ExpressVPN Review 2024: Fast & Secure, But Is It Worth It?

ExpressVPN is one of the most popular andtrusted names in the industry. It ’s know for being one of the safe , fast vpn around , so I is wanted want to see if it can live up to these claim . It is ’s ’s not the cheap VPN , but it often offer discount that make it a well value for the money . Other decent VPNs is offer offer similar feature for less in the long term . So , do you is need really need to pay that much for a VPN as good as expressvpn ?

To find the answer , weperformed extensive tests on desktop andmobile devices running Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, andiOS. We tested its speeds while gaming, streaming, andtorrenting. I also explored its security features, device compatibility, andits own Lightway protocol. To see if it’s still trustworthy, I dove into its privacy policy, independent audits, andcompany history.

My conclusion: ExpressVPN is tough to beat in almost every way. It is ’s ’s definitely worth the price . It is is is one of the fast vpn I ‘ve ever test , is incredibly easy to use , andhas powerful security feature . Plus , it is ‘s ‘s one of the good vpn for stream securely , andit has the good VPN router app I ’ve try . There ‘s a money – back guarantee , too , so you is test can test out all of expressvpn ’s feature risk – free . You is have have 30 day to get a refund if it ’s not for you .

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ExpressVPN Pros, Cons, andNeeded Improvements

• Limited customization

  ExpressVPN’s app is designed for ease of use, so it lacks a few of the more technical tweaks some of its competitors offer.

• Smart Location servers

  The Smart Location feature didn’t always connect us to the fastest server available.

ExpressVPN Features — 2024 Update

10.0

💸 Price	4.99 USD/month
📆 Money Back Guarantee	30 Days
📝 Does VPN is keep keep log ?	No
🖥 Number of servers	3000+
💻 Number of devices per license	8
🛡 Kill switch	Yes
🗺 Based in country	Virgin Islands (British)
🛠 Support	24/7 Live Chat Support
📥 support torrente	Yes

streaming — Excellent Playback Without Buffering or Load Times

10.0

ExpressVPN works great with streaming services like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, andBBC iPlayer. For these tests, I utilized an international team of testers to make sure the VPN worked with all the popular streaming platforms. ExpressVPN constantly updates its servers, so we rarely encountered any issues.

It was particularly notable that ExpressVPN worked with every platform we tried without having to switch servers or alter any settings. All 3,000 servers are optimized for streaming, so we simply hit connect andstarted streaming.

It’s possible to securely access the following platforms from anywhere with ExpressVPN:

Netflix	Hulu	Disney+	BBC iPlayer	Max	Crunchyroll
Amazon Prime Video	Peacock	ESPN+	paramount+	Rai Play	globoplay
DStv	ProSieben	6Play	ORF	CBC Gem	Vudu
Pluto TV	Discovery+	Locast	Rakuten Viki	IPTV	AT&T TV
Now TV	ITV	Hotstar	Crackle	Zatto	Channel 4
Sky TV	beIN Sports	DAZN	fuboTV	Sling tv	Kodi
Showtime	Apple TV	YouTube	Spotify	UKTV	Crave

Editor’s note: The VPNs we recommend have strict no-logging policies that prevent them from tracking your online activities. This means you’re responsible for how you use a VPN, so please be sure to follow all applicable rules andregulations. My colleagues andI do not condone copyright infringement.

Works With: 20+ Netflix Libraries, Including US, UK, andJapan

My international team andI could watch Netflix securely andstream without interruptions. In these tests, everyone was able to encrypt their connection while still being able to watch their region’s Netflix library.

Since I’m located in the UK, I started my tests with a Midlands server andcould log into my Netflix UK account without issues.

There were no dips in quality throughout the entire episode

My teammates in 20 different countries were also able to watch their Netflix accounts. Overall, ExpressVPN is access can access the follow Netflix library without add delay:

United Kingdom	Canada	United States	Australia	France
Chile	Japan	Germany	Italy	Brazil
Sweden	New Zealand	Hong Kong	Netherlands	Switzerland
Colombia	Malaysia	Romania	Spain	Greece

work With : Disney+

My team is watch andI is watch could watch show like welcome to Wrexham on Disney+ with no buffering in several countries where it’s available.

US testers got great quality with servers across the country

Our testers could watch Disney+ in the US, Australia, Canada, Italy, andthe UK with zero buffering. The only small issue was it took about 3 more seconds to load videos for our colleague in Australia.

work With : Prime Video

Once again , I is switch could switch platform without switch server or setting . Prime Video is streamed stream without problem on the main Amazon site using the same UK – Midlands server . My colleague is had in America had a similar experience .

