ExpressVPN vs PureVPN 2024

James Everard

Senior Writer

These are two established VPNs notable for their speeds and streaming capabilities. ExpressVPN may be the more familiar name, but PureVPN has some appealing attributes, too. Both VPNs are based in the British Virgin Islands, which is a bonus for privacy-conscious users.

I put both VPNs through a stringent program of tests to highlight their qualities and limitations. While PureVPN isn’t too far behind across a number of metrics, ExpressVPN takes the lead in almost every regard.

With its ease of use, dazzling speed, and bank-level security, ExpressVPN is the clear front-runner. And, while it’s the more costly of the options, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free since it’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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Streaming — ExpressVPN Edges the Win

These VPNs are both great options for streaming and can securely access the most popular platforms from anywhere. Speeds are beyond streaming-friendly, and there’s a good range of protocols with both services.

During setup, PureVPN configures the settings for the activity you prefer. I chose streaming, and I was surprised that it opted for IPSec. It’s older than the industry-standard WireGuard protocol (which PureVPN also carries), and it’s less secure. Nevertheless, it’s fast, and I was impressed with the results.

I had success with all the platforms I tested from my location in the UK, including ITVX and Channel 4

But this is where ExpressVPN pulls ahead. Its proprietary Lightway protocol is, well, lightyears ahead of the competition. It was built from scratch to be fast and secure, so it’s ideal for streaming. And because it’s so lightweight, it even conserves battery when streaming on mobile devices. I got zero lag and minimal loading times when streaming with ExpressVPN from my location in the UK.

ExpressVPN has a global network, allowing access to libraries and platforms from anywhere

Unlike PureVPN, ExpressVPN works with Sky TV, which is tricky for even some of the best streaming VPNs to access at times — so this just shows how reliable it is. ExpressVPN also recently introduced a native app for Apple TV, which very few VPNs (including PureVPN) can match.

Winner

Both VPNs impress, but ExpressVPN pulls ahead with its proprietary Lightway protocol and native Apple TV app. Plus, overall, it could access more platforms in HD from anywhere.

Server Network — ExpressVPN Has Quality Over Quantity

With more than double the server count, you’d think PureVPN would walk this round, but that’s not the case. Firstly, ExpressVPN covers many more countries. Secondly, its servers are more versatile. For example, you can torrent, stream, game, and evade tough network blocks using any ExpressVPN server. That also means that server crowding is rarely an issue.

PureVPN does offer something ExpressVPN doesn’t, which is a set of P2P and streaming-optimized servers which are nice for speeds, safety, and reliability. Still, since you don’t have to use any specific server to achieve this with ExpressVPN, it takes the lead.

Winner

PureVPN has servers for streaming and P2P, but with ExpressVPN, every server can handle a multitude of online activities.

Speed — Full Steam Ahead for ExpressVPN

Our UK-based tester had starting speeds of around 250 Mbps and used the fastest protocol available for each service. For ExpressVPN, that was the exclusive Lightway, while for PureVPN, it was the industry-standard protocol for fast speeds, WireGuard.

ExpressVPN's New York speeds were particularly impressive considering it's over 5,000 km away

Nearby locations were comparable. ExpressVPN was 2% faster on local UK servers but 36% faster on New York servers. It’s typical for VPN speed discrepancies to be more pronounced over greater distances. That said, upload speeds were very similar with PureVPN faster on some tests, although the difference was minor. This is good for making video calls and file sharing.

Pure VPN is a good choice for video calls since its upload speeds are so fast

Winner

Faster download speeds in most of our tests ensure that ExpressVPN is the better choice for data-heavy activities like streaming and downloading.

Gaming — ExpressVPN Takes a Marginal Win

Ping is a vital stat for gaming since it measures the responsiveness of your commands to the on-screen action. Generally, under 100 ms is recommended for optimal gameplay to prevent buffering and freezing in those all-important high-action moments.

Although ExpressVPN came out ahead in speed tests, PureVPN came out with a slightly lower ping. Still, the VPNs were almost neck and neck in most cases. Both of these VPNs comfortably managed under 100 ms latency in our Europe-wide tests, with US ping results only marginally higher, which is pretty impressive.

Both also support consoles like Xbox, Nintendo Wii, and PlayStation if you configure the VPN to a router. ExpressVPN has custom router firmware for easy installation, though, while PureVPN requires manual configuration. So ExpressVPN takes a narrow win.

Low ping (or latency) is just as important for retro games as it is for Call of Duty

Winner

It’s pretty tight when it comes to ping in this contest, but ExpressVPN’s faster download speeds and easy router installation give it the edge.

Torrenting — ExpressVPN Offers Faster Downloads

ExpressVPN is the easier and faster choice for torrenting. Every server supports P2P and has automatic obfuscation, so you can torrent even via restrictive firewalls, such as work, college, or public WiFi networks.

PureVPN has specialty P2P servers, but it doesn’t have one for the UK. I did find that the regular London GB servers support torrenting, but they were less consistent than the Netherlands P2P server I tested. However, even that was 3 to 5% slower than ExpressVPN for downloading a public-domain movie. While that’s not huge, it could make a difference if you do a lot of torrenting.

Note that while torrenting is legal, downloading copyrighted content isn't. We advise you to always check if the file you want to torrent is copyright-free or in the public domain to avoid breaking any laws. The team and I don't condone copyright infringement.

Winner

Both are good choices for file sharing. But ExpressVPN offers superior speeds and ease of use.

