ExpressVPN Review 2024: Fast & Safe, but Is It Still the Best?

Is ExpressVPN Fast? (Yes, It’s Really Fast!)

ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN I’ve tested, so much so that I sometimes forget that I’m connected to it. I’ve used ExpressVPN for several years to browse the internet, stream TV shows and movies, play online games, and torrent large files, and I have no complaints about its speed.

In the last few years, ExpressVPN’s speeds have improved further thanks to its network upgrades. As it stands, more than 80% of ExpressVPN’s network is now using 10Gbps servers, providing faster speeds and more reliable connections. All servers in key locations, like the UK and US, have already been upgraded.

Speed Test Results

I ran speed tests from different locations around the world (with the help of my colleagues) — and I was impressed to see that ExpressVPN’s servers are consistently fast worldwide.

Generally speaking, servers that are further away from your actual location tend to perform slower. Surprisingly, there wasn’t a huge difference between ExpressVPN’s server speeds in nearby France or almost 17,000 km away in Australia.

I also tested ExpressVPN’s Lightway and OpenVPN protocols to see how they compare speed-wise. Lightway, as the name implies, is designed to be lightweight, with the protocol comprising around 2,000 lines of code (compared to 70,000 with OpenVPN). This was especially visible to me in how fast I could connect to and switch between servers. It’s also a top option for mobile since it doesn’t drain as much battery.

Interestingly, I found that OpenVPN was slightly faster than Lightway (by a margin of error). However, for some of my colleagues, Lightway was significantly faster, showing how different variables impacting your local connection can affect which protocol is best for you. Generally, it’s best to use the “Automatic” protocol to let ExpressVPN choose the best option for you.

You can see the results of each protocol below, versus my baseline speed of 520Mbps. Your results will vary, but it gives a good indication of what each protocol is capable of.

Compared to its competitors, ExpressVPN had the least impact on my baseline internet speeds (which means it won’t slow you down). To test this, I launched ExpressVPN on my Windows PC and connected to a Melbourne server, which was furthest from my location. My download speed slowed by just 25% — not much at all considering the distance.

For the quickest server connection, I’d still suggest using a server that’s close to your physical location. But if you’re traveling or need to connect to a server far away, ExpressVPN has proven to offer great connection speeds worldwide so you won’t experience a significant slowdown.

Are ExpressVPN’s Speeds Fast Enough for Gaming? (Yes)

Having fast speeds is crucial when it comes to gaming, with low latency being the most important factor. Latency (often referred to as ping) is the measure of time by which data packets travel between your computer and the game server. High latency can result in noticeable lag during gameplay, negatively affecting your in-game reactions and timings.

I decided to test ExpressVPN with a few titles, including Call of Duty: Warzone and Counter-Strike: Global Offensive (CS:GO) on Steam. Being competitive online titles, these games require a fast, low-latency connection, as any delays could mean the difference between winning and losing.

To my delight, ExpressVPN exceeded my expectations. When I connected to a server in nearby Germany, my ping rate was roughly 55ms, versus my usual 40ms — ideal for gaming. Anecdotally, I’m totally fine with online gaming under 90ms, although I prefer keeping it under 65ms, especially in faster-paced titles.

Overall, I barely noticed that I was using a VPN, except that most of my fellow players were suddenly speaking German. I even used it while on holiday in Turkey and was still left with a more than adequate 79ms average ping while playing Warzone. Your own results will vary depending on your distance from the server.

Large Global Server Network (105 Countries)

ExpressVPN offers 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, which is a large number for any VPN. Even though it doesn’t have the highest number of total servers, it’s a wide-ranging selection covering a large stretch of the globe. This means you’ll always be able to find a server nearby, whether you live in the US, France, Sri Lanka, or New Zealand.

The best server coverage is available for countries in Europe and North America, but there’s also a solid selection in the Middle East, Africa, South America, and the Asia-Pacific region.

Obfuscated Servers — Ideal for Staying Hidden From Eavesdroppers

All of ExpressVPN’s servers are obfuscated by default, making it an excellent choice if you’re traveling to countries with restrictions on VPN use. Server obfuscation hides the fact that you’re using a VPN, making it easy to get around deep packet inspection (the technology that detects VPN traffic).

When I ran tests from Turkey, I never had issues connecting — even though ExpressVPN’s website is blocked there. It also offers a frequently updated mirror site in case you want to download it while in a censorship-heavy country. Just email their support team to get the most up-to-date working link (support@expressvpn.zendesk.com).

