- 3000+ servers in 94 countries
- Ultra-fast streaming speeds
- Proprietary TrustedServer technology for improved data security
- P2P and obfuscation support on all servers
- 700+ servers in 70+ locations
- Proprietary Chameleon protocol to bypass strict censorship
- Manages DNS privately with VyprDNS
- Audited no-logs policy
ExpressVPN is a household name in the VPN industry, but it comes against another juggernaut in VyprVPN. Both are matched in providing top-tier security, fast servers, and online data safety.
However, they differ in their chosen security delivery methods and other core defining aspects of a VPN.
So, I tested these two VPNs under multiple criteria to compare how they manage in different areas. I also chose an overall winner.
Continue reading to see the results of my tests and comparisons and which VPN took the overall crown.
Before getting into the main comparisons, I compressed all my tests and results into the table below. A glance shows almost everything you need to know about these two contenders at face value.
| ExpressVPN | VyprVPN | Winner | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Privacy & Jurisdiction | British Virgin Islands | Switzerland | Tie |
| Security & Encryption | 256-bit AES encryption, automatic obfuscation on all servers | 256-bit AES encryption | ExpressVPN |
| Logging Policy | No logs (Audited) | No logs (Audited) | Tie |
| Countries & Servers | 3,000+ servers in 160 locations | 700+ servers in 70+ locations | ExpressVPN |
| Supported Protocols | Lightway (UDP & TCP), OpenVPN (UDP & TCP), IPSec/L2TP, IKEv2 | Chameleon, OpenVPN (UDP), WireGuard, IKEv2 | Tie |
| Speed & Performance | Fastest on an Australian server (20.2Mbps) | Fastest on Australian server (17.7Mbps) | ExpressVPN |
| Gaming | Lowest ping, no lags, DDoS protection | Low ping, no lags, DDoS protection | ExpressVPN |
| Torrenting | P2P-support on all servers, fast downloads, port forwarding on routers | P2P-support on all servers, fast downloads, port forwarding on all apps | Tie |
| Media Streaming | Unblocks Netflix US, Voot, CraveTV, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and more. Features MediaStreamer for other devices. | Unblocks CraveTV, Voot, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and more. Some issues with Netflix US. No non-native support for streaming devices | ExpressVPN |
| Multi-Platform Compatibility | Apps for iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android, Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Linux, Android TV, Kindle Fire | Apps for Android, iPhone, iPad, Blackphone, Windows, Mac, QNAP, Anonabox | Tie |
| Simultaneous Connections | Five (5) | Thirty (30) | VyprVPN |
| Customer Support | 24/7 Live chat, tutorial guides, Youtube video guides, (slow) social media | 24/7 Live chat, outdated tutorials, outdated Youtube videos | ExpressVPN |
| Usability | User-friendly apps for mobile and PC | User-friendly apps for mobile and PC with simpler interface | Tie |
| Best Deal | Here | Here | ExpressVPN |
ExpressVPN vs. VyprVPN: Which Is the Better VPN Service Provider?
I compare the two VPN services under the same headings in the sections below to see which edges the other out. It was a fair fight to determine the better VPN for speed, torrenting, streaming, gaming, and content unblocking, among other things.
I also reviewed both providers under their various security protocols.
So, enough talking. Let’s get to it.
Privacy & Jurisdiction
Privacy is a big qualifier for any VPN, so it’s the first thing I checked here. Specifically, I checked their jurisdictions, data logging policy claims, and audits. Let’s see which VPN came out on top.
Jurisdiction
ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, while VyprVPN has its headquarters in Switzerland. These countries don’t have strong data retention laws, and they’re not in the Fourteen Eyes region.
In fact, a 2010 ruling in the Federal Supreme Court of Switzerland categorized IP addresses as personal information.
Thus, they can’t be used to track your internet usage without your knowledge.
This makes it possible for VyprVPN to establish and maintain its no-logs policy.
Likewise, the BVI is one of the most privacy-friendly locations, making for a great headquarters.
ExpressVPN’s Logging Policy
ExpressVPN is very open about its no-logs policy.
I checked the official privacy policy page and saw that ExpressVPN doesn’t collect any of your
- Activity logs
- Browsing history
- Traffic destination
- Data content
- DNS queries
- Actual IP address
- VPN IP address
- Connection timestamp
- Session duration
In simpler terms, the VPN provider doesn’t know when you connect and disconnect, your IP address before and after connecting, or anything you do on the internet.
That’s a tall claim, so I made sure ExpressVPN has an audit to back it up. Interestingly, the VPN provider has two such audits from PwC and Cure53.
These are two of the most reputable names in the cybersecurity scene, so I’m sure they conducted a thorough check of ExpressVPN’s claims.
