ExpressVPN only offers a seven-day free trial accessible via mobile devices.
If you need more time to decide, there's a 30-day money-back guarantee. You pay initially but can easily get a refund if you're not satisfied. This is like having a month-long free trial.
Even better: there are no hidden restrictions, and the refund process is straightforward. We tried this during our testing, and within a few minutes of contacting support via live chat, our refund request was approved, with the money refunded in just three days.
This quick guide covers all the essential information about ExpressVPN's free trial and how to make the most of it.
How to get an ExpressVPN free trial: Quick steps
If you're an iOS or Android user, ExpressVPN has a seven-day free trial for your devices.
The beauty of this trial is that you can use a single activation code to test it on up to eight devices simultaneously. Let's dive into the setup process specifically for iPhone, but rest assured, the steps for Android are quite similar.
- Go to your app store (Play Store for Android or App Store for iOS) and download the ExpressVPN app.
- Select "Start Free Trial" after installation.
- Choose the 12-month plan (no charge at this point), as the monthly plan doesn't include the free trial.
- Input your payment information.
- Approve permissions, which include configuring network settings and optional data sharing preferences.
- Test ExpressVPN on your devices during the seven-day trial. Use your email address to sign in and follow the email link or activation code.
You can get only one trial each on your iOS and Android devices with the same email.
How to test ExpressVPN on a 30-day money-back guarantee
Follow these easy steps to get a 30-day ”free trial” of ExpressVPN via the 30-day money-back period.
- Sign up on the ExpressVPN website.
- Choose any subscription term; it doesn't matter. A one-month plan is costlier per month but requires a smaller initial payment.
- Provide your email and pick a payment method. You can cancel recurring payments easily using a credit card or PayPal.
- Create a new password, and note the activation code for device setup.
- Enjoy 30 days of unrestricted service. ExpressVPN offers fast speeds and top-notch security.
Remember, the guarantee lasts exactly 30 days from your subscription date.
Cancel your subscription
If you decide within 30 days that you no longer want to use ExpressVPN, requesting a refund is a straightforward process.
You can request via live chat or email. When opting for live chat, simply initiate the conversation, expressing your wish to cancel within the money-back guarantee period.
The representative might inquire if you have any feedback to improve their service, but don't feel pressured to continue your subscription. You're not obligated to provide a reason; just reaffirm your cancellation request.
Once confirmed, the representative will notify you that your subscription is canceled and your refund is in progress. This may take a few days before the refund is completed.
VPN money-back guarantees and free trials
A money-back guarantee can be a good way to try a service, but some VPNs misuse it by making refunds challenging.
We've encountered various issues when attempting to secure a refund in the past:
- Difficulty in getting support: Some VPNs lack reliable live chat options or make it challenging to find contact information for email communication, leading to unresponsiveness when requesting account cancellations and refunds.
- Payment method limitations: Many VPNs accept multiple payment methods, each subject to different refund processes. Some exploit this by hiding essential information in the fine print, leaving customers unaware of these restrictions during payment.
- Resource usage restrictions: Frequently concealed in the rarely-read fine print are limitations on resource usage to qualify for a refund. Exceeding certain limits, such as bandwidth, can disqualify you from a refund. Unfortunately, these limitations are often unclear during the initial sign-up process.
Fortunately, ExpressVPN takes a different approach. IT prioritizes keeping its promise and building trust with customers.
How to cancel your ExpressVPN seven-day trial
To prevent charges, cancel your trial 24 hours before the seven-day period ends. You can handle your free trial subscription right from your phone's settings. Here's how to check how much time remains of your trial and decide whether to cancel or switch to a paid subscription:
On iOS
- Open your phone's Settings.
- Select "Apple ID”.
- Select "Subscriptions" and locate your ExpressVPN subscription. You'll see the remaining trial period.
- Click "Cancel Free Trial" to cancel your subscription.
On Android
- Open the Google Play Store and tap your profile icon in the top right corner.
- Select "Payments and subscriptions" and then go to "Subscriptions."
- Find your ExpressVPN subscription to manage it.
- Choose to cancel your subscription by clicking "Cancel subscription."
