ExpressVPN Overview

General Overview

ExpressVPN is a virtual private network service that’s based in the British Virgin Islands. Which are outside of surveillance organizations like the 14 eyes alliance. This is good news because it means the British Virigin Islands are independent and therefore can adopt their own laws and regulations for online privacy.

ExpressVPN has about 3000 servers in over 94 countries. Which at first glance might seem good because you have a lot of different locations you can connect to. The app is available on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, and they provide set-up guides for Apple TV, PlayStation, Chromebooks, Kindle Fire and others.

Privacy

Since ExpressVPN is located in the British Virgin Islands they don’t have to record their users’ online activity and keep logs to cooperate with authorities. And according to their website they never keep logs to provide complete privacy to their users.

However, ExpressVPN does collect users’ data through cookies. According to their privacy policy ” The cookies set by ExpressVPN enable us to set your language preference, attribute visitors to a marketing channel, and, once you log in, securely show you information that is specific to your account.”

So even though they do not keep any logs of your sessions, they still gather some information for marketing purposes.

Product and User Experience

As previously mentioned, ExpressVPN has dedicated apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS and Linux. The ExpressVPN installation is fairly quick and simple. And the app has an easy to understand interface that anybody can get used to.

The ExpressVPN app can also unblock geo-restricted streaming content on platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu and HBO GO. But it doesn’t work for all locations.

Speed & Performance

Most VPN services are known for slowing down your internet connection. It’s rare to find a VPN that doesn’t. And ExpressVPN is not an exception to the rule. Depending on the servers you connect to you might experience a slowed connection.

ExpressVPN OFF

ExpressVPN ON

As you can see ExpressVPN does slow down the internet connection. By how much? This will depend on your location and the location to which you’re connecting to, as well as on your ISP or on servers’ congestion. However if you need a high speed connection or if you’re looking for a gaming VPN you’re better off looking for an alternative.

Servers & Locations

ExpressVPN offers over 3000 servers in 94 countries. While that might seem impressive at first, the truth is that the server to country ratio isn’t that big. Which means servers might get too crowded and you might experience slower speeds.

You should also be aware of the fact that ExpressVPN’s servers from Russia, Turkey, Venezuela, and Vietnam are virtual. This means they are configured to appear as if they’re in those countries but in fact their physical location is somewhere different.

Devices

With 1 ExpressVPN subscription you can protect up to 3 devices at the same time. This is a low number, considering the industry standard is 5 devices. Other services allow even more connections. CyberGhost VPN for instance allows the use of up to 7 devices at the same time, and Private Internet Access allows 10 devices on 1 single subscription and their prices are considerably lower than ExpressVPN.

The ExpressVPN app is available on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android. They have no dedicated app for smart TVs like Apple TV, or Amazon Firestick, but you can configure a connection on other devices using their step-by-step guides.

Support

ExpressVPN has 24/7 support and they also offer a live chat feature on their website. You normally get pretty fast replies and competent answers. They also have some articles for troubleshooting and answers to frequently asked questions in the support section on their website.

Pricing and Plans

ExpressVPN is one of the most expensive services on the market. You can choose between a 1 month, 6 months and 1-year subscription.

The price for the 1-month subscription is a one-time payment of $12.95. For the 6-month subscription you get billed $59.95 every 6 months, which amounts to $9.99/month. And for the 1-year subscription you pay $99.95 every year, which amounts to $8.32/month.

Summary

ExpressVPN is a solid VPN service with multiple locations that can help you unblock Netflix and other streaming services, but the service has some issues considering its high price-point. Check our list of pros and cons bellow to decide if it’s the right service for you.