Bottom Line Up Front
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for streaming and travel, but it's expensive. At $6.67/month, you're paying a 67% premium over NordVPN for three key advantages: 100% streaming success rate, faster connections on unstable networks, and the cleanest app experience of any VPN we've tested. If those matter to you, it's worth it. If they don't, NordVPN gives you 90% of the value for less.
30 days of testing: 264 Mbps average speed (fast), 97% streaming success rate (best we've seen), zero DNS leaks, zero crashes.
Quick Facts
- Price: $6.67/month (annual), $12.95/month (monthly)
- Servers: 3,000+ in 105 countries
- Devices: 8 simultaneous connections
- Protocol: Lightway (proprietary), OpenVPN, IKEv2
- No-logs audit: Cure53, 2022
- Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands
- Unique feature: TrustedServer (RAM-only servers)
Speed Test Results
720 tests over 30 days on a 500 Mbps connection.
| Metric | Result |
|---|---|
| Average download | 264 Mbps |
| Average upload | 79 Mbps |
| Latency increase | 31 ms |
| Connection time | 1.2 sec |
By Protocol
- Lightway UDP: 264 Mbps (fastest)
- Lightway TCP: 231 Mbps
- OpenVPN UDP: 189 Mbps
- IKEv2: 241 Mbps
Lightway is the clear choice. It's ExpressVPN's proprietary WireGuard-like protocol — lightweight, fast, and handles network transitions well.
Unstable Network Test
This is where ExpressVPN truly separates itself. We tested on a café Wi-Fi fluctuating between 8–40 Mbps:
- ExpressVPN: Maintained connection through all fluctuations, 3 minor reconnects
- NordVPN: 8 reconnects on same conditions
- Surfshark: 11 reconnects
For travel, ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol is uniquely good.
Server Consistency
3,000+ servers is fewer than NordVPN's 6,400+, but ExpressVPN's servers are better maintained. We tested 47 different server locations — 45 delivered above 230 Mbps. Two underperformed (Mumbai and Lagos).
Streaming: 100% Success Rate
Every streaming service, every day, for 30 days:
| Service | Success Rate |
|---|---|
| Netflix US | 30/30 (100%) |
| Netflix UK | 30/30 (100%) |
| Netflix Japan | 30/30 (100%) |
| Disney+ | 30/30 (100%) |
| Hulu | 30/30 (100%) |
| Amazon Prime Video | 30/30 (100%) |
| BBC iPlayer | 30/30 (100%) |
| HBO Max | 30/30 (100%) |
240/240 tests (100%)
No other VPN in our testing matches this. NordVPN had 88%, Surfshark 76%. ExpressVPN's streaming infrastructure is genuinely superior — they rotate residential IPs and maintain dedicated streaming servers even if they're not labeled as such.
MediaStreamer (Smart DNS)
Unique to ExpressVPN: a Smart DNS service that works on any device, including Smart TVs, game consoles, and Blu-ray players. No VPN app needed. We tested it on an Apple TV — Netflix US unblocked instantly.
Setup: Change your DNS settings to ExpressVPN's servers. Takes 3 minutes. Works without a VPN app.
Security and Privacy
TrustedServer Technology
Every ExpressVPN server runs on RAM only — no hard drives. When a server reboots, all data is wiped. This makes it physically impossible to store logs even if wanted.
NordVPN uses encrypted hard drives, which are secure but not as thorough as RAM-only.
No-Logs Audit
Cure53 audited ExpressVPN in 2022. The audit covered:
- Server infrastructure
- No-logs implementation
- Data handling processes
Passed. But the audit is 3 years old — newer audits from NordVPN (2023) and Mullvad exist.
Independent Verification
In 2017, Turkish authorities seized an ExpressVPN server in an investigation. They found no useful data — confirming the no-logs policy held under real-world conditions. This is better evidence than any audit.
Protocols
- Lightway: AES-256 and ChaCha20 options. Designed from scratch for speed and reliability.
- OpenVPN: AES-256, industry standard
- IKEv2: AES-256, good for mobile switching between Wi-Fi and cellular
Kill Switch (Network Lock)
ExpressVPN calls it "Network Lock." It blocks all traffic if the VPN drops. We tested it 10 times by force-quitting the VPN — all 10 times, internet stopped immediately. No leaks.
There's only one mode (internet kill), unlike NordVPN's app-level option. For most users that's fine.
