So is it really worth it?
What does ExpressVPN offer that others don’t?
Most VPNs use the same underlying technology, so how much better can it possibly be?
Is it better than NordVPN, PIA, CyberGhost, IPVanish and other highly rated services?
In my last ExpressVPN review, I sought to find out whether the benefits really outweigh the cost. I tested the VPN service on both desktop and mobile devices to answer these questions:
- How fast is ExpressVPN?
- Can ExpressVPN unblock region-locked websites (Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video)?
- Is ExpressVPN safe and private?
- Does ExpressVPN work in China?
- Is it really better than the cheaper alternatives?
I’ll cover all that and more in this review.
- Read more on our extensive VPN testing methodology and research process.
During my time with ExpressVPN, I used it to secure my connection while traveling to China and for unblocking video streams that I couldn’t normally access from my home in Canada. I also put it through a battery of tests to gauge its speed and security.
Although ExpressVPN is on the pricier side, it’s comforting to know I’m not cutting any corners when it comes to cybersecurity. App stores are full of cheap and free VPNs that I wouldn’t trust to keep my data safe and private. ExpressVPN has always been on the vanguard of VPN security and continues to innovate in that regard. And it doesn’t have to compromise features, speed, or user experience to do so.
I summarized my thoughts on ExpressVPN below, but read the full review to get a comprehensive look at this premium VPN service.
ExpressVPN Summary
ExpressVPN is a true jack of all trades, able to unblock all sorts of region-locked content, bypass China’s Great Firewall, and quickly download files. It boasts better performance than most when it comes to streaming. I challenge anyone to find a VPN with more advanced security while keeping the experience simple and novice-friendly.
ExpressVPN Key data
| OVERALL RANK: #3 of 45 VPNs | |
|---|---|
| Speed | Score: 10/10 |
| Average Speed *: | 135 Mbps |
| Video Streaming Support: | 4K UHD |
| Streaming | Score: 10/10 |
| Netflix: | Yes |
| Other Streaming Services: | Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, HBO, Hulu |
| Security | Score: 10/10 |
| Encryption Type: | 256-bit AES w/ Perfect Forward Secrecy |
| Kill Switch: | Yes |
| Log Policy: | No identifying logs |
| Protocols: | OpenVPN, L2TP, PPTP, Lightspeed |
| Value for Money | Score: 7/10 |
| Lowest Monthly Cost: | $6.67 |
| Money Back Guarantee: | 30 days |
| Website | https://www.expressvpn.com |
How does ExpressVPN compare to other popular VPNs?
Here’s how ExpressVPN compares to two of the most popular and highly rated VPNs out there, NordVPN and Private Internet Access. You can see a more detailed breakdown here of ExpressVPN vs NordVPN.
| ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Private Internet Access | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average speed * | 135 Mbps | 115 Mbps | 68 Mbps |
| Encryption Type | 256-bit AES | 256-bit AES | 128-bit AES |
| Kill Switch | desktop only | ||
| Allows Torrenting | |||
| Records Identifying Logs | |||
| Unblocks Netflix US | |||
| Unblocks Amazon Prime | |||
| Unblocks Hulu | |||
| Unblocks BBC iPlayer | |||
| Lowest monthly cost | $6.67 per month | $3.30 per month | $2.69 per month |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
| Overall Rating | 9.3 | 9.7 | 8.0 |
ExpressVPN pros and cons
Here’s a summary of what I liked and didn’t like during my time with ExpressVPN.
Pros:
- Very fast speeds across all server locations
- Advanced security on both apps and servers
- Easily unblocks streaming sites from abroad, including US Netflix
- Works in China and the UAE
- Zero logs policy
- 24/7 live chat support
Cons:
- Slightly more expensive than rivals
- Streaming servers aren’t labeled
- Occasional dropped connection
I’ll go into more detail about each of these points below.
Speed: Is ExpressVPN fast?
ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN we’ve tested to date, thanks largely in part to its new, proprietary protocol: Lightway. While many other VPNs jumped on the Wireguard bandwagon, ExpressVPN decided to go its own route and create an all-new VPN protocol. In our tests, Lightway was double and sometimes triple the speed of ExpressVPN’s previous preferred protocol, OpenVPN.
Across all locations and times tested, ExpressVPN averaged 135 Mbps download speed.
We tested servers located in North America, Europe, and Asia. You won’t notice much of a slowdown while connected to ExpressVPN unless your home internet speed is well over 100 Mbps. Here are the average speeds for servers in each region:
- North America (nearest): 136 Mbps
- Asia: 136 Mbps
- Europe: 134 Mbps
We strongly recommend using the Lightway protocol if you want to maximize speed. It’s available on all devices that support ExpressVPN apps, including routers. OpenVPN is also available on all ExpressVPN connections, with the option to connect over UDP (faster) or TCP (more stable). IKEv2 and L2TP/IPSec are also available, though these have limited locations, features, and network compatibility.