Security — ExpressVPN Has You Covered

ExpressVPN takes the lead with Lightway, its low-code, high-security proprietary protocol. It was also built to support obfuscation, which is automatically integrated into every server. PureVPN offers obfuscation, but only with the much slower OpenVPN protocol.

To further boost its security credentials, each of ExpressVPN’s 3,000 servers is RAM-only. That means they automatically wipe all user data upon reboot. Conversely, I couldn’t get a straight answer from PureVPN’s support, but there is no mention of it using RAM servers on its website. That leads me to assume that it runs on hard drives that can store user data.

ExpressVPN's blocking is customizable and can also block adult content

ExpressVPN also takes the upper hand with ad, tracker, and malicious content blocking. Its Advanced Protection set of features blocked an impressive 60% of everyday annoyances in our tests. By way of contrast, PureVPN blocked just 16% of malicious content.

PureVPN's Tracker Blocker is a one-click feature that prevents sites from following you online

Winner

PureVPN earns points by offering dedicated (private) IP addresses for an additional fee, but ExpressVPN wins with its RAM-only servers and superior malicious content blocking.

Privacy — Draw

PureVPN has had privacy concerns in the past when it compromised data in 2017 involving a case with an online stalker. Since then, it has strived to prove its privacy credentials. In 2021, it moved its HQ from Hong Kong to the British Virgin Isles, outside the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance, and where ExpressVPN also has its base.

Plus, both VPNs have had their no-logs policies independently verified times by some of the world’s leading auditing companies. While ExpressVPN has had more audits by number than most VPNs, PureVPN has an “always-on” auditing policy, meaning it can be audited at any time.

Winner - draw

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Both VPNs have their bases outside of international data-sharing jurisdictions and have no-logs policies that you can trust.

Works in China — ExpressVPN’s Versatility Wins

Most VPNs lack the resources or customer demand to provide their services in China. While neither claims to work 100% of the time, both VPNs strive to offer some service in the country, provided you’re prepared to play with your settings. But again, ExpressVPN takes the advantage.

PureVPN’s obfuscation only works with the OpenVPN protocol, leaving you with limited options if that doesn’t work. Whereas, ExpressVPN supports obfuscation with all of its protocols and settings. And, while China blocks most VPN-related websites, ExpressVPN offers a mirror URL of its site specifically for use in China.

Note that non-government-approved VPNs are illegal in China. There haven't been publicly reported cases of tourists getting fined for using one, but you should still proceed with caution and be aware of the country's laws. The team and I don't condone using a VPN illegally.

Winner

With its automatic obfuscation and a dedicated mirror website, it’s another win for ExpressVPN.

Installation & Ease of Use — ExpressVPN’s Intuitive App Is a Clear Winner

Both VPNs are remarkably easy to install, with the process taking under 2 minutes across various devices and operating systems.

Each of ExpressVPN's simple app views are one click away

They both provide native apps for macOS, Windows, iOS, Android, Linux, and Fire devices with extensions for browsers as well. However, PureVPN’s extensions are less secure, as they’re only proxies, while ExpressVPN’s provides full VPN protection and functionality.

They’re also both router-compatible, but ExpressVPN’s custom firmware speeds up the installation process. Plus, ExpressVPN offers smart DNS via its MediaStreamer feature for HD/UHD access to content on systems that don’t natively support VPNs, like smart TVs and game consoles.

When it comes to the apps themselves, there’s no contest. ExpressVPN is simple and dynamic, with one panel each for settings, server list, and basic functionality. PureVPN is somewhat confusing by comparison. There are numerous submenus on the left side of the main app, which makes you wonder why there’s a separate breakout panel for other features.

Its protocols and kill switch are buried in PureVPN's breakout panel

Winner

With a more attractive and intuitive app, it’s another round to ExpressVPN.

Reliability & Support — ExpressVPN’s Service Is Elite

ExpressVPN has perhaps the best live chat I’ve experienced in my years of testing VPNs. They’re quick to respond, friendly, and knowledgeable. With PureVPN, you have to go through an annoying chatbot first. Once connected, I found their agents were often incapable of answering fairly basic questions (about server tech and encryption, for example).

Winner

With a comprehensive knowledge base and a swift and reliable chat service, you’re in capable hands with ExpressVPN.

Tips on Choosing Between ExpressVPN and PureVPN

• Smooth streaming. Both VPNs can offer safe access to regional platforms from anywhere and both support Ultra HD streaming (providing your base speeds permit).
• Fast speeds. Speedy connections are essential for data-heavy activities such as streaming, P2P, gaming, and video calls. But with its exclusive Lightway protocol, ExpressVPN is the fastest around.
• Server networks. Both VPNs have a healthy coverage of global servers. But ExpressVPN covers a few more countries and trumps PureVPN with its versatility.
• Robust security features. These services have bank-level encryption and reliable kill switches, but ExpressVPN’s RAM-only server fleet is the safer of the two.
• Respectable privacy practices. I’ve paid close attention to these service’s privacy policies as well as their real-world practices, and you can trust them both.
• Easy to use. PureVPN doesn’t offer a whole load more features for the extra faff, so ExpressVPN comes out on top again.
• Trustworthy money-back guarantee. My colleagues and I have been testing the guarantees of both these services for some time, so you can rest assured they work.

ExpressVPN vs PureVPN — Reddit Opinions

Both services have loyal fans on Reddit, with ExpressVPN praised for its reliability, speed, and security. Both VPNs are credited for their streaming capabilities, although some long-term PureVPN users express ambivalence about whether to switch to another service.

Redditers credit both VPNs for their speeds and reliability