App Design: The Best in the Business
This is subjective, but ExpressVPN's apps are genuinely the cleanest. One big power button. A server location dropdown. That's it on the main screen.
Settings are hidden but accessible. Advanced users can find protocol selection, split tunneling, and DNS settings. Beginners never need to touch them.
We showed ExpressVPN to three non-technical users who'd never used a VPN. All three connected successfully within 2 minutes without instructions. NordVPN took them 5-8 minutes.
Mobile Apps
iOS and Android apps are excellent. Lightway protocol connects in under a second on mobile — the fastest we've tested. Switching from Wi-Fi to LTE didn't drop the connection (NordVPN disconnected briefly).
Features Breakdown
Split Tunneling
Choose which apps bypass the VPN. Available on Windows and macOS (not iOS). We used it to keep our banking app off the VPN while everything else tunneled through. Works perfectly.
Also available in the browser extension — you can whitelist specific websites.
MediaStreamer
Already covered, but worth repeating. This is a unique differentiator. No other major VPN offers Smart DNS as polished as ExpressVPN's MediaStreamer.
Keys (Password Manager)
ExpressVPN bundles a basic password manager called Keys. It's free with your subscription. Functional but not as capable as 1Password or Bitwarden. We use it as a backup, not a primary tool.
Browser Extensions
Chrome and Firefox extensions. These proxy your browser traffic only (not system-wide). Useful for quick unblocking without full VPN. Includes site-specific split tunneling.
Router Support
ExpressVPN's router firmware is the best in the industry. It supports more router models than any competitor and the interface is cleaner. One VPN connection on your router protects every device at home.
Models supported: Asus, D-Link, Linksys, Netgear, and more. Installation videos are clear and accurate.
Customer Support
We submitted 5 support inquiries:
- Streaming question: Responded in 47 seconds. Gave us specific US server recommendations for Hulu. All worked.
- Lightway vs OpenVPN question: 1 min 12 sec. Thorough technical explanation.
- MediaStreamer setup on Apple TV: 2 min. Sent us a direct setup guide link.
- Billing question: 23 seconds. Fastest response.
- Router setup: 3 min 40 sec. Walked through the process step-by-step.
Average: 1 min 32 sec. Excellent quality. The fastest and most knowledgeable support we tested.
What We Don't Like
- Price: $6.67/month is 67% more than NordVPN. Hard to justify for many users.
- Fewer servers: 3,000 vs NordVPN's 6,400+. Server quality compensates partially.
- No ad blocker: No built-in malware/tracker protection like NordVPN Threat Protection or Surfshark CleanWeb.
- Older audit: The 2022 Cure53 audit is less recent than NordVPN's 2023 PwC audit.
- No Double VPN: For users who want extra anonymity layers, NordVPN offers more.
- Price renewal: Annual plan jumps to $12.95/month after year one at current promo rates.
Pricing
- Monthly: $12.95
- 6 months: $9.99/month ($59.94)
- Annual: $6.67/month ($80.04) ← best option
30-day money-back guarantee. We tested it — refund processed in 5 business days. No issues, no questions.
All plans include all servers, all protocols, MediaStreamer, 8 device connections, and 24/7 support.
Who Should Get ExpressVPN
Ideal for:
- Frequent travelers who need VPN reliability on hotel/airport Wi-Fi
- Streaming subscribers who need 100% Hulu/BBC iPlayer unblocking
- Users with Smart TVs who want MediaStreamer
- People who want the cleanest, simplest VPN interface
- Anyone who puts user experience first over squeezing maximum value
Look elsewhere if:
- Budget is a concern (NordVPN at $3.99/month is 40% cheaper)
- You need more than 8 devices (Surfshark is unlimited)
- You want an ad blocker included (NordVPN or Surfshark)
- Maximum privacy features matter (NordVPN has more: Double VPN, Onion over VPN)
Final Verdict
Rating: 4.6/5
ExpressVPN is excellent. Perfect streaming record, best app design, and unique TrustedServer technology. The 100% streaming success rate is a genuine differentiator that justifies the premium for heavy streamers.
But it's expensive. At $6.67/month, you're paying for polish and reliability. NordVPN at $3.99/month delivers 90% of the experience for 60% of the price. The extra $36/year buys you better Hulu/BBC iPlayer reliability and a cleaner experience.
Our recommendation: If streaming and ease-of-use are your top priorities, ExpressVPN is worth it. If you want the best value all-arounder, go NordVPN.