ExpressVPN vs Smart DNS Proxy vs 2019

Name: The Bottom Line
Item: ExpressVPN
Rating: 4.9
Author: Geoff Whiting

After comparing these VPNs, we have a winner!

1076 User Reviews

4.9

More Info

34 User Reviews

4.1

More Info

Which VPN is better?

Geoff Whiting
VPN and Cybersecurity Researcher

ExpressVPN and Smart DNS Proxy highlight two different approaches to keeping your data and browsing safe. Each delivers high-quality security options and premium capabilities. ExpressVPN is a well-known brand due to its military-grade encryption and 3,000+ servers in 94 countries with native apps for every platform. With a paid Smart DNS Proxy account, you get access to both a DNS Proxy and its VPN service. The proxy option is designed to unblock streaming content and works with more than 400 channels, but it doesn’t encrypt your data. Its VPN does encrypt your data, supporting leading protocols, including PPTP, L2TP, and OpenVPN. Of its 100 listed servers, half support the VPN service and half support P2P. There’s no software installation for any of the Smart DNS Proxy services, but its VPN has apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android. One important note is that the Smart DNS Proxy company calls its VPN service SmartVPN, but this is not the same as the SmartVPN.com service from Anonymous SARL, so we won’t refer to it by that product name in this review. Keep reading to find out which option is right for you.


Features
5.0
Pricing
4.6
Ease of Use
5.0
Reliability & Support
5.0

Features
3.7
Pricing
4.5
Ease of Use
4.0
Reliability & Support
4.1

Rating
Features	5.0	3.7
Pricing	4.6	4.5
Ease of Use	5.0	4.0
Reliability & Support	5.0	4.1

Reviews

Review by our expert

Katie Kasunic

Technology Researcher

4.9

There is a lot of hype surrounding ExpressVPN’s service. You may have heard about this VPN’s legendary speeds and powerful unblocking capabilities when it comes to streaming. But is ExpressVPN too good to be true? What’s the downside? Is ExpressVPN sacrificing your safety to achieve such high speeds? To find out the real story, I put ExpressVPN through our toughest tests.

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Latest positive user review

Anonymously

5.0

Great service Everything works well for me with a focus on security as my main use. I do however have one issue that sucks. Their mediastreamer service no longer works with game consoles and hasn't since I signed up around 9 months ago. So I can't switch to other countries for Netflix. And I can't set it up on my router either.

Latest negative user review

Meg Harrison

1.0

Not all it's cracked up to be Instructions are difficult for the layperson to find let alone understand. Purchased this service with a router from flashedrouters. Any company that fills the internet with reviews about how easy it is to use and its great customer service yet only offers 'chat or email' customer service during a mere 5 hours per day only 5 days a week vs. offering SALES support 24/7 is more hype than substance. I spent almost $700 between a year of service and a pre-flashed router that works with their service. I did a lot of online research which has lead me to one conclusion... It is not that difficult to BUY a false online reputation. I am a real user and will be interested to see if vpnMentor actually publishes this review. I can show receipts for my purchases, I wonder how many of these 5-star reviews can do the same.

Pricing

Starting price

$6.67/ month

Money Back Guarantee (Days)

Number of devices per license

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Starting price

$2.08/ month

Money Back Guarantee (Days)

Number of devices per license

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Starting price	$6.67/ month	$2.08/ month	121332/
Money Back Guarantee (Days)	30	30	0
Number of devices per license	5	5	Unlimited
See Plans & Pricing	See Plans	See Plans

