ExpressVPN vs PureVPN: Which is BEST VPN in 2025?

by Fahim Joharder | Last updated Dec 7, 2025

Winner

4.5

Ad Blocker
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Threat Manager
Data Removal
Aircove Routers
Free Trial Available
Paid Plan Starts at $4.99

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Runner Up

3.5

Digital Footprint
Safe password
Protect your files
Cybersecurity
Whitelabel VPNs
30-Days Money Back Guarantee
Paid Plan Starts at $2.16

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Choosing the right VPN can feel like picking a needle from a haystack.

With so many options out there, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

You want a VPN that keeps your online activity private and secure, but you also want fast speeds and access to all your favorite sites, right?

In this showdown, we’re taking a close look at two popular VPN providers: ExpressVPN vs PureVPN.

We’ll break down their features, performance, and pricing to help you decide which one comes out on top.

Overview

To give you the most accurate comparison, we’ve rigorously tested both ExpressVPN and PureVPN across various categories like speed, security, streaming capabilities, and more.

This hands-on experience allows us to highlight the strengths and weaknesses of each VPN.

4.5out of 5

Enjoy blazing-fast speeds, top-notch security, and access to your favorite content.

Pricing: 30-day money-back guarantee. Plan starts at $4.99/month

Key Features:

Split Tunneling
Lightway Protocol
TrustedServer Technology

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3.5out of 5

Ready to see if PureVPN is the real deal? Let’s dive in. Thousands of servers in 78+ countries.

Pricing: 30-day money-back guarantee. Plan starts at $2.16/month

Key Features:

10 Gbps Servers
Quantum-Resistant Encryption
10 Multi-Logins

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What is ExpressVPN?

Now, let’s talk about ExpressVPN. This one’s a real speed demon!

They’re known for having super-fast connections, perfect for streaming or downloading large files.

They also have servers in 94 countries, so you have many options for finding a server that meets your needs.

And don’t even get me started on their security features. They’re top-notch!

Also, explore our favorite ExpressVPN alternatives…

Our Take

ExpressVPN is popular because it’s fast, reliable, and secure. It’s a great all-around VPN, but it’s a little expensive compared to some others.

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Key Benefits

Blazing-fast speeds: Perfect for streaming and downloading.
Huge server network: Over 3,000 servers in 94 countries.
Strong security: Uses AES-256 encryption and has a kill switch.
30-day money-back guarantee: Try it risk-free.

Pricing

2 Year + 3 Months Free: $4.99/month
12 Month + 3 Months Free: $6.67/month.
1 Month: $12.95/month.

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Pros

Fast speeds for streaming.
Strong security and privacy.
Works in China and UAE.
Easy-to-use apps for all devices.
There is a vast server network worldwide.

Cons

Slightly more expensive.
Limited device connections.
No free trial is offered.
Based in a Five Eyes country.

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What is PureVPN?

Ever heard of PureVPN? It’s a well-known VPN. It’s been around for a while.

Think of it as a disguise for your internet connection. It hides your location and encrypts your data, making it much harder for others to track you online.

You can use it to stream shows from other countries, protect yourself on public Wi-Fi, and even get around censorship.

Also, explore our favorite PureVPN alternatives…

Our Take

Experience ultimate online freedom with PureVPN! Connect up to 10 devices simultaneously and access over 6,500 servers in 78+ countries.

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Key Benefits

Extensive server network: Over 6,500 servers in 78 countries.
Wide range of features: Includes split tunneling, port forwarding, and dedicated IPs.
No-logs policy: Audited by independent firms.
31-day money-back guarantee: Gives you a little extra time to decide.

Pricing

Standard: $2.16/month.
Plus: $2.66/month.
Max: $3.33/month.

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Pros

Large server network.
Lots of features.
Improved privacy.
It’s good for streaming.

Cons

It can be expensive.
Mixed customer support reviews.
Speeds can vary.

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Feature Comparison

ExpressVPN and PureVPN are two industry-leading vpn services that provide a secure virtual private network, though they have clear differences in specialization and price.

ExpressVPN is a top-tier vpn service renowned for its audit-verified privacy and proprietary vpn protocol.

This expressvpn review compares it against PureVPN, a budget-friendly vpn provider that offers a massive network and unlimited simultaneous connections for comprehensive private internet access.

1. Jurisdiction and Privacy Audits

ExpressVPN: Based in the british virgin islands, a privacy-friendly jurisdiction with no mandatory data retention laws. Its no-logs vpn service has been independently audited multiple times, enhancing user trust.
PureVPN: Based in Hong Kong. While Hong Kong lacks mandatory data retention laws, PureVPN’s privacy claims have faced scrutiny in the past. It now offers an always-on audit policy to verify its no-logs status.

