ExpressVPN vs The Rest: The Overpriced King vs The Budget Beasts
A deep dive into ExpressVPN.
Let's cut the crap: ExpressVPN is the most overhyped, overpriced VPN on the market, and you're probably wasting money if you're not a total newbie or a corporate drone on an expense account.
I've been testing VPNs since the days when they were glorified proxies, and I almost lost a client in 2021 because NordVPN's server in Singapore crapped out during a critical demo. That's when I reluctantly tried ExpressVPN, and yeah, it worked—but at what cost? The UI is slick, but that's like praising a Ferrari for having nice cup holders when it costs twice as much as a Corvette that goes just as fast.
The Meat: Where ExpressVPN Actually Matters (And Where It Doesn't)
1. Speed vs Price: The Rip-off Reality
ExpressVPN's speeds are solid—I consistently get 85-90% of my base 300 Mbps connection on nearby servers. But here's the trash part: NordVPN and Surfshark hit the same numbers for half the price. ExpressVPN charges $12.95/month on the monthly plan, which is highway robbery. I tested this for a month while editing 4K footage remotely, and the difference was negligible. If you're not doing high-frequency trading or competitive gaming, you're just burning cash for the logo.
2. The Annoyance That Drives Me Nuts
ExpressVPN's kill switch is a ticking time bomb. On Windows, if you switch networks (e.g., from Wi-Fi to Ethernet), it sometimes "forgets" to re-engage, leaving you exposed for a solid 10-15 seconds. I caught this during a public Wi-Fi session at an airport—my IP leaked briefly before the app woke up. For a "premium" service, that's unacceptable. I spent 20 minutes digging through settings to find a vague "network protection" toggle that did nothing. Rant over, but this is the kind of detail that separates real reviews from marketing fluff.
3. Server Network: Quantity vs Quality
ExpressVPN has servers in 105 countries, which sounds impressive until you realize many are virtual locations (not physical servers). In practice, NordVPN's 5,800+ servers in 60 countries often feel more reliable for streaming and torrenting. I tried accessing BBC iPlayer from the US: ExpressVPN worked on the third try, while Surfshark nailed it on the first. For a service that costs 30% more, that's embarrassing.
💡 Pro Tip: If you're buying ExpressVPN, NEVER get the monthly plan. The annual plan drops the effective price to $6.67/month, which is still high but less insane. Use a cashback site or wait for Black Friday—they often run 49% off deals that make it almost reasonable.
The Data: Raw Comparison Table
| Feature | ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Surfshark | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $12.95 (rip-off) | $12.99 | $15.45 | $9.99 |
| Annual Price (Effective/Month) | $6.67 | $4.99 | $2.49 (killer deal) | $5.99 |
| Max Devices | 8 | 10 | Unlimited (beast) | 10 |
| Server Countries | 105 | 60 | 100 | 91 |
| Streaming Support | Excellent (Netflix, iPlayer, etc.) | Excellent | Very Good | Good (weaker on Hulu) |
| Kill Switch Reliability | Flaky on network changes | Rock-solid | Solid | Excellent |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
The Verdict
Buy ExpressVPN if you're a paranoid journalist, a corporate user with zero budget constraints, or someone who values a stupid-simple interface above all else. Otherwise, avoid it like the plague. For everyone else: Get Surfshark if you're on a tight budget and need unlimited devices—it's a beast for families. Choose NordVPN if you want the best balance of speed, features, and price. I've used NordVPN for two years now, and aside from that one Singapore blip, it's been flawless. Stop overpaying for hype.
