ExpressVPN 81% Off Two-Year Plans: Complete Buyer's Guide [2025]

Express VPN 81% Off Two-Year Plans: Complete Buyer's Guide [2025]

Introduction: When Premium VPN Becomes Actually Affordable

Let's be honest—VPN pricing has gotten ridiculous. Most premium services charge between

Right now, Express VPN is offering something genuinely worth exploring: up to 81% off their two-year plans. We're talking

But here's where I have to be direct with you: a great deal means nothing if the service doesn't deliver. And that's what this guide is really about. We're going to dig deep into whether Express VPN actually justifies its reputation as a premium VPN, what you're really getting with each tier, how the speeds stack up in real-world testing, and whether this discount is genuinely worth your money or just clever marketing.

VPN services sit in this weird middle ground. They're simultaneously not that important (if you're browsing basic websites and not doing anything sensitive) and critically important (if you value privacy, travel internationally, or need reliable security on public Wi Fi). That duality means you need to know what you're actually paying for before you commit to a two-year plan.

By the end of this guide, you'll understand exactly what Express VPN offers, how it compares to alternatives, whether the speed claims hold up under testing, and most importantly, whether locking in a two-year commitment makes sense for your situation.

TL; DR

• The Deal: Express VPN's two-year plans are discounted up to 81%, with Basic at
  $68 and Advanced at$
  88 (plus four free months).
• What You Get: Fast speeds (losing only 7% download, 2% upload), Netflix unblocking, 12-14 simultaneous connections, and intuitive apps.
• The Catch: Two-year commitments lock you in long-term, and pricing jumps significantly after the first term.
• Best For: Users prioritizing speed and ease of use who want to commit to a long-term plan.
• Bottom Line: Strong value at this price point if the speed performance and features match your needs.

Understanding Express VPN's Three-Tier Pricing Structure

The Basic Plan: Stripped Down but Functional

The Basic plan is where Express VPN made some interesting choices. They're clearly trying to create a competitive entry point while maintaining margin on their more expensive tiers. At

Here's what you're actually getting with Basic: full access to their global server network, which spans across 94 countries as of early 2025. You get all the encryption, all the speed optimizations, all the protocol options. The key limitation isn't technical—it's practical. Basic supports simultaneous connections on just 5 devices at a time.

That might sound fine until you actually think about your digital life. You've got your phone, your laptop, your tablet. Your partner or roommate might want to use their phone. Maybe you've got a smart TV in another room. Suddenly, 5 connections feels tight, not generous. Especially if someone needs to update their device or run security software in the background—those can consume a connection slot too.

Where Basic makes sense is if you're a solo user who operates mostly from two devices. A laptop and a phone. That's sustainable. But if you're in a household with multiple people, or you routinely work across devices, you'll probably find yourself frustrated with the limitation.

One other consideration: the Basic plan doesn't include Express VPN's password manager. That's not a dealbreaker if you already use Bitwarden, 1 Password, or another password manager. But if Express VPN's password manager has been on your wish list, you won't get it at this tier.

The Advanced Plan: The Middle Ground That Works

This is probably where most people should be looking. At

Twelve connections is genuinely comfortable for most households and use cases. You've got buffer room. Your phone, laptop, tablet, maybe a secondary device per household member. Plus headroom for temporary connections, background syncing, or testing purposes. You're not constantly managing active connections or worrying about hitting the limit.

The password manager inclusion here is actually significant. Express VPN's password manager isn't industry-leading—1 Password and Bitwarden are more feature-rich. But it's solid, it works reliably, and if you're already using Express VPN, it's convenient to have everything integrated. One fewer subscription to manage.

Advanced sits at what I'd call the "goldilocks" price point in this promotion. You're not overpaying for features you don't need, but you're getting meaningful quality-of-life improvements over Basic. The connection limit alone justifies the $20 difference over 28 months.

The Pro Plan: Maximum Features (At Higher Cost)

Express VPN also offers a Pro tier at higher pricing. Pro adds support for 14 simultaneous connections and brings in some additional security features and priority support. For this specific promotion, we're focusing on the Basic and Advanced deals, but it's worth knowing the Pro tier exists if you need those extra connections or want the premium support treatment.

The Pro plan normally commands a higher monthly cost, and it's not included in this particular discount promotion. If you're considering Pro, you'd be looking at regular pricing, which significantly undercuts the value of this deal.

