Head to head · Updated August 13, 2026
ExpressVPN vs Proton VPN
Proton VPN takes it by 16 points, 90.0 against 74.0. That margin is worth reading past — ExpressVPN wins 0 of the seven criteria outright.
ExpressVPN
74.0Polished software and a genuine router firmware, at a price the rest of the market has moved away from.
- From
- $4.99/mo
- Based in
- British Virgin Islands
- Devices
- 8
- Audits
- 2
We earn nothing from ExpressVPN. This link is included because the ranking says it belongs here.
Proton VPN
90.0The best-documented security stack in this dataset, and the only free tier we consider safe to recommend.
- From
- $4.49/mo
- Based in
- Switzerland
- Devices
- 10
- Audits
- 2
We earn a commission if you subscribe through this link. It does not change Proton VPN’s score.
Criterion by criterion
ExpressVPN wins 0, Proton VPN wins 5, 2 tied. Each row shows the raw score out of ten and the weighted contribution to the total.
| Criterion | Weight | ExpressVPN | Proton VPN | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent audit | 20 | 9/10 (18.0) | 10/10 (20.0) | Proton VPN |
| Jurisdiction and ownership | 15 | 7/10 (10.5) | 9/10 (13.5) | Proton VPN |
| Protocol and crypto stack | 15 | 7/10 (10.5) | 9/10 (13.5) | Proton VPN |
| Leak protection | 15 | 9/10 (13.5) | 9/10 (13.5) | Tied |
| Transparency | 15 | 5/10 (7.5) | 9/10 (13.5) | Proton VPN |
| Price and refund terms | 10 | 5/10 (5.0) | 7/10 (7.0) | Proton VPN |
| Platform coverage | 10 | 9/10 (9.0) | 9/10 (9.0) | Tied |
| Total | 100 | 74.0 | 90.0 | Proton VPN |
Where each one actually wins
ExpressVPN is ahead on
Nothing. ExpressVPN does not lead on any of the seven criteria.
Proton VPN is ahead on
- Independent audit. Both the no-logs policy and the apps on every platform were audited by Securitum with public reports.
- Jurisdiction and ownership. Switzerland sits outside the Fourteen Eyes agreement, and the parent company is majority-owned by a non-profit foundation.
- Protocol and crypto stack. WireGuard and OpenVPN both shipped, plus a Stealth obfuscation mode for restrictive networks.
- Transparency. Every client is open source with published audit reports; signup still requires an email address.
- Price and refund terms. Mid-market pricing with a genuinely usable free tier, offset by prorated rather than full refunds.
Choose ExpressVPN if
Readers who want a router-level install with vendor-supported firmware.
Choose Proton VPN if
Readers who want auditable software and a free option to test before paying.
Reasons to pick neither
Skip ExpressVPN if: You are price-sensitive, or you want your provider to be independent of a group that owns several apparent competitors.
Skip Proton VPN if: You want the cheapest possible long-term plan. Proton is priced as a security product, and the 2-year rate is still above the budget tier.
Questions
- Is ExpressVPN or Proton VPN better?
- Proton VPN scores higher overall, 90.0 against 74.0, a gap of 16 points out of 100. The best-documented security stack in this dataset, and the only free tier we consider safe to recommend.
- Which is cheaper, ExpressVPN or Proton VPN?
- Proton VPN, at $4.49/mo against $4.99/mo. Both rates require committing to the provider’s longest term; the monthly rates are considerably higher.
- Which one has been audited more recently?
- Proton VPN, most recently in 2024 against ExpressVPN’s 2023.
- Does jurisdiction differ between them?
- Yes. ExpressVPN operates from British Virgin Islands and Proton VPN from Switzerland. Both sit in the same position relative to the Fourteen Eyes agreement.
Related comparisons
Comparison generated from the same dataset as the ranking. Emphasis criterion definitions are on the rubric page. Criterion labels: Independent audit, Jurisdiction and ownership, Protocol and crypto stack, Leak protection, Transparency, Price and refund terms, Platform coverage.