VyprVPN vs ExpressVPN: Which Will Serve You Best in 2023?
ExpressVPN has been the best VPN on the market for a long time. In comparison, VyprVPN has been a mid-table VPN provider, but the latest updates have improved its performance. Find out if it has toppled the industry-leading VPN in our ExpressVPN vs VyprVPN comparison.
— Last Updated: 2023-04-12T08:33:51+00:00 Facts checked by Elisabeth Ivey
ExpressVPN is the Floyd Mayweather of the VPN world — regardless of the competitor you pit it against, you expect it to win. While that’s always the case, the challenger can be tricky and feisty (or just very popular on the internet). Think Logan Paul. Our ExpressVPN vs VyprVPN is kind of like the Mayweather vs Logan Paul exhibition fight.
Even though we know which one is the clear winner, we can’t rule out VyprVPN. The app’s revamp, new pricing model and modern protocols have reinforced VyprVPN’s position as one of the top VPN services. In comparison, ExpressVPN launched the Lightway protocol that has significantly improved its speeds.
Key Takeaways:
- ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN, and VyprVPN can’t match its download speeds.
- VyprVPN is more expensive than ExpressVPN, but we take the value for your money into consideration. Still, ExpressVPN might be slightly ahead on this front.
- Overall, ExpressVPN beats VyprVPN , but they are equal in security and privacy.
In this detailed ExpressVPN vs VyprVPN comparison, we will run the VPNs through our testing to see just how well ExpressVPN holds up compared to another solid service. Read on for the nitty-gritty details.
-
10/17/2021 Facts checked
We’ve updated this review to reflect the changing ExpressVPN and VyprVPN performances on speed, security and privacy and ease of use fronts. We’ve also added new areas of focus to help you get a better view of the VPNs’ streaming, torrenting, server locations and customer support performances.
Yes, VyprVPN is good. Although it’s not quite as good as ExpressVPN, that doesn’t mean it’s a fly-by-night VPN. It’s reliable in its own right and even matched ExpressVPN’s performance in the all-important security and privacy category.
Yes, VyprVPN is safe. It offers secure VPN protocols, including the Chameleon VPN protocol, and uses AES-256 as the default encryption.
No. VyprVPN loses to ExpressVPN in terms of speed, features and streaming, but it’s still a great VPN and just as secure.
ExpressVPN vs VyprVPN: VPN Providers Compared
Before the two contenders enter the boxing ring, we have to outline the rules of the bout. This is a nine-round fray, where we’ll be comparing them in key areas like features, speed, security and cost.
We’ll put both VPNs through the wringer to compare how they perform in each round, and the provider that comes out on top will get a point. In case of a tie, both providers will get one. Lastly, we’ll tally the scores, and the VPN with the most points will be the overall winner. Let’s jump in.
- 1
- : PayPal, Credit card, Bitcoin, PaymentWall
- : 5
- :
- :
- :
- :
Average speedDownload Speed91 MbpsUpload Speed9 MbpsLatency7 ms - 2
- : PayPal, Credit card
- : 30
- :
- :
- :
- :
1. Speed
A virtual private network (VPN) encrypts your traffic to keep you secure online. In doing so, it slows down your internet speed, but the impact varies. The best VPN providers mitigate that speed slowdown, keeping it to a bare minimum.
ExpressVPN has done this so well that it perennially ranks as the fastest VPN service. The launch of the box-fresh Lightway protocol has further cemented ExpressVPN’s position, thanks to its blazing-fast speeds, reliability and consistency.
VyprVPN, on the other hand, has had issues with inconsistent and slow download speeds in the past. The new Chameleon VPN protocol has partly solved those issues, but has it done enough to surpass ExpressVPN’s performance? We did a batch of speed tests to determine how the two VPN providers compare.
To keep everything fair, we tested the services using the OpenVPN protocol — which is an option with both ExpressVPN and VyprVPN. We also did another speed test using their respective proprietary Lightway and Chameleon protocols.