In addition to streaming video, ExpressVPN also performed admirably while gaming online. I didn’t notice much lag or high ping times when playing fast-paced games like Rocket League and Brawlhalla. Just be sure to choose a server location either near yourself or the game servers.
The desktop app comes with a built-in speed tester that measures ping time and download speed to all server locations.
Ping time, or latency, is useful if I’m trying to find a server with as little lag as possible. It takes a bit longer to run the download speed test than the ping time test, and the results are questionable–our internal tests show much higher speeds than what the app reports.
Note that these tests can only serve as a general indication of the performance you might see and cannot be considered definitive. The inherent volatility of the internet adds a significant factor of randomness. Users with faster connections will likely see larger discrepancies in speed.
About Lightway
ExpressVPN recently launched its new Lightway VPN protocol, which boosts speeds considerably. Lightway is designed to compete with other VPNs that have adopted Wireguard-based protocols like NordVPN, which have shown considerable speed improvements over traditional protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2. Lightway promises not only faster speeds, but fast switching between wi-fi and mobile networks, as well as strong security.
The new protocol is open source and now available to all ExpressVPN users.
Apps: What devices work with ExpressVPN?
ExpressVPN makes apps for more devices than any other VPN provider I know of:
- Windows
- MacOS
- iOS
- Android
- Android TV and Nvidia Shield
- Linux
- Amazon Fire TV
I can connect five devices at once. Most VPNs allow at least five and some go as high as 10 or don’t limit simultaneous connections at all. ExpressVPN recently switched from three to five, so I wouldn’t expect the limit to go up again anytime soon.
App design is fairly consistent across all platforms, so if you know how to use one, then using another should feel familiar. ExpressVPN’s apps are simple to set up and easy to use.
Upon first installing ExpressVPN, I must verify my device with a code displayed on my account dashboard on the ExpressVPN website. Although this takes a bit of extra hassle to set up new devices, it means I don’t have to repeatedly type in my username and password for subsequent logins.
Once I was all set up, I got access to thousands of server locations across 94 countries.
ExpressVPN browser extensions
Desktop browser extensions are available for Chrome, Safari, and Firefox. Unlike most VPN browser extensions, ExpressVPN’s plugins are not standalone proxies. They simply control the main VPN app, which must also be installed on my device. This is useful for Chromebook users, for example, but less so for Mac and PC users.
The ExpressVPN browser extensions come with a few added bonuses, including protection against WebRTC leaks and HTML5 geolocation spoofing, that make them worth installing.
The geo-location spoofing feature hides your true location by doing more than just masking your IP address. Websites can still determine your location through the HTML5 geolocation API, which uses wi-fi and mobile signals, GPS, and other positioning hardware to determine your location. ExpressVPN’s browser extension “spoofs” the location retrieved by the API to a semi-random point near the VPN server location to which you’re connected.
MediaStreamer DNS
Every ExpressVPN subscription comes packaged with the MediaStreamer smart DNS proxy service. Many devices don’t support VPN apps, but do allow you to change your default DNS servers. For devices like the Apple TV, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One, you can go into the internet settings and replace the default DNS server IP addresses with MediaStreamer IPs.
With MediaStreamer set up, I can unblock all sorts of region-locked data content from abroad. That includes Netflix and most other major streaming services, which I’ll cover in more detail a bit later. MediaStreamer doesn’t offer the same security and online privacy benefits as the normal VPN, though.
Unfortunately, devices connected through MediaStreamer also count against your five-device limit.
Router firmware
If your device doesn’t support VPN apps and doesn’t allow you to change DNS servers (Roku, Chromecast), then you can still connect it to the VPN via a wi-fi router. If your router firmware supports it, you can set up a VPN on it manually. However, ExpressVPN has a better option.
ExpressVPN’s router firmware is free and completely replaces a router’s existing firmware. It comes pre-configured with all of ExpressVPN’s servers, as well as a ton of other features that let you control which devices in your home use the VPN, which use MediaStreamer, and which use a standard, direct connection.
You can purchase a router with the ExpressVPN firmware already on it, or install it yourself. If you go the latter route, double-check that your wi-fi router is compatible and that you take proper precautions. If you make a mistake when flashing new firmware, it could permanently damage your router.
A router only counts as one device, no matter how many other devices connect to the VPN through it. So if the five-device connection allowance isn’t enough, this is a good option.
The latest version of ExpressVPN’s router firmware, released in mid-2021, comes with a fresh redesign and several performance improvements. That includes an SSL security upgrade, better stability, and support for the new Lightway protocol. The setup process is now easier as well thanks to an interactive setup guide.
Streaming, Netflix, and Kodi
Does ExpressVPN work with Netflix?
Yes.
ExpressVPN has reliably worked with Netflix nearly since Netflix first started blocking VPN users. In the past, not all servers were compatible with Netflix. Users had to go to ExpressVPN’s website to ask customer service which servers work with Netflix. But now any US server should unblock Netflix seamlessly.
