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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.
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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. StrongVPN 2024

Table of Contents
    Editor's Note: Transparency and impartiality are important to us when bringing you our best selection of VPNs. Some of the industry-leading products on our list, including Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost, and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company. The VPNs we choose are derived from a thorough testing process.

    Which VPN Is Better?

    Author Image Keira Waddell
    Keira Waddell

    Former Senior Writer

    Although not as well known in the VPN industry, StrongVPN is a fair competitor to ExpressVPN. Both VPNs offer impressive speeds and robust security features and work with popular streaming platforms. However, there are some differences between them you should be aware of before making your choice.

    To help you make an informed decision, I compared the 2 VPNs side by side in various categories, including speed, streaming, server network, privacy, and security.

    After my testing, I found that ExpressVPN is the overall winner. Our international team of testers confirmed it works with global streaming platforms and it’s one of the fastest VPNs in the industry. Plus, it’s highly recommended for privacy-conscious users with its audited no-logs and privacy-friendly jurisdiction.

    StrongVPN is a solid runner-up, though. It comes with the essential security features and fast speeds provided by premium VPNs at a much lower price. Plus, it's a great option for streaming with its StrongDNS feature. However, it hasn’t been audited to date and has poor server coverage.

    Try ExpressVPN Risk-Free

    Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

    ExpressVPN StrongVPN
    Overall Rating Our Score: 9.87/10

    https://www.expressvpn.com/

    Our Score: 8.19/10

    https://www.strongvpn.com/

    💲 Lowest Monthly Price $4.99/month with the 1-year + 3 months free plan $3.97/month with the 1-year plan
    🗓️ Price on Renewal $116.95 per year
    (subject to change)
    $89.99 per year
    (subject to change)
    🤑 Coupons ExpressVPN 82% off (1-year + 3 free months plan) StrongVPN 66% off (1-year plan)
    💸 Money-Back Guarantee 30 days 30 days
    📺 Streaming Works with Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and more Works with most streaming platforms but may take some server-switching
    🌍 VPN Servers 105 countries with 3,000 servers 30 countries with 950 servers
    Speed 6% speed drop on nearby servers, 11% speed drop on long-distance servers 4% speed drop on nearby servers, 7% speed drop on long-distance servers
    🎮 Gaming Performance Low ping rate on servers close by, but higher over long distances Low ping rate on servers close by, but struggles over long distances
    🧑‍🤝‍🧑 P2P Support Yes, on all servers Yes, on all servers
    🔐 Security Protocols Lightway, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and IPSec
    🔌 Kill Switch Yes Yes
    IP/DNS Leak Protection Yes Yes
    🏢 Based in Country British Virgin Islands USA
    ⚠️ Does VPN Keep Logs No No
    Works in China Yes Possibly
    #️⃣ Number of Device Connections 8 12
    💻 Device Compatibility Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, Firefox, Edge, routers, smart TVs, game consoles, and more Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Chrome, routers, smart TVs, game consoles, and more
    🔧 Customer Support 24/7 live chat, knowledge base, FAQs, and email 24/7 live chat, knowledge base, FAQs, and email

    Streaming — ExpressVPN Wins by a Narrow Margin

    Important: While you can theoretically use a VPN to watch content outside of licensed regions, doing so goes against the terms of use of most platforms. Plus, it may even be considered copyright infringement, which the team and I don't condone. It’s up to you to use a VPN responsibly; always do so within the bounds of the law.

    ExpressVPN was more reliable for uninterrupted streaming. Neither provider offers dedicated streaming servers, but ExpressVPN’s regular servers gave me and my global colleagues a smooth connection with every local platform we tried that is licensed for our respective countries. This wasn’t the case with StrongVPN.