ExpressVPN vs VyprVPN Speed Test: OpenVPN
On average, VyprVPN has a surprisingly slender advantage over ExpressVPN. It had the best ping rate, download speed and upload speeds. However, the average scores don’t tell the whole story.
ExpressVPN matched or exceeded our unprotected download speeds in three locations, which is superb. It beat VyprVPN in all the servers we tested, except for the U.K. server, which proved to be the bane of its performance with a dismal 1.44 Mbps.
None of VyprVPN’s locations matched or topped our unprotected speed, though it beat ExpressVPN’s upload speed in most locations. You can check out our VPN speed comparison to learn more.
ExpressVPN vs VyprVPN Speed Test: Lightway and Chameleon Protocols
As far as proprietary protocols go, the Chameleon protocol couldn’t match ExpressVPN’s Lightway download speeds. Our ExpressVPN speed tests reveal that the new protocol slows down your download traffic by an insignificant 0.3% compared to VyprVPN’s 11%.
Lightway nearly matched our unprotected download speeds in all server locations. More than that, it delivered almost two times faster upload speeds than Chameleon.
VyprVPN displayed an unlikely edge over ExpressVPN on our OpenVPN speed test. However, Lightway successfully vanquished Chameleon’s performance to reclaim ExpressVPN’s position as the fastest VPN in the industry. In addition, ExpressVPN establishes VPN connections instantly, and it’s no doubt the winner here.
2. Features
Beyond speed, you also need to examine the VPN features your ideal service provides. The good thing is that ExpressVPN and VyprVPN cover the basics pretty well. They have all the essential features you’d expect from a VPN, including a kill switch, automatic startup options, secure VPN protocols and multiple device compatibility.
However, the two providers show some differences in the way these features work. In addition, they flesh out that core with unique advanced features and nice-to-have tools.
Internet Kill Switch
ExpressVPN’s “network lock” is a kill switch in its purest form in that it cuts your internet traffic when the VPN connection drops. Beyond that, the kill switch gives you an option to enable access to local devices on your network like file servers and printers when the VPN is enabled.
Out of the box, VyprVPN’s kill switch does the same job as ExpressVPN’s. You can also set the kill switch to remain active even when you close the VPN app, and you won’t have internet access unless the VPN is enabled.
VyprVPN has an additional kill switch setting that blocks all LAN traffic. This makes your device invisible to other network users and devices — a handy security measure when using public or unsecured WiFi.
Advanced Features
ExpressVPN offers an in-app split tunneling feature, which is available only with a few VPNs. You can use split tunneling on any device, including Windows, Mac, Android, iOS and routers. VyprVPN, by contrast, offers split tunneling on Android and Mac devices only.
Beyond that, each provider has a unique set of nice-to-have features. ExpressVPN has a DNS service called MediaStreamer that should help with streaming — it helps spoof your location on devices that don’t support a VPN. VyprVPN offers a DNS service of its own, called VyprDNS.
VyprVPN also boasts a NAT firewall — an advanced security feature that stops uninvited inbound traffic from reaching your network. Another nice touch is VyprVPN’s malware blocker, which blocks malicious websites that might infect your device with spyware or viruses. Unfortunately, though, the feature is only available on Android and Mac devices.
On the number of available features, the two contenders seem evenly matched. However, when you consider the availability of the features on different platforms, ExpressVPN has the edge. For this reason, ExpressVPN wins this category.
