A paid VPN is the best VPN: Here’s why

As the world’s best premium VPN, ExpressVPN is committed to offering strong security, ultra-fast speeds, maximum server uptime, and 24/7 live chat support.

ExpressVPN connected.
  • Why is a paid VPN better than a free VPN?
  • 4 risks of ‘free’ VPN providers
  • Paid VPN: More advantages
  • Free VPN vs. paid VPN: Comparison
  • Still not sure about paying for a VPN?
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Learn more about using a VPN
  • Why is a paid VPN better than a free VPN?
  • 4 risks of ‘free’ VPN providers
  • Paid VPN: More advantages
  • Free VPN vs. paid VPN: Comparison
  • Still not sure about paying for a VPN?
  • Frequently asked questions
  • Learn more about using a VPN

Why is a paid VPN better than a free VPN?

ExpressVPN is a privacy company, so we take your privacy seriously. To ensure a fast, private, and secure connection for every customer, ExpressVPN pays for:

  • A network of high-performance server clusters all over the world

  • A staff of trained support center agents available 24/7 via live chat

  • A team of skilled developers and designers that create, maintain, and constantly optimize the ExpressVPN apps and network

Although there are plenty of free VPNs and free proxy downloads out there, it’s worth considering how these providers can afford to offer their service at no charge.

A magnifying glass takes a closer look at what's happening on the computer.

4 risks of ‘free’ VPN providers

Not every free VPN provider is problematic. But if a free VPN or free proxy is malicious, there are several ways for them to monetize your internet traffic, including:

  • Injecting targeted ads and spam into your browser
  • Logging your browsing history and selling it to advertisers
  • Stealing your bandwidth and serving it to the highest bidder
  • Recording all your usernames, passwords, and bank details

Don’t just take our word for it; an independent study of over 25,000 free proxies found the vast majority of them blocked HTTPS, injected data, or modified content in some way.

There is no free VPN that can match ExpressVPN in speed, security, and quality of service.

With most free VPNs and proxies...

  • Your connection can be slow and unstable, leading to a suboptimal online experience

  • There is no support team to assist with troubleshooting or queries

  • Security and encryption may be weak (or nonexistent), putting your traffic at risk

  • There are limited server locations to choose from

A premium paid VPN provider like ExpressVPN:

Free VPN vs. paid VPN: Comparison

Most free VPNs Express VPNExpressVPN
Unblock websites via server locations in 105 countries
No activity logs, no connection logs
Easy-to-use apps for all your devices
24/7 customer support
99.9% uptime
Ultra-fast VPN speeds
Strong 256-bit AES encryption
Unlimited bandwidth and server switches

Still not sure about paying for a VPN?

ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it completely risk-free. If you’re not satisfied for any reason, get a full refund. It’s that simple.

Frequently asked questions

Does ExpressVPN have premium accounts?

There is only one tier of ExpressVPN, which can be considered “premium” when measured against other VPN providers offering free and premium services. We want to ensure all our customers have access to the same industry-leading experience and features when using ExpressVPN.

Can I get an ExpressVPN shared account?

Any ExpressVPN subscription can be used simultaneously on up to eight different devices. Alternatively, you can use the ExpressVPN app for routers to connect your entire home network to the VPN, with no device limits.

Learn more about using a VPN

  • A laptop's secure connection to the internet.
    What is a VPN?

    Get to know how a VPN protects your online traffic from snooping

    Learn more

  • Open green file and a paper with a cross mark through it.
    No activity logs

    ExpressVPN does not see or record what websites you visit

    Read our policy toward logs

  • A laptop with a speedometer
    How fast is your VPN?

    Find out what affects VPN speeds and how to find the fastest server for you

    Learn more

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