Proton VPN vs ExpressVPN: where the Swiss service pulls ahead and what ExpressVPN keeps
Proton VPN scores 6.12 and ExpressVPN 4.77 out of 10. Proton VPN leads overall; the table shows where each one is stronger.
Proton VPN vs ExpressVPN
| What we compare | Proton VPN | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 6.12 (better) | 4.77 |
| Privacy and jurisdiction | 6.0 (better) | 5.7 |
| Security and protocols | 7.9 (better) | 5.7 |
| Price and fair terms | 5.3 (better) | 3.1 |
| Censorship bypass | 2.4 (better) | 1.9 |
| Network and streaming | 8.7 (better) | 4.6 |
| Platforms and support | 7.1 | 7.1 |
| Cheapest price, € a month | €3.00 | €2.57 (better) |
| Renewal vs first term | 2.0× (better) | 2.8× |
| Refund window, days | 30 | 30 |
| Free plan | Yes (better) | — |
| Independent no-logs audit | Yes | Yes |
| Kill switch | Yes | Yes |
| WireGuard | Yes | Yes |
| Obfuscation | Yes | Yes |
| Crypto payments | Yes | Yes |
| Jurisdiction | Switzerland (outside 14 Eyes) | BVI (outside 14 Eyes) |
| Platforms supported | 10 | 12 (better) |
Proton VPN is the stronger pick on published facts: it scores 6.12 of 10 against ExpressVPN's 4.77, wins five of the six scored areas, and ties the sixth. ExpressVPN's counter-arguments are a cheaper entry price, RAM-only servers, wider router and console coverage, and bigger device caps on its upper tiers.
Where the gap opens: security and network data
The security lead comes from what Proton puts in writing: open-source apps on GitHub, perfect forward secrecy, a bug bounty, Tor over VPN, and Secure Core routing through servers in Switzerland, Iceland or Sweden. ExpressVPN counters with RAM-only TrustedServer machines (see the glossary explainer on RAM-only servers) and audits by KPMG and Cure53, but states outright that it has no multi-hop and stays silent on the other items.
The network picture is wider still. Proton claims 140+ countries, 20,000+ servers on its own hardware, port forwarding, P2P on paid plans, and named streaming platforms including Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video. ExpressVPN lists 113 countries and a dedicated IP but publishes no server count, no torrenting policy and no streaming claims. Censorship bypass stays low on both sides, since neither publishes VLESS Reality, Trojan, Shadowsocks or Hysteria2. Platforms and support end level.
Proton AG in Geneva, Kape behind ExpressVPN: what each policy records
Proton VPN belongs to Proton AG, the Geneva company behind Proton Mail and Proton Drive. ExpressVPN is registered as Express Technologies Ltd. in the British Virgin Islands under Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns Private Internet Access and CyberGhost VPN. Both sit outside the 5, 9 and 14 Eyes alliances and both passed an independent no-logs audit, so the privacy margin is thin: Proton earns its edge with a warrant canary and a transparency report, then gives some back because its policy keeps the connection IP temporarily for abuse checks.
| What the policy says | Proton VPN | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|
| yes | yes | |
| Connection IP | held briefly for abuse and fraud checks | not kept |
| Session times | not stated | date of successful connections |
| Bandwidth | no | per-user total in MB |
| Warrant canary and transparency report | both | neither |
Free tier, first bill and the yearly renewal
| Plan | Term | First payment | Per month | Renews every 12 months at |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proton Free | none | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Proton Plus | 24 months | $83.76 | $3.49 | $83.88 |
| Proton Unlimited | 24 months | $191.76 | $7.99 | $119.88 |
| ExpressVPN Basic | 28 months | $83.72 | $2.99 | $99.95 |
| ExpressVPN Advanced | 28 months | $125.72 | $4.49 | $119.95 |
| ExpressVPN Pro | 28 months | $209.72 | $7.49 | $199.95 |
Plus and Basic cost almost the same first payment ($83.76 versus $83.72), yet ExpressVPN's money covers 28 months against 24. From the second bill the picture flips: Plus renews at $83.88 a year and Basic at $99.95, and Proton's renewal ratio (2.0 times the first-term rate) beats ExpressVPN's 2.8. Proton's plans bundle Pass and Drive storage in various sizes, and Proton VPN is the only one of the two with a family plan; both offer a student discount. ExpressVPN's Advanced and Pro add the ExpressKeys password manager, Identity Defender and a 3 GB eSIM, while the dedicated IP comes with Pro and is a paid add-on on Basic and Advanced.
Refund rules and paying with cash or Bitcoin
Both allow 30 days for a refund. Proton honours one per user on direct purchases and excludes cash and bank transfer payments entirely; ExpressVPN covers new subscribers only, from the first purchase. Proton accepts cash via topped-up credits; ExpressVPN takes Bitcoin, and paying that way turns its auto-renewal off.
Routers, consoles and bigger device caps: where ExpressVPN holds ground
ExpressVPN supports 12 platforms against Proton's 10, adding routers (including its own Aircove), smart TVs and game consoles, with device caps climbing from 10 on Basic to 14 on Pro. The area still ties: Proton answers with a public status page and a Telegram channel, neither of which ExpressVPN publishes.
Proton VPN vs ExpressVPN: questions readers ask
Which one is faster?
Both advertise 10 Gbps servers and their own speed features: VPN Accelerator at Proton, the Lightway protocol at ExpressVPN. VPNRadarLab does not test speed, ping, streaming or blocking; it scores what providers publish.
Which one suits streaming and torrenting?
Proton names Netflix, Disney+ and Prime Video explicitly and allows P2P on paid plans with port forwarding. ExpressVPN makes no streaming claims and publishes no torrenting stance, though MediaStreamer Smart DNS covers devices that cannot run the app.
Is the free Proton VPN plan enough?
For one device and everyday browsing, yes: unlimited data, no ads, servers in 10 randomly selected countries. Streaming, P2P and NetShield are paid-only, and ExpressVPN has neither a free plan nor a trial.
Do user ratings agree with the scores?
ExpressVPN sits at 4.4 on Trustpilot from 27,904 reviews against Proton's 2.2 from 991, while app store ratings are nearly level. These ratings are shown separately and do not change the score.
Who should take which
- Privacy-first with a tight budget: Proton VPN, starting on the free plan.
- A household with routers, consoles and many devices: ExpressVPN, whose caps grow with each tier.
- Streaming and torrenting on a long subscription: Proton Plus, which renews cheaper after the first two years.
- Identity extras bundled in: ExpressVPN Advanced or Pro.
Proton VPN wins on published security, network data, fair renewal terms and privacy extras; ExpressVPN keeps its edge in hardware coverage, device caps and the first bill on its 28-month deal.