ExpressVPN Review

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Video Review

In our handy ExpressVPN video review, we take a look at some of their pros and cons.

Alternative Choices for You

 

For more detail, check out our NordVPN vs ExpressVPN side-by-side comparison or our CyberGhost vs ExpressVPN comparison. 

Price

So, how much does ExpressVPN cost? 

ExpressVPN’s full range of packages are listed below with the greatest value found in their 12-month plan which, with 3-months free (making it a 15-month subscription), costs a reasonable $6.67 a month (paid $99.95 in advance). ExpressVPN does not offer a free trial*, as such, but it does offer a very generous 30-day money-back guarantee. And unlike with some companies out there, there are no catches to watch out for. Cancel any time within 30 days and you will get your money back. No explanation is required.

*A free trial is available for mobile users – seven days for iOS VPN users and one day for the Android VPN app – as per standard Apple Store and Google Play Store policies.

It is also worth mentioning that ExpressVPN offers quite a nice referral program. Convince a friend to sign up and you both get 30 days free.

ExpressVPN accepts payment via credit/debit card, PayPal and Bitcoin. It has also partnered with Paymentwall to accept a number of more obscure international payment options.

Speed and Performance

Please see VPN Speed Testing Done Right for an overview of our scientific speed test system. At the time of writing, ExpressVPN tops our weighted speed test chart with fantastic average download speed performance and solid max burst speed results.

DNS lookup time is a good measure of how fast users perceive their connection to be. Faster lookup time = faster web page loading. ExpressVPN does not break records, but scores perfectly well in this test. ExpressVPN's connection times are similarly unremarkable.

The bottom line, though, is that ExpressVPN is currently the fastest VPN service on our books. So good show.

Leak Tests

We did not detect regular DNS leaks, but our IPv6 address was leaked via WebRTC in both Windows and macOS. If you are lucky enough to use an ISP that offers IPv6 connectivity then you should either disable IPv6 on your system (see the optional section for each OS listed in How to Change your DNS Settings) or disable WebRTC in your browser. Alternatively, the ExpressVPN browser add-ons for Chrome and Firefox also fix the problem.

Please note that Private Use RFC IPs are local IPs only. They cannot be used to identify an individual, and so do not constitute an IP leak.

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Does ExpressVPN unblock Netflix?

In short, yes. ExpressVPN's Smart DNS feature has many advantages over using a VPN for streaming, and also makes a great backup if its regular VPN IPs are blocked by services. For most people, though, it is much easier to just turn on the regular VPN for this. It is therefore good to know that Express VPN will unblock many major streaming platforms. So, you can watch US Netflix and watch BBC iPlayer abroad with ease. This VPN will also enable you to unblock Youtube and access videos that are restricted in your region.

Unblocking such services is always a cat-and-mouse game, and readers occasionally report not being able to access them using ExpressVPN. In this case, the Smart DNS service makes a great fallback, and ExpressVPN always resolves the issue within a day or two at most. If you experience issues (as well as telling us in the comments below - please!), then the 24/7 live chat support will often be able to recommend a particular server that works.

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Ease of Use

Custom VPN apps are available for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. A custom Linux app is also available. This is terminal command-line only, but does include DNS leak protection.

The website features a ton of setup guides for a wide range of devices and platforms. In addition to this, pre-configured ExpressVPN routers are available from FlashRouters. These use custom firmware developed by ExpressVPN, and feature DNS leak protection and split tunneling for connected devices.

New additions to the ExpressVPN app lineup are browser add-ons for Chrome and Firefox (Windows and macOS only).

Signing Up

Registering with ExpressVPN is easy enough. Other than payment details, the only information you are asked for is a valid email address. There is nothing to prevent you from using a disposable email address. And because ExpressVPN accepts payment in bitcoins, if care is taken, it is possible to register anonymously. Do please remember, though, that however you register and pay, ExpressVPN will know your real IP address.

Once signed up, you will receive a welcome email which includes a number of useful links for setting up the service.

The ExpressVPN Windows Client

ExpressVPN specializes in making its service easy-to-use and as layman-friendly as possible. One wrinkle is that you need to enter a unique activation code. This is available via your subscription page on the ExpressVPN website.

Once installed, all you need do is select a location and hit the big friendly Connect button!

If you wish to delve deeper, however, the ExpressVPN client contains some powerful features. This includes a firewall-based kill switch and DNS leak protection. The basic client does not protect against IPv6 WebRTC leaks, however.

