Algo VPN vs ExpressVPN

Algo VPN is a set of Ansible scripts for creating a personal WireGuard and IPsec VPN. It can be deployed to listed cloud providers, including DigitalOcean, Amazon Lightsail and EC2, Microsoft Azure, Google Compute Engine, and others, or to an Ubuntu server managed by an advanced user. The listed server platform is Ubuntu 22.04 LTS. Algo supports IKEv2 and WireGuard, and generates WireGuard configuration files and QR codes for iOS, macOS, Android, and Windows clients, plus Apple profiles for IPsec. Helper scripts let administrators add or remove users after deployment. Optional features include ad blocking through a local DNS resolver and limited SSH users for tunneling. The project says it minimizes logging by default and automatically rotates and deletes logs after seven days. However, cloud providers may see network traffic metadata, and an ISP can see a connection to the VPN server. Algo does not claim to provide anonymity or censorship avoidance. It is free and distributed under the AGPLv3, but cloud infrastructure costs are separate. Its local installation guide warns that it overwrites firewall rules and has no uninstall option, so deployment is intended for a dedicated VPN server.

ExpressVPN is a paid VPN service with apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iPhone and iPad, Android, Apple TV, Fire Stick, Android TV, routers, and browsers. It advertises servers in 113 countries, streaming support, a kill switch, and WireGuard support. ExpressVPN says its no-logs policy has been audited by independent firms and describes TrustedServer technology as preventing data from being written to hard drives. AES-256 encryption is also advertised. The Basic plan is listed at $2.99 per year, billed for 2 Years + 4 Months; the initial 28-month charge is $83.72, then it autorenews at $99.95 annually. Basic supports 10 simultaneous devices; Advanced supports 12, and Express Pro supports 14. There is no free VPN tier stated. New users have a 30-day money-back guarantee. Support includes 24-hour live chat, a support center, FAQs, and setup tutorials. ExpressVPN was founded in 2009 and is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands.