WireGuard, ExpressVPN developed its own protocol to ensure faster speeds and seamless connectivity. During real-world testing, users reported speeds reaching up to 718 Mbps on select servers. This makes it suitable for high-bandwidth activities such as streaming 4K videos, gaming, and large file downloads without interruptions.
But it’s not just about speed. ExpressVPN also excels in maintaining stable connections even when switching between different networks, such as Wi-Fi and mobile data. This stability, combined with its ability to unblock geo-restricted content, makes ExpressVPN an ideal choice for streamers and travelers. Whether you’re accessing Netflix, Amazon Prime, or other streaming platforms, ExpressVPN ensures a smooth viewing experience, free from buffering.
Privacy and Security
ExpressVPN takes user privacy very seriously, making it one of the most trusted VPN services available today. The company adheres to a strict no-logs policy, meaning that it doesn’t store your browsing activity, IP address, or any other personally identifiable data. This ensures that no matter where you are or what you’re doing online, your data remains private.
One of the standout features is ExpressVPN’s location in the British Virgin Islands, which has no mandatory data retention laws. This gives ExpressVPN an added layer of protection, as they are not subject to data-sharing agreements like those seen in countries part of the Five Eyes or Fourteen Eyes alliances. This jurisdiction enhances the trust users place in ExpressVPN, knowing their information won’t be shared with governments or third parties.
On the security side, ExpressVPN employs AES-256 encryption, the same standard used by the military and financial institutions. This level of encryption ensures that your data is safeguarded from hackers, cybercriminals, and surveillance attempts. It also offers DNS leak protection and an automatic kill switch feature called Network Lock, which prevents your IP address from being exposed if the VPN connection drops.
Ease of Use
ExpressVPN offers user-friendly apps across multiple platforms, making it simple to use whether you’re a beginner or an experienced VPN user. The VPN is compatible with almost every device imaginable, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, and even routers. This means you can protect all your devices with a single subscription. Additionally, ExpressVPN allows up to eight simultaneous connections, which is higher than the industry standard.
Setting up ExpressVPN is straightforward. Upon installing the app, you can connect to a server with just one click. The apps have a clean and intuitive interface, which is consistent across platforms, so you won’t have to learn a new system if you switch between devices. The settings are also easy to navigate, offering essential features like split tunneling, which allows you to choose which apps use the VPN connection and which do not.
Another highlight is ExpressVPN’s browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. These extensions enhance your browsing security by preventing WebRTC leaks and allowing you to spoof your location. While the extensions are not standalone proxies, they control the main VPN app, providing a seamless experience across your devices.
Server Network
ExpressVPN boasts a vast server network, with over 3,000 servers spread across 105 countries. This wide distribution ensures that users can easily find a server close to their location, improving speed and reducing latency. Whether you’re connecting from North America, Europe, Asia, or even more remote regions, there’s likely a server nearby to provide a fast and stable connection.
This extensive network also plays a significant role in unblocking geo-restricted content. ExpressVPN is well-known for its ability to bypass restrictions on platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+, making it an ideal choice for streamers. If you’re traveling abroad and want to access content from home, ExpressVPN’s vast server network can help you appear as though you’re browsing from your native country.
Additionally, all servers are RAM-based, meaning no data is ever stored on physical hard drives. This makes data retrieval impossible, adding another layer of security to the service. The servers also support advanced features like split tunneling and P2P file sharing, making it a versatile option for users who need more than just basic browsing protection.
Pricing and Plans
| Plan | Price per Month | Total Cost | Additional Benefits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Plan | $12.95 | $12.95 per month | No additional discounts |
| 6-Month Plan | $9.99 | $59.95 billed every 6 months | 23% savings compared to monthly |
| 12-Month Plan | $6.67 | $99.95 billed annually | 49% savings + 3 free months |
ExpressVPN is known for its premium pricing, positioning itself at the higher end of the VPN market. The standard monthly plan costs around $12.95 per month, which is noticeably more expensive than many of its competitors. However, if you opt for longer-term plans, you can save significantly. The 6-month plan reduces the monthly cost to $9.99, and the most affordable option, the 12-month plan, costs approximately $6.67 per month, including three additional free months. However, during Black Friday sale, you might get additional offers and extra months.
While these prices are higher compared to rivals like NordVPN or Surfshark, ExpressVPN justifies the premium with its performance, security features, and reliability. The question is whether the extra cost is worth it for the features you get. For many users, the speed, privacy guarantees, and ability to bypass geo-restrictions make it a worthwhile investment.
ExpressVPN also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try the service risk-free. This is a standard offer across most VPN providers, but it’s reassuring to know that you can get a refund if you’re unsatisfied. Additionally, ExpressVPN occasionally runs promotions that provide significant discounts, so it’s worth keeping an eye on these deals to reduce costs.
Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q)
Is ExpressVPN still worth it in 2024?
Yes, ExpressVPN continues to offer excellent performance, strong privacy, and reliable service, making it worth the investment in 2024. While it may be more expensive than other VPNs, the combination of speed, security, and global server access justifies the cost for users seeking premium quality.
How many devices can I connect with ExpressVPN at the same time?
You can connect up to eight devices simultaneously with a single ExpressVPN subscription. This is a higher limit than many VPNs, which typically offer around five connections at a time.
Does ExpressVPN work with Netflix and other streaming services?
Yes, ExpressVPN reliably unblocks Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, and many other streaming platforms. Its fast servers make streaming in high quality smooth and free from buffering.
What makes ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol different?
Lightway is a proprietary VPN protocol designed by ExpressVPN. It is faster, more lightweight, and offers quicker connections compared to traditional protocols like OpenVPN. It’s optimized for performance without sacrificing security, making it ideal for users who prioritize speed.
Wrapping Up
ExpressVPN continues to be a top choice for VPN users in 2024, offering a solid balance of speed, security, and privacy. Its Lightway protocol ensures faster connections and its no-logs policy provides peace of mind for privacy-conscious users. The service is compatible with a wide range of devices, and the ability to connect up to eight devices simultaneously makes it versatile for individuals and families alike.
