ExpressVPN vs Proton VPN
ExpressVPN
expressvpn.comProton VPN
protonvpn.comSide by side
| Figure | ExpressVPN | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | $0.25/mo | Free |
| Free plan | — | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 6 | 3 |
| Spec score · VPNs for Iran | 8.7 (#3) | 8.3 (#6) |
| Spec score · VPNs for Argentina | 8.7 (#3) | 8.3 (#5) |
| Spec score · VPN services | 8.8 (#13) | 8.9 (#9) |
| Spec score · VPNs for Mac | 8.7 (#5) | 8.2 (#9) |
| Spec score · Gaming VPNs | 8.8 (#3) | 8.3 (#8) |
| Spec score · Virtual Private Network Software | 8.7 (#13) | 8.3 (#21) |
| Spec score · Vpn Client | 8.6 (#8) | 8.3 (#10) |
| Founded | 2009 | 2014 |
| Free plan | No | Yes |
| Headquarters | British Virgin Islands | Geneva, Switzerland |
| Kill switch | The feature list includes an Internet Kill Switch. | A kill switch protects the user's IP address if the VPN connection is lost. |
| No-logs audit | Its no-logs policy is described as audited by independent or third-party firms. | Proton VPN describes its service as no-logs, open-source, and independently audited. |
| Server network | ExpressVPN advertises servers in 113 countries. | The service advertises 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries. |
| Simultaneous devices | 10 | Paid subscriptions support up to 10 devices at once. |
| Streaming support | The service is presented for streaming, gaming, and browsing with fast secure connections. | Paid plans support Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and other major streaming platforms. |
| Supported platforms | Apps are listed for Windows, macOS, Linux, iPhone/iPad, Android, Apple TV, Fire Stick, Android TV, routers, and browsers. | Apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, browsers, Chromebook, Android TV, Apple TV, and Fire TV. |
| WireGuard support | Yes | Yes |
Plans
ExpressVPN
- Basic$2.99 a year
- Basic$2.99 a month
- Advanced$3.99 a month
- Advanced$4.49 a year
- Express Pro$5.99 a month
- Express Pro$7.49 a year
In their own words
ExpressVPN
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.
Proton VPN
Proton VPN is a virtual private network service from Proton, founded in 2014 and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. It encrypts traffic with AES-256 or ChaCha20 over WireGuard or OpenVPN, and lists a kill switch, streaming support and torrent support. Proton describes the service as no-logs, open-source and independently audited. Its free plan has unlimited data, no artificial speed limits and no ads; it supports one device at a time and connects to randomly selected servers in 10 countries. Paid plan listings show VPN Plus and Proton Unlimited at $0.00 per month, with the first month and renewal also listed at $0.00; both support 10 devices. Apps are listed for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS, as well as browsers, Chromebook, Android TV, Apple TV and Fire TV. NetShield uses DNS filtering to block ads, trackers, phishing scams, malicious sites and malware. The service advertises 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries. Payments can be refunded within 30 days, and subscriptions can be canceled at any time.