ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is the number 1 VPN based on a collection of high-level security features, blazing speeds, and excellent customer support.

ExpressVPN: Best VPN Overall

What VPN Protocols Does ExpressVPN Use?

ExpressVPN primarily uses three VPN protocols:

1. OpenVPN: This is an open-source protocol known for its strong security and versatility. It’s widely regarded as one of the most secure VPN protocols available.
2. Lightway: Developed by ExpressVPN, Lightway is a proprietary VPN protocol designed for speed, reliability, and security. It aims to provide a faster and more efficient VPN experience compared to other protocols.
3. IKEv2/IPsec: This protocol is known for its stability and ability to quickly re-establish a connection if it’s lost. It’s commonly used on mobile devices due to its efficient handling of network changes.

ExpressVPN typically recommends using the Lightway protocol for optimal performance, but also offers OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec for users who prefer those options or need compatibility with certain devices and networks.

How does ExpressVPN work?

Upon logging into your ExpressVPN account, you’ll immediately notice the connect button. Simply clicking it will automatically select the nearest server, concealing your actual IP address and encrypting your data. This ensures that your online activity remains private and secure, shielding it from your ISP, websites you visit, and even governmental surveillance. Alternatively, you have the option to browse through the list of available server locations and manually choose the one that best suits your preferences.

Using ExpressVPN allows you to effortlessly bypass geo-restrictions and access content libraries, granting you unrestricted access to various location-based streaming platforms. Our testing confirms ExpressVPN’s exceptional performance as a streaming VPN, thanks to its ability to circumvent restrictions and maintain stable connection speeds, resulting in a seamless streaming experience devoid of lags.

ExpressVPN also prioritizes security. With robust encryption, secure tunneling protocols, and additional security features such as a kill switch, Threat Manager for blocking ads and trackers, and an independently audited no-logs policy, you can trust that your sensitive data remains safeguarded at all times.

Moreover, ExpressVPN is compatible with a wide range of devices including desktop and mobile operating systems, smart TVs, streaming sticks, and can even be configured on routers. With a single subscription, you can enjoy up to 8 simultaneous connections, ensuring comprehensive coverage across all your devices.

ExpressVPN Server locations

ExpressVPN offers a vast network of server locations spanning across various countries and regions worldwide. While the exact number of server locations may vary over time as ExpressVPN continues to expand its infrastructure, as of my last update, ExpressVPN provided servers in over 160 locations across 94 countries.

These server locations are strategically distributed to offer users optimal performance, reliability, and access to content from around the globe. Whether you need to connect to a server in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, South America, Africa, or the Middle East, ExpressVPN likely has you covered with multiple server options in each region.

Additionally, ExpressVPN frequently adds new server locations and updates its infrastructure to meet the evolving needs and demands of its users. This commitment to expansion ensures that users have access to a wide range of servers for various purposes, including streaming, gaming, browsing, and more.

ExpressVPN Speed and Performance

Speed: Is ExpressVPN fast?

ExpressVPN’s website is filled with boasts of “high speed” and “ultra-fast” connections. Some might see this as overconfident, but as a leading VPN provider, rapid speeds are the expectation, anything less would be a letdown.

Following my standard battery of tests, I can affirm that ExpressVPN generally lives up to its claims. Across the board, both download and upload speeds were consistently impressive.

However, there was one notable exception: the Netherlands. In every test conducted there, the results fell short of expectations. While not abysmal by any means, they were noticeably slower compared to neighboring countries like France or Germany.

Determining the exact cause of this discrepancy is tricky – perhaps the Dutch servers were simply having an off day. I plan to revisit my tests soon to see if the issues have been rectified. In the interim, if the Netherlands is a crucial connection point for you, I’d suggest considering NordVPN or Surfshark, both of which have shown strong performance in that region.

For those interested in how ExpressVPN stacks up against its rivals, head to the homepage for a summary of my speed tests on the fastest VPN services available.

And don’t overlook my comprehensive ExpressVPN review, where I delve into all aspects of this top-tier VPN, covering both its strengths and weaknesses beyond just speed.

ExpressVPN – Unblocking and Streaming Capabilities

ExpressVPN stands out as a robust VPN solution for unblocking streaming content. It has consistently proven itself as one of the most reliable options for accessing various versions of Netflix, including those from the US, UK, Canada, and Japan. This achievement is noteworthy, given the strict VPN IP address blocking measures implemented by Netflix, which often thwart other VPN providers.