ExpressVPN provides virtual servers for regions with unstable infrastructure or strict internet laws. For instance, if you select a server in Venezuela, known for its tight online regulations, ExpressVPN assigns you a Venezuelan IP but connects you to a nearby server in Brazil. This guarantees a simultaneously secure and stable connection.

TrustedServer Technology — Automatically Erases All Data From Servers

ExpressVPN’s 3,000+ servers operate through RAM disks as opposed to hard drives. RAM disks require constant power to store data, so when servers are rebooted every 1-2 weeks, all information is instantly wiped. That means the TrustedServer technology erases any trace of your private data and browsing history with every reboot.

While this feature is becoming more commonplace amongst the top premium VPNs, several other providers still run servers through hard drives. The problem is that hard drives retain all data until they’re manually erased or overwritten. This includes sensitive data, which creates potential privacy issues if there’s a leak or hacking event.

To demonstrate confidence in its TrustedServer technology, ExpressVPN has a bounty of $100k USD available for anyone who finds a security-critical bug. This huge bounty shows me that ExpressVPN doesn’t anticipate anyone finding a leak or flaw in its server security, which makes me feel confident that my data is safe.

Smart Location — Nice Idea With Middling Execution

In theory, the Smart Location feature recommends a nearby server for optimal connectivity. However, it occasionally suggests odd choices, like an Italian server while I was in Poland, or New York while in England. Though it aims for servers with high speeds and low latency, I generally found manual selections a lot more accurate.

While the current implementation is pretty hit-or-miss, I’d love to see this feature developed since it can save you precious seconds when you’re in a hurry. I use it frequently with some other VPN providers, making it one of ExpressVPN’s few weak points versus the competition (thankfully, just a minor one).

Is ExpressVPN Good for Torrenting and P2P? Yes!

ExpressVPN doesn’t heavily advertise its P2P features like other VPNs do, so I thought it might not support torrenting — but I was wrong. After conducting extensive tests, I was impressed to find that ExpressVPN is actually one of the best VPNs for torrenting.

Every server is optimized for P2P activities, supporting popular clients like uTorrent, qBittorrent, and Vuze. This ensures every server is primed for speed and security.

Its many privacy-bolstering features further make ExpressVPN a perfect pick for torrenting. Its military-grade encryption hides your traffic, IP address rotation means you’re constantly a step ahead of trackers, and Network Lock (ExpressVPN’s kill switch) terminates your internet connection in case there’s ever a server connection error.

Furthermore, its jurisdiction in the British Virgin Islands offers added assurance. Being free from data retention mandates means ExpressVPN won’t be required by law to store or share your online activities. That being said, this doesn’t mean that using ExpressVPN gives you free rein to download any file you want — downloading copyright-protected material is always illegal, so please be responsible.

Of course, without high speeds, all this means nothing. Fortunately, as we saw above, ExpressVPN is lightning-fast. This was mirrored in my P2P testing, where I was able to download a 10GB file in just 3 and a half minutes.

Does ExpressVPN Work in China? (Yes)

Accessing the internet in China is notoriously hard thanks to China’s censorship laws – and most VPNs no longer work in China. Thankfully, ExpressVPN can successfully bypass the country’s strong firewalls, making it one of the few VPNs to do so. It never had any issues accessing sites like Facebook, Google, Wikipedia, YouTube, Netflix, and many more.

ExpressVPN doesn’t have servers in China, freeing it from local regulations and data logging requirements. If you’re traveling to China, I recommend pre-downloading ExpressVPN since its website is blocked there. Alternatively, you can contact ExpressVPN through email (support@expressvpn.zendesk.com) to ask for their most recent mirror link, which should allow you to download the app within China.

Once connected, your internet traffic is encrypted and hidden from all censorship, governments, and ISPs. As an extra security measure, the Network Lock kill switch will block all internet traffic if the VPN connection is ever unstable or not working. This prevents any of your personal data from accidentally leaking online and exposing your identity.

To verify this, my research team ran a DNS leak test from China while connected to ExpressVPN’s New York server. There were no leaks found — so you can be confident that your online traffic is well-secured.

One minor issue I found was that not every global server works in China, so you’ll be slightly limited by the options available to you. That being said, ExpressVPN’s servers in Japan and the US successfully bypass China’s firewalls.

Security Features

Cutting-Edge Encryption Standards — Provide Unbreakable Security Layers

ExpressVPN uses an AES 256-bit encryption combined with a 4096-bit RSA key and SHA-512 HMAC authentication. What does this mean? This is the highest standard of encryption and is currently considered practically impossible to break.

