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ExpressVPN vs Proton VPN
Pricing, features, platforms and who each one suits — side by side.
E
Choose ExpressVPN if…
- you're in its core audience: privacy-conscious individuals, frequent travelers
P
Choose Proton VPN if…
- you want a free plan to start with
- you want open source you can self-host or audit
- you're in its core audience: privacy-conscious individuals, travelers and streamers
Side by side
Feature ExpressVPN Proton VPN
Pricing modelPaidFreemium
Starting price—$3.49/mo
Free plan
Free trial
API
Open source
PlatformsWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, ChromeWindows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome
CompanyExpressVPNProton AG
Full feature lists
E ExpressVPN
- Servers in 113 countries
- Lightway protocol with post-quantum protection
- AES-256 encryption and RAM-only TrustedServer technology
- Internet kill switch and split tunneling
- Private encrypted DNS
- Ad, tracker and malicious site blocking
- Optional dedicated IP
- Up to 14 simultaneous devices
P Proton VPN
- 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries
- NetShield DNS-level ad, tracker and malware blocker
- Secure Core multi-hop routing
- VPN Accelerator for up to 400% faster speeds
- Kill switch and always-on VPN
- WireGuard and OpenVPN with AES-256 or ChaCha20
- P2P/BitTorrent support on paid plans
- Up to 10 simultaneous devices
Their home pages
What each vendor shows first: the pitch, the plans and the sign-up.
ExpressVPN · expressvpn.com
Proton VPN · protonvpn.comWhat you'd pay
The cheapest plan that fits, per month, billed yearly where the plan offers it.
ExpressVPN
Basic€2.49/mo (€69.72 for first 28 months, then €79.95/year)
Advanced€3.99/mo (€111.72 for first 28 months, then €109.95/year)
Express Pro€6.49/mo (€181.72 for first 28 months, then €179.95/year)
Proton VPN
Proton FreeFree
VPN Plus$3.49/mo on 2-year plan ($9.99 monthly)
Proton Unlimited$7.99/mo on 2-year plan ($12.99 monthly)
Strengths and limitations
ExpressVPN
- Apps for desktop, mobile, TV, routers and browsers
- 30-day money-back guarantee for new users
- 24/7 live chat support
- Higher plans bundle a password manager, email aliases and eSIM data
- No free plan
- Advertised low prices apply only to the first 28 months, after which the plan renews at a higher annual rate
- Dedicated IP is a paid add-on unless you're on Express Pro
- Teams plans require at least 5 licenses
Proton VPN
- Free plan with no ads and no data limits
- Open-source apps and publicly available no-logs audit
- Swiss jurisdiction
- Paid plans cover 10 devices
- Free plan covers 1 device and servers in 10 randomly selected countries
- Free plan excludes streaming, P2P and the ad blocker
- Lowest price requires a 2-year commitment
More comparisons
Other options to consider
N
From $2.99/mo
S
SS
Paid
P
Open-source VPN with unlimited devices, no-logs policy and servers in 113 countries
From $2.03/mo
P
From $2.03/mo
P
Open-source VPN with unlimited devices, no-logs policy and servers in 113 countries
VPNOpen source
C
C
Paid
I
II
See site
P
PP
From $1.69/mo
Facts from each vendor's public pages. Editorial policy