However, ExpressVPN does collect some user information like
- Account information: Such as the name, email address, and payment information you submitted
- User-controlled information: Such as app crash report summaries you send to the VPN provider to help improve their service
- Aggregate app usage data: Not personally identifying information but used to determine how well the VPN is doing so it can continuously be improved.
- Authorized MediaStreamer IP: MediaStreamer users must authorize an IP address to use the service, which ExpressVPN must log and keep.
These are minimal information sources that the VPN needs to collect to serve you better. These pieces of information also aren’t sensitive enough that they can be used to deanonymize you.
In fact, you don’t have to register for ExpressVPN with your real name or main email addresses, further boosting your privacy.
On top of that, ExpressVPN maintains a proprietary TrustedServer technology that monitors and ensures none of your data is ever written to a physical drive.
Finally, a Turkish incident in 2017 where Turkish authorities seized some ExpressVPN servers further supports this claim, as the authorities didn’t find any user data on those servers.
VyprVPN’s Logging Policy
Golden Frog is the brand that coded VyprVPN, and a quick look at its privacy policy shows it doesn’t log your:
- Source IP address
- VPN-assigned IP address
- Connection duration (including start and stop time)
- Internet traffic
- Contents of your internet communications
VyprVPN also claims to be the first VPN provider that submitted a public audit on its no-logs claims. Their public audit was from Leviathan Security Group, another security company with good standing.
Apparently, it got a clean bill of health from the company.
Though, Leviathan mentioned it found some flaws that could have kept user logs. Luckily, VyprVPN was quick to fix them all at the audit time.
However, like ExpressVPN, VyprVPN also collects some user information to improve the service. Most of these are the information you supplied yourself, such as
- Name
- Email address
- Physical address
- Phone number
- Payment details
Fortunately, you don’t have to verify your identity on VyprVPN, either.
So, you can use a nickname, alternate email, or random physical address and skip the phone number part altogether.
Such options ensure the VPN provider has as minimal data on you as possible.
At the end of this section, both VPN providers are tied on privacy, jurisdiction, and data logging policies.
| Winner: Tie. Both ExpressVPN and VyprVPN are in data-friendly countries outside the Fourteen Eyes | Follow-Up: Both VPN providers were independently audited for their no-logs claims | |
|---|---|---|
| Criteria: | ExpressVPN | VyprVPN |
| Does it store Activity Logs? | No | No |
| Does it store VPN connection timestamp? | No | No |
| Does it store the User's IP address? | No | No |
| Does it store a VPN-assigned IP address? | No | No |
| Does it store DNS Queries? | No | No |
| Has it been audited? | Yes (PwC and Cure53) | Yes (Leviathan) |
| Where is it located? | British Virgin Islands | Switzerland |
Security & Encryption
ExpressVPN and VyprVPN go all out with their security and encryption offerings. For example, they offer military-grade 256-bit encryption on all servers so your data can’t be hacked or intercepted by the government or anyone else.
Besides that, I checked to see what tunneling protocols they use and how they prevent IP/DNS/WebRTC leaks. This is where things start to differ.
Let’s discuss.
ExpressVPN’s Tunnelling Protocols
ExpressVPN notably uses and supports the best, fastest, and most secure VPN protocols in OpenVPN (UDP and TCP), IKEv2, and L2TP/IPSec.
Of these, you’ll notice the absence of WireGuard, which remains the fastest protocol with a good balance of security.
Well, that’s true till you see ExpressVPN’s proprietary protocol, Lightway.
Like WireGuard, Lightway is highly fast and very secure. However, unlike WireGuard, the Lightway protocol
- Supports both UDP and TCP types of connections
- Consistently produces way faster speeds than WireGuard
- Combines obfuscation with its security model, which WireGuard is lacking
- Improved privacy by not letting anyone on the network see users’ IP address
However, ExpressVPN is not against WireGuard.
Considering ExpressVPN financially supported WireGuard’s development in the past, the VPN provider must have truly seen the need to build its protocol rather than use WireGuard.
Likewise, this protocol was audited by Cure53, so you can rest assured that ExpressVPN isn’t playing any underhanded tactics here.
VyprVPN’s Tunnelling Protocols
VyprVPN offers IKEv2, OpenVPN, and the standard WireGuard.
Like ExpressVPN, this provider also built an in-house protocol, though “Chameleon” is designed to bypass censorship.
Note that Chameleon is used for obfuscation, ensuring even better security on the provider. However, recall that ExpressVPN offers obfuscation on all servers and protocols (including the blazing-fast Lightway).
That said, VyprVPN is the most impressive in offering the OpenVPN protocol on iOS, which ExpressVPN doesn’t.
