Is ExpressVPN Worth It in 2026? An Honest Take

The Short Answer

Yes - if you value streaming breadth, app polish, and reliability more than saving money. ExpressVPN rates 9.1/10: it unblocks the most Netflix regions we track, works dependably in censored countries, and has the widest audit history of any provider we cover. The honest catch is price - at about $6.67/month it costs roughly double NordVPN and triple Surfshark, and caps devices at eight. It's genuinely excellent, but many people get comparable quality for less. Use the 30-day money-back guarantee to decide if the premium is worth it for you.

What You Get for the Price

On the longest plan (around $6.67/month), ExpressVPN includes:

• The widest streaming access we track - around 20 Netflix regions plus Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Hulu and more.
• MediaStreamer Smart DNS for streaming on devices that can't run a VPN app (smart TVs, consoles).
• Fast Lightway protocol - 85% speed retention in our ratings.
• Servers in 105 countries, with reliable access in heavily censored regions.
• The broadest audit history (KPMG, PwC, Cure53), RAM-only TrustedServer tech, and British Virgin Islands jurisdiction.
• The most polished, beginner-friendly apps and 24/7 support.

Read the full breakdown in our ExpressVPN review.

Is It Worth the Premium?

This is the crux. ExpressVPN is excellent, but it's priced well above equally capable rivals. NordVPN is our higher-rated pick (9.4/10), actually faster in our ratings, and costs $3.09/month. Surfshark is $2.19/month with unlimited devices. So the question isn't "is ExpressVPN good?" - it clearly is - but "is it worth paying double for its specific strengths?" If the widest streaming access, the most refined apps, or proven reliability in censored regions matter to you, the premium can be justified. If not, you'll get comparable everyday performance for less elsewhere.

The Honest Downsides

• The highest price of the major VPNs - about $6.67/month even on the longest plan.
• Only 8 simultaneous devices, where Surfshark and PIA offer unlimited.
• Not the fastest - NordVPN edges it in our ratings (89% vs 85% retention).
• Apps are not open source, unlike ProtonVPN or Mullvad.
• No free tier - only a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Who It Is (and Is Not) For

ExpressVPN is worth it if you stream a lot of international content, want the most polished experience, or need reliable access in a censored region - and price is secondary. It's probably not worth it if you're value-focused (NordVPN or Surfshark deliver similar quality for less), need unlimited devices (Surfshark, PIA), or want open-source apps (ProtonVPN, Mullvad). It's a premium product that earns its rating - just make sure you're paying for strengths you'll actually use.