ExpressVPN consistently outperforms free VPNs across key features like speed, security, and support. Estimated data based on typical service characteristics.

Real-World Speed Performance: The Numbers That Actually Matter

Here's where a lot of VPN reviews fall apart. They'll tell you a VPN is "fast" without any actual data. That's meaningless. Let's talk about what the testing actually revealed.

In comprehensive speed testing across multiple regions, Express VPN's infrastructure demonstrated remarkably consistent performance. When measuring download speeds, the service showed approximately 93% retention of baseline speeds. That's meaningful. You're losing about 7% performance, which translates to dropping from, say, 100 Mbps down to about 93 Mbps. That's the kind of degradation you barely notice in real-world usage.

Upload speeds were even more impressive: roughly 98% retention, or a 2% loss. For video conferencing, uploading files to cloud storage, or any upload-heavy task, you're getting near-native speeds. That's exceptional for a VPN service.

Understanding VPN Speed Degradation

Let me explain why this matters. Every VPN connection involves encryption and routing through remote servers. That process inherently costs some performance—you're adding computational overhead and network hops. Different VPN services handle this overhead differently based on their infrastructure quality, server placement, and optimization.

A 7% loss on downloads and 2% on uploads isn't just good—it's genuinely excellent. Many competing services show 20-40% degradation or higher. When you're paying for fast internet at home, you want a VPN that doesn't turn it into molasses. Express VPN's performance in testing shows they've invested in infrastructure that doesn't unnecessarily handicap your connection.

Consistency Across Geographic Regions

The testing also demonstrated consistency across different geographic regions. This is harder than it sounds. A VPN that's fast when you connect to servers nearby might become sluggish when you route through distant servers. Express VPN maintained relatively stable performance whether connecting to North American servers, European infrastructure, or Asia-Pacific endpoints.

What that tells you is their network architecture is solid. They've invested in multiple tier-1 infrastructure providers and maintained good peering relationships. That costs money, and it shows in performance.

Netflix Unblocking: The Practical Reality

Let's address the elephant in the room. A lot of people get interested in VPNs because they want to access Netflix content from different regions. Netflix famously restricts content based on geographic location, and people want to circumvent that.

In testing, Express VPN was able to consistently unblock Netflix across multiple regions. That doesn't mean it works 100% of the time—streaming services constantly play cat-and-mouse with VPN detection. But it means Express VPN maintains servers and infrastructure specifically optimized for accessing Netflix without getting blocked.

Now, I need to be clear about the legal and ethical considerations here. Netflix's terms of service technically prohibit accessing content outside your licensed region. Using a VPN to do that violates those terms. That said, millions of people do it, and frankly, it's a somewhat reasonable complaint about Netflix's regional pricing. But if you're planning to use your VPN specifically for this purpose, just know you're accepting that risk.

What's notable about Express VPN's Netflix performance is that it works reliably enough to suggest this is a considered feature, not an accident. They've built infrastructure with this use case in mind.

ExpressVPN's discounted plans offer significant savings compared to typical monthly VPN costs, with the Basic plan costing approximately

App Design and User Experience: Where Complexity Disappears

One of Express VPN's genuinely strong points is how accessible their apps are. VPN software can be technically complex. You're choosing protocols, managing split tunneling, configuring encryption settings. For non-technical users, all of that sounds like alphabet soup.

Express VPN solves this by hiding that complexity while still making it available to power users. The default experience is incredibly simple: you open the app, you see a big connect button, you click it. Connection established. Your traffic is encrypted. Done.

But if you want to get deeper, the options are there. You can choose between different VPN protocols (Wire Guard, IKEv 2, etc.), configure split tunneling to route only certain apps through the VPN while others use your regular connection, set up automatic connection on public Wi Fi, and adjust other advanced settings.

That balance—simple for beginners, powerful for advanced users—is harder to achieve than it seems. A lot of VPN apps either oversimplify (limiting useful functionality) or overcomplicate (overwhelming average users). Express VPN threads that needle fairly well.

The mobile apps specifically are clean and responsive. Setup is a five-minute process at most. The app doesn't drain battery excessively (a common complaint with VPN software). Desktop apps are similarly well-designed and don't feel like they're from 2015.

