Proton VPN vs ExpressVPN: which is better in 2024

Proton VPN and ExpressVPN are long-standing service providers in the virtual private network industry. Their long tenure allowed them to build impressive cybersecurity tools for removing geographical restrictions and keeping customers confidential.

While many consider NordVPN to be the best in the industry, it’s not always clear which provider is the runner-up. Could it be ExpressVPN or Proton VPN?

To find out, let’s first compare the two against each other to see which is superior overall. We’ll analyze them in various VPN-relevant categories, including speed, security, streaming, and pricing. After that, we’ll tally the results and announce a winner. So stick around to find out the results of our Proton VPN vs ExpressVPN comparison!

Proton VPN vs ExpressVPN comparison highlights

Why choose Proton VPN?

These are the top aspects that shower Proton VPN in the spotlight:

• Unlimited free plan. Proton VPN is among the best freemium services in the market. The free software serves as a reliable cybersecurity tool with solid censorship removal and functional security. Plus, you get unlimited data.
• Multi-faceted security. The VPN is layered with multiple high-end security measures that protect your identity from prying eyes even when enabling access to your favorite content.
• Open-source software. ProtonVPN’s open-source apps are reliable, as they are subject to public auditing. So, if qualified, you can tinker with the code behind the service’s apps on GitHub.

Why choose ExpressVPN?

ExpressVPN offers perks that help keep the competitive edge:

• Optimal performance. Thanks to Lightway protocol, ExpressVPN is capable of facilitating optimal connection speed to keep streaming, torrenting, and gaming experience top-notch.
• Top-grade protection. ExpressVPN is hailed as one of the most secure VPNs in the market thanks to the security toolkit. These include a reliable kill switch, leak protection, and more.
• Broad global coverage. While the exact number of servers is undefined (so far, we know it’s several thousand), the provider covers over 94 countries. This is an amazing feat, which opens the door to most exclusive content worldwide.

Proton VPN vs ExpressVPN – pricing

From a pricing perspective, Proton VPN is the superior option. For starters, it has a free plan to provide essential security and privacy at no cost. Furthermore, its premium subscription costs are more affordable than those of ExpressVPN.

Thankfully, both offer a 30-day money-back guarantee as a means of testing the service before fully committing. And if you’re looking for the best possible deals, use an appropriate VPN coupon code.

Proton VPN pricing

Once you’re done with the free plan, Proton VPN premium subscriptions include three options.

• $9.99/month on the monthly plan
• $3.99/month on the annual plan
• $3.59/month on the two-year plan

As you can see, the lengthiest subscription includes a 64% discount. You can also scour the web for Proton VPN discount codes to find alternative deals. And don’t forget that you can bundle the VPN with other tools from the Proton family, such as Drive, Calendar, and Mail.

If you picked your plan, payment options include credit card, PayPal, Bitcoin, and cash for absolute anonymity.

ExpressVPN pricing

Potential ExpressVPN customers can choose from three pricing plans.

• $12.95/month for the monthly plan
• $9.99/month for the 6-month plan
• $4.99/month for the annual plan

If you’ve done some research, you’ll notice that these prices are significantly above-average in the VPN industry, even with the 48% discount. However, it’s arguable that the service is worth it, especially considering that it includes a password manager (ExpressVPN Keys) with every plan.

The service supports various payment methods, such as Credit cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, and Paymentwall. And don’t forget to snag an ExpressVPN discount code for the best possible deals.

Speed comparison

One of the primary features of any VPN provider is connection speed. This aspect is the most vital because it affects all other avenues of the service. For example, a fast VPN allows streaming in UHD and browsing the web without noticing any slowdowns.

Connectivity can vary greatly depending on various factors that are difficult to account for. However, it’s clear that providers with modern and efficient VPN tunneling protocols perform the best in this scenario. Naturally, there are also proprietary means of improving upload and download speeds.

The fastest protocol that Proton VPN uses is WireGuard. The technology is modern, open-source, and well-regarded. Unsurprisingly, it’s a popular choice among the best VPN services.

Customers can also enable OpenVPN or IKEv2 to suit their needs. If that wasn’t enough, the service offers its one-of-a-kind VPN Accelerator technology to improve connectivity further. In short, it removes various inefficiencies from the data transfer process.

On the flip side, Express VPN utilizes the proprietary Lightway protocol. The in-house solution is extremely fast, open-source and audited to ensure security and performance. Alternatively, you can use the age-old OpenVPN or IKEv2 protocols.