    The following table shows how well each VPN works with popular streaming platforms:

    Streaming Platform ExpressVPN StrongVPN
    Netflix ✅ Yes, including popular Netflix
    libraries like the US, UK, Canada,
    Japan, South Korea, and Switzerland
    ☑️ Yes, but not as reliable for some
    libraries
    Disney+ ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    ESPN ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    (HBO) Max ✅ Yes ☑️ Yes, but may require server switching
    Hulu ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    Sky ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    Amazon Prime Video ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    BBC iPlayer ✅ Yes ☑️ Yes, but may require troubleshooting
    ABC ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    CBS ✅ Yes ✅ Yes
    NBC ✅ Yes ✅ Yes

    ExpressVPN gave my international team and me consistent connections to our local Netflix libraries (over 20), including major ones like the US, the UK, Japan, Germany, and Australia. I used the server closest to me, in New York, to watch Community on Netflix US in UHD. Thanks to its fast speeds, I never experienced any lag.

    Watching Netflix US with ExpressVPNThe picture quality remained the same even when skipping to different parts of the episode

    In our tests, ExpressVPN was just as reliable with other major streaming platforms, like Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Max, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer.

    StrongVPN also works with most platforms and Netflix libraries, but there were a few inconsistencies. I had to try a few US servers before I found one that gave me a stable connection for Max. Our UK testers also found that BBC iPlayer required troubleshooting (switching servers and browsers) before it worked.

    Aside from that, I experienced no buffering while streaming with StrongVPN from my location in the US.

    Watching Netflix US with StrongVPNIt didn’t take more than a few seconds for the show to load

    ExpressVPN and StrongVPN both offer a Smart DNS service — ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer and StrongVPN’s StrongDNS. These let you stream on devices that don’t support VPNs, like smart TVs and gaming consoles. They don’t offer encryption like their full VPN apps, though.

    MediaStreamer only works with select US and UK streaming platforms, so it’s only suitable for people in these countries. Meanwhile, StrongDNS service supports around 140 streaming services, making it a better option for users across the world.

    Winner
    ExpressVPN is the overall winner for streaming, as it works more consistently and more reliably with the most popular streaming platforms.

    Server Network — ExpressVPN Has a Much Larger Server Network

    ExpressVPN StrongVPN
    Total Countries With Servers 105 30
    Number of Servers 3,000 950

    Both VPNs have good global coverage, but ExpressVPN has a much larger network, with 3,000+ servers worldwide. ExpressVPN also covers 105 countries spread across Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East.

    In comparison, StrongVPN has only 950 servers in 30 countries. The vast majority of its servers are based in Europe and North America, while other regions aren’t too well represented. Both VPNs lack servers in restrictive countries like Russia and China.

    On the positive side, StrongVPN does offer a good number of city-specific servers. Plus, most of them are based in the US, so users in the States can easily find a fast, local server.

    Winner
    ExpressVPN has a lot more servers than StrongVPN and covers a lot more countries, with every continent well represented.

    Speed — StrongVPN Was Slightly Faster

    ExpressVPN and StrongVPN are both very fast. Both VPNs were tested by our speed tester in the UK, using their fastest protocols — Lightway for ExpressVPN and WireGuard for StrongVPN.

    Starting with baseline speeds of 112.71 Mbps, ExpressVPN local UK server reached up to 105.85 Mbps — only a 6% drop. Meanwhile, its upload speeds dropped by 9% (from 15.96 Mbps to 14.5 Mbps), which is also impressive.

    While download speeds are important for streaming and torrenting, upload speeds can affect activities like gaming and file sharing.

    Screenshot showing Okoola speed test of ExpressVPN's nearby speedsA minor speed loss of only 6% means the VPN connection is barely noticeable

    StrongVPN performed similarly to ExpressVPN on nearby servers. With baseline speeds of 116.25 Mbps, StrongVPN’s speeds dropped by only 5% on the local UK server. Its upload speeds barely dropped to 16.71 Mbps.

    Screenshot showing Okoola speed test of ExpressVPN's nearby speedsWireGuard provides the best speeds for streaming, browsing, or torrenting with StrongVPN

    Looking at long-distance speeds, both VPNs had excellent results. ExpressVPN dropped speeds by only 11% on the overseas New York server. StrongVPN performed even better on the US connection, with only a 7% speed loss. But the difference in these results is so small that it's unnoticeable in real-time.

