The marketplace is now awash with VPN providers, however deciding which one fits all your needs and give the complete package can take a little bit of leg-work.
There is then the fact they might be promoting themselves a little over what their capacity is.
This ExpressVPN review takes a look at one of the market leaders to see if they are, offering what they say, and they sit among the top bunch on actual merits rather than false advertising.
Pros
Cons
Key Features
Once installed, there is minimal configuration, which is ideal for new users. ExpressVPN automatically chooses the best protocol, which matches your connection.
On most occasions, this is OpenVPN. This being said, users do have the opportunity to select any protocol they wish if it meets their needs better. Either of the following can be connected to if so desired: SSTP, PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, and TDP.
As ExpressVPN offers to be the best VPN service that caters to everybody, they have cut out some of the additional features and tweaks which rivals offer. This makes it less intimidating for new users by far.
Encryption levels are locked, which is a good thing; many users try to speed up their connections by sacrificing their security. ExpressVPN makes sure users can’t do this.
A kill switch (network lock) is included, which stops all traffic on the internet if your VPN connection drops.
By doing this, you are prevented from having DNS leaks. Aside from this, all of the DNS requests are made over IPv4 instead of the IPv6 protocol, which is less secure.
If you wish to test your connection speeds to see how much you are getting from your bandwidth.
ExpressVPN has a built-in speed tester tool, as handy as it is the test can take a while to complete, and the results you receive can change depending on the time of the day or from one hour to the next.
One feature which is included if you are a Mac user is the split tunneling option. Here you can direct individual apps through the VPN tunnel while others go via the default route of your ISP network.
Ease of Use
To be one of the best VPN services the company has to excel in various areas. Once you have signed up, you can see ExpressVPN shines way above any competition.
As soon as you have signed up, you can make your ExpressVPN download and then quickly make the installation.
When you run it for the first time, you will be asked for an activation code (this differs for each device), this information you will find in your confirmation email.
It might seem a little tedious entering this for each device, but the need for logging in each time is omitted. From this point, as soon as the app is started, you are protected, and you are ready to go.
Out of all the VPN providers, ExpressVPN has simplified everything to the level where it is the most straightforward and most intuitive VPN app to use.
To connect, all you need to do is select a server of choice, and if you wish to save it, you can click on a star to highlight it as a favorite. Once this is done, hit the large connect button.
Supported Devices
This anonymous VPN supports so many devices. The most common are Windows, Mac, iOS, Linux, Android, iPad & iPhone, and Blackberry.
If that wasn’t enough, there are also ExpressVPN extensions for your favorite web browsers: Firefox, Safari, and chrome. The chrome option might cover many other browsers as a good number is built on Chromium.
ExpressVPN takes its device coverage even further. Xbox, PlayStation, Amazon FireTV, and AppleTV are all supported.
All mobile devices have the same simple set-up procedures, so no matter what device you use, you are faced with the same interfaces.
One drawback is that only 3 devices are supported at one time. If you wish for another, you have to disconnect one before adding the other manually if you want to get around this for all your devices in your home.
ExpressVPN can be purchased on a pre-configured router, which counts as one device. This leaves 2 for mobile devices, and your home connection remains protected.
ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN
These two are currently the market leaders in the VPN provider race. Features from both are comparable to each other.
Express VPN
NordVPN
Features
4.9
4.9
Price
4.1
5.0
Ease of User
5.0
5.0
Reliability and Support
5.0
4.9
Starting Price
$6.67/ month
$2.75/ month
Guarantee/ Days
30
30
Devices per license
3
6
Ease of use is down to ExpressVPN, and it also creeps in front of its ease of use. On the speed front, the winner is again ExpressVPN, although you do pay for the privilege of having the fastest VPN service.
If you are more concerned with security, this goes to NordVPN. However, the tables are turned if you are into media streaming, file downloading, and online gaming.
US-based content is catered better for by ExpressVPN, and if you find you are unable to connect to Netflix, a quick call to their superior customer support can quickly help you fix the problem.
ExpressVPN vs. IPVanish
Express VPN
IPVANISH
Features
4.9
4.4
Price
4.1
5.0
Ease of User
5.0
4.8
Reliability and Support
5.0
4.3
Starting Price
$6.67/ month
$2.49/ month
Guarantee/ Days
30
7
Devices per license
3
5
Although speeds with ExpressVPN are at the top end, they come a little behind IPVanish, which gives slightly better. This being said, if you are downloading torrents, ExpressVPN is a better option.
Geographical coverage is also better supported by ExpressVPN than IPVanish as they have limited server coverage in comparison.
IPVanish is also based in the US, so it falls under a 5-eyes jurisdiction, which could have implications. When you compare and wonder, does ExpressVPN keep logs?
They are open to what information they keep, and they don’t keep activity logs or user activity.
They do though record dates, connected server, and amount of data that has been transferred. If you had signed up anonymously and used Bitcoin to pay, this information could not be related to you.
ExpressVPN vs. PureVPN
Express VPN
PureVPN
Features
4.9
4.1
Price
4.1
4.5
Ease of User
5.0
4.7
Reliability and Support
5.0
4.6
Starting Price
$6.67/ month
$3.25/ month
Guarantee/ Days
30
7
Devices per license
3
5
It is unfair to compare these two VPN services as ExpressVPN is streets ahead of PureVPN in almost more departments.
PureVPN doesn’t retain any logs, whereas ExpressVPN maintains minor records. One difference these are held outside of any 5-eyes jurisdiction, so if anyone asked, they wouldn’t receive anything from ExpressVPN.
On paper, there are only 2 areas where PureVPN pulls in front of ExpressVPN, first is device connections where they allow 5 compared to ExpressVPN who allow 3.
The second is the price. Even with the ExpressVPN discount when you sign up for an extended period, it is still double the amount payable to PureVPN.
ExpressVPN vs. Private Internet Access
Express VPN
PIA
Features
4.9
4.8
Price
4.1
5.0
Ease of User
5.0
4.7
Reliability and Support
5.0
4.6
Starting Price
$6.67/ month
$2.91/ month
Guarantee/ Days
30
7
Devices per license
3
5
When comparing VPN reviews, it is evident early on that ExpressVPN is the clear winner. This is a little unfair to jump to this conclusion without mentioning the redeeming factors for PIA.
First up, they are a definite winner on price. So if you’re not a heavy user and don’t use torrents or media streaming, it might be a viable option.
PIA also trounces ExpressVPN for device connections as it also allows 5 rather than 3, respectively.
PIA even wins in security, which is only because they offer IPv6 protection. ExpressVPN only uses IPv4 for security purposes, so it is bound to come second best.
Mobile device GUI is a tie between the two, and both connect without users having to mess around with any settings.
Geographical coverage is also a tie as they both provide a high number of servers. PIA does pull in front of pure numbers, although they are not seated in as many countries where they fall way behind.
PIA is also showing increases in their connection speeds, however, if you opted for PIA over ExpressVPN and found you didn’t like it. You only have a 7-day refund policy compared to ExpressVPN who offers 30 days.
Wrap Up
When going through all the VPN reviews for information, the one name that is always at or close to the top is ExpressVPN. It may get beaten in some areas, although these might be minor defeats apart from the price which it loses out to all other VPN providers it was compared against.
This being said, if you want a reliable service that is free from any 5-eyes threats, and you want consistent results with one of the best customer services in the industry.
The decision of which VPN to opt for is easy for any American user who is concerned about their privacy.
ExpressVPN delivers on all its promises, and any user would not feel let down in the services they offer. You do get what you pay for, and it is unfortunate that ExpressVPN knows this and keep their charge higher than their rivals.