While the two providers are definitely ultra-fast, we have to give the win to Proton VPN for the inclusion of VPN Accelerator.

Proton VPN vs. ExpressVPN: which is more secure?

Like any other secure VPN, ExpressVPN and Proton VPN use virtually uncrackable AES-256 encryption to mask customer activities. Additionally, they include VPN kill switches to prevent IP address leakage when connections unexpectedly drop. Finally, you have a fair number of options in the secure tunneling protocol department.

Besides the basics, the two services offer a fair share of bonus security features for tackling other online threats. This combination of the essential and extra features puts Proton VPN and ExpressVPN on par regarding digital security.

Privacy

VPN services can guarantee digital confidentiality not through empty promises but by sticking to tried and tested privacy practices. Specifically, they need to operate from countries outside Five Eyes alliance jurisdictions and adhere to strict no-logging policies. The first part is straightforward, while the latter is tricky because anyone can claim to keep no logs, but only an independent third party can verify that.

Thankfully, the participants of this comparison win in all regards. Firstly, both are located in privacy-friendly regions (Proton VPN in Switzerland and ExpressVPN in the British Virgin Islands). Secondly, their zero-logs policies were audited and received stamps of approval from established cybersecurity companies.

Customers can also purchase these services anonymously via the most well-known cryptocurrency – Bitcoin. However, Proton VPN gains a mild edge with the inclusion of cash payment support. Otherwise, the two providers are on equal footing if online privacy is your goal.

Logging

The authoritative third parties’ audits confirm that in the Proton VPN vs ExpressVPN match, neither provider logs any user data. Both services have independently-audited no-logs policies. For one, ExpressVPN’s case has been audited by PwC and Cure53.

On the other hand, Proton VPN was audited in 2022 by Securitum and passed the check with flying colors. Furthermore, the tech-savvy can wade through the app code since it’s open-source. In fact, the bug bounty program encourages IT specialists to do just that.

Servers location

Server infrastructure’s one of the essential aspects we’ll measure because it marginally influences connectivity. It also showcases how much foreign content you can unblock with the service. Additionally, various specialty servers can improve security and privacy, which is a considerable benefit for some users.

Proton VPN runs a network of  9200+ servers across 110+ countries. The entire fleet is bare-metal, meaning all hardware is located in its respective countries, and there are no virtual servers. Additionally, the service offers specialty Secure Core servers, which redirect your connection through multiple locations.

Meanwhile, ExpressVPN customers can pick from a few thousand servers across 105+ countries. The impressive variety is achieved with the help of a small percentage of virtual servers. Additionally, the service includes TrustedServer technology, which is their way of naming RAM-only servers. This technology prevents hard drive use for data storage and instead uses Random Access Memory, which wipes any information the moment you pull the plug or restart.

Features comparison

The Proton VPN vs. ExpressVPN battle, in terms of features, reveals that both providers are mighty equipped and capable. However, Proton VPN seems to lag a little behind ExpressVPN. Let’s take a closer look, shall we?

Smart DNS

The starkest difference between the two services is that, unlike ExpressVPN, Proton VPN lacks the Smart DNS feature. This tool allows you to change your location on smart TVs, gaming consoles, and a variety of other devices without requiring a VPN set-up on a router. It’s a streaming-oriented feature that bypasses geo-blocks via changes in DNS requests. Sadly, Smart DNS doesn’t operate with encryption.

For die-hard fans of media and accessing exclusive content unperturbed, ExpressVPN is the go-to option. The provider grants this feature in the shape of MediaStreamer. Sure, it does offer greater flexibility over the devices you can stream through. More so, the feature also can also improve your streaming quality by offering faster speed connections.

Ad & malware blocker

Those pesky ads distract netizens with their flashiness to sneakily collect user data and sell it to third parties. Not to mention malware-infected websites whose content poses a danger to devices just by having entered them once. After all, security is the cornerstone aspect of VPN service, with it being a cybersecurity tool. To offer online protection against these threats, both Proton VPN and ExpressVPN come in clutch with high-end ad & malware blockers.

Proton VPN presents NetShield, which is already regarded highly among users. It’s more than capable of dealing with practically any online danger, including ads, trackers, and malicious files. The feature operates as a DNS filter that forestalls user attempts to connect to dangerous web domains.

