ExpressVPN vs Proton VPN 2024

Agnieszka Stec

Cybersecurity Researcher

ExpressVPN and Proton VPN are both recognized as highly secure VPNs, and they do have their similarities. However, there are important differences between these services that impact their performance with various online activities. For instance, while Proton VPN offers double VPN servers, ExpressVPN’s server network is much larger.

I tested and compared each VPN’s features and capabilities side by side to give you an understanding of what they offer and how it applies to different activities. My test results are outlined clearly, so you can make an informed decision on which VPN is best for your needs.

While both VPNs are trustworthy and reliable in their own ways, I have to say that ExpressVPN is my top pick out of the two. That’s because it offers UHD-friendly speeds for streaming, airtight privacy, and intuitive apps that make securing your connection a breeze.

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Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

Streaming — ExpressVPN Works With More Platforms

ExpressVPN and Proton VPN are both reliable options for smooth streaming. However, ExpressVPN works with more services that Proton VPN isn’t so reliable with, including DAZN in the US and RTE in Ireland.

ExpressVPN’s Smart DNS (MediaStreamer) lets you use it on devices that don’t normally work with a VPN like smart TVs or game consoles. To test it on my LG smart TV from the UK, I registered my IP in my ExpressVPN account. I quickly received new MediaStreamer DNSs to enter into the TV network and could start streaming local UK platforms right away.

With ExpressVPN, I got speeds over 100 Mbps, which is more than enough for streaming in UHD and 4K

I used Proton VPN’s streaming-optimized servers in my country to watch Netflix UK. The only issue was that some UK servers took longer to connect, but I never had to wait for longer than a minute, so it wasn’t a big deal.

I could watch Netflix UK in UHD without any connection issues

Winner

Both are really good for streaming, but ExpressVPN wins with better speeds and the ability to reliably work with more services.

Server Network — ExpressVPN Covers More Locations

Both VPNs have an impressive number of servers, but ExpressVPN offers better coverage worldwide, with connections in more countries.

ExpressVPN and Proton VPN both have virtual servers in countries that have concerning privacy laws, like India. Instead of hosting servers physically in those countries, they locate servers elsewhere. This way, you can still get an Indian IP address without compromising your privacy.

Winner

While both VPNs have a huge number of servers, including virtual locations, ExpressVPN wins by offering servers in almost twice as many countries as Proton VPN and with much better coverage in Asia and Africa.

Speed — Both VPNs Offer Excellent Speeds

I tested each vendor for speed across various locations, including the US, UK, and Japan. I used ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol, which is designed for fast speeds. For Proton VPN, I used WireGuard.

My baseline for the tests is the UK before connecting showed an average download speed of 112Mbps and an average upload speed of 14Mbps. After connecting, the speeds barely dropped.

With ExpressVPN, I experienced only a 6% speed drop on a nearby UK server

ExpressVPN and Proton VPN delivered consistently fast speeds on nearby and mid-distance servers. Proton VPN’s VPN Accelerator feature works really well — it boosted my initial speed results by 5%. Although ExpressVPN doesn’t have an extra option to increase its speeds, it works fast by default and is a little faster on long-distance servers.

The 5% drop in speed after connecting to Proton VPN was almost unnoticeable

Winner - draw

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The average speeds of both VPNs were very similar, so it was hard to choose a winner. Proton VPN has an additional speed-boosting feature, which combined with the WireGuard protocol, gave me similar speeds to ExpressVPN.

Gaming — Proton VPN Wins By a Narrow Margin

Both VPNs had low latency on nearby servers. For gaming, optimal ping is between 40-60 ms, with 100 ms being a limit for a lag-free experience.

Both VPNs had higher latency on faraway servers, which is normal. There was a little bit less lag with Proton VPN than there was with ExpressVPN when I played games in the UK. Overall, both VPNs performed quite well, though, with pings below 100 ms on New York servers, located over 5500km from me.

After connecting to ExpressVPN, I could start playing securely right away

Proton VPN’s ping rate was also lower than ExpressVPN’s on a Japan server, but it didn’t matter — both had far too much latency for playing fast-paced games while connected in Japan. Keep in mind that it’s common for VPNs to have low ping on servers in distant locations, and in my experience, no VPN offers low enough latency on servers this far away.

