People are increasingly turning to VPNs, but why and when do you need one? What can it provide for protection or freedom online? First, let's take a look at the benefits of using one, and then we'll compare two well-known VPN providers – ProtonVPN and ExpressVPN.
When you use a VPN to surf the web, your Internet connection is encrypted. This advanced security feature ensures that an attacker cannot eavesdrop on your online activity and allows access to blocked websites in certain countries. It also makes the connection much faster. In addition, encryption will protect you when you are working or engaging in financial transactions online. That sensitive information like your bank account details or private conversations are kept safe from spying by third parties while you browse.
VPNs come with a variety of pricing plans, which can be confusing for some users. Looking into the details, however, will help you pay less and get a better service overall. In addition, with the increasing number of VPNs in the market, it's becoming more challenging trying to determine which one to use. However, before we dive into that discussion and compare ProtonVPN vs. ExpressVPN, let's take a look at some of the main features you should consider when choosing between different VPN services:
Now that you are familiar with the factors to consider when choosing between different VPN services, let's compare ProtonVPN and ExpressVPN in more detail.
ProtonVPN is a security-oriented service that comes under the Proton technology group established by the creators of Protonmail, the world's largest encrypted email provider. The company delivers its VPN service with top-notch encryption protocols to protect clients' data. It offers servers in over 50 countries (including Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, Italy, Japan, South Korea, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Singapore, and the United States).
ProtonVPN offers excellent features that make it one of the best VPNs in the market. For instance, it has an excellent Windows client that allows users to connect with a single click. It also provides several servers with high speed designed to stream video as well as torrent anonymously.
ExpressVPN is a renowned VPN service that offers customers top-grade security protocols for protecting their identity online. The company uses AES 256-bit encryption to protect data between client and server as well as RSA 4096 key exchange for perfect forward secrecy, making it extremely difficult to break into user's privacy.
ExpressVPN has a firm privacy policy that includes a zero-logging policy on all traffic and DNS requests. In addition, the company owns +3,000 servers in over 94 countries, offering high speeds that allow users to access distant content without interruptions.
The most important factor for any user is security. It can protect them from cyber criminals who may be lurking out there ready to take over their devices or steal personal information such as credit cards and bank details. Every service has its own features, but the encryption algorithm AES 256bit with 4096 bits RSA key length will offer superb protection against hackers, so make sure your chosen service offers this kind of level of security. Additionally, HTTPS protocol servers help enhance online privacy by encrypting data between client and server.
When it comes to additional security features, ExpressVPN offers several protocols, including OpenVPN (UDP / TCP), L2TP-IPSec, PPTP, and SSTP. It also provides special servers for P2P file-sharing making it perfect for people who want to download torrents anonymously.
On the other hand, ProtonVPN offers perfect forward secrecy by generating a new key for each session between client and server. Additionally, it uses cipher-block chaining (CBC) to encipher data blocks. At the same time, users are authenticated using both re-initialization vector (IV) and samples added during authentication.
Both VPNs are strong contenders when it comes to security, but your preferences may depend on your specific needs. For instance - if you want the highest protection standards, then we recommend ExpressVPN; otherwise, go for ProtonVPN.
Privacy is a serious issue for VPN users. It protects them from internet service providers who may be snooping on their behavior online or hackers that can launch an attack using man-in-the-middle methods. Make sure your chosen VPN provider has clear privacy policies offering protection under any circumstances.
Both ProtonVPN and ExpressVPN offer what you need to ensure your privacy is never compromised. For instance, they keep zero logs of IP addresses, browsing history or online activity. They also have strong DNS leak protection and kill switches that activate when the internet connection drops for additional protection against leaks.
ExpressVPN and ProtonVPN provide both of the best VPN security services, so it isn't easy to choose which offers better protection. Both providers offer industry-standard features such as complete leak protection, perfect forward secrecy, and server technology that protects your data. This means it's a tie.
The internet is a vast ocean with millions of people accessing it daily, and you can't afford to get your information slowed down because of traffic congestion. Make sure the VPN you use has good performance and offers reliable high speeds that can guarantee you a surfing experience without any interruption.
This is an essential factor for all VPN users because it determines how well your online content will load both in terms of speed and performance.
Both ProtonVPN and ExpressVPN have their own servers located worldwide, providing users with the perfect balance between speed and geo-location. In addition, they also offer proprietary network technology that allows users to connect from different locations using a single VPN connection without slowing down performance.
Speed tests show that both ProtonVPN and ExpressVPN are excellent choices for users looking to protect their privacy while browsing the internet.
When choosing a VPN, it's important to look not only at the location or number of servers but also the ratio between them. While more is typically better when considering speed, if VPN X has twice as many users and half as many servers in every country compared to VPN Y, they will most likely have slower speeds since there are fewer servers per user.
The ideal situation would be for one that offers high numbers of fast-performing nodes across locations, giving you access without worrying about whether your preferred server/country might shut down due to overcrowding or experiencing slow speeds.
ExpressVPN has a larger number of server locations and countries they are located in, which on the surface makes them the winner between these two VPN providers. We don’t know how many users there are for each server at any given time.
Nowadays, VPN services are very affordable, and this means you can get excellent protection at a reasonable price tag. Low-cost VPNs guarantee users flexible plans with fewer restrictions allowing you to enjoy the benefits of both privacy and entertainment all in one place.
ProtonVPN is slightly cheaper than ExpressVPN, but when you factor in ExpressVPN's long list of features, then it becomes clear why this service has higher costs associated with use. Ultimately, they offer similar prices for fairly decent quality service that may not be cheap but certainly worth the extra dollar.
This means ProtonVPN wins when the price point becomes less important when compared to the number of available features.
Both ProtonVPN and ExpressVPN are available on multiple operating systems, including Windows, Linux, iOS, Android, and routers, meaning you don't have to compromise when using the internet from your smartphone or tablet device.
Similarly, both are also compatible with different devices offering peace of mind no matter what appliance you choose.
This means they are both good picks for privacy protection because they are flexible to adapt to any situation. We place ExpressVPN above ProtonVPN on this point simply because it is compatible with more platforms and devices.
One important point to consider is customer support and how easy it is to get in touch with a service if you need help. For example, both ProtonVPN and ExpressVPN offer excellent online support that you can reach through email services.
However, ExpressVPN also provides its users with a live chat option which is very beneficial for when you need help immediately. Live chats can be much more convenient in comparison to emailing services because you get the response right away without having to wait much longer.
This means ExpressVPN takes the lead on this point because it offers live chat support that is quick and efficient compared to waiting for an email.
Here's a brief overview comparing the main features of these two VPNs.
Criteria |
ProtonVPN |
ExpressVPN |
Rating |
4.2/5 |
5/5 |
Logging Policy |
Yes |
Yes |
Servers |
1,250+ Servers in 50+ Locations |
3,000+ Servers in 94 Countries |
Encryption |
AES 256-Bit |
AES 256-Bit |
Torrenting / P2P |
Yes |
Yes |
Customer Support |
Email Support
|
Email Support, Live Chat |
Supported Platforms |
Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Router
|
Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, IOS, Android TV, Firestick, Routers, Chrome & Firefox |
Simultaneous Connections |
Up to 10 Devices |
Up to 5 Devices |
In conclusion, both ProtonVPN and ExpressVPN are quality providers that offer good security and great speeds; however, their significant differences revolve around server locations, price plans, and customer support options.
ExpressVPN wins because it offers higher quality services for those who demand more from their VPN provider. It also offers more server locations and a longer list of features.