Each country has its own library of shows and movies on Netflix. ExpressVPN can also unblock the UK, Japan, Canada, and France versions of Netflix, among others.
In addition to Netflix, I’ve found that ExpressVPN unblocks a wealth of other region-locked streaming sites, including:
- Hulu
- BBC iPlayer (inconsistent)
- Amazon Prime Video
- Crunchyroll
- Sky TV
- YouTube
… And many more. Note that you might need to hit up the customer service desk to ask which servers work with which streaming services.
ExpressVPN works with all of the Kodi add-ons I’ve used. The ExpressVPN software or apps for Linux, Android TV, and Fire TV let you connect pretty much any Kodi device to the VPN. You could also use MediaStreamer with your Kodi device.
Does ExpressVPN allow torrenting?
Yes.
Unlike most VPN providers, ExpressVPN doesn’t even push me to torrent on specific servers. I usually just pick a fast server near where I live and start downloading.
P2P filesharing is allowed and well protected. A kill switch, or “network lock” in ExpressVPN parlance, stops all internet traffic if the VPN unexpectedly disconnects. That means your P2P traffic is always encrypted no matter what. The network lock feature is available on desktop apps, while a simpler kill switch comes built into the mobile apps.
Does ExpressVPN offer Split Tunneling?
The ExpressVPN apps for Windows, MacOS, Android, and routers support split tunneling, which lets you select which other apps use the VPN and which connect to the internet without it. This is very useful for P2P filesharing because you can set your torrent client to use the VPN while other apps connect normally.
To use the split tunneling feature on ExpressVPN:
- Click the hamburger menu (three horizontal lines) and select Options
- In the General tab under Split tunneling, check Manage connection on a per-app basis
- Click Settings
- Next, you choose to either allow only selected apps to use the VPN or prevent selected apps from using the VPN
- Click the + button to add which apps you want to use (or not use) the VPN
Note that even if an app is excluded from the VPN with split tunneling, it will still send DNS traffic through ExpressVPN’s servers.
Split tunneling is not available on the iOS or Linux versions of ExpressVPN.
Security, privacy, and logging
Many VPNs make big claims about their security features and privacy, and ExpressVPN is no exception. I was curious to find out whether ExpressVPN can walk the talk.
ExpressVPN is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, which has no mandatory data retention laws. It’s beyond the jurisdiction of the UK and other high surveillance countries.
The company doesn’t log any of my internet traffic, nor does it record your IP address or the IP address of the server network to which you’re connected. It only collects dates (not times) that you connected, which location you connected to (not specific servers), and amount of data transferred per day. None of this can be traced back to you and is primarily used for diagnostic purposes and to curb abuse.
ExpressVPN’s logging policies have been put to the test on multiple occasions. In one high-profile case, authorities seized one of its servers in Turkey, saying it was used to hide details regarding the assassination of the Russian Ambassador, Andrei Karlov. The server held no useful information for the authorities, who were investigating the deletion of possible evidence on Facebook and Gmail.
“[…] ExpressVPN does not and has never possessed any customer connection logs that would enable us to know which customer was using the specific IPs cited by the investigators. Furthermore, we were unable to see which customers accessed Gmail or Facebook during the time in question, as we do not keep activity logs. We believe that the investigators’ seizure and inspection of the VPN server in question confirmed these points.”
ExpressVPN employs uncrackable encryption on every successful connection, ensuring no one can decipher the contents of my online communication. Here are the encryption specifics:
- 256-bit AES channel strong encryption
- 4096-bit DHE-RSA keys
- SHA512 hash authentication
- Perfect forward secrecy – ensures that even if my encryption key is somehow compromised, it cannot be used to decrypt past sessions
ExpressVPN operates its own private DNS servers, though you can set your own in the app settings.
ExpressVPN is remarkably leakproof. I didn’t encounter any DNS, IPv6, or WebRTC leaks when connected, or even when my connection was unexpectedly disrupted. My real IP address and internet traffic never leaked onto my unencrypted network.
Like most other VPNs, ExpressVPN assigns users shared IP addresses. Dedicated IP addresses are not available. When I connect to a server, I share that server’s IP address with many other users. This makes it more difficult to track online activity back to a single user and adds a significant layer of anonymity.
This year, ExpressVPN introduced a new server-side privacy mechanism called TrustedServer. With TrustedServer, the VPN server software only runs on the server’s RAM and not on the hard disk. Because RAM requires power to store data, the server gets wiped upon every reboot. This helps to ensure that its server networks never retain sensitive user data, even by accident.
ExpressVPN’s servers have been audited by PwC, a major auditing firm, to confirm compliance with its own privacy policy. PwC also audited TrustedServer.
“To enable PwC to thoroughly audit our servers, we gave them extensive access to our team and system information. Over the course of a month, PwC interviewed staff responsible for managing our VPN servers; inspected source code, configurations, and technical log files; and observed our server configuration and deployment processes.”
For the extra-privacy conscious, ExpressVPN operates an onion site on the dark web where you can sign up anonymously and pay with bitcoin.