    Speed Tests ExpressVPN Average Download Speed StrongVPN Average Download Speed ExpressVPN Average Upload Speed StrongVPN Average Upload Speed
    Connected to a US server 100.29 Mbps (11% loss) 108.07 Mbps (7% loss) 14.5 Mbps (9% loss) 16.33 Mbps (5% loss)
    Connected to a UK server 105.85 Mbps (6% loss) 110.96 Mbps (5% loss) 14.85 Mbps (7% loss) 16.71 Mbps (3% loss)
    Connected to a Hong Kong server 67.83 Mbps (40% loss) 77.37 Mbps (33% loss) 11.23 Mbps (30% loss) 7.33 Mbps (58 % loss)
    Winner
    ExpressVPN and StrongVPN are both very fast over short and long distances, but StrongVPN came out slightly ahead in most speed tests.

    Gaming — ExpressVPN Has Lower Ping Rates

    To see how each VPN performs during gaming, I tested their ping rates on a few servers across the globe (nearby and long-distance). Ideally, the ping should stay well below the 100 ms mark for smooth gaming to prevent lag or disruptions to your game.

    I first recorded my ping without a VPN connection, which was 64 ms. Then, I tested both VPNs’ fastest servers, as well as their US, UK, and Hong Kong connections. For the most accurate results, I played the fast-paced Counter-Strike 2.

    ExpressVPN gave me a lower ping than StrongVPN at both short and long distances. When I used its Quick Connect option, there was no difference in gameplay compared to when I wasn’t using a VPN.

    ExpressVPN (Lightway) StrongVPN (WireGuard)
    Quick Connect 68 ms 79 ms
    Connected to a US server 76 ms 85 ms
    Connected to a UK server 115 ms 153 ms
    Connected to a Hong Kong server 219 ms 302 ms

    Screenshot of playing Counter Strike 2 with ExpressVPN's nearest serverThe game loaded within seconds, and there were no interruptions while playing

    As expected, the ping increased the further away the server was from my actual location. ExpressVPN’s London server gave me 115 ms, so I waited around 5 minutes for the game to load and noticed slight lagging while playing. With StrongVPN, loading times were even longer.

    With both VPNs, I couldn’t even get the game to load when connected to their Hong Kong servers, so I don’t recommend using either VPN for gaming at distances over 8,000km.

    Winner
    ExpressVPN gave me lower ping rates than StrongVPN on both nearby and long-distance servers, making it the overall winner in this category.

    Torrenting — Both VPNs Support P2P Sharing On All Their Servers

    Unlike some VPNs, ExpressVPN supports torrenting on all its servers. You don’t need to look for specialized P2P servers — simply connect to your nearest location and start downloading. This, combined with its fast speeds, makes it one of the best torrenting VPNs.

    StrongVPN also allows P2P connections across its entire server network, so it’s another solid choice for torrenting.

    During tests, it took a little over 4 minutes to download a 1.3 GB file with ExpressVPN, which is similar to the time it takes me to download a file of that size without a VPN. StrongVPN gave me similar results.

    However, downloading copyrighted content is illegal in most countries, so make sure to only torrent files that are copyright-free and are in the public domain. Also, check your country’s local laws and regulations before using either VPN for torrenting.

    Winner - draw
    /
    ExpressVPN and StrongVPN support P2P sharing on all their servers, so this category is a tie. They gave me great download speeds, similar to the time it takes me without a VPN connection.

    Security — ExpressVPN Wins Thanks to More Advanced Features

    ExpressVPN and StrongVPN are both very secure, but ExpressVPN has more security features, so it’s the overall winner. That said, if you’re looking for a VPN with standard security features, like strong encryption, a kill switch, and IP/DNS leak protection, StrongVPN is also a great option.

    Security Feature ExpressVPN StrongVPN
    Encryption level AES-256-GCM with 4096-bit RSA key, SHA-512 HMAC authentication AES-256-GCM with 4096-bit DH key, SHA2-384 HMAC authentication
    Kill Switch All operating systems Only on Windows and macOS
    DNS/IP Leak Protection Yes Yes
    Protocols Lightway, OpenVPN (UDP and TCP), IPSec/IKEv2 WireGuard, OpenVPN (UDP and TCP), IKEv2, IPSec
    Split Tunneling Yes Yes (only on Android)
    Private DNS servers Yes Yes
    Tor Over VPN servers No No
    RAM-only servers wipes data Yes Yes
    Ad & malware blocker Yes No
    Double hop servers No No
    Dedicated IP addresses No No
    Obfuscation technology Yes Yes

    ExpressVPN uses its proprietary TrustedServer technology to ensure all your data is wiped from the server with each reboot. This means all ExpressVPN servers are RAM-based (run on volatile memory).