The SHA-512 HMAC authentication adds an extra layer of security to data transfers (like P2P file-sharing and torrenting). Both the sender and receiver of the sent file use a shared secret key — any changes in the secret key mean the connection has been intercepted, so you’ll know immediately if there’s an intruder.

Additionally, ExpressVPN is now including post-quantum protection with its Lightway protocol. When connected to Lightway, you’ll have a security boost designed to protect against quantum technology, which has the potential to undermine today’s top encryption — essentially, ExpressVPN is future-proofing your data security.

Multiple Security Protocols Available on All Devices

ExpressVPN offers the unique Lightway protocol, alongside standard options like OpenVPN (UDP and TCP), and IKEv2. ExpressVPN doesn’t make all protocols available on every device, although each operating system gives you plenty of options, such as:

• Windows — Lightway (UDP and TCP), OpenVPN (UDP and TCP), IKEv2 (ExpressVPN version 10 only).
• Mac — Lightway (UDP and TCP), OpenVPN (UDP and TCP), and IKEv2.
• Android — Lightway (UDP and TCP), OpenVPN (UDP and TCP), and IKEv2.
• iOS — Lightway (UDP and TCP) and IKEv2.
• Linux — Lightway (UDP and TCP), OpenVPN (UDP and TCP), and IKEv2
• Routers — Lightway, OpenVPN, and IKEv2.

I strongly suggest you stick to modern, secure protocols like Lightway and OpenVPN. Lightway is a proprietary protocol developed specifically for ExpressVPN’s customers and is typically the fastest option for global connections.

You can easily choose a protocol by clicking on the “Settings” icon and navigating to “Protocol”. With the default option of “Automatic” enabled, ExpressVPN will select the best VPN protocol based on your network settings. For most people, it’s best to leave it this way, but if you have any network issues you can quickly switch these up.

Protocols that you won’t see supported by ExpressVPN are SSTP, PPTP, and L2TP/IPSec. These outdated protocols simply cannot keep up with the ever-changing threats that many users face. Even having it as an option can leave your system open to threats if you choose them by accident.

Automatic Kill Switch — Successfully Secures Internet Traffic During Connection Drops

Network Lock prevents any data or traffic information from leaking if your VPN connection drops. In case of any connectivity issues, this kill switch temporarily cuts off your internet connection until the issue is resolved and you reconnect.

This feature is available on Windows, Mac, Linux, and router apps. On Android and iOS, it’s called “Network Protection.” I tested it on my Windows PC and smartphone (running Android version 14), and my internet was successfully blocked every time I manually interrupted the VPN connection. It’s enabled automatically, so you don’t need to worry about switching it on.

You also have the option to allow or disallow access to LAN devices (like a printer or file server) if Network Lock cuts the connection to the internet. This way, you have the option to remain on your LAN to avoid disruption when printing, for example. Alternatively, Network Lock can completely cut off access to your device on all networks, which is great for security.

Split Tunneling — For Windows, Mac, Android, and Router Apps (More Than Most Other VPNs)

This is where ExpressVPN is a clear winner. Many VPNs don’t offer split tunneling, and even VPNs with this feature only provide it on 1 or 2 apps — usually Android. However, ExpressVPN offers split tunneling on all its native Android, Windows, and router apps.

Split tunneling gives you the ability to choose specific apps to bypass the VPN. Let’s say you want to watch shows on a foreign streaming platform, but you also want to do some local online banking. By enabling split tunneling, you can set up Netflix to stay connected to ExpressVPN, while your regular internet browser bypasses the VPN.

Unfortunately, Split Tunneling isn’t available on macOS 11 (Big Sur) and above or on iOS. This is an unfortunate reality of Apple devices, which either don’t allow split tunneling at all, or only allow it on macOS with specific (and less popular) encryption protocols, making it more difficult to implement for VPN providers.

Leak Test Results — No Leaks Found

Even though a VPN encrypts your online traffic, it’s still possible for your private data to be exposed through DNS, WebRTC, and IPv4 leaks. ExpressVPN offers its own leak test, but I wanted to run my own independent tests on ipleak.net.

I tested ExpressVPN’s servers in the UK, US, and Japan on my Mac, and I’m happy to say that ExpressVPN had zero leaks throughout my entire session. Only my new IPv4 address was visible and IPv6 was blocked, so there were zero risks of any leaks exposing my personal data.