That gives you more options across multiple devices you connect to, depending on your network setup and internet requirements.
There’s a catch, though. You only get UDP connections over OpenVPN with VyprVPN on mobile and desktop.
I understand that UDP is the faster one, but it doesn’t work with all networks, which is where a TCP addition would have made sense.
ExpressVPN’s Kill Switch
ExpressVPN designed a Network Lock, keeping your computer or connected devices from reaching the internet once the VPN connection drops.
However, I’m a little concerned that the ExpressVPN iOS app doesn’t have this kill switch setting. You can get it on the PC (Windows/Mac/Linux), Android, and even router app, but it’s claimed to be built into the iOS app.
I didn’t take its word for it, so I conducted some kill switch tests from my iOS device.
For this test, I
- Used an online page refreshing tool.
- Entered an IP returning API into the page refreshing tool and set the refresh time to 1 second.
- I ran the tool (Start/Stop button), and this showed my real IP (before connecting to the VPN) and refreshed every 1 second.
- Connected to a VPN server location (USA – Los Angeles) via ExpressVPN.
- Checked with the tool, and my IP address changed to the VPN location.
- Toggled my Wi-Fi off and on to simulate a VPN server connection drop.
I noticed that ExpressVPN lost its connection to the server when I toggled my Wi-Fi off. However, when the connection came back on, ExpressVPN prevented the page from refreshing till it re-established the server connection.
Otherwise, I’ll have seen my actual IP address on refresh, even if for a second. Thus, ExpressVPN’s iOS kill switch works.
VyprVPN’s Kill Switch
As with ExpressVPN, VyprVPN doesn’t have a kill switch for iOS devices, even though there’s one in the native Android, Windows, and Mac apps.
I believe it’s built into the iOS system to prevent leaks once you lose connection to the VPN remote server.
Barring that, I noticed that VyprVPN allows you to customize the kill switch to determine how it’ll behave once the VPN connection drops.
Sounds like a small thing, but such customizations help you stay at the forefront of your privacy and security.
Furthermore, I tested VyprVPN’s built-in iOS kill switch as I did with ExpressVPN, and it worked.
DNS Management
ExpressVPN and VyprVPN are nicely tied here, with both providers offering in-house DNS management systems.
ExpressVPN manages a PrivateDNS system to prevent DNS hijacking, ensure faster DNS requests, and improve server availability.
With VyprVPN, you get VyprDNS which does the same thing and ensures no third party has access to your DNS records.
Overall, this lends further credence to both providers’ no-logs claim since they can also monitor the DNS aspect in-house.
However, VyprVPN pulls slightly ahead of ExpressVPN here, allowing users to modify what DNS details they want to use.
IP, DNS & WebRTC Leak Tests: VyprVPN Vs. ExpressVPN
It’s one thing to claim robust security against leaks and another thing to prove it. So, I conducted IP/DNS/WebRTC tests from my iPhone while connected to a VPN remote server from each provider.
For ExpressVPN:
I connected to a USA – New York Location, and the IP Leak test showed that I was browsing from that location too. Thus, my actual IP remained protected.
For VyprVPN:
I connected to an Austrian server location which was the same that showed up in my test.
You can see from both tests that I didn’t suffer any IP/DNS/WebRTC leaks, as the tests registered my IP and DNS addresses as assigned by the VPNs rather than the actual values.
Other Security Features
Besides the general security features, both ExpressVPN and VyprVPN try to one-up one another with other safety and privacy-focused additions.
Looking at ExpressVPN, for example, I got
- Threat Manager – Once enabled, ExpressVPN monitors the sites you browse to block third-party trackers and untrustworthy websites.
- Password Generator – ExpressVPN’s free password generator helps you develop secure passwords so hackers can’t get access to your online accounts.
- TrustedServer Technology – A proprietary RAM-based server management technology that allows ExpressVPN to never log your data.
On top of that, ExpressVPN provided IP, DNS, and WebRTC leak checkers from within the app.
Moving over to VyprVPN, I was impressed by its addition of
- Public Wi-Fi Protection – This automatically layers your internet via VyprVPN whenever you connect to untrusted public Wi-Fi networks
However, I would’ve loved to see a specialized ad blocker, malware tracker, or even password generator with VyprVPN, at the least.
Interestingly, VyprVPN mentioned it was working on an adblocker in 2021, but that tool hasn’t come out yet.