    This is much safer than traditional hard disk drives that keep data permanently. StrongVPN’s server network is also RAM-based.

    ExpressVPN and StrongVPN use AES 256-bit encryption — the strongest available. Plus, both VPNs offer a selection of secure VPN protocols to choose from. ExpressVPN offers OpenVPN (UCP and TDP), IKEv2, and its own Lightway protocol (based on WireGuard) that’s built for fast speeds and security.

    Screenshot of ExpressVPN's protocols in the Windows appLightway has also undergone multiple independent audits that further prove its security

    StrongVPN lets you choose between 4 highly secure VPN protocols, including OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2, and IPSec. This means you can customize your VPN connection based on your needs. For instance, WireGuard is recommended for speed, while OpenVPN is considered the safest protocol.

    Both VPNs offer obfuscation technologies that disguise your VPN traffic so they’ll work in restrictive networks like at school, work, or on public WiFi.

    ExpressVPN has one of the most advanced obfuscation features of any VPN — it’s built into all its servers and kicks in automatically once it detects a restrictive network. StrongVPN offers obfuscation through the Scramble feature, which needs to be manually enabled.

    Screenshot of StrongVPN's Scramble feature in its Windows appStrongVPN’s Scramble feature is available on Windows, macOS, and Android

    Since both VPNs offer a kill switch, you can rest assured that your data isn’t exposed in case your VPN connection fails. ExpressVPN’s kill switch (Network Lock) is available on all platforms, while StrongVPN’s is only available on its desktop apps.

    Winner
    ExpressVPN’s robust security features are available on a wider array of devices, while some of StrongVPN’s features are device-specific.

    Privacy — ExpressVPN’s No-Logs Claims Have Been Proven Multiple Times

    Both ExpressVPN and StrongVPN claim they keep no logs of your browsing activity or personal data. However, ExpressVPN has been audited multiple times by reputable third-party organizations (like KPMG and Cure53) to validate its no-logs claims. Unlike ExpressVPN, StrongVPN has yet to undergo independent audits.

    ExpressVPN clearly states in its privacy policy that it retains no activity or connection logs. The only personal information it collects is your sign-up details, such as your email address and payment info, which is needed to maintain its service.

    It does collect some anonymized data, such as your bandwidth usage, crash reports, and VPN connection diagnostics, but this information is not personally identifiable, meaning it cannot be traced back to you.

    Screenshot of ExpressVPN's privacy policyFor added privacy, you can pay with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin

    StrongVPN’s privacy policy is also very transparent, claiming the VPN doesn’t track or store any of your data, like your browsing activity or IP address. Similar to ExpressVPN, it only collects basic information needed to maintain its service, but I’d like to see these claims audited.

    When it comes to jurisdiction, ExpressVPN comes out on top as it’s based in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands. This country has no data retention laws and is outside the data-sharing 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance. On the other hand, StrongVPN is based in the US, one of the founders of the 5 Eyes Alliance.

    Winner
    ExpressVPN’s no-logs policy has been proven true multiple times by independent audits, whereas StrongVPN’s no-logs claims haven’t been verified to date.

    Works in China — ExpressVPN Works, StrongVPN Might

    While neither service guarantees that they work in China, ExpressVPN is known to be the most reliable VPN for the country. Its automatic obfuscation means it works more often than not on restrictive networks in the country, and it even has mirror sites that let you download it in the country (its website is blocked by the Great Firewall).

    When I contacted StrongVPN’s customer support, the agent was clear that service can be hit or miss and may require extra configuration to work within the country.

    ExpressVPN also offers servers in Hong Kong, while StrongVPN doesn’t offer any Chinese IP addresses. Neither VPN has servers in mainland China, though.