Various VPN protocols are available. I sort of wish that, given how insecure it is, PPTP wasn’t even offered, but at least ExpressVPN clearly warns you about the issue.

So the Windows client is very easy to use but is packed with powerful features that are actually useful.

Mac OS X/Mac OS client

Recent changes to the Windows client mean that it now matches how the Mac client in looks.

Both clients offer the same functionality. This is great, as Mac users often get the short end of the stick when it comes to features.

The Android App

This VPN is Available for Android 4.2+, and can be installed from the Google Play store or downloaded directly as an .apk file. This is great news for anti-Google privacy heads.

The app has the same aesthetic as its desktop siblings and is similarly easy to use.

This reviewer does not use iOS, but the app looks to be more or less identical to the Android one. And unlike many custom iOS VPN apps, OpenVPN is fully supported.

Browser Extensions

Unlike most such extensions, these are not browser-only proxies. They are instead a front-end to the full desktop software, which must also be installed.

This means that when the VPN is turned on with the browser extension, your entire computer is protected by the VPN. The primary advantages of using the browser extensions over just using the full VPN client are convenience and that they provide full WebRTC protection.

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Customer Service

Support

ExpressVPN in large part built its reputation on the level of support it provides to customers. Instant 24/7/365 support is available via live chat or a ticketed email system.

As is to be expected, front-line staff are not all technical whizz-kids. However, even with more difficult questions they always managed to point me to relevant resources or answer my questions knowledgeably after a quick consultation with other staff members.

Privacy and Security

Jurisdiction

ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands (BVI), which is a British overseas territory. The BVI regulates its own internal affairs and has no mandatory data retention laws.

However, since it lies under the jurisdiction and sovereignty of the UK government, it seems reasonable to assume that the UK could put pressure on the BVI government and businesses. So (and this is something of a guess, as the legal situation is very murky), being based in the BVI is probably safer than being based in a Fourteen Eyes country, but is not ideal.

Logging Policy

 ExpressVPN keeps no usage logs; however, it does keep some (fairly minimal) connection logs:

“For the purpose of improving network resource allocation, we record aggregate data-transfer amounts and choice of server location, neither of which are data points that can identify a specific user as part of an investigation. We may collect the following information: dates (not times) when connected to our service, choice of server location, and the total amount of data transferred per day.”

Furthermore,

“Our software may send diagnostic data to a third party analytics provider for the purpose of identifying connection errors and possible bugs in our application. The information collected is generic in nature and does not contain personally identifying information.”

This last part is important. ExpressVPN only keeps logs in aggregate form. This means that the minimal amount of information collected for troubleshooting purposes is not associated with the IP addresses of individual customers.

TrustedServer technology

In a highly innovative move, ExpressVPN's servers run entirely in RAM to ensure that data does not persist on hard drives when a server is rebooted. This also prevents potential intruders from persisting on the machine. Each time a server is started, it boots from a read-only hard disk containing a static image of the software used which is loaded as a single block. This mitigates against any form of data leak or tampering and ensures consistency across the network as each machine is always running exactly the same software.

This consistency improves security because ExpressVPN can be confident that all of its servers are running the most up-to-date software when powered on, thus minimizing the risk of vulnerabilities or misconfiguration.

Protocols and Encryption

ExpressVPN supports most VPN protocols, including OpenVPN (TCP and UDP), SSTP, L2TP/IPsec, and PPTP.  For OpenVPN (our recommended protocol) it uses the following encryption settings:

Data channel: An AES-256-CBC cipher with HMAC SHA-256 data authentication.

Control channel: An AES-256-GCM cipher with RSA-384 handshake encryption and HMAC SHA-256 data authentication. Perfect Forward secrecy is provided by a DH-2048 Diffie-Hellman key exchange.

This is a very strong OpenVPN setup.

Or just take a look at this interesting graphic on the ExpressVPN review over at Comparitech.com which explains exactly how long it would take to break their encryption.

Security Features

Both the Windows and macOS and clients feature IPv4 and IPv6 leak protection, although as we have seen, IPv6 users should take additional steps to prevent IPv6 WebRTC leaks. Such as installing ExpessVPN's browser add-ons. DNS requests are handled by ExpressVPN's self-hosted servers for maximum privacy. The desktop clients also include a firewall-based kill switch to ensure your IP address is not exposed in the case of a VPN drop-out.

ExpressVPN offers "stealth-servers" located in Hong Kong. These are specially designed to defeat censorship in mainland China but should be useful wherever VPNs are blocked. ExpressVPN is understandably cagey about how these servers actually work., but from the reports we receive they work well. Just remember that nothing can be 100% guaranteed when a powerful government is actively working to counter technologies such as this.

