Proton VPN and ExpressVPN differ primarily in their access model. Proton VPN offers a permanent Free plan with no traffic limit, while ExpressVPN offers a 3-day trial through its iOS and Android apps.
On paid plans, Proton VPN publishes a larger server network and more countries, while ExpressVPN stands out with its own Lightway and supports up to 14 connections on higher-tier plans.
Proton VPN and ExpressVPN in numbers
| Parameter | Proton VPN | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Long-term price | VPN Plus — from $2.99/mo on the 2-year plan | Basic — $2.99/mo for the first 28 mo |
| Free / trial access | Permanent Free with no traffic limit | 3 days on iOS and Android |
| Refund | 30 days for paid plans | 30 days when purchased via the website |
| Network | Plus — 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries; Free — servers in 10 countries | 113 countries, 214 locations; total server count not published |
| Connections | Free — 1; Plus — up to 10 | Basic — 10; Premium — 12; Express Pro — 14 |
| Protocols | WireGuard, Stealth, Smart Protocol and others | Lightway, WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2; availability depends on the platform |
| Features | Secure Core, NetShield, VPN Accelerator | Lightway, ad and dangerous-site blocking; additional services on higher-tier plans |
Data and prices were verified in September 2026 against the official Proton VPN and ExpressVPN websites and may change.
Proton VPN vs ExpressVPN: free access
Proton VPN Free can be used permanently with no traffic limit and without a bank card. The plan supports one connection and free servers in 10 countries. The service selects a server automatically, and switching it is available with restrictions.
ExpressVPN has no permanent Free plan. The 3-day trial is available through the iOS and Android apps and requires an App Store or Google Play payment method. ExpressVPN's standard 30-day guarantee does not apply to such subscriptions.
For permanent free use, the advantage goes to Proton VPN, whereas ExpressVPN offers only a short trial of the paid service.
Proton VPN vs ExpressVPN: prices and devices
Based on current long-term offers, the starting price of the paid plans is the same: Proton VPN Plus costs from $2.99 per month on the 2-year plan, and ExpressVPN Basic $2.99 per month for the first 28 months.
Proton VPN Plus and ExpressVPN Basic support up to 10 simultaneous connections. With ExpressVPN, the limit rises to 12 on Premium and to 14 on Express Pro.
Proton VPN vs ExpressVPN: servers and countries
Proton VPN Plus claims 20,000+ servers in 140+ countries. ExpressVPN operates in 113 countries and offers 214 selectable server locations, but does not publish its total server count.
By the number of published countries, the advantage goes to Proton VPN. That said, servers, countries and locations are different metrics, so for a practical choice the availability of the country or city you need matters more.
Proton VPN vs ExpressVPN: protocols and features
Proton VPN supports WireGuard, Stealth and Smart Protocol, with differences between platforms. Stealth is designed for restricted networks, while Smart Protocol automatically selects a suitable connection option. Additional features include Secure Core, NetShield and VPN Accelerator.
ExpressVPN develops its own Lightway and also supports WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2 depending on the platform. Proton VPN stands out with Stealth and Secure Core, ExpressVPN with its own Lightway architecture.
Proton VPN and ExpressVPN: privacy and no-logs
Both services claim no-logs and confirm this policy with independent audits. In 2026, Proton VPN passed its fifth annual Securitum audit; its apps are open source, and its servers use full disk encryption.
ExpressVPN uses the RAM-only TrustedServer infrastructure. In 2025, KPMG audited TrustedServer and the service's no-logs claims. Thus, the services use different technical approaches to protecting their server infrastructure.
What to choose: Proton VPN or ExpressVPN?
Proton VPN is worth considering if a permanent Free plan, a larger published network, Secure Core, Stealth or open-source apps matter to you.
ExpressVPN is a good fit if Lightway, 214 selectable locations or up to 12–14 connections on higher-tier plans matter to you.
Need an alternative to Proton VPN or ExpressVPN?
Proton Free is limited to one connection and free servers in 10 countries, and ExpressVPN's trial requires a payment method.
If you want to test a full-featured VPN without a bank card, you can consider VolnaLink: the service provides 8 hours of full access and locations in 100+ countries. In that time you can choose the country you need, test the VPN with your usual sites and apps and then decide whether you need a subscription.
See also: NordVPN vs ExpressVPN · NordVPN vs Proton VPN · NordVPN vs CyberGhost · NordVPN vs Surfshark · Surfshark vs ExpressVPN · Surfshark vs Proton VPN · Surfshark vs CyberGhost · Proton VPN vs Mullvad