ExpressVPN vs ProtonVPN
A data-driven head-to-head of ExpressVPN and ProtonVPN for 2026: long-term pricing, privacy, audit history, streaming unblock, and trust signals, so you can pick the right VPN for what you actually do online.
ExpressVPNWinner
Verdict: which is better?
On the data, ExpressVPN comes out ahead overall, but the right pick depends on what you weight most.
- Best long-term price
- Audited no-logs
- Trustpilot
- Free trial
- Overall rating
- Countries
ExpressVPN vs ProtonVPN: head-to-head
| Feature | ExpressVPN | ProtonVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Best long-term price | $2.99/mo on the 28-month plan | $3.59/mo on the 24-month plan |
| Overall rating | 4.40 / 5 | 4.60 / 5 |
| Server count | 3000+ | 20000+ |
| Countries | 105 | 120 |
| Streaming unblocks | 5 services | 5 services |
| Audited no-logs | 12 audits | 6 audits |
| Jurisdiction | British Virgin Islands | Switzerland |
| 14 Eyes alliance | No | No |
| Trustpilot | 4.5 (22,100) | 4.1 (9,500) |
| Money-back window | 30 days | 30 days |
| Free trial | Yes | No |
Pricing and specs are pulled from our latest data for each provider. Verify current pricing on the provider site before purchase.
ExpressVPN vs ProtonVPN FAQ
Is ExpressVPN cheaper than ProtonVPN?
ExpressVPN is the more affordable option at $2.99/mo on the 28-month plan, compared with $3.59/mo on the 24-month plan for ProtonVPN. Both prices reflect the longest published term; check the monthly rate for short-term signups.
Which is rated higher, ExpressVPN or ProtonVPN?
ProtonVPN scores higher on our 18-dimension rubric (4.60/5 vs 4.40/5 for ExpressVPN). The breakdown is in the table above, with weights published on /how-we-rank.
Has ExpressVPN or ProtonVPN been independently audited?
ExpressVPN has been independently audited 12 times. ProtonVPN has 6 on record. Audit count and recency are weighted heavily in our privacy scoring.
ExpressVPN vs ProtonVPN: which should I pick?
Choose ExpressVPN if premium streaming and beginner reliability; choose ProtonVPN if free vpn and open-source auditing. The head-to-head above covers price, privacy, streaming, and trust signals so you can match the winner to your use case.