 

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Features

What are you actually getting for this premium price (in comparison to others in the market)?

Customers are now allowed to connect up to five devices at once, which should more than enough for even more demanding users. ExpressVPN pioneered the concept of expert 24/7 customer support within the industry and continues to lead the way in this regard. Torrenting is permitted on all VPN servers with Express, although hardcore downloaders may miss the ability to port forward through the VPN NAT firewall.

As is common with larger providers who offer a great many server locations, ExpressVPN uses a mix of bare metal and virtual servers. For the vast majority of users, virtual servers are a non-issue, but we would prefer it if ExpressVPN clearly labeled which servers are which. This would allow customers serious about privacy to make an informed decision about which servers to use.

In addition to online support for a wide range of routers, ExpressVPN offers a range of pre-configured ExpressVPN routers via FlashRouters. These use custom firmware developed by ExpressVPN, and feature DNS leak protection and split tunneling for connected devices.

In addition to the above standard features, ExpressVPN offers some groovy non-standard ones that add great value to its already fully-featured package...

Smart DNS

Smart DNS is a technology used for geo-spoofing your location. This very useful for accessing streaming services such as US Netflix and BBC iPlayer, which are geo-blocked. It works by resolving your DNS requests at a specified location, and has the following advantages over using a VPN:

• It is must faster, as no encryption/decryption is required. This means fewer buffering issues.
• It can be used with any internet-capable device, including many that cannot run VPN software. For example, smart TVs,  games consoles, and Roku devices.
• It is less likely to be blocked by services that try to ban VPN users (although this cannot be guaranteed).

On the flip side, Smart DNS does nothing to improve your privacy or security.

All ExpressVPN customers gain full access to both its VPN and Smart DNS services.

ExpressVPN Smart DNS unblocked both US Netflix and BBC iPlayer for us when performing this review.

A .onion Tor Web Address

Sometimes the most difficult thing about defeating censorship with a VPN is actually getting onto a VPN provider’s website so you can sign up for the service and download its software. ExpressVPN has a solution for this!

Just type http://expressobutiolem.onion into the URL bar of the Tor Browser to visit a Tor Hidden Services dark web mirror of the ExpressVPN website. Using a .onion address makes it more or less impossible to censor the website.

Bundled with HP laptops

As of September 2019, ExpressVPN is very pleased to announce that it has struck a deal with HP to offer new buyers of HP laptops, including the flagship Spectre x360 13, a 30-day free trial of the service.

ExpressVPN is particularly pleased to note that the deal includes "deep product integration," which as far as we can determine means the app is pinned to the Task Bar.

This is undoubtedly a marketing coup for ExpressVPN, and maybe a welcome introduction to the world of VPNs for some new HP customers. Others, however, may not appreciate the need to uninstall another piece of unwanted software.

Bundled with Dynabook PCs

A year from unveiling its rebrand from Toshiba Client Solutions, Dynabook has jointly announced a partnership with ExpressVPN in January 2020 – a first for the PC manufacturer.

Dynabook products will now be shipped with a free 30-day trial to the VPN service in hopes of making privacy mainstream, starting with the new Satellite Pro L50 and eventually expanding to all future models.

Much like ExpressVPN’s partnership with HP, this is a double-edged sword. While it will introduce the uninitiated to the world of VPNs, it walks the fine line of becoming bloatware for those that aren’t interested. Plus, the company already offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, meaning that there is little that makes this offer stand out to those already aware of the service.

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Final Thoughts

ExpressVPN offers a fully featured and highly polished service that oozes professionalism. Its superb customer service, easy-to-use software, and generous 30-day money-back guarantee have always been big pulls.

I am glad to say that ExpressVPN’s technical security now matches the professionalism it shows in making the service as user-friendly as possible. Encryption is truly excellent, which makes ExpressVPN’s great speed performance all the more remarkable.

The minimal aggregated connection logs kept by ExpressVPN may concern privacy purists, but they really do present very little threat to your privacy.

Throw in an excellent, Smart DNS service, anti-censorship stealth servers, and a very generous referral program, and I think it fair to say that ExpressVPN is a market-leading VPN service that is at the very top of its game.

So, a premium product worthy of a premium price? We think so - yes! If you take your privacy seriously, and you want free access to the world wide web (as it was intended!), we believe that for less than $7 a month Express VPN is worth its money. 

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