ExpressVPN vs PureVPN: two BVI providers, very different renewal bills
ExpressVPN scores 4.77 and PureVPN 5.30 out of 10. PureVPN leads overall; the table shows where each one is stronger.
ExpressVPN vs PureVPN
| What we compare | ExpressVPN | PureVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 4.77 | 5.30 (better) |
| Privacy and jurisdiction | 5.7 | 5.7 |
| Security and protocols | 5.7 (better) | 4.3 |
| Price and fair terms | 3.1 | 5.3 (better) |
| Censorship bypass | 1.9 | 1.9 |
| Network and streaming | 4.6 | 7.6 (better) |
| Platforms and support | 7.1 | 9.0 (better) |
| Cheapest price, € a month | €2.57 | €1.85 (better) |
| Renewal vs first term | 2.8× | 1.9× (better) |
| Refund window, days | 30 | 31 (better) |
| Independent no-logs audit | Yes | Yes |
| Kill switch | Yes | Yes |
| WireGuard | Yes | Yes |
| Obfuscation | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto payments | Yes | Yes |
| Jurisdiction | BVI (outside 14 Eyes) | BVI (outside 14 Eyes) |
| Platforms supported | 12 (better) | 11 |
Both services
PureVPN takes this comparison 5.30 to 4.77, winning three of the six scored areas, while ExpressVPN leads in one (security) and two areas end level. PureVPN is also cheaper on every matching tier and renews for roughly half of what ExpressVPN charges, whereas ExpressVPN counters with RAM-only servers, its own Lightway protocol and audited security. Neither carries a red flag and both sit outside the 5, 9 and 14 Eyes alliances.
Same privacy score, different security: what the six sub-scores show
PureVPN is ahead in three areas (price, network, platforms and support), ExpressVPN in one (security), and privacy and censorship bypass are level.
Privacy ends level for a simple reason: both no-logs policies have been audited independently by KPMG, neither stores the IP you connect from, and both log connection dates in some form. Neither publishes a warrant canary.
Security is where ExpressVPN pulls ahead. Its TrustedServer hardware runs from RAM only, Lightway complements WireGuard, and Cure53 audited TrustedServer alongside KPMG's policy review; the VPNRadarLab ExpressVPN safety page covers these audits and RAM-only servers. PureVPN does not publish RAM-only servers or a security audit and has no proprietary protocol; its answer is post-quantum encryption on quantum-resistant servers, which ExpressVPN does not claim. Both ship a kill switch (ExpressVPN calls it Network Lock), DNS leak protection, WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2, and neither offers multi-hop.
Bypass is a low tie at 1.9 each: obfuscation is the only counted feature for both. ExpressVPN obfuscates Lightway, PureVPN disguises traffic as HTTPS, and neither lists VLESS Reality, Trojan, Shadowsocks or Hysteria2.
More countries and platforms, yet lower scores for ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN covers 113 countries and 214 locations, runs 10 Gbps servers (40 Gbps on select ones) and sells dedicated IPs, but it never states how many servers it operates, whether torrenting is allowed, or whether port forwarding exists. Those gaps hold its network score down. PureVPN counts 65+ countries but publishes 6,000+ servers on 20 Gbps ports, allows P2P only on designated servers, and sells port forwarding from $1.49 a month plus a dedicated IP from $2.49.
Support decides the platforms area even though ExpressVPN lists one platform more (its Smart TV app; it also sells its own Aircove router). PureVPN states 24/7 live chat; ExpressVPN does not publish its chat hours.
Plan by plan: first term and what renewal costs
| Tier pair | ExpressVPN (28 mo) | PureVPN (27 mo) | ExpressVPN renewal | PureVPN renewal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | Basic $83.72 ($2.99/mo) | Standard $58.20 ($2.15/mo) | $99.95/yr | $47.95/yr |
| Middle | Advanced $125.72 ($4.49/mo) | Plus $73.80 ($2.73/mo) | $119.95/yr | $69.95/yr |
| Top | Pro $209.72 ($7.49/mo) | Max $95.85 ($3.55/mo) | $199.95/yr | $84.95/yr |
USD as shown on the sites, tax excluded. Renewal costs 2.79 times the first-term rate at ExpressVPN and 1.86 times at PureVPN. ExpressVPN shows only the 2-year-plus-4-months term; PureVPN also sells a 1-year-plus-4-months bundle (Standard $40.80) and monthly plans from $12.95.
Higher tiers: ExpressVPN Advanced adds ExpressKeys, Identity Defender and a holiday.com eSIM with 3 GB; Pro adds a dedicated IP and ExpressAI. PureVPN Plus adds a password manager; Max bundles a 30-day eSIM, data removal and dark web monitoring. Device caps: 10/12/14 for ExpressVPN, 10 everywhere for PureVPN (10 more via a Multi-login add-on).
Trial, refund and auto-renewal: where the money can get stuck
PureVPN's 7-day trial converts to a paid plan unless cancelled, renewals started from a trial are non-refundable, and its 31-day window vanishes if you paid via CoinPayments or an app store. ExpressVPN offers no trial but refunds first-time subscribers within 30 days; renewals and redemption codes are excluded. Pay ExpressVPN in Bitcoin and auto-renewal starts switched off by default.
Two BVI companies and what their policies record
ExpressVPN is operated by Express Technologies Ltd. (parent Kape Technologies PLC, UK), registered in the British Virgin Islands; PureVPN's GZ Systems Limited (Puresquare) sits in Road Town, Tortola. On legal demands ExpressVPN says it will fight them under BVI law, PureVPN discloses data when a binding court order compels it. A separate VPNRadarLab page covers who is behind PureVPN. ExpressVPN's policy lists email, device info, app analytics, opt-in crash reports, connection dates and per-user bandwidth totals, keeping transactional emails for 10 years; PureVPN logs connection dates for support and keeps dedicated IP records for 25 days after the subscription ends.
ExpressVPN or PureVPN: which fits whom
- Budget long-term subscriber: PureVPN, the renewal bill is roughly half.
- Security-first user: ExpressVPN, for RAM-only hardware, Lightway and Cure53's audit.
- Torrent user who needs open ports: PureVPN, via the port forwarding add-on.
ExpressVPN vs PureVPN FAQ
Is ExpressVPN faster than PureVPN?
Unknown from this comparison: VPNRadarLab scores what providers publish and runs no speed or streaming tests. The 10, 40 and 20 Gbps figures are the providers' own claims.
Which one is better for torrenting?
PureVPN, because it states P2P is allowed on dedicated servers and sells port forwarding. ExpressVPN publishes no torrenting policy.
Who owns PureVPN?
GZ Systems Limited (Puresquare), registered in the British Virgin Islands, the same territory as ExpressVPN's operator.
Bottom line
PureVPN wins overall and on price, network detail and support; ExpressVPN wins only on security. Privacy and censorship bypass are a draw.