5 best ExpressVPN alternatives
If ExpressVPN falls short of your expectations, it might be time to explore an alternative VPN.
We’ve tested many VPNs and narrowed our recommendations to just five (excluding ExpressVPN).
Take a quick look at them below, or read our complete VPN reviews to see how each VPN performs in terms of money-back guarantees, streaming, privacy, security, value, and much more.
Surfshark is the best alternative to ExpressVPN. It combines security, speed, affordability, and unlimited device connections. It also offers advanced privacy. We chose Surfshark as the number one alternative to ExpressVPN for a few reasons. First, it allows you to connect unlimited devices under one plan, making it a cost-effective choice. Second, Surfshark offers extra features like ad blocking, malware detection, IP address rotation, and stealth mode that are often missing in more expensive VPNs. These features boost your online privacy and security and provide a seamless experience on various online platforms. Lastly, Surfshark is fast and reliable. Our tests from around the world showed that it can handle streaming in 4K HD without annoying buffering. Combining these factors makes it easy to see why Surfshark is #1 on the list of ExpressVPN alternatives. The added bonus is Surfshark's 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try out these features risk-free. NordVPN is an excellent alternative to ExpressVPN, with industry-leading security, fast speeds, and a great price. NordVPN provides a robust alternative to ExpressVPN with its extensive global server network, ensuring reliable connections on many websites and smooth 4K HD streaming on major streaming platforms. In terms of security, NordVPN excels by implementing top-notch features such as automatic kill-switches, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, and 256-bit AES encryption (the same level of security used by banks, governments, and intelligence agencies). Their exclusive NordLynx VPN protocol ensures both speed and safety while online. NordVPN supports a wide range of devices, including iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, and select smart TVs. Additionally, their SmartDNS tool enables streaming on devices that lack native VPN support, like gaming consoles. Every new NordVPN plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee. CyberGhost is a budget-friendly alternative to ExpressVPN that's user-friendly and maintains strong performance, speed, and security. CyberGhost stands out with an extensive server network, boasting over 1,400 servers in the US and a whopping 9,500+ servers across 90+ countries worldwide. CyberGhost provides the best experience for seamless streaming. We conducted tests on multiple streaming-dedicated servers and achieved consistent connections. We didn’t experience any lag or buffering. One notable feature of CyberGhost is its user-friendliness. Once installed on one device, the settings are automatically configured for new installations. This uniformity across devices means you can have it up and running in just a few minutes. CyberGhost prioritizes your security and privacy. It employs the latest VPN software to safeguard your data, location, identity, and online activities from prying eyes and tracking. The best part is that you can try out CyberGhost for 45 days with their money-back guarantee. IPVanish is a reliable ExpressVPN alternative offering user-friendly apps for unlimited devices, speedy performance, robust security, and thorough privacy protection. IPVanish boasts over 2,000 servers in 75+ locations worldwide, making it suitable for 4K video streaming without interruptions. You can expect consistent and fast connections if you connect to servers nearby or far away. One of its strengths is router compatibility, making it a suitable choice if you’re tech-savvy. However, if configuring a router seems daunting, don't worry. IPVanish allows unlimited device connections, meaning you can enjoy personalized access to your online activities on all your devices. Despite being US-based, which raises privacy concerns, IPVanish stands out with strict and transparent privacy policies. They don't log or store your data, and the servers are wiped clean after each session, ensuring your data remains private and secure. IPVanish offers unlimited device connections and a 30-day money-back guarantee on every plan. PrivateVPN may have fewer servers than other leading VPNs, but it's still an outstanding alternative to ExpressVPN. Despite PrivateVPN having a smaller server count of around 200 worldwide, our extensive testing revealed impressive capabilities. We accessed major streaming platforms effortlessly, enjoying rapid speeds and uninterrupted HD streaming. PrivateVPN prioritizes security with 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and an automatic kill-switch, all validated through our testing. It caters to users of all levels, offering user-friendly default settings and customization options. Notably, it's a cost-effective choice, allowing up to 10 simultaneous connections – ideal for multi-device households. Plus, you can test drive PrivateVPN thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. 1. Surfshark
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ExpressVPN free trial FAQs