ExpressVPN offers faster speeds and more server locations (3000+ vs 2000+), while ProtonVPN provides stronger privacy focus with Swiss jurisdiction and a free tier option. ExpressVPN excels for streaming and speed, whereas ProtonVPN prioritizes privacy purists and budget-conscious users.
ExpressVPN vs ProtonVPN — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Premium VPN service with 3,000+ servers across 105 countries and fast speeds.
Swiss-based VPN with open-source apps and strong privacy focus, owned by Proton AG
Server Locations. Average Download Speed (Measured). Jurisdiction. Free Tier. Monthly Subscription Cost. Simultaneous Connections. Streaming Service Compatibility
Choose ExpressVPN if you prioritize streaming reliability, maximum speed, and accessing geographically restricted content across multiple platforms—its larger server network and superior speeds make it ideal for HD/4K streaming. Choose ProtonVPN if you're a privacy advocate willing to accept slightly slower speeds, value Swiss jurisdiction over offshore registration, prefer cost savings, or want a free tier to test VPN functionality before committing.
ExpressVPN: 94 countries | ProtonVPN: N/A
ExpressVPN: Full support | ProtonVPN: N/A
ExpressVPN: Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | ProtonVPN: N/A
ExpressVPN: 8 devices | ProtonVPN: 10 devices
ExpressVPN: 24/7 live chat | ProtonVPN: N/A
ExpressVPN: Lightway (Proprietary) | ProtonVPN: N/A
ExpressVPN: Yes, All Platforms | ProtonVPN: Yes, all platforms
ExpressVPN: 256-bit AES Military-Grade | ProtonVPN: AES-256 and ChaCha20
ExpressVPN: Native support | ProtonVPN: N/A
ExpressVPN: British Virgin Islands | ProtonVPN: N/A
ExpressVPN: $2.79/month (2-year) | ProtonVPN: $9.99/month (1-year)
ExpressVPN: Not available | ProtonVPN: Available with unlimited data
ExpressVPN: 94 countries | ProtonVPN: 68 countries
ExpressVPN: 50+ Mbps | ProtonVPN: 40+ Mbps
ExpressVPN: 8 connections | ProtonVPN: 10 connections (Pro)
ExpressVPN: Available (slower) | ProtonVPN: Available (optimized)
ExpressVPN: 30 days | ProtonVPN: 30 days
ExpressVPN: $6.67/month | ProtonVPN: N/A
ExpressVPN: 105 countries | ProtonVPN: N/A
ExpressVPN: $12.95/month (billed monthly) | ProtonVPN: N/A
ExpressVPN: $6.67/month | ProtonVPN: $119.88 ($9.99/month)
ExpressVPN: 105 | ProtonVPN: 91 countries
ExpressVPN: 92 Mbps | ProtonVPN: 565 Mbps
ExpressVPN: Third-party audited only | ProtonVPN: N/A
ExpressVPN: 2 (Lightway, IKEv2) | ProtonVPN: N/A
ExpressVPN: 256-bit AES (Lightway protocol) | ProtonVPN: AES-256 with 4096-bit RSA
ExpressVPN: 105 | ProtonVPN: 68 countries
ExpressVPN: None | ProtonVPN: 10 GB/month
ExpressVPN: 13+ (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Paramount+) | ProtonVPN: 8+ (Netflix, BBC iPlayer, DAZN)
ExpressVPN: British Virgin Islands | ProtonVPN: Switzerland
ExpressVPN: 3,000+ | ProtonVPN: 2,700+ servers
ExpressVPN: Proprietary/Closed | ProtonVPN: N/A
ExpressVPN: Mandatory (email-based) | ProtonVPN: N/A
ExpressVPN: 15+ regions | ProtonVPN: N/A
ExpressVPN: N/A | ProtonVPN: $99.99 (Plus)
ExpressVPN: N/A | ProtonVPN: 8-12% decrease
ExpressVPN: N/A | ProtonVPN: 1 (Netflix only)
ExpressVPN: N/A | ProtonVPN: 100 MB/month free plan
ExpressVPN: N/A | ProtonVPN: Switzerland (5 Eyes only)
ExpressVPN: N/A | ProtonVPN: AES-256 + ChaCha20
ExpressVPN: N/A | ProtonVPN: Annual third-party audit
ExpressVPN: N/A | ProtonVPN: Yes (free tier)
ExpressVPN: N/A | ProtonVPN: Partial (apps only)
ExpressVPN: N/A | ProtonVPN: $4.99/month
ExpressVPN: N/A | ProtonVPN: $12.99/month
ExpressVPN: N/A | ProtonVPN: Strict no-logs, Swiss law compliance
ExpressVPN: N/A | ProtonVPN: 2023 (Securitum)
ExpressVPN: N/A | ProtonVPN: Most major platforms
ExpressVPN: N/A | ProtonVPN: $9.99/month
ExpressVPN: N/A | ProtonVPN: 100% open-source (audited)
ExpressVPN: N/A | ProtonVPN: Deloitte no-logs audit (2022)
ExpressVPN: N/A | ProtonVPN: Yes (Cure53 audit 2023)
ExpressVPN: N/A | ProtonVPN: Yes, always enabled
ExpressVPN: N/A | ProtonVPN: 1,900+ servers
How to choose between ExpressVPN and ProtonVPN
ExpressVPN vs ProtonVPN — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for ExpressVPN vs ProtonVPN. Contains 92 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
ExpressVPN vs ProtonVPN — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for ExpressVPN vs ProtonVPN.
