Best ExpressVPN alternatives in 2024

ExpressVPN is one of the most well-known and trusted VPN providers, with over 4 million active customers around the world. It’s praised by many for its fast servers, privacy protection, and unique security features.

However, ExpressVPN might not suit everyone’s needs. So, we scoured the internet and tested several possible replacements that offer similar features and pricing.

In this article, we reveal the 5 best ExpressVPN alternatives. Our top picks don’t just match ExpressVPN’s features but offer a lot more in terms of speed, cost-effectiveness, and ease of use.

Best ExpressVPN alternatives in 2024 – shortlist

1. NordVPN – the overall best alternative to ExpressVPN
2. Surfshark – faster ExpressVPN alternative with unlimited connections
3. Norton Secure VPN – ExpressVPN alternative for a small budget
4. IPVanish – user-friendly ExpressVPN alternative
5. CyberGhost – ExpressVPN alternative with more servers

What to look for in the best ExpressVPN alternative?

To find the best ExpressVPN alternative, you should look out for the following key features:

• Speed. ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPN providers. There are only a handful of VPNs as fast as ExpressVPN. That being said, some of our top picks, like NordVPN, are significantly faster.
• Value. ExpressVPN’s high price is the most common reason why people might want to switch from ExpressVPN. However, the cheapest VPNs are unlikely to match ExpressVPN’s service quality. You should aim to balance the price with features and subscription terms.
• Compatibility. The best VPNs should be available on every device. Check to make sure your new provider has apps that work on all your devices.
• The number of features. ExpressVPN has plenty of privacy and security tools. The best alternatives should offer the same features and more. Look for kill switches, RAM-only servers, double VPNs, and military-grade encryption.
• Customer service. Expert customer care isn’t cheap. It’s an expense most low-cost providers struggle with. So, if you’re looking for an ExpressVPN alternative, pay attention to its customer support options.

5 best alternatives to ExpressVPN – detailed list

We tested 41 VPNs and picked the 5 best ExpressVPN alternatives, as listed below.

1. NordVPN – the best ExpressVPN alternative overall

Jurisdiction	Panama (outside 14 Eyes)
Server network	6400+ servers in 111 countries
Compatibility	Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
Streaming services	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more

Visit NordVPN

NordVPN is faster and offers more features for a lower price than ExpressVPN. Plus, it has great coverage with 6400+ servers in 111 countries – it’s undoubtedly the all-around best ExpressVPN alternative.

Ultrafast. Our NordVPN and ExpressVPN comparison revealed differences between the two providers. NordVPN outperformed ExpressVPN in both download and upload speed rates.

Feature-rich. NordVPN has more features than ExpressVPN. The Dark Web Monitor notifies you of data leaks, while the Meshnet ensures secure remote access. NordVPN’s dedicated IP is ideal for those who want a personal IP address. An ad blocker optimizes your browsing experience.

Great value. Not only NordVPN is faster and offers more features, it’s also cheaper than ExpressVPN. You can get NordVPN for as little as $3.09/month, whereas ExpressVPN comes at a minimum of $6.67/month.

2. Surfshark – ExpressVPN alternative with faster speeds

Jurisdiction	The Netherlands (within 14 Eyes)
Server network	3200+ servers in 100 countries
Compatibility	Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
Streaming services	Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more

Visit Surfshark

Whether you’re a movie buff, a Netflix binger, or just a YouTube fanatic, a switch to Surfshark is a great choice for a smooth streaming experience.

Ultimate streaming performance. Surfshark is one of the fastest VPNs on the market. It has over 3200+ servers in 100 countries, ensuring access to any content you require. It works on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and other major streaming platforms.

Premium-level security. Surfshark is renowned for its security excellence. With Surfshark, you get 256-bit AES encryption, kill switches, and DNS leak protection. Unfortunately, Surfshark doesn’t offer proprietary protocols like ExpressVPN. But it does offer plenty of other features that ExpressVPN doesn’t, such as an ad blocker. However, note that Surfshark operates under the jurisdiction of the Netherlands, which does allow the government to access users’ personal data.