 |  | |
|---|---|---|
| $6.66 / month(All Plans) 30-days money-back guarantee | $5 / month(All Plans) 30-days money-back guarantee | |
| Review | Review | |
| General | ||
| Payment methods | PayPal, Credit card, Bitcoin, PaymentWall | PayPal, Credit card |
| Accepts cryptocurrency | ||
| Simultaneous connections | 5 | 30 |
| Supports split tunneling | on mobile devices | |
| Unlimited bandwidth | ||
| Free trial available | 7 days (mobile only) | |
| Refund period | ||
| Worldwide server amount | 3,000+ servers in 94 countries | 700+ in 60 countries |
| Desktop OSes | Windows, MacOS, Linux | Windows, MacOS |
| Mobile OSes | Android, iOS | Android, iOS |
| Browser extensions | Chrome, Firefox, Edge | Chrome |
| Can be installed on routers | ||
| Streaming | ||
| Can access Netflix US | ||
| Can access BBC iPlayer | ||
| Can access Hulu | ||
| Can access Amazon Prime Video | ||
| Security | ||
| Encryption types | 256-AES, ChaCha20 | 256-AES |
| VPN protocols available | OpenVPN, IKEv2, Lightway | OpenVPN, Chameleon, IKEv2, WireGuard |
| Enabled at device startup | ||
| Allows torrenting | ||
| No-logging policy | ||
| Passed DNS leak test | ||
| Killswitch available | ||
| Malware/ad blocker included | on mobile devices | |
| Support | ||
| Live Chat | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Email support | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Phone support | ||
| User forum | ||
| Knowledgebase |
3. Pricing
With speed and features ticked off, it’s time to check how much you pay to use the services. Nobody wants to spend their money on something that isn’t worth it. On that note, both ExpressVPN and VyprVPN offer great value for your money. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re in the same price echelon.
ExpressVPN offers three pricing plans — one-month, six-month and one-year plans. On the other hand, VyprVPN offers a monthly and yearly plan.
ExpressVPN vs VyprVPN Cost
On a monthly rate, ExpressVPN is quite expensive, costing $12.95 per month. However, the premium package gets more pocket-friendly when you go for extended plans. The six-month plan sets you back $9.99 per month, whereas the one-year plan costs $8.32 per month and gives you three extra months for free, bringing the per-month cost down to $6.66.
- Unlimited GB
- 5
- Yes
VyprVPN’s one-month plan costs a whopping $15. Its annual subscription brings the cost down a little, but it’s still steep — $8.33 per month .
- Unlimited GB
- 30
- Unlimited GB
- 30
- Includes 3 Users, $99 per year per additional user, Multiple User Management. Global Business Servers, Dedicated Account Manager
- Unlimited GB
- 3
- Includes 3 Users $99 per year per additional user, Multiple User Management, Your own dedicated server, Fast and easy deployment
- Unlimited GB
- 3
In terms of payment options, ExpressVPN accepts credit cards, PayPal, WebMoney, anonymous bitcoin payment and regional payment systems. VyprVPN accepts only PayPal and credit card payments.
ExpressVPN and VyprVPN Money-Back Guarantee Policies
ExpressVPN offers a seven-day free trial on iOS and Android apps. You can also take ExpressVPN for a spin risk-free, thanks to its 30-day money-back guarantee. VyprVPN offers only a three-day free trial on mobile, but offers a 30-day money-back guarantee in case you need more time to make a decision.
ExpressVPN and VyprVPN are both on the higher end of the pricing spectrum. Still, ExpressVPN supports more payment options, has a longer free trial on mobile and is a little cheaper, so we don’t think VyprVPN has enough under its belt to cancel out ExpressVPN’s lead. Consequently, ExpressVPN is the winner of this round (read our Surfshark vs ExpressVPN to see how it compares to an affordable provider).
4. Security & Privacy
A VPN can be fast, affordable and packed with usability features, but if it doesn’t come with the essential privacy and security features, it’s worth brushing aside.
As mentioned earlier, both ExpressVPN and VyprVPN come with a kill switch — a critical part of the VPN security jigsaw puzzle. Beyond that, they have secure VPN protocols, a no-logging policy, various encryption types and leak protection.
VPN Protocols
In terms of VPN protocols, both services support OpenVPN, a very secure protocol that works great on nearly all platforms. Alternatively, you can choose IKEv2 — which is great for faster mobile connections — on either VPN service, as well as the less-secure L2TP/IPsec (but you should only use it as a last resort).
