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ExpressVPN vs Smart DNS Proxy 2022

After comparing these VPNs, we have a winner!

Rated: 9.8/10
%s User Reviews
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Rated: 8.2/10
%s User Reviews
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Which VPN is better?

Author Image Daniel Krohn
Daniel Krohn

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.

Rating

Features 9.8/10
Pricing 9.2/10
Ease of Use 10/10
Reliability & Support 10/10
Features 8.2/10
Pricing 9/10
Ease of Use 8/10
Reliability & Support 8.2/10

Reviews

Review by our expert
Author Image Matthew Amos
Matthew Amos

Cybersecurity Researcher

10/10

ExpressVPN is one of the safest, fastest VPNs around, but the one drawback has always been the price. It often offers discounts that make it more affordable, but there are other decent VPNs offering similar security features for much cheaper. So, do you really need to pay so much for a VPN as good as ExpressVPN? To find the answer, I performed extensive tests on desktop and mobile devices run...

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Latest positive user review
J
Jerry
10.0/10
Great VPN

Works great, able to connect multiple devices with no problems. No lag, great connection. Light on pho... ne processor and able to connect in different locations including multiple countries. Been using it for about a year.More

Latest negative user review
M
Mike Pellascio
6.0/10
Good enough

When it works it is great. Some issues on my part, I think with my ISP. But ExpressvVPN staff were res... ponsive and did their best to solve my problem. Then when I got the update it worked well. However each day I must disconnect and reconnect a few times to get back to the Internet. So I bounce between my LTE and the VPN.More

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Review by our expert
Author Image Ivana Sarandeska
Ivana Sarandeska

Cybersecurity Researcher

7.4/10

Smart DNS Proxy claims to offer a 3-in-1 service that includes a proxy, a VPN, and a SmartVPN. In reality, I found out it really only offers 2 services — the proxy and the VPN. The proxy claims to give you fast access to 400+ sites and services (by rerouting only your traffic to those specific sites), but doesn’t provide any online privacy or the option to change your IP address. The VPN encr...

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Latest positive user review
P
Paul Y
10.0/10
Works great for me!

I use SmartDNSProxy primarily to access BBC and other British tv channels from the USA. It has proven ... to be very reliable, with a high-resolution picture and no buffering 100% of the time that I have used it. I started with their 2-week free trial about one month ago (no credit card needed), and was immediately impressed. After the trial ended, I signed up for the paid service. I haven't so far needed to resort to their customer service to troubleshoot anything, so I have no idea how that is. But so far, so good. I highly recommend it.More

Latest negative user review
D
Dwight Cmpbell
2.0/10
No customer service

Pros - It is a VPN. They don't keep logs. Cons - The servers have caused all kinds of drops with ga... mes, retail websites, and other services. I put up with it because I don't do a lot of gaming, and I switch servers to eliminate their server-related problems, but it is a royal PITA. So I finally brought the problems to their attention and they have been unresponsive. So I will go back to my previous service provider. You do pay for what you get. I too went for the 3-year deal but 2 years of this is about all I can stand. Especially these past two years. Be warned.More

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Pricing

Starting price $6.67/month
Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
Number of devices per license 5 devices
See Plans
Starting price $2.48/month
Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
Number of devices per license 5 devices
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 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 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 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.

The Bottom Line

Author Image Daniel Krohn
Daniel Krohn

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.

Time to decide which one is best for you

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

FAQ

Is ExpressVPN better than Smart DNS Proxy?

Yes, ExpressVPN is better overall than Smart DNS Proxy. It has 3000 servers in 90 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 Smart DNS Proxy?

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 Smart DNS Proxy?

Yes, ExpressVPN is faster than Smart DNS Proxy. 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 before making a long-term commitment. 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 Smart DNS Proxy offer any deals?

Both ExpressVPN and Smart DNS Proxy 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.