Proton VPN vs ExpressVPN in 2026: Which Is the Better VPN?

When it comes to choosing a virtual private network (VPN) service, two names that consistently rank at the top are Proton VPN and ExpressVPN. Both are excellent options that offer robust security, fast speeds, and handy features. But which one deserves your hard-earned dollars in 2024?

In this in-depth comparison, we‘ll pit Proton VPN against ExpressVPN in key areas like pricing, privacy, performance, streaming support, and more. By the end, you‘ll have a clear idea of which VPN is the right fit for your needs.

Pricing and Plans

One of the biggest differences between Proton VPN and ExpressVPN is the pricing structure. Proton VPN offers a totally free plan that gives you access to servers in 5 countries and medium speeds. It‘s a great way to test out the service before upgrading to a paid plan.

Speaking of paid subscriptions, Proton VPN‘s plans start at just $4.99 per month. You can get two months free by committing to a 2-year plan, which brings the monthly cost down to a very reasonable $3.29. All paid plans come with access to 2600+ servers in 90+ countries, 10 simultaneous connections, and advanced features like Secure Core and Tor over VPN.

ExpressVPN, on the other hand, does not have a free plan. Its cheapest subscription is the 1-year plan at $8.32 per month. You can also opt for a 6-month plan at $9.99/month or pay month-to-month for $12.95.

While ExpressVPN is pricier than Proton VPN across the board, it‘s still competitively priced compared to other top VPNs. And you do get a lot for your money, as we‘ll see in the following sections.

Privacy and Security

Both Proton VPN and ExpressVPN are based in privacy-friendly jurisdictions (Switzerland and the British Virgin Islands, respectively) and have strict no-logging policies. In the unlikely event that authorities request user data, neither VPN would have anything to hand over.

When it comes to technical security, these two VPNs are also quite evenly matched. They use AES-256 encryption and support secure VPN protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard. Both have built-in kill switches to prevent data leaks if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly.

Proton VPN has a slight edge in this category thanks to its Secure Core architecture. This routes your traffic through multiple servers, making it even harder to track. The Secure Core servers are also located in high-security data centers to resist attacks and coercion.

ExpressVPN fights back with its own server technology called TrustedServer. All of ExpressVPN‘s servers run on volatile memory (RAM) and are wiped with every reboot. That means no data can ever be stored long-term, which is great for privacy.

Server Network

Server coverage is one area where ExpressVPN has historically had an advantage over Proton VPN. And that continues to be the case in 2024. ExpressVPN has over 3000 servers spread across 94 countries, while Proton VPN‘s network consists of 2600+ servers in 90+ countries.

More servers usually translates to less crowding and better speeds. And having more countries represented means you have more options for geo-spoofing your location. With either VPN, though, you should have no problem finding a fast, nearby server for your needs.

Speed and Performance

To see how Proton VPN and ExpressVPN stack up in the performance department, I ran a series of speed tests on servers in North America, Europe, and Asia. I used a 500 Mbps base connection and the providers‘ apps with the fastest protocol.

In my tests, Proton VPN was faster than ExpressVPN on short-distance connections, achieving 90% of my ISP speed on average. But ExpressVPN closed the gap on long-distance servers, actually outpacing Proton VPN on some far-flung locations in Australia and Japan.

Both VPNs gave me speeds that were more than adequate for HD streaming, smooth online gaming, and quick torrent downloads. Unless you have a gigabit connection, you probably won‘t notice a difference in practice between Proton VPN and ExpressVPN.

Streaming and Torrenting

Many people use VPNs to access geo-restricted streaming content or to hide their torrenting traffic from their ISP. So how do Proton VPN and ExpressVPN fare in these areas?

Very well in both cases. For streaming quality, ExpressVPN has a slight lead. Its Lightway protocol is exceptionally fast and is great at slipping past VPN blocks on sites like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. ExpressVPN also has a smart DNS feature called MediaStreamer that can unblock content on devices that don‘t support VPNs, like gaming consoles and some smart TVs.

