Best ExpressVPN Alternatives: Top VPN Options Compared
ExpressVPN is a reliable, premium VPN — but its high price and lack of Shadowsocks or OpenConnect lead many users to compare alternatives.
5
VPNs Compared
6
Categories
Mar 2026
Updated
Objective
Verdict
TL;DR Summary
ExpressVPN is a well-established VPN, but alternatives exist for users who want different pricing models, broader protocol support (especially Shadowsocks for censorship bypass), unlimited devices, stronger privacy documentation, or a flat monthly billing option. This guide compares five VPN services across pricing, protocols, devices, and use cases so you can make an informed decision.
Why Users Look for ExpressVPN Alternatives
Understanding why users seek alternatives helps you identify whether any of these factors apply to your situation.
Premium pricing
ExpressVPN is among the most expensive consumer VPNs. Monthly and even annual rates are higher than most competitors. Users looking for similar reliability at lower cost often switch.
No Shadowsocks or OpenConnect
ExpressVPN does not offer Shadowsocks (for censorship bypass) or OpenConnect (for enterprise firewall traversal). Users in restricted regions or corporate networks may need a different provider.
Ownership and transparency
ExpressVPN is owned by Kape Technologies. Some users prefer a provider with a different corporate structure or more open-source tooling.
How to Choose the Right VPN
Before comparing specific services, establish your selection criteria. These are the most important factors when evaluating VPN alternatives.
Price vs. features
Compare monthly and annual rates. Many alternatives offer similar or better protocol support at lower cost.
Protocol needs
If you need Shadowsocks or OpenConnect, ensure the alternative supports them. KloudVPN supports both.
Server coverage
Check that the alternative has servers in the countries you need.
Quick Comparison Table
Side-by-side overview of the five VPN services covered in this guide.
| VPN Provider | Protocols | Devices | Monthly Rate | Best Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
NordVPN One of the most recognized names in consumer VPN with a large server network. | NordLynxOpenVPNIKEv2 | 6 simultaneous | $12.99/mo | from $3.99/mo 2-year plan |
Surfshark Budget-friendly VPN with unlimited simultaneous device connections. | WireGuardOpenVPNIKEv2 | Unlimited simultaneous | $10.99/mo | from $2.49/mo 2-year plan |
ProtonVPN Privacy-first VPN from the makers of ProtonMail, based in Switzerland. | WireGuardOpenVPNStealth | 10 simultaneous | $9.99/mo | from $4.99/mo 1-year plan |
Mullvad VPN Privacy-maximalist VPN with anonymous account numbers and no email required. | WireGuardOpenVPNShadowsocks | 5 simultaneous | €5/mo flat | €5/mo Flat monthly — no annual option |
ExpressVPN Long-established premium VPN known for reliability and streaming support. | LightwayOpenVPNIKEv2 | 8 simultaneous | $12.95/mo | from $6.67/mo 1-year plan |
CyberGhost Feature-rich VPN with dedicated streaming and torrenting servers. | WireGuardOpenVPNIKEv2 | 7 simultaneous | $12.99/mo | from $2.19/mo 2-year plan |
KloudVPNThis Site Four protocols, five devices, and the same stack on consumer and partner plans. | WireGuardOpenVPNOpenConnectShadowsocks | 5 simultaneous connections | $7.99/mo | from $2.83/mo Yearly plan |
Protocol Support Matrix
Protocol availability directly affects performance, compatibility, and censorship bypass capability. Verify that your preferred protocols are available before choosing a service.
| Provider | WireGuard | OpenVPN | OpenConnect | Shadowsocks | IKEv2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | |||||
| Surfshark | |||||
| ProtonVPN | |||||
| Mullvad VPN | |||||
| ExpressVPN | |||||
| CyberGhost | |||||
| KloudVPN This Site |
Detailed Comparison: ExpressVPN and Alternatives
Each provider below is assessed on strengths, limitations, ideal use cases, and who it is not the right choice for. This detail goes beyond feature checkboxes to help you understand which service fits your situation.
NordVPN
One of the most recognized names in consumer VPN with a large server network.
from $3.99/mo
2-year plan
Protocols
Simultaneous Devices
6 simultaneous
Server Network
5,800+ servers in 60 countries
Strengths
- Large, well-maintained server network
- Threat Protection ad/malware blocker
- Double VPN and Onion over VPN options
- Fast speeds on NordLynx protocol
- Independently audited no-logs policy
Limitations
- Best pricing requires a 2-year commitment
- Monthly and 1-year rates are notably higher
- Feature set may be more than casual users need
- Devices limited to 6 per subscription
Best for
Users who want a trusted, feature-rich VPN with a proven track record and don't mind committing to a 2-year term for the best price.
