A well-known VPN service provider is ExpressVPN. Due to its quick speed, capacity to unblock a wide variety of streaming services (including Netflix) and exceptional server selection, it will be appealing to the majority of customers. Additionally, ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
ExpressVPN Overview
ExpressVPN is a genuine jack of all trades, capable of safely accessing a wide range of services, circumventing China’s Great Firewall, and downloading data swiftly. When it comes to streaming, it outperforms the competition. I dare anyone to discover a VPN with more robust security and such an easy-to-use interface.
Express VPN’s advantages and disadvantages
Pros
- Superb download speed
- P2P assistance
- Servers who specialize
- Most streaming providers are unblocked.
- The threat manager has been independently audited.
Cons
- On the more expensive side, the iOS version lacks a kill switch.
The following security measures are available with ExpressVPN:
AES encryption of 256 bits End-to-end military-grade encryption renders internet communication completely unreadable.
There is no logging policy. ExpressVPN does not keep track of your personal information, internet activity, or the files you download. ExpressVPN has completed a number of third-party audits to confirm its no-logging policy.
Network lock (kill switch). If you disconnect from the VPN server, this function disables your internet traffic, safeguarding you from unintentional data breaches.
One feature of ExpressVPN that I really enjoy is that its servers run on RAM memory, which means that nothing is kept on a physical hard disk. Every time the server is rebooted, all of the data on it is erased.
ExpressVPN also provides 100% forward secrecy, which means that the encryption keys used to encrypt and decode your internet traffic are changed every 15 minutes or when you disconnect from the VPN. This protects the protection of your sensitive data even if the most recently generated encryption key is compromised (the hacker would only be able to access traffic encrypted with the hacked encryption key, but any previous or future traffic would be unaffected).
It also provides comprehensive protection against IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks, which I like because other top rivals only block certain types of leaks (for example, Surfshark only protects against DNS leaks). I put ExpressVPN’s leak security to the test by performing tests on servers in tens of countries, and I never saw any data leaks.
Is ExpressVPN safe to use?
ExpressVPN is a trustworthy VPN service that complies with the majority of security requirements and benchmarks. It is nonetheless owned by Kape Technologies, a business with a contentious past that also holds other VPN services.
Recent events involving ExpressVPN’s ownership and management raise questions about the safety and privacy of the platform. With the company’s Chief Information Officer embroiled in a cyber-espionage controversy, some users may be hesitant to use ExpressVPN or perceive it as trustworthy enough. Nonetheless, several audits and tests prove that this VPN is secure.
Is ExpressVPN quick?
ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs we’ve tested, owing to its unique Lightway protocol. While many other VPNs jumped on the Wireguard bandwagon, ExpressVPN chose to forge its own path and develop a whole new VPN technology. Lightway is an open-source project that promises not just better bandwidth but also quick switching between Wi-Fi and mobile networks, as well as solid security.
Several speed tests were performed on servers in North America, Europe, and Asia. ExpressVPN’s download speed averaged 475 Mbps across all locations and times tested. It outperforms NordVPN and Surfshark but lags behind CyberGhost and IPVanish.
So, what does this all mean? Streaming 4K video, for example, takes just roughly 25 Mbps, and most other jobs have much lower requirements. In other words, unless your home internet connection is considerably beyond 300 Mbps, you won’t feel much of a lag when connected to ExpressVPN. Here are the average server speeds for each region:
- 472 Mbps in North America (nearest)
- 453 Mbps Asia
- 500 Mbps for Europe
If you wish to optimize speed, we strongly advise you to use the Lightway protocol. It is available on all ExpressVPN-compatible devices, including routers. All ExpressVPN connections also support OpenVPN, with the choice to connect through UDP (faster) or TCP (stabler). IKEv2 and L2TP/IPSec are no longer supported, which is excellent because their locations, functionality, and network compatibility were already restricted.
In addition to streaming video, ExpressVPN performed brilliantly when it came to online gaming. When playing fast-paced games like Rocket League and Brawlhalla, I didn’t experience much latency or high ping times. Just be sure to pick a server location that is close to you or the game servers.
It is important to note that these tests can only provide a broad estimate of the performance you may observe and should not be regarded as conclusive. The internet’s inherent instability introduces a large element of unpredictability. Users with quicker connections will most likely see significant speed differences.
Is it possible to acquire ExpressVPN for free?
Unfortunately, ExpressVPN does not provide a free version. However, there is a 30-day money-back guarantee and a free trial for mobile devices available via the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Following installation, you will be able to utilize the services on additional smart devices. Remember that you must manually terminate the free trial or you may be charged.
