We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

ExpressVPN vs PureVPN 2024

Table of Contents

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Daniel Krohn
    Daniel Krohn

    Cybersecurity Researcher

    ExpressVPN and PureVPN offer users a wide range of great features. Neither VPN keeps logs of your data and are based in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands, which is outside the 5/9/14-eye alliance. Plus, both services protect you from hackers with AES 256-bit encryption, multiple security protocols, kill switches, split tunneling, and IPv6leak protection. However, there are some key differences. PureVPN has more servers (6,500 compared to ExpressVPN's 3,000), but ExpressVPN's servers are spread out in more countries (105), PureVPN covers 78 locations.

    One other advantage PureVPN has over ExpressVPN is that it allows 10 simultaneous connections while ExpressVPN allows 8. Plus, PureVPN is a bit more affordable. However, ExpressVPN’s speeds and streaming capabilities are superior to all other VPNs we tested (including PureVPN). Read on to find out what makes each service unique.

    Our Score

    Features 9.9/10
    Pricing 9.4/10
    Ease of Use 10.0/10
    Reliability & Support 10.0/10
    Features 7.6/10
    Pricing 8.0/10
    Ease of Use 9.0/10
    Reliability & Support 6.0/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Keira Waddell
    Keira Waddell

    Senior Writer

    Our Score: 9.9/10

    ExpressVPN is one of the most popular and trusted names in the industry. It’s known for being one of the safest, fastest VPNs around, so I wanted to see if it can live up to these claims. It’s not the cheapest VPN, but it often offers discounts that make it a better value for the money. Other decent VPNs offer similar security features for much cheaper. So, do you really need to pay that muc...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    K
    Kriss
    10.0/10
    Great

    I've been an ExpressVPN customer since 2017 and it's been great: quickly connects to a nearby server i... n the Wash DC region, embedded shortcuts to apps I want to use while using VPN, disconnects quickly, has the kill switch feature which is necessary these days, and has a fine mobile app which works well on my Android phones and tablets. However, I was just notified that the annual price is jumping from $99 to $117 upon the next renewal, so it's time to see how the others compare within VPN Mentor.More

    Latest negative user review
    C
    Charli
    6.0/10
    Ok, but expensive

    Seems ok, but I wouldn't say it's worth $20AUD a month. That's steep if you live in a backwater like A... ustralia, where the currency is not valuable. Easy enough to set up - you don't need to be Einstein - but unless you're a tech nerd who can take a look under the bonnet, you'll just have to trust what they say about their product. It frequently drops out without the slightest warning, often when it's the only thing online at the time - despite fast and flawless fiber internet, rendering expression entirely useless UNLESS you have it sitting on your desktop where you can keep an eagle eye on it to actually see it when it drops out so you can kick it back into service again (it doesn't do it by itself), which seems to defeat its purpose, so I'm taking away 2 stars for that. Support is good and they do get back to you as fast as they can.More

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Matthew Amos
    Matthew Amos

    Senior Editor

    Our Score: 7.6/10

    PureVPN is a highly-rated and affordable VPN, but its had its share of controversies. A past incident involving the FBI caused significant damage to its reputation. So, has it done enough to improve its policies since then? To find out, I did a deep dive into its privacy policy and everything else it offers. I also tested its speeds, thoroughly explored its server network, examined its security ...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    R
    Rich
    10.0/10
    An excellent value, all things considered

    While they will absolutely throttle p2p in most servers, it's easy to find and log into the p2p server... s. They responded promptly when I had questions (although once it was basically to say "sorry, tough luck"). Overall though, I think I paid something like $20 for a year's subscription - I really can't complain. I'm sold on the service, although I think the fact that it's based out of HK is a bit spooky. 9/10More

    Latest negative user review
    J
    John
    2.0/10
    Not Private! They cooperate with FBI! Application will NOT CLOSE (only minimizes)