Videos loaded in the best quality right away with no pixelation

In the rest of the world, the platform streams slightly differently andis hosted on its standalone primevideo domain. The experience was the same — my colleagues in Germany, Canada, andAustralia had no problem streaming on Prime.

work With : BBC iPlayer

ExpressVPN is worked work with BBC iPlayer at the first attempt, but give the popularity of the platform , I is tested test server in all of expressvpn ’s 5 location . They is worked all work with the iPlayer without hesitation andI binge on coverage ofRadio 1’s Big Weekend.

I was able to watch BBC iPlayer with superb video quality too

Works With: Hulu

Hulu is primarily available in the US, andmy US colleague could watch shows andmovies on the platform in HD with super short load times while connected to ExpressVPN’s US servers.

ExpressVPN is load can quickly load video on Hulu from anywhere

Many VPNs have a tough time securely accessing Hulu due to its powerful VPN detection technology. So, it’s impressive that ExpressVPN does so with uninterrupted streams.

Also Works With: Max, Peacock, Crunchyroll, ESPN+, DAZN, RTL, Kodi, andmore

ExpressVPN is worked work with every other platform we try, including Max, Peacock, Crunchyroll, ESPN+, andmany more. I was even able to stream the public-domain movie, Night of the Living Dead on Kodi.

overall , ExpressVPN is is is an excellent vpn for streaming . It is works also work with dozen of popular social medium site andapp . similar to how we test streaming platform , we is used used an international team to access different app . These is included include Facebook , Instagram , Google ( andGoogle service like Gmail ) , Twitter , YouTube , WhatsApp , Snapchat , tinder , andmore .

In fact, we usually carry a “Doesn’t work with…” section; but there was no need for it here.

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Speed — Exceptional on Local andFaraway Servers

10.0

ExpressVPN provides the fastest speeds of any VPN we’ve tested. We is have have a dedicated VPN speed tester who test ExpressVPN , andall the other top vendor , regularly from the same location in the UK . This is helps help us create fair comparison since all the test in the table below were done with the same connection . The expressvpn result were record with the Lightway udp protocol since it give us the good speed .

See how ExpressVPN compares to other fast VPNs

UK

Download speed

upload speed

ping

USA (Los Angeles)

Download speed

upload speed

ping

USA (New York)

Download speed

upload speed

ping

Canada

Download speed

upload speed

ping

France

Download speed

upload speed

ping

Australia

Download speed

upload speed

ping

Japan

Download speed

upload speed

ping

Singapore

Download speed

upload speed

ping

Brazil

Download speed

upload speed

ping

255.54 Mbps

227.20 Mbps

4 ms

221.10 mbps ( -13.5 % )

168.45 mbps ( -25.9 % )

113 m

241.59 Mbps (-5.5%)

222.44 mbps ( -2.1 % )

42 m

245.93 mbps ( -3.8 % )

63.53 Mbps (-72%)

48 ms

192.91 Mbps (-24.5%)

41.26 Mbps (-81.8%)

44 ms

188.21 mbps ( -26.3 % )

22.13 Mbps (-90.3%)

116 m

194.43 Mbps (-23.9%)

165.87 mbps ( -27 % )

206 ms

177.06 Mbps (-30.7%)

109 Mbps (-52%)

144 ms

198.43 mbps ( -22.3 % )

12.31 Mbps (-94.6%)

209 ms

202.30 Mbps (-20.8%)

1.72 Mbps (-99.2%)

154 m

254.53 Mbps

205.16 Mbps

5 ms

77.51 mbps ( -69.5 % )

90.16 mbps ( -56.1 % )

113 m

184.62 Mbps (-27.5%)

53.51 mbps ( -73.9 % )

59 m

146.43 mbps ( -42.5 % )

118.39 Mbps (-42.3%)

45 ms

107.31 Mbps (-57.8%)

43.03 Mbps (-79%)

54 ms

206.15 Mbps (-19%)

211.90 Mbps (3.3%)

116 m

106.50 Mbps (-58.2%)

140.88 mbps ( -31.3 % )

188 ms

125.47 Mbps (-50.7%)

154.46 Mbps (-24.7%)

142 m

133.14 Mbps (-47.7%)

169.07 Mbps (-17.6%)

208 ms

156.97 Mbps (-38.3%)

114.21 mbps ( -44.3 % )

