The Best ExpressVPN Alternative for 2024: Premium VPN Services at a Lower Cost
ExpressVPN offers excellent VPN services, but it also comes with a premium price tag. If you’re looking for something more pocket-friendly, there are a few options out there. We did the legwork for you and found five of the best ExpressVPN alternatives. Read the guide to learn more.
Written by Arjun Ruparelia (Writer)
Reviewed by Sandra Pattison (Writer, Editor)
Facts checked by Jasna Mishevska (Lead Fact-Checking Editor)
Last Updated: 2024-09-30T21:03:11+00:00
All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.
Key Takeaways: Read more
- NordVPN — Best VPN overall with great speeds, advanced features and affordable pricing. NordVPN is available at a 73% discount and offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Surfshark — Best VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections. You can sign up for Surfshark with a 86% discount and use the 30-day money-back guarantee if you change your mind.
- CyberGhost — User-friendly interface.
- Windscribe — Generous free plan.
- Private Internet Access — More extra features than ExpressVPN.
Facts and Expert Analysis: The Best ExpressVPN Alternative
- ExpressVPN is one of our favorite VPNs. However, if you find it expensive, you could consider selecting one of the best alternatives to ExpressVPN.
- NordVPN is the best alternative to ExpressVPN because it offers a similar feature set and better performance for less than half the price.
- Consider Windscribe if you’re looking for a free alternative to ExpressVPN.
ExpressVPN is one of the best virtual private networks available. It has an excellent feature portfolio, top-notch security and blazing-fast connection speeds. We’ve seen ExpressVPN perform consistently well during our tests. So, why would anyone want an ExpressVPN alternative? Well, ExpressVPN comes with a major downside — its premium price tag.
ExpressVPN is one of the easiest VPNs to use, and when selecting an ExpressVPN alternative, you may trade off user-friendliness for a lower price tag. However, some alternatives, like our top pick, NordVPN, do offer features you won’t find on ExpressVPN.
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09/05/2022
Updated Windscribe pricing: the paid plan increased to $5.75 per month from $4.08. The Build-a-Plan minimum purchase also increased to $3 from $2. Also updated Windscribe’s free data cap to 15GB due to it offering 5GB extra permanently when you tweet about the service.
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10/23/2023
Updated the article to reflect ExpressVPN’s recent increase of 5 simultaneous connections to 8.
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10/01/2024
We refreshed these rankings based on the latest VPN testing and market analysis.
Top Alternatives to ExpressVPN
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Average speedDownload Speed89 MbpsUpload Speed9 MbpsLatency7 ms - 2
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Average speedDownload Speed96 MbpsUpload Speed9 MbpsLatency111 ms - 3
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Average speedDownload Speed75 MbpsUpload Speed9 MbpsLatency42 ms - 4
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- : PayPal, Credit card, Amazon, Paygarden, Apple Pay, Google Pay
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Average speedDownload Speed92 MbpsUpload Speed9 MbpsLatency3 ms
What Makes the Best ExpressVPN Alternative?
The VPN services mentioned in this article make excellent ExpressVPN alternatives either because they offer similar performance or features that ExpressVPN lacks. Also, all virtual private networks listed in this roundup cost less than ExpressVPN.
Many of the top VPN services manage to beat ExpressVPN in several aspects, like the number of simultaneous connections and options on the user interface.
Achieve Online Privacy and Security Even as a VPN Novice
- Comprehend the essential role a VPN plays in safeguarding your digital life
- Gain a deep understanding of how VPNs function under the hood
- Develop the ability to distinguish fact from fiction in VPN promotions
All ExpressVPN alternatives listed here offer excellent security and have a strict no-logs policy. You can’t go wrong with any ExpressVPN alternative in this guide, but you should select a service based on your needs. For instance, if you need a VPN for online anonymity while torrenting, you might want to select a VPN like NordVPN or Private Internet Access.
We talk about how each of the ExpressVPN alternatives we’ve picked offers something better than ExpressVPN in addition to a lower price.
The 5 Best ExpressVPN Alternatives
Before you pick an alternative, you probably want to learn more about the VPN providers. Below, we discuss what problem you can solve by selecting a certain ExpressVPN alternative and a quick overview of what else the alternative offers.
1. NordVPN — Best ExpressVPN Alternative
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
NordVPN is the best ExpressVPN alternative. Our recent speed tests show that NordVPN is the fastest VPN around and beats ExpressVPN.
