Let's cut the crap: ExpressVPN is the most overhyped, overpriced VPN on the market, and you're probably wasting money if you're not a total newbie or a privacy fanatic with cash to burn.
I've tested every major VPN for years, and I almost lost a client presentation because NordVPN's app crashed mid-demo—forcing me to scramble with a hotspot. That's the kind of real-world failure that makes you question these tools.
The Meat: Where ExpressVPN Actually Matters
ExpressVPN's killer feature is its sheer consistency. While competitors like Surfshark or CyberGhost might have faster peak speeds in ideal conditions, ExpressVPN delivers the same reliable 85-90% of my base speed in 95% of locations I test. No other VPN I've used matches that stability across servers from Tokyo to Toronto.
But here's the brutal truth: their pricing is a rip-off. At nearly $13/month on the monthly plan, you're paying a 40-60% premium over NordVPN or Surfshark. And their 5-device limit? In 2024, that's laughably restrictive when Surfshark offers unlimited devices for half the price.
Let me rant about one specific annoyance: ExpressVPN's "Smart Location" feature is trash. It's supposed to automatically pick the best server, but half the time it connects me to a server 3,000 miles away instead of the one in my city with better ping. I have to manually override it constantly—defeating the entire purpose of "smart" automation. It feels like a beta feature they never bothered to fix.
💡 Pro Tip: If you buy ExpressVPN, ALWAYS get the annual plan. The monthly plan at $12.95 is criminal. The annual drops it to $6.67/month—still expensive, but at least not highway robbery. Set a calendar reminder for 30 days before renewal to cancel or renegotiate.
The Data: Raw Numbers Don't Lie
| Feature | ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Surfshark | CyberGhost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly Price | $12.95 | $12.99 | $15.45 | $12.99 |
| Annual Price/Month | $6.67 | $4.59 | $2.29 | $2.19 |
| Device Limit | 5 | 6 | Unlimited | 7 |
| Server Count | 3,000+ | 6,000+ | 3,200+ | 9,000+ |
| Speed Loss (Avg) | 10-15% | 15-25% | 20-30% | 25-35% |
| Kill Switch | Yes (Reliable) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Streaming Unblock | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer |
The Verdict
Buy ExpressVPN if you are: A privacy-obsessed user who needs rock-solid reliability for work or sensitive activities, and money is no object. It's the luxury sedan of VPNs—overpriced but dependable.
Avoid it and get Surfshark if you are: Anyone on a budget, a family with multiple devices, or a casual user who just wants basic protection and streaming. Paying ExpressVPN prices for 5-device limits in 2024 is insane when Surfshark gives you unlimited devices for $2.29/month.
The bottom line: ExpressVPN is technically excellent but financially irresponsible for most people. Only the paranoid or the wealthy should consider it.
Originally published at Nexus AI
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