    PureVPN COOPERATES WITH FBI INVESTIGATIONS! You can verify this with any search! PureVPN REQUIRES ... USERS TO PROVIDE REAL NAME TO USE THE SERVICE! VPN Does NOT Support Close Application, Against Windows Standards! Close Actually Minimizes and it Keeps Running. Company refuses to change this back (used to operate correctly) A clear violation of your rights as owner of your PC.More

    Pricing

    Starting price $6.67/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 8 devices
    Starting price $2.03/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 31 Days
    Number of devices per license 10 devices

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    Both vendors offer native apps that are easy to install and use. However, ExpressVPN provides faster and more stable connections. PureVPN does offer unlimited bandwidth and server switching, as well as split tunneling and excellent customer services, but it doesn’t work with most streaming platforms.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    ExpressVPN supports P2P / torrenting on all its servers and works with the Tor Network. PureVPN allows P2P on some of its services, however, its approach to privacy is a concern for users looking for a torrenting service.

    Best VPN for Windows

    Both providers offer easy to install and use apps for Windows. Users of PureVPN benefit the inclusion of a ‘use intelligence’ feature that assigns a server based on your needs. ExpressVPN users, however, benefit from faster and more stable connections, and greater number of server locations.

    Best VPN for Android

    Both vendors provide apps that are easy to install and straightforward to use. ExpressVPN’s app does not require any configuration, while the app from PureVPN offers a variety of usage modes, so users can get the best type of connection for their needs.

    Best VPN for Mac

    Both vendors offer easy to install and use apps for this operating system. ExpressVPN enables users to set the OpenVPN protocol as their default setting, ensuring consistent privacy and security. PureVPN offers several different versions of its app depending on the exact operating system being used.

    Best VPN for iOS

    PureVPN was one of the first providers to offer an app for iOS and the app offers a variety of well-tested features that aim to improve usability. ExpressVPN users benefit from its military grade encryption, no logging policy, and fast speeds, as well as having an iOS app that does not need further configuration.

    Best VPN for USA

    Both PureVPN and ExpressVPN have servers within the USA and can be used for safe streaming. However, PureVPN doesn’t consistently work with Hulu. The speed, reliability, and US server numbers of ExpressVPN, as well as its robust security features, put it in the lead.

    The Bottom Line

    Both providers offer user-friendly apps that facilitate private browsing. Yet, ExpressVPN proves superior with its unparalleled speed, top-tier security features, streaming capabilities, and the advantage of supporting torrenting across all its servers.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

    FAQ

    Is ExpressVPN better than PureVPN?

    Yes, ExpressVPN is better overall than PureVPN. It has 3000 servers in 105 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $6.67 a month.

    What should I keep in mind when choosing between ExpressVPN and PureVPN?

    When choosing a VPN, you want to pay close attention to its number of servers, overall speed score, pricing, and the number of simultaneous device connections it offers. While some VPNs provide a flawless online experience, others will really slow you down.

    If you’re ready to commit, then ExpressVPN may be perfect for you due to its performance during the tests .

    Is ExpressVPN faster than PureVPN?

    Yes, ExpressVPN is faster than PureVPN. Since your VPN is your computer’s main connection to the internet, you need to use a service that won’t slow you down by more than 20%.

    If speeds are important to you, then I recommend you take a look at ExpressVPN. It’s the fastest service out there, provides unlimited bandwidth, and you won’t experience any slowdowns even when you connect to the other side of the planet. You can try it out risk-free. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if you don’t like it.

    Do ExpressVPN or PureVPN offer any deals?

    Both ExpressVPN and PureVPN offer deals on occasion. You can check out the current coupons and discounts here. However, ExpressVPN has the best deals. Right now, you can get a 49% discount and up to 3 months for free with a new subscription.

    We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
    Learn more
    vpnMentor was established in 2014 as an independent site reviewing VPN services and covering privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize the independent, professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

    About the Author

    Technical writer with a passion for online privacy.