Best VPNs by category

Best VPNs Overall		ExpressVPN’s high-speed network of servers, IPv6 and DNS leak protection, and ability to get past even the toughest geoblocks make it a popular option. Smart DNS Proxy provides a fast service for its proxy and VPN, which can be used separately or together, but there are mixed reviews on the reliability of streaming content.
Best VPNs Overall ExpressVPN’s high-speed network of servers, IPv6 and DNS leak protection, and ability to get past even the toughest geoblocks make it a popular option. Smart DNS Proxy provides a fast service for its proxy and VPN, which can be used separately or together, but there are mixed reviews on the reliability of streaming content.
Best VPNs for Torrents		Every one of ExpressVPN’s servers supports torrenting to give you fast access to content, while also keeping you safe behind top security and a kill switch on most platforms. The VPN from Smart DNS Proxy, which comes with any paid account, utilizes PPTP, SSTP, L2TP, and OpenVPN protocols and offers dozens of secure torrent-friendly P2P servers.
Best VPNs for Torrents Every one of ExpressVPN’s servers supports torrenting to give you fast access to content, while also keeping you safe behind top security and a kill switch on most platforms. The VPN from Smart DNS Proxy, which comes with any paid account, utilizes PPTP, SSTP, L2TP, and OpenVPN protocols and offers dozens of secure torrent-friendly P2P servers.
Best VPNs for Windows		ExpressVPN offers a Windows-specific client that gets high marks from users due to its simplicity, good speeds, and safety tools, with no logging. Smart DNS Proxy allows you to stream without any software, but you’ll get a dedicated app for its VPN tool that makes choosing your connection, turning on the kill switch, and auto-reconnecting easy.
Best VPNs for Windows ExpressVPN offers a Windows-specific client that gets high marks from users due to its simplicity, good speeds, and safety tools, with no logging. Smart DNS Proxy allows you to stream without any software, but you’ll get a dedicated app for its VPN tool that makes choosing your connection, turning on the kill switch, and auto-reconnecting easy.
Best VPNs for Android		ExpressVPN gives you access to thousands of servers in 94 countries while employing an AES 256-bit cipher with a 4096-bit RSA key and SHA-512 HMAC authentication on its native Android app. The VPN from Smart DNS Proxy has launched an Android app that some users say is confusing to setup and has led to a number of upset customers. It also doesn’t work in conjunction with some popular apps like Whatsapp.
Best VPNs for Android ExpressVPN gives you access to thousands of servers in 94 countries while employing an AES 256-bit cipher with a 4096-bit RSA key and SHA-512 HMAC authentication on its native Android app. The VPN from Smart DNS Proxy has launched an Android app that some users say is confusing to setup and has led to a number of upset customers. It also doesn’t work in conjunction with some popular apps like Whatsapp.
Best VPNs for Mac		ExpressVPN’s Mac client provides support all the way back to Snow Leopard (10.6) and uses OpenVPN as standard, split tunneling, and even lets you favorite different services for easy access. Smart DNS Proxy’s VPN and proxy service support all Mac devices and make it easy to stream or browse with minimal logging of your data.
Best VPNs for Mac ExpressVPN’s Mac client provides support all the way back to Snow Leopard (10.6) and uses OpenVPN as standard, split tunneling, and even lets you favorite different services for easy access. Smart DNS Proxy’s VPN and proxy service support all Mac devices and make it easy to stream or browse with minimal logging of your data.
Best VPNs for iOS		ExpressVPN protects your iOS devices with access to more than 160 VPN server locations. You can get a free 14-day trial on its app that protects you on wi-fi, LTE/4G, 3G, and all mobile data carriers. Smart DNS Proxy’s VPN gives iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices a full complement of encryption and protection with a simple network adjustment.
Best VPNs for iOS ExpressVPN protects your iOS devices with access to more than 160 VPN server locations. You can get a free 14-day trial on its app that protects you on wi-fi, LTE/4G, 3G, and all mobile data carriers. Smart DNS Proxy’s VPN gives iPhones, iPads, and other Apple devices a full complement of encryption and protection with a simple network adjustment.
Best VPNs for USA		ExpressVPN makes it safe and straightforward to access leading US content, such as Netflix and HBO, with users reporting success and fast speeds from the UAE, Russia, China, and others. Smart DNS Proxy explicitly touts its ability to unblock a wide range of content, but users report inconsistent results, especially for Netflix and BBC iPlayer.
Best VPNs for USA ExpressVPN makes it safe and straightforward to access leading US content, such as Netflix and HBO, with users reporting success and fast speeds from the UAE, Russia, China, and others. Smart DNS Proxy explicitly touts its ability to unblock a wide range of content, but users report inconsistent results, especially for Netflix and BBC iPlayer.

The Bottom Line

Geoff Whiting

VPN and Cybersecurity Researcher

ExpressVPN has an advantage over Smart DNS Proxy based on the size of its network, automatic kill switch, reliable geoblocking capabilities, and friendly customer service. But, the lower price and software-free nature of Smart DNS Proxy could be a good choice for you now that it includes a true VPN offering with its paid proxy service. You’ll want to look at the devices you use and your comfort around working with or without specific software to help narrow down your selection. Either way, you’ll get fast speeds, safe connections, and short-term free trials from each of these two popular services. More Info

Winner

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www.expressvpn.com

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Time to decide which one is best for you

Go with ExpressVPN

Go with Smart DNS Proxy

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