We’ve put together this graphic to show how ExpressVPN’s strong encryption works and how long it would take to break it.
ExpressVPN recently introduced a few new security features on its Android app that might make their way to other operating systems later on:
- Protection Summary – This page in the app tells you how long you’ve been connected to ExpressVPN in the last week, and when your IP address is being protected by the VPN.
- Security Assistant – Gives step-by-step recommendations on how to protect your device, privacy, and accounts (still in testing at time of writing).
- Data breach alert – Notifies you if your email address is found in a data breach (still in testing at time of writing)
ExpressVPN Top Server locations
ExpressVPN operates more than 3,000 VPN servers in 94 countries, including the USA, Canada, Germany, United Kingdom, Netherlands, Switzerland, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Spain, Sweden, Australia, India, Japan, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Brazil, Mexico, South Africa, and Israel.
Smart location feature
By default, ExpressVPN chooses a server using its smart location feature. Whereas most VPNs’ automatic server selection is based purely on distance to the nearest server, ExpressVPN’s Smart Location goes a bit further. It ranks VPN locations by download speed, latency, and distance.
The Smart location feature is enabled by default in all ExpressVPN apps. It’s indicated by a lightning bolt icon and will be the default server option when you first open the app.
Does ExpressVPN work in China?
Yes.
ExpressVPN is a veteran VPN provider in China and provides fairly reliable access to the free and open internet from the mainland. I spent some time in Beijing shortly before writing this review and kept ExpressVPN connected on my phone pretty much the whole time. I didn’t have to change any settings; it just works.
Maintaining a VPN that can bypass the Great Firewall is an ongoing battle, so you might experience occasional downtime, especially around politically-sensitive events. But this is the case for every VPN provider, and ExpressVPN always bounces back quickly.
Is ExpressVPN’s customer service any good?
Competent customer support staff are available around the clock via live chat on the ExpressVPN website.
I’ve contacted ExpressVPN’s 24/7 live chat support on several occasions, and never have I had to wait more than five minutes to get a response. The support system uses Zendesk to manage help tickets.
Support documentation is available in English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese. ExpressVPN has a wealth of guides on a wide variety of topics across all platforms.
Besides the live chat option, you can submit a ticket on the website or send a direct email. If you don’t trust Zendesk, email is a more private option.
What is the ExpressVPN upload speed like?
It depends on your location, the server’s location, the VPN protocol, and current network congestion. That being said, ExpressVPN’s upload speeds are close to the same as its download speeds in our tests.
Note that many home internet connections are asymmetrical, which means your max upload speed is considerably slower than your max download speed. This will in turn affect your speed while connected to the VPN.
Does ExpressVPN offer obfuscated servers?
Yes, but they are not labeled, and obfuscation cannot be enabled or disabled by the user.
Obfuscation automatically kicks when needed while using the ExpressVPN app, such as when a user connects from China. In those instances, obfuscation is required to hide the VPN connection from internet service providers and government watchdogs that would otherwise block it.
To the end-user of ExpressVPN, there’s little difference between connecting to an obfuscated server and a non-obfuscated server. Obfuscation might slow down your connection slightly.
About ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN was incorporated in the British Virgin Islands in 2009. The country is not part of the UK and therefore has no mandatory data retention laws and is beyond the jurisdiction of countries in the 14-Eyes intelligence sharing alliance.
ExpressVPN engineered several technologies that other VPNs now try to imitate, including TrustedServer (RAM-only servers), Lightway (faster protocols), and MediaStreamer (standalone smart DNS proxy).
ExpressVPN is one of the founding members of the VPN Trust Initiative, an industry group of top VPN providers that sets standards of quality and tries to educate the public about VPN security benefits.
ExpressVPN pricing
ExpressVPN is a bit pricier than most.
Here’s what ExpressVPN costs:
- The 1-month plan costs $12.95
- The 6-month plan is $9.99 per month
- The 12-month plan is $6.67
- Use the coupon below for 3 months free
The monthly ExpressVPN subscription cost of the 12-month plan is calculated based on this deal which includes an additional 3 months free.
The company positions itself as a premium VPN provider. I think of it as the Apple of VPNs.
That being said, it’s not exorbitant; just a couple dollars more per month on average. I’ve certainly seen worse VPNs that cost as much or more.
You can get a significant discount for signing up on the 1-year plan instead of paying month-by-month.
ExpressVPN coupons
Do I recommend ExpressVPN?
After weeks of testing ExpressVPN for myself, would I recommend it to others?
Definitely. It’s an excellent choice.
If price is not a major concern, you won’t find a better all-around VPN. ExpressVPN performs well on every front, including speed, security, unblocking region-locked sites, evading censorship, and customer support. I would recommend it to everyone from novices to veteran VPN users.
ExpressVPN alternatives
I like ExpressVPN a lot, but I appreciate that some people want something cheaper or with more simultaneous connections.
