ExpressVPN (2-year plan) review 2027

What problem does ExpressVPN solve for streaming on a TV?

ExpressVPN does the least-technical job best: install it on a TV or a router and streaming works every time. That is the problem it solves — getting a VPN onto a television without a laptop, a cable or a workaround. In testing, 10 of 10 streaming services unblocked, including on Apple TV and Fire TV apps. Router firmware and the Aircove router make whole-home VPN simple, so one setup covers every screen in the house. It is the pick for people who want a VPN on the TV and the router and never want to touch it.

How did ExpressVPN score 8.6 out of 10?

The score comes from five weighted criteria.

• Privacy — 26 of 30. Measures jurisdiction, an independently audited no-logs policy, RAM-only servers and anonymous payment.
• Speed — 22 of 25. Measures download retention on a 1 Gbps line to US, UK and Japan servers, using WireGuard where offered.
• Streaming — 15 of 15. Measures Netflix US/UK, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Prime Video, Hulu and Max from abroad on three consecutive days.
• Apps & devices — 14 of 15. Measures simultaneous connections, router and TV support, kill switch and split tunnelling on every platform.
• Value — 9 of 15. Measures price per month on the 2-year plan and what it renews at.

Streaming was the only criterion where it took every point available. Value was where it gave the most back.

Where ExpressVPN stands out

Streaming is the headline: 10 of 10 services unblocked, including on Apple TV and Fire TV apps, and the category maximum of 15 points. Speed retained on a US server was 84%. Router firmware and the Aircove router make whole-home VPN simple, which is the practical reason a TV setup holds up. Privacy is supported by BVI jurisdiction, RAM-only TrustedServer and multiple audits. On mobile, the Lightway protocol reconnects fastest in our tests.

How Lightway, TrustedServer and RAM-only servers work

Lightway is ExpressVPN's own protocol, built to reconnect quickly when a phone changes network. TrustedServer is the server design: it runs in RAM only, so nothing is written to a disk that could be seized or retained. RAM-only means the same thing at the hardware level — a reboot clears the machine. The no-logs policy has been checked by KPMG in 2022, and the apps by Cure53. The company sits in the British Virgin Islands.

What you get: servers, devices, protocols and price

The network covers 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, with 8 simultaneous devices. Protocols are Lightway, OpenVPN and IKEv2. Jurisdiction is the British Virgin Islands, and the audit record is KPMG, 2022 plus Cure53 app audits. The 2-year plan is $4.99/mo and the monthly plan is $12.99/mo, with a 30-day money-back guarantee and no free tier.

How ExpressVPN compares with the rivals we tested

NordVPN scored 9.2 at $3.39/mo on the 2-year plan, with 7,400+ servers, 118 countries, 10 devices, Panama jurisdiction and five no-logs audits. It is ahead on speed and price; ExpressVPN is ahead on TV and router streaming.

Surfshark scored 9.0 at $2.19/mo, with 3,200+ servers, 100 countries and unlimited devices under Netherlands jurisdiction. It is cheaper and allows more connections; ExpressVPN keeps the streaming edge on television apps.

Proton VPN scored 8.6 at $4.49/mo, with 12,000+ servers, 120 countries, 10 devices, Swiss jurisdiction, a 2024 Securitum audit, open-source apps and a real free tier. It matches ExpressVPN on score and undercuts it on price, but ExpressVPN is the one built for the TV and the router.

Where ExpressVPN falls short

Value is the weak point: $4.99 a month on the 2-year plan is the most expensive long-term rate here, and that is the whole reason it is third. Eight devices is fewer than several rivals allow. The company is owned by Kape Technologies, which also owns CyberGhost and PIA.

Is the price worth it?

The 2-year plan is $4.99/mo and the monthly plan is $12.99/mo, with a 30-day money-back guarantee and no free tier. You are paying the highest long-term rate in this group for the streaming and router experience.

Who should buy ExpressVPN?

People who want a VPN on the TV and the router and never want to touch it. If that is the job, the premium buys the least-technical setup in the ranking.