ExpressVPN Review 2025 – Everything You Need To Know

ExpressVPN supports the Lightway and OpenVPN protocols, with both UDP and TCP.

Lightway is ExpressVPN’s own custom-made VPN protocol. It was built for speed and security and aims to minimize the possibility of data leaks. It also has just 2,000 lines of code, making it highly efficient and easy to audit, and the protocol has undergone third-party assessment to confirm its security.

OpenVPN, on the other hand, is a widely used open-source protocol, which is highly secure but can have a significant impact on connection speeds. ExpressVPN previously supported PPTP, SSTP, and L2TP/IPsec, but no longer does so.

ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer technology is designed to further protect your data. Its VPN servers run on RAM and are erased with every reboot, so your data is never written to a hard drive where it could be read or copied.

What’s more, the firm reinstalls the full software stack with every server startup, preventing intruders from remaining on the system after it is powered off.

Like many of the best VPN providers, ExpressVPN maintains a strict no-logs policy. This means that it does not copy or track your data or DNS queries, and it does not keep activity or VPN connection logs.

If a government agency tried to access your VPN data or even issued a court order, there would be nothing to share because ExpressVPN doesn’t keep a record of your activity. This ensures your privacy by keeping your traffic fully anonymous when you use ExpressVPN to access the web.

ExpressVPN’s service has been separately audited for security and privacy, by KPMG and Cure53 and PwC, respectively.

ExpressVPN allows eight simultaneous connections. This is acceptable for most domestic purposes but not the best available, given that there are some VPNs that offer unlimited devices.

One major benefit of ExpressVPN plans, though, is that they offer unlimited bandwidth. This means you can use the service all you like without worrying about ExpressVPN throttling your traffic.

Most VPN providers offer a kill switch, which automatically blocks all internet traffic in the event that your connection drops, helping ensure third parties can’t access your data while you’re unprotected. ExpressVPN offers a kill switch called Network Lock, that I’ve found to be effective and easy to use in my testing.

ExpressVPN also offers split tunneling, allowing you to divide your internet traffic so some of it is routed through the VPN tunnel while the remaining traffic gets the benefit of unencrypted local internet speeds.

This gives you more control over what’s protected and what isn’t and allows you to access the internet from multiple locations at once. You can choose how you use it, and it works across popular systems, including Windows, Mac, Android, and routers.

With ExpressVPN, you also get access to its Threat Manager. This is a DNS-based traffic blocker that stops trackers and blocks malicious sites.

ExpressVPN maintains a blocklist of servers that can’t access your device, so you know your online information is always safe. You can use Threat Manager on any of your devices and on your Aircove router.

Your ExpressVPN plan also comes with an ad blocker. Stopping ads from loading means you get faster internet speeds while using less data and bandwidth, making it a win-win for VPN users.

Parents will also be comforted to know they can access ExpressVPN Parental Controls, which block explicit content and adult sites on children’s devices. Simply toggle on the service in the ExpressVPN app’s settings to activate it.

ExpressVPN also comes with a built-in password manager, which can conveniently store information you need kept safe, such as your passwords, credit card information, and private notes.

You can easily access the information and automatically input details when needed – and it’s otherwise kept extremely securely. What’s more, there’s no limit to the number of passwords you can store, either.

And if a password is identified as being vulnerable or it’s exposed in a data breach, then ExpressVPN will let you know right away so you can quickly take steps to protect yourself.

Another notable offering from ExpressVPN is its Aircove router. This Wi-Fi 6 router comes with the VPN service already built in, giving you faster speeds of up to 1,200 Mbps, so you can simultaneously stream 4K HD on multiple screens without any hiccups.

It’s secure, too, having been audited by cybersecurity firm Cure53, which found it to have a robust level of security. It also works with devices that often aren’t compatible with VPNs, such as gaming consoles, smart TVs, and smart home appliances.

Set up is easy, meanwhile, allowing you to connect to up to five VPN locations at the same time. You can also manage the integrated parental controls to suit your preferences to help keep your children safe.

Nearly every ExpressVPN Aircove review I’ve seen has been positive, and customers praise it as an intuitive, effective solution for full home coverage.

In my testing, I found ExpressVPN to be effective for streaming Max, Hulu, Disney+, and the BBC iPlayer with minimal lag or buffering, as well as for unblocking foreign content libraries. Being able to run the VPN on routers and smart TVs makes the process even easier.

Is ExpressVPN legit? When it comes to torrenting, it’s a resounding yes, and the provider wins my vote as one of the best VPNs for torrenting. It boasts extremely fast speeds while protecting your privacy with a no-logs policy. ExpressVPN can handle large files with ease and without restrictions on your bandwidth.

ExpressVPN is also one of the best VPNs for gaming. Its large server network ensures you can find the right server in the right location for the game you need. The VPN will also protect your privacy and ensure your anonymity while you game, so players can’t hack or dox you based on your online activity.

ExpressVPN and Surfshark are two of the strongest VPNs on the market, but Surfshark comes in a fair bit cheaper than ExpressVPN.

In addition, Surfshark is the best provider on the market that offers unlimited connections with its plans. While you can achieve something similar by setting up ExpressVPN on a router, this won’t be ideal for all users.

PureVPN has a solid reputation with an audited no-logs policy and robust security features, and like Surfshark, it’s a fair bit cheaper than ExpressVPN.

That said, it doesn’t offer a free trial – requiring a $0.99 payment for testing – and while it has a large number of servers, these are spread over fewer countries than ExpressVPN reaches. Is ExpressVPN worth it? In this case, I’d say yes.