Security Architecture: What's Actually Under the Hood

Security is probably the most important aspect of a VPN service, but also the hardest to evaluate as a consumer. You can't directly test whether a service is truly keeping your data private—you have to trust their security architecture and any independent audits they've had done.

Express VPN uses AES-256 encryption, which is the same encryption standard used by governments and militaries worldwide. That's strong. Really strong. Realistically, AES-256 is not the limiting factor in VPN security—there are no known practical attacks against it. So from an encryption perspective, you're getting legitimate grade-A security.

The more important question is where the encryption happens and where your data goes. Express VPN operates their own servers rather than renting infrastructure from other providers. That's actually a positive sign. It means they control the full stack—less opportunity for a third party to compromise infrastructure.

They've also had independent security audits, which is a good sign. The fact that they submit to third-party audits and publish the results suggests they're confident in their security posture. This is increasingly an expectation in the VPN industry, but not every service does it.

One note: no VPN service can guarantee perfect privacy. You're shifting trust from your ISP (who can see all your traffic) to the VPN provider (who can see all your traffic instead). The question isn't whether the VPN provider could access your data—they technically could. The question is whether their business model incentivizes them to. Express VPN claims a no-logs policy, meaning they don't store records of your activity. That claim matters, but ultimately you're taking it on faith backed by their stated policies and audits.

The Device Support Situation: Simultaneous Connections Matter More Than You Think

Let me be really specific about why the device support limits in different tiers actually impact real life. It's not just a theoretical number.

When a VPN connection is active on a device, it consumes one of your simultaneous connection slots. That slot remains consumed as long as the app is running, even if you're not actively using it. Your phone's VPN app might be sitting in the background while you're working on your laptop. That's two connections right there.

If you have a household with multiple people, things get tight fast. Partner needs to check email on their phone while you're working on your laptop and your smart TV is updating in the living room. That's three connections. Add in a tablet or a secondary device for someone, and you're at four or five.

Basic's five-connection limit means you've got almost zero buffer. The moment someone needs to use a second device, you're managing connections actively. You have to disconnect from one device to connect another.

Advanced's 12-connection limit is comfortable. You can have multiple devices active per person in a household, plus temporary connections, plus devices in standby. You're probably never going to hit that limit in normal usage.

Express VPN apps are available on Windows, mac OS, i OS, Android, and some Linux distributions. They also offer browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. That broad compatibility is valuable—you can actually protect your traffic across most of the devices you use.

ExpressVPN shows strong speed retention at 94%, but lags in price competitiveness compared to NordVPN and Surfshark. Feature parity is close among these services. Estimated data based on typical performance and market insights.

Two-Year Commitments: Understanding the Long-Term Math

Here's the thing about this deal that you absolutely need to understand: it's a two-year commitment. You're not just getting a discount; you're paying for 28 months upfront (or at least, committing to the service for that period).

That changes the calculus. A $68 deal doesn't matter if after two years you're forced to pay triple the normal rate because you're now a stuck customer who can't leave without losing your prepayment.

With Express VPN, renewal pricing after the two-year term typically resets to standard monthly rates, which are currently around

But here's the honest assessment: $156/year for a premium VPN with strong speed performance and solid security is actually reasonable market pricing. It's not a steal, but it's not outrageous. Many good VPNs cost similar amounts.

The two-year commitment makes sense if you're confident you'll want to use Express VPN for the full term. It makes less sense if you're unsure, because the renewal pricing won't be as favorable.

Calculating Your True Annual Cost

Let's do the math properly. For the Advanced tier at this discount:

• Promotional cost: $88 for 28 months
• Monthly equivalent during promo:
  $88 ÷ 28 =$
  3.14/month
• Annual equivalent during promo:
  $3.14 × 12 =$
  37.68/year

That's the deal cost. After the promotion ends and you renew:

• Estimated renewal cost: ~$156/year (based on current standard pricing)
• That's a 4x increase from promotional pricing

So your average cost over the first three years if you continue using it:

• Years 1-2: $37.68/year
• Year 3: $156/year
• Three-year average: (
  $37.68 +$
  37.68 +
  $156) ÷ 3 =$
  77.12/year

That's still reasonable for a premium VPN. But it's much higher than the headline price suggests.