Encrypted DNS on Every Server

ExpressVPN’s Encrypted DNS feature protects your privacy and security online by encrypting your DNS queries, instead of exposing them to third parties. This means that your ISP, the government, or other potential eavesdroppers can’t see what websites you’re visiting. It also blocks ads and trackers, further helping to improve your privacy.

This feature doesn’t require turning on — it’s always on by default to make sure all of your traffic is protected from your very first connection.

Advanced Protection — Blocks Ads, Trackers, Malicious Sites, and Provides Parental Controls

ExpressVPN’s Advanced Protection features add extra privacy protection by blocking websites and apps from tracking you, as well as entirely blocking malicious websites, ads, and adult sites. Features are available in the Options menu as Threat Manager, Ad Blocker, and Parental Controls.

Threat Manager works particularly well to stop targeted ads on websites after specific Google searches or using a particular app. I didn’t see any targeted ads while using ExpressVPN’s Advanced Protection.

I was impressed to find that these features are the same across platforms, so they’re available for use on Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux. Just bear in mind that they’re only active while you’re connected to the VPN — once you disconnect, Advanced Protection features are no longer active.

Compatible With Tor for Extra Security

I found ExpressVPN works exceptionally well with Tor due to its:

• Excellent speeds — although browsing on Tor slows down internet speeds, ExpressVPN’s high speeds mean that it isn’t more detrimental to your connection.
• 256-bit encryption — hides traffic from all nodes in the Tor network.
• Kill switch — prevents accidental leaks if the VPN connection is interrupted, so your real IP address is never exposed to Tor’s entry and exit nodes.
• No-logs policy — stops your personal information and Tor activity from being logged.
• RAM-based servers — ensures your data is wiped from ExpressVPN’s servers.

For even greater security and privacy, I always recommend connecting to ExpressVPN first and then Tor. This method is known as “Tor over VPN” or “Onion over VPN”, and prevents even Tor from seeing your real IP address.

ExpressVPN Keys Password Manager

One of the main ways that people’s online security is undermined is by using weak passwords for online accounts. ExpressVPN’s Keys service aims to fix this by offering a password manager that can create and store super-strong passwords (and the associated logins). It also auto-fills relevant sites and apps to cut down time spent logging in.

It uses zero-knowledge architecture, meaning that only your primary password (or biometrics on a mobile device) can retrieve your stored items. This means that even ExpressVPN can’t see them (and if you ever forget your password, you’re out of luck!).

Unlike other password managers, ExpressVPN lets you store an unlimited number of passwords, and you can also store data like passport numbers, medical information, or credit/debit cards as “secure notes” — also unlimited. Keys will also help identify vulnerable passwords and check if your passwords have been exposed in data breaches.

It’s a service where I’m always happy to see more competition, and given ExpressVPN’s cybersecurity background, I have confidence in their ability to deliver a strong product. In fact, Keys has been audited by leading cybersecurity firm Cure53, so you know that your passwords are being held securely (and privately).

Minor Con: No Dedicated IP Addresses

ExpressVPN doesn’t offer Dedicated IP addresses to ensure its users have the highest level of privacy. In order to increase your level of anonymity, there are no static IPs available — all IP addresses are regularly rotated, so you may randomly be assigned one you’ve used before or a completely new IP when you connect.

I think it’s a shame ExpressVPN doesn’t have Dedicated IPs available for users who want them — they’re a great way to avoid CAPTCHAs and account verification processes, and they’ll often provide working connections to sites that otherwise block VPNs. If you’re interested in getting one, CyberGhost offers Dedicated IPs for a small monthly fee.

Privacy Features

Strict No-Logs Policy — Tested and Passed

You’ll find many VPN services claim to keep zero logs — but it’s not always true. Popular VPN providers with a “no-logs policy” will still track their users’ IP addresses, connection timestamps, and devices. That’s why it’s so significant that ExpressVPN’s no-logs policy has been verified and proven.

In 2017, Turkish authorities sought user logs from ExpressVPN. Due to its no-logs policy, ExpressVPN had no data to hand over. Nonetheless, authorities seized a local server to attempt data retrieval but were ultimately unsuccessful. This went a long way in proving — in the real world — how true to its word ExpressVPN is, and how secure user data is.

ExpressVPN does give you the option to share data with its technical team for diagnostic purposes. This data includes speed test reports, connection failures, or app crashes. All data is anonymous and can’t be traced back to any individuals or devices, so your privacy is still ensured. As an extra safety precaution, I’d still recommend opting out.

