ExpressVPN vs Proton VPN: Complete 2026 Comparison
ExpressVPN and Proton VPN represent different philosophies. ExpressVPN focuses on speed, polish, and reliability with its Lightway protocol and TrustedServer technology. Proton VPN prioritizes transparency with open-source apps, Swiss jurisdiction, and a useful free tier. For general use and streaming, ExpressVPN is superior. For privacy-first users, Proton VPN is the better choice.
Our Verdict
ExpressVPN is faster with better streaming. Proton VPN offers more transparency and a free tier.
Speed Winner
ExpressVPN
Price Winner
Proton VPN
Privacy Winner
Proton VPN
Streaming Winner
ExpressVPN
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | ExpressVPN | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 9.3/10 | 8.7/10 |
| Price (Best) | $6.67/mo | $4.99/mo |
| Monthly Price | $12.95/mo | $9.99/mo |
| Servers | 3,000+ | 4,900+ |
| Countries | 105 | 91 |
| Connections | 8 | 10 |
| Download (Local) | 920 Mbps | 860 Mbps |
| Download (Long) | 750 Mbps | 700 Mbps |
| Speed Retention | 92% | 86% |
| Ping (Local) | 5 ms | 6 ms |
| Headquarters | British Virgin Islands | Switzerland |
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
| No-Logs (Audited) | Yes | Yes |
| Netflix | Yes | Yes |
| Disney+ | Yes | Yes |
| BBC iPlayer | Yes | Yes |
| Torrenting | Yes | Yes |
| RAM-Only Servers | Yes | No |
| Ad Blocker | No | Yes |
| Double VPN | No | Yes |
| Money-Back | 30 days | 30 days |
ExpressVPN
Best VPN for ease of use and reliability
9.3/10Read full review →
Proton VPN
Best VPN for privacy and open-source transparency
8.7/10Read full review →