Choosing the best VPN is important, and not all virtual private networks (VPNs) are the same. Read on to learn how ExpressVPN ranks among other VPNs and why it’s my first choice.
Speed Promises Fulfilled
When a VPN says it offers very high speeds, there’s a catch. All of them must transfer data through your Internet service provider (ISP) before they reach the VPN servers. This limits the fastest speed a VPN can provide you. No matter what, a VPN will lose some of your ISP speed. The smaller the loss, the better.
While NordVPN is the safest and fastest VPN, the best VPN should give consistent speeds, and that’s where I always find ExpressVPN having a slight edge. To check this once again, I tested my median ISP speed using Speedtest – it has a 28.2 Mbps download speed and an 11.07 Mbps upload speed.
A VPN’s speed depends on the protocol it uses. Many VPNs use WireGuard, which is noticeably absent in ExpressVPN. Instead, it has its own “Lightway” protocol, which is more streamlined, with only 2000 lines of code, compared to WireGuard’s 4000 lines. This makes it more efficient and easier to audit.
What this means is that you don’t need to worry about how close or far a server is. The Lightway protocol ensures you won’t notice much difference. For example, when I connected to a U.S. West Coast server from Asia, my average download speed only dropped to 24.16 Mbps, which is a 14.3% loss from my ISP speed.
However, the upload speed dropped to 3.51 Mbps, representing a 68% loss. This is a common issue for all VPNs, as they have to work harder to upload data.
Another reason ExpressVPN has more consistent speeds is that most of its global servers are in the 10 Gbps category, with estimates as high as 80%. NordVPN is a distant second with over 20% such servers. With ExpressVPN, you get access to their Smart Location feature when many fast servers are close to you.
For me, the average speed with one of these locations was 33.59 Mbps, which is almost 20 percent faster than my ISP speed. You may wonder how it’s even possible, but sometimes a good VPN server can be faster than the ISP, as it removes ISP throttling, the single biggest bottleneck of network speeds.
Good to know: ExpressVPN isn’t the only one that takes user security seriously. NordVPN has many robust security features of its own.
Maximum User Security
Over the years, ExpressVPN has built a good reputation as a secure VPN provider. Many users trust it when they connect to the Internet via its servers. While all VPNs say they have a no-logs policy, ExpressVPN can back up this claim. It’s how they store and handle your data.
For example, ExpressVPN’s servers do a really good job of blocking any attempt of browser fingerprinting by websites. You can do a check on the ExpressVPN homepage for WebRTC or DNS leaks in real time. Moreover, your encrypted data resides on volatile RAM in the British Virgin Islands, rather than hard disks in a “Fourteen Eyes” server locations. Every time the server reboots, all your VPN activities disappear.
Not all of ExpressVPN’s security features are better than other VPNs, however. Its Lightway protocol uses AES-256 security, while NordVPN uses the stronger 4096-RSA. However, ExpressVPN’s overall security setup is still excellent and leaves nothing to complain about.
Websites don’t like it when you use a VPN. I didn’t face CAPTCHAs or page loading issues when unblocking my favorite sites via ExpressVPN, as it uses high-quality “obfuscated connections,” which mask VPN traffic as regular traffic, helping you stay undetected.
Unblocks Streaming Everywhere You Go
Streaming websites are getting stricter with regard to blocking users from regions who don’t qualify as their market. Besides Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV+, and Amazon Prime Video, there are free streaming platforms like Crackle and Pluto TV that also restrict content based on your geographic location. Many of them now require two-factor authentication to log in.
Accessing these services is a big problem for people living or traveling abroad. This is where ExpressVPN stands out as one of the best VPN providers. It can unblock any content you want to watch from anywhere. I have personally tested that ExpressVPN unblocks streaming quite well on all the devices I normally use: Windows, Android, and smart TVs. It also works equally well on iOS and Mac.
Censorship Resistant
ExpressVPN has a Diagnostic information feature that traces the live routes of all your VPN connections. It is only visible to you, and you can easily tell if any ISP is trying to interfere with the VPN connection. All route changes are right in front of your eyes, which helps you stay ahead of any outside attempts to block your VPN.
Defeating the local ISP is one thing. But to test a VPN’s ability to bypass censorship, consider performing the “China test” if you have any plans to travel there. The Great Firewall of China blocks many VPNs, social media sites, and even Google. However, many users have reported on various websites and forums that ExpressVPN is simply the best at unblocking anything in China.
I have been to the United Arab Emirates a few times, which also has very strict VPN restrictions. I was able to easily unblock the things they wouldn’t let me watch using ExpressVPN. The key is to install your favorite VPN software on all your devices before you travel to these countries.
Good to know: check out the many ways to unblock any website you want.
Knowledgeable Customer Support
One thing you may like about ExpressVPN, which not many people know, is their customer service. In my opinion, they have the best chat support team, not just for a VPN, but for any software. I’ve been talking to them for years, and they always find creative solutions. Visit their website, enter your subscription email address, and they will listen to you patiently.
They also have live chat support via phone and a ticket system, but so far, I’m immensely satisfied with what you get on the chat window. Whether your VPN app has stopped working, or you’re unable to unblock a streamer, they have test scenarios for many of these real-life cases.
Read: apart from VPN, consider using Tor and its alternatives to unblock content.
What I Don’t Like About ExpressVPN
While there are many reasons I consider ExpressVPN the best VPN solution, I must mention that it does have a few disadvantages. For one, the subscription is almost two or three times as expensive as most other VPN providers. But at $6.67/month for an annual plan, it seems to have come down in price recently.
The ExpressVPN app is also rather stingy with free trials, although you can opt for a 30-day money-back guarantee. But that’s not really the same thing. However, there is one way out. You can get a 7-day ExpressVPN free trial on iOS/Android devices, but you have to provide your payment details in advance.
Last but not least, ExpressVPN still haven’t rolled out a dedicated IP service, which is really helpful if you want to work remotely. This is a feature available with Surfshark, whose dedicated IP is the cheapest among many providers. It also connects to all your devices, and Surfshark supports unlimited connections.
Image credit: Pixabay. All screenshots by Sayak Boral.
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Sayak Boral –
Staff Writer
Sayak Boral is a technology writer with over eleven years of experience working in different industries including semiconductors, IoT, enterprise IT, telecommunications OSS/BSS, and network security. He has been writing for MakeTechEasier on a wide range of technical topics including Windows, Android, Internet, Hardware Guides, Browsers, Software Tools, and Product Reviews.
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