In our ExpressVPN review, we’ll take a close look at this popular VPN’s features, pricing, reputation and more to help you decide if it’s the best option for your needs.
Summary:
ExpressVPN is a virtual private network service geared toward home and individual use. It offers a wide range of compatible devices, 256-bit encryption and split tunnelling. You can also configure ExpressVPN on your router to ensure that all devices connected to your network are protected.
The software routes your internet traffic through servers located in nearly 100 countries and offers 24/7 customer support. While ExpressVPN doesn’t offer a dedicated IP address like many competitors do, the flexible money-back guarantee makes it easy to try for yourself. Privacy-conscious Australians will be pleased to note that they can also pay in anonymous cryptocurrency payments, including Bitcoin.
Pros
- Strict no logs policy
- Breadth of server locations
- Supports split tunnelling
- Includes router app that protects all connected devices
Cons
- No dedicated IP option
- Limited business usage
- Some poor user reviews
Table of Contents
ExpressVPN At a Glance
Featured Partner Offers
1
NordVPN
Plan costs
$7.33 AUD per month or $87.95 for the first year
Number of Servers
5,500
Encryption
AES-256
2
ExpressVPN
Plan costs
12 months: $US6.67 per month; 6 Months: $US9.95 per month; 1 month: $US12.95 per month
Number of servers
3000+
Encryption
AES-256
3
Surfshark
Price
Starting From $3.07 AUD Per Month
Number of Servers
3000+
Encryption
AES with 256 -bit keys
4
Private Internet Access (PIA)
Dedicated IP address
Yes
Number of devices
Unlimited
Encryption
AES-256
ExpressVPN is one of the more popular VPN services, due in part to its compatibility with most devices, its app for routers and large number of server locations. The company is privately held and headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, a country that’s considered privacy-friendly because it does not have any agreements to share data with other countries. As it notes on its website, Australian law requires companies to retain user metadata for up to two years, and this data may be requested by government agencies.
ExpressVPN offers one type of plan, which includes all available apps, unlimited bandwidth and 24/7 customer support. Pricing is in US dollars and is as follows:
- 12 months: $US6.67 per month (includes three free months)
- 6 Months: $US9.95 per month
- 1 month: $US12.95 per month
Users can take advantage of a 30-day free trial to test out ExpressVPN’s services. The company also offers more than 3000 servers in over 90 different countries, giving you the ability to choose the one offering the fastest speeds. ExpressVPN has Australian VPN servers in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Brisbane, and Perth, which is ideal for streaming local content when travelling overseas. In this sense, it’s great for frequent flyers.
Privacy and Security
In addition to hiding your IP address, ExpressVPN uses AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) with 256-bit keys, aka AES-256, to encrypt your data. The company also never keeps activity logs, including information on DNS queries, traffic destination and browsing history.
ExpressVPN also does not maintain any record of your connection logs, such as source IP address, connection timestamps and any ExpressVPN IP addresses your computer uses.
Split Tunnelling
Split tunnelling, available on all of ExpressVPN’s supported devices, allows you to choose what traffic goes through the VPN and what traffic goes directly to the internet. Not all VPNs offer this service.
ExpressVPN offers two different ways to take advantage of split tunnelling: Users can protect their information on an app-by-app basis, or they can choose a blanket protection approach and choose what apps they wish to exclude.
Network Lock
ExpressVPN’s kill switch is called Network Lock and is used to help maintain your privacy and security. If for any reason your VPN connection drops, Network Lock will automatically block all online activity until your connection is restored. That way, your IP address and data won’t be exposed.
ExpressVPN App For Routers
Setting up a VPN router is a simple way to secure all your devices on your Wi-Fi network and saves you time from installing a separate app on your devices. Users can purchase a router that’s preconfigured with ExpressVPN or install it themselves using a compatible router.
The app comes with your ExpressVPN subscription and can protect all your devices through the router on your network.
Technically speaking, ExpressVPN allows only five simultaneously connected devices, but all devices connected through the secure router—even smart TVs, printers and Wi-Fi connected light bulbs—are protected.
Related: Best VPNs for Australians
Other Benefits
Customers want a VPN service that’s fast, secure and offers the best protection against third-parties having access to sensitive information. Here are some additional features that makes ExpressVPN a solid choice:
- TrustedServer technology: ExpressVPN prevents apps or their operating systems from retaining data by using RAM or volatile memory. All data will be erased each time the server is powered off and on, preventing any data from remaining on ExpressVPN’s servers.
- Private DNS: Every VPN server runs its own encrypted DNS queries so that there is no chance of exposure to third-parties. It also means potentially faster requests so that users can access faster speeds.
- 24/7 support: Customers can access thorough tutorials and articles through the company’s support centre. Support is also available through their live chat option 24/7—even in Australia.
Fine Print
Although ExpressVPN has a large number of servers, it does not allow as many devices running simultaneously compared to its competitors, some offering unlimited connections. However, using a VPN router allows you to connect to virtually all your devices. There is no dedicated IP address, either.
How ExpressVPN Stacks Up
Comparing different VPN services makes sense since you want to ensure the plan you ultimately choose will protect your data and allows you to work at faster speeds. Two other contenders, NordVPN and Hotspot Shield offer similar features and competitive prices.
NordVPN offers a higher number of services and maximum number of simultaneous devices, but it does not offer the option of a VPN router like ExpressVPN. However, users who want a dedicated IP address will like that NordVPN offers this service as an add-on. For business users, NordVPN also offers a business tier subscription called NordLayer.
