There are two things that come to mind immediately when thinking about ExpressVPN. One: it’s long been the gold standard in the VPN world—especially when it comes to privacy, transparency, and reliability. Two: it’s expensive. And not just “premium service” expensive—it’s “are-you-sure-you-need-this?” expensive. For a while, those two things traveled comfortably together. You paid more, but you got more.
Now? That balance is shifting.
In 2025, ExpressVPN is still among the best VPNs you can buy. It’s polished, powerful, and purpose-built for users who value security and privacy. But with the latest round of price hikes—and a handful of new features that not everyone asked for—it’s become a less clear-cut choice for the everyday user who just wants to stay secure online and stream some Netflix.
After several weeks of hands-on testing earlier this year (and follow-up speed tests in March), here’s the full picture.
Speed: A Strong Recovery After a Rocky Start
Let’s start with performance. For years, ExpressVPN was known for speed. But in recent years, that edge dulled. In early 2025, I measured a significant 35% average speed loss across multiple platforms and protocols—up from 18% in 2023 and 25% in 2024. That’s a steep drop, especially compared to competitors like NordVPN (3% loss), Proton VPN (16%), and Surfshark (21%).
But ExpressVPN didn’t just acknowledge the issue—they fixed it. Fast.
By March, new technologies had arrived. ExpressVPN introduced Lightway Turbo (which allows for multiple data tunnels at once) and Data Channel Offload for OpenVPN on Windows. These changes made a huge difference. Lightway performance on Windows went from a painful 40% speed loss to just 17%. OpenVPN dropped from 64% to 18%.
MacOS users saw solid performance through Lightway as well, with speed loss hovering around 8%, though OpenVPN still lagged behind at 29% due to limitations outside of Windows.
So yes—there were problems. But they were solved quickly and effectively, showing ExpressVPN’s willingness to adapt. Today, it’s back among the top three fastest VPNs tested this year.
Pricing: Premium Service with a Premium Price Tag
Let’s talk money.
ExpressVPN’s pricing has never been budget-friendly, but the latest changes make things a bit… confusing.
Here’s the breakdown:
- $13/month (standard)
- $100 for 15 months (then $117 annually)
- $140 for 28 months (then $150 annually)
There’s no more six-month option. Instead, they’ve added a two-year plan bundled with “Identity Defender,” a suite of ID protection tools like data removal and ID theft insurance. The yearly plan includes some of those features; the monthly plan includes none.
The issue? You may not want those features. You may just want a good VPN.
Unlike providers like Surfshark or NordVPN, ExpressVPN doesn’t offer clear tiers that let users choose what they’re paying for. Instead, everyone pays a higher base price that includes features not everyone will use. That’s a tough pill to swallow if you’re a casual VPN user who just wants to stream securely or avoid ISP tracking.
That said, ExpressVPN is reportedly working on a tiered pricing model, which—if done right—could bring back the clarity and value that longtime users have come to expect.
Streaming and Everyday Use: Smooth, Simple, Solid
If there’s one thing ExpressVPN nails without question, it’s streaming. Netflix, Disney+, Max, Prime Video, Hulu—you name it, it works. Whether I was on a Mac, Windows laptop, iPhone, Fire TV Stick, or even Apple TV, the experience was smooth and consistent. No lag, no buffering, no blocked content.
And the app experience is still one of the best around. Simple, intuitive, and clean across all major platforms. It’s available for nearly everything: Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, FireTV, routers, and more. Their router app is especially handy if you want full-home protection without burning through device limits (ExpressVPN caps out at eight simultaneous connections).
For travelers, the global server network (105 countries) ensures reliable access almost anywhere. And bonus: every subscription comes with access to holiday.com’s eSIM service, which gives you instant data on the go. Handy if you’re hopping countries and don’t want to mess with SIM cards.
Privacy and Security: As Good As It Gets
Here’s where ExpressVPN really earns its reputation.
This is a company that doesn’t just talk about privacy—it builds it into its DNA. Based in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands (outside of global surveillance alliances), ExpressVPN operates under laws that actively protect user data.
Its no-logs policy has been stress-tested through audits and real-world scrutiny. It doesn’t track your browsing history, IP address, DNS queries, or connection timestamps. Even if served with a subpoena, they have no data to give.
More impressively, ExpressVPN leads the industry in post-quantum encryption. In 2023, it was one of the first VPNs to introduce post-quantum protections. In 2025, it doubled down—integrating ML-KEM encryption standards into its Lightway protocol. That means it’s thinking not just about today’s security threats, but tomorrow’s.
It also runs its servers entirely on RAM (TrustedServer tech), ensuring that no data is written to a hard disk. Every time a server reboots, all data is wiped clean. That’s not a marketing gimmick—it’s real, technical privacy.
Add to that a kill switch, no leaks detected, ShuffleIP for rotating IPs without dropping the connection, and user-controlled cipher selection—and you’ve got one of the most private, transparent VPN services in the world.
Bottom Line: Is ExpressVPN Worth It?
That depends.
If you’re someone who:
- Travels frequently and needs global reliability
- Streams content across multiple platforms
- Has high-stakes privacy or security needs
- Wants a VPN that’s always improving and adapting
- Values transparency and trust
Then yes—ExpressVPN is absolutely worth it.
But if you’re:
- On a tight budget
- Just looking to bypass geo-blocks
- Fine with a slightly less polished experience
- Not interested in bundled ID protection features
Then you may be better served by something like Surfshark, PIA, or Proton VPN—services that offer solid core functionality at a lower price, with the option to add features as needed.
Final Verdict:
ExpressVPN continues to raise the bar. Its performance, privacy, and platform support are exceptional. It’s responsive to user feedback, quick to fix problems, and forward-thinking in how it handles encryption and trust.
But it’s also expensive. And in trying to be more of an “all-in-one” privacy suite, it’s straying from what made it great for average users: simplicity and straightforward value.
Still, for users who need serious security or just want the best of the best—and are willing to pay for it—ExpressVPN remains a smart, dependable choice in 2025.
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