Alternatives to ExpressVPN: 12 Faster, Cheaper, or More Private VPNs
Text
About ExpressVPN
Founded
2009
British Virgin Islands
Ships to
Worldwide
Editor-reviewed
Every recommendation read and refined by hand
Honest tradeoffs
Drawbacks listed, not hidden
No paid placements
Brands cannot pay to be ranked
The thing ExpressVPN did better than anyone — the one-tap connect that actually held, the Lightway protocol that made streaming Netflix catalogs across borders feel invisible, servers that didn't crater your download speed — still exists. It just no longer feels like a reason to pay a premium, because half the field now does the same thing for a third of the price.
For years the pitch was simple: pay more, get speed and zero fuss. The apps were genuinely polished, the kill switch worked, and TrustedServer's RAM-only architecture was a real engineering choice, not a marketing line.
Then came the Kape Technologies acquisition. For a product whose entire value proposition is trust, being folded into a conglomerate that also owns CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, and once operated an ad-injection business is not a minor footnote — it is the whole ballgame. Privacy-first users started reading the ownership chart more carefully than the speed-test results.
And roughly $100 a year stopped looking like insurance and started looking like a brand tax. So the real question for anyone eyeing the exit: what are you actually buying ExpressVPN for anymore?
For years the pitch was simple: pay more, get speed and zero fuss. The apps were genuinely polished, the kill switch worked, and TrustedServer's RAM-only architecture was a real engineering choice, not a marketing line.
Then came the Kape Technologies acquisition. For a product whose entire value proposition is trust, being folded into a conglomerate that also owns CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, and once operated an ad-injection business is not a minor footnote — it is the whole ballgame. Privacy-first users started reading the ownership chart more carefully than the speed-test results.
And roughly $100 a year stopped looking like insurance and started looking like a brand tax. So the real question for anyone eyeing the exit: what are you actually buying ExpressVPN for anymore?
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12 brands
The 12 Best Alternatives to ExpressVPN
1
NordVPN
Est. 2012
Panama
$
cheaper
People who want ExpressVPN's ease but with a bigger server fleet and better long-term deals
Factory Disclosure
The most direct swap — comparable speed via NordLynx (WireGuard-based), polished apps on every platform, and reliable streaming unblocking. It's the other name everyone's already heard of.
Pros
- NordLynx protocol delivers consistently fast speeds
- Audited no-logs policy
- Threat Protection blocks ads and trackers
- Massive server network (6000+)
Cons
- Prices jump hard after the intro term
- Past breach of a single rented server made headlines
- App can feel feature-bloated
2
Surfshark
Est. 2018
Netherlands
$
cheaper
Households and anyone tired of device limits
Factory Disclosure
Same premium streaming-friendly experience and clean apps, but with unlimited simultaneous devices — a genuine edge if you're covering a whole household.
Pros
- Unlimited devices on one subscription
- Strong value on 2-year plans
- CleanWeb ad blocking
- Reliable for Netflix and BBC iPlayer
Cons
- Now merged with Nord's parent company
- Speeds slightly behind Nord/Express on distant servers
- Short-term plans are expensive
3
ProtonVPN
Est. 2017
Switzerland
$
cheaper
Privacy-first users who want transparent ownership and open-source code
Factory Disclosure
Transparent Pricing
If the Kape ownership is what's pushing you out, Proton is the cleanest answer — Swiss-based, run by the Proton Mail team, fully open-source apps and independently audited.
Pros
- Genuinely free tier with no data cap
- Open-source, independently audited apps
- Swiss jurisdiction and strong track record
- Secure Core multi-hop routing
Cons
- Paid plans pricier than Surfshark
- Fewer servers than Nord
- Free tier speeds are throttled
4
Mullvad
Est. 2009
Sweden
$
cheaper
Hardcore privacy users who distrust big VPN marketing
Transparent Pricing
Factory Disclosure
The anti-ExpressVPN in philosophy: flat €5/month, no accounts, no email, pay by generating a random number. If you want to buy privacy without buying into a brand, this is it.