Additional features. SursharkVPN plans include options for dedicated IPs, an ad blocker, double VPNs, and breach checkers, all of which ExpressVPN doesn’t offer.

Price. Our SurfsharkVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison showed that Surfshark is significantly cheaper. Surfshark plans start at $1.99/month, whereas ExpressVPN starts at $6.67/month.

3. Norton Secure VPN – budget-friendly ExpressVPN alternative

Jurisdiction	United States (within 14 Eyes)
Server network	5000+ servers in 28 countries
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
Streaming services	BBC iPlayer, Max

Visit Norton Secure VPN

If you’re looking for a cost-effective alternative to ExpressVPN and only require basic VPN services, Norton Secure VPN is the best option for you.

Reasonable security. Norton Secure VPN uses 256-bit AES encryption – the gold standard amongst VPN providers. Every plan includes an ad blocker and kill switch technology. Plus, Norton utilizes OpenVPN and L2TP/IPSec protocols, which are well known for security. However, note that Norton operates under the jurisdiction of the United States, which allows the government to collect personal information about users.

Low price. Norton Secure VPN costs as little as $3.33/month, while ExpressVPN plans start at $6.67/month.

Good for basic tasks. Norton isn’t better than ExpressVPN in terms of performance or features, but it’s great for users who are looking for a VPN with a low price and essential features. With Norton Secure VPN’s cheapest plan, you can only connect one device and are limited to two streaming sites – BBC iPlayer and Max. Its server network is also somewhat limited, with 5000+ servers in 28 countries.

4. IPVanish – ExpressVPN alternative that’s good for beginners

Jurisdiction	United States (within 14 Eyes)
Server network	2400+ servers in 55 locations
Compatibility	Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
Streaming services	Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Disney+, and more

Visit IPVanish

IPVanish offers a more user-friendly VPN service compared to ExpressVPN. It has more customer support options and is easier to use, so it’s great for users new to VPNs.

Customer support. If you experience issues with your VPN, it’s good to have several options for getting help from the provider. In addition to a 24/7 live chat, email, and FAQs, IPVanish has a phone line that’s available in the US, UK, Australia, Brazil, Spain, and Mexico. ExpressVPN doesn’t have such an option.

Easy to use. In our comparison of ExpressVPN and IPVanish, we found both providers easy to use. But IPVanish apps are more modern and less complicated to navigate.

Unlimited connections. With IPVanish, you can connect as many devices as you like, while ExpressVPN limits you to 8. With no limits and easy-to-use apps, it’s an especially great alternative for bigger families and businesses.

Affordable price. IPVanish is more affordable than ExpressVPN. Its plans start at $2.19/month, while ExpressVPN is available from $6.67/month. It’s great value for money, considering IPVanish’s unlimited simultaneous connections and easy-to-use features. Plus, it offers a good server network with 2400+ servers in 55 locations.

5. CyberGhost – alternative to ExpressVPN with extensive servers

Jurisdiction	Romania (outside 14 Eyes)
Server network	11500+ in 100 countries
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Streaming services	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+

Visit CyberGhost

If you’re looking for a VPN that, in addition to ad blocking and safety features, gives you access to various geo-blocked content, CyberGhost is the best VPN for you.

Incredible server network. CyberGhost boasts 11500+ servers worldwide, compared to ExpressVPN’s 3000+ servers. CyberGhost’s vast server network means much broader coverage, including areas that are less VPN-friendly, like Africa. That gives you more cities and regions to choose from.

Advanced privacy. CyberGhost VPN is renowned for its excellent privacy. Firstly, it’s based in Romania, which has great privacy protection laws. It uses industry-standard 256-bit AES encryption, offers security-focused VPN protocols, and enforces a strict no-logs policy.

Well-rounded service. Whether CyberGhost or ExpressVPN is the right pick for you depends on your needs. Our tests showed that both providers offer excellent features, torrenting support, and customer service. Although ExpressVPN has some more advanced privacy features, CyberGhost VPN offers a lot more servers for a lower price. It can cost as little as $2.19/month.

ExpressVPN alternatives compared

Take a look at the table below, showing the key differences between our top ExpressVPN alternatives, to pick the right VPN for you.

