(4.5/5)
Platforms: Windows, Mac OS, Linux, iOS, Android, Online
Price: 30-day money-back guarantee or $12.95/month
Verdict: ExpressVPN is a straightforward, reliable and fast VPN service that, despite the lack of a free trial version, lets users broadcast streaming services in HD or 4K resolution (Netflix) with a 30-day refund guarantee, download torrents, overcome geo-blocks (China), play video games, or preserve anonymity and protection on the Internet with an impressive coverage and traffic speed.
ExpressVPN International Ltd. has decided to remain confidential to ensure the safety of its users. The company is registered in the British Virgin Islands to use the guarantees given by the local jurisdiction.
The country has full sovereignty over its own data rules, and external governments or agencies can’t force ExpressVPN to transmit information.
With more than 3000 servers in 160 locations, advanced settings and premium capabilities, an online test of unrestricted speed and bandwidth, ExpressVPN for PC guarantees the highest speeds (depending on the location).
Add to this the top-grade encryption and security capabilities, no logging policies and activity, and a straightforward interface – ExpressVPN can easily become the best 30-day money-back guarantee VPN for Windows.
Complete ExpressVPN Review
When the users are connected via a VPN (virtual private network), their data passes through an encrypted tunnel to a company-managed server and goes online. So, on the open Internet, the real IP address is encrypted and can’t be recognized.
Routing traffic through a VPN server effectively spoofs the users’ location and provides access to services that aren’t reachable in their region, while protecting the data using their own DNS servers.
This VPN software applies an advanced obfuscation method, masking the VPN server code as regular Internet traffic. This means that it won’t be defined as a VPN and is blocked for this reason.
So, users can freely view all sorts of region-locked content, social networks blocked at work, bypass China’s Great Firewall. It offers client applications and firmware for any device and a tutorial on how to use each of them.
Maximum Security and Privacy
ExpressVPN uses multiple security protocols and automatically selects the best one for the most reliable connection. The advanced OpenVPN UDP Protocol is used by default, but all others are supported. The company manages its own 256-bit DNS with zero disclosure on each server, which means that traffic is protected from interception, blocking, and other risks.
The service uses the best security mechanisms and encryption standards: the military-grade AES-256-CBC encryption protocol in combination with the 4096-bit RSA key. 256-bit AES encryption is symmetric. The same key is used to encrypt and decrypt data, which is impossible to reproduce over time.
Perfect Forward Secrecy support adds another layer of protection by automatically assigning the users a new secret key every time they connect, and then replacing it every 60 minutes while the session remains open.
Personal Data Leaks Are Kept to a Minimum
ExpressVPN introduced innovative TrustedServer technology with the use of RAM instead of hard drives and the guarantee of state-of-the-art software. It minimizes the risk of vulnerabilities and incorrect configuration. Besides, it means that all data from the session is entirely erased every time you restart.
Privacy is guaranteed by a strict policy of no registration, no traffic destination or metadata, DNS queries, IP addresses, browsing history, or other related information.
The service collects minimal info: applications and versions of activated applications, VPN connection dates, the server used, and the amount of data for the day.
Bypassing Geoblocks, Streaming, Torrenting and P2P
ExpressVPN is capable of unblocking geographical restrictions just like any free and cheap VPN for Netflix, broadcasting the most well-known streaming channels, such as Hulu, Disney Plus, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Go, ESPN, DAZN, Showtime, and SkyGO.
It will reliably unblock YouTube, Google, Facebook, Twitter, Wikipedia, and other mainstream sites censored by the authoritarian state regime, schools, and workplaces.
The service boasts unrestricted bandwidth without limiting the amount of data, which enables torrent and P2P exchange on any of its servers. It is possible to connect to any server on the network instead of a dedicated torrent server and take advantage of it to protect the users’ P2P activity.
Speed and Ping: Pick Optimal Ones
ExpressVPN pleases users with a Smart Location feature that lets them connect to the proposed server with a simple click of a button. It measures latency, speed, and distance, so the users always get the fastest server possible.
The service is able to maintain high speeds while playing a resource-intensive MMO game, without latency and buffering.
Express VPN reviews state that the service uses its own leak test and speed test. With many independent checks (not native integrated tools), packet loss results ranged from 0 to 0.3%. As for ExpressVPN speeds, they are really lightning fast with an average loss of 3%.
No matter what server users connect to and how far away it is, they will receive fast and reliable service anywhere in the world.
Intuitive Interface on All Devices
ExpressVPN offers not only clients for all well-known OS but also configuration and firmware files for routers, smart TVs, game consoles, and so on. By installing the application on the router, you will protect all devices in your home with no restriction on the number of simultaneous connections (and not with a restriction of 5 devices).
One more benefit of the service that I should definitely note in this ExpressVPN review is the presence of special browser extensions. They encrypt traffic that only passes through the user’s browser, so everything else they do on the network isn’t encrypted – almost like a separate tunneling feature.
Premium Functions Are Featured
Split Tunneling is a premium capability that lets the user choose to encrypt only part of the traffic through certain browsers. It is possible to browse locally and via VPN simultaneously.
You just need to decide which applications will use the VPN. Adding and removing applications is simple – just click on the “plus” symbol.
Kill Switch ensures the security of the user’s IP address and traffic, even if their VPN connection is interrupted. ExpressVPN calls this feature a network lock, designed to block traffic in case the connection is compromised, keeping the user’s data and IP address concealed.
You will be glad to hear that the Kill Switch is enabled automatically in the application, not manually.
ExpressVPN Prices
It is possible to use this service without looking back since the company will reimburse the cost within 30 days from the moment of activation never asking why.
There are three main ExpressVPN subscription plans with identical capabilities. The longer the subscription period, the cheaper the monthly cost is (although you will have to pay the full subscription fee in advance).
There is a “refer a friend” incentive program that adds a 30-day money-back guarantee ExpressVPN subscription to you and the referral as registered users. The number of friends you can refer to is unrestricted. The technical support service is also exceptional, providing you with a 24-hour live chat.
- ExpressVPN monthly subscription – $12.95 per month
- ExpressVPN semi-annual subscription – $9.99 per month
- ExpressVPN annual subscription – $6.67 per month
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Julia Newman
Hi there, I'm Julia Newman - a professional blogger, read more