NordVPN allows up to six internet connections and comes in at as little as half the price for plans of a similar duration, pending current discounts. It’s the second-fastest VPN we’ve tested after ExpressVPN, offers many of the same benefits to security, and has the ability to unblock streaming sites, torrent, and access the web from China.
CyberGhost is another budget option VPN provider that allows up to seven devices to connect at once. It doesn’t work in China and you don’t get as much support for those less-popular operating systems, but it’s fast, secure, and makes unblocking region-locked content a breeze.
ExpressVPN Reviews FAQ
Is ExpressVPN legal?
Yes, using any VPN including ExpressVPN is completely legal except for a small handful of countries where VPNs are banned.
Does ExpressVPN record my data?
ExpressVPN doesn't record user's online activity or any identifying information about them. Its privacy policy states that it records what app and app version you use, dates (not times) of connections, VPN location connected to (not specific server or IP address), from which country and ISP you connect from (not source IP address), and total sum of data transferred in a 24-hour period. This information is used for diagnostics and is not shared with any third parties.
Users can opt into sharing additional anonymous app diagnostics like crash reports, usability diagnosis, and VPN connection diagnostics. This includes info about failed connection attempts and speed test data.
Will anyone know if I use ExpressVPN?
It's possible. A VPN is private, but not necessarily anonymous.
Your internet service provider, for example, can check whether you are connecting to a known ExpressVPN server. If you're logged into your Facebook account and use Facebook while connected to ExpressVPN, then Facebook can check whether you are connecting from a known VPN server.
That being said, your ISP cannot see what you're doing while connected to the VPN, and websites and apps cannot see your real IP address.
Can ExpressVPN block ads?
No.
ExpressVPN has no built-in ad-blocking or anti-tracking features. A few other VPNs do, including CyberGhost and NordVPN.
ExpressVPN says users have the right to decide whether they want to block ads and which ads to block. The company recommends installing a free ad blocking and/or anti-tracking extension like uBlock Origin and Privacy Badger, respectively.
How good are ExpressVPN's mobile apps?
ExpressVPN makes mobile apps for Android and iOS. Both are well-designed apps with all of the same features and security that you get on the desktop versions. ExpressVPN’s app is fast and lightweight, so you don’t have to worry about it bogging down your device. I would recommend opting for the Lightway or IKEv2 protocol for maximum speed and efficiency on mobile.
Will using ExpressVPN stop bandwidth throttling?
That depends. If your internet service provider is throttling bandwidth from a specific source or a specific type of data, then yes. ExpressVPN’s encryption will hide the contents of your data and routing it that data through the VPN server hides what website, app, or service you’re accessing. Because your ISP can’t see what you’re doing when using the VPN, it cannot discriminate against specific sources or types of traffic.
However, a VPN won’t help if all of your data is being throttled. If you’ve hit your monthly data cap, for example, ExpressVPN won’t help much. Although encrypted, VPN data still has to pass through your ISP’s network and will count against your data cap.
Contents [hide]
- How does ExpressVPN compare to other popular VPNs?
- ExpressVPN pros and cons
- Speed: Is ExpressVPN fast?
- Apps: What devices work with ExpressVPN?
- Streaming, Netflix, and Kodi
- Security, privacy, and logging
- ExpressVPN Top Server locations
- Does ExpressVPN work in China?
- ExpressVPN pricing
- ExpressVPN coupons
- Do I recommend ExpressVPN?
- ExpressVPN alternatives
- ExpressVPN Reviews FAQ
All ExpressVPN reviews
All Star ExpressVPN reviews
All ExpressVPN positive reviews
All ExpressVPN critical reviews
All related ExpressVPN reviews
See all reviewsI’ve been a customer of ExpressVPN’s for 3 years and have noticed a real increase in speeds since the new Lightway protocol was introduced. I regularly torrent and sometimes stream in 4K and now never have buffering issues. I use Comcast Xfinity and regularly see speeds over 100Mbps with ExpressVPN connected.
My one complaint is that I’ve had some issues connecting to US servers recently, although uninstalling and reinstalling the app seems to fix these.
I do not know why people are still using VPNs, when it is well known that they keep logs and do not respect users’ privacy; neither are they safe. The future is in decentralized VPNs. No logs, and no monthly fees. Communication takes place in a p2p manner and payment is completed using crypto also p2p. That means that other users act as server and client, but so do you.
I bought what I consider is the first decentralized VPN 4 months ago on an Indiegogo campaign and I just received it. It is called Deeper Connect, and since there was a small delay in the shipping process I actually received two models, the so call Mini and the smaller one called Nano. If you are familiar with Tor, this is something similar but without the typical slow Internet speed. It has an add block function, and it block trackers and cookies, but I am mainly interested in the dVPN functions.
I have been using Expressvpn for around seven year and always found it reliable. However, since August 2020 I’ve been unable to use BBCiPlayer. However, despite numerous emails and promises of ‘fixing’ the issue BBCiPlayer is still not working as well as itvhub and britbox.
I read positive reviews about NordVPN and decided to try it out.