Brand	Ranking	Price	Free trial	Money-back guarantee	Logging	Servers	Simultaneous connections	Streaming	Compatibility
NordVPN	4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	$3.09/month	Yes, 7-day	30 days	No logs	6400 servers in 111 countries	10	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more	Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
Surfshark	4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	$1.99/month	7 days (none for Windows)	30 days	No logs	3200 servers in 100 countries	Unlimited	Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more	Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS
Norton VPN	4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	$3.33/month	30 days	60 days	No logs	5000 servers in 28 countries	10	BBC iPlayer, Max	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
IPVanish	4.5 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	$2.19/month	7 days (mobile users only)	30 days	No logs	2400 servers in 55 countries	Unlimited	Netflix, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Disney+, and more	Windows, Mac, Android, iOS
Cyberghost	4.2 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆	$2.19/month	1-7 days (OS depending)	14-45 days (depending on plan)	No logs	11500+ servers in 100 countries	7	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS

Get NordVPN

How we tested and selected the ExpressVPN alternatives

• Value for money. We looked at the best VPN providers and their features and pricing. Our extensive analysis helped us identify ExpressVPN alternatives that match its service quality or even surpass it.
• Safety and reliability. To ensure the safety and reliability of our recommendations, we compared key factors such as jurisdiction, log policies, and server storage choices. All of our ExpressVPN alternatives offer an excellent level of privacy.
• Security features. ExpressVPN is well known for its excellent security. To pick only the best alternatives, we analyzed the security of each potential provider. We mainly focused on encryption methods, kill switches, VPN protocols, and other advanced features such as multi-hop obfuscation.
• Ease of use. We tested the VPN alternatives ourselves to gauge how easy each service was to use and compared the results with our ExpressVPN test. We also took into consideration the likes of browser extension options, OS compatibility, and support documentation.
• Customer support. With a long list of potential candidates, we narrowed down ExpressVPN alternatives by looking at customer service standards. Some providers offered excellent prices and features but fell short in customer service options and wait times.
• Streaming ability. We tested the streaming abilities of all potential ExpressVPN alternatives to pick the ones that are capable of streaming to a similar standard. We also selected providers with a diverse range of country/server options so you can doge restrictions and stream on your favorite platforms.

Why you might consider alternatives to ExpressVPN

Everybody’s VPN needs are different, so there are several reasons why you might want to switch from ExpressVPN. The three main ones are as follows:

• Price. ExpressVPN is known for having a somewhat hefty price tag. Granted, ExpressVPN is private and secure and offers an all-round premium VPN service. But there are other options that are significantly cheaper and still include the same great features.
• Speed. ExpressVPN is very fast, but it’s by no means the fastest VPN. Our top alternative, NordVPN, has much better download and upload rates than ExpressVPN. So, if you’re looking for a VPN capable of handling streaming on multiple devices at the same time, there are other options that might suit you better.
• Limitations. Every VPN is, in some way, limited – ExpressVPN is not an exception. It doesn’t have the biggest server pool, offer the most server locations, or include unlimited device connections. You simply might need a VPN that has a server in a specific country or a subscription that allows for more device connections.

Should I choose a free VPN instead of ExpressVPN?

No, you shouldn’t choose a free VPN instead of ExpressVPN. It’s unlikely you’ll find the same features and all-around excellent service that ExpressVPN offers for free.

In addition, free VPNs raise privacy concerns. Some free VPNs use unethical or even illegal practices to make money. They might sell your personal information, redirect you to dangerous sites, or install malware on your device.

However, you can try some of the best VPNs for free and safely replace ExpressVPN. We recommend using free-trial VPNs and freemium plans to reduce cybersecurity risks.

Final thoughts

In this article, we looked at the best alternatives to ExpressVPN. But which VPN service is the right one for you depends on your needs. Some VPNs offer faster speeds, more advanced privacy features, or lower prices.

NordVPN is one VPN provider that offers all of the above. It’s faster, cheaper, and has a lot more privacy and security features, which is why we recommend NordVPN as the best ExpressVPN alternative.

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