ExpressVPN vs Proton VPN

ExpressVPN and Proton VPN both sit in the premium VPN tier, but they come from different worlds. ExpressVPN is a Kape Technologies product focused on speed, streaming, and app design. Proton VPN comes from Proton AG - the company behind ProtonMail - and prioritizes open-source transparency, Swiss privacy, and ecosystem integration. Both are strong; the choice depends on what you value.

Quick Verdict

ExpressVPN is the better streaming and convenience VPN. It has the best apps, the most reliable streaming unblocking, and slightly faster speeds. Proton VPN is the better privacy and value VPN. Open-source apps, Swiss jurisdiction, a free tier, and half the long-term cost. For most users, Proton VPN offers the better overall package unless app polish or perfect streaming is non-negotiable.

At a Glance

| Category | ExpressVPN | Proton VPN | Winner | |----------|------------|------------|--------| | Overall Score | 9.0 | 8.7 | ExpressVPN | | Privacy Score | 8.8 | 9.5 | Proton VPN | | Speed | 87.5 Mbps | 81.6 Mbps | ExpressVPN | | Streaming | 9.4 | 8.2 | ExpressVPN | | 2-Year Price | N/A | $3.59/mo | Proton VPN | | Open Source | Partial | Full | Proton VPN | | Free Tier | No | Yes | Proton VPN |

Speed Comparison

| Location | ExpressVPN | Proton VPN | Difference | |----------|------------|------------|------------| | US (New York) | 87.5 Mbps | 81.6 Mbps | +7.2% | | UK (London) | 83.2 Mbps | 77.3 Mbps | +7.6% | | Germany (Frankfurt) | 80.4 Mbps | 79.2 Mbps | +1.5% | | Japan (Tokyo) | 69.8 Mbps | 64.8 Mbps | +7.7% | | Australia (Sydney) | 66.3 Mbps | 61.3 Mbps | +8.2% |

Winner: ExpressVPN. Lightway is 2-8% faster than Proton VPN's WireGuard. The gap is smallest in Europe, where both VPNs have strong infrastructure. Both are fast enough for any normal use case.

Pricing Comparison

| Plan | ExpressVPN | Proton VPN | |------|------------|------------| | Free Tier | No | Yes | | Monthly | $12.95/mo | $9.99/mo | | 1-Year | $6.67/mo | $4.49/mo | | 2-Year | Not available | $3.59/mo | | Renewal (yearly) | $8.32/mo | $4.49/mo | | 3-Year True Cost | $279.72 | $164.28 |

Winner: Proton VPN. Nearly half the price over three years, with the added bonus of a free tier. Proton VPN's renewal at $4.49/mo is also far more favorable than ExpressVPN's $8.32/mo. The price gap is difficult for ExpressVPN to justify.

Streaming

| Platform | ExpressVPN | Proton VPN | |----------|------------|------------| | Netflix US | Working | Working | | Netflix UK | Working | Working | | Netflix Japan | Working | Not Working | | Disney+ | Working | Working | | BBC iPlayer | Working | Working | | Amazon Prime | Working | Working | | Hulu | Working | Working | | Max (HBO) | Working | Working |

Winner: ExpressVPN. A perfect 12/12 vs Proton VPN's 10/12. ExpressVPN is the most reliable streaming VPN available. Proton VPN handles major platforms well but misses on Netflix Japan and a few niche services. Note: Proton VPN's free tier does not support streaming.

Privacy

| Factor | ExpressVPN | Proton VPN | |--------|------------|------------| | Jurisdiction | British Virgin Islands | Switzerland | | Parent Company | Kape Technologies | Proton AG | | Last Audit | Sep 2024 (KPMG) | Mar 2025 (Securitum) | | Open Source | Partial (Lightway) | Full (all apps) | | RAM-Only | Yes | No | | Post-Quantum | Yes | No | | Port Forwarding | No | Yes | | Free Tier | No | Yes | | Ecosystem | VPN only | Mail, Drive, Calendar | | Transparency Score | 72 | 90 |

Winner: Proton VPN. Swiss jurisdiction with the strongest privacy laws in Europe. All apps fully open source and audited. Part of a broader privacy ecosystem. Proton VPN's transparency score (90) significantly exceeds ExpressVPN's (72). ExpressVPN's RAM-only servers and post-quantum encryption are legitimate advantages, but Proton's overall privacy story is stronger.

App Experience

ExpressVPN sets the standard for VPN app design. Every platform feels native, consistent, and polished. Proton VPN's apps are well-designed and have improved significantly, but they are not at ExpressVPN's level of refinement.

Winner: ExpressVPN. The one area where the premium genuinely shows.

Who Should Choose ExpressVPN

• Users who value the best-in-class app experience
• Streaming enthusiasts who need perfect platform compatibility
• Users who want post-quantum encryption now
• Aircove router users
• Anyone who prioritizes polish over price

Who Should Choose Proton VPN

• Privacy-conscious users who want open-source, audited apps
• Users who want a free tier to try before paying
• Anyone interested in the Proton privacy ecosystem
• Budget-conscious users looking for long-term value
• Users in censored regions who need the Stealth protocol
• Torrenters who need port forwarding

Our Recommendation

Proton VPN for most users. Better privacy, better price, free tier, open-source apps, and an ecosystem that grows with your privacy needs. ExpressVPN's app quality and streaming perfection are real advantages, but they are hard to justify at nearly double the cost. If streaming reliability is your top priority and budget is not a concern, ExpressVPN delivers. For everyone else, Proton VPN.