Pros
- Flat €5/month, no upsells ever
- Anonymous account numbers, accepts cash
- Open-source and repeatedly audited
- RAM-only servers
Cons
- Poor at unblocking streaming services
- No flashy extras or 24/7 chat hand-holding
- No long-term discount (but doesn't need one)
5
IVPN
Est. 2009
Gibraltar
$
cheaper
People who want Mullvad-level ethics with a slightly more guided setup
Transparent Pricing
Factory Disclosure
Like Mullvad, a trust-first outfit with no-logs ethos, anonymous signup, and a refreshing refusal to run affiliate review farms or fake Black Friday timers.
Pros
- Anti-manipulation pricing, no fake discounts
- Anonymous account IDs
- Independently audited
- AntiTracker blocks ads and trackers
Cons
- Small server network
- Not built for streaming
- Pricier than Mullvad per month
6
Private Internet Access
Est. 2010
USA
$
cheaper
Tinkerers who want granular control at a low price
Factory Disclosure
A long-standing no-logs VPN with court-proven logging claims and huge customization. Worth noting it shares Kape ownership — so it solves price but not the consolidation concern.
Pros
- No-logs claim tested in US courts
- Open-source apps
- Highly configurable
- Cheap multi-year plans
Cons
- Owned by Kape (same as ExpressVPN)
- US jurisdiction (Five Eyes)
- Interface overwhelming for beginners
7
Windscribe
Est. 2016
Canada
$
cheaper
Light users who hate paying for servers they'll never use
Transparent Pricing
Flexible and generous free tier, plus a build-a-plan option where you pay per server location — a clever fit if you only need a couple of countries.
Pros
- Generous 10GB/month free tier
- Build-a-plan à la carte pricing
- R.O.B.E.R.T. ad/tracker blocker
- Unlimited devices
Cons
- Canada is Five Eyes
- Speeds inconsistent on free servers
- Streaming support hit or miss
8
CyberGhost
Est. 2011
Romania
$
cheaper
Streaming-focused beginners on a tight budget
Beginner-friendly apps with dedicated streaming-optimized servers, labeled by service. Another Kape-owned brand, so it addresses budget rather than ownership trust.
Pros
- Servers labeled for specific streaming services
- Very cheap long-term plans
- Simple, friendly interface
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Owned by Kape (same as ExpressVPN)
- Short-term plans overpriced
- Some servers slow at peak
9
PrivateVPN
Est. 2009
Sweden
$
cheaper
Streamers who want it simple and cheap
A smaller Swedish operation that punches above its weight for streaming and keeps apps simple — a lean alternative to Express's polish without the price.
Pros
- Reliable streaming unblocking
- Swedish, independently owned
- Simple apps
- Cheap 3-year plan
Cons
- Small server network
- No independent audit yet
- Support not 24/7
10
AirVPN
Est. 2010
Italy
$
cheaper
Power users and torrenters who want full control
Transparent Pricing
Run by activists, deeply technical, with real-time server stats and OpenVPN-over-everything configs. The opposite of Express's hand-holding, for people who want to see under the hood.
Pros
- Deeply transparent, real-time server load stats
- Excellent port forwarding for torrents
- Accepts crypto
- Activist-run, no marketing fluff
Cons
- Steep learning curve
- Dated website and apps
- Not for VPN beginners
11
TunnelBear
Est. 2011
Canada
$
cheaper
Beginners who want zero complexity
Factory Disclosure
The friendliest VPN there is — if ExpressVPN's appeal was simplicity, TunnelBear takes it further with a playful interface and annual independent audits.
Pros
- Extremely easy to use
- Free tier (limited data)
- Publishes annual independent audits
- Charming design
Cons
- Owned by McAfee
- Canada is Five Eyes
- Smaller network, weaker for streaming
12
hide.me
Est. 2012
Malaysia
$
cheaper
Privacy-conscious users who still want a free option to test
Factory Disclosure
A no-logs VPN with a solid free tier and strong protocol support, based in Malaysia (outside surveillance alliances). Good middle ground between budget and privacy.