So, ExpressVPN takes the win here by a landslide.
| Winner: ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN dazzles with its Lightway protocol and infuses additional security features to match | Follow-Up: While both VPNs are great in security, ExpressVPN slightly edges out VyprVPN, thanks to proprietary security additions | |
|---|---|---|
| Criteria: | ExpressVPN | VyprVPN |
| Protocols? | OpenVPN (TCP & UDP), IKEv2, Lightway (TCP & UDP), IPSec/L2TP | OpenVPN, Chameleon, WireGuard, IKEv2 |
| OpenVPN support? | TCP and UDP | UDP only |
| Obfuscation? | On all servers and protocols | Chameleon protocol |
| DNS Management? | ExpressVPN’s PrivateDNS | VyprDNS |
| Kill switch? | Yes | Yes |
| Security additions? | Threat Manager, TrustedServer, Password Generator, IP/DNS/WebRTC leak checker | Public Wi-Fi protection |
Countries and Server Locations
ExpressVPN’s tally of 3000+ servers gives it a landslide win over VyprVPN’s 700+ servers.
That’s more than 4x less than what ExpressVPN provides, and that surely means something when you’re
- Gaming
- Avoiding DDoS attacks
- Avoiding VPN server overcrowding
- Looking to unblock local content
I gave VyprVPN a chance to claw back by looking at how many countries both VPN providers cover. Still, ExpressVPN’s reach in 94 countries beats VyprVPN’s server locations in a relatively smaller 60+ countries.
Note that VyprVPN doesn’t provide those numbers, and I had to manually count the number of countries it has servers in.
However, it does give the number of global locations it has servers in, and the 70+ number still pales compared to ExpressVPN’s 160.
To its credit, these VyprVPN servers span major locations and countries such as
- North America: Canada, Mexico, and the USA
- Europe: Greece, Finland, France, Ireland, Spain, etc.
- Asia: India, Macau, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand, etc.
- Oceania: Australia, New Zealand, etc.
- Central America: Costa Rica, Panama, etc.
- Africa: Egypt, Algeria, Kenya, South Africa, etc.
- South America: Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, etc.
- Middle East: Bahrain, Israel, Qatar, etc.
That’s not an exhaustive list, but it shows how these servers cover the global space.
Noting that ExpressVPN provides you with obfuscation combined with fast speeds on all of these servers makes it even more interesting, but that’s not all.
ExpressVPN still lets you request a server in a preferred location, which I didn’t see with VyprVPN.
Such personalized service takes ExpressVPN even further in an already clear race to the win here.
| Winner: ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN boasts more servers in more countries than VyprVPN, giving it more coverage overall | Follow-Up: ExpressVPN also allows users to request servers in preferred locations, beating VyprVPN with such personalized services | |
|---|---|---|
| Criteria: | ExpressVPN | VyprVPN |
| Servers? | 3000+ | 700+ |
| Server Coverage? | 94 countries | 60+ countries |
| Server Locations? | 160 | 70+ |
Speed & Performance
Speed has long been a strong suit of ExpressVPN.
VyprVPN also boasts of using top-of-the-line hardware to ensure faster server speeds. But which is faster?
I tested the two VPN providers under similar circumstances to see how they fare. The results below do all the talking.
Criteria & Methodology for the Speed Tests
I wanted to ensure that both VPN providers were tested on equal grounds.
So, here’s how I carried out the test with each provider.
For ExpressVPN,
- I tested under the Lightway (UDP) since it’s the fastest.
- I retained the Lightway (UDP) test results for obfuscation since the feature is also offered on this protocol.
- I chose the USA – San Francisco, Australia – Perth, and Canada for these tests.
For VyprVPN,
- I tested under the WireGuard protocol since it’s the fastest.
- I switched to the Chameleon protocol to test for obfuscation speeds.
- I chose USA – San Francisco, Australia – Perth, and Canada servers for an even comparison.
Before running any tests, I took a benchmark speed test to determine my current network speeds. Thus, I could compare against the speed drops I get from each provider.
With that out of the way, you can see the results of my tests below.
ExpressVPN’s Speed Test Results
Given that ExpressVPN uses obfuscation on all servers, it’s expected that it’s slower than the average non-obfuscated servers.
Still, ExpressVPN beat VyprVPN’s WireGuard protocol in Australia by quite some margin.
Once the comparison changed to obfuscation, ExpressVPN fared better in Australia and Canada (2/3 of tested locations) to come out on top.
However, I’m impressed that ExpressVPN beat my benchmark speeds, which shows how great it is for bypassing ISP throttling and unlocking faster speeds.
You can find all the details of my ExpressVPN speed test in the table below.
| Servers | Protocol | Download Speed (Mbps) | Upload Speed (Mbps) |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA – San Francisco | Lightway (UDP) | 10.6 | 10.1 |
| Australia – Perth | Lightway (UDP) | 20.2 | 6.05 |
| Canada | Lightway (UDP) | 12.0 | 10.4 |
VyprVPN’s Speed Test Results
Coming up against ExpressVPN in a speed test isn’t easy, but VyprVPN did it in style. In fact, when testing WireGuard against Lightway on ExpressVPN, VyprVPN pulled forward massively in both San Francisco and Canada test locations.