Both VyprVPN and ExpressVPN have proprietary protocols in addition to those listed above. ExpressVPN Lightway is a lightweight and open-source protocol that delivers faster speeds and reliability. VyprVPN’s Chameleon protocol adds an obfuscation layer and scrambles metadata to improve security (especially effective for bypassing China’s Great Firewall).
Encryption Protocols
In terms of an encryption type, ExpressVPN supports AES-256 encryption (the gold standard of VPN encryption) on all VPN protocols to deliver top-notch security. Chacha20 is an option only with the Lightway protocol. It brings the security benefits of AES-256 but has the added advantage of being faster on mobile and better able to handle network changes than its counterpart.
VyprVPN uses AES-256-CBC encryption to deliver top-grade security on all but one of its protocols. The only exception is the WireGuard protocol, which utilizes ChaCha20 encryption.
We tested ExpressVPN and VyprVPN protocols for DNS leaks and they all came out clean.
VyprVPN vs ExpressVPN No Logs Policies
In addition to providing solid security, both ExpressVPN and VyprVPN care about your digital privacy. They adhere to a strict no-logging policy and have a clean past without a server breach or user data logging scandals.
The Leviathan security group audited the VyprVPN no-log policy and gave it the seal of approval. That means the provider is true to the words in its privacy policy. Put precisely, VyprVPN doesn’t collect, store or share a user’s IP address, connection logs, connection timestamps or records of online activity.
In addition, both companies were founded in privacy-friendly jurisdictions. VyprVPN’s parent company — Golden Frog — is based in Switzerland, one of the best countries when it comes to privacy laws. ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, a privacy haven that’s outside of Five, Nine and 14 Eyes surveillance alliances.
That said, Kape Technologies’ acquisition of ExpressVPN has caused a stir among the privacy-conscious folks. Kape has a shady past and has been recently buying up VPNs; in addition to ExpressVPN, Kape Technologies owns Private Internet Access, CyberGhost, ZenMate VPN and more.
We can only hope that Kape Technologies’ acquisition won’t blemish the good privacy reputation ExpressVPN has maintained for years. So far so good: ExpressVPN’s privacy track record is as clean as it was before the acquisition. We’ll keep an eye out for developments emanating from the acquisition and report any privacy lapses at first sight.
There’s nothing to separate the two providers in this category, so a tie is a fair result. They offer secure protocols and encryption, and they strictly follow their no-log policy. Even after the Kape acquisition, there’s nothing in ExpressVPN’s past to cause it to lose a mark in this round.
5. Streaming
Excellent speeds, unlimited bandwidth and the ability to get into streaming platforms are the hallmarks of the best VPN for streaming. ExpressVPN ticks all these boxes, and for this reason, it’s our number one VPN for streaming. Let’s see how VyprVPN compares.
Supported Streaming Services
ExpressVPN is a streaming juggernaut, with an unparalleled ability to get into any streaming service. It unblocks nearly all Netflix libraries, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu and others without a hassle. Moreover, videos load instantly and streaming is buffering-free, especially when you use the Lightway protocol.
VyprVPN is good for streaming, but it’s not quite on the same level as ExpressVPN. Its performance across streaming services is a mixed bag. While it gets you into BBC iPlayer, Netflix and Amazon Prime Video, it doesn’t work with Hulu. Its slow speed causes videos to take too long to load, and when they do, there’s constant buffering.
ExpressVPN is the quintessential streaming VPN and is the undisputed winner in this round. Its performance, from unblocking streaming services to loading and streaming videos, is without equal.
Therefore, it’s no surprise that ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Netflix, best VPN for BBC iPlayer and other platforms. VyprVPN comes a distant second in this category and its dismal performance boils down to the slow download speeds.