Located in the British Virgin Islands

ExpressVPN is owned by Express VPN International Limited, which is a privately-held company in the British Virgin Islands (BVI). ExpressVPN’s location in the BVI is important because:

• No mandatory data retention laws — so ExpressVPN isn’t legally required to keep any data on its users’ internet activity, unlike Australia and many countries in Europe.
• No mass surveillance programs — thanks to BVI’s strict privacy laws to protect its residents and businesses like ExpressVPN, in contrast to the wide-scale surveillance seen in countries like the US and UK.
• Independent and self-governing jurisdiction — due to ExpressVPN only being subject to BVI laws and not falling under the jurisdiction of any other country.
• Outside the 5, 9, and 14 Eyes — since BVI isn’t part of the “Eyes” intelligence-sharing network between the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, France, Netherlands, Norway, Germany, Belgium, Italy, Sweden, and Spain.

Third-Party Audits — Successfully Passed

Surprisingly many VPNs have never been audited by third-party companies. I find this odd — people shouldn’t rely on just reputation and blind trust when evaluating the claims made by VPN providers.

This is why I was impressed that ExpressVPN has undertaken numerous independent audits to back up its privacy and security promises. Starting in 2019, ExpressVPN hired various firms, beginning with PwC, to verify its privacy policy. Since then, ExpressVPN has worked with the following:

• PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) — for the initial audit in 2019 to verify ExpressVPN’s privacy policy and TrustedServer technology.
• Cure53 — to audit its browser extensions, Lightway protocol, and TrustedServer tech for any security flaws.
• KPMG — to test ExpressVPN’s no-logs policy and TrustedServer implementation.
• ioXt Alliance — verified and certified ExpressVPN’s Android app.
• F-secure — probed ExpressVPN’s Windows app for vulnerabilities

In fact, ExpressVPN underwent 12 independent audits in 2022 alone. These covered its privacy policy, TrustedServer technology, Keys password manager, Aircove router, Lightway protocol, and more. This shows that ExpressVPN has nothing to hide and is committed to transparency, versus many other VPN providers that choose a more shadowy route.

The full results of most of these audits are publicly available online. ExpressVPN even open-sourced its browser extensions so people could review the code themselves.

Whenever I pay for a service, I expect to see quality customer support — and ExpressVPN certainly delivers it.

You can seek help in 3 different ways:

• Visit the website — which offers troubleshooting guides, written and video tutorials, and setup instructions in 16 languages.
• Email — a helpful alternative for non-urgent issues or if you’re in a country where the website is blocked.
• 24/7 live chat — for fast and comprehensive answers from a customer support representative.

There’s no phone call option, but this wasn’t an issue for me as I got all the help I needed from the available options.

24/7 Live Chat — Best Way to Contact ExpressVPN for Fast and Friendly Help

I tested the live chat option on the ExpressVPN website when I was experiencing issues connecting my laptop to Chromecast.

Live chat is my preferred method of contacting ExpressVPN since it’s so quick and easy. When I tested live chat a few more times, I never had to wait more than 3 minutes for a response.

It only took a few seconds to connect to a customer support agent, who then provided a detailed explanation about what was happening and why. I was offered a solution (to install the ExpressVPN app on my router so all devices, including my Chromecast, would be automatically connected) — which successfully solved the problem.

Email Support — Only Takes 30 Minutes to Receive a Reply

I sent multiple emails to customer support over a period of 24 hours. I asked which of my local servers were best for Netflix and how to use the Lightway protocol. I even sent emails from a non-registered email address, as I wanted to see whether ExpressVPN would still help me if I wasn’t a current customer.

I was very impressed with the quick turnaround; I received a response to my emails within 30 minutes every time, and all replies were friendly and helpful. There was no difference to the level of service I received, whether I was an existing customer or just enquiring about the VPN.

Tested: Website Troubleshooting Guides and FAQs

I found ExpressVPN’s help center well-organized with many in-depth guides on features, common technical issues, and device installation instructions. I especially liked the useful video tutorials offered for more technical topics! Even if you’re a total beginner, you can easily follow ExpressVPN’s guides to set up complex configurations.

Given that many leading VPNs such as IPVanish only offer text and image-based tutorials, I was very impressed to find that ExpressVPN offers fully narrated video tutorials in addition to standard FAQ answers and guides. These videos cover the most common issues and are easy to follow regardless of your technical know-how.