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ExpressVPN vs Signal

ExpressVPN logo

ExpressVPN

Software

High-speed, secure, and anonymous VPN service

From
$6.67/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
Signal logo

Signal

Software

Speak Freely

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only Signal has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: ExpressVPN the App Store listing (seller Expressco Services, LLC) states subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the billing period, and that any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited on purchase; Signal signal must be installed on a phone before the desktop app can be used, so there is no phone-free desktop-only account
  • They diverge on capability: ExpressVPN covers Lightway protocol, Signal covers End-to-end encryption.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ExpressVPN and Signal actually diverge.

Attributes where ExpressVPN and Signal differ
AttributeExpressVPNSignal
Starting price$6.67/monthFree
Pricing modelsubscriptionfree
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWeb, Desktop, Mobile, ApiWindows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android
Founded20092010

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in ExpressVPN

  • Lightway protocol
  • TrustedServer technology
  • Network Lock kill switch
  • Split tunneling
  • No activity logs
  • Private DNS
  • Speed test
  • MediaStreamer

Only in Signal

  • End-to-end encryption
  • Disappearing messages
  • Screen security
  • Group chats
  • Voice calls
  • Video calls
  • File sharing
  • No data collection

Both cover

  • Perfect forward secrecy
  • Cloud deployment

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

ExpressVPN

  • Vpnnot Signal
  • Privacynot Signal
  • Streamingnot Signal

Signal

  • Private messagingnot ExpressVPN
  • Secure group communicationnot ExpressVPN
  • Confidential conversationsnot ExpressVPN
  • Journalism communicationnot ExpressVPN
  • Family messagingnot ExpressVPN

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

ExpressVPN

  • The App Store listing (seller Expressco Services, LLC) states subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the billing period, and that any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited on purchase
  • The same listing caps a single ExpressVPN subscription at 14 simultaneous device connections

Signal

  • Signal must be installed on a phone before the desktop app can be used, so there is no phone-free desktop-only account

Pricing, plan by plan

ExpressVPN

$6.67/month
  • 1 Month$12.95/month
    • 8 devices
    • 94 countries
    • Unlimited bandwidth
  • 12 Months$6.67/month
    • All features
    • 3 months free
    • Best value
  • 6 Months$9.99/month
    • All features
    • 30-day guarantee

Signal

Free
  • FreeFree
    • End-to-end encrypted messaging
    • Voice and video calls
    • Group chats

Which should you pick?

Choose ExpressVPN if

  • You need lightway protocol.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api.
  • You also want trustedserver technology.
ExpressVPN review

Choose Signal if

  • You need end-to-end encryption.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
  • You also want disappearing messages.
Signal review

Questions people ask

Is ExpressVPN or Signal better?
Neither clearly leads. ExpressVPN starts at $6.67/month and Signal at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ExpressVPN or Signal?
Signal has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $6.67/month for ExpressVPN and Free for Signal.
Does ExpressVPN or Signal run on more platforms?
ExpressVPN runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api. Signal runs on Windows, Macos, Linux, Ios, Android.
Can I use Signal for free?
Yes. Signal has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ExpressVPN starts at $6.67/month.
What is ExpressVPN best used for?
ExpressVPN is most often used for vpn, privacy, streaming. Of those, vpn and privacy are not what Signal is typically brought in for.
What can ExpressVPN do that Signal cannot?
ExpressVPN covers Lightway protocol, TrustedServer technology, Network Lock kill switch, Split tunneling. Signal covers End-to-end encryption, Disappearing messages, Screen security, Group chats. Both handle Perfect forward secrecy, Cloud deployment.
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