In addition to Netflix, I extensively tested ExpressVPN with other streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hulu, ITVX, and Paramount Plus, encountering no issues whatsoever. If you encounter difficulties accessing a specific website or service, I recommend trying multiple servers. Additionally, clearing your browser’s cache and cookies between each attempt ensures that the website no longer remembers your previous IP address, potentially resolving the issue.

Privacy and Security

ExpressVPN asserts itself as providing top-tier anonymous VPN protection, pledging to never log your browsing history, traffic data, or DNS queries. While this declaration is reassuring, delving into the finer details is essential, as claims on a sales page may not always reveal the complete truth.

Upon scrutinizing ExpressVPN’s Terms of Service, it becomes apparent that they may retain additional information about your usage. This includes anonymized data such as the dates of your connections, chosen server locations, and daily data transfer totals. While this information is collected for network performance analysis and balancing, it cannot uniquely identify any individual user.

Operating out of the British Virgin Islands (BVI) further alleviates concerns about data privacy. Despite being a British territory, BVI is exempt from mandatory data retention laws and maintains autonomy over its internal affairs without external interference. While potential future pressure from the UK government could prompt changes, no such events have occurred to date.

In terms of encryption, ExpressVPN offers the utmost security measures available. Their encryption choices, including AES-256-CBC for control channel encryption, RSA-4096 handshake, and SHA-512 hash authentication, are considered among the strongest in the industry. Despite the robustness of these measures, ExpressVPN manages to maintain excellent performance, showcasing their prowess in balancing security and speed.

Addressing potential DNS and WebRTC leaks, ExpressVPN demonstrates a clean track record in my tests, with no leaks detected. This ensures that your IP address remains concealed, preserving the efficacy of using a VPN.

Lastly, since 2016, ExpressVPN has operated a .onion version of their website, catering to anonymous Tor users. Combined with the option to pay for the service using Bitcoin, users can subscribe to ExpressVPN without leaving a trace of their true identity or location.

Features

ExpressVPN has excelled in striking a balance between feature-rich functionality and user-friendly design. Their client interface is intuitively structured, making it easy to navigate and get started within seconds. Advanced options, such as the internet kill switch functionality, are conveniently accessible exactly where one would expect them to be.

Available across all major platforms, including Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS, ExpressVPN extends its compatibility to Linux, Chromebooks, and various routers. It supports all four major VPN protocols: OpenVPN (TCP and UDP), SSTP, L2TP/IPSec, and PPTP. While OpenVPN is the default choice across all platforms, users have the flexibility to switch to any other protocol as desired.

ExpressVPN offers several additional features that set it apart from other VPN providers. SmartDNS, for instance, is ideal for accessing geo-blocked streaming services like Netflix or BBC iPlayer. While it doesn’t enhance privacy or security since it doesn’t encrypt data, SmartDNS minimizes buffering issues and can be installed on a wide range of internet-capable devices, from smart TVs to game consoles. The inclusion of SmartDNS is part of the ExpressVPN subscription package.

Furthermore, the client software includes a built-in speed testing feature, enabling users to assess the real-time download speeds of all available servers. While server speeds may fluctuate over time, this feature empowers users to make informed decisions about server connections, enhancing their overall experience.

ExpressVPN also operates a dark website accessible via the Tor Browser at http://expressobutiolem.onion/. This is particularly beneficial for users in regions where VPN usage is restricted. By being accessible through a .onion address, ExpressVPN ensures unparalleled resilience against censorship efforts, allowing users to access the service without hindrance.

Customer Support

ExpressVPN provides round-the-clock customer support, ensuring assistance is available whenever you need it. You have two options for reaching out: live chat and email, with live chat being the quicker choice in most cases.

Overall, customer service representatives are friendly and highly knowledgeable. While there have been instances of initial responses suggesting basic troubleshooting steps like reinstalling the application, subsequent interactions typically lead to satisfactory resolutions. Even complex inquiries are addressed comprehensively to ensure complete satisfaction.

For self-help, ExpressVPN offers an extensive online knowledge base catering to most, if not all, of your basic needs. This includes detailed setup guides with step-by-step pictorial instructions for various platforms. Additionally, there’s an extensive troubleshooting guide providing solutions for common technical issues.

While ExpressVPN may come with a higher price tag, even with coupon codes, your subscription is backed by a 30-day satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not entirely pleased with the service, the support team will make every effort to resolve your concerns. However, if the resolution falls short of your expectations, you’re entitled to a full refund.