    Note that using a non-government-approved VPN in China is illegal. There haven't been any publicly reported cases of tourists getting penalized for using one, but we advise you to be cautious. The team and I don't condone using a VPN to break any laws.

    Winner
    Both of them offer powerful obfuscation features that have allowed them to work in China, but ExpressVPN is one of the VPNs that is known to work reliably.

    Installation & Ease of Use — ExpressVPN’s Desktop App Is Easier to Navigate

    ExpressVPN and StrongVPN both offer apps for all major platforms that are easy to set up and use. Simply download the app from the app store or the VPN’s official site and install it on your device. Installation didn’t take more than a few minutes with either VPN — once I entered my login credentials, I could start using the VPN immediately.

    I found ExpressVPN’s Windows app very intuitive and user-friendly. The main interface is minimalistic, only displaying the server location you’re using without any unnecessary information. Plus, you can add shortcuts to your most frequently used apps and websites.

    Screenshot of ExpressVPN's desktop app showing its Shortcuts feature and the Smart Location featuresClick on the 3 dots next to your current location to open the list of servers

    Clicking the large power button at the center automatically connects you to the fastest server for your location. If you want to connect to a specific country, you can easily find it with the search bar at the top of the server list.

    StrongVPN is also easy to use, but I didn’t find it as intuitive as ExpressVPN. Like ExpressVPN, a big portion of the main screen is taken up by the Connect button and the server location. The main interface is clean and basic, but it shows a bit more information, making it a little cluttered.

    Screenshot of StrongVPN's Windows appYou can look for servers by country or by city

    Clicking on the current location pulls up the server list. StrongVPN’s servers are sorted alphabetically instead of by continent, making it more difficult to find specific countries. The main settings are hidden behind the cog icon at the top of the main screen.

    Like ExpressVPN, StrongVPN’s app is pretty similar across platforms. However, there are certain features, like the kill switch, that are only available on Windows and macOS.

    Winner
    I found ExpressVPN’s desktop app more intuitive due to the simple main screen, easy-to-find servers, and features like app shortcuts.

    Reliability & Support — Both VPNs Offer Excellent Customer Support

    Customer Support Features ExpressVPN StrongVPN
    24/7 Live chat Yes, responds immediately Yes
    Email support Yes Yes
    Phone support No No
    Step-by-step setup guides Yes Yes
    Searchable knowledge base Yes Yes
    Exhaustive FAQ section Yes Yes

    ExpressVPN and StrongVPN have multiple support options, but ExpressVPN’s live chat support is knowledgeable and quick to answer. You can find the live chat at the bottom right corner of any page of the VPN’s official site. You don’t even need an active subscription to use ExpressVPN’s live chat.

    Like ExpressVPN, StrongVPN’s live chat is available 24/7. The live chat is easy to find and is open to everyone. When you click on it, you can either chat with a support bot or choose to get in touch with a live agent.

    Winner - draw
    /
    Overall, both VPNs have similar support options with fast response times, so there is no definitive winner here — they both offer excellent customer support.

    Tips on Choosing Between ExpressVPN and StrongVPN

    ExpressVPN and StrongVPN have a lot of differences and unique features, so it can be difficult to choose which one to use. Here are the criteria I used to determine the overall winner:

    • Smooth streaming — Choose a VPN that reliably works with your favorite local streaming platforms with fast enough speeds for buffer-free streaming. In theory, you can use a VPN to connect to another location and watch content that’s specifically licensed for that region. However, that goes against most platforms’ T&Cs and may constitute copyright infringement.
    • Fast speeds — No matter what you want to use the VPN for, its speeds must be fast enough to avoid lagging and interruptions. Although it’s normal for a VPN to slow down your speeds a bit, you should still be able to stream, browse, or torrent smoothly.
    • A large server network — The more servers a VPN has, the better chances you have of connecting to a fast, local server. Plus, a large number of servers means you can avoid slowdowns caused by overcrowding.
    • Strong security — Any reputable VPN should cover the basics, like military-grade encryption, a kill switch function, and IP/DNS leak protection. If security is your top priority, you should look for a VPN with added extras, like obfuscation, RAM-based servers, and so on.
    • Privacy-friendly — The VPN should have a strict no-logs policy that’s been proven true by an independent audit. Plus, it’s best if it’s based in a country that doesn’t belong to the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance.
    • Cross-platform support — Make sure the VPN offers an easy-to-use app for all the major platforms and devices, especially the platform you plan to use the VPN most frequently on.
    • Reliable customer support — Always look for a VPN that offers 24/7 live chat support, as you’ll be able to get assistance at any time. If that’s not available, you should at least be able to reach out to support via email.
    • Money-back guarantee — Most reputable VPNs let you try their services for a certain amount of time and get a full refund if you don’t find it suitable for you. This is very useful, as it means you can try the VPN without any financial risk.