Winner

Although both VPNs gave similar ping rates on nearby servers, Proton VPN’s long-distance connections were a bit less laggy.

Torrenting — ExpressVPN Allows Torrenting On All Servers

ExpressVPN permits torrenting on all its 3,000 servers, while Proton VPN has only around 140 servers optimized for torrenting, available only on paid plans.

Both VPNs offer great download speeds. I was able to download 1 GB in 1 minute 16 seconds with ExpressVPN and 1 minute 19 seconds with Proton VPN while connected to a nearby UK server. I also conducted IP/DNS leak tests on both and found none, which means my privacy while torrenting is safe.

Each offers port forwarding, which can visibly increase your download speeds. Since Proton VPN allows it only on Windows, it’s generally easier to set up than with ExpressVPN, which allows it only on routers. However, whether port forwarding is a secure feature for torrenting is a controversial topic, so this isn’t enough to sway my verdict away from ExpressVPN.

Winner

Both VPNs are great for torrenting, but during my tests, ExpressVPN was slightly faster. It also allows torrenting on all its servers, so it wins in this category by a narrow margin.

Security — Excellent Features From Both Providers

Although both are secure, they offer slightly different additional features. These features don’t necessarily affect the overall security of the VPN, but they are nice to have.

Both VPNs employ proprietary protocols. ExpressVPN’s Lightway was designed for fast speeds without compromising your security. Proton VPN’s Stealth helps you use it on networks that block VPNs.

To achieve fast connections with ExpressVPN, pick Lightway. If you’re facing VPN blocks (for instance, on a public WiFi network), choose the Automatic protocol option to use ExpressVPN’s obfuscation. Proton VPN’s Stealth protocol similarly uses obfuscation technology to hide that you’re using a VPN.

Proton VPN’s integrated NetShield feature blocks ads and trackers. ExpressVPN counters this with its own ad blocker and the Threat Manager feature, which combined are more effective than NetShield. Not only do they hide ads and block trackers, but they also stop your devices from communicating with malicious domains. You can even choose to block adult content on your network.

I quickly found the Threat Manager feature in ExpressVPN’s settings

Proton VPN's Secure Core feature routes your traffic through a server in a privacy-friendly country first, which helps to protect your privacy from snoops. If your chosen country’s server is compromised, third parties will only be able to follow your data back to another server in a country with more legal data protections.

I enabled Secure Core on the US server, and my traffic was routed through Iceland for extra protection

Winner - draw

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Although they don’t share the same features, both VPNs are extremely safe. Whichever you choose, you can be sure to get top-level security.

Privacy — ExpressVPN Wins With RAM-Only Servers

Both services’ no-logging policies have been proven by independent audits. ExpressVPN's policy was audited twice in 2019 and 2022, and Proton VPN's policy was audited once in 2021.

Each one offers a kill switch that protects your IP address if you unexpectedly lose connection to the VPN. ExpressVPN’s Network Lock is enabled by default.

ProtonVPN divides this functionality and offers two kill switches. For full protection, I recommend using Proton VPN’s permanent kill switch, which will block not only incoming but also outgoing internet traffic. The permanent kill switch is available on Windows and Linux.

Both VPNs let you access Tor. Proton VPN lets you use it in your regular browser, while ExpressVPN makes you access it through the Tor browser. Both methods are highly secure and guard your privacy.

ExpressVPN is the only one with RAM-only servers, which means that all data is wiped off every time the server is restarted. Proton VPN offers full disk encryption instead. It’s a good and safe alternative, but since RAM-only servers are industry standard, the point goes to ExpressVPN.

Winner

Both VPNs offer strong privacy features with proven no-logs policies and headquarters in privacy-friendly countries. However, the use of RAM-only servers hands ExpressVPN this round.

Works in China — Only ExpressVPN Works in China Consistently

Given the constantly changing technological landscape of the Great Firewall (GFW), whether VPNs work in China is a tricky topic. Even top VPNs stop working in the country on occasion.

That said, ExpressVPN is the clear winner here as it's known to work more consistently in China. When you use the Automatic protocol setting, all of ExpressVPN’s server locations are obfuscated. I found this pretty impressive, as the other handful of VPNs that work in China only give you 2-3 servers to choose from.

On the other hand, Proton VPN cannot guarantee that it will work in China. Its Stealth protocol does give it a fighting chance, and it provides a list of recommended settings that could work in the country.