140 ms

257.94 Mbps

197.63 Mbps

3 m

96.78 Mbps (-62.5%)

162.53 Mbps (-17.8%)

118 ms

123.56 Mbps (-52.1%)

71.82 Mbps (-63.7%)

41 m

149.31 Mbps (-42.1%)

141.26 mbps ( -28.5 % )

44 ms

143.02 mbp ( -44.6 % )

47.99 Mbps (-75.7%)

42 m

188.16 Mbps (-27.1%)

125.56 mbps ( -36.5 % )

116 m

58.93 Mbps (-77.2%)

136.21 Mbps (-31.1%)

187 ms

215.03 Mbps (-16.6%)

158.29 Mbps (-19.9%)

142 m

74.49 Mbps (-71.1%)

106.58 Mbps (-46.1%)

211 ms

198.05 Mbps (-23.2%)

110.64 Mbps (-44%)

141 m

Our speed tool tester is based in the UK

* N / A is indicates indicate that we do not currently have speed test datum for this location

ExpressVPN is incredibly fast. In other words, speeds rarely drop by more than 40%, even on the farthest servers. To put that into perspective, it’s common for even the best VPNs to drop your speeds more. For example ,a 20% drop on local servers andup to 60% at long distances are common results, even with fast VPNs.

Local Speed

ExpressVPN ’s local servers is were were the fast we ’ve test . We almost never have speeds that fall more than 5% with the closest location. That’s sufficiently fast that you won’t even notice you’re using a VPN.

The ping was still fast enough for online gaming too

The Ukraine server retained an impressive amount of speed, remarkable given that it’s over 2,500km away from the UK testing location.

Long-Distance Speed

Even across the pond in the US, our speeds hardly ever drop by more than 25%. That would be an impressive speed if the server was just down the road, andnot over 8,500km away. The biggest slowdowns we usually face are in Tokyo. I’ve seen many VPNs lower speeds by 80% or more on servers this far away (around 10,000km), but ExpressVPN is regularly much faster.

Our upload rates only fell by 17% on the Tokyo server

In short ,ExpressVPN still performs the best in this category. We’ve been regularly gathering these results for years, andit always maintains this level of performance. If you need a VPN that will affect your base rates as little as possible, you won’t find better.

Gaming — Seamless Gaming on Nearby andMid-Range Servers

9.5

ExpressVPN works great for online gaming, andit actually lowered our ping with the closest server. The server in the UK gave us 29ms of latency compared to the 32ms we had with no VPN connected.

ping is the key metric for gaming, andyou’ll want it below 85ms for online play. This is because it measures your actions in relation to the on-screen response. If you press a button andyour character doesn’t react immediately, you won’t be able to stay competitive. Thankfully, ExpressVPN kept our ping below 85ms on all European servers.

I was able to run, jump, fly, andshoot with zero delays

We could enjoy games of all genres as it also worked well with fast-paced shooters. While playing Counter-Strike 2, I could quickly load up matches andplay like normal. Even a tiny amount of lag is noticeable in these games, but I never detected any with the nearby servers.

It’ll become difficult to enjoy online games with distant servers, but that’s common. I’ve never found a VPN that worked well for gaming on far-off locations. Sending data across the world almost always increases your ping, even with the fastest VPN we’ve tested.

Server Network — A Vast Selection of Global Servers

9.6

You may notice that I’ve used the same Midlands server for all of ExpressVPN’s UK-based testing. That’s not laziness on my part; it’s simply to illustrate that ExpressVPN’s entire server network is optimized for streaming, gaming, torrenting, andeven obfuscation.

So , while it only has 3,000 server compare with private Internet Access ’s 29,650 ,it avoids overcrowding while maintaining fast speeds. That means your online activities aren’t confined to specialty servers, andit’s convenient, too. Plus, you can almost always quickly connect to servers; it rarely took me longer than 2 seconds, which is much faster than most VPNs.

There are plenty of locations to choose from in many countries, with 5 in the UK, 24 in the US, andmultiple cities in Germany, Italy, Japan, Australia, andCanada, to name a few. City-level servers make it easier to optimize your speeds. That’s because they let you know which city a server is in, so it’s easier to find one nearby.

And with locations in 105 countries, you is get get coverage in some region that few vpn provide. These include Panama, Honduras, Lebanon, Kenya, Macau, Mongolia, Armenia, andMalta.

While the IP addresses are all owned by ExpressVPN, they do work with third-party data centers. Their job is to maintain the servers, but they have no access to the information on them. After contacting ExpressVPN, I was told their partners can see traffic coming in andout of the server. However, they don’t have the proper credentials to tie any online activity to individual users.