    ExpressVPN vs. StrongVPN — Reddit Opinions

    Many Reddit threads discuss whether ExpressVPN is worth the higher cost. Most users report positive experiences with ExpressVPN as it reliably delivers fast speeds, works well for streaming, and has great security features. However, some users don’t like its higher price point.

    Some Redditors have reported that StrongVPN has given them inconsistent speeds and connection issues. Even though it’s a cheaper option, users report that it doesn’t perform as well as many other VPNs at a similar price.

    Our Score

    Features 9.9/10
    Pricing 9.4/10
    Ease of Use 10.0/10
    Reliability & Support 10.0/10
    Features 8.2/10
    Pricing 8.0/10
    Ease of Use 9.6/10
    Reliability & Support 8.5/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image James Everard
    James Everard

    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 features for less in the long term. So, do you really need to pay that much...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    D
    Dijana
    10.0/10
    Amazing quality

    ExpressVPN is fantastic! It offers blazing fast speeds, strong security features, and a user-friendly ... interface. Perfect for streaming, browsing, and protecting your online privacy. Highly recommended!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: 8.2/10

    StrongVPN is one of the oldest VPNs, and many people praise it. However, its monthly plans don't offer a money-back guarantee, and you may find it too expensive if you only need a VPN for a short time. To determine whether it's worth the yearly commitment, my team and I tested every aspect of StrongVPN, including speed, security features, and a thorough investigation of its privacy policy. Ov...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    M
    Marko
    10.0/10
    Great Service

    Greetings, I have no complaints about Strong VPN no problem with payment of Canadian credit cards r... eliable service trustworthy security when connected. I don't know why there is so much negative feedback I'm just very lucky and no I'm not a lucky Irish man. Great price I pay $4.99 monthly support is great speeds are great and their encryption is very secure, I always check if my DNS if are leaked, and they always pass and check my speeds which are good. I know when connected with Strong VPN I can trust that I'm safe and secure with them.More

    Latest negative user review
    F
    Farid
    2.0/10
    Access cut off

    I have a Lifetime subscription of StrongVPN and since two days ago, I cannot connect to any of their s... ervers. I contacted support staff regarding the issue and as soon as I told my country they told me they no longer offer service in my region! I have an active subscription that I've paid for it and expect to get full support and service for it! It's very unprofessional and unacceptable to do this to user which have active subscription already!More

    Pricing

    ExpressVPN StrongVPN
    Starting Price $4.99/month $3.97/month
    Price (On Renewal) $116.95 per year
    (subject to change)
    $89.99 per year
    (subject to change)
    Money-Back Guarantee (Days) 30 days 30 days
    Number of devices per license 8 12
    Router Setup (for Unlimited Devices) Easy setup with dedicated app Manual setup

    StrongVPN is more affordable than ExpressVPN with its annual plan, while its monthly plans are priced similarly. ExpressVPN lets you choose between a monthly, 6-month, and 1-year plan. The annual plan has the best long-term value and even includes 3 months of free service.

    ExpressVPN’s yearly plan increases slightly after the initial subscription period, but, considering the quality the VPN offers, it’s still worth the price. Plus, all its plans are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try the VPN risk-free.

    StrongVPN has 2 plans — a monthly and a yearly plan. While its monthly plan is expensive, StrongVPN’s yearly subscription is cheaper than most VPNs today. The annual price also increases upon renewal.

    StrongVPN’s 30-day money-back guarantee only covers the annual subscription. It also doesn’t support Bitcoin or any other cryptocurrency payments.

