The VPN that just works The VPN that just works

Go further with the #1 trusted leader in VPN

30-day money-back guarantee

Go farther with the #1 Trusted VPN.
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The ExpressVPN Guarantee

Try ExpressVPN with zero commitment! If you’re not satisfied within the first 30 days, you’ll get your money back. All of it.

What is a VPN?

What is a VPN?
What is a VPN? image.

A VPN, or virtual private network, is a secure tunnel between your device and the internet. VPNs protect you from snooping, interference, and censorship.

As you connect to a secure VPN server, your internet traffic goes through an encrypted tunnel that nobody can see into—including hackers, governments, and your internet service provider.

Enjoy all the benefits of ExpressVPN

Go beyond a VPN

Premium features tailored just for you

Your ExpressVPN plan not only includes an industry-leading VPN, but market-defining technology. Manage all your passwords, block ads and threats, enjoy blazing speeds with our Lightway VPN protocol, and more. All at no extra cost.

Enjoy your very own security suite on every device, and connect up to eight at a time.

Ready for a better internet?

How do I get and use a VPN?

Step 1

How to sign up for ExpressVPN
Sign up for ExpressVPN

Visit the order page and select the option that’s right for you. All of our plans are fully covered by our 30-day money-back guarantee.

Step 2

Download a VPN app

You’ll immediately be invited to download the VPN app for the device you’re using. Getting apps for all your other devices is just as easy.

Step 3

Connect to a VPN server location

Simply hit the On Button, and you’ll be instantly connected to the best location for your connection. Or pick one from our global network.

Why ExpressVPN?

Borderless internet: A map with locations in Europe and the Americas.

Servers in 105 countries

Appear to be anywhere in the world with our global fleet of VPN servers.

Secure green lock.

Best-in-class encryption

Your data is protected by AES-256, the standard trusted by security experts.

Envelopes.

24-hour live chat support

Real humans are available 24/7 to help you with setup and troubleshooting.

TrustedServer technology lozenge visual

TrustedServer technology

With our innovative server technology, no data is ever written to a hard drive.

Speedometer.

Lightning-fast speeds

Enjoy superior speeds anywhere. Find out why we’re named ExpressVPN.

Use ExpressVPN on up to 8 devices at once

Works on every platform

ExpressVPN has apps for iOS, Android, Mac, Windows, Linux, routers, and more.

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Use on up to 8 devices

Install ExpressVPN on all your devices, and connect up to eight at once.

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No activity logs

ExpressVPN never keeps data that could tie you to any online activity.

World's #1 premium VPN lozenge visual

World’s #1 premium VPN

We’re crowned the Best VPN by CNET, TechRadar, The Verge, and more.

Ultra-fast servers around the globe

What people are saying about ExpressVPN

    rated 4.7 out of 5

    rated 4.4 out of 5

    Excellent

    I have ExpressVPN on all my devices - phone, laptop, tablet, AppleTV, etc., and absolutely love it.

    Great VPN!

    A lot of comfort in knowing that my IP address is not known and not being watched.

    A sampling of reviews from our most satisfied customers. For all our reviews, check out the App Store or Google Play.

    Got an account with @expressvpn yesterday. Great decision for traveling out of the country!

    I have to say the service I have received from @expressvpn has been brilliant. Nothing is too much hassle so if you need a VPN I would consider Express.

    I love express, in terms of security, speed and everything 👍

    With its consistent performance and reliable security, ExpressVPN is the best VPN out there.

    Practically everything about this service is top-tier and as a whole, ExpressVPN is quite simply one of the best VPNs right now.

    Great all-around option for both beginner and experienced VPN users.

    We sometimes pay expert sites to refer customers to us.

    As seen in:

    Benefits and advantages of VPN

    Laptop screens demonstrating the before and after process of changing a user's IP address.

    Change your location

    Using a VPN changes your IP address, the unique number that identifies you and where you are in the world. A new IP address makes it harder to determine your identity and real location. With ExpressVPN, you can appear to be in the UK, U.S., Canada, Australia, or any of 105 countries.

    Download VPN provided the best-in-class 256-bit encryption.

    Protect your privacy

    Changing your IP address with a VPN helps shield your identity from websites, apps, and services that want to track you. Good VPNs also prevent your internet provider, mobile carrier, and anyone else who may be listening from seeing your activity, thanks to a layer of strong encryption.

    Router VPN that covers all devices.

    Increase your security

    Using a VPN protects you from security breaches in many forms, including packet sniffing, rogue Wi-Fi networks, and man-in-the-middle attacks. Travelers, remote workers, and all kinds of on-the-go individuals use a VPN whenever they’re on an untrusted network like free public Wi-Fi.

    When should I use a VPN?

    If privacy is important to you, you should use a VPN every time you connect to the internet. A VPN app runs in the background of your device so it won’t get in the way while you use other apps and browse the internet. And you’ll have peace of mind knowing your privacy is always protected.

    But here are some situations in which a VPN is especially useful:

    Airplane flying over the world.
    While traveling

    Exploring the world doesn’t mean you have to change the way you use the internet. A VPN lets you use the internet as if you were still in your home country, no matter how far you travel.

    Enjoy the content you want: streaming TV and music on a laptop.
    While having fun

    A VPN lets you enjoy the sites and services you like without ISP throttling that could detract from your experience or outright blocking by your ISP or local Wi-Fi network.

