If you want an ExpressVPN alternative with servers in different locations, more customizable features, or just a lower price tag, you’re in luck — I’ve found a handful of alternative VPNs that might just work for you. While they might not be as fast or user-friendly, they’re secure and safe to use, and each one is backed by a refund guarantee for risk-free testing. Editor’s Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.
Quick Guide: Top Alternatives to ExpressVPN in 2025
Why You May Need An ExpressVPN Alternative
ExpressVPN comes with a lot of benefits — it’s one of the easiest VPNs for beginners, connections are consistently fast for streaming, torrenting, and online gaming, and it provides premium security and privacy features on all devices. However, there are some potential downsides to using ExpressVPN, which may be why you’re interested in an alternative.
The Best ExpressVPN Alternatives (Tested in 2025)
1. CyberGhost — Optimized Servers for Streaming, Torrenting, and Gaming
Key Features: CyberGhost’s dedicated servers provide fast and reliable connections for your online activities. They’re regularly tested by CyberGhost staff to ensure you get a working connection, and during my tests I found they worked flawlessly. You’ll find optimized servers for streaming Netflix US, torrenting public domain content, and playing online games. While it’s not as fast as ExpressVPN, local and optimized servers provide lag-free connections. You may notice some slowdown over long distances, but a small speed loss is standard for VPN connections. I recommend using the optimized servers where possible, as these are consistently the fastest options.
CyberGhost also offers WiFi protection, which keeps you protected when you switch between home and public networks. I also like the customizable automation that includes auto-connecting on start-up or when a specific app opens. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as CyberGhost VPN. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.
2. Private Internet Access — Server Network Avoids Congestion at Peak Times
Key Features: Private Internet Access (PIA) has a significantly larger server network than ExpressVPN — more than 35,000 connections. You’re more likely to find a fast, reliable local server, and you’ll avoid user congestion at peak connection times. I was impressed by PIA’s customizable features, including being able to specify my level of encryption. I could switch between AES-128-bit for fast speeds or use AES-256-bit for greater security — I was properly protected whether watching YouTube or checking my bank account.
While PIA has some streaming-optimized servers, it’s not as reliable for streaming. It struggles to access services like BBC iPlayer but works well with Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, and Disney+. You may have to switch servers to find a working connection, but you can “favorite” the best servers for faster access in the future. Editor’s Note: Transparency is one of our core values at WizCase, so you should know we are in the same ownership group as Private Internet Access. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.
3. NordVPN — Adds Premium Security With Extra Features
Key Features: NordVPN’s extra features add layers of security that extend beyond encrypting connections. Threat Protection Pro blocks malware, shady sites, and ads and trackers, while Meshnet enables secure connections between your devices (and it’s free to use). Plus, the Dark Web Monitor alerts you if your personal data is exposed. During tests, NordVPN’s speeds were good — the average speed loss was double ExpressVPN’s result, but this only amounted to around 14% in total. Speeds were fast enough for streaming, torrenting, and online gaming without lags or interruptions, even on long-distance connections. The downside is that NordVPN isn’t intuitive like ExpressVPN, especially on mobile devices. The map interface is tricky to navigate, and it’s not easy to find options menus unless you’re using the desktop apps.
4. Surfshark — Loaded With Customizable Tools
Key Features: Surfshark is a feature-rich VPN, with customizable tools that ExpressVPN doesn’t have. These include:
Multihop — choose entry and exit servers for fast speeds and reliable connection. Rotating IP addresses — periodically changes your IP address while maintaining the VPN connection to make it harder to track your activity. Private search engine — perform online searches with no ads or trackers, and no stored browsing data. Alternative ID — gives you an “alt persona” to use for online accounts and form-filling.
Surfshark isn’t as fast as ExpressVPN, and can have high latency on local connections. During tests on a nearby server, my ping jumped from 20ms to 85ms — still fast enough for streaming, but not ideal for competitive gaming.
5. PrivateVPN — Budget VPN With Great Customer Support
Key Features: Considering it’s a much smaller VPN, PrivateVPN is a solid choice for streaming. It works reliably with top platforms like Netflix, Max, and Disney+, and even more obscure services like 10 play. Plus, PrivateVPN’s customer support is excellent — you can connect directly with the app’s developers for assistance and even remote setup. However, PrivateVPN’s network is very small at just 200 servers in 63 countries. You might not find a local server, and you could experience slowdowns if you connect at a busy time — user congestion can make it difficult to connect to popular servers during evenings and at the weekend.
Testing Methodology: How to Choose the Best ExpressVPN Alternative
All VPNs undergo rigorous testing, and I ranked them according to the results in the following areas:
Get the Best ExpressVPN Alternative in 2025
While ExpressVPN is the top service in 2025, there are a few reasons why you may be looking for a different service — like the price, server availability, or extra features. Fortunately, there are some top VPNs that work well as alternatives to ExpressVPN. While there are some secure free VPNs you can trust, I usually recommend avoiding free services. Many free VPNs don’t work properly, with weak encryption and shady data logging practices that could compromise your security or expose you to malware. Of all the options, CyberGhost is the best alternative. It has decent speeds, optimized connections for streaming and torrenting, and a generous 45-day money-back guarantee. If you need a bigger server network, PIA might be worth taking a look at — that also has a refund guarantee, so it’s risk-free to try it before you commit to a purchase. *Please note that ExpressVPN’s generous money-back guarantee applies to first-time customers only.
Summary — The Best ExpressVPN Alternatives in 2025
Editor’s Note: We value our relationship with our readers, and we strive to earn your trust through transparency and integrity. We are in the same ownership group as some of the industry-leading products reviewed on this site: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, Private Internet Access, and Intego. That said, our detailed reviews follow a strict methodology that examines all relevant performance factors to help you arrive at your own informed conclusion.