Comparing Express VPN to Other Premium VPN Services

How Express VPN Stacks Up on Speed

When you look at other premium VPN services, Express VPN's speed performance is genuinely competitive. Competitors like Surfshark and Nord VPN also claim strong speeds, but independent testing typically shows similar results—somewhere in that 90-95% retention range for downloads.

The difference is usually how consistently they achieve it. Some VPNs might be fast on well-connected servers but slow on others. Express VPN's consistency is one of its genuine strengths.

Feature Parity and Differentiation

Most premium VPNs now include similar core features: strong encryption, simultaneous connections, wide geographic coverage, and good apps. Where they differentiate is usually on specific features like password managers, additional security tools, or customer support quality.

Express VPN's password manager is decent but not best-in-class. Their customer support is responsive but can be slow during peak times. Their app design is genuinely good, which is actually an underrated feature that many people don't value enough until they try to use a clunky VPN interface.

Price Positioning

During normal pricing (not promotions), Express VPN is usually more expensive than competitors. That's why this deal is noteworthy—it brings their effective pricing closer to the average. At renewal, you'll probably be paying slightly more than average for the premium VPN category. That matters if you plan to keep the service long-term.

Password Manager Integration: Is It Worth Caring About?

Express VPN bundles a password manager with Advanced and Pro tiers. Let's talk honestly about what that means.

Password managers are becoming table stakes for security. If you're not using one, you should be. Strong, unique passwords for every website is the only practical security practice that actually works at scale. A password manager makes that possible.

Express VPN's password manager is competent. It stores passwords securely, generates strong passwords, autofills login forms, and syncs across devices. For basic needs, it works fine.

But if you're comparing password managers head-to-head, Bitwarden is more feature-rich and cheaper as a standalone service. 1 Password has better design and more sophisticated features. Last Pass is the market leader in adoption, though they've had some security issues that damaged trust.

Express VPN's password manager isn't best-in-class, but it's included. That's the value proposition. If you're already using Express VPN and you need a password manager, having it bundled is convenient. You don't have to pay extra, and you don't have to manage another login. That convenience has real value, even if the product itself isn't technically superior to alternatives.

However, if you already use a password manager you like (Bitwarden, 1 Password, etc.), Express VPN's password manager doesn't really add value. You're not going to switch away from a password manager you trust just because it's included with your VPN.

The promotional pricing offers significant savings in the first two years at

Understanding the "81% Off" Marketing Claim

I want to address this because it's slightly misleading in how it's marketed, which is worth understanding.

The 81% discount figure comes from comparing the promotional price to what you'd pay if you bought the service month-to-month at normal rates for the same 28-month period. Here's how that math works:

• Normal monthly rate for Advanced: ~$13/month
• For 28 months at that rate: 28 ×
  $13 =$
  364
• Promotional price for 28 months: $88
• Discount: (
  $364 -$
  88) ÷
  $364 =$
  276 ÷ $364 = 75.8% off

The 81% figure applies to the Basic plan, which gets a similar calculation. It's not false—it's just referencing the month-to-month rate as the baseline, which is Express VPN's most expensive option.

This is actually a useful mental model. It means Express VPN's marketing is saying: "If you commit long-term instead of paying month-to-month, you save enormous amounts." That's true. Month-to-month pricing is always a penalty for flexibility.

But it's worth being aware that the comparison is to the most expensive payment option, not to typical annual pricing. Annual plans normally come with better discounts than the promo you're getting now. So the "81% off" is real, but it's comparing to a baseline that's not what most people typically pay.

VPN Privacy: What You Actually Need to Understand

VPN marketing talks a lot about privacy. They'll say things like "encrypted connection" and "no logs" and you're supposed to feel confident that your data is protected.

Let me be clear about what a VPN actually does and doesn't do.

What a VPN does: encrypts traffic between your device and the VPN server. This means your ISP can't see what websites you're visiting (they just see that you're connected to a VPN). Your local network (coffee shop Wi Fi, etc.) can't snoop on your data. The websites you visit can't see your real IP address.

What a VPN doesn't do: make you truly anonymous on the internet. Websites can still track you through cookies, browser fingerprinting, and account logins. Your VPN provider can see everything you're doing (they're the middleman now instead of your ISP). Hackers can still compromise your devices. Government authorities can still probably figure out who you are.

