ExpressVPN Alternatives: 5 Best VPN Services to Try in 2026
ExpressVPN is widely regarded as one of the fastest and most reliable VPN services available. However, its premium pricing might not fit everyone's budget, and you might be looking for alternatives that offer similar features at a lower cost—or different features that better suit your needs.
In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore the top 5 ExpressVPN alternatives for 2026, comparing their speed, security, pricing, and features to help you find the perfect VPN for your needs.
Our Top 5 ExpressVPN Alternatives
1. NordVPN - Best Overall Alternative
Best for: Users who want premium features at a more affordable price
NordVPN offers a compelling combination of speed, security, and value. With over 5,500 servers in 59 countries and advanced features like double VPN and Onion over VPN, it's a strong competitor to ExpressVPN.
Key Features
- 5,500+ servers in 59 countries
- Double VPN - Route traffic through two servers for extra security
- Onion over VPN - Built-in Tor integration
- CyberSec - Ad and malware blocker
- 6 simultaneous connections (vs ExpressVPN's 5)
- Dedicated IP available (optional add-on)
Pricing
- Monthly: $12.99/month
- 12-month plan: $4.99/month
- 24-month plan: $3.39/month (+ 3 months free)
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- ✅ Significantly cheaper than ExpressVPN
- ✅ Larger server network (5,500+ vs 3,000+)
- ✅ Advanced security features (Double VPN, Onion over VPN)
- ✅ 6 simultaneous connections
- ✅ Dedicated IP option available
- ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- ❌ Slightly slower than ExpressVPN on some servers
- ❌ Interface can be less intuitive for beginners
- ❌ No live chat support (email and chatbot only)
Why It's a Great Alternative
NordVPN offers nearly identical performance to ExpressVPN at a fraction of the cost. While ExpressVPN might have a slight edge in speed, NordVPN's advanced security features and lower price make it an excellent value proposition.
2. Surfshark - Best Budget Alternative
Best for: Users who want unlimited device connections at the lowest price
Surfshark is the budget champion, offering unlimited simultaneous connections and a feature set that rivals much more expensive VPNs—all at an incredibly low price.
Key Features
- 3,200+ servers in 100 countries
- Unlimited simultaneous connections - Protect all your devices
- CleanWeb - Built-in ad and malware blocker
- MultiHop - Double VPN feature
- Camouflage Mode - Hide VPN usage from ISP
- NoBorders Mode - Works in restrictive countries
Pricing
- Monthly: $12.95/month
- 12-month plan: $3.99/month
- 24-month plan: $2.49/month (+ 2 months free)
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- ✅ Extremely affordable ($2.49/month for 2-year plan)
- ✅ Unlimited device connections
- ✅ Works in China and restrictive countries
- ✅ Strong privacy and security features
- ✅ Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer
- ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- ❌ Speeds can be inconsistent on some servers
- ❌ Smaller server network than ExpressVPN
- ❌ Relatively new company (less track record)
Why It's a Great Alternative
If you're looking to save money without sacrificing features, Surfshark is unbeatable. The unlimited device connections make it perfect for families or users with multiple devices, and the price is less than a third of ExpressVPN's.
3. Private Internet Access (PIA) - Best for Power Users
Best for: Advanced users who want maximum control and customization
Private Internet Access offers the largest server network in the industry and extensive customization options, making it ideal for power users who want granular control over their VPN settings.
Key Features
- 20,000+ servers in 70+ countries - Largest server network
- Proven no-logs policy - Verified in court
- MACE - Built-in ad, tracker, and malware blocker
- Port forwarding - Better for torrenting
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Open-source apps - Fully auditable code
- Split tunneling - Advanced configuration options
Pricing
- Monthly: $11.95/month
- 6-month plan: $7.50/month
- 12-month plan: $3.33/month (+ 3 months free)
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- ✅ Massive server network (20,000+ servers)
- ✅ Proven no-logs policy
- ✅ Open-source and auditable
- ✅ Excellent for torrenting (port forwarding)
- ✅ 10 simultaneous connections
- ✅ Highly customizable
- ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- ❌ Interface can be overwhelming for beginners
- ❌ Speeds vary significantly by server
- ❌ Based in the US (5 Eyes jurisdiction)
- ❌ No live chat support
Why It's a Great Alternative
If you're a power user who wants maximum control and the largest server network available, PIA is an excellent choice. It's also significantly cheaper than ExpressVPN while offering more servers and connections.
