ExpressVPN Review: Is It Worth Buying?

ExpressVPN is one of the most well-known VPNs out there—and also one of the most expensive. So, is it worth the price?

To be fair, ExpressVPN is excellent. It’s fast, and more importantly, its connection speed is consistently stable—probably the most stable among all the VPNs I’ve tested.

But after spending two full months using ExpressVPN alongside its two biggest competitors—NordVPN and Proton VPN—I’ve come to the conclusion that ExpressVPN just isn’t the best value for money. Here’s why:

Whether I was streaming 4K video or browsing the web, all three VPNs performed extremely well. In normal day-to-day use, it’s genuinely hard to notice any major difference between them.

But when I dug into actual speed tests, the results were a bit surprising:

🚀 NordVPN—the cheapest of the three—had the fastest speeds.

While all three are “fast enough,” having that extra speed does matter—especially if you’re downloading large files like movies or games.

Here’s what I found in my speed tests:

I also looked at third-party reviews from trusted tech sites like CNET, PCMag, and Tom’s Guide. Their test results backed up mine—NordVPN really is the fastest VPN right now. Here’s what they had to say…

We’ve been testing VPNs for more than 10 years, and part of that process includes speed tests. In our latest round, NordVPN comes out on top of download speed results, trailed closely by ExpressVPN.

– Review from PCMAG (Link)

NordVPN is currently the fastest VPN, based on our latest speed tests. Out of the VPNs we speed tested, NordVPN’s speeds were the most consistently fast across the board. NordVPN averaged just an 11% speed loss overall, Mullvad came in second place with a 13% average speed loss and Surfshark followed with a 17% overall speed loss. Proton VPN and ExpressVPN rounded out the list with a 21% speed loss and a 25% speed loss, respectively.

– Review from CNET (Link)

All three VPNs claim to offer top-level security: “military-grade encryption,” “strict no-logs policies,” and “RAM-only servers” that wipe all data automatically. On paper, that sounds great.

But it’s not just about what they say—it’s about who’s behind the product and what they actually do.

This is where ExpressVPN’s parent company, Kape Technologies, becomes a concern.

⚠️The Kape Technologies Problem

Kape’s Past: Formerly known as Crossrider, Kape has a shady history involving adware and “malicious software distribution.” Over the past few years, they’ve bought up several VPN companies, including CyberGhost, Private Internet Access (PIA), and ExpressVPN.

A company with that kind of past suddenly rebranding itself as a privacy guardian understandably makes people nervous. You’ll see a lot of skepticism if you browse Reddit threads discussing ExpressVPN.

⚠️Cost-Cutting and Layoffs 

Kape Technologies (ExpressVPN’s owner) recently made significant staff cuts to reduce costs – and not just random positions. They axed key teams in engineering and quality control. Even Dan Gericke, their Chief Privacy Officer, decided to leave. (PCMag reported on this)

While ExpressVPN is still a solid performer, these developments make me a bit uneasy when it comes to long-term stability and trust—especially if privacy is a top priority for you.

Better Options for Privacy-Conscious Users

If you’re looking for the highest level of privacy protection, NordVPN or Proton VPN would be better picks. Both use the same cutting-edge security standards as ExpressVPN, but without the baggage of a questionable parent company.

🏆 Proton VPN is especially strong on privacy. It’s based in Switzerland, a country known for having some of the strictest privacy laws in the world. Proton was built from the ground up with privacy in mind—the team behind it also created ProtonMail, which is widely trusted among privacy-conscious users.

What really sets Proton VPN apart is that it’s open-source. That means anyone—including security researchers—can audit the code to make sure there are no hidden flaws or backdoors. That kind of transparency goes a long way in building trust.

Try Proton VPN Now

🏆 That said, NordVPN is also a solid choice. It’s never been involved in any major privacy controversies, which says a lot in this space.

And right now, with their current promo, it’s about 50% cheaper than Proton VPN—making it a very appealing option if you want strong privacy protection without spending a ton.

Grab NordVPN Now at 76% OFF

Promo Period: Jun 25 – Jun 27

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One thing to keep in mind: VPN performance can vary based on where you live, your internet provider, and the server you’re connecting to. So no matter what a review says, it’s always smart to test it yourself.

Thankfully, all three services offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. That gives you plenty of time to see which one works best for your needs.

My advice? Start with NordVPN. It’s the most affordable and has the best overall performance. If it works for you, great—you’ve saved some money. If not, try one of the others. Either way, you won’t be stuck with a service you don’t like.

ExpressVPN is still a strong product, especially if speed stability is your number one priority. But given its high price and concerns around its parent company, it’s hard to recommend it over competitors that offer similar (or better) performance at a lower cost.

• Proton VPN is ideal for serious privacy-focused users.
• NordVPN is the best all-around choice for most people—it’s fast, secure, affordable, and trustworthy.

At the moment, NordVPN is also running a summer deal with up to 76% off (was $13/month, now just $3.39/month) and a free eSIM data pack from Saily.

It’s a great time to give it a try.

Promo Period: Jun 25 – Jun 27