VPNs are valuable tools for privacy, but they're not a silver bullet. They're specifically useful for hiding your IP address and preventing ISP snooping. Beyond that, you need additional security practices—don't log into personal accounts while using a VPN if you want to stay truly anonymous, use HTTPS websites, practice good password hygiene, etc.

Express VPN's no-logs claim is industry-standard at this point. They're saying they don't store records of your activity. That's probably true, but ultimately you have to trust it because you can't verify it yourself. The combination of stated policies and third-party audits is the best evidence available.

Global Server Network: Coverage That Actually Matters

Express VPN maintains servers across 94 countries. That's a genuinely extensive network. For context, many VPN services operate in 50-70 countries. Having servers in 94 countries means:

Geographic diversity for speed: The more servers distributed globally, the more likely you'll have one reasonably close to you. Proximity matters for speed. A server on the other side of the world adds latency. Express VPN's global network means you can usually connect to something relatively nearby.

Content access: Different regions have different content available online. Netflix shows different movies in different countries. You Tube content varies by region. Sports streaming is region-locked. Having servers in many countries lets you access region-specific content. This is useful for travelers especially.

Reliability: With more servers in more locations, there's less risk of congestion. If one server is overwhelmed, you can connect to another in a nearby country. That distributed architecture makes for more reliable service overall.

Censorship circumvention: In countries with heavy internet censorship, having multiple server options in different countries provides more options to access content that might be blocked domestically. This is valuable for activists, journalists, and people in restrictive regimes.

The catch: Express VPN can only operate in countries where they have legal permission to do so. They can't operate servers in China, for example, and some other countries also prohibit or heavily restrict VPN operation. So while 94 countries is broad, it's still limited by geopolitical realities.

The chart illustrates the pricing structure and discount for ExpressVPN's Advanced and Basic plans over 28 months. The '81% off' claim is based on the Basic plan's comparison to month-to-month pricing, which is higher than typical annual rates. Estimated data for the Basic plan is used.

Support Quality: What to Expect When Something Goes Wrong

Express VPN offers 24/7 customer support via live chat. That's good—it means you can get help anytime. However, response times can vary. During business hours in their primary time zones, you'll usually get responses within minutes. During off-hours, it might take longer.

They also have an extensive knowledge base with setup guides, troubleshooting articles, and FAQs. For common issues, the self-service documentation is usually sufficient.

For billing issues and account management, you'll want to use email support, which is slower but handles administrative requests. Live chat is best for technical troubleshooting.

One thing to note: VPN support is generally pretty straightforward. Either the app works, or it doesn't. If it doesn't, the solution is usually "try a different protocol" or "update the app" or "restart your device." It's not like software development where support needs deep technical knowledge. That means Express VPN's support is usually capable of helping with most issues.

Security Considerations: What Actually Protects You

VPNs are just one layer of your security architecture. Using Express VPN is good, but it's not a substitute for other security practices.

Here's what actually protects you online:

Endpoint security: Use legitimate antivirus/anti-malware software. Windows Defender is actually pretty good these days. Mac users can rely on system-level security, though paid tools offer more features.

Password security: Use unique, strong passwords for every important account. A password manager makes this practical.

Two-factor authentication: Enable it everywhere possible. Your VPN won't protect you if someone gets your password and logs into your accounts.

Phishing awareness: Don't click links in suspicious emails. Don't download attachments from unknown sources. Most security breaches start with user deception, not technical vulnerabilities.

Software updates: Keep your operating system and software current. Security patches matter.

A VPN fits into this larger picture as protection for your network traffic. It's important, but not sufficient on its own. Express VPN is a good tool, but it's one tool among several you should be using.

Who Should Actually Buy This Deal

Let's be specific about who should consider this promotion and who should probably skip it.

Good fit for this deal:

• You want a reputable, speed-focused VPN and you're willing to commit long-term
• You need reliable Netflix unblocking across multiple regions
• You want a VPN with genuinely good app design that doesn't frustrate you
• You're okay with standard security features (strong encryption, no-logs policy) without needing specialized features
• You have multiple devices and need simultaneous connections
• You're in a region without VPN restrictions
• You trust that the renewal pricing won't be a shock after two years

Probably skip this deal if:

• You're unsure whether you'll want VPN service long-term (30-day money-back might be better)
• You need more advanced features than Express VPN offers
• You're extremely price-sensitive and want the cheapest possible VPN
• You want a different privacy posture or security model
• You only need occasional VPN usage and don't want a long-term commitment
• You've had bad experiences with Express VPN in the past

The Advanced Plan offers more simultaneous connections and includes a password manager for a slightly higher monthly cost. Both plans cover 94 countries.

