What is the difference between ExpressVPN and ProtonVPN?

ExpressVPN is best for Users wanting a reliable, fast VPN across all devices, while ProtonVPN is best for Privacy-conscious users wanting free VPN from a trusted brand. ExpressVPN starts at $6.67/mo and ProtonVPN starts at Free.

Is ExpressVPN or ProtonVPN cheaper?

ExpressVPN starts at $6.67/mo. ProtonVPN starts at Free with a free tier.

Is there a free alternative to ExpressVPN?

Yes, ProtonVPN offers a free tier (Free with 3 countries).

ExpressVPN vs ProtonVPN

ExpressVPN is Premium VPN known for speed, reliability, and wide device support, while ProtonVPN is Free VPN from the makers of ProtonMail with no data limits and no ads. The biggest difference up front: ProtonVPN is free, while ExpressVPN starts at $6.67/mo. ExpressVPN is built for users wanting a reliable, fast vpn across all devices, whereas ProtonVPN targets privacy-conscious users wanting free vpn from a trusted brand.

At a glance

	ExpressVPN	ProtonVPN
Best for	Users wanting a reliable, fast VPN across all devices	Privacy-conscious users wanting free VPN from a trusted brand
Starting price	$6.67/mo	Free
Free tier	—	✓
Open source	—	—
Free tier available	—	✓
Open source	—	—
94 Countries	✓	—
Fast Speeds	✓	—
MediaStreamer	✓	—
No Ads	—	✓
No Data Limit	—	✓
Secure Core	—	✓
Split Tunneling	✓	—
Swiss Privacy	—	✓

ExpressVPN

Strengths

Includes Fast Speeds as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows
Includes 94 Countries as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows
Affordable at $6.67/mo — one of the lower-priced options in the vpn category
Established product with 17+ years on the market and a mature ecosystem

Weaknesses

No free plan — you need to pay $6.67/mo from day one to use it
Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
Ecosystem of third-party integrations is smaller than the market leaders in vpn
Limited team/admin features if your organization eventually scales up

Try ExpressVPN → Full review

ProtonVPN

Strengths

Includes No Data Limit as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows
Includes No Ads as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows
Free with 3 countries — generous enough for most small teams to get real work done
Includes swiss privacy alongside the core feature set — fewer separate tools needed

Weaknesses

Free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade
Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
Ecosystem of third-party integrations is smaller than the market leaders in vpn
Limited team/admin features if your organization eventually scales up

Try ProtonVPN → Full review

The bottom line

Pricing: ProtonVPN is completely free (Free with 3 countries), which makes it the obvious pick if budget is the top concern. ExpressVPN starts at $6.67/mo. That cost buys you a more polished or feature-rich experience, so it comes down to whether the extras justify the spend.

Feature gaps: ExpressVPN offers 94 Countries, Fast Speeds and MediaStreamer that ProtonVPN lacks. ProtonVPN brings No Ads, No Data Limit and Secure Core that ExpressVPN does not have.

Team fit: Both tools target individuals teams, so the decision hinges on features and workflow fit rather than scale.

Where each tool shines: ExpressVPN's biggest strengths are: includes fast speeds as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows. includes 94 countries as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows. ProtonVPN's biggest strengths are: includes no data limit as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows. includes no ads as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows.

Watch out for: With ExpressVPN, users commonly note that no free plan — you need to pay $6.67/mo from day one to use it. With ProtonVPN, the main complaint is that free plan exists but key features are locked behind the paid upgrade.

Choose ExpressVPN if...

You need a tool built for users wanting a reliable, fast vpn across all devices
You specifically need 94 Countries and Fast Speeds
You care about includes 94 countries as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows

Choose ProtonVPN if...

You need a tool built for privacy-conscious users wanting free vpn from a trusted brand
Budget is a hard constraint — ProtonVPN is free, ExpressVPN is not
You specifically need No Ads and No Data Limit
You care about includes no ads as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows
The free tier works for you: free with 3 countries