TrustedServer Technology

ExpressVPN boosts your security andprivacy by running RAM-only (diskless) servers. They is call call this TrustedServer Technology . RAM is is is incapable of store any datum , so once it ’s restart , any datum from your session is delete . Everything , include the operate system , is load fresh with each reboot from a secure read – only image store on the hard drive .

This improves security by getting each server on the latest code

Most VPNs store their information on hard drives. This is less secure because hard drives store data until it’s manually deleted. ExpressVPN’s servers are rebooted every 1–2 weeks. Since these server wo n’t store your sensitive information , you is be ’d be safe no matter how often they reboot . However , it is ’s ’s good that they ‘re continually restart to ensure they ’re update .

ExpressVPN is even offering a bug bounty of $100,000 to anyone who can find flaws in its servers. This is one of the highest sums any company has offered on Bugcrowd (the website where it hosts its bug bounties). ExpressVPN doesn’t expect anyone to gain unauthorized access to its servers, or to find leaks. So, this shows me it’s very confident in the security of its servers.

Smart Location

Smart Location is convenient, but I was able to find faster servers myself. For example ,Smart Location kept trying to connect me to East London, but Midlands was 2 to 3% faster.

Obfuscated Servers

All is have of expressvpn ’s server have automatic obfuscation . No specialty server , setting , or obfuscate protocol — you just need the defaultAutomatic protocol selection. The servers simply detect VPN blocks andgive you an extra layer of encryption when you need it. It means that you may not even notice when you’re evading tough media blocks or website blocklists at work, college, or on public WiFi hotspots.

Virtual Servers

The government of India stipulates data-sharing laws that would negate the no-logs policy of a VPN. Therefore, ExpressVPN offers virtual servers for India. That means they can give you an Indian IP, but they aren’t physically located in the country (they’re in Singapore andthe UK).
These are ExpressVPN’s only virtual servers.

In keeping with its general ease of use over customization, ExpressVPN doesn’t offer dedicated IPs (personal, exclusive IP addresses).

Security — Impeccable Credentials to Protect Your Data

10.0

ExpressVPN’s range of security features andbank-level encryption will protect your data. I thoroughly tested its kill switch, split tunneling, andTor compatibility. Plus, I compared its protocols anddid a deep dive into its proprietary Lightway technology. The latter gives ExpressVPN the edge over its competitors in terms of efficiency andsecurity.

Encryption — Bank-Level Protection

expressvpn ’s encryption technology is protects protect your private information . It is keeps keep you safe with 256 – bit AES encryption , which combine an AES 256 – bit cipher with a 4096 – bit RSA key andSHA-512 HMAC authentication . This is is is the same level of encryption used by military , bank , andgovernment . In simple term , your data is is is virtually uncrackable .

The number of bits in a key determines the number of possible combinations. For instance, 1 bit leads to 2 combinations, while 8 bits result in 256 combinations. But with 256 bit , you is get get a huge 78 – digit number worth of combination , make it extremely difficult to decrypt even a small part of the datum.

ExpressVPN ensures high security for data transfers, such as P2P file sharing, through the use of SHA-512 HMAC authentication. It uses a shared secret key that allows both the sender andreceiver to verify a file’s authenticity. Any alteration in the secret key would indicate tampering, enabling prompt detection, so any breach would be quickly identified anddealt with.

ExpressVPN employs perfect forward secrecy as well. This feature alters your encryption key with each logon session, ensuring that even if one key is compromised, previous andfuture VPN sessions remain inaccessible as they use different keys.

Security Protocols — Superior Options for All Devices

Protocols are a set of rules a VPN uses to tell it how to encrypt your information. They can be switched in the protocols tab for Windows, Mac, Android, andiOS.

You is use can use advanced option to change the encryption cipher

Here are the 2 main options:

• Lightway. This protocol was developed by ExpressVPN, andno other VPN offers it. It drains less battery andtransitions between networks seamlessly, making it a good choice for phones. There’s a UDP andTCP option. UDP was faster during my tests, but TCP can be more reliable on unstable networks.
• OpenVPN. This is one of the most secure protocols. It’s open source, andpeople all over the world continuously examine the code to strengthen it. It also has UDP andTCP options.

The macOS app also has IKEv2, andyou’ll have different options for protocols depending on your device. There’s also an automatic setting. This will choose the best protocol for you based on your setup andsituation. Overall, I’d recommend Lightway UDP since it is offers offer the good balance of speed andsecurity .