6. Torrenting
Like streaming, torrenting requires fast download speeds and uncapped bandwidth. In addition, because of the risks involved, the VPN should also be secure enough to shield you from potential cyberattacks and to stop ISPs from discovering your activity. Our best VPN for torrenting, ExpressVPN, ticks these boxes, thanks to its entire server network being optimized for torrenting.
However, although VyprVPN doesn’t come with torrenting-optimized servers, it still performs admirably. Both VPNs are secure, but ExpressVPN has a leg up in the form of super-fast download speeds, which was apparent in our torrenting test results.
Which VPN Service Is Better for Torrenting?
We used the two providers to download a 0.8GB test torrent file on a 3 Mbps internet connection. ExpressVPN got off to a slow start but picked up the pace quickly to reach a maximum speed of 0.63 MB per second. The download took 49 minutes.
VyprVPN, by contrast, started fast, reaching speeds of 0.32 MB per second in seconds. However, the speeds didn’t improve significantly, and it only managed a top speed of 0.41 MB, which is in keeping with its slow download speeds. The download took 61 minutes.
It’s safe to say both ExpressVPN and VyprVPN are suitable for torrenting. However, ExpressVPN emerged as the victor in the head-to-head torrenting race due to VyprVPN’s slower speeds.
7. Server Locations
As far as server locations go, there are two critical factors to consider: server count and geographical server distribution. The higher the server count, the easier it is to find an optimal server for excellent VPN performance. On the other hand, a wide server distribution means a larger pool of country-specific IP addresses.
ExpressVPN is the winner on the server count of things, thanks to its over 3,000 servers. To put that to perspective, the provider has around 2,300 more servers than VyprVPN, which has over 700 servers.
Global VPN Server Coverage
In terms of geographical spread, ExpressVPN has servers in 160 locations in 94 countries, compared to VyprVPN’s more than 70 locations in 64 countries. ExpressVPN has done a great job ensuring that most countries have more than one server location, which goes a long way in lessening server load.
VyprVPN, by contrast, offers one server location per country, except for Australia and the U.S., which get three and eight locations, respectively. The good thing is that both ExpressVPN and VyprVPN cover some often-overlooked regions, like the Middle East and the Marshall Islands.
Here’s how the two providers compare in terms of regional coverage:
| Region: | ExpressVPN (Number of Countries) | VyprVPN (Number of Countries) |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | 46 | 30 |
| Asia | 25 | 14 |
| North America | 3 | 3 |
| Central America | 5 | 3 |
| South America | 8 | 4 |
| Oceania | 2 | 3 |
| Middle East | 1 | 5 |
| Africa | 4 | 2 |
Beyond that, both providers use physical and virtual servers. ExpressVPN makes public its virtual server list, which is about 3% of its entire server network. A VyprVPN representative affirmed their use of virtual servers but didn’t disclose the exact number. Neither service uses third-party servers.
This category is clear-cut, and ExpressVPN is the winner because it has more servers and server locations than VyprVPN.
8. User-Friendliness
In this round, we examine how the apps’ user interfaces improve user experience — or make it a nuisance.
ExpressVPN is the perfect example of how a VPN should work. The VPN was designed with all users, regardless of their IT skills, in mind. There’s a stripped-down website that makes the signup and checkout processes pretty straightforward.
The ExpressVPN client is the embodiment of intuitiveness, thanks to its sleek interface with minimal visual clutter. The main window displays a “connect” button with the selected location beneath that and “smart” and “recent” locations at the bottom.
Changing your selected location is a cinch. You only have to click the three dots to the left of the selected location area, and the ExpressVPN server list will pop up. Moreover, it takes a click of a button to tweak the app’s settings, from changing the protocol to turning on the kill switch and configuring the split tunneling.
Like ExpressVPN, VyprVPN has an intuitive interface that’s free of technical jargon. The home screen has a large shield that shows your connection status with your selected location, a blue “connect” button beneath that and menu options in the footer.