2. Global Server Network and Reach

ExpressVPN: Maintains a highly optimized network of over 3,000 vpn servers across 105 countries, ensuring reliable performance globally. The number of virtual servers used is clearly indicated.
PureVPN: Boasts a larger raw count of vpn servers (6,000+) but is spread across fewer countries (65+). It relies more heavily on virtual servers, which can sometimes affect latency and trust.

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3. Core VPN Protocols and Speed

ExpressVPN: Supports proprietary Lightway vpn protocol with vpn server, which is built for speed and security. Expressvpn offers Lightway alongside the openvpn protocol, and Lightway is suitable for streaming and heavy use.
PureVPN: Supports WireGuard, IKEv2, and the openvpn protocol. While WireGuard is fast, the overall speed benchmark in a typical purevpn review often falls short of ExpressVPN’s performance.

4. IP Addresses and Dedicated IPs

ExpressVPN: Users are assigned dynamic ip addresses that rotate frequently, maximizing anonymity. It generally does not offer a dedicated ip option.
PureVPN: Offers a dedicated ip as an optional add-on service. This is useful for users needing a consistent ip addresses for accessing corporate networks or for secure online banking.

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5. Advanced Security Features

ExpressVPN: Includes robust features like TrustedServer technology (RAM-only vpn servers), obfuscation, and Network Lock (kill switch). It also handles its own private dns queries for enhanced security.
PureVPN: Offers standard security features including a kill switch and dns queries handling, but it lacks ExpressVPN’s RAM-only vpn servers and often requires manual setup for optimal security.

6. Streaming and Unblocking Performance

ExpressVPN: Consistently rates highly in every expressvpn review for reliably unblocking major streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer with high-speed, encrypted internet traffic.
PureVPN: Its ability to unblock streaming platforms is often inconsistent, and while it provides fast enough speeds, the reliability of the vpn connection for long sessions can be lower than ExpressVPN.

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7. Simultaneous Connections and Device Limits

ExpressVPN: Allows up to eight simultaneous connections (with higher options on Pro plans), although it can be installed on a router to secure every device via one connection.
PureVPN: Offers up to ten unlimited simultaneous connections on its standard plans, making it more flexible for large families or users with many devices, including android tv.

8. Extra Tools and Utility

ExpressVPN: Expressvpn offers a specialized password manager (Keys) and its Aircove VPN router, which are separate features but enhance the security ecosystem for users.
PureVPN: Offers a suite of add-ons, including port forwarding, end-to-end encryption tools (PureEncrypt), and its password manager (PureKeep), often requiring additional fees.

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9. Protocols and Use Case Specialization

ExpressVPN: Its Lightway vpn protocol is open-source and optimized for high-speed performance on devices like android tv. It is the premium vpn service for all-around security and speed.
PureVPN: Provides port forwarding as an advanced add-on, which is essential for dedicated torrenting and P2P gaming. Its purevpn review often highlights its customization for these specific use cases.

What to Look for in a VPN?

No-logs policy: Ensure the VPN provider doesn’t track your online activity.
Strong encryption: Look for AES-256 encryption, the industry standard.
Kill switch: This feature prevents your data from being exposed if the VPN connection drops.
Server locations: Choose a VPN with servers in the locations you need.
Device compatibility: Make sure the VPN works on all your devices.
Customer support: Good customer support can be helpful if you encounter any issues.
A free trial or money-back guarantee allows you to test the VPN before committing to a long-term subscription.
Independent security audits: Some VPN providers undergo third-party audits to verify their security claims.
Speed and performance: Consider your streaming, gaming, or downloading needs.
Special features: Some VPNs offer extra features like split tunneling, ad blocking, or obfuscated servers.
Reputation and user reviews: See what other users say about the VPN provider.

Final Verdict

In this PureVPN vs ExpressVPN showdown, ExpressVPN wins!

While PureVPN 2024 is a decent affordable VPN and PureVPN has improved, ExpressVPN is the clear winner.

ExpressVPN is faster, especially compared to PureVPN, and more reliable for streaming.

ExpressVPN comes out on top due to its speed and security. ExpressVPN wins this round.

PureVPN offers obfuscation servers, but ExpressVPN is fantastic at bypassing censorship.

PureVPN users may find it adequate, but compared to ExpressVPN, it falls short. ExpressVPN is a lot faster. ExpressVPN is a better VPN.