Not ideal for
Users looking for flexible monthly billing at a low rate, Shadowsocks/censorship-bypass protocol support, or white label VPN infrastructure.
Surfshark
Budget-friendly VPN with unlimited simultaneous device connections.
from $2.49/mo
2-year plan
Protocols
Simultaneous Devices
Unlimited simultaneous
Server Network
3,200+ servers in 100 countries
Strengths
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- CleanWeb ad and tracker blocker
- Wide country coverage (100+ countries)
- Camouflage and NoBorders obfuscation modes
- Affordable 2-year pricing
Limitations
- Best price tied to 2-year commitment
- Newer brand than NordVPN or ExpressVPN
- Speeds can vary by server location
- No built-in split tunneling on all platforms
Best for
Families or households with many devices who want broad coverage under one affordable subscription without worrying about device limits.
Not ideal for
Users who need OpenConnect protocol for enterprise firewall traversal, Shadowsocks for censorship bypass, or a white label VPN business platform.
ProtonVPN
Privacy-first VPN from the makers of ProtonMail, based in Switzerland.
from $4.99/mo
1-year plan
Protocols
Simultaneous Devices
10 simultaneous
Server Network
7,000+ servers in 110+ countries
Strengths
- Swiss-based jurisdiction with strong privacy laws
- Open-source client apps
- Verified no-logs policy
- Stealth protocol for censorship-heavy regions
- Free tier available for basic use
Limitations
- Higher price point compared to alternatives
- Free plan limited to slower servers and one device
- Stealth protocol available on higher-tier plans only
- No white label or B2B platform
Best for
Privacy-conscious users who prioritize audited open-source apps, Swiss jurisdiction, and are willing to pay a premium for verified privacy guarantees.
Not ideal for
Budget users who want strong value for money, those needing OpenConnect, or businesses looking for white label VPN infrastructure.
Mullvad VPN
Privacy-maximalist VPN with anonymous account numbers and no email required.
€5/mo
Flat monthly — no annual option
Protocols
Simultaneous Devices
5 simultaneous
Server Network
700+ servers in 45 countries
Strengths
- No email or personal data required to sign up
- Anonymous account number system
- Flat monthly pricing with no lock-in
- Strong privacy reputation
- Accepts cash and cryptocurrency
Limitations
- No annual pricing discount
- Smaller server network than competitors
- Less beginner-friendly UI
- Limited streaming server optimization
- Smaller brand with less community support
Best for
Privacy maximalists who want anonymous sign-up, no personal data collection, cash/crypto payment, and flat monthly pricing with no commitment.
Not ideal for
Users who want a discounted annual plan, a large streaming-optimized server network, easy onboarding, or OpenConnect enterprise protocol support.
ExpressVPNPrimary Comparison
Long-established premium VPN known for reliability and streaming support.
from $6.67/mo
1-year plan
Protocols
Simultaneous Devices
8 simultaneous
Server Network
3,000+ servers in 105 countries
Strengths
- Strong reputation and long track record
- Reliable streaming and global coverage
- Lightway protocol for speed
- Good customer support
- Router and browser extensions
Limitations
- Among the most expensive consumer VPNs
- No Shadowsocks or OpenConnect
- Owned by Kape Technologies (same as CyberGhost)
- No open-source client apps
Best for
Users who want a well-known brand and are willing to pay a premium for reliability and streaming.
Not ideal for
Budget-conscious users, those needing Shadowsocks for censorship bypass or OpenConnect for enterprise, or users who prefer open-source or audited apps.
CyberGhost
Feature-rich VPN with dedicated streaming and torrenting servers.
from $2.19/mo
2-year plan
Protocols
Simultaneous Devices
7 simultaneous
Server Network
9,000+ servers in 100+ countries
Strengths
- Large server network
- Dedicated streaming and torrenting server lists
- NoSpy servers in Romania
- Competitive long-term pricing
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Limitations
- Best price requires 2-year commitment
- No Shadowsocks or OpenConnect
- Owned by Kape Technologies
- Some features only on higher-tier plans
Best for
Users who want a large server list and streaming/torrenting presets and are comfortable with a 2-year plan for the best rate.
Not ideal for
Users who need monthly flexibility, Shadowsocks for restricted regions, or OpenConnect for corporate networks.