What a surprise! I was immediately able to stream all my 🇬🇧 TV shows from BBCiPlayer and the others!
Very disappointed with Expressvpn and their technical team!
NORDVPN 👍👍👍👍😁
I mainly use ExpressVPN for streaming TV when abroad as travel a lot with work and have found it way faster than PureVPN which I’ve used in the past. I do think it’s a little over-priced compared to other services but until something equally fast comes along at a lower price I’ll take it.
Written 2019-08-22.
I recently upgraded ExpressVPN’s OpenWRT firmware for the Linksys WRT3200ACM router from version 1.5.6 to version 2.0.4.
Version 2.0.4 is an unmitigated disaster. Here are the issues I encountered within the first 3 minutes of using version 2.0.4:
1. The default LAN address has been mysteriously changed from 192.168.42.1 to 192.168.132.1. This caused me a world of grief until I realized they made this change. ExpressVPN acknowledges this change was made, with no explanation for the change.
2. Once you set the WiFi settings, they cannot be changed. Any attempt to change the settings results in a red X when you drag the mouse over the Save button. ExpressVPN acknowledges this is a bug.
3. VPN settings have been removed from the VPN Options menu (why?) and placed on the new Dashboard. From there you can list all of the devices connected to the router, except that all that shows up are empty “slots” where you would normally see something identifying the device (the MAC address, the IP address, a name). Thus, it’s impossible to assign a VPN connection to a particular device because there’s no way to identify the device from the presented, but empty list of devices. ExpressVPN acknowledges this is a bug.
4. You cannot change the default LAN address (i.e. you’re stuck with 192.168.132.1). This means that any device connected to the router may need to have its network settings re-established.
5. All of the firewall settings have been removed. Need to forward a port? Tough. You can’t do any normal router configurations with this firmware. ExpressVPN acknowledges this CRITICAL functionality has been removed.
I reverted back to version 1.5.6. I can no longer trust ExpressVPN with my Router’s firmware.
I find it unconscionable that ExpressVPN would release router firmware full of bugs and lacking critical functionality. It appears ExpressVPN has forgotten that a router is a critical hardware resource.
Anyone “upgrading” their ExpressVPN router firmware should FIRST backup their configuration. Also, make absolutely certain you have an .img file for the version you are currently running (before the backup).
I could swear ExpressVPN is throttling speeds lately. Have noticed it particularly on weekends, when I believe their subscriber load is heavier than the rest of the week. Very frustrating. They cost more than many other VPN’s. Because of that wouldn’t have expected them to pull down on quality. Would not renew with them, can get equal service at much lower prices, and throttling speeds isn’t acceptable.
Ex NordVPN customer here. I loved Nord but moved to ExpressVPN as couldn’t get Nord working on my Android TV. Other than that I can’t tell a lot of difference. Both are fast, both work with the Netflix app on my phone, both have responsive customer service. My only complaint with ExpressVPN is it cost more than NordVPN and has less simultaneous connections.
I love ExpressVPN but I cannot renew with Bitcoin. Also, you cannot pay for more than 12 months. So every year I have to waste time finding a new email or I need contact their support. Supper annoying and such a simple fix, I don’t know why they won’t just fix it.
I’m from UAE and would like to use Skype. Will ExpressVPN properly work in UAE?
Hi. The ExpressVPN phone apps have no Kill Switch (Network Lock).
I have tried several VPN’s including Pure VPN, Private Internet Access, Mullvad and Express VPN. Mullvad is the most secure, Express VPN works well but speed is dependent on which server you’re connected to as some are far from fast. For the Hong Kong servers, my choice would be Mullvad. For Price and speed, Private Internet Access wasn’t the fastest on some servers but the difference wasn’t worth the difference in cost with respect to the others. Nord VPN has the worst speed and support and its not one that I would consider regardless of who promotes it. I wasn’t entirely happy with Pure VPN as it falls into the average category. Truth be known, I’m not sure as to which VPN I would recommend but HideMyAss is one that I would pass on without bothering to read its reviews. If you’re looking for a VPN for streaming, Netflix or other streaming services, I strongly recommend you look for a VPN service that supports this as you may not need a VPN service for this purpose but chances are you will at some point. Kill switch is also a big plus to look for.
Hi,
I am from S.F. California and currently living in the Philippines. Can I use EspressVPN to watch USA TV?
How can i tell if my router is compatible with VPN Express?
Arne from Thailand.
11.04.2018
Can I use ExpressVPN to Norwegian, Netflix all Surfing included 24/7 from start till I turn off my computer.
Or is it just a server in the US that tackles Netflex, Thanks for the answer.
Arne from Thailand.
Hello,
I’m new to VPN. Can I sent up Express VPN on the home router to take care of all my connected devices? (2 MacBooks, 2 iPads, 2 iPhones and 2 smart TVs)
Thanks!
More dependable than the competition. Unlike some the other VPN services, ExpressVPN actually connects to a server and delivers as stated on their website. Nice work ExpressVPN!