How can I get ExpressVPN? VPN for multiple devices
- Go to the official ExpressVPN website and select a subscription plan.
- Fill out the checkout form and select a payment method.
- Install the ExpressVPN app on the devices you’ve chosen.
- Enter your email address to access your account.
- Connect to the server of your choice and experience the benefits of a VPN!
What devices are compatible with ExpressVPN?
ExpressVPN has more device applications than any other VPN company I’m aware of:
- MacOS (M1 and M2) iOS
- Windows
- Android
- Android TV
- Nvidia Shield Linux
- Fire TV from Amazon
ExpressVPN allows customers to connect five devices at once to certain Asus, Linksys, and Netgear wireless routers. This is around the industry average, while some companies limit simultaneous connections to 10 or do not limit them at all.
Performance of ExpressVPN with other protocols
Aside from ExpressVPN’s own Lightway protocol, the VPN service provides its users with access to other, more standard VPN protocols. The variations in ExpressVPN speed while utilizing different tunneling technologies are seen below.
The following are the average download and upload speeds in ten distinct locations:
- 203.5/146.4 km/h
- IKEv2: 211.2/9.5
- TCP OpenVPN: 103.7/52.6
- UDP OpenVPN: 174.1/123.5
The OpenVPN UDP protocol performs admirably. Drops as low as 14% are possible, which is certainly not a poor result. Meanwhile, IKEv2 is one of the quickest protocols accessible. Overall, ExpressVPN has the potential to be lightning fast. When you choose a neighboring nation (even if it means the same country you reside in), it breaks most prior speed records.
Having said that, it does contain some odd drops in random spots for no apparent reason. This causes the service to be highly uneven, which might be a dealbreaker if your required location has bad performance.
In terms of speed, security, and connection reliability, here’s how ExpressVPN protocols stack up against one another:
Overall, while ExpressVPN is not the fastest VPN available, it works admirably when compared to other VPN companies. The speeds are enough for streaming, gaming with a VPN, and general surfing.
Is ExpressVPN available in China?
VPN companies are actively blocked in China. As a result, not all of them are able to circumvent China’s massive firewall.
However, it is fair to presume that ExpressVPN can operate in China or other countries with similar attitudes toward VPN use. Keep in mind that in order to use a VPN in China, you must first download and install the client software before traveling there.
Furthermore, ExpressVPN support seldom recommends manual connections, so your best chance is to keep the client up-to-date and experiment with different networks until you discover one that works.
Is ExpressVPN’s customer service satisfactory?
Competent customer service representatives are accessible 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, via live chat on the ExpressVPN website.
I’ve used ExpressVPN’s 24/7 live chat support multiple times, and I’ve never had to wait more than five minutes for an answer. Our team also tried the service’s money-back promise, which was always honored with no questions asked. Zendesk is used by the support system to manage help tickets.
English, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Spanish, and Portuguese support documentation is provided. ExpressVPN features a plethora of instructions on a wide range of topics available across all devices.
In addition, to live chat, you can file a ticket on the website or send a direct email. Email is a more private alternative if you don’t trust Zendesk.
Is ExpressVPN suitable for torrenting?
ExpressVPN is suitable for torrenting. It supports P2P connections on all of its servers, has fast speeds, and has excellent security measures, making it a fantastic torrent VPN. It took some time for download speeds to increase during our tests, but once they did, they were 6–15 MB/s (48–120 Mbps). The speed was likewise prone to swings. ExpressVPN is a solid enough choice for torrenting if you don’t need to download or upload anything quickly.
However, if you’re solely looking for a VPN for torrenting, we recommend going for a cheaper and speedier service, such as Surfshark or NordVPN. When tested for torrenting, both of these services delivered excellent results; however, ExpressVPN did not.
FAQs
Is ExpressVPN safe to use?
Except for a few places where VPNs are prohibited or otherwise limited, using any VPN, including ExpressVPN, is entirely legal. While VPN use is not illegal in most countries, you are still accountable for any crimes committed while connected.
Is ExpressVPN suitable for gaming?
Yes, if you choose a nearby location, ExpressVPN is acceptable for gaming. If you connect to multiple places, the latency will increase, causing lag in your gaming experience.
Is there a free trial available for ExpressVPN?
Yes, ExpressVPN provides a free mobile device trial. Furthermore, you can use the 30-day money-back guarantee to get a refund if you don’t like the service.
How do I uninstall ExpressVPN?
You may contact the VPN’s live chat support or email it if you wish to use the money-back guarantee or cancel an ongoing, recurring subscription. When you request that ExpressVPN discontinue your account, you will either receive your money refunded or cease being charged when the current contractual subscription period expires.