Pros
- No-logs, independently audited
- Free tier available
- Malaysia jurisdiction (outside 14 Eyes)
- Supports WireGuard and many protocols
Cons
- Free tier server choice limited
- Smaller network
- Streaming support uneven
If Kape ownership is why you're leaving
The whole point of switching is often trust, so skip anything in the Kape family (that rules out CyberGhost and Private Internet Access). ProtonVPN (Swiss, open-source, run by the Proton Mail team), Mullvad (anonymous accounts, flat €5), and IVPN (anti-manipulation pricing, no fake sales) are the cleanest breaks. AirVPN and hide.me round out the independently-owned, privacy-first tier.
If it's purely the price
ExpressVPN's roughly $100/year looks steep next to the field. NordVPN and Surfshark deliver comparable speed and streaming for a fraction on multi-year plans, Surfshark adds unlimited devices, and Mullvad's flat €5/month with no upsells may be the best deal in the category. Windscribe and hide.me offer genuinely usable free tiers if you want to pay nothing.
If you just want streaming that works
The reason many people pay for Express is unblocking Netflix libraries abroad. NordVPN and Surfshark are the most reliable for this across the most services, CyberGhost labels servers by streaming platform for one-click simplicity, and PrivateVPN quietly outperforms its size. Skip Mullvad and IVPN here — they're built for privacy, not binge-watching.Which Alternative Is Right for You?
Switch to ProtonVPN if the Kape acquisition is what spooked you — Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, transparent ownership, and a free tier to test first. Pick NordVPN if you want the closest like-for-like replacement: near-identical speed via NordLynx, the same streaming reliability, and big savings on a two-year plan. Go with Surfshark if you're covering a whole household and want unlimited devices for less. Choose Mullvad if you've grown allergic to VPN marketing entirely — flat pricing, anonymous signup, nothing to upsell. And if streaming across borders was your only real reason for paying Express's premium, CyberGhost's service-labeled servers do that job for a fraction of the cost. Frequently Asked Questions
QIs ExpressVPN still safe to use after the Kape Technologies acquisition?
ExpressVPN remains technically secure — its RAM-only TrustedServer setup and no-logs policy have been audited. The concern isn't the encryption; it's that Kape Technologies, its parent, also owns CyberGhost and Private Internet Access and once ran an ad-injection business. For users whose core reason to pay is trust, that ownership consolidation is the deal-breaker, and brands like ProtonVPN or Mullvad sidestep it entirely.
QWhat's the closest alternative to ExpressVPN for speed?
NordVPN is the closest match. Its NordLynx protocol (built on WireGuard) delivers speeds on par with ExpressVPN's Lightway, with a larger server fleet and much cheaper long-term pricing. Surfshark is a close second and adds unlimited simultaneous devices.
QIs there a cheaper VPN than ExpressVPN that's just as good?
Yes. NordVPN and Surfshark match ExpressVPN on speed and streaming for a fraction of the cost on multi-year plans. Mullvad charges a flat €5/month with no upsells or price hikes at all. ExpressVPN's roughly $100/year increasingly looks like a brand premium rather than a quality one.
QWhich ExpressVPN alternative is best for privacy and no logs?
Mullvad and IVPN lead here — both allow anonymous signup (no email required), accept cash or crypto, and have been independently audited. ProtonVPN is the strongest if you also want open-source apps and Swiss jurisdiction. Avoid Kape-owned options like CyberGhost if ownership trust is your priority.
QWhich VPN unblocks streaming as well as ExpressVPN?
NordVPN and Surfshark are the most consistent for Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and other region-locked libraries. CyberGhost makes it easiest with servers labeled by streaming service, and PrivateVPN punches above its size. Privacy-focused options like Mullvad and IVPN are poor at streaming, so skip them for this.
Our Verdict
The Best ExpressVPN Alternative For You
Switch to ProtonVPN if the Kape acquisition is what spooked you — Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, transparent ownership, and a free tier to test first. Pick NordVPN if you want the closest like-for-like replacement: near-identical speed via NordLynx, the same streaming reliability, and big savings on a two-year plan. Go with Surfshark if you're covering a whole household and want unlimited devices for less. Choose Mullvad if you've grown allergic to VPN marketing entirely — flat pricing, anonymous signup, nothing to upsell. And if streaming across borders was your only real reason for paying Express's premium, CyberGhost's service-labeled servers do that job for a fraction of the cost.