KloudVPNThis Site
Four protocols, five devices, and the same stack on consumer and partner plans.
from $2.83/mo
Yearly plan
Protocols
Simultaneous Devices
5 simultaneous connections
Server Network
100+ locations across 60+ countries
Strengths
- WireGuard plus legacy-friendly OpenVPN
- OpenConnect for picky corporate Wi‑Fi
- Shadowsocks when plain VPN ports get messy
- Straightforward yearly pricing and partner programs
- Same feature set on every subscription tier
Limitations
- Smaller marketing footprint than household-name VPNs
- No permanent free tier—trial is the money-back window
- Brand recognition still growing in some regions
Best for
People who want protocol choice without paying extra SKUs, travelers, remote workers, and teams evaluating white-label or reseller VPN.
Not ideal for
Anyone who needs anonymous cash-by-mail signup (see Mullvad) or a VPN brand already baked into their enterprise procurement list.
Pricing Comparison
VPN pricing varies significantly by billing term. Monthly rates are often 3–5x the annual rate for the same service.
| Provider | Monthly Rate | Best Annual Rate | Commitment Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | $12.99/mo | from $3.99/mo | 2-year plan |
| Surfshark | $10.99/mo | from $2.49/mo | 2-year plan |
| ProtonVPN | $9.99/mo | from $4.99/mo | 1-year plan |
| Mullvad VPN | €5/mo flat | €5/mo | Flat monthly — no annual option |
| ExpressVPN | $12.95/mo | from $6.67/mo | 1-year plan |
| CyberGhost | $12.99/mo | from $2.19/mo | 2-year plan |
| KloudVPN This Site | $7.99/mo | from $2.83/mo | Yearly plan |
When KloudVPN Is a Strong ExpressVPN Alternative
ExpressVPN charges premium rent; KloudVPN undercuts on yearly plans and still adds Shadowsocks/OpenConnect for travelers who actually hit restrictive networks.
- You want lower annual pricing than ExpressVPN
- You need Shadowsocks for censorship bypass or OpenConnect for enterprise
- You value router support and multiple protocols in one subscription
Who Each VPN Is Best For
Choose the VPN that matches your actual priorities — not just the most recognized name.
NordVPN
Users who want a trusted, feature-rich VPN with a proven track record and don't mind committing to a 2-year term for the best price.
Not ideal for: Users looking for flexible monthly billing at a low rate, Shadowsocks/censorship-bypass protocol support, or white label VPN infrastructure.
Surfshark
Families or households with many devices who want broad coverage under one affordable subscription without worrying about device limits.
Not ideal for: Users who need OpenConnect protocol for enterprise firewall traversal, Shadowsocks for censorship bypass, or a white label VPN business platform.
ProtonVPN
Privacy-conscious users who prioritize audited open-source apps, Swiss jurisdiction, and are willing to pay a premium for verified privacy guarantees.
Not ideal for: Budget users who want strong value for money, those needing OpenConnect, or businesses looking for white label VPN infrastructure.
Mullvad VPN
Privacy maximalists who want anonymous sign-up, no personal data collection, cash/crypto payment, and flat monthly pricing with no commitment.
Not ideal for: Users who want a discounted annual plan, a large streaming-optimized server network, easy onboarding, or OpenConnect enterprise protocol support.
ExpressVPN
Users who want a well-known brand and are willing to pay a premium for reliability and streaming.
Not ideal for: Budget-conscious users, those needing Shadowsocks for censorship bypass or OpenConnect for enterprise, or users who prefer open-source or audited apps.
CyberGhost
Users who want a large server list and streaming/torrenting presets and are comfortable with a 2-year plan for the best rate.
Not ideal for: Users who need monthly flexibility, Shadowsocks for restricted regions, or OpenConnect for corporate networks.
KloudVPN This Site
People who want protocol choice without paying extra SKUs, travelers, remote workers, and teams evaluating white-label or reseller VPN.
Not ideal for: Anyone who needs anonymous cash-by-mail signup (see Mullvad) or a VPN brand already baked into their enterprise procurement list.
Frequently Asked Questions About ExpressVPN Alternatives
Conclusion: Which VPN Should You Choose?
The right VPN depends entirely on your specific requirements. ExpressVPN is a capable service — but it is not the only option, and it is not the best fit for every user.
For anonymous sign-up and flat monthly pricing
→ Mullvad VPN
For Swiss jurisdiction and open-source apps
→ ProtonVPN
For unlimited simultaneous devices
→ Surfshark
For the largest server network
→ NordVPN
For Shadowsocks, OpenConnect, and competitive yearly pricing
→ KloudVPN
For white label VPN as a business
→ KloudVPN
Looking for a ExpressVPN alternative?
Try KloudVPN — Competitive Pricing, Broader Protocols
WireGuard, OpenVPN, OpenConnect, and Shadowsocks in one subscription. Apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, and Router.