On the flip side, ExpressVPN boasts Threat Manager. While the feature is a powerful tool for combating malware or malicious sites, it doesn’t block ads. Sadly, it’s not a completely comprehensive feature like the competitor’s NetShield, but it’s definitely a robust anti-malware piece of software.

Split tunneling

Split tunneling is a nifty tool that allows you to manipulate the VPN connection a bit to increase performance. In short, the feature asks you to choose which apps or websites should be encrypted via a VPN connection, leaving the rest unencrypted. Thus, it increases connection speed but costs partial encryption.

Fortunately, both providers are equipped with split tunneling. Proton VPN supports the feature on Windows and Android devices. A handy little gold nugget in the provider’s split tunneling functionality is the ability to pick specific IP addresses in the list of services that must be included or excluded.

Meanwhile, ExpressVPN supports split tunneling fully on Windows, Android, the provider’s router app, and partially on Mac. Albeit, keep in mind that the feature isn’t supported on macOS 11 and later versions. The feature offers 3 options regarding VPN connection distribution, which means it’s more functional than its counterpart’s split tunneling.

Specialized servers

Both providers have some muscle to show off when it comes to specialized servers. Each kind is meant for a specific purpose to suit user needs, so let’s see what Proton VPN vs. ExpressVPN competition brings to the table.

Proton VPN includes:

• Tor over VPN. Proton VPN has a built-in Onion over VPN feature, which makes accessing the Tor network simpler.
• P2P servers. Proton VPN nets P2P-optimized servers that do not log any user data transfers and guarantee optimal torrenting speed.
• Secure Core. Such servers are enabled separately. Secure Core servers are relatively similar to double VPN servers since they are routed through enhanced hardware in ultra-secure data centers.

ExpressVPN includes:

• Stealth VPN. Stealth servers enable you to bypass blocks in surveillance-loving countries. They’re often used in China, UAE, Iran, and other countries that undeservedly impose severe censorship on their citizens.
• P2P servers. Compared to its counterpart, ExpressVPN offers better-suited P2P servers. They support unrestricted torrenting and P2P file-sharing across. Besides, you can connect to specialized P2P servers manually.

While it may seem that Proton VPN is taking the lead in terms of specialized servers, the reality shows they are on par in many ways. For instance, ExpressVPN’s P2P servers are far more optimized for torrenting. Plus, the provider allows torrent file-sharing on all servers.

Other noteworthy features

Proton VPN offers a few more dandy features. For instance, the Smart Protocol is designed for places where VPN protocols are blocked. It attempts to circumvent this kind of censorship by automatically trying to connect through different VPN protocols if the default protocol is blocked. Meanwhile, the VPN Accelerator uses a combination of technologies to stabilize connection and, at times, increase your connection speed by over 400%.

In comparison, ExpressVPN grants users the ExpressVPN Keys tool, which operates as a password manager. It’s a perfect feature if you have many accounts and want to secure all of them, as it stores all the login information. The best thing is that this feature comes with no extra charge.

Netflix and streaming comparison

While streaming and foreign content unblocking are popular VPN use cases, they heavily rely on connection speed and airtight security. As such, we had to cover those topics first. But now we can finally proclaim ExpressVPN is the better VPN for streaming. It wins in this category because of the specialized MediaStreamer tool and greater country variety.

Besides that, Proton VPN and ExpressVPN are great for changing your Netflix region and unblocking the US or any other library. Additionally, they work with other streaming services, such as BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney Plus. Best of all, their fastest tunneling protocols will ensure lag-free streaming in 4K resolution no matter where you’re located.

Device compatibility

A versatile VPN should be compatible with every device you own. Additionally, it should support enough simultaneous connections to protect all your properties without issues. Naturally, it should also have apps for your preferred devices. If not, it must support manual router configuration.

While ExpressVPN supports a wider range of devices, Proton VPN is the superior choice overall. It supports 10 simultaneous connections with one account, double what ExpressVPN musters up.

Both providers have apps for all desktop and mobile devices, plus they support manual router configuration. A key difference is that ExpressVPN has browser extensions, while Proton VPN doesn’t. Ultimately, the choice between the two in this area revolves around personal preference.

Desktop applications

Both providers have dedicated apps for major desktop operating systems: Mac, Windows, and Linux. Proton VPN and ExpressVPN provide users with PC apps that are streamlined, modern, and run on user-friendly interfaces.

