ExpressVPN vs ProtonVPN
- ✦ Lightway protocol
- ✦ 3000+ servers
- ✦ Split tunneling
- ✦ Open source
- ✦ Swiss jurisdiction
- ✦ Tor over VPN
ExpressVPN and ProtonVPN are both VPN tools. ExpressVPN starts at $12.99/mo, ProtonVPN at $9.99/mo. Compare features, pricing, and ratings below to find the best fit for your team.
When to Choose ExpressVPN vs ProtonVPN
The question that matters: “In what situation will I regret choosing A over B after 3 months?”
Split tunneling keeps local bandwidth free for encoding while Lightway handles the broadcast stream, cutting frame drops from 12% to under 2% in long sessions.
Router support encrypts traffic from all connected test devices simultaneously, while Kill Switch blocks accidental unencrypted runs if the connection drops mid-test.
DNS Leak Protection routes every query through the selected exit node, keeping regional resolution tests free of home-ISP contamination across 15+ country deployments.
Secure Core masks location and ISP metadata through hardened Swiss servers, while Tor over VPN protects access to encrypted tip lines in hostile jurisdictions.
Pricing Comparison & PlansHigh· Verified May 30, 2026
ExpressVPN Plans
Paid plans only
Basic - 1 Month
$13/mo- ✓VPN access
- ✓Fast global servers (105+ countries)
- ✓Strong security features
- ✓Split tunneling
- ✓Ad and malicious site blocker
Advanced - 1 Month
$14/mo- ✓VPN access
- ✓Advanced Protection
- ✓ExpressKeys password manager
- ✓Identity Defender
- ✓Ad and malicious site blocker
Pro - 1 Month
$20/mo- ✓VPN access
- ✓Advanced Protection
- ✓Identity Defender
- ✓Dedicated IP address
- ✓ExpressKeys password manager
Basic - 1 Year
$4.99/mo- ✓VPN access
- ✓Fast global servers (105+ countries)
- ✓Strong security features
- ✓Split tunneling
- ✓Ad and malicious site blocker
Basic - 2 Years
$2.44/mo- ✓VPN access
- ✓Fast global servers (105+ countries)
- ✓Strong security features
- ✓Split tunneling
- ✓Ad and malicious site blocker
Advanced - 1 Year
$5.99/mo- ✓VPN access
- ✓Advanced Protection
- ✓ExpressKeys password manager
- ✓Identity Defender
- ✓Ad and malicious site blocker
Advanced - 2 Years
$3.59/mo- ✓VPN access
- ✓Advanced Protection
- ✓ExpressKeys password manager
- ✓Identity Defender
- ✓Ad and malicious site blocker
Pro - 1 Year
$8.99/mo- ✓VPN access
- ✓Advanced Protection
- ✓Identity Defender
- ✓Dedicated IP address
- ✓ExpressKeys password manager
Pro - 2 Years
$5.99/mo- ✓VPN access
- ✓Advanced Protection
- ✓Identity Defender
- ✓Dedicated IP address
- ✓ExpressKeys password manager
ProtonVPN Plans
Free tier available
Free
FreeBest for: You get 3 server locations, 1 device, No logs, No bandwidth limit
- ✓100+ servers in 5 countries
- ✓1 device connection
- ✓Strict no-logs policy
- ✓Unlimited bandwidth and data
- ✓No ads
VPN Plus
$9.99/moBest for: 9000+ servers, 10 devices, P2P, Streaming, Tor over VPN
- ✓8600+ servers in 110+ countries
- ✓10 simultaneous device connections
- ✓NetShield Ad-blocker & Malware protection
- ✓High-speed streaming support
- ✓P2P/BitTorrent support
Proton Unlimited
$13/mo- ✓All VPN Plus features
- ✓500 GB total storage
- ✓Proton Mail (15 email aliases)
- ✓Proton Calendar (20 calendars)
- ✓Proton Drive (secure cloud storage)
Capability Breakdown
3 differences found across 15 standardized features
- •Lightway protocol
- •3000+ servers
- •Split tunneling
- •Kill switch
- •DNS leak protection
- •No-logs policy
- •Router support
- •MediaStreamer
- •Open source
- •Swiss jurisdiction
- •Tor over VPN
- •Secure Core servers
- •No-logs policy
- •Free tier
- •NetShield
- •Kill switch
Strengths & Limitations
Evaluative strengths and weaknesses: not feature lists
- +Proprietary Lightway protocol offers superior speed and reliability
- +TrustedServer tech runs servers on RAM only, wiping data on reboot
- +Consistently unblocks major streaming platforms like Netflix and BBC iPlayer
- +Extensive router support with custom firmware for easy setup
- +Independently audited no-logs policy by PwC and Cure53
- −Higher price point than many top-tier competitors like NordVPN or Surfshark
- −Limited to 8 simultaneous device connections, fewer than some rivals
- −No dedicated IP address option available for users who need a static IP
- −Advanced configuration options are limited for power users
- −Owned by Kape Technologies, which has a controversial history
- +Based in Switzerland with strong privacy laws
- +Independently audited, open-source apps build trust
- +Secure Core routes traffic through multiple servers
- +Generous free plan with no data limits or ads
- +NetShield blocks malware, ads, and trackers
- −Free plan servers can be slow and congested
- −No 24/7 live chat support, only email/ticket system
- −Smaller server network than top competitors (4,900+ vs 6,000-10,000+)
- −Connection speeds can be inconsistent on some servers
- −Premium plans are more expensive than many rivals
At a Glance
Recent Price History
ExpressVPN added a new "Advanced - 1 Month" plan at $13.99/mo
Plan added · May 30, 2026
ExpressVPN removed the "1 Month" plan
Plan removed · May 30, 2026
ExpressVPN added a new "Basic - 1 Year" plan (Custom pricing)
Plan added · May 30, 2026
ExpressVPN added a new "Pro - 2 Years" plan (Custom pricing)
Plan added · May 30, 2026
ExpressVPN added a new "Basic - 1 Month" plan at $12.99/mo
Plan added · May 30, 2026
ProtonVPN raised "VPN Plus" from $4.99 to $9.99/mo (100%)
Price change · May 21, 2026
ProtonVPN added a new "Proton Unlimited" plan at $12.99/mo
Plan added · May 21, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Related Comparisons
Sources & Data Trail · ExpressVPN
- 1.Official Pricing Page·Source of verified tiers(Checked: 2026-05-30)
- 2.Official Website·Official vendor website
- 3.G2·G2 verified reviews · 4.7/5 · 1,200 reviews
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Sources & Data Trail · ProtonVPN
- 1.Official Pricing Page·Source of verified tiers(Checked: 2026-05-21)
- 2.Official Website·Official vendor website
- 3.G2·G2 verified reviews · 4.3/5 · 5 reviews
- 4.Capterra·Capterra verified reviews · 4.6/5
- 5.TrustRadius·TrustRadius verified reviews