Review of ExpressVPN – Is it Worth the Price?

Many countries, schools and organizations block access to popular websites. For example, China has a great firewall and blocks global sites like Google, Facebook, Twitter, etc. If you are living in such a country or working in such organizations, it is necessary to have good VPN. This will help you to be part of your global network and get in touch with your favorite people. ExpressVPN is one of the popular and reliable VPN services to unblock sites.

We have been using their services for many years. Based on our experience, in this article let us review ExpressVPN features and pricing plans.

1. Feature of ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a premium VPN service and you will get the followings when purchasing any of their plans:

• Around 160 servers to choose from 105 countries.
• No logging of your activities.
• Network lock to block your internet connection if VPN disconnects.
• Unlimited bandwidth with encrypted connection and private DNS.
• Use on 8 devices with single account.
• Ad blocker and adult site blocker.

1.1. Apps for All Devices

You can get apps for almost all available operating systems like Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android and Router. ExpressVPN apps are really latest, stylish and clean compared with other service providers like VyprVPN or Astrill.

• On desktop devices, you can download the app from their website. After downloading and installing the app, you have to activate the subscription by entering the activation code.
• On iOS and Android smartphones, you can download the mobile app and use in-app purchase for activating the service.

The app will provide you smart server suggestions to connect to the fast and stable servers. However, you can also manually choose the nearest server to your location. After choosing the server, click on the “connect” button to establish a secure encrypted connection through ExpressVPN private DNS server.

1.2. Protocols

There are four three different protocols available including the popular OpenVPN to connect to your preferred VPN server.

• OpenVPN (TCP / UDP)
• L2TP – IPsec
• SSTP
• PPTP

1.3. Large Number of Servers

ExpressVPN Servers are available over 160 cities across 94 countries. You can connect to almost any country and access the sites similar to accessing them locally. There is also no limit on bandwidth and server switch, so you can switch across different cities and countries to get the best access.

1.4. Network Lock and Split Tunneling

ExpressVPN offers two notable features – network lock and split tunneling. You can enable these options from the settings or preferences page. Network lock will block the internet connection if VPN disconnects unexpectedly. This will help you to stop your browsing activities and hide from the network admin and continue when VPN connects back.

Split tunneling will help you to manage the VPN connection on per-app basis. You can access some apps through VPN while other apps on the same device through normal ISP’s network connection.

1.5. Customer Support

One of the biggest problems with VPN is that many countries block the VPN websites. ExpressVPN site is blocked in China and many other countries. If you want to purchase, you should download the app from other country app store on mobiles or use mirror site to download on desktops. Fortunately, ExpressVPN continuously updates the mirror sites to provide access to users. You can contact them through emails and using the online chat on their website.

We have raised multiple issues with them on connection issues and get prompt responses. Therefore, you will get a real human customer support that you can rely on.

1.6. Other Features

Below are some of the additional features you will get with ExPressVPN:

• 30 days money back guarantee.
• No logging of browsing activities.
• Browser extensions available for Chrome and Firefox.
• You can refer a friend and get 30 days free service.
• Builtin speed test option to test and choose the fastest server.

2. ExpressVPN Pricing Plans

ExpressVPN offers three pricing plans to cover different user base – monthly, yearly and half-yearly.

• Monthly plan costs you $12.95 per month
• Half-yearly plan with $9.99 per month
• Yearly plan with $12.95 per month

Most of the time you can get special offer in price discount or additional months of free services. Now you can get the yearly plan for $6.67 per month (49% discount) with 30 days money back guarantee.

2.1. Referral Program

ExpressVPN offers referral program to attract friends of the customers. If your friend purchases one of the premium plans using your referral link then both you and your friend will get 30 days free service.

3. Speed

Though ExpressVPN claims the fastest VPN services, the speed will be very slow in low internet speed countries like China. Generally, access to video streaming will be very slow compared to other sites. Unfortunately this is is situation with most other VPNs and ExpressVPN is definitely one of the best options available. With situation changing dynamically you should have a clear expectations before buying VPN service.

Within the app, you can use the Speed Test feature to find the fastest VPN server available for connection.

4. Chrome and Firefox Extensions

Recently ExpressVPN also released extensions for Chrome and Firefox browsers. Once installed you can connect to VPN from the icon next to the browser’s address bar without the need of launching the app separately. The browser extension screen has similar features like the main app so you don’t feel any differences.

Starting from end of 2019, ExpressVPN was targeted in China by the government. If you are living or planning to visit China, then ExpressVPN may not be the best option. Though the app will connect occasionally, it will not work most of times.

Summary

The yearly plan of ExpressVPN will cost around $100 per year which is costlier than many other VPN services. But with 30 days money back guarantee, we recommend to give ExpressVPN a try. You can simply get the refund if the service is not working for you.