Most VPN sites are blocked in China, so it’s best to install the app before you travel. For users who are already there, ExpressVPN has a mirror site for signing up. ExpressVPN’s support can provide an updated and shareable URL via email.

Winner

ExpressVPN is a clear winner here, as Proton VPN isn't as reliable for China.

Installation & Ease of Use — ExpressVPN Is More Beginner-Friendly

Both VPNs are pretty user-friendly and quick to install. It took me around 2-3 minutes to install both, and their apps are simple to understand. Nothing really stood out here until I took a look at their more in-depth usability features.

I really like ExpressVPN’s Smart Location feature, which recommends the best available server based on your distance, speed, and latency. Every time I used this option, the seed drop was almost unnoticeable.

Besides Smart Location, ExpressVPN also shows Recent and Recommended locations

Proton VPN has a similar option, called Profiles, that allows for a lot of personalized configurations. It’s a great option for when you want to set up locations you use the most. On top of your custom profiles, Proton VPN comes with 4 default profiles that connect to the fastest server, P2P servers, the Tor network, or a random server.

Proton VPN’s settings are easy to find on the app’s home screen

Overall, though, ExpressVPN’s interface feels cleaner, and essential security features come pre-configured (like DNS leak protection), so you don’t have to adjust anything. Proton VPN’s interface displays a lot of data, which techies will appreciate. However, when it comes to user-friendliness, ExpressVPN takes the win.

Winner

Both VPNs are quick to install and set up. They both have intuitive interfaces across all devices, but the sheer simplicity of ExpressVPN’s app makes it more suitable for beginners.

Reliability & Support — ExpressVPN’s Support Is Easier To Reach

I didn’t have to be logged in to my account to use ExpressVPN’s 24/7 chat, so I could ask questions before subscribing. Proton VPN’s chat is only available with a paid subscription. However, if you don’t have an account yet or you’re using the free version, you can always contact customer support via its online form.

I really like ExpressVPN’s video tutorials, which not only help you with the setup but also cover a range of topics around VPNs in general. In Proton VPN's clear and easy-to-follow written tutorials, I was also always able to find what I needed.

Winner

Both services offer excellent customer support, but I appreciate that ExpressVPN agents are easier to reach, even for non-subscribers.

Tips on Choosing Between ExpressVPN and Proton VPN

• Smooth streaming — It's important for the VPN to work with your local streaming platforms reliably. The team and I tested both VPNs with services licensed for our respective countries to check their performance. Note that even though a VPN can let you watch content that isn't available in your country, doing so goes against most platforms' T&Cs and might even constitute copyright infringement, which the team and I don't condone.
• Fast speeds — Speed is essential for streaming on local servers, gaming, and general browsing. I've found that while both VPNs offer fast connections, ExpressVPN consistently offers faster speeds on long-distance servers.
• Server networks — A wide server network ensures more location choices and reduced server load. I found ExpressVPN has servers in more countries which contributes to a faster overall network and more options for secure connections.
• Robust security features — Look for a VPN with strong security with features like AES-256 encryption, split tunneling, and a kill switch. Ad blockers are also very useful. Both VPNs have these features, and ExpressVPN additionally offers Threat Manager.
• Respectable privacy practices — You'll want a VPN that respects your privacy. Both VPNs have proven no-logs policy and are based in privacy-friendly jurisdictions.
• Easy to use — A user-friendly interface ensures the best experience. Both VPNs provide intuitive apps, but your preference might lean towards one based on your level of technical expertise.
• Trustworthy money-back guarantee — Both ExpressVPN and Proton VPN offer a money-back guarantee, allowing you to test their services risk-free.

ExpressVPN vs. Proton VPN — Reddit Opinions

Most Redditors choosing between the two are strongly focused on privacy, which tends to favor Proton VPN. Proton VPN has a reputation for being one of the strongest privacy protectors in the VPN industry,

Still, Redditors acknowledge that ExpressVPN provides additional privacy features that Proton VPN lacks — like RAM-only servers and its base in the British Virgin Islands. Plus, most ExpressVPN fans are happy with its ability to overcome tough firewalls and its larger server network, while some Proton VPN users struggle to find nearby servers.

Both VPNs are highly regarded for their fast speeds, too.