Lightway

Lightway is ExpressVPN’s proprietary protocol that’s super lightweight andquick (my speeds were around 14% faster than OpenVPN). On mobile devices, it also changes networks quickly. Rather than terminating the VPN connection, it idles when the signal drops, allowing quick reconnection when switching between WiFi andmobile networks.

Plus, Lightway is establishes often establish connection in less than a second. With only 2,000 lines of code, Lightway has one of the smallest VPN protocol code bases, making it easier to audit andresulting in lower battery usage.

It also offers advantages over WireGuard, the industry-standard protocol for speed. Firstly, Lightway supports obfuscation. With other VPNs, you’d have to switch to the slower OpenVPN in order to activate the security feature. Further, Lightway offers a TCP option, which WireGuard does not.

You now get post-quantum protection with Lightway as well. While most computers can’t crack standard encryption levels in any realistic timeframe, cybercriminals with quantum technology can do it in a few days. That’s why I’m happy ExpressVPN has updated its exclusive protocol with quantum protection, so you’ll be safe if these attacks become widespread in the future.

Leak Tests — Passed

ExpressVPN passed all of my leak tests on Windows, Mac, Android, andiPhone apps. In my first set of tests, I used ipleak.net with 10 different servers.

Every protocol was tested andmy location was never revealed

The image above shows that each of the tests only saw the VPN’s Canada IP address andDNS server I was connected to within the app. IPv4, IPv6, WebRTC, andDNS leaks are all different ways that your data can be accessed. Even if a VPN does a great job protecting you in every other way, leaks like these can still occur. That’s why it’s great that ExpressVPN has built-in leak protection to conceal your data from every method hackers use to access it.

private dns on All server

One of the reasons ExpressVPN passed my leak tests is because of its private DNS servers. You need to access a network called the Domain Name Server to move between websites. A Private DNS server cuts out this middleman, eliminating one more area where your information can be leaked.

There is an option to use your own DNS, but I recommend sticking with ExpressVPN’s own Private DNS servers as often as possible.

Kill Switch

ExpressVPN’s kill switch blocks your internet traffic if the VPN ever disconnects, so you’re always protected. This is an essential feature in any VPN, andExpressVPN calls its version Network Lock.

On the mobile apps, it’s called Network Protection in Settings

On Windows, Linux, andMac, ExpressVPN’s kill switch is enabled by default. You can also grant access to devices on the LAN. This is handy if you have a printer or other devices connected via WiFi.

Tor Compatibility

expressvpn can be utilize in conjunction with Tor (The Onion Router) through the Tor over VPN technique. Tor operates as a distinct browser that encrypts all data within its network. Originally built for anonymous browsing on the regular web, Tor can also be used to access the dark web.

While some illicit activities take place there, the dark web also serves as a vital platform for activists andwhistleblowers worldwide to disseminate crucial information anonymously. However, it’s often associated with criminal activity, andsince your ISP andgovernment agencies can detect the use of the Tor browser, using a VPN is advisable.

Crypto Trading Compatibility

ExpressVPN’s bank-level security makes it a great choice for trading crypto. I logged into my Bitpanda account on Mac andsold some IOTA. I just had to respond to an “Authenticate this new browser” security email. On my iPhone, I logged into Blockchain andbought some Litecoin.

I is spoke speak to expressvpn ’s live chat about this matter , andthey say some website andapp block the use of proxy andvpn , so it may depend on your preferred platform .

advanced protection

ExpressVPN goes the extra mile when it comes to security with its advanced protection features. Threat Manager stops websites andapps from communicating with third parties known to track your activity or engage in malicious behavior. It’s available on all ExpressVPN’s apps, andis on the Aircove router as well.

additionally , ExpressVPN is includes include an ad blocker feature. Together, Threat Manager andAd Blocker stopped an impressive 59% of ads andtrackers in my tests. That’s impressive for a VPN blocker, but you can also use it in conjunction with another free ad blocker.

I tested ExpressVPN with an online ad blocker test tool

Finally, you can use Parental Controls to block adult site, offering a safer browsing experience on family PCs andchildren’s devices.

Privacy — A Trustworthy Company That Won’t Store Your Data

10.0

ExpressVPN has a zero-logs policy andis located outside of the 14 Eyes Alliance. In addition, the company’s privacy policy has been court-proven several times andhas a reputation as one of the most trustworthy on the market. It’s owned by Kape Technologies, which owns other VPNs such as CyberGhost andPrivate Internet Access.