Proton VPN’s Windows app receives the most attention, as usual with apps, and comes with all the features. That’s not to say that the Mac app is worse. All the key features are present except for a few Windows-exclusive tools. Mac users get the exclusive Notify, which notifies you each time you connect to an unprotected network. Meanwhile, Linux users get an intuitive graphical user interface.

On the other hand, ExpressVPN’s Windows and Mac apps look nearly identical and have the same features. Appearance-wise, they are linear and easy to navigate. As for Linux users, everything has to be controlled using command lines.

Mobile applications

As for mobile apps, there isn’t much to say except both providers offer responsive and straight-to-the-point UI applications for Android and iOS. The apps are easy to navigate and appear visually pleasing, which is always a nice touch.

Functionality-wise, Android applications, as with Windows vs Mac, are better equipped than their iOS counterparts. For instance, Proton VPN’s iOS application lacks split tunneling and alternate routing features. ExpressVPN, in a similar vein, cuts out a kill switch, split tunneling options, and customizable shortcuts on the iOS app.

Torrenting

People frequently need a VPN for torrenting because many networks and ISPs restrict P2P (peer-to-peer) technology. Meanwhile, a VPN can reroute your connection through a country where the technology is available. Plus, a virtual private network grants other perks useful while torrenting.

You’ll be better off picking ExpressVPN for torrenting over Proton VPN. The main reason is that it doesn’t limit P2P traffic and permits it in every available location. Meanwhile, Proton VPN allows torrenting in select servers, meaning some customers may end up with suboptimal connection options.

Additionally, ExpressVPN supports split tunneling on a wider range of devices. On the plus side, both services allow port forwarding for even greater connectivity when downloading files with fewer peers.

China

The issues of online censorship and digital restrictions are showcased best in China. The country restricts numerous foreign services and excessively surveils the populace. As such, a well-performing VPN for China needs as many tools for tackling such issues as possible.

Proton VPN wins because it offers two options – Stealth VPN and Tor over VPN servers. That means you can fall back on one if the other fails. Conversely, ExpressVPN only offers Stealth servers as a means of combating DPI (Deep Packet Inspection).

Customer support

Users will inevitably need assistance when facing the many issues VPNs can conquer. Thankfully, ExpressVPN and Proton VPN offer excellent customer support options for granting a helping hand in trying times. You can reach either one 24/7 via live chat or email. Alternatively, you can scour their written guides and try solving issues yourself.

We tested both providers’ customer support service quality. First off, Proton VPN customer support live chat isn’t available, only email tickets. It’s quite a drawback as the response time may take from a few hours to a whole day. ExpressVPN has a live chat, which left an impression as we got a response in less than a minute, and the quality was great.

Proton VPN vs ExpressVPN – which is better?

It was a tough Proton VPN vs ExpressVPN match because the two VPNs have excellent security and privacy features. However, Proton VPN ultimately emerged victorious thanks to its affordable prices, greater speed potential, and more tools for dealing with censorship.

On the flip side, it’s worth investing in ExpressVPN if your primary concern is maximum streaming performance and secure torrenting. Otherwise, you’ll be better off with the more affordable Proton VPN.

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You may also like to read:
Proton VPN vs NordVPN
Proton VPN for torrenting
NordVPN vs Surfshark vs ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN vs PureVPN
Proton VPN review
ExpressVPN review

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FAQ

Is ExpressVPN better than Proton VPN?

Not necessarily. The two are on par in many regards, but Proton VPN is the more well-rounded VPN at a reasonable price. It’s swift, secure, confidential, and can protect up to 10 devices with one account. Meanwhile, ExpressVPN has twice as expensive subscription prices yet only grants 5 simultaneous connections.

What is better than Proton VPN?

Overall, NordVPN is a better product than Proton VPN. It’s slightly cheaper yet faster and packed with more features for security and privacy. Additionally, it’s great for streaming and has loads of apps for various devices. You can even try it out with the 7-day free trial on the Google Play Store.

Is Proton VPN a good VPN?

Yes, Proton VPN is an excellent service in many areas. It’s a leading provider in terms of connection speed, digital security, and online privacy. Additionally, it operates from Switzerland and boasts an independently-audited zero-logs policy. Best of all, it offers an unlimited free plan to provide solid protection at no cost.

Is ExpressVPN still trustworthy?

Some would argue that ExpressVPN is no longer trustworthy because of its ties to Kape Technologies and the hacking scandal involving the service’s CIO (Chief Information Officer), Daniel Gericke. However, there’s no substantial evidence to prove that ExpressVPN logs data or performs other heinous activities.