3,000
Servers
105
Countries
10
Devices
No-logs
Logging
VG
Jurisdiction
Score Breakdown — 8.8 / 10
Tested 2025-11-10
Fastest VPN of 2025
ExpressVPN sets the gold standard for speed and streaming unblocking. The Lightway protocol is a technical marvel, and the TrustedServer architecture delivers genuine privacy assurance.
Testing conducted from four US and three European locations over 14 days. Speed benchmarks run on 1 Gbps connections using Lightway UDP, OpenVPN UDP, and IKEv2. Streaming verified across Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. Leak testing suite includes DNS, IPv6, WebRTC, and torrent address detection.
Full methodologyPros & Cons
What sets ExpressVPN apart — and where it falls short.
Pros
Consistently among the fastest VPNs in every test
Lightway protocol — fast, reliable, and open source
Excellent streaming unblocking across all major platforms
MediaStreamer DNS works on devices without VPN support
TrustedServer RAM-only infrastructure
Built-in ad blocker and Threat Manager
Cons
Expensive — $12.95/month or $99.95/year
Only 8 simultaneous connections
No multi-hop (double VPN) support
Parent company (Kape Technologies) has a controversial history
Plans & Pricing
$12.95 billed monthly
$99.95 billed annually
$59.76 billed every 2 years
Features & Compatibility
Features
Protocols
Server Locations (93)
DNS Handling
Private DNS on every server. DNS queries routed through encrypted tunnel. MediaStreamer DNS for devices without VPN app support.
Leak Protection
Network Lock kill switch blocks all traffic if VPN drops. DNS/IPv6 leak protection. IPv6 traffic blocked at network level to prevent leaks.
Obfuscation
Type: Stealth · Post-quantum ready
Streaming Support
Verified compatibility with major streaming platforms
P2P & Torrenting
P2P traffic allowed on all servers. No port forwarding. MediaStreamer DNS does not support P2P.
In-Depth Overview
ExpressVPN has been a mainstay of the VPN industry since 2009. The company is based in the British Virgin Islands, a jurisdiction with favorable privacy laws outside the 14 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance. With 3,000+ servers across 105 countries, ExpressVPN maintains one of the most geographically diverse networks in the industry.
ExpressVPN developed Lightway, its own open-source protocol built on WolfSSL that delivers faster connection times and better reliability than traditional protocols. The service also supports OpenVPN UDP/TCP, IKEv2, and L2TP/IPsec.
TrustedServer technology ensures every server runs on RAM only — no data persists after a reboot. The company has submitted to independent audits by PwC (no-logs policy verification), Cure53 (Lightway security audit), and KPMG (privacy compliance).
Every ExpressVPN subscription includes a full-featured MediaStreamer DNS service, which enables smart DNS-based unblocking on devices that don’t support VPN configurations directly (game consoles, smart TVs, Apple TV).
ExpressVPN provides native apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, Fire TV, and routers. A browser extension is available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. Up to 8 simultaneous connections are allowed per subscription.
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