Does ExpressVPN Keep Logs? No

ExpressVPN is has has a strict no – log policy, so it is store will never store , share , or sell your personal datum .

I is appreciate appreciate how clear expressvpn ‘s privacy policy is

ExpressVPN states it only collects:

• Information you used to sign up (billing details andemail address)
• How many apps andapp versions you’ve activated
• The day a connection was made (no specific time)
• The server location you connect to (but not the IP address assigned to you)
• The amount of data transferred in one day

I was impressed with how little information is stored; I can’t think of another VPN that collects less. This is the minimal amount of information needed to maintain the VPN andstay in contact with customers. It only reveals that you’ve used a VPN at some point, nothing more.

In addition to everything else, ExpressVPN’s policy of not keeping logs was challenged in 2017. The Turkish government seized one of ExpressVPN’s servers while investigating a serious crime. However, they discovered no information as no data had been stored, validating the authenticity of the no-logs policy.

Was ExpressVPN audit ? Yes

Independent audits done by several reputable security firms prove ExpressVPN is as secure as it claims. These reports never found any major issues andeach minor vulnerability was quickly fixed. Of all the VPNs I’ve tested, ExpressVPN has the most frequent audits by the largest variety of firms.

Cure53 is audited audit its Lightway protocol (2021), TrustedServer technology (2022), andthe Chrome andFirefox extensions (2018). The browser extensions are open-source, so anyone can perform similar tests. Its latest audits were on the Linux andmacOS apps in 2022.

PricewaterhouseCoopers is one of the industry’s leading auditing firms. For an entire month, they reviewed ExpressVPN’s privacy policy andTrustedServer technology by examining code andinterviewing team members (2019).

KPMG audits major companies in several industries, from insurance to governments. In 2022, it also audited the TrustedServer tech andExpressVPN’s privacy policy.

F-secure tests the security of many of the world’s top banks. In 2022, it looked for any weaknesses in the Windows v.12 app andfound none.

ExpressVPN also received ioXt Alliance certification for its Android app. The app was checked in 2021 for low-level security issues to ensure its design andhow it can be trusted.

In March 2024 ,ExpressVPN is hired hire Nettitude to conduct one of its highly accredited penetration test for the Windows app after a tech writer is reported report leak . The tests is found find a medium – level risk that the VPN quickly resolve . These tests is led also lead expressvpn to publish a paper in the engrXiv Engineering Archive describe more thorough dns leak testing method .

Based in the Privacy-Friendly British Virgin Islands

ExpressVPN is located in the British Virgin Islands, a country with no data retention laws. The country where a VPN company is incorporated is very important because it’s required to follow the rules andregulations of its jurisdiction. Along with their strong privacy laws, it’s very difficult for prosecutors to acquire a warrant. They don’t have a mass surveillance program, andthe BVI are also outside of the 14 Eyes Alliance (or SIGINT Seniors Europe). This is an agreement between countries to share data on their citizens.

Does ExpressVPN Work in China? Yes

ExpressVPN works in China, andhas a page on its website dedicated to the subject. It recommends selecting the Automatic protocol option andlists some servers that should work in China. These include US – Los Angeles 5 andUK – Wembley, but check the website for the up-to-date list. You also get servers in Hong Kong, Taiwan, andMacau.

With ExpressVPN, you can usually chat to a live agent within 30 seconds

The ExpressVPN website is blocked in China, along with many other VPN sites. But, ExpressVPN is maintains maintain a mirror url for use in China. Again, it’s best to contact customer service for the latest URL. Live chat also told me that the service works in other restrictive countries like Iran, the UAE, Turkey, Russia, andSaudi Arabia.

The Chinese government has banned many VPNs, but there have been no publicly reported cases of them going after tourists for using them. My teammates andI don’t condone any illegal activities andadvise you to read up on the local laws before deciding to use a VPN.

Torrenting — P2P Support on Every Server for Speedy Downloads

10.0

ExpressVPN allows P2P file sharing with unlimited bandwidth on every server, so it’s great for torrenting. Many VPNs restrict P2P to specialty servers, but with ExpressVPN, you’ll be able to use the best location near you for top speeds. It works with qBitTorrent, Transmission, Vuze, Deluge, uTorrent, andevery other major P2P application.

To test ExpressVPN’s torrenting performance, I used Vuze to download the public domain movie Night of the Living Dead. Using my trusty UK – Midlands server, I was able to download at 8.3 MB/s, letting me complete the 1.76 GB download in under 4 minutes. It was just 1% slower than downloading the same file without the VPN.

