ExpressVPN review
Our highest speed score at 9.6 and our highest streaming score at 9.4 — at the highest price.
What we like
- Highest speed score in our comparison, at 9.6 out of 10
- Highest streaming score in our comparison, at 9.4 out of 10
- BVI jurisdiction outside all Eyes alliances
- Proven in court: servers seized in 2017, no data existed
- Lightway protocol includes a post-quantum key exchange
What we don't
- Most expensive option in this list by a wide margin
- Only 8 simultaneous devices
- Owned by Kape Technologies, which also owns CyberGhost and PIA
- Audit reports come less often than IVPN's or TunnelBear's annual streak
Our verdict
If you measure your connection on a fast line, ExpressVPN carries the highest speed score we publish, at 9.6, and the Lightway protocol is the most technically modern of the options here. You are paying a genuine premium for that, and for most people on a normal Swedish broadband connection NordVPN or Surfshark deliver a difference you will not perceive.
Prices and facts last verified October 6, 2026
Score breakdown
The weighted total, and what each component contributed. Weights are published and identical across all eleven providers.
Why we scored it this way
Strong on every axis except price. Its own Lightway protocol post-quantum handshake, RAM-only TrustedServer infrastructure and a real court-tested history justify the privacy score. The price score is the lowest of the top three because the 2-year term costs roughly 60% more than Surfshark's.
Privacy and logging
Audit evidence cited: KPMG, PwC, Cure53. We summarise publicly available reports and do not have access to the underlying working papers.
Network, protocols and speed
Pricing
| Term | From /month | Total price |
|---|---|---|
| 2 years Best value | $4.96 | $119 |
| 1 year | $10.75 | $129 |
| 1 month | $18.99 | $18.99 |
Prices change frequently and are set by the provider. The date above is when we last verified them; the provider's checkout is always authoritative, and you will never be charged the wrong amount because of an error here.
Who it suits
People on fast fibre or 5G who notice throughput loss, and anyone whose priority is reliable streaming without a VPN constantly being tuned.
How it compares
Where this provider wins and where it does not, against the two nearest alternatives on our list.
Surfshark
Genuinely unlimited devices, and a two-year price below NordVPN, ExpressVPN or CyberGhost.
Proton VPN
Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps and a transparency report with real numbers in it.
ExpressVPN questions
How much does ExpressVPN cost?
The cheapest plan we list works out at $4.96 per month for 2 years, which is $119 in total. That figure can change at any time — we last verified it on the date shown above — and it is the effective cost of the whole subscription rather than a headline monthly rate. You get 30 days to change your mind.
Can ExpressVPN really be trusted not to log my data?
The claim is supported by 6 independent audit engagements with KPMG, PwC, Cure53, the most recent dated 2025-10. RAM-only servers: Yes. Intelligence alliance membership: Outside. Real-world legal test: yes — there is a documented case. We rate what is verifiable rather than what is promised, which is why this answer scores the way it does.
Why does ExpressVPN score what it scores?
ExpressVPN scores 9.0 out of 10, which places it number 3 of the eleven we review, under the badge 'Best for speed'. The score is a weighted sum of privacy, speed, value, streaming and ease of use, with the weights published in full on our methodology page. Affiliate commission had no influence on any component of it.
Try ExpressVPN
Check the current price and the terms of the plan you want before you commit. Every plan here includes a money-back window, so the first decision is reversible.