ExpressVPN
3,000+ servers in 94 countries. Lightway protocol, 100% streaming unblock rate, and TrustedServer RAM-only architecture. Best for users who need global reach.
9.2/10 Score94 CountriesLightway Protocol100% Unblock RateKPMG Audited
Is ExpressVPN worth $6.67/mo for Windows PC? Speed, streaming, and security tested.
3,000+ servers in 94 countries. Lightway protocol, 100% streaming unblock rate, and TrustedServer RAM-only architecture. Best for users who need global reach.
Lightway — ExpressVPN's proprietary protocol — achieved 94.2 Mbps on our 100 Mbps benchmark in July 2026. It also reconnects in under 2 seconds after a dropped connection, faster than WireGuard implementations we tested. Speed was consistent across all 8 test locations with under 4 Mbps variance.
| Location | Download | Upload | Ping |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netherlands (nearest) | 94.2 Mbps | 92.0 Mbps | 14ms |
| UK London | 93.1 Mbps | 91.8 Mbps | 20ms |
| US New York | 91.6 Mbps | 88.4 Mbps | 89ms |
| Singapore | 90.4 Mbps | 87.2 Mbps | 174ms |
Every ExpressVPN server runs entirely on RAM — no data is written to a hard drive. On reboot or shutdown, all data is wiped instantly. This architecture makes it technically impossible for a server seizure to yield user data. The no-logs policy was audited by KPMG and is supported by a real-world test: Turkish authorities once seized an ExpressVPN server and found no usable logs.
ExpressVPN achieved a 100% first-attempt unblocking rate across all 12 streaming platforms in all 20 test sessions — the only provider on our list to achieve this. Netflix US, UK, and Japan, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hulu, and Amazon Prime all loaded within 3 seconds of connecting. MediaStreamer smart DNS works on devices that can't run a VPN app natively (smart TVs, gaming consoles, routers).
The ExpressVPN Windows app is consistently rated the most polished in the category. One-click connect, automatic protocol selection (Lightway by default), split tunneling, and a kill switch (called 'Network Lock') are all present. The app scored 9.4/10 in our usability assessment — the highest of any VPN on our list.
At $6.67/month on the 12-month plan, ExpressVPN is the most expensive option on our list — more than 3× the price of our top-ranked pick. There is no free trial; a 30-day money-back guarantee applies with no questions asked. For users who prioritise streaming consistency and don't mind the premium, it's the most reliable option available.