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 to review VPN services and cover 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 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.
Advertising Disclosure

vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover 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 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 Shimovpn 2024

Table of Contents
    Our Score: 9.9/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Our Score: 8.0/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, Cyberghost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Anneke van Aswegen
    Anneke van Aswegen

    Managing Editor

    On the surface, it seems like choosing between ExpressVPN and ShimoVPN is easy. One is fairly expensive, while the other one gets you a lifetime's uage for a cheap, one-off payment. Simple, right? Well, not exactly. Yes, ExpressVPN costs more than ShimoVPN, but it's for a very good reason.

    Both VPNs perform well on speed, though ExpressVPN was much faster. Still, ShimoVPN gave me decent speeds for such a small service.

    They both use military-grade encryption too, and provide effective WebRTC, DNS, and IP leak protection.

    The similiarities stop there though. ExpressVPN offers so many more additional security measures, like a kill switch, private DNS, and TrustedServer Tech (which ensures your data is regularly wiped). ShimoVPN doesn't even have a kill switch.

    ShimoVPN is unreliable for streaming too. I was able to access Netflix once or twice, but not consistently. ExpressVPN unblocked every streaming service I tried.

    But the most important difference is that ShimoVPN is only compatible with Mac. For that reason alone, I think we have a clear winner.

    Our Score

    Features 9.9/10
    Pricing 9.4/10
    Ease of Use 10.0/10
    Reliability & Support 10.0/10
    Features 8.0/10
    Pricing 6.5/10
    Ease of Use 8.6/10
    Reliability & Support 8.6/10

    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
    J
    JKJHB
    8.0/10
    jhJ JJ

    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

    Read the full review
    Review by our expert
    Author Image Kristina Perunicic
    Kristina Perunicic

    Managing Editor

    Our Score: 8.0/10

    ShimoVPN is a VPN service provider exclusive to macOS only. Developed by Feingeist with its headquarter located in Berlin, Germany; ShimoVPN is committed to providing its users with a user-friendly VPN software with high security standards. Shimo supports PPTP VPN on macOS Sierra, something that is impossible on Apple's built-in VPN client. It can unblock Netflix, but remember, only if you're a ...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    J
    Jay Niederman
    10.0/10
    It really works

    I've been wrestling with a VPN connection from my Mac(s) to Windows servers since Apple seriously cut ... back on connectivity options. Previously, my best work around was using a Parallels session or booting in BootCamp. However, Shimo offers a native Mac VPN client that works well. My one only limited comment would be that the interface is a little difficult to navigate to new users. However, once past that learning curve (which is not a big deal), it works. And continues to work with no additional issues. I recommend it.More

    Latest negative user review
    A
    Anonymously
    2.0/10
    Worse VPN client ever

    Shimo does not work properly with Cisco SSL protocol. Support does not help at all. Big Sur support i... s limited. App crashes from time to time. After disconnecting from the VPN you need to reset your network settings to make your connection work again.More

    Read the full review

    Pricing

    Starting price $6.67/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 8 devices
    Starting price $51.64/
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 0 Days
    Number of devices per license Unlimited devices

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    ExpressVPN is better because it has native apps for all the main devices, plus the option to connect it via your router for even more device connections. ShimoVPN is only compatible with macOS, so you can't use it on any other devices. While both providers have great security features and no logs policies to keep your data private, ExpressVPN is faster, safer, and more reliable.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    ExpressVPN is better because it has P2P support on every single one of its servers. ShimoVPN is not torrent-friendly. It also doesn’t have the standard levels of protection I would want if I were to torrent, such as an automatic kill switch.

    Best VPN for Windows

    ExpressVPN is better because it has a native Windows app that is easy to install and compatible with Windows 7, 8, 10, and 11. It also supports split tunneling, so you can choose which Windows apps you route through the VPN. ShimoVPN deos not support Windows at all.

    Best VPN for Android

    ExpressVPN is better because it has an easy-to-use Android app that's compatible with every Android OS (including Pie, Oreo, Marshmallow, Nougat, and Lollipop). The Android app also supports split tunneling, as well as the VPN's super-fast proprietary protocol Lightway. ShimoVPN does not support Android.

    Best VPN for Mac

    ExpressVPN is better because its macOS app is protected by an automatic kill switch. Even though ShimoVPN is a Mac-only VPN, its app still falls short on this crucial security feature. ExpressVPN's Mac app also has split tunneling and is compatible with every Mac device.

    Best VPN for iOS

    ExpressVPN is better because it has an iOS app that is feature-rich and easy to install. While ExpressVPN's iPhone and iPad app does lack some features that are available on other platforms (like split tunneling and a kill switch), the VPN still wins since ShimoVPN doesn't work on iOS at all.

    Best VPN for USA

    ExpressVPN is better because it has a huge network of 30+ US servers that can access all your favorite American streaming sites like Netflix, Hulu, and HBO Max. Although some ShimoVPN servers can unblock US Netflix, it is less reliable and can’t unblock other popular US streaming platforms.

    The Bottom Line

    See Plans & Pricing

    While ShimoVPN gives Mac users some impressive security features, its lack of compatibility with other platforms is its downfall. ExpressVPN is more versatile, more reliable, and much faster.

    I'm also skeptical of any ""lifetime"" VPN with a one-off payment. These services have no reason to maintain a high quality of service (since they don't need to retain users). That could explain ShimoVPN's poor performance when it comes to streaming. ExpressVPN might cost you more but it's worth it for guaranteed performance. Plus, ExpressVPN often runs deals and discounts that mean you can get it a lot cheaper — I got my subscription for 49% off.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

    Go with ExpressVPN
    Go with Shimovpn
    Or click here to check best VPNs, rated by {{review_count}} users

    FAQ

    Is ExpressVPN better than Shimovpn?

    Yes, ExpressVPN is better overall than Shimovpn. 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 Shimovpn?

    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 Shimovpn?

    Yes, ExpressVPN is faster than Shimovpn. 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 Shimovpn offer any deals?

    Both ExpressVPN and Shimovpn 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 to review VPN services and cover 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 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

    As a Managing Editor at vpnMentor, Anneke van Aswegen helps readers quickly master VPNs. She aims to solve problems, whether accessing streaming platforms or protecting your data, without needing a computer tech.