    Stay safe on public Wi-Fi: using a laptop in a coffee shop.
    While on public Wi-Fi

    Connecting to public Wi-Fi hotspots like those in cafes, airports, and parks could leave your private information vulnerable. Using a VPN on your devices keeps you safe with strong encryption.

    Devices for gaming.
    While gaming

    Using a VPN unlocks games, maps, skins, and other add-ons that might be restricted on your network. It also shields you from DDoS attacks and reduces ping and overall lag.

    Download anonymously. Laptop with download icon.
    While file-sharing

    P2P file sharing usually means that strangers can see your IP address and possibly track your downloads. A VPN keeps your IP address private, letting you download with increased anonymity.

    Shopping browser window.
    While shopping

    Some online stores show different prices to people in different countries. With a VPN, you can find the best deals in the world no matter where you’re shopping from.

    How does a VPN work?

    To understand how a VPN works, it helps to first understand how your internet connection works without one.

    Without a VPN

    When you access a website without a VPN, you are being connected to that site through your internet service provider, or ISP. The ISP assigns you a unique IP address that can be used to identify you to the website. Because your ISP is handling and directing all your traffic, it can see which websites you visit. And your activity can be linked to you by that unique IP address.

    With a VPN

    When you connect to the internet with a VPN, the VPN app on your device (also called a VPN client) establishes a secure connection with a VPN server. Your traffic still passes through your ISP, but your ISP can no longer read it or see its final destination. The websites you visit can no longer see your original IP address, only the IP address of the VPN server, which is shared by many other users and changes regularly.

    Not Connected

    Connected

    Laptop with an unsecured connection to the internet with an eye looking at traffic data between the laptop and the internet. What is a VPN? image.

    Here are several key concepts related to VPN that will help you understand how a VPN works and the benefits it provides:

    Proxying

    The VPN server acts like a proxy, or stand-in, for your web activity: Instead of your real IP address and location, websites you visit will only see the IP address and location of the VPN server.

    This makes you more anonymous on the internet.

    Authentication

    Establishing a secure connection is a tricky problem solved by clever mathematics in a process called authentication.

    Once authenticated, the VPN client and VPN server can be sure they are talking to each other and no one else.

    Tunneling

    VPNs also protect the connection between client and server with tunneling and encryption.

    Tunneling is a process by which each data packet is encapsulated inside another data packet. This makes it harder for third parties to read in transit.

    Encryption

    Data inside the tunnel is also encrypted in such a way that only the intended recipient can decrypt it. This keeps the contents of your internet traffic completely private. Even your internet service provider won’t see it.

    Learn more about VPN encryption.

    VPN protocols

    VPN protocols are the methods by which your device connects to the VPN server. Some protocols are better for speed, some are better for security, and some simply work better under certain network conditions.

    Speech bubbles with different VPN protocols.

    Most VPNs use a standard set of protocols, but ExpressVPN built Lightway to outdo them all in speed, reliability, and security. Give it a try to see for yourself. Learn more about Lightway.

    ExpressVPN automatically chooses the best protocol for your network, but you can also choose one manually.

    Popular VPN protocols in use today include:

    *Not supported by ExpressVPN.

    Types of VPN

    Laptop with a plant and drink.
    Commercial VPN

    A commercial VPN, also called a personal VPN or a consumer VPN, is a private service offered directly to individuals, usually for a fee.

    ExpressVPN is such a VPN service because it directly caters to the privacy needs of its customers.

    Pie chart.
    Corporate VPN

    A corporate VPN, also called a business VPN, allows an organization’s remote employees to connect securely to the internet as if they were physically present in the office.

    Unlike commercial VPNs, however, corporate VPNs are meant to protect the privacy of the company and not necessarily the individual.

    Spanner and wrench.
    Self-setup VPN

    Some tech experts and DIY hobbyists choose to set up their own VPN using their own equipment.

    Self-setup VPNs, however, do not provide the protection of shared IP addresses, server locations in multiple countries, or many other features enjoyed by commercial VPN users.

    Alternatives to VPN

    A VPN isn’t the only tool that can increase your privacy, security, and/or freedom online.

    Tor onion symbol on a laptop.

    Tor

    Tor (short for The Onion Router) is a free network of servers, or “nodes,” that randomly route internet traffic between each other in order to obfuscate the origin of the data.

    Using Tor can significantly increase your anonymity, and using Tor in conjunction with a VPN creates the best possible privacy protection.

    The biggest drawback of Tor, however, is speed. Because your traffic is relayed through several hops, you will probably find it inconvenient to download or file-share with Tor.

    Laptop connected to the internet via proxy server.

    Proxy services

    A proxy server is any intermediary between your device and the internet. Unlike a VPN, however, most “proxy services” you’ll find are quite slow and don’t offer any privacy or security benefits.

    So-called “free proxy services” are especially dangerous, as many will find other ways to monetize your data, like selling it to third parties.

    Neither Tor nor a proxy service can replace the benefits of a VPN. A trustworthy VPN is still the best privacy solution for most people.

    FAQ

    24-hour support speech bubbles.

    Live, 24-hour customer support

    Real support from real people. We’re available through instant live chat and email to help you set up and troubleshoot.

    30 days money back guarantee.

    30-day money-back guarantee

    Our VPN is easy to use. So is our guarantee. If you’re not satisfied, we’ll refund your payment. No hassle, no risk.

    30-day money-back guarantee