That‘s not to say Proton VPN is a slouch in the streaming department. In fact, it has dedicated "Plus servers" that are optimized for streaming popular services. And while it doesn‘t have a smart DNS option, Proton VPN does support manual configuration on many devices.

As for torrenting, both Proton VPN and ExpressVPN allow P2P filesharing on all their servers. They also have built-in leak protection with a kill switch to keep your real IP address hidden. The main difference is that Proton VPN has a few special P2P servers with higher bandwidth limits, which can lead to faster downloads.

Device Compatibility

Device support is another area of parity between these two VPNs. Proton VPN and ExpressVPN both have user-friendly apps for all the major operating systems:

• Windows
• macOS
• Linux
• Android
• iOS
• Amazon Fire TV

You can also install them on supported routers to cover all your home devices under one subscription. Browser extensions are available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.

Proton VPN has a small edge when it comes to simultaneous connections. It allows up to 10 devices to be connected at once, while ExpressVPN limits you to 5 devices. But honestly, even power users will be hard-pressed to max out 5 VPN connections at the same time.

Customer Support

If you ever run into issues with your VPN, it‘s important to have reliable support channels. Fortunately, both Proton VPN and ExpressVPN offer 24/7 live chat staffed by knowledgeable agents. You can usually get answers to your questions within a few minutes.

Both providers also have extensive knowledge bases on their websites with setup guides, FAQs, and troubleshooting articles. The quality and depth of the self-help resources are roughly equivalent between Proton VPN and ExpressVPN.

One extra that ExpressVPN offers is a support bot that can help you diagnose simple problems or point you to the right documentation. It‘s a nice touch for those who prefer to solve issues on their own before contacting a human agent.

Payment Options

To pay for your Proton VPN or ExpressVPN subscription, you have a variety of options. The standards like credit cards and PayPal are accepted by both providers. They also support anonymous payment methods for maximum privacy:

Proton VPN accepts:

• Bitcoin
• Cash (at a Swiss post office)

ExpressVPN accepts:

• Bitcoin
• Ethereum
• XRP
• Multiple other cryptocurrencies

So crypto enthusiasts and privacy diehards are well covered either way. ExpressVPN does have more digital currency options, though.

Pros and Cons

We‘ve covered a lot of information, so let‘s summarize the key strengths and weaknesses of Proton VPN and ExpressVPN.

Proton VPN Pros:

• Totally free plan
• Cheaper paid subscriptions
• Secure Core servers for enhanced privacy
• Fast short-distance speeds
• P2P-optimized servers
• Up to 10 simultaneous connections

Proton VPN Cons:

• Smaller server network than ExpressVPN
• No smart DNS feature

ExpressVPN Pros:

• Huge global server network
• Best-in-class streaming support
• Excellent speeds on distant connections
• RAM-only server infrastructure
• Browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge
• More anonymous payment options

ExpressVPN Cons:

• Pricier than Proton VPN
• No free plan
• Only 5 simultaneous connections allowed

Which Is Better, Proton VPN or ExpressVPN?

So, when all is said and done, which of these two VPN heavyweights should you trust with your online privacy in 2024?

The short answer is, it depends on your threat model and what you plan to use the VPN for. If maximum security is your top priority, Proton VPN is hard to beat. The combination of its Secure Core architecture, Swiss jurisdiction, and public track record of transparency is very reassuring.

On the flip side, if unblocking streaming sites and having the smoothest possible experience is more important to you, ExpressVPN may be the better choice. Its huge network, Lightway protocol, and MediaStreamer can access almost any geo-restricted content with excellent quality.

Price could also be a deciding factor. If your budget is tight, Proton VPN‘s free plan and low-cost subscriptions are very appealing. ExpressVPN is more expensive, but you do get some extra features and flexibility for the added cost.

Ultimately, though, you can‘t go wrong with either of these VPNs. Having tested them extensively, I can confidently recommend both Proton VPN and ExpressVPN to anyone looking for a secure, user-friendly, and reliable VPN in 2024. The choice comes down to your specific needs and preferences.