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ExpressVPN

Best for Beginners & Streaming

9.4

out of 10

Founded: 2009

Jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands

ExpressVPN sets the gold standard for security transparency with 23 independent audits. Its Lightway protocol delivers fast, reliable connections ideal for streaming and everyday browsing in the UK.

Best for: Beginners, streaming, and security-conscious users

Detailed Ratings

Speed

9.3

Privacy

9.8

Streaming

9.6

Value for Money

8.8

Ease of Use

9.7

Chrome Extension

8.0

Full Review

ExpressVPN has built its reputation on transparency, ease of use, and reliability. Based in the British Virgin Islands, it benefits from strong privacy laws and no data retention requirements. What truly sets ExpressVPN apart is its commitment to security auditing — with 23 independent audits completed by firms including KPMG, it is the most thoroughly vetted VPN service in the world.

The proprietary Lightway protocol is designed from the ground up for speed and efficiency, using a smaller codebase than traditional protocols like OpenVPN. This results in faster connections, quicker reconnections when switching networks, and lower battery usage on mobile devices. Lightway now includes post-quantum encryption, protecting traffic against future quantum computing threats.

For UK users, ExpressVPN reliably unblocks every major streaming service, including BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, Channel 4, Netflix, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video. The TrustedServer technology ensures all servers run exclusively in RAM, meaning no data is ever written to a hard drive and everything is wiped on reboot.

The Chrome extension requires the desktop client to be installed but adds valuable features including HTTPS Everywhere, location spoofing, and WebRTC blocking. Plans now start from as low as £1.74 per month on promotional two-year deals, making it more affordable than ever. ExpressVPN supports 8 to 14 simultaneous connections depending on your plan tier.

Features at a Glance

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Servers

3,000+

🗺️

Countries

105

📱

Simultaneous Connections

8-14

🔐

Encryption

AES-256 with 4096-bit RSA

🔧

Protocols

Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2

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Money-Back Guarantee

30 days

✅Kill Switch

✅Split Tunnelling

✅No-Logs Policy

✅Ad Blocker

✅Chrome Extension

❌Free Tier

Pros

✅23 independent security audits (industry-leading transparency)
✅TrustedServer RAM-only technology
✅Extremely easy to use and beginner-friendly
✅Lightway protocol with post-quantum encryption
✅Reliably unblocks all major UK streaming services
✅Works in censored countries (China, Russia)

Cons

❌Chrome extension requires desktop app to be installed
❌Fewer servers than NordVPN or CyberGhost
❌Basic plan limited to 8 simultaneous connections

Special Features

Lightway ProtocolTrustedServer (RAM-only)Threat ManagerKeys Password ManagerNetwork Lock (Kill Switch)Post-Quantum Encryption

UK Servers

Multiple UK server locations including London and Docklands

Streaming Support

●Netflix UK & US
●BBC iPlayer
●ITV Hub
●Channel 4
●Disney+
●Amazon Prime Video
●Sky Go

How to Set Up ExpressVPN

Getting started with ExpressVPN is straightforward and takes only a few minutes. Begin by visiting the official ExpressVPN website and selecting the plan that suits your needs. The 2-year Basic plan at £1.74/mo (£48.80 for 28 months) plan offers the best value. Complete the sign-up process with your email address and preferred payment method.

Once your account is created, navigate to the Chrome Web Store and search for the official ExpressVPN extension. Click "Add to Chrome" to install it. After installation, click the ExpressVPN icon in your browser toolbar, sign in with your account credentials, and select a UK server or your preferred location. The extension will begin encrypting your browser traffic immediately. For full device protection, you can also download the desktop or mobile application from the ExpressVPN website.

We recommend enabling the kill switch feature in the settings to prevent data leaks if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. If you experience any issues, ExpressVPN's support team is available to help, and their 30-day money-back guarantee means you can try the service risk-free.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ExpressVPN good for streaming BBC iPlayer from abroad?

Yes, ExpressVPN is an excellent choice for streaming BBC iPlayer. With a streaming score of 9.6/10, it reliably unblocks UK streaming services including Netflix UK & US, BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub. The multiple uk server locations including london and docklands ensure fast, buffer-free streaming. Simply connect to a UK server and navigate to iPlayer as normal.

Does ExpressVPN keep logs of my browsing activity?

No, ExpressVPN operates a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not record, store, or monitor your browsing activity, connection timestamps, or IP addresses. Based in British Virgin Islands, ExpressVPN benefits from favourable privacy laws. This policy has been independently verified, providing genuine assurance that your online activity remains private.

How many devices can I use with ExpressVPN simultaneously?

ExpressVPN supports 8-14 simultaneous device connections on a single subscription. This means you can protect your laptop, phone, tablet, and other devices at the same time without needing to disconnect from one before connecting another. If you need more connections, some providers like Surfshark and IPVanish offer unlimited simultaneous connections.