International Usage and Travel Considerations

If you travel internationally, a VPN becomes more valuable. Here's why.

When you're in a different country, your ISP is different, your network is different, and local content availability is different. A VPN keeps your traffic encrypted and lets you access content as if you're back home. That's valuable for maintaining access to services you use regularly.

It's also valuable for security on unfamiliar networks. Hotel Wi Fi, airport Wi Fi, local coffee shop networks—these are often poorly secured. Using a VPN on public networks is genuinely important for protection against network-level attacks.

Express VPN's global server network is actually useful for travelers because you can connect to servers back home if you want, or connect to local servers for better speed. That flexibility is valuable.

One note for international users: some countries restrict or prohibit VPN usage. China, Russia, and a few others actively block VPN connections. If you're traveling to or living in countries with internet restrictions, check current guidance on VPN legality before committing to a service.

Express VPN operates under Kape Technologies, a Cyprus-based company. That jurisdiction has some privacy advantages and some complications. It's worth being aware of if you're specifically concerned about legal jurisdiction and data requests.

Alternatives Worth Considering

Express VPN isn't the only premium VPN worth considering. Here's how some alternatives compare:

Surfshark: Similar speed performance, more simultaneous connections on lower tiers, slightly cheaper. Good alternative if you want more devices supported and don't mind slightly less polished apps.

Nord VPN: Very popular, strong security reputation, similar pricing when on promotion. Their desktop app is functional but feels less polished than Express VPN's.

Mullvad: Extreme privacy focus, no personal accounts required (just a number). Best if privacy is your absolute priority. Slower than Express VPN in most testing.

Proton VPN: From the makers of Proton Mail, trusted security background. Good all-around choice, usually slightly cheaper than Express VPN during normal pricing.

Windscribe: Budget option that's actually decent. Good if you want to minimize cost while keeping reasonable features.

The VPN market is competitive, and most premium options are reasonably good. Express VPN's strengths are app quality and speed. If those matter to you, the deal is solid. If you prioritize features, there might be better options.

Practical Setup: How to Actually Get Started

If you decide to buy this deal, here's what actually happens:

1. Go to the promotion page: You'll find the special pricing on Express VPN's website or through their promotional links
2. Choose your tier: Basic or Advanced (we've discussed the differences)
3. Select billing: You're committing to the full 28 months. You'll need to provide payment
4. Create account: Standard account creation process
5. Download apps: Express VPN provides download links for all supported platforms
6. Install on devices: Add the app to your devices
7. Connect: Open the app, click connect, you're live

Total setup time: about 10 minutes. Express VPN apps are straightforward to install and configure.

One important note: if you buy this plan, test it on your devices before the money-back guarantee period expires. Some networks or ISPs have weird configurations that might not work well with certain VPN protocols. Express VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if there's an issue, you can exit without penalty.

The Money-Back Guarantee: Your Exit Ramp

Express VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. This is important for a two-year commitment.

That 30-day window is your testing ground. You're not obligated to use the service for the full two years immediately. You can:

• Test the connection quality on your devices
• Verify that unblocking works for the services you care about
• Check whether the app performance impacts your system
• Confirm that the speed meets your needs
• Make sure compatibility with your devices is solid

If anything isn't working the way you expected, you can request a refund within 30 days. It's a legitimate escape hatch that reduces the risk of committing to something that doesn't work out.

I'd encourage actually using this window. Some people buy VPNs and barely test them. Use it properly for a few weeks. Make sure it's right for you before that 30-day period expires.

Long-Term Value Projection: Understanding Total Cost of Ownership

Let's project what this deal actually costs you over time, making realistic assumptions:

Scenario 1: Keep the service for one year after the two-year deal

• Promotional cost (2 years): $88
• Year 3 renewal: $156/year (estimated)
• Total for 3 years: $244
• Average annual cost: $81.33/year

Scenario 2: Keep the service indefinitely

• Deal period: $88 for 2 years
• All subsequent years: $156/year
• This locks in a $156/year cost after the promotional period

Scenario 3: Only use the promotional period

• Deal cost: $88 for 28 months
• Per-month cost: $3.14
• Obviously the best deal if you don't renew, but you're locked in for two years

The key variable is how long you actually keep the service. If you're confident you'll use Express VPN for years, the deal improves your average cost dramatically. If you're uncertain, the two-year commitment is riskier.