Switching to obfuscation, VyprVPN continued to do well in San Francisco but fell short in the other two test locations.
Likewise, ExpressVPN managed to get the bunch’s overall fastest speed (20.2Mbps download speed).
Notably, VyprVPN also got better speeds than my benchmark values.
Again, this is a testament to its ability to bypass IP throttling.
Likewise, I’m highly impressed by the speeds I could get on obfuscation, showing you won’t get slow internet just to get better protection online.
| Servers | Protocol | Download Speed (Mbps) | Upload Speed (Mbps) |
|---|---|---|---|
| USA – San Francisco | WireGuard | 17.0 | 11.2 |
| Australia – Perth | WireGuard | 17.7 | 1.37 |
| Canada | WireGuard | 17.8 | 9.0 |
| USA – San Francisco | Chameleon | 14.5 | 11.4 |
| Australia – Perth | Chameleon | 12.4 | 3.18 |
| Canada | Chameleon | 11.2 | 11.8 |
These tests show that both VPNs are fast, obfuscation or not.
ExpressVPN isn’t a clear winner, though, but it edges VyprVPN out due to maintaining such fast speeds with obfuscation on all servers and protocols.
| Winner: ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN consistently maintains fast speeds, even though all connections are obfuscated | Follow-Up: Very close call here, considering VyprVPN’s fast servers and stellar speeds delivered in specific server locations | |
|---|---|---|
| Criteria: | ExpressVPN | VyprVPN |
| Fastest protocol? | Lightway UDP | WireGuard |
| Fastest speed in US (obfuscated)? | 10.6Mbps | 14.5Mbps |
| Fastest Speed in Australia (obfuscated)? | 20.2Mbps | 12.4Mbps |
| Fastest Speed in Canada (obfuscated)? | 12.0Mbps | 11.2Mbps |
Gaming: Latency, Ping, and DDoS Protection
Gamers care about the latency and ping times of servers they connect to in the bigger outlook to speed. In this section, I compare the ping values of ExpressVPN against VyprVPN and check server latency results to see which one does better.
Ping and Latency
ExpressVPN and VyprVPN have never disappointed me in gaming.
However, one has to perform better than the other.
So, I measured my base ping and then tested the ping values on multiple servers across both ExpressVPN and VyprVPN.
To keep things fair, I used the following criteria:
- Tested both VyprVPN and ExpressVPN from USA – Los Angeles, Australia – Melbourne, and Canada servers.
- Used the Lightway (UDP) protocol on ExpressVPN
- Used WireGuard for VyprVPN
Keep in mind that my base ping without connecting to either VPN provider was 50ms. The ping and latency test results are in the table below.
| VPN Provider | Location | Ping (ms) |
|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | USA – New York | 210 |
| VyprVPN | USA – Los Angeles | 307 |
| ExpressVPN | Australia – Melbourne | 522 |
| VyprVPN | Australia – Melbourne | 510 |
| ExpressVPN | Canada | 307 |
| VyprVPN | Canada | 307 |
ExpressVPN performed better than VyprVPN overall, and even when it lost in Australia, the difference wasn’t by much. This shows that both VPNs are fast (in line with the speed tests above) and maintain close ping times, making them great for gaming.
DDoS Protection
ExpressVPN and VyprVPN mask your IP and employ other robust security features to prevent DDoS attacks while gaming.
I tested these VPNs for a while, and I’ve been using them for way longer, over which I suffered no DDoS attacks.
To be sure, I checked with both providers and confirmed that ExpressVPN offers DDoS protection to gamers and non-gamers using the service.
VyprVPN takes it a notch further, enabling an account-level NAT Firewall setting designed to keep DDoS attacks at bay.
While I love the approach both VPN providers have taken to DDoS protection, I prefer ExpressVPN’s solution. Otherwise, a user might mistakenly turn off the VyprVPN account setting and remain exposed to a DDoS attack.
| Winner: ExpressVPN. Managed consistently better pings and when it fell behind, still compared closely. | Follow-Up: VyprVPN is fast enough to never let down gamers and even displays ping values in-app. | |
|---|---|---|
| Criteria: | ExpressVPN | VyprVPN |
| Protocol? | Lightway (UDP) | WireGuard |
| Highest Ping? | Australia (522ms) | Australia (510ms) |
| Lowest Ping? | USA (210ms) | USA (307ms) |
| Any Lags? | None | None |
| DDoS Protection? | Built-in | Available in settings |
Torrenting (P2P Support and Speed)
If you download torrents, you need a VPN supporting torrenting, so you don’t land in trouble with copyright trolls.
