ExpressVPN Review: Search With Speed While Keeping Data Safe
Boomers may be scammers’ and hackers’ favourite prey but all of us should be locking down our internet security and privacy.
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ExpressVPN is regarded as one of the world’s leading VPN platforms for good reason. From the moment you decide to sign up, everything about ExpressVPN is quick and easy.
For the most part, it’s a set and forget platform. You sign up, adjust your settings and ask the VPN to automatically connect to the VPN, and it will automatically direct your traffic through its secure network.
With apps for all major platforms and a secure network in 105 countries around the world, ExpressVPN helps keep over 4 million users’ connections secure and their data protected.
If you’re looking to improve your internet security, ExpressVPN is a solid choice to keep your browsing private across a range of devices.
ONE-MINUTE REVIEW: EXPRESSVPN
ExpressVPN
HOW WE TESTED EXPRESS VPN
I spent four weeks with ExpressVPN installed on my main work MacBook Air, my iPhone, and a separate Windows Surface Pro tablet. I mostly used it running through the default “fastest” Australian server for the benefits of privacy but the speed of a regional server, but also experimented with servers in the US and UK. I used the Ookla Speedtest tool to measure speeds.
THE CRITERIA I USED TO TEST EXPRESSVPN
HOW TO SET UP EXPRESSVPN
With a name like ExpressVPN, you would expect the setup process to be nice and fast. And that’s precisely what you get.
Once you’ve selected your plan and paid online, you’ll be sent an email with a link to download the app on your different devices, along with an activation code to enter during the process.
You can install ExpressVPN on pretty much any phone or laptop, as well as your browsers. If you need more advanced security for devices like routers or game consoles, there are detailed instructions on the website to get you set up.
If you selected the Advanced or Pro plan, you also get access to the ExpressVPN password manager. There’s no dedicated app for this – it’s built into the mobile apps, or available through a browser extension on desktops.
Once ExpressVPN has been downloaded and installed, simply enter in the activation code on your devices, and you can start protecting your internet connection.
HOW DOES SPEED AND PERFORMANCE STACK UP?
The greatest challenge with a VPN is how it will impact your internet’s performance. Instead of letting you connect directly to a website or platform, your traffic is instead funnelled through an additional virtual network, and that’s always going to impact performance in some way.
With ExpressVPN, the performance was good, except for upload speeds on US servers.
It’s important to remember that there are many factors that can impact a speed test, and the numbers below are indicative of the average speeds I got while testing ExpressVPN over four weeks.
Generally, ExpressVPN managed to achieve 87 per cent of an unconnected speed when running through a local Australian server, and an even higher percentage with upload speeds.
It was similar testing across US and UK servers, except for US upload speed, which seemed slow in all my tests.
| VPN | Download Speed (Mbps) | Upload Speed (Mbps) |
| No VPN connected | 107.35 | 47.08 |
| AU server | 94.11 | 44.45 |
| US Server | 94.37 | 17.48 |
| UK Server | 91.81 | 39.71 |
All of the above speeds are taken using the Ookla Speedtest, though the ExpressVPN iOS app has its own speed test included.
While the ExpressVPN app will default select the fastest server for each country you select, you can also drill down a little deeper if needed and choose a virtual server in certain locations.
Switching between locations is a quick process and takes a few seconds. There are thousands of servers in over 105 countries, so you can comfortably know that your connection is secure, regardless of where you are in the world.
SECURITY AND PRIVACY BEST FEATURES
ExpressVPN operates a strict no logs policy, which means that it does not keep a record of your browsing history. This is essential if you want a secure VPN for privacy.
For ExpressVPN, its no logs policy includes not just browsing history, but also your connection logs off when and where you connect to the VPN, and aggregated logs, which includes things like the number of simultaneous connections from your account.
But that’s just the beginning of the company’s security features. All traffic is AES-256 encrypted, and the TrustedServer technology ensures that no data is ever written to a hard drive, ensuring your privacy.
Within the settings, you can select from a range of VPN protocols, including ExpressVPN’s own Lightway technology or the OpenVPN protocol, or you can leave the software to select the best for your connection.
The app also features a Network lock feature, which automatically stops all internet traffic if the VPN disconnects suddenly, to ensure that all your traffic is run securely through the VPN at all times.
This works even when you connect to a public Wi-Fi, or while travelling overseas.
Regardless of what plan you subscribe to, ExpressVPN also bundles in some limited browsing protection. The cheapest plan will block ads and malicious websites, while the more premium plans also add in protection from trackers and adult sites. You can easily switch each of these features off in settings.
The Pro and Advanced tiers also offer a password manager, which should help protect you while online. It’s not as robust an offering as something like 1Password, or even the NordVPN NordPass, as there’s no dedicated app for your desktop or mobile device.
Instead, the password management is done via your browser on a computer, and within the mobile app on mobile devices.
One disappointing thing about ExpressVPN, however, is that some of its security features are limited to customers in the US. ID Alerts, for example, which notify you if your personal information appears on the dark web, is only available for US customers. ExpressVPN does state on its website that it plans to offer these features to more regions “soon” though.
PRICING AND PLANS COMPARISON
There are three plans to choose from:
BASIC
FEATURES:
• VPN for 10 devices
• Post quantum protection
• Block ads
• Block malicious sites
COST:
Monthly $12.99
One-year: $4.99 per month (62 per cent off), $74.85 for first 15 months, Renews: $99.95 annually
Two-year: $3.49 per month (73 per cent off), $97.72 for first 28 months, Renews: $99.95 annually
ADVANCED
FEATURES:
• Everything in Basic
• 12 devices
• Block trackers
• Block adult sites
• Password Manager
COST:
Monthly: $13.99
One-year: $5.99 per month (57 per cent off), $89.85 for first 12 months, Renews: $119.95 annually
Two-year: $4.49 per month (68 per cent off), $125.72 for first 28 months, Renews: $119.95 annually
PRO
FEATURES:
• Everything in Advanced
• 14 devices
• Dedicated IP address
COST:
Monthly: $19.99
One-year: $8.99 per month (55 per cent off), $134.85 for first 12 months, Renews: $199.95 annually
Two-year: $7.49 per month (63 per cent off), $209.72 for first 28 months, Renews: $199.95 annually
HONEST VERDICT: IS EXPRESSVPN WORTH THE INVESTMENT?
If you need unquestionable security and privacy with your internet connection, then ExpressVPN is a worthwhile option. Its commitment to not tracking its users is comprehensive and backed up by regular independent third-party audits of its platform’s security.
ExpressVPN manages to deliver the security you expect without needing to sacrifice too much in the way of speed. It has a simple, intuitive user interface that makes connecting and switching servers fast and simple.
And regardless of which plan you subscribe to, you get some level of additional internet security in the form of ad blocking and malicious website blocking.
With some generous signup offers that let you save by paying upfront for two years, ExpressVPN also offers great value for money. Once the initial period expires, you end up on a reasonably priced flat annual rate regardless of plan.
Which means overall, ExpressVPN is great value for money and a high performing VPN for anyone looking to keep their online experience safe.
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Nick Broughall has been reviewing the latest technology and gadgets for over two decades. He’s edited leading Australian technology publications like Gizmodo, TechRadar and Finder; was a co-founder of gadget site EFTM, and currently runs BTTR.reviews. He is a regular finalist in the Australian IT Journalism awards and won the Best Reviewer award in 2016. These days, he tries to balance his gadget addictions with board games and bushwalking.
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