You don’t need to worry about security or privacy either. NordVPN is one of the most secure VPNs out there, with a strict no-logs policy. You also get all the essential features on NordVPN like unlimited bandwidth and a kill switch. NordVPN also offers an assortment of other features as we discuss in our NordVPN review.
Specialty Servers
You also get four types of specialty servers, including double VPN, which splits traffic between two VPN tunnels; Onion over VPN, which combines the security of the Tor network with VPN (the reason NordVPN is the best VPN for Tor). P2P servers support high-speed P2P sharing and obfuscated servers help conceal VPN usage and bypass VPN-blocking firewalls.
Additionally, you can access dedicated IP servers provided you pay for a dedicated IP address. Learn more about how the two services compare in our NordVPN vs ExpressVPN throw down.
You get a very similar feature set and performance with NordVPN even though it costs almost half the price of ExpressVPN. Of course, the best value plan (the two-year plan) is longer than ExpressVPN’s best value plan (the one-year plan). If you don’t mind the longer subscription period, NordVPN is one of the best ExpressVPN alternatives. You can also take it for a spin with its 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re not ready to commit.
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
- *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
- Unlimited GB
- 10
- Yes
2. Surfshark — Best Budget ExpressVPN Alternative
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Very Fast
Good
Surfshark hasn’t been around for as long as other VPNs on the list. However, the VPN service has grown considerably in the recent past. It now includes a few features that give Surfshark a clear advantage over ExpressVPN.
For instance, while both Surfshark and ExpressVPN offer app-based split tunneling, Surfshark also offers URL-based split tunneling. If you like using the VPN only for select websites, URL-based split tunneling can come in handy.
However, Surfshark’s split tunneling feature isn’t available on Mac, Linux or iOS, so this benefit is only applicable to Windows and Android users. Learn more about how the two services compare in our Surfshark vs ExpressVPN comparison.
Unlimited Simultaneous Connections
ExpressVPN allows up to eight simultaneous connections, while Surfshark allows as many as you’d like. Combine that with the fact that Surfshark has no bandwidth limits and offers good connection speeds, and you’ve got a fairly cost-effective service provider. Need more information on Surfshark? Give our thorough Surfshark review a read.
Surfshark’s long-term options are already priced at quite affordable rates, and with all the essentials like excellent security features, unlimited bandwidth and unlimited simultaneous connections, it’s one of the best ExpressVPN alternatives if you’re looking to minimize the cost. You can also try Surfshark yourself risk-free with its 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Unlimited GB bandwidth, Unlimited devices, Secure VPN, Ad blocker, Cookie pop-up blocker. Plans renew: $231.75 for one year, $417.15 for two years
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
- Everything in Starter, plus Antivirus protection, Identity protection, Email Breach and Credit Card Alerts, Online Alias Plans renew: $239.25 for one year, $430.65 for two years.
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Everything in One, plus Data removal Plans renew: $269.25 for one year, $404.65 for two years
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
3. CyberGhost
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Fast
CyberGhost beats ExpressVPN on several fronts. For instance, CyberGhost offers seven simultaneous connections compared to eight on ExpressVPN. Both VPNs offer similar security features like a kill switch and DNS leak protection, but they differ in one key feature — split tunneling.
ExpressVPN has app-based split tunneling. On the other hand, split tunneling on CyberGhost is called “smart rules.” You can set rules for a list of selected websites for which you don’t want to use VPN protection.
For instance, you can continue gaming via your low-latency, unprotected internet connection, while using the CyberGhost VPN client to download a file from the internet. You can also set up automated actions using smart rules. Learn more about how it works in our CyberGhost review.
User-Friendly Interface
CyberGhost and ExpressVPN have a similar design on the surface. When you launch either VPN software, you’ll see a power button for activating the VPN connection. You’ll also see a list of servers you can choose from. This is where CyberGhost goes a step further.
On ExpressVPN, you get a separate window for selecting a server, which displays a few recommended server locations, a search bar and the option to view all servers.
On the other hand, CyberGhost also shows you your distance from each server location and its server load, and allows you to sort the list based on both parameters too. Learn more about how the two services compare in our guide on CyberGhost vs ExpressVPN.
CyberGhost’s best value is the three-year plan, and you usually get free months on top of that too. The subscription length is a little longer than others on the list, but you can always start with a trial and claim a full refund using the 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re not fully satisfied. Read our CyberGhost alternative guide to learn more.
- *The 2-year plan includes 4-months free which breaks down the 56.94 t0 $2.03 per month. *The price under the 2-year plan is billed yearly after the first two years.