Competitive Landscape: Where Express VPN Sits in 2025

The VPN market in 2025 is very different from five years ago. Back then, VPN adoption was niche. Now it's mainstream. That competition has improved quality across the board.

Express VPN was a pioneer and leader in the premium VPN space. They still maintain that position through app quality and speed. But they're no longer the only good option. Competitors have caught up on most features and sometimes exceed Express VPN in specific areas.

This matters for your decision. You're not choosing between "Express VPN vs. mediocre alternatives." You're choosing between several good premium options. Express VPN's advantages are real (speed, app design) but not overwhelming.

The deal pricing bridges that gap. At full price, you might be better served by a competitor. At this promotional price, Express VPN becomes competitive with or cheaper than alternatives even accounting for renewal costs.

Common Questions Before Purchasing

Let me preemptively address things people usually ask:

Does my ISP know I'm using a VPN? Yes, they can see that you're connected to a VPN server, but they can't see what traffic goes through it.

Will a VPN make me completely anonymous online? No. A VPN hides your IP address but doesn't make you anonymous. Websites can still track you through cookies and accounts.

Can I use this for torrenting? Express VPN permits torrenting on their service, which some competitors don't. That's useful if you download files via torrent.

What if Netflix blocks me? If the server gets flagged, you can switch to another server or contact support. Netflix's detection is ongoing, and VPN services are continually adapting.

Do I need a VPN at home? It depends on your threat model. If you're in a country without censorship and you trust your ISP, a home VPN is less critical. For public Wi Fi, business networks, or travel, it's more important.

Renewal Pricing Reality Check

I want to be really clear about something that's easy to overlook:

After your promotional period ends, Express VPN's pricing resets. You're not locked into the promotional rate. You'll see new pricing when it's time to renew, usually at the standard market rate.

That standard rate is currently around

Some VPN services occasionally offer renewal promotions to existing customers, so you might get a discount. But you shouldn't count on it. Plan for full price unless you see otherwise.

That $156/year cost is reasonable for a premium VPN. It's not cheap, but it's not outrageous either. If you're planning to use Express VPN long-term, know that this promotional price is temporary and you'll be paying more later.

FAQ

What exactly is a VPN and why would I need one?

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) encrypts your internet traffic and routes it through a remote server, hiding your real IP address and location from websites and your ISP. You might need one for privacy on public Wi Fi networks, to access region-specific content while traveling, to bypass ISP throttling, or simply to prevent ISP snooping on your browsing habits. Express VPN makes this process simple through an easy-to-use app that handles the technical complexity invisibly.

How does Express VPN compare to free VPN services?

Free VPNs often monetize through ads, data selling, or limited features that force you to upgrade. Premium services like Express VPN operate sustainably because you're paying for the service rather than being the product. Express VPN invests in infrastructure, support, and apps because they have reliable revenue. Free VPNs typically offer slower speeds, fewer servers, and less reliable security. The investment in a paid VPN is usually worth it if privacy and speed matter to you.

Will Express VPN slow down my internet significantly?

No. In testing, Express VPN shows approximately 7% download speed loss and 2% upload speed loss on average. That's exceptional for a VPN service. Most competitors show similar or worse performance. Unless you have extremely low base speeds (under 5 Mbps), you probably won't notice the degradation in actual usage. Video streaming, browsing, and video calls all work smoothly with these speed retention rates.

Can I actually watch Netflix with Express VPN?

Yes, Express VPN successfully unblocks Netflix in most regions. However, Netflix actively works to prevent VPN access, so success isn't guaranteed 100% of the time. Additionally, using a VPN to access Netflix content outside your licensed region technically violates Netflix's terms of service, though millions of users do it. If unblocking streaming services is important to you, Express VPN is a solid choice, but acknowledge that it's an ongoing cat-and-mouse game with the streaming platforms.

What's the difference between the Basic and Advanced plans?

Basic (

Am I locked in for the full two years if I buy this deal?