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More of ExpressVPN

Here’s a quick look at how ExpressVPN stacks up against alternatives:

ExpressVPN vs PureVPN: ExpressVPN: faster, more reliable for streaming, better privacy.
ExpressVPN vs NordVPN: Both are top-tier, but NordVPN often comes out slightly ahead with more features and sometimes better speeds for the price.
ExpressVPN vs SurfsharkVPN: Surfshark: unlimited connections, cheaper long-term. ExpressVPN: faster, more server locations.
ExpressVPN vs ProtonVPN: ExpressVPN: faster, better for streaming. ProtonVPN: strong privacy, free option.
ExpressVPN vs PrivadoVPN: ExpressVPN offers better performance, is easier to use, and has more servers. PrivadoVPN is budget-friendly and privacy-focused.
ExpressVPN vs AdGuard VPN: ExpressVPN is: comprehensive VPN. AdGuard VPN: unique ad-blocking integration.
ExpressVPN vs Virtual Shield: ExpressVPN: more features, better performance.
ExpressVPN vs StrongVPN: Both have strong encryption. ExpressVPN: larger network, broader compatibility.
ExpressVPN vs FastestVPN: ExpressVPN: faster, more servers. FastestVPN: budget-friendly.
ExpressVPN vs AuraVPN: ExpressVPN focuses on VPN. AuraVPN includes identity theft protection.
ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost: ExpressVPN: faster, more consistent for streaming. CyberGhost: user-friendly, specialized servers.
ExpressVPN vs McAfee VPN: ExpressVPN is: dedicated VPN with more features, better performance.
ExpressVPN vs Private Internet Access: ExpressVPN: user-friendly, better for streaming. PIA: customizable privacy settings.
ExpressVPN vs Mysterium: ExpressVPN: traditional, reliable servers. Mysterium: decentralized network.

More of PureVPN

We’ve explored alternatives to PureVPN, so let’s see how PureVPN measures up directly against them:

PureVPN vs NordVPN: It is generally faster and better for streaming, though PureVPN can be more budget-friendly. NordVPN also has a larger server network.
PureVPN vs ExpressVPN: It is typically faster, more reliable for streaming, and has better apps. PureVPN boasts a larger server count, but ExpressVPN has a stronger privacy record.
PureVPN vs ProtonVPN: It tends to be faster and better for streaming, while ProtonVPN prioritizes stronger security and privacy features.
PureVPN vs PrivadoVPN: It is often favored for its more consistent speeds and stronger privacy focus, while PureVPN has a larger server network.
PureVPN vs AdGuard VPN: It’s key feature is its ad-blocking integration, while PureVPN is a more comprehensive VPN service.
PureVPN vs Virtual Shield: It offers a wider range of features and better performance than the simpler Virtual Shield.
PureVPN vs StrongVPN: It is known for strong encryption, but PureVPN has a larger server network and more features.
PureVPN vs FastestVPN: It is generally faster and has a larger server network than the budget-friendly FastestVPN.
PureVPN vs AuraVPN: It includes identity theft protection, while PureVPN focuses on VPN features and a wider server selection.
PureVPN vs CyberGhost: It is user-friendly with specialized servers, while PureVPN offers a larger server network.
PureVPN vs McAfee VPN: It is a dedicated VPN service with more features than the basic VPN included with McAfee.
PureVPN vs Private Internet Access: It is often faster, while PureVPN can unblock more streaming services. PIA allows unlimited connections.
PureVPN vs Mysterium: It uses a traditional server network, while Mysterium is a decentralized VPN with a different approach to anonymity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ExpressVPN better than PureVPN?

Yes, ExpressVPN is better than PureVPN in almost every way. It’s faster, more secure, and more reliable for streaming. ExpressVPN is the better choice overall.

PureVPN or ExpressVPN: Which is best for speed?

ExpressVPN is better for speed. In our ExpressVPN vs PureVPN speed tests, ExpressVPN consistently delivered faster speeds. PureVPN was noticeably slower than ExpressVPN.

What is the main area where PureVPN excels?

If there’s one area where PureVPN stands out, it’s the price. PureVPN is significantly less than PureVPN, making it a budget-friendly option.

Does PureVPN have servers in more countries than ExpressVPN?

PureVPN has servers in more countries (78) than ExpressVPN (94). However, ExpressVPN has a larger server network overall, with over 3,000 servers compared to PureVPN’s 6,500+.

Which VPN should I choose: ExpressVPN or PureVPN?

We think ExpressVPN wins overall. It offers a better balance of speed, security, and features. If you’re looking for the best VPN, go with ExpressVPN!