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ProtonVPN vs ExpressVPN

ProtonVPN logo

ProtonVPN

Software

High-speed Swiss VPN that safeguards your privacy

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ExpressVPN logo

ExpressVPN

Software

High-speed, secure, and anonymous VPN service

From
$6.67/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only ProtonVPN has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: ProtonVPN free plan limited to one device at a time; 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
  • They diverge on capability: ProtonVPN covers No-logs policy, ExpressVPN covers Lightway protocol.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which ProtonVPN and ExpressVPN actually diverge.

Attributes where ProtonVPN and ExpressVPN differ
AttributeProtonVPNExpressVPN
Starting priceFree$6.67/month
Pricing modelfreemiumsubscription
Free tierYesNo
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, AndroidWeb, Desktop, Mobile, Api
Founded20142009

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 ProtonVPN

  • No-logs policy
  • Secure Core
  • Kill Switch
  • DNS leak protection
  • Tor over VPN
  • NetShield ad-blocker
  • VPN Accelerator
  • Tor network

Only in ExpressVPN

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

Both cover

  • Split tunneling
  • AES-256 encryption
  • Perfect forward secrecy
  • Cloud deployment
  • Web support

What people use each for

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

ProtonVPN

  • Privacy-focused browsing without subscription costnot ExpressVPN
  • Multi-device protection with Plus plan supporting 10 devicesnot ExpressVPN
  • Integrated access to Proton email and cloud services via Unlimited plannot ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN

  • Vpnnot ProtonVPN
  • Privacynot ProtonVPN
  • Streamingnot ProtonVPN

Where each one falls short

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

ProtonVPN

  • Free plan limited to one device at a time
  • Free plan restricted to 10 countries with random selection
  • Pricing amounts not clearly published; shown as variable

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

Pricing, plan by plan

ProtonVPN

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the ProtonVPN review.

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

Which should you pick?

Choose ProtonVPN if

  • You need no-logs policy.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
  • You also want secure core.
ProtonVPN review

Choose ExpressVPN if

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

Questions people ask

Is ProtonVPN or ExpressVPN better?
Neither clearly leads. ProtonVPN starts at Free and ExpressVPN at $6.67/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, ProtonVPN or ExpressVPN?
ProtonVPN has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at Free for ProtonVPN and $6.67/month for ExpressVPN.
Does ProtonVPN or ExpressVPN run on more platforms?
ProtonVPN runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android. ExpressVPN runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api.
Can I use ProtonVPN for free?
Yes. ProtonVPN has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. ExpressVPN starts at $6.67/month.
What is ProtonVPN best used for?
ProtonVPN is most often used for privacy-focused browsing without subscription cost, multi-device protection with plus plan supporting 10 devices, integrated access to proton email and cloud services via unlimited plan. Of those, privacy-focused browsing without subscription cost and multi-device protection with plus plan supporting 10 devices are not what ExpressVPN is typically brought in for.
What can ProtonVPN do that ExpressVPN cannot?
ProtonVPN covers No-logs policy, Secure Core, Kill Switch, DNS leak protection. ExpressVPN covers Lightway protocol, TrustedServer technology, Network Lock kill switch, No activity logs. Both handle Split tunneling, AES-256 encryption, Perfect forward secrecy, Cloud deployment.
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