Yes, technically. You're prepaying for 28 months of service. However, Express VPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test the service and request a full refund if it doesn't work for you within that window. After 30 days, you're committed to the full term. This is important to understand before purchasing.

What happens after my two-year promotional period ends?

Your service continues, but pricing resets to standard market rates (currently around

Is Express VPN safe to use, and can I trust their no-logs policy?

Express VPN uses strong AES-256 encryption, operates their own servers rather than renting infrastructure, and has undergone independent security audits. Their no-logs policy claims they don't store activity records. While you ultimately have to trust these statements, the combination of strong encryption, server ownership, and third-party audits is as reassuring as a VPN service can be. However, remember that using a VPN means shifting trust from your ISP to the VPN provider.

Can I use Express VPN while traveling internationally?

Yes, and that's actually where VPNs provide maximum value. Express VPN's global server network (94 countries) lets you maintain connection to home infrastructure while abroad, helps you access region-specific content, and protects you on unfamiliar public Wi Fi networks. However, some countries restrict or prohibit VPN usage. Check local regulations before traveling to ensure VPN use is legal in your destination.

What's the actual cost per month when spreading the $88 deal across 28 months?

The deal breaks down to

Final Thoughts: Is This Deal Actually Worth Your Money?

Here's my honest assessment: this is legitimately good deal for premium VPN service, but only if you meet certain criteria.

The deal is worth it if:

• You want a speed-focused VPN with genuinely good app design
• You're willing to commit to two years of service
• You understand that renewal pricing will be much higher
• You'll actually use the service regularly enough to justify the cost
• You've tested it within the 30-day guarantee period and confirmed it works for your setup
• You're comfortable with standard security features without needing specialized functionality

The deal is probably not worth it if:

• You're unsure about long-term VPN commitment
• You need specific advanced features Express VPN doesn't offer
• You want to minimize costs absolutely and don't care about app quality
• You're skeptical about privacy services generally
• You only need occasional VPN usage

Express VPN is legitimately one of the better premium VPN services. The speed performance is exceptional, the apps are genuinely well-designed, and the security fundamentals are solid. At this promotional price point, you're getting premium features at a reasonable cost.

But don't let the promotional pricing trick you into ignoring the long-term costs. After two years, your costs will increase significantly. Make sure you're ready for that renewal conversation before you commit.

The decision ultimately depends on your specific situation, your privacy concerns, your usage patterns, and your willingness to accept a long-term commitment. Evaluate honestly against those factors, and you'll make the right choice for you.

Conclusion: Making Your VPN Decision

VPNs have become mainstream tools for internet privacy and security. That's genuinely positive—privacy should be accessible and standard, not niche.

Express VPN is a strong choice in the premium VPN market. They've built a reputation for speed and usability that's legitimate and well-earned. This promotion makes them competitively priced against other premium options.

But remember: a VPN is just one component of your security and privacy architecture. It's important, but it's not sufficient on its own. Combine VPN usage with strong passwords, two-factor authentication, regular software updates, and general security awareness. That holistic approach is what actually protects you.

If you decide Express VPN is right for you, use the 30-day trial period properly. Test it on your devices, verify the speed and features work for your use case, and confirm it integrates well with your workflow. Then decide whether to commit to the full promotional period.

Privacy matters. Security matters. And you deserve privacy and security tools that actually work, are reasonably priced, and don't frustrate you to use. Express VPN delivers on those fronts, especially at this promotional rate.

Make your decision based on your actual needs, test rigorously before committing long-term, and you'll have a good outcome.

Key Takeaways

• ExpressVPN's Advanced plan costs
  $88 for 28 months, dropping monthly cost to$
  3.14, but renewal pricing will be approximately $156/year
• Real-world testing shows 93% download speed retention and 98% upload speed retention, exceptional among VPN services
• Basic plan (5 devices) is limiting; Advanced plan (12 devices) provides practical comfort for households and multiple device users
• Two-year commitment requires understanding that promotional pricing is temporary and renewal costs increase significantly
• ExpressVPN successfully unblocks Netflix in most regions and provides genuinely well-designed apps across platforms
• Security architecture uses strong AES-256 encryption and maintains a no-logs policy backed by independent audits
• Global network spans 94 countries, providing geographic diversity for speed and content access while traveling

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