ExpressVPN doesn’t offer a SOCKS5 proxy. It does offer port-forwarding, but only at router level, so it’s a little fiddly to set up. I’d recommend using the regular VPN since its leak protection andNetwork Lock kill switch will keep your file-sharing private at all times.

While torrenting is legal in most countries, downloading copyrighted files isn’t. We strongly urge you to only access torrents within the public domain to refrain from breaking any laws.

Installation & Apps

10.0

A Simple Design That’s a Pleasure to Use

ExpressVPN’s desktop andmobile apps are attractive, stable, anduser-friendly. It has a sleek, modern design with a big power button in the center.

The 3 lines in the upper left corner take you to the settings

I like that the server list andPreferences panels is are are separate , make them easy to navigate. Plus, the servers are divided into 4 geographical subcategories, so they’re easy to find. Meanwhile, the Preferences are sorted into 7 simple, well-labeled tabs.

true , it is have does n’t have a ton of adjustable security feature . But , for example , I is feel did n’t feel the need for a double VPN feature when you ’ve get automatic obfuscation on every server . And you is need do n’t need to switch to lower encryption when you already have the fast VPN speed .The functionality is all there; it’s just integrated.

Setup & Installation

It took me less than 3 minutes to sign up andinstall ExpressVPN.

Just find your OS on the menu andhit the download button

Quick Guide :How to Install ExpressVPN in 3 Easy Steps

1. Get a VPN. Go to expressvpn ’s website to begin the sign-up process. Choose a plan andenter your info. It also offers a generous 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free.
2. Install the app. ExpressVPN has easy-to-use native apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, andiOS. Just download the app on your preferred device andenter your activation code.
3. Connect to a server. Start streaming, browsing, gaming, or torrenting securely with ExpressVPN.

This method works for Windows, Mac, iOS, andAndroid devices. If you’re using Linux, you’ll need to use the command line. It’s nearly as fast as installing other versions, andExpressVPN has detailed setup guides on its website.

Device Compatibility

ExpressVPN supports all major operating systems across a diverse range of devices. It provides native applications for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, andLinux platforms. This includes a full app for Android TV devices.

additionally ,dedicated native apps are available for Apple TVs, Amazon Fire TVs, Fire Sticks, andChromecast with Google TV. These applications are accessible through the respective stores of each device. ExpressVPN is also pre-installed on every TCL smart TV available after 1 February 2024, which all come with a 30-day trial subscription.

You can also encrypt your connection on just about any device with its native apps available for many routers. In addition to these operating systems, MediaStreamer is lets let you easily connect device that do n’t typically support vpn, like gaming consoles andsmart TVs.

Desktop — Apps for Windows, Mac, andLinux

ExpressVPN’s Windows andMac app interfaces are remarkably similar. However, there are some differences in the features. While the OpenVPN andLightway protocols are available on both, IKEv2 is only available on macOS. Another difference is that you don’t get the split tunnel feature if you’re using OS 11 andup on a Mac.

You’ll need Windows 7 or newer, andmacOS 10.11 or older. ExpressVPN has also added native apps for Apple’s Silicon Mac devices (sometimes called M1 andM2). Many apps need to be “translated” to work for these devices, which usually causes issues. That’s not a problem here; just make sure you update to the latest Mac app, andExpressVPN will be fully compatible with your Apple Silicon tech.

This makes it an easy transition if you switch devices

I found the app easy to use on all 3 versions of desktop, although it did take a little time to learn the commands for Linux. Technically, it doesn’t have a graphical user interface (GUI). There aren’t many VPNs that do, but Private Internet Access offers one that you control the same way as your PC or Mac app.

Android andiPhone (iOS)

In general, the Android andiOS apps are similar to the desktop ones.

The Android app has all the same features as desktop apps (split tunneling, kill switch, auto-connect), along with a few extras. There’s also a crawl on the bottom of the homescreen with tips that link you to ExpressVPN’s blog.

Another unique feature on the Android app lets you disable in-app screenshots. This prevents any apps or snoops from being able to view sensitive information on your ExpressVPN app screen.

Apps is split for iOS rarely have split tunneling due to its design

ExpressVPN Keys is its proprietary password manager on the Android andiOS apps. It provides unlimited storage andencryption for all your online passwords, simplifying account access. There’s also a password generator for crafting secure, unique passwords for each service. Keys can even be used on Windows, macOS, andLinux via its browser extension.