Note that your ISP might even be in on it, tracking the torrent sites you visit and your downloads/uploads to these sites.
In some cases, a simple copyright warning with harsh wording is what you get.
In other cases, you risk jail time for torrenting.
Likewise, your ISP might also throttle your internet speeds when it sees you’re torrenting large files. This makes the situation unbearable, but you can get around that with torrenting VPNs.
But do ExpressVPN and VyprVPN make torrenting easier, or do you need to look elsewhere? Let’s discuss.
Can You Torrent With ExpressVPN?
ExpressVPN is nicely set up for torrenting since it supports P2P connections on its 3000+ servers. This combines with Lightway UDP, offering obfuscation and fast VPN speeds, as you see above.
Together, these make the recipe for secure, safe, and fast torrenting.
I’ve already mentioned that ExpressVPN doesn’t keep logs, so you don’t have to worry about the VPN provider storing your torrenting activity.
Likewise, connecting via ExpressVPN means your ISP doesn’t see your internet activity anymore, including your torrent downloads.
Another feature that makes ExpressVPN great for torrent downloads is its port forwarding. I’m impressed it includes this feature on your subscription for free.
In contrast, it’s a paid add-on with most other providers.
But, there’s a catch.
You can only get ExpressVPN’s port forwarding on the router VPN software. Fortunately, you can fast speeds with ExpressVPN without port forwarding.
But how does VyprVPN fare here? You might be surprised.
Can You Torrent With VyprVPN?
VyprVPN’s support told me that all servers are P2P supported, so it’s on par with ExpressVPN.
The speed tests already show that VyprVPN is no slouch for speeds either, especially over the WireGuard protocol. Fortunately, Chameleon is also plenty fast for the obfuscation it offers.
Moving on, VyprVPN offers port forwarding – and not on the router app alone!
The only catch is that VyprVPN’s port forwarding doesn’t allow you to open specific inbound ports alone, but ALL inbound ports.
You also must turn off the NAT Firewall in the account manager, meaning all connected devices are without this privacy and security setting.
I don’t see how this lack of security justifies the extra speed boost from port forwarding, so I won’t be going for it anytime soon.
Overall, I don’t see this port forwarding workaround as an advantage over ExpressVPN.
ExpressVPN vs. VyprVPN: Torrent Tests Compared
As always, I made sure of even ground between ExpressVPN and VyprVPN by
- Connecting to the same server (Canada – Montreal)
- Choosing the fastest protocols on each VPN (Lightway – UDP for ExpressVPN and WireGuard for VyprVPN)
- Downloading the same file size across both VPNs
Here are my results:
| VPN Provider | Avg. Download Speed | Max Download Speed | Download Completion Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | 944.5kb/s | 1.8MB/s | 5 minutes, 27 seconds |
| VyprVPN | 726.4kb/s | 1.2MB/s | 7 minutes, 1 second |
I downloaded the same file without connecting VPNs.
I got a benchmark average speed of 1.2MB/s, a max speed of 3.6MB/s, and an overall download time of 3 minutes and 52 seconds.
This shows I wasn’t on ultra-fast internet, to begin with, and didn’t suffer severe speed drops with both ExpressVPN and VyprVPN either.
However, ExpressVPN is the clear winner in all categories.
| Winner: ExpressVPN. I got the most minor connection drops, highest average torrent download speeds, and faster completion time with this VPN | Follow-Up: VyprVPN got the same average download speed as when I wasn’t using any VPN at all, so it’s still plenty fast for the protection it provides | |
|---|---|---|
| Criteria: | ExpressVPN | VyprVPN |
| P2P Support? | All servers are P2P-friendly | All servers are P2P-friendly |
| Fastest torrenting protocol? | Lightway – UDP | WireGuard |
| Port forwarding? | Yes (only on router app) | Yes (opens ALL ports and turns off firewall) |
Media Streaming
Reliable VPNs are good content unblockers, so you may want to use yours to stream content on the web.
With ExpressVPN and VyprVPN, this means we need to look for:
- Unblocking ability across primary streaming services (such as BBC iPlayer, Netflix, Hulu, etc.)
- Special features dedicated to media streaming
- Content streaming speeds to prevent lags and buffering
From my tests and comparisons, both VPN providers did fine.
But which came out on top? Read on to find out.
ExpressVPN for Streaming and Unblocking Media
ExpressVPN had no issue unblocking content on all of the streaming services I tried it on. In the rare case it didn’t work for a platform, I only had to reach out to the fast customer support team, and they gave me an optimal server to unblock that content from.
