ExpressVPN Alternatives in 2026: 4 Cheaper VPNs Compared
NordVPN is the best ExpressVPN alternative for most people: it is rated 4.7 in our review, costs ~$3.09/mo on a 2-year plan, and matches ExpressVPN's core privacy story with a Panama base and an independently audited no-logs policy. ExpressVPN itself is rated 4.6 and costs ~$8.32/mo on a 12-month plan, so the gap is largely price. Below we compare four VPNs from our own reviews — NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark and ProtonVPN — using only pricing and features verified against official vendor pages.
NordVPN — best overall
NordVPN is our top pick for anyone leaving ExpressVPN over price. The Basic plan is ~$3.09/mo on a 2-year plan and covers 10 devices, and our review rates it 4.7 overall — the highest of the four VPNs compared here. Speeds on NordLynx (WireGuard) are very fast, and the privacy claims are specific: Panama-based, no-logs, and independently audited. Threat Protection Pro adds blocking for ads, trackers and malware. The trade-offs are the long commitment needed for the lowest rate, some advanced features sitting in higher-priced tiers, and an app that can feel feature-heavy for beginners.
ExpressVPN — still polished, still the pricier option
ExpressVPN remains the benchmark for a polished, consistent app, and our review rates it 4.6. TrustedServer runs on RAM and the Lightway protocol is fast and modern, with excellent speed and reliability across many locations. The problem for budget-focused buyers is the price: ~$8.32/mo on a 12-month plan, with no free tier and only 8 simultaneous devices. Our review also notes it offers fewer extras such as ad-blocking than some rivals. If polish and simple setup matter more than cost, ExpressVPN is still a strong choice; if cost is the deciding factor, the other three tools below are cheaper.
Surfshark — cheapest for households
Surfshark is the cheapest option here, at ~$2.19/mo on a 2-year plan, and it is the only one of the four that allows unlimited simultaneous device connections — useful if you are covering a whole household rather than the 8 devices ExpressVPN allows. Our review rates it 4.5 and highlights CleanWeb ad-blocking and a clean, simple app. Two caveats from that review: it is based in the Netherlands, within the 14-Eyes alliance, and some servers are slower than the top premium rivals. Its audit history is also younger than the most established VPNs. The Starter plan includes the VPN and unlimited devices.
ProtonVPN — best if you want a free tier
ProtonVPN is the only tool here with a genuinely free tier — not a trial, and with no data limits. That makes it the logical first stop if you want to test a lower-cost alternative to ExpressVPN before paying anything. It is Switzerland-based, open-source and audited, and Secure Core routes traffic through privacy-friendly countries. Our review rates it 4.5, and the paid Plus plan is ~$4.99/mo on a 2-year plan. Expect compromises on the free tier: a few countries and slower speeds. The server network is also smaller than the biggest rivals, and the apps are capable but less polished than top competitors.
How to choose between them
Two questions decide this: how many devices, and whether you will commit long term. On price alone the entry plans are ~$2.19/mo (Surfshark, 2-year), ~$3.09/mo (NordVPN, 2-year), ~$4.99/mo (ProtonVPN Plus, 2-year) and ~$8.32/mo (ExpressVPN, 12-month). On our ratings, NordVPN leads at 4.7, ExpressVPN follows at 4.6, and Surfshark and ProtonVPN both sit at 4.5. If unlimited device connections matter most, Surfshark is the only one of the four that offers them. If a genuinely free starting point matters most, ProtonVPN is the only one that provides it. NordVPN and Surfshark also publish higher monthly rates (~$12.99 and ~$12.95) without a long-term commitment.
Sources & methodology
Official pricing pages for the featured tools: https://nordvpn.com/pricing/ https://www.expressvpn.com/order https://surfshark.com/pricing https://protonvpn.com/pricing Pricing and feature data verified on 2026-09-25 from official vendor pricing pages.
Our verdict
For most people leaving ExpressVPN, NordVPN is the practical swap: a 4.7 rating, ~$3.09/mo on a 2-year plan, and audited no-logs privacy. Choose Surfshark if you need unlimited devices at the lowest price, or ProtonVPN if you want a real free tier first. Stay with ExpressVPN only if its polish is worth ~$8.32/mo to you.