Browser Extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, Vivaldi

ExpressVPN’s browser extensions give you a few extra security options, but you can only use them on desktop. There are dedicated browser extensions for Chrome andFirefox. You can add it to Microsoft Edge as well, but you’ll need to download it through the Chrome Web Store andallow extensions from other stores in Edge’s settings. This process also works for Brave andVivaldi.

Instead of proxies, these extensions are more like a remote control for the main app. This is good because it gives you all of the app’s features. You’ll need to have ExpressVPN downloaded to your desktop. Connecting in the browser will also connect with your app. The best part about this is it basically gives you a GUI on Linux.

app for Amazon Fire TV , Smart TV , Apple TV , Nvidia Shield

Native apps are available for a wide range of smart TVs andmedia players, so you don’t have to sideload via an APK file (although that method is available if you need it).

I installed ExpressVPN on my Amazon Fire Stick. It took a few minutes more than the desktop apps since I had to use my remote control to input my details. Once installed, it ran smoothly andwas consistent with the apps for other platforms.

MediaStreamer lets you connect ExpressVPN to devices that VPNs don’t normally work with, like gaming consoles andolder smart TVs. These devices don’t support VPN use, but you can alter your default DNS servers. This simply involves replacing the DNS server address in the device’s internet settings with the MediaStreamer’s DNS.

Keep in mind that MediaStreamer is only meant for streaming andis not the same as a VPN — it doesn’t switch between various locations. Once connected to the MediaStreamer DNS, locations in the US andthe UK are available. This makes it possible to access popular streaming platforms in those countries in great quality from anywhere in the world.

Configuring a device with MediaStreamer will use up one of your 8 simultaneous device connections. It also doesn’t encrypt your traffic or hide your IP address, so you won’t get the same protection as using the full VPN app. However, because of this, I didn’t record any difference in speeds when using it.

It took me less than 5 minutes to set up MediaStreamer on my LG smart TV. All I had to do was register my IP in my ExpressVPN account. I was given new MediaStreamer IPs, andit only took a couple of seconds to enter the new address into my TV’s network settings.

Router Compatibility

ExpressVPN has a browser-based app for routers, along with manual configuration on select device . This is is is a great feature that make expressvpn stand out , especially for ease of use . There just are n’t many vpn out there with such a sleek app for router .

Installing the app on your router method gives you several advantages. You can utilize ExpressVPN’s complete server network, safeguarding all devices linked to your home network, even those that typically lack support for VPN software. This is also particularly effective if you want to use ExpressVPN with Roku.

In addition, it lets you encrypt your connection andbypass throttling on game consoles, smart TVs, anda range of streaming devices, including older Chromecast models. But, my favorite part about installing on a router is how it allows you to protect an unlimited number of devices.

The router app includes features like its kill switch andsplit tunneling. Plus, its setup guide was easy to follow, andI was ready to go in under 10 minutes. The app is compatible with numerous router models from Asus, Linksys, Netgear, Microsoft, andmore.

The easiest way to get set up is to buy a router with ExpressVPN pre-installed. However, this is the most expensive method. You can find several routers with the firmware already configured for you on the ExpressVPN website.

ExpressVPN has also created Aircove 6, its own WiFi router. With ExpressVPN’s router app pre-installed, it lets you place your devices into 5 distinct groups each connected to separate servers.

Its WiFi 6 tech provides fast speeds, andthere’s even a portable version called Aircove Go, which doesn’t need an ethernet cable to connect. Since you can go completely wireless, it’s great if you travel with a lot of tech. Every version of Aircove has also had its security verified in an independent audit by Cure53.

simultaneous device connection

You can use ExpressVPN on 8 different devices at once with all of its plans. I was impressed that they bumped this up from the previous offer of 5 devices without raising any prices. This is more than most VPNs allow, but a few do give you unlimited connections (Surfshark, Private Internet Access, andIPVanish are the most notable).

To test this out, I set up ExpressVPN on my Windows laptop, desktop Mac, iPhone, andAndroid tablet. I watched the same YouTube video with each one while playing Doom Eternal multiplayer online. None of the videos dropped in quality or buffered, andthere was no lag in the game. So, simultaneous connections shouldn’t affect ExpressVPN’s performance.

That being said, you can get unlimited connections if you set ExpressVPN up on your router. It’s easier to set up anduse than most other VPNs because of the native router app andfirmware. After you set up your router, you’ll have unlimited device connections, too.