So, you’re in luck with ExpressVPN if you’re looking to unblock content on:
There’s more, but that gives you an idea of what ExpressVPN can do.
The best part is how ExpressVPN’s Lightway – UDP protocol unblocks content fast, so you don’t get lags or buffering when streaming your content.
ExpressVPN Netflix Unblocking Test
I put ExpressVPN through the paces on Netflix. For this test,
- I connected to a US server
- I looked up a US title (Arrow)
- I played the video for a few minutes, and monitored for lags
ExpressVPN had no issues unblocking this title, and I watched it without lags or buffering. The VPN connection didn’t drop all through my Netflix streaming, either.
ExpressVPN Crave TV Unblocking Test
I tested ExpressVPN with Crave TV because, unlike Netflix, the service is available only in Canada.
Connecting to the Canadian server on ExpressVPN gave me access to CraveTV. I also watched for a while and didn’t get any lags.
This shows ExpressVPN’s suitability for unblocking region-specific content rather than only large platforms like Netflix.
Speaking of region-specific content, I put ExpressVPN through one final unblocking test below.
ExpressVPN Voot Unblocking Test
Voot is an India-exclusive service, so I connected to the best server location ExpressVPN recommended for India (Mumbai – 1).
I didn’t have any problem playing any Voot title with that connection.
In fact, I didn’t get the geo-restriction error message at all when streaming Voot.
However, I did lag once, though I think that comes down to my internet connection rather than the VPN speed drop.
ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer Service
ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer allows you to bypass geoblocks and stream content on devices you can’t download a native VPN app on.
This works for smart TVs, gaming consoles, and some streaming devices, as long as you can customize the DNS settings.
I find this applicable in cases where you don’t have a supported router, and you need to unblock certain content on your smart devices.
However, you can only register one IP address to use the MediaStreamer service, unlike the main VPN app, which gives you access to multiple simultaneous connections.
Likewise, you don’t get the same VPN protection and encryption with MediaStreamer. Thus, I recommend choosing the VPN solution wherever you can and only leaving MediaStreamer as a last resort.
VyprVPN for Streaming and Unblocking Media
VyprVPN did well to unblock some content and allow me to stream without lag, but it doesn’t inspire confidence in other areas.
I’ll discuss what I mean under the following headings.
VyprVPN Netflix Unblocking Test
I connected to a US server location on VyprVPN to access my Netflix account. I kept getting the error message below.
I think Netflix libraries are detecting and blocking VyprVPN traffic, which is less than ideal. I tried on mobile too (iOS Safari browser) and got a variant of the same issue.
Likewise, I used VyprVPN over my Netflix mobile app but didn’t get access to Arrow. Unsurprisingly, I couldn’t unblock some US-specific titles either, as they didn’t appear in my search.
I spoke with the VyprVPN customer support team about this, and they acknowledged the Netflix streaming problem.
While I could stream other content comfortably with the VPN enabled, I wasn’t able to unblock any content, which is what I need the VPN for.
So, I’ll always defer to ExpressVPN as the better Netflix VPN.
VyprVPN CraveTV Unblocking Test
VyprVPN had no issues unblocking Crave TV once I connected to Canada.
In fact, I streamed a few videos on the platform and didn’t get the usual geo-restriction error message.
While the service provider might have an issue with Netflix right now, this shows it’s still good at unblocking some content.
VyprVPN Voot Unblocking Test
I connected to an India server location and, true to form, unblocked Voot with VyprVPN.
Likewise, VyprVPN showed its operational speed here since I only got some lags at the very start of the video, but none as I continued streaming.
However, I left the video quality on auto settings, so Voot sometimes changed the viewing quality based on internet speed.
Does VyprVPN’s VyprDNS Help With Streaming?
I thought VyprDNS would bundle a smart DNS unblocking service on top, but I was wrong. So, you don’t get an answer to ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer here.
In fact, I checked with customer support, who told me I could unblock content with the native apps and select smart TVs that support the native app.
Otherwise, I’ll have to use the router app – which needs a compatible router to work.
It would have been easier to have a smart DNS service I could use on my smart TV, gaming console, or other streaming units.
| Winner: ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN unblocks Netflix seamlessly and supports a host of other streaming platforms | Follow-Up: Voot faces some Netflix-unblocking issues and doesn’t have a dedicated smart DNS service | |
|---|---|---|
| Criteria: | ExpressVPN | VyprVPN |
| Unblocks Netflix? | Yes | Not Really |
| Unblocks Cravetv? | Yes | Yes |
| Unblocks Voot? | Yes | Yes |
| Fast streaming? | Yes | Yes |
| Smart DNS service? | Yes (MediaStreamer) | No |
Multi-Platform Compatibility
VPN service providers are essential to protect online traffic on all internet-enabled devices. Thus, it’s vital to know which devices and how many simultaneous connections are supported on ExpressVPN and VyprVPN.