You can click on the right arrow symbol beside your selected location or the “server” option in the footer to choose your preferred location. Besides that, it takes just a few clicks to change the VPN protocol or activate the kill switch, public WiFi protection and auto-reconnect options.
VPN Service Mobile Apps
ExpressVPN and VyprVPN offer mobile apps for Android and iOS devices. They have features like a kill switch, split tunneling and several auto-connect options, and they provide all features of their desktop counterparts.
VyprVPN Android and iOS apps aren’t identical in terms of their tool sets. Both mobile apps come packed with all the features of the Windows app. However, the Android app is superior because it includes split tunneling and a malware blocker — two features you don’t get on the Windows and iOS apps.
Browser Extensions
ExpressVPN has arguably the best browser extension for Chrome and Firefox. It has all the features of the desktop app, though it’s not a stand-alone function and you have to install the desktop app for it to work.
In comparison, the VyprVPN browser extension is stand-alone, meaning you don’t have to install the desktop client for it to work, but it has its pitfalls. For example, the VPN extension is still in beta, so it’s lean in terms of the features. Not to mention, it’s only available for Chrome users.
Simultaneous Connections
There’s no contest here. VyprVPN allows up to a whopping 30 simultaneous connections, whereas ExpressVPN lets you connect five devices simultaneously. Still, VyprVPN is outperformed by Surfshark and IPVanish which offer unlimited simultaneous connections: see our Surfshark vs IPVanish guide.
Overall, there isn’t anything too conspicuous to separate the two top VPN providers. They are an equal match for each other in terms of intuitiveness and ease of use. ExpressVPN would have claimed the crown, thanks to its powerful browser extensions — but it wasn’t to be. VyprVPN canceled out that lead with its whopping 30 simultaneous connections, sending the round into a tie.
9. Customer Support
As mentioned earlier, both VyprVPN and ExpressVPN are pretty easy to install and use, so you’ll rarely encounter problems. However, if you hit a snag using the VPNs, help is always within reach via email, live chat and knowledgebase.
Each provider has a well-organized and comprehensive knowledgebase with articles covering the most common issues users face when installing or using the VPNs. VyprVPN takes self-help a notch higher with the user forum. It’s not the most active forum, but it has plenty of solutions to free you from the quicksand of VPN installation and usage.
Live chat remains the fastest option to find solutions for the most urgent questions for both providers. Both live chats are reliable, but we like the VyprVPN option more because it allows you to attach files to your messages to describe the issue you’re facing succinctly. ExpressVPN live chat feature doesn’t have a file attachment option.
Beyond the live chat option, both providers allow you to escalate issues to human agents via email support. Even though it’s not as fast as live chat, the email will enable you to speak with the customer support team on a deeper level.
Sadly, neither VPN provider offers phone support.
That minor issue aside, both ExpressVPN and VyprVPN deliver quality customer support. However, VyprVPN is ahead of ExpressVPN by a hair’s breadth on this front due to its user forum. It also enables you to attach files on live chat, a feature that goes a long way in adding clarity to your message. For these reasons, we declare VyprVPN the customer support winner.
The Verdict: VyprVPN vs ExpressVPN
We have come to the end of our ExpressVPN vs VyprVPN matchup. The fray played out as we anticipated: ExpressVPN won with eight points and VyprVPN came a distant second with three points. ExpressVPN claimed a point in all rounds (except the customer support categories), proving once again that it’s the number one VPN on the market.
Though VyprVPN lost by quite a margin, it matched ExpressVPN’s performance in the vital areas of security, privacy and user-friendliness, and it even won the customer support rounds.
All in all, ExpressVPN is in the premium VPN group, but VyprVPN is still a quality service. You can take both VPNs for a whirl risk-free, thanks to their 30-day money-back guarantees.
What do you think of our ExpressVPN vs VyprVPN comparison? Have you used either of these VPNs before? Is there a round in which you believe either VPN deserves more (or less) credit? We’d like to hear about it. As always, thanks for reading.