I actually believe that BitCoin is the ultimate currency in privacy protection and will hide my hacktivist/activist activity. Do you recommend ExpressVPN over that other nightmare VPN service that was established by “activists” and “hacktivist” as so far as privacy is concerned? At least ExpressVPN is a highly functional VPN service by comparison which has been proven.
I’m using this product. Interface is fine, easy to use, nothing special except it doesn’t get in the way. I’ve had a nailed up connection for over 24 hours. No issues with that.
One thing to note, that I’ve tried a few different servers (locations) and can’t connect to certain sites. One in particular is Bank of America. Their support people stated that it may be a result of the IP being registered to another BofA user. That’s possible. OR, their IPs could just be black listed in general. Either way, I don’t know. I haven’t found a way to connect to BofA yet while their connection is on.
Does it work with Amazon prime video?
I tried expressvpn today. WITHOUT expressvpn i get between 345 and 380Mb download speed. WITH expressvpn i get 184Mb download. Not worth the reduction in speed. I have the higher bandwidth for a reason.
Been using this for 3 years now, sure it slows speeds a little but still fine for streaming in HD and well worth it to stop ISPs and big brother looking over my shoulder.
Can Express VPN be turned on and off as needed so full speed can be re-established?
is expressvpn compatible with ATT uverse
I do not trust this company. ExpressVPN, Hidemyass and PureVPN were all caught using fake server locations. See discussion here: https://www.reddit.com/r/VPN/comments/6n9phu/vpns_are_using_fake_server_locations/
Hi all:
I’m very much a noob with vpn. I’m moving to China in a few weeks and want to be able to use my Xbox to connect and play multiplayer games with my son back in Canada. I will also be using iPhones, iPads MacBook, etc.. Will ExpressVPN fit the bill?
Hi, Recently I have tried a well known VPN service for streaming through my Amazon stick with Kodi. Downloaded all ok. IP changed. However, when I tried to connect to a site on the internet I was blocked over and over again by my internet provider.
I had done reasearch and was assured that if I downloaded it just to the stick all would be ok, it wasn’t. So, do I have to download to my Virgin Media router? Because how else do they not manage to block me?
I am leaving for China to teach for a year and a half. I live in Toronto. will I be able to access my gmail and banking online services?
What if I just want to protect my network and not change my location?
Hi ,
I want to use VPN on my Andorid Box specifically to kill buffering issues of streaming in KODI add ons . I am on 10 Meg Fibre line and want to know VPN can only be used for andorid app and will it slows downs my internet speed.
Thanks,
Chandra
Just installed on my iPhone as my first vpn and it was very easy. I was up and running in seconds. Been using all day and no issues. I am impressed.
Which location should I select when I’m in China? Under the list of countries, I can’t find China in it.
hi, how easy is it to configure ExpressVPN on a Linux computer.
I live in South Africa and need a fast internet connection with Vietnam. Will Express VPN increase my internet speed? We have a 4 MBbp line but will be on fiber during the course of the month.
Express VPN is the fastest and best service I have used, only way to use torrents so as to keep away the nastygrams from my ISP. I have tried many but overall Express does it all along with good tech support.
MIKLO
I have a 300 Mbps. If I get a Express VPN what could I expect the speeds to drop to? I know there are large variables but if you could give me some idea on how much a VPN reduces your connection
Under ‘Servers and Performance’ this sentence needs to be crossed out, as it is no longer accurate: “This is further frustrated by the lack of a kill switch option, which would block all internet traffic while the VPN reconnects.”
Thanks for the thorough review and for trying to keep it up to date, though. That’s more than many sites do. Much appreciated!
The reason I signed up was, because I heard they had great speed, great customer support and great uptime.
Turns out though that their customer support is the worst, they are far from experts and just read from manuals which are similar the articles they already have online. They can’t actually troubleshoot any problems.
Initially I liked the service and the software, but I’ve been plagued by slow speeds, all servers closest to me perform poorly and 1 doesn’t connect. So I have to choose between low ping and low speed or high ping and high speed.
They don’t support 1 single travel router, I still got one and I’m not getting more than 1mbps when its 12mbps normally. Customer support couldn’t do anything to help.
The extra price doesn’t get you more sadly.
Hi
I’m not sure what a connection log is and what information is collected. Can you help please.
Roy
I’m going to China the first of March and basically I just want to connect to Facebook and Google as well as my email. I will be connecting an iphone and a kindle (and possibly another iphone). I will only need it for 10 days but I understand that I can get a month’s subscription and just cancel before the month end. Will it work to access Facebook and Google in China on my devices? Thanks.
Totally agree with the review. I use ExpressVPN in China and it works pretty well.
