Best ExpressVPN Alternatives in 2026 (Cheaper & Better)
ExpressVPN charges $6.67/month — nearly double what NordVPN and Surfshark cost for equal or better performance. Here's why people switch and which alternative is right for you.
- ✓NordVPN is faster than ExpressVPN in 2026 speed tests and costs almost half the price
- ✓Surfshark is even cheaper at $2.19/month and adds unlimited devices — something ExpressVPN doesn't offer
- ✓ExpressVPN's acquisition by Kape Technologies in 2021 raised privacy concerns; NordVPN/Surfshark have cleaner ownership
- ✓Switching from ExpressVPN to NordVPN takes 5 minutes — export settings not needed
Best VPNs for ExpressVPN Alternatives (2026)
NordVPN
Faster than ExpressVPN, half the price
NordVPN outperforms ExpressVPN in independent speed tests (NordLynx vs Lightway protocols), has more servers (6900+ vs 3000+), and costs $3.09/mo vs $6.67/mo. It's been audited three times for no-logs vs ExpressVPN's once. For anyone looking for an ExpressVPN replacement with better value, NordVPN is the clear choice.
- ✓54% cheaper than ExpressVPN
- ✓Faster in speed tests
- ✓More servers (6900+ vs 3000+)
- ✓More privacy audits (3 vs 1)
- ✓Same streaming unblocking ability
- –Fewer protocols than ExpressVPN (though NordLynx covers most needs)
Surfshark
Unlimited devices — ExpressVPN has a 5-device limit
Surfshark at $2.19/month is 67% cheaper than ExpressVPN and removes one of ExpressVPN's biggest limitations: you get unlimited device connections vs ExpressVPN's limit of 8. For households or small teams, this is a significant advantage.
- ✓67% cheaper than ExpressVPN
- ✓Unlimited devices vs ExpressVPN's 8-device limit
- ✓Includes CleanWeb ad blocker (ExpressVPN doesn't have this)
- ✓Comparable streaming performance
- –Slightly slower than NordVPN on some routes
SafeShellVPN
Budget streaming alternative
SafeShellVPN is a budget alternative for users who primarily need streaming VPN capability and want to pay as little as possible to test whether a VPN meets their needs.
- ✓Very low entry price
- ✓Streaming-focused
- –Less proven than NordVPN/Surfshark
- –Fewer features
Why People Switch From ExpressVPN
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Feature-by-Feature
How to Switch from ExpressVPN to NordVPN
- 1Subscribe to NordVPN — use the 30-day money-back guarantee if you want to test before canceling ExpressVPN
- 2Download and install the NordVPN app on your devices
- 3Sign in to NordVPN and click Quick Connect to verify it works
- 4Cancel your ExpressVPN subscription (before the next renewal date)
- 5Uninstall the ExpressVPN app from your devices
- 6Configure NordVPN settings: enable kill switch, set preferred protocol to NordLynx (WireGuard), enable auto-connect
Surfshark vs ExpressVPN: Value Comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best alternative to ExpressVPN?
The best ExpressVPN alternative is NordVPN — it's faster in speed tests, nearly half the price ($3.09 vs $6.67/month), has more servers (6900+ vs 3000+), and has been audited for no-logs three times vs ExpressVPN's once. Surfshark is the best value alternative at $2.19/month with unlimited devices.
Is NordVPN better than ExpressVPN?
In 2026, yes — NordVPN outperforms ExpressVPN in most independent speed tests, has more servers (6900+ vs 3000+), and costs 54% less. NordVPN also has three independent privacy audits vs ExpressVPN's one. The main area where ExpressVPN was traditionally stronger (speed) no longer applies.
Why is ExpressVPN so expensive?
ExpressVPN's pricing ($6.67/month) hasn't dropped much despite competitors significantly reducing prices. This makes NordVPN and Surfshark substantially better value propositions — you get equal or better performance at roughly half the price.
Is ExpressVPN still good in 2026?
ExpressVPN still works well — fast speeds, reliable streaming, and a solid app. But the combination of price, ownership concerns (Kape Technologies acquisition), and strong competition from NordVPN and Surfshark means it no longer represents the best value in the VPN market.
What VPN is better than ExpressVPN?
NordVPN is faster, cheaper, and more audited than ExpressVPN. Surfshark is cheaper with unlimited devices and comparable performance. Both are objectively better values than ExpressVPN in 2026 for most use cases.