Hotspot Shield offers a similar number of servers as ExpressVPN and a 45-day money back guarantee. This option may be a solid choice for users having trouble committing, as it’s one of the only reputable VPNs with a free version. Though when it comes to privacy and security, we don’t recommend relying solely on a free VPN.
Compare ExpressVPN With CyberGhost
CyberGhost
Dedicated IP address
Yes
Number of devices
Seven
Encryption
AES-256
Dedicated IP address
Yes
Number of devices
Seven
Encryption
AES-256
CyberGhost is one of the best, most intuitive VPNs on the market. The VPN strikes an ideal balance of a powerful feature set and an interface that’s easy enough for users of all skill levels. Features include dedicated server locations for streaming and torrenting, as well as the privacy-focused NoSpy servers. Payment for a one-month plan comes in at $18.79 per month AUD, and drops to a little more than $3 AUD per month for a two-year and two-month plan.
Like other leading VPNs, CyberGhost uses AES-256 encryption to protect your data, and it’s compatible with Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android and more.
Note: It is worth mentioning that, despite their competitive prices and robust features, some in the cybersecurity community have reservations about CyberGhost and PIA, which are both owned by Kape Technologies. That organization has a checkered past for creating malware, and their products are not subject to third-party review like competing systems. Kape Technologies has repeatedly stood by the integrity of its VPNs, but consumers should keep these in mind if they are especially wary of privacy.
- 100% anonymous NoSpy servers.
- Anonymous payment
- Fast speeds
- Monthly plan is expensive
- Need to sign up for a paid plan of at least six months to get 45-day money back guarantee
ExpressVPN
Dedicated IP address
No
Number of devices
Five
Encryption
AES-256
Dedicated IP address
No
Number of devices
Five
Encryption
AES-256
ExpressVPN offers an intuitive VPN experience, which is bolstered by 3000 servers in 94 countries, including Australian cities of Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth or Sydney. Impressively, there are 160 server locations, making it easy to find a server in far-flung regions of the globe. In addition to offering AES-256 encryption through standard VPN protocols, ExpressVPN features a proprietary ‘Lightway protocol’ that boosts speeds without compromising security. There are also a three subscription options for Australian users, although all amounts are in US dollars:
- 12 months: $US8.32 per month ($12.62 AUD
- 6 Months: $US9.99 per month ($15.15 AUD)
- 1 month: $US12.95 per month ($19.64 AUD)
- 30-day free trial
- Split tunneling available
- Wide range of server locations
- No dedicated IP address
- Poor reviews
Is ExpressVPN Right For You or Your Business?
ExpressVPN is a service geared toward individuals first and foremost. In fact, it openly touts not providing business VPN services to best protect the privacy of individuals, not corporations.
However, ExpressVPN may still work for some small businesses in certain circumstances, as it supports up to five devices simultaneously. Ostensibly, a business of five could use ExpressVPN for remote protection. Or, if the business has a centralized office, it may protect all devices connected to an ExpressVPN-compatible router.
Split tunnelling is also a useful feature for businesses who need to route some sensitive traffic through the VPN and some directly to the internet. However, those who are after additional protection such as a dedicated IP, a core business feature, will need to look elsewhere.
Featured Partner Offers
1
NordVPN
Plan costs
$7.33 AUD per month or $87.95 for the first year
Number of Servers
5,500
Encryption
AES-256
2
ExpressVPN
Plan costs
12 months: $US6.67 per month; 6 Months: $US9.95 per month; 1 month: $US12.95 per month
Number of servers
3000+
Encryption
AES-256
3
Surfshark
Price
Starting From $3.07 AUD Per Month
Number of Servers
3000+
Encryption
AES with 256 -bit keys
4
Private Internet Access (PIA)
Dedicated IP address
Yes
Number of devices
Unlimited
Encryption
AES-256
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is a VPN?
A virtual private network, or VPN, grants users a degree of online anonymity, security and privacy. It masks your IP address by establishing encrypted connections so that third parties can’t trace your online activity.
Will using a VPN slow my internet speed?
Using a VPN does slow down your speed a bit since it will add some additional steps to access the internet. These steps include connecting to a remote server as well as the encryption process—premium services are designed to minimise the gaps in speed.
What can I access with a VPN?
VPNs can allow you to access geo-restricted content in other countries. Many customers use them to access international content on streaming services that are not available in their home country. They can also be used to bypass any government restrictions you may have in your region.
What’s the benefit of having servers in different countries?
Using a server from different countries may allow you to bypass certain restrictions (such as blocked websites) depending on where you’re located.
Are VPNs illegal in Australia?
VPNs are legal in most countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia. Certain countries, such as China and Russia, have laws against using a VPN to bypass banned websites.
Regardless of the country you’re in, doing anything illegal while you’re connected to a VPN is still illegal. Furthermore, while torrenting is legal in Australia for legitimte uses, such as downloading large files, it’s illegal to torrent pirated material.
Why is a dedicated IP address important?
Many VPN users place a priority on a dedicated IP address because it means they are the only ones using that internet protocol at any given time and so are generally safer than shared IPs. They usually result in a faster internet experience as a result.
Forbes Advisor adheres to strict editorial integrity standards. To the best of our knowledge, all content is accurate as of the date posted, though offers contained herein may no longer be available. The opinions expressed are the author’s alone and have not been provided, approved, or otherwise endorsed by our partners.