We moved from San Francisco to Paris about 8 months ago, and started with a DNS hider. That quickly proved to be insufficient, so we switched to ExpressVPN. We had to do some tweaking, but customer support is excellent. I’ve been able to live chat with someone each time I had a problem, and they stayed on the line offering alternate DNS addresses and servers until we got everything up and running. They then took my feedback to give their engineers so they knew which servers were working and which weren’t. Things have been flawless since then. And we have 3 teenage girls who keep their phones and/or laptops streaming almost constantly, plus my wife and myself on the Apple TV at night. We use the US version of Netflix and Hulu primarily, but also watch HBO. And so far this is the only workable solution I’ve found.
Hi,
I’m concerned that with the possibility of disconnects and with no kill switch, doesn’t that render this useless if for any period you and unprotected? Am missing something? Thanks.
I live in Bali/Indonesia and have fiber with 50+ mbps in my villa. But when i use ExpressVNP to connect to Denmark (my home country) the speed falls to 0.50 – 2.00 mbps (tested with Ookla speedtest MANY times). It’s makes streaming unusable. If anyone know a better solution or a workaround – i’m in!
Novice User here, i live in UAE for now, and i only tried one other paid VPN service, which worked fine for me a while until they updated their system and app. Now i have a hard time connecting or maintaining a connection and i am strongly considering trying something else asap so that i can cancel my subscription renewal which is due in couple of days. So i have to ask anybody who tried expressvpn german servers in online gaming, share your experience or rating.
I’m in China. After lots of free methods to bypass China’s GFW been blocked, I started using paid VPNs. I’ve tried a lot, ExpressVPN is the only one I’ve found so far that’s a always working & allows torrent traffics & unlimited data and speed. Sure sometimes it got difficult connecting, but by retrying and changing locations (and connecting methods) it worked good, even when times that other VPNs been blocked here in China. It one of the more expensive ones, but data and speed is unlimited is nice, so I don’t have to constantly checking a dashboard to see how much I’ve left.
I don’t know how this VPN performed on other countries, but it worked fine for me, it’s nice they’ve got clients for just about any platform, make things more convenient. (You can use OS default ways like L2TP to connect too. With or without a client) I’ve tried setting this up on my DD-WRT router and it worked great, making everything go through VPN, without having to set each device up individually. I’ve made two Wi-Fi signals for my house, one with this ExpressVPN and one without, needs a bit of work to set this up, but it’s fun and convenient. Pretty much any DD-WRT router can do it, you don’t have to buy theirs (those routers on ExpiresVPN website), they’re over priced.
I am seeing the same thing. I have 150/20 biz line and when the VPN is active I only get about 60/12 on the fastest server tested by their app on the Mac client. Pretty disappointing performance for those with high speed connections
Hi, I am a dead-set novice so need some advice. I frequently travel to Asia from Australia and get very frustrated when i can’t watch my Australian home paid Foxtel Sports programs when I am in Asia. Will this VPN allow me access to this site or is there alternative channels i could access through the VPN to view the likes of Aust rules football, Motogp and F1 motor sports.
I’ve been trying to use ExpressVPN with a RaspberryPi running OpenELEC / Kodi. I can’t get it to work and the online chat at ExpressVPN says this configuration is not supported so they can’t help me.
Didn’t work out for me, but their customer service was better than expected. I gave them a try thinking that they had the best speeds available. Maybe they did since I haven’t tried anything else, but once I started using them, my internet speed slowed down to back the the dial up modem days. Even loading just simple websites would take a minute or two. I chatted with their service rep which I got a hold of via their live chat quite fast. Changed a few settings, but it was still slow. Changing locations of different servers didn’t help either. So a few days later I cancelled and asked for a refund. A few days after that, I got my refund back. Overall, it didn’t work out for me, but at least they didn’t try to scam me out of my money and their customer service was pretty good.
Hi there, I am a Canadian living overseas (Asia) and am interested in the best VPN for connecting to Canadian based sites. I read one complaint with ExpressVPN on accessing (apparently) their single/only Canadian server (in Montreal), for example. I have no experience using VPN’s, so I’m starting from scratch here. Would BufferedVPN (or something else) be a better choice for accessing Canadian content? Appreciate any help you can provide!
ExpressVPN and I go way back. The first time I ever used a VPN was a no cost service that my colleague told me about when we went to China for a business conference. My friend and I decided that we needed some good old american entertainment to cool off after our intense days of negotiation. We would switch on our VPN and unblock Netflix, and spent hours watching movies. We binge watched entire seasons after unblocking geo-restricted websites.We never had any problems, thanks to the 78 ExpressVPN servers. We would use a different VPN server every day and we never had any problems bypassing the great firewall. The best bit was that we could unblock Netflix US. I’d read about it in a few ExpressVPN reviews but we’d never tried this out back home in Australia and the kids were psyched when I got back home and told him that they could unblock all the movies and shows on Netflix US using ExpressVPN.Logged in to post this comment because I’ve got a friend at work who uses another VPN service and is complaining about streaming speeds and payment issues with the service every second day. But I always say that
I just had an on-line chat with the folks at ExpressVPN. They said I could use ANY 3 supported devices at the same time. So 3 computers would be OK if no other of your devices were connected. Or 2 computers and one mobile device… They said Any 3.