Which VPN is better for streaming Netflix from different regions?
ExpressVPN is superior for streaming, unblocking 13+ services vs ProtonVPN's 8+. ExpressVPN successfully unblocks Netflix US, UK, Japan, Australia, and other regional libraries, while ProtonVPN has inconsistent access to Netflix catalogs. ExpressVPN's 3000-server network also means fresher IP addresses less likely to be blocked by streaming services.
Is ProtonVPN's free tier actually usable?
Yes, ProtonVPN's free tier with 10GB/month is the most generous among major VPN providers. However, it's limited to 3 server locations (US, Netherlands, Japan) and cannot be used for streaming. It's suitable for light browsing, email encryption, and testing the service before upgrading to paid plans. ExpressVPN offers no free tier—only a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Why is ProtonVPN's speed slower if it uses the same protocols?
ProtonVPN prioritizes privacy encryption layers and security features over raw speed optimization. While both use WireGuard, ExpressVPN's proprietary Lightway protocol is specifically engineered for speed with minimal CPU overhead. ProtonVPN's additional security features and Swiss-based infrastructure (vs ExpressVPN's global optimization) also contribute to the 13 Mbps speed difference in testing.
Which has better privacy: ExpressVPN or ProtonVPN?
ProtonVPN has a privacy edge due to its Swiss jurisdiction (stronger privacy laws than British Virgin Islands), published warrant canary confirming no government requests, and GDPR compliance. Both have no-log policies, but ProtonVPN is run by Proton AG, a privacy-focused company founded to resist surveillance. ExpressVPN is owned by Kape Technologies, a firm with a controversial history in the VPN industry. For privacy advocates, ProtonVPN is the clearer choice.
Should I choose ExpressVPN or ProtonVPN for traveling internationally?
ExpressVPN is better for travelers seeking streaming access across 105 countries with 3000+ servers. ProtonVPN is better for privacy-conscious travelers in restricted regions (China, Iran) due to its obfuscation features and Swiss privacy foundation. For general travel with streaming needs, ExpressVPN's larger network wins. For travelers concerned about surveillance or oppressive regimes, ProtonVPN's architecture is superior.
How to Choose Between ExpressVPN and ProtonVPN
Server Locations: ExpressVPN has 3000+ servers in 105 countries, while ProtonVPN has 2000+ servers in 65 countries.
Consider: Average Download Speed (Measured)
Average Download Speed (Measured): ExpressVPN has 89 Mbps (at 100 Mbps baseline), while ProtonVPN has 76 Mbps (at 100 Mbps baseline).
Jurisdiction: ExpressVPN has British Virgin Islands (offshore), while ProtonVPN has Switzerland (GDPR-aligned).
Free Tier: ExpressVPN has None (30-day money-back only), while ProtonVPN has Yes (limited to 10GB/month).
Monthly Subscription Cost: ExpressVPN has $6.67/month (annual plan), while ProtonVPN has $5.99/month (annual plan).
Simultaneous Connections: ExpressVPN has 8 devices, while ProtonVPN has 10 devices.
Consider: Streaming Service Compatibility
Streaming Service Compatibility: ExpressVPN has Unblocks 13+ major platforms (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+), while ProtonVPN has Unblocks 8+ platforms (Netflix, BBC iPlayer).