ExpressVPN is the #3 overall VPN but #1 for two specific use cases: streaming (20+ Netflix libraries — more than any other VPN tested) and travel to censored regions like China, UAE and Russia. If either of those is your primary need, ExpressVPN justifies its $2.79/mo price. For everyday use without these requirements, NordVPN or Surfshark offer better value.
- 20+ Netflix libraries — most of any VPN tested
- Best for China/UAE censorship bypass (Lightway)
- RAM-only servers — no data written to disk
- KPMG no-logs audit (2022, 2023)
- MediaStreamer Smart DNS — unblock without VPN
- Quantum-ready Lightway 2.0 protocol
- Clean, beginner-friendly apps
- 105 countries — widest server coverage
- More expensive at renewal ($99.95/yr)
- 8 device limit (Surfshark: unlimited)
- No split tunneling on macOS M-series (bug Q1 2026)
- Monthly plan: $12.95/mo — very expensive
Speed Test Results
VPNHotDeals.com tested ExpressVPN on the same 1 Gbps fiber line used for all VPN tests. Protocol: Lightway 2.0 (UDP). 30-day median results.
| Server | Download (Mbps) | Upload (Mbps) | Latency (ms) | % Retained |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York, US | 931 | 877 | 19 | 93.1% |
| London, UK | 927 | 861 | 13 | 92.7% |
| Frankfurt, DE | 938 | 891 | 10 | 93.8% |
| Tokyo, JP | 701 | 641 | 89 | 70.1% |
| Hong Kong | 683 | 611 | 141 | 68.3% |
| Median (EU+US) | 932 | 876 | 14 | 93.2% |
Lightway 2.0 delivered 93.2% speed retention on EU/US servers — second only to NordVPN's NordLynx (95.3%). For most users this difference is imperceptible. Where ExpressVPN leads NordVPN is Hong Kong routing, critical for accessing content from China.
Streaming Test Results
ExpressVPN's specialty is streaming. MediaStreamer Smart DNS allows unblocking even without running the VPN app — useful on smart TVs and gaming consoles. Tests run by VPNHotDeals.com editorial team on March 2, 2026.
| Service | Result | Libraries / Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix US | ✓ Unblocked | Consistent across 8 servers tested |
| Netflix UK, DE, FR, JP, KR, AU, CA, IT, BR | ✓ Unblocked | 20+ libraries total — best result tested |
| Disney+ | ✓ Unblocked | US, UK, AU, DE tested |
| BBC iPlayer | ✓ Unblocked | Zero failures in 10 tests |
| Hulu | ✓ Unblocked | US servers |
| HBO Max | ✓ Unblocked | US servers |
| Amazon Prime Video | ✓ Unblocked | US, UK, JP, DE tested |
| Peacock | ✓ Unblocked | US servers |
20+ Netflix libraries is the highest result we recorded in March 2026. NordVPN hit 15+, Surfshark hit 12+. If Netflix access across many countries is your primary VPN use case, ExpressVPN is the clear winner. Full guide: Best VPN for Netflix 2026 →
Works in China & Restricted Countries
ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol with obfuscation has the strongest track record for bypassing the Great Firewall of China of any VPN the VPNHotDeals.com team has tested. Where NordVPN's obfuscated servers work intermittently in China, ExpressVPN's automatic protocol switching ensures a connection is established.
- China: Lightway obfuscation — best reliability tested
- UAE: Protocols adapted to UAE regulations
- Russia: Works as of March 2026 (subject to change)
- Turkey: Tested functional March 2026
- Iran: Works with automatic protocol selection
Full guide: Best VPN for Travel & Censorship Bypass 2026 →
Privacy & Security
ExpressVPN operates from the British Virgin Islands — outside all intelligence-sharing alliances. Its no-logs policy was audited by KPMG in 2022 and 2023. Critically, ExpressVPN uses TrustedServer RAM-only technology — every server runs entirely from RAM, meaning no data can be written to disk and every server wipe is automatic on reboot.
- Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands — outside 5/9/14 Eyes
- No-logs audit: KPMG (2022, 2023) — policy verified
- TrustedServer: 100% RAM-only servers — no disk writes
- Lightway 2.0: Custom protocol, quantum-resistant key exchange
- Encryption: AES-256 (IKEv2) · ChaCha20 (Lightway)
- DNS leaks: Zero detected in March 2026 testing
- Network Lock: Kill switch on all platforms
What Users Say About ExpressVPN
Living in Shanghai for 2 years. ExpressVPN is the only one that reliably works. I've tried NordVPN, Surfshark and a few others — they all fail eventually. ExpressVPN just connects.
The app is the cleanest of any VPN I've used. One tap and connected. No fiddling with settings. Netflix US, UK and Japan all work. Worth every penny for the streaming libraries alone.
RAM-only servers is a genuine security feature, not just marketing. I trust ExpressVPN more than most because KPMG did the audit and they're not some unknown firm. Price is high but you're paying for premium.
Good product, overpriced. At $2.79/mo for 12 months it's fine, but the monthly rate of $12.95 is absurd. NordVPN or Surfshark do 90% of what ExpressVPN does for less money.
MediaStreamer DNS works on my Chromecast — I can watch US Netflix on my TV without even installing the VPN app. That feature alone is worth the subscription for me.
Lightway 2.0 is genuinely fast. I was skeptical of a proprietary protocol but the speed numbers are there. The quantum-resistant key exchange is also interesting from a security perspective.
Sources: Reddit r/VPN, r/privacy, Trustpilot, Google Play, App Store. Collected Feb–Mar 2026. Representative of overall sentiment — VPNHotDeals.com includes both positive and critical opinions.
Money-Back Guarantee
ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. VPNHotDeals.com tested this in February 2026: live chat refund approved in 12 minutes, funds returned in 7 business days. No questions asked, no pushback on the refund request.
Yes — in our March 2026 tests, ExpressVPN unblocked 20+ Netflix libraries, the highest count of any VPN we tested. NordVPN (15+), Surfshark (12+), and CyberGhost (10+) all trailed. If Netflix access is your primary use case, ExpressVPN is the winner. Full guide: Best VPN for Netflix 2026 →
Yes. No-logs policy audited by KPMG (2022, 2023). 100% RAM-only servers (TrustedServer) — no data written to disk. BVI jurisdiction outside all intelligence alliances. AES-256 and Lightway encryption. No DNS/IP leaks in March 2026 testing.
For streaming: ExpressVPN (20+ libraries vs 15+). For everything else: NordVPN (faster, 5 audits vs 2, cheaper at $3.39 vs $2.79 on 2-year). Full comparison: NordVPN vs ExpressVPN →