- Unlimited GB
- 7
- Yes
4. Windscribe
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
If you’re looking for a free VPN service, Windscribe is the best you’ll find on the internet. Typically, free VPNs are unreliable, insecure and slow. Windscribe is none of those things. In fact, Windscribe’s logging policy is one of the most transparent VPN policies around.
Windscribe offers top-notch security that’s comparable to ExpressVPN with most standard security protocols (OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, Stealth and Websocket Stealth) and AES-256 encryption. Speaking of connection speeds, our latest tests confirm that Windscribe is one of the fastest VPNs around. Windscribe also has an excellent browser extension that you can learn more about in our Windscribe review.
Generous Free Plan
The free version offers almost everything you’d expect from a paid VPN service, except that it puts a 15GB per month cap on data and offers server locations in 10 countries once you confirm your email address. Even with those limitations, Windscribe’s free plan is one of the most generous you’ll find among free VPNs.
There’s also a flexible build-a-plan option that you can use to fill in these gaps. The option lets you remove the data cap for $1 per month and add server locations for $1 each, with a minimum checkout value of $3. You can also choose from one of its paid plans. The best value plan, the yearly plan, costs $5.75 per month — still cheaper than ExpressVPN.
- Up to 15 GB free with email confirmation and Tweet
- 15GB
- Unlimited
- Unlimited GB
- Unlimited
- Yes
5. Private Internet Access
Very Fast
Very Fast
Very Fast
Private Internet Access (PIA) offers 10 simultaneous connections — twice as many as ExpressVPN. Considering it also costs a lot less, the price per user is reduced significantly. PIA also sports a sleeker interface that shows a lot more information than ExpressVPN in the expanded view, including the connection time and bandwidth usage.
PIA also adds an extra layer of security to the VPN tunnel by allowing you to use a SOCKS5 or Shadowsocks proxy. Using a proxy provides a secure connection without as significant an impact on the performance as a double VPN. Learn more about how PIA compares with ExpressVPN in our PIA vs ExpressVPN guide.
More Extra Features Than ExpressVPN
By “extra,” we’re referring to features that a VPN service could function without but are nice to have. In addition to a regular kill switch, PIA also offers an advanced kill switch that disallows any web traffic unless the VPN connection is active.
With PIA, you also get access to MACE. It’s an ad blocker, but it’s more efficient than most because it doesn’t need to look at your blocklist before denying a DNS request — learn how that works in our guide to DNS records. Plus, you don’t need to install any extensions on the browser when using the desktop or mobile app. Find out more about what PIA offers in our Private Internet Access review.
PIA’s best value option, the two-year plan, is a great deal. Though there are several fronts where ExpressVPN beats PIA, the price and the added feature set might appeal to you if you’re looking for a good, low-cost VPN service. Of course, you can try PIA out with its 30-day money-back guarantee to see how it works before committing to a long-term plan.
- **$56.94 for the first two years, and yearly thereafter
- 10
- Yes
Why Is ExpressVPN Good?
ExpressVPN isn’t just good; it’s one of the best VPNs out there. It goes above and beyond the basic VPN features and performance in almost all aspects. For instance, it’s one of the most secure VPNs and has the Lightway protocol, its proprietary security protocol that offers an excellent combination of speed and security. However, ExpressVPN is costly. Learn more in our ExpressVPN review.
Final Thoughts
ExpressVPN is one of the better VPNs. Still, that doesn’t mean you should just blindly choose this provider, as there are many others that can match and beat ExpressVPN in terms of security, online privacy and performance.
NordVPN is our top pick, thanks to its speedy performance and rock-solid security. Experience the power of NordVPN yourself, risk-free, with the assurance that you can get your money back within 30 days if you’re not completely satisfied.
Have you used ExpressVPN before and then switched to a different service? How was your experience? Let us know in the comments below, and as always, thanks for reading.
FAQ
Yes, Windscribe is a great free alternative to ExpressVPN. There are a few limitations, like a 15GB data cap and access to server locations in 10 countries; however, you’ll still have a secure connection, so you won’t need to worry about online safety. You’ll also have excellent speeds for streaming or other online activities.
Our tests reveal that NordVPN is the best VPN service out there. It has best-in-class features and consistently performs well on our tests.
ExpressVPN is not owned by China. The VPN service was acquired in 2021 by Kape Technologies, a U.K.-based adware company.
If your budget allows for it, you should certainly consider ExpressVPN. It offers secure servers to protect online data, fast connection speeds and seamless access to geoblocked websites like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video by hiding your real IP address.