It’s no news that with the rise in cybercrimes, online privacy is under massive threat.
Be it tracing your digital footprints, invading private connections, or even government surveillance, no one can shield themselves from hackers without a strongly protected connection.
Moreover, as the corporate world shifts to remote working options and digital nomadism, a secure and safe network is now a necessity.
That’s why most remote workers choose a stable VPN service. With their privacy and network security features, it ensures the smooth flow of work in a remote setup.
Now, out of the many services available, ExpressVPN and ProtonVPN are the two most preferred ones. But the real confusion lies in choosing between these two.
So, if you are also swept by this confusion, no need to look any further. Your remote buddy’s here to save the day with a clear side-by-side comparison between the two.
In this ExpressVPN vs ProtonVPN blog, I am going to explore the diverse aspects of both VPN services, focusing on their—
- Platform positioning,
- Key features differences,
- Pros and cons of each tool, and more.
So, come dive right in!
ExpressVPN vs ProtonVPN: Understanding Their Platform Positioning
First things first, both ExpressVPN and ProtonVPN are digital VPN services providing tools that allow users to mask their IP address and protect them from hackers.
Now, ExpressVPN is aBritish Virgin Island-based service provider.
Moreover, it prioritizes simple and secure network security. That’s why it provides global coverage with its high-end streaming and unblocking system.
But, on the other hand, ProtonVPN is a Swiss-based VPN service provider, which is a privacy-focused company.
So, it prioritizes strong network privacy with a generous set of features under its free plan. Making secure internet connections available to all users.
ExpressVPN vs ProtonVPN: Key Features Comparison

Even though both are VPN tools, they provide different types of network privacy and security. So, here is a clear breakdown of the key dissimilarities in their features.
1. Speed And Performance
Firstly, speed and performance are the core factors of a VPN service. That is, a remarkable VPN tool provides a stable and speedy internet connection by driving the traffic at the right nodes.
Now, much of the popularity of ExpressVPN lies with its high-speed network connection and reliable performance. So, users often choose it for streaming, torrenting, and gaming purposes.
On the other hand, ProtonVPN offers a stable internet speed with low latency. But, in comparison with ExpressVPN, it lacks in providing high-end performance. So, users see it as an excellent alternative to the former one.
2. Network Privacy And Security
Both ExpressVPN and ProtonVPN come with remarkable network security features.
That is, both of them offer 256-bit AES encryption for data protection, zero-history logs, and built-in kill switches to protect the networks.
Moreover, ExpressVPN runs on RAM to ensure that all the network data is wiped out of the tool with every reboot of the system.
Additionally, it leverages the Lightway protocol for fast and secure internet browsing.
Contrarily, ProtonVPN has open-sourced security audits. So, users can audit the network security with transparency.
Moreover, it complies with the security protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and Swiss privacy regulations. Making it a trustworthy alternative to the pricy ExpressVPN.
As the report from Security.org highlights— “Both companies provide built-in kill switches. This means if our router had shut down for some reason, all of our browsers would have immediately shut down as well. There was no chance our site history might accidentally be discovered.”
3. Pricing Models
Even though both ExpressVPN and ProtonVPN are considered semi-paid platforms, they come with different pricing models. So, the pricing models of each tool are listed below—
- ExpressVPN
| Plan | Pricing | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Trial | $0 | Offers a 7-day free trial with basic network features. |
| Monthly Plan | $12.95 | Moderate features for network connectivity for up to 5 devices. |
| Mid-Annual Plan | $59.94 | Advanced features for connection, network security, and more for up to 8 devices connected simultaneously. |
| Annual Plan | $99.84 | Advanced connectivity and network privacy features for up to 10 connected devices. |
- ProtonVPN
| Plan | Pricing | Features |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Basic connection, network features, and simultaneous device connections. |
| Monthly Plan | $9.99 | Moderate network and security features with built-in ad and malware blockers. |
| Annual Plan | $71.88 | Advanced features for streaming, P2P sharing, and over 10 simultaneous device connections. |
| Two-Year Plan | $119.76 | Advanced features with cloud storage, a password manager, and a secure calendar for connectivity details. |
ExpressVPN vs ProtonVPN: Pros And Cons Of Each Tool

Both VPN services share countless differences, so their benefits and challenges also differ from each other. So, here is a clear breakdown of each one’s pros and cons—
- ExpressVPN
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Offers speedy and reliable network connection with its Lightway protocol. | 1. Pricing tiers are expensive. |
| 2. Supports a wide range of leading OS on diverse devices. | 2. Limitations on simultaneous connections. |
| 3. Provides built-in features for managing passwords and ads on websites. | 3. No free version of the tool available. |
- ProtonVPN
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| 1. Offers massive network security with encryption models and privacy protocols. | 1. Slightly slower speed than other VPN services. |
| 2. Allows simultaneous connections on paid plans with access to advanced features. | 2. Regional restriction on access due to lack of an extensive server network. |
| 3. Provides a generous free plan with basic features for users. | 3. Compatibility issues with legacy systems and older OS versions. |
Tips To Choose Between ExpressVPN And ProtonVPN
Just having a VPN service is not enough. Rather, knowing which one is better for the team is important. So, here are some tips for choosing the right one between ExpressVPN and ProtonVPN—
- If you are a remote worker or digital nomad who needs privacy along with stable internet access, investing in ExpressVPN can be beneficial.
- But if you are into gaming and streaming online content, you will need smart DNS or ad blockers. So, choosing ExpressVPN is safe.
- Moreover, if you work with sensitive information on the internet but don’t have the budget for high-end VPNs, then ProtonVPN can save your day.
Now, choosing between the two VPN services completely depends on your needs. So, based on what your requirements are, you can activate one and leave the other.
But if you are still waiting to try out the VPN services, take this as a sign to get some hands-on experience with the tools.
FAQs
Here are some common questions about VPN services with ExpressVPN and ProtonVPN.
Yes, absolutely. Given that both are independent VPN services, any user can switch from ExpressVPN to ProtonVPN. But while switching from one to another, users need to cancel their subscription with the previous service. Moreover, they need to uninstall the previous VPN and install the new one, and create an account with it.
Between ExpressVPN and ProtonVPN, the former offers speedy internet service for routers and smart TVs. But its subscriptions are quite expensive. So, users often opt for cheaper alternatives like ProtonVPN, NordVPN, or other such services.
Even though ProtonVPN offers affordable connection options, ExpressVPN provides a faster and safer connection. Moreover, for torrenting, speed is crucial. So, ExpressVPN usually offers consistent and fast internet. In addition to this, it allows over 3000 server connections for P2P. Making it an all-in-one VPN service for smooth streaming.
Although both ExpressVPN and ProtonVPN are semi-paid platforms, they offer different sets of features under their free and paid plans. But, in comparison, ProtonVPN’s free plan offers unlimited bandwidth, basic network privacy, and feasible streaming. Moreover, ExpressVPN’s paid services offer more robust security, high-speed internet, and extensive streaming capabilities.
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