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 Zenmate VPN 2024

Table of Contents
    Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, Cyberghost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Kate Richards
    Kate Richards

    Managing Editor

    Known for blazing-fast speeds and exceptional unblocking capabilities, ExpressVPN provides one of the most reliable VPN services available today. ZenMate is also an established VPN provider with many impressive features. Both providers offer dedicated apps for MacOS, Windows, iOS, and Android, although ZenMate allows up to five simultaneous device connections, while ExpressVPN allows a maximum of three. ZenMate and ExpressVPN both use strong, 256-bit encryption across all their apps. Both providers also offer a kill switch and protection from tracking and wi-fi hacking. ZenMate, however, also provides protection from malware, a feature that ExpressVPN lacks. Yet while ExpressVPN offers a transparent privacy policy and keeps no user logs, ZenMate partially logs activity. Another major difference between these two VPNs is that ZenMate offers around 300 servers in 30+ countries, whereas ExpressVPN has more than 2,000 servers in 94 countries, including over 30 in the US. These two providers also differ in their refund policies, with ExpressVPN offering a 30-day money-back guarantee, while ZenMate only manages a 14-day guarantee. A more detailed comparison is provided below across several categories.

    Our Score

    Features 9.9/10
    Pricing 9.4/10
    Ease of Use 10.0/10
    Reliability & Support 10.0/10
    Features 9.1/10
    Pricing 9.4/10
    Ease of Use 9.2/10
    Reliability & Support 9.2/10

    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

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Matthew Amos
    Matthew Amos

    Senior Editor

    Our Score: 9.1/10

    ZenMate has been a popular VPN for 10+ years, especially with its free browser extensions. It offers low prices and many appealing features like streaming servers and fast speeds. But none of this matters if it can’t keep you safe, so I decided to find out if it really can. After my tests, I can say ZenMate is a safe VPN offering great value. It works great for streaming, has fast speeds at cl...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    M
    Mattew
    10.0/10
    Good experience

    No matter your location, using a VPN is important for your online security. I got ZenMate for exactly ... that and I am satisfied with it, especially when it constantly improves its service. Customer support helped me so much and I just wanted to say that I've asked for their help a few times. And every time the support was respectful and fast in their response time. Keep it up!More

    Latest negative user review
    K
    Kaleo
    4.0/10
    Buggy and Unreliable

    Good when it works, with a limited number of available servers. However, 1. Does not always connect ... to the fastest server. 2. On the Mac, it does not automatically connect to a server. 3. On iOS, it does connect automatically BUT does not do so consistently. 4. The Mac app has been buggy and not connecting at all, FOR MONTHS. They still have not fixed it.More

    Pricing

    Starting price $6.67/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 8 devices
    Starting price $1.99/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license Unlimited devices

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    Not only is ExpressVPN one of the fastest VPNs on the market, but it also offers a very large network and a reliably secure service that easily cuts through tough geo-restrictions worldwide. ZenMate also offers an attractive VPN service that includes servers in popular locations, interesting security features, and the ability to help you access geoblocked content.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    ExpressVPN’s support for P2P, server connection speed, and favorable privacy policy make it a better VPN choice for torrenting anonymously. ZenMate also supports torrenting, even though it had an unfavorable policy toward P2P activities in the past.

    Best VPN for Windows

    Access to speedy servers, a dedicated app, and advanced leak protection are some of the best features of ExpressVPN’s powerful service for Windows. ZenMate competes with a Windows app that features malware and tracking protection.

    Best VPN for Android

    By providing access to extremely fast servers and offering strong security features like military-grade encryption and advanced leak protection, ExpressVPN is an excellent choice for Android devices. The versatile service is ideal whether you’re interested in streaming from your mobile device or simply remaining anonymous. ZenMate also has an Android app that’s easy to set up and use and includes essential security features like a kill switch and tracking protection.

    Best VPN for Mac

    ExpressVPN offers a dedicated MacOS app that includes access to 24/7 live customer support, its entire network of 2,000 servers in 94 countries, and features like split tunneling and military-grade encryption. Meanwhile, you can rely on Zenmate’s MacOS app to provide you with a beautiful user interface and IPv6 leak and tracking protection.

    Best VPN for iOS

    ExpressVPN’s user-friendly iOS app features wi-fi protection, unlimited server switching, best-in-class 256-bit encryption, and access to around 2,000 servers in 94 countries. With ZenMate’s iOS service, you can expect an easy-to-use app that includes protection from leaks and tracking.

    Best VPN for USA

    ExpressVPN has dozens of US servers that seamlessly unblock Netflix, Hulu, HBO, and many other similar sites and services from any location worldwide. ZenMate also has a reliable US service that unblocks Netflix and other geoblocked websites, but it can’t match the speed of ExpressVPN.

    The Bottom Line

    ExpressVPN is simply one of the best VPNs on the market, and wins this comparison with its numerous advanced features. It provides a much larger server network and much faster connections than ZenMate, and stores no activity logs since it’s based in the British Virgin Islands where there are no data retention laws to contend with. ExpressVPN also offers surprisingly budget-friendly prices on long-term subscriptions. Whether you’re a VPN newcomer or an old pro, using ExpressVPN will certainly change how you see VPNs for the better.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

    FAQ

    Is ExpressVPN better than Zenmate VPN?

    Yes, ExpressVPN is better overall than Zenmate VPN. 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 Zenmate VPN?

    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 Zenmate VPN?

    Yes, ExpressVPN is faster than Zenmate VPN. 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 Zenmate VPN offer any deals?

    Both ExpressVPN and Zenmate VPN 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

    Kate is a Managing Editor at vpnMentor. Kate promotes the use of VPNs as a means to achieve unhindered access to the internet, as she strongly believes in online freedom for everyone.