I already know that ExpressVPN supports a wide range of operating systems and platforms, but does it have what it takes to be the better provider here? Let’s find out.
What Devices Are Compatible With ExpressVPN?
ExpressVPN supports mobile devices, PC units, routers, and streaming devices.
The table below shows the distribution of devices you can get a native ExpressVPN app on, depending on the platform.
| Platform | Supported Devices/Operating System |
|---|---|
| Mobile | iOS (iPhone and iPad), Android |
| PC | Windows, Mac, Chromebook, Linux |
| Browser | Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge |
| Router | See supported routers |
| Smart TV | Android TV |
| Others | iPod, Kindle Fire |
Besides these, you can use ExpressVPN with gaming consoles (PlayStation, Nintendo, and Xbox) and streaming services (Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku).
The catch, however, is you don’t get native apps for these.
So, you’ll have to use MediaStreamer or set up ExpressVPN on your router.
Already, this is an impressive list. But does VyprVPN have anything to counter this? Let’s find out.
What Devices Are Compatible With VyprVPN?
I looked at the VyprVPN native apps and saw some additions missing on ExpressVPN. The table below gives you a complete overview of this.
| Platform | Supported Devices |
|---|---|
| Mobile | Android, iOS, Blackphone |
| PC | Windows, Mac |
| Router | Not Specified |
| Browser | Google Chrome |
| Smart TV | Not Specified |
| Others | QNAP, Anonabox |
I didn’t see Blackphone, QNAP, or Anonabox on the list of dedicated native apps supported by ExpressVPN. However, VyprVPN poorly teaches its router VPN setup. The same goes for the smart TVs from the provider.
Likewise, I couldn’t find VyprVPN browser extensions for Microsoft Edge and Mozilla Firefox users, nor is there a Linux native app.
Considering the number of people affected by the missing apps on VyprVPN compared to the missing support on ExpressVPN, I’m tempted to give ExpressVPN the win.
Still, numbers alone might not tell the whole story since Anonabox and Blackphone users would have been without VPN protection if not for VyprVPN.
Thus, a tie here. Maybe the simultaneous connections on each provider will prove the tiebreaker.
Simultaneous Connections
VyprVPN upgraded its services to offer 30 simultaneous connections (from five), while ExpressVPN still allows five simultaneous connections on a single subscription.
That is 6x as many connections as you get on ExpressVPN, making VyprVPN the clear winner (and by a mile) in this section.
These connections can be mixed and matched across all the platforms and operating systems supported. On top of that, you can connect more devices if you set up the router app.
The router counts as just one device, and you can connect multiple units to that source for better security.
| Winner: VyprVPN. VyprVPN impresses with 30 simultaneous connections and unique supported devices to rival ExpressVPN’s offerings | Follow-Up: ExpressVPN offers native support for more browser types and Chromebook, which are missing on VyprVPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Criteria: | ExpressVPN | VyprVPN |
| Unique devices/platforms supported? | Mozilla Firefox, iPod, Chromebook, Microsoft Edge, Linux | Anonabox, Blackphone |
| Simultaneous connections? | Five (5) | Thirty (30) |
Customer Support
Before and during the writing of this guide, I reached out to the customer support staff at both ExpressVPN and VyprVPN multiple times.
Both providers quickly got back to me (within a few seconds to mere minutes) and readily answered my questions.
I’m also impressed that I don’t have to log in to my account to get support.
Here are the support channels available to you from both providers.
Live Chat
This is the most preferred support channel on either provider, as it gets you the fastest response. As I mentioned earlier, you don’t have to be logged in to get a reply.
However, note that you might get a support staff who isn’t familiar with your question in some cases. Either ask them to escalate your request to someone else or close that Live Chat and start another one.
Fortunately, such rarely happens with these two providers and has never happened to me.
Social Media
I reached out to ExpressVPN on Twitter since its bio clearly said “DM for Support.”
It took over one hour to get an initial response and almost five hours more to finally get an answer to my question.
That’s a long time to wait if you have any issues.
I tried the same with VyprVPN, and I didn’t even get a reply back, even after more than 48 hours after sending the message.
I’ve since given up on expecting a response from the service provider anytime soon.
That’s not to say their social media support is dead, but it’s surely not the best route when you want immediate help.
Tutorials and Guides
VyprVPN is lazy with tutorials, helpful guides, and quality customer support articles. When compared to ExpressVPN, it’s like VