5 Best ExpressVPN Alternatives in 2024: Fast, Safe & Risk-Free
Reading time: 12 min
Posted on December 16, 2024
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![Kate Hawkins]()
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![Justyn Newman]()
Fact-Checked by Justyn Newman Lead Cybersecurity Editor
ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs on the market. In tests, it consistently ranks at #1, with high-quality security and privacy features, fast speeds, and easy-to-use apps. However, being the best VPN overall doesn’t mean ExpressVPN is the right fit for everyone.
If you want an ExpressVPN alternative with servers in different locations, more customizable features, or just a lower price tag, you’re in luck — I’ve found a handful of alternative VPNs that might just work for you. While they might not be as fast or user-friendly, they’re secure and safe to use, and each one is backed by a refund guarantee for risk-free testing. Editor’s Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
Quick Guide: Top Alternatives to ExpressVPN in 2024
| Servers | Speeds | Lowest Price | Simultaneous Connections | Money-Back Guarantee | |
| ExpressVPN | 3,000 servers in 105 countries | Very Fast | per month | 8 | 30 days |
| CyberGhost | 11,670 servers in 100 countries | Fast | per month | 7 | 45 days |
| PIA | 35,000 servers in 91 countries | Good | per month | unlimited | 30 days |
| NordVPN | 6,300 servers in 111 countries | Fast | $2.99 per month | 10 | 30 days |
| Surfshark | 3,200 servers in 100 countries | Good | $1.99 per month | unlimited | 30 days |
| PrivateVPN | 200 servers in 63 countries | Fast | $2.00 per month | 10 | 30 days |
Why You May Need An ExpressVPN Alternative
ExpressVPN comes with a lot of benefits — it’s one of the easiest VPNs for beginners, connections are consistently fast for streaming, torrenting, and online gaming, and it provides premium security and privacy features on all devices. However, there are some potential downsides to using ExpressVPN, which may be why you’re interested in an alternative.
When it comes to cost, ExpressVPN is a more expensive option. Plans start at per month, which is more than most competitors. Its easy-to-use apps aren’t very customizable — a disadvantage for more experienced users. It’s missing some features, like multi-hop connections, and other VPNs have a wider selection of servers available.
The Best ExpressVPN Alternatives (Tested in 2024)
1. CyberGhost — Optimized Servers for Streaming, Torrenting, and Gaming
Key Features:
- 11,670 servers in 100 countries
- Dedicated servers for streaming, torrenting, and gaming
- Supports 7 simultaneous connections
- 24/7 customer support with live chat, email ticketing, and FAQs
- 45-day money-back guarantee
CyberGhost’s dedicated servers provide fast and reliable connections for your online activities. They’re regularly tested by CyberGhost staff to ensure you get a working connection, and during my tests I found they worked flawlessly. You’ll find optimized servers for streaming Netflix US, torrenting public domain content, and playing online games.
While it’s not as fast as ExpressVPN, local and optimized servers provide lag-free connections. You may notice some slowdown over long distances, but a small speed loss is standard for VPN connections. I recommend using the optimized servers where possible, as these are consistently the fastest options.
CyberGhost also offers WiFi protection, which keeps you protected when you switch between home and public networks. I also like the customizable automation that includes auto-connecting on start-up or when a specific app opens.
When it comes to price, CyberGhost is a low-cost VPN — plans start at /month, and long-term subscriptions have a 45-day money-back guarantee. This lets you test the VPN risk-free and get a full refund if you change your mind.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
2024 Update! You can subscribe to CyberGhost for as low as per month + get an extra 2 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to %)! This is a limited offer so grab it now before it's gone. See more information on this offer here.
2. Private Internet Access — Server Network Avoids Congestion at Peak Times
Key Features:
- Huge network of 35,000 servers in 91 countries
- Highly configurable features for customizable connections
- Connect unlimited devices at the same time
- Customer support — 24/7 live chat, email, and online knowledge base
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Private Internet Access (PIA) has a significantly larger server network than ExpressVPN — more than 35,000 connections. You’re more likely to find a fast, reliable local server, and you’ll avoid user congestion at peak connection times.
I was impressed by PIA’s customizable features, including being able to specify my level of encryption. I could switch between AES-128-bit for fast speeds or use AES-256-bit for greater security — I was properly protected whether watching YouTube or checking my bank account.
While PIA has some streaming-optimized servers, it’s not as reliable for streaming. It struggles to access services like BBC iPlayer but works well with Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and Disney+. You may have to switch servers to find a working connection, but you can “favorite” the best servers for faster access in the future.
Like CyberGhost, PIA is an affordable option. Long-term plans start at per month, or if you need a VPN short-term, it’s one of the best month-to-month VPNs available. All plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
2024 Update! You can subscribe to PIA for as low as per month + get an extra 2 months free with the 2-year plan (save up to %)! This is a limited offer, so grab it now before it's gone! See more information on this offer here!
3. NordVPN — Adds Premium Security With Extra Features
Key Features:
- 6,300 servers in 111 countries
- Extra security tools include Threat Protection, Dark Web Monitor, and ID theft protection
- Use on 10 simultaneous devices
- 24/7 support includes live chat, email, and online help site
- 30-day money-back guarantee
NordVPN’s extra features add layers of security that extend beyond encrypting connections. Threat Protection Pro blocks malware, shady sites, and ads and trackers, while Meshnet enables secure connections between your devices (and it’s free to use). Plus, the Dark Web Monitor alerts you if your personal data is exposed.
During tests, NordVPN’s speeds were good — the average speed loss was double ExpressVPN’s result, but this only amounted to around 14% in total. Speeds were fast enough for streaming, torrenting, and online gaming without lags or interruptions, even on long-distance connections.
The downside is that NordVPN isn’t intuitive like ExpressVPN, especially on mobile devices. The map interface is tricky to navigate, and it’s not easy to find options menus unless you’re using the desktop apps.
While NordVPN is a little pricier, it’s also cheaper than ExpressVPN. Plans start at $2.99 per month, which is a discount of 74% from its monthly price. Plus, you have a 30-day refund guarantee available.
2024 Update! NordVPN has dropped prices for a limited time to a crazy $2.99 per month with the 2-year plan + 3 months (you can save up to 74%)! This is a limited offer so be sure to grab it now before it’s gone. See more information on this offer here.
4. Surfshark — Loaded With Customizable Tools
Key Features:
- 3,200 servers in 100 countries
- Feature-rich apps have multihop, rotating IP, and private search engine
- unlimited simultaneous connections
- Customer support with live chat and knowledge base
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Surfshark is a feature-rich VPN, with customizable tools that ExpressVPN doesn’t have. These include:
- Multihop — choose entry and exit servers for fast speeds and reliable connection.
- Rotating IP addresses — periodically changes your IP address while maintaining the VPN connection to make it harder to track your activity.
- Private search engine — perform online searches with no ads or trackers, and no stored browsing data.
- Alternative ID — gives you an “alt persona” to use for online accounts and form-filling.
Surfshark isn’t as fast as ExpressVPN, and can have high latency on local connections. During tests on a nearby server, my ping jumped from 20ms to 85ms — still fast enough for streaming, but not ideal for competitive gaming.
While it’s a low-cost VPN initially (prices start at just $1.99 per month), Surfshark can also be costly if you renew — ExpressVPN’s prices stay the same. All Surfshark plans have a 30-day guarantee, so you can test it risk-free and get a refund if you change your mind.
5. PrivateVPN — Budget VPN With Great Customer Support
Key Features:
- 200 servers in 63 countries
- Great for streaming with budget plan prices
- Connect 10 devices
- 24/7 live chat connects you directly to developers for excellent customer support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
PrivateVPN is one of the top cost-effective VPNs, with plans starting at just $2.00 per month for a 3-year subscription. It also features a 7-day free trial — you only have to create a free account to test it for a full week. Even its monthly plan is cheaper than ExpressVPN.
Considering it’s a much smaller VPN, PrivateVPN is a solid choice for streaming. It works reliably with top platforms like Netflix, Max, and Disney+, and even more obscure services like 10 play. Plus, PrivateVPN’s customer support is excellent — you can connect directly with the app’s developers for assistance and even remote setup.
However, PrivateVPN’s network is very small at just 200 servers in 63 countries. You might not find a local server, and you could experience slowdowns if you connect at a busy time — user congestion can make it difficult to connect to popular servers during evenings and at the weekend.
Testing Methodology: How to Choose the Best ExpressVPN Alternative
All VPNs undergo rigorous testing, and I ranked them according to the results in the following areas:
- Price — ExpressVPN is a premium service that comes at a premium price, so I only included VPNs that offer a similar feature set for a lower subscription cost.
- Security and privacy features — all ExpressVPN alternatives feature the same high-quality encryption and robust connection protocols, plus a zero-logs privacy policy.
- Server network — ExpressVPN has servers in 63 countries, so it’s important that the alternatives have a broad network with enough connections to avoid lag and congestion at busy times.
- Speed — as ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN in 2024, I ran multiple speed tests to ensure the alternatives provide fast connections across their networks.
- Device compatibility — the top alternatives must support enough connections for the average user to protect their devices, and have easy-to-use native apps for popular platforms like Windows, Mac, Android, and iOS.
- Customer support — I got in touch with customer service to make sure you can expect quick and helpful responses (like you’d get from ExpressVPN), as well as checking for FAQs, support guides, and an online knowledge base.
FAQs: ExpressVPN Alternatives
Is there a better VPN than ExpressVPN?
Why should I get an ExpressVPN alternative?
What is the best free alternative to ExpressVPN?
The best free alternative to ExpressVPN is Proton VPN, but generally, it’s better to use a premium VPN than a free service. Proton VPN provides solid speeds and strong security, but you can’t choose your server location and you’re limited to basic features.
While there are some secure free VPNs you can trust, I usually recommend avoiding free services. Many free VPNs don’t work properly, with weak encryption and shady data logging practices that could compromise your security or expose you to malware.
Get the Best ExpressVPN Alternative in 2024
While ExpressVPN is the top service in 2024, there are a few reasons why you may be looking for a different service — like the price, server availability, or extra features. Fortunately, there are some top VPNs that work well as alternatives to ExpressVPN.
Of all the options, CyberGhost is the best alternative. It has decent speeds, optimized connections for streaming and torrenting, and a generous 45-day money-back guarantee. If you need a bigger server network, PIA might be worth taking a look at — that also has a refund guarantee, so it’s risk-free to try it before you commit to a subscription.
Summary — The Best ExpressVPN Alternatives in 2024
Editor's Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, Cyberghost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. However, this does not affect our review process, as we adhere to a strict testing methodology.
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