    Unlike StrongVPN, ExpressVPN offers a 7-day free trial for Android and iOS. Plus, ExpressVPN offers more payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, Klarna, and Bitcoin.

    Winner
    ExpressVPN wins this round since its annual plan includes some free months, and it offers a money-back guarantee with all its subscriptions. Plus, its mobile apps have a 7-day free trial.

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    ExpressVPN is the overall winner, as it offers more advanced features and a much larger server network. It outperformed StrongVPN in nearly all my tests.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    Both VPNs support torrenting on all their servers, but ExpressVPN is a better torrenting option as it offers a kill switch on all apps to protect your privacy (StrongVPN’s only works on macOS and Windows).

    Best VPN for Windows

    ExpressVPN is the winner for Windows. Unlike StrongVPN, its Windows app comes with split tunneling included. This is useful when you want to use your regular internet connection to conserve your bandwidth while simultaneously using the VPN for fast and secure streaming, browsing, or torrenting.

    Best VPN for Android

    ExpressVPN is better, as its Android app comes with almost all the functionality of the desktop apps, including a kill switch. In comparison, StrongVPN lacks a kill switch on its mobile apps. Plus, ExpressVPN’s Android app comes with a 7-day free trial, which isn’t the case with StrongVPN.

    Best VPN for Mac

    ExpressVPN is the better option, as its Mac app comes with a useful speed testing tool that shows the difference in download and upload speeds between servers.

    Best VPN for iOS

    ExpressVPN wins, as its iOS app is very intuitive and comes with a 7-day free trial. Plus, it includes Threat Manager, a tracker blocker that stops the sites you visit from sharing your activity with malware sites and trackers.

    Best VPN for USA

    ExpressVPN is better as it offers 24 US server locations, while StrongVPN only covers 15. This makes it a much better option for users in the US, as you’re more likely to find a server near you for faster speeds.

    The Bottom Line

    ExpressVPN performed better than StrongVPN in almost all my tests, so it’s the overall winner of this VPN comparison. It has some of the fastest speeds in the VPN industry and let my colleagues and I watch our favorite local platforms seamlessly from our respective regions.

    Unlike StrongVPN, its no-logs claims have been proven true by multiple independent audits, and it’s based outside the 5 Eyes Alliance. It also comes with a 30 money-back guarantee, so you can try ExpressVPN completely risk-free.

    FAQ

    Is ExpressVPN better than StrongVPN?

    Although both are good VPNs, ExpressVPN performed better than StrongVPN in my tests. It has a much larger server network for lag-free streaming, browsing, or torrenting. Plus, its apps are more intuitive and easier to use, with more security features offered cross-platform, unlike StrongVPN.

    Is ExpressVPN faster than StrongVPN?

    During my speed tests, both VPNs offered impressive speeds, but StrongVPN came out slightly faster.

    StrongVPN only lost 5% on the nearby UK server and no more than 7% on the faraway New York server. It did, however, lose more than half its upload speeds on the even further away Hong Kong connection, which didn’t happen with ExpressVPN.

    In comparison, our speed tester found a 6% speed drop with ExpressVPN on a nearby UK server, only shortly behind those of StrongVPN. Its upload speeds were also impressive, only dropping by 9% on the overseas New York server.

    Is ExpressVPN better for streaming than StrongVPN?

    Both VPNs are good for streaming, but ExpressVPN performed better during my tests. It let me and my colleagues around the world stream our domestic platform, including our Netflix libraries, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. Thanks to its fast speeds, I was able to stream in the US without any lag, even when the server was in another state in the country.

    StrongVPN is also a decent streaming VPN, but it struggled with some regional services, like Max and BBC iPlayer.

    Do ExpressVPN and StrongVPN offer any deals?

    Yes, both ExpressVPN and StrongVPN offer occasional deals and discounts. You can take a closer look at their current deals here. ExpressVPN currently comes with a 82% discount, plus 3 months of free service with its annual plan.

    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 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

    Keira was a senior writer at vpnMentor. She is an experienced cybersecurity and tech writer dedicated to providing comprehensive insights on VPNs, online privacy, and internet censorship.