ExpressVPN vs
Smart DNS Proxy vs
2021

Item: ExpressVPN
Rating: 4.9
Author: Geoff Whiting

After comparing these VPNs, we have a winner!

1245 User Reviews

9.8

More Info

42 User Reviews

8.2

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
10.0
Pricing
9.2
Ease of Use
10.0
Reliability & Support
10.0

Features
7.4
Pricing
9.0
Ease of Use
8.0
Reliability & Support
8.2

Rating
Features	10.0	7.4
Pricing	9.2	9.0
Ease of Use	10.0	8.0
Reliability & Support	10.0	8.2

Reviews

Review by our expert

Elly Hancock Cybersecurity Researcher

9.8

Is ExpressVPN really the fastest out there? Is it worth the price, even with its latest discount? I ran every test possible to find out. Whether you want to stream Netflix, download torrents, play video games, or stay anonymous and secure online, I’ve got the important info you need. Spoiler: ExpressVPN can do all of these, and its latest version is a serious contender for the VPN crown. Bu...

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Latest positive user review

Alexander

10.0

Love Expressvpn, always spreading the word I love how they continually update the software. Having it on mobile and desktop with multiple connections plus a choice of location has been a huge help. Being outside the 14 eyes is helpful as well, knowing my data isn't sold or intercepted makes me feel secure with my browsing.

Latest negative user review

Michael

2.0

Express VPN is TERRIBLE! After reading all of the rave reviews, I signed up for ExpressVPN. Express VPN constantly causes me to lose my internet connection on my Dell XPS Laptop, Windows 10 especially when booting the computer or waking the computer. I then have to disconnect Express via the task manager and reconnect to internet. It sometimes kills my connection in the middle of tasks. There is no telephone support. Email to support went unanswered. After troubleshooting with Chat and sending my log files which are fine, Chat Support simply said that this was a problem their engineers are aware of. Whaaaaat? So when, if ever, will there be a fix?? Worthless service, Terrible support! Deserves zero stars.

Pricing

Starting price

$6.67/ month

Money Back Guarantee (Days)

Number of devices per license

See Plans

Starting price

$2.48/ month

Money Back Guarantee (Days)

Number of devices per license

See Plans


Starting price	$6.67/ month	$2.48/ 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

Winner

Visit website »

www.expressvpn.com

See Plans & Pricing

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.

Interestingly, if you compare ExpressVPN with Surfblocker, which is our top ranked vpn, you'll see that ExpressVPN can learn a lot from Surfblocker. Compare ExpressVPN with Surfblocker

Time to decide which one is best for you

Go with ExpressVPN

Go with Smart DNS Proxy

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ExpressVPN vs Smart DNS Proxy vs 2021