4. CyberGhost - Best for Beginners
Best for: Users who want a simple, user-friendly VPN experience
CyberGhost offers one of the most intuitive interfaces in the VPN industry, with dedicated servers for specific use cases like streaming, torrenting, and gaming. It's perfect for VPN beginners.
Key Features
- 9,000+ servers in 90+ countries
- Dedicated streaming servers - Optimized for Netflix, Hulu, etc.
- NoSpy servers - Extra-secure servers in Romania
- 7 simultaneous connections
- Automatic kill switch
- 45-day money-back guarantee - Longest in the industry
- One-click connect - Extremely easy to use
Pricing
- Monthly: $12.99/month
- 6-month plan: $6.99/month
- 24-month plan: $2.19/month (+ 2 months free)
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- ✅ Extremely user-friendly interface
- ✅ Dedicated streaming servers
- ✅ 45-day money-back guarantee (vs ExpressVPN's 30 days)
- ✅ Excellent for beginners
- ✅ Strong privacy features
- ✅ Much cheaper than ExpressVPN
Cons:
- ❌ Speeds can be slower than ExpressVPN
- ❌ Not ideal for China or restrictive countries
- ❌ Limited advanced features for power users
Why It's a Great Alternative
If you're new to VPNs or want the simplest possible experience, CyberGhost is hard to beat. The dedicated streaming servers and 45-day money-back guarantee make it a risk-free choice for testing.
5. ProtonVPN - Best for Privacy
Best for: Privacy-conscious users who want maximum security
ProtonVPN is developed by the team behind ProtonMail, one of the world's most secure email services. It offers advanced privacy features like Secure Core and is based in privacy-friendly Switzerland.
Key Features
- 1,900+ servers in 67 countries
- Secure Core - Double VPN through privacy-friendly countries
- Swiss-based - Strong privacy laws (outside 5/9/14 Eyes)
- NetShield - Ad and malware blocker
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Open-source apps - Fully auditable
- Free plan available - No data caps
Pricing
- Free: $0/month (limited servers, slower speeds)
- Plus: $9.99/month
- 12-month plan: $5.99/month
- 24-month plan: $4.99/month
Pros & Cons
Pros:
- ✅ Excellent free plan with no data caps
- ✅ Strongest privacy protections
- ✅ Swiss jurisdiction (best for privacy)
- ✅ Secure Core for extra security
- ✅ Open-source and auditable
- ✅ 10 simultaneous connections
- ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons:
- ❌ Smaller server network than competitors
- ❌ Can be slower than ExpressVPN
- ❌ More expensive than Surfshark or CyberGhost
- ❌ No live chat support
Why It's a Great Alternative
If privacy is your top priority, ProtonVPN's Swiss jurisdiction, Secure Core feature, and open-source apps make it the most privacy-focused option available. It's also cheaper than ExpressVPN while offering more simultaneous connections.
Comparison Table
| Feature | ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Surfshark | PIA | CyberGhost | ProtonVPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Servers | 3,000+ | 5,500+ | 3,200+ | 20,000+ | 9,000+ | 1,900+ |
| Countries | 94 | 59 | 100 | 70+ | 90+ | 67 |
| Connections | 5 | 6 | Unlimited | 10 | 7 | 10 |
| Price (2-year) | $8.32/mo | $3.39/mo | $2.49/mo | $3.33/mo | $2.19/mo | $4.99/mo |
| Speed | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ |
| Privacy | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Ease of Use | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ |
| Netflix | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Torrenting | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| 24/7 Support | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| Free Plan | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Money-Back | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days | 45 days | 30 days |
How to Choose the Right ExpressVPN Alternative
When selecting an ExpressVPN alternative, consider these key factors:
1. Your Budget
- Tightest budget: Surfshark ($2.49/month) or CyberGhost ($2.19/month)
- Mid-range: NordVPN ($3.39/month) or PIA ($3.33/month)
- Premium but cheaper than ExpressVPN: ProtonVPN ($4.99/month)
2. Number of Devices
- Many devices: Surfshark (unlimited) or PIA/ProtonVPN (10 each)
- Standard use: NordVPN (6) or CyberGhost (7)
3. Primary Use Case
- Speed: Stick with ExpressVPN or try NordVPN
- Streaming: CyberGhost (dedicated servers) or NordVPN
- Privacy: ProtonVPN or PIA
- Torrenting: PIA (port forwarding) or Surfshark
- Ease of use: CyberGhost or Surfshark
4. Technical Expertise
- Beginners: CyberGhost or Surfshark
- Intermediate: NordVPN
- Advanced: PIA or ProtonVPN
5. Privacy Jurisdiction
- Best privacy: Switzerland (ProtonVPN) or British Virgin Islands (Surfshark)
- Good privacy: Panama (NordVPN) or Romania (CyberGhost)
- Avoid if privacy is critical: US-based (PIA)
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ExpressVPN worth the extra cost?
ExpressVPN is worth it if speed is your absolute top priority and you don't mind paying a premium. However, for most users, alternatives like NordVPN or Surfshark offer similar performance at a much lower price.
Which VPN is closest to ExpressVPN in speed?
NordVPN comes closest to ExpressVPN's speed, especially on nearby servers. While ExpressVPN might have a slight edge, the difference is minimal for most use cases.
Can I get ExpressVPN's features for less money?
Yes! NordVPN offers similar features (and some additional ones like Double VPN) at less than half the price. Surfshark offers even more value with unlimited connections at just $2.49/month.
Which VPN has more servers than ExpressVPN?
All the alternatives listed have more servers than ExpressVPN:
- Private Internet Access: 20,000+ servers
- CyberGhost: 9,000+ servers
- NordVPN: 5,500+ servers
- Surfshark: 3,200+ servers
Is there a free alternative to ExpressVPN?
ProtonVPN offers the best free VPN plan with no data caps. However, the free plan has limited servers and slower speeds. For full functionality, a paid plan is recommended.
Which VPN is best for streaming instead of ExpressVPN?
CyberGhost and NordVPN are both excellent for streaming, with CyberGhost offering dedicated streaming servers. Both reliably unblock Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.
Can I switch from ExpressVPN without losing features?
Yes! All the alternatives listed offer similar or better features than ExpressVPN. In fact, many offer additional features like:
- More simultaneous connections (Surfshark, PIA, ProtonVPN)
- Dedicated IP addresses (NordVPN)
- Double VPN (NordVPN, Surfshark, ProtonVPN)
- Larger server networks (all alternatives)
Conclusion
While ExpressVPN is an excellent VPN service, it's not the only option—and it's certainly not the most affordable. Depending on your specific needs and budget, one of these alternatives might be a better fit:
- Best Overall: NordVPN - Premium features at half the price
- Best Budget: Surfshark - Unlimited connections for $2.49/month
- Best for Power Users: Private Internet Access - 20,000+ servers and maximum control
- Best for Beginners: CyberGhost - Simplest interface with 45-day guarantee
- Best for Privacy: ProtonVPN - Swiss-based with Secure Core
All of these VPNs offer 30-day money-back guarantees (45 days for CyberGhost), so you can try them risk-free. Most users will find that they can save $50-100 per year by switching from ExpressVPN to one of these alternatives without sacrificing performance or features.
Ready to save money while getting similar (or better) features? Click the links above to get started with your new VPN today!
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