ExpressVPN Review

ExpressVPN is arguably the most famous VPN in the world. It is also one of the most expensive. The question is: is it worth the premium price tag?

We tested ExpressVPN's new "Lightway" protocol against the competition to see if the speed justifies the cost.

Why Pay More?

ExpressVPN positions itself as a premium product. The app is incredibly polished. You press one massive button, and it connects instantly. There is no waiting, no complicated settings menus, and no confusion.

For users who are not "tech-savvy" and just want their iPad to work in Spain without hassle, this ease of use is worth the extra money.

The "Lightway" Advantage

ExpressVPN built their own protocol from scratch called Lightway. Unlike older protocols that can drain your battery, Lightway is designed for mobile phones. It connects in milliseconds.

In our speed tests, it was incredibly consistent. While its top speed (898 Mbps) was slightly lower than NordVPN, it never fluctuated. Your stream will likely never buffer.

Streaming Performance

We tested ExpressVPN's UK servers (London, Wembley, and Docklands). Accessing BBC iPlayer was seamless. We also had zero issues with ITVX and Channel 4.

One unique feature is MediaStreamer. This is a "Smart DNS" tool included for free. It lets you watch US Netflix on devices that don't support VPN apps, like older Smart TVs or Xbox consoles. For more on this, see our Nvidia Shield Guide.

Privacy & TrustedServer

ExpressVPN uses "TrustedServer" technology. This means their servers run on RAM only, not hard drives. When the server is rebooted, all data is physically wiped instantly. This makes it impossible for logs to be stored accidentally.

For users concerned about the UK's Online Safety Act ID checks, this RAM-only infrastructure provides peace of mind that your browsing history simply does not exist.

Pricing

It is expensive. There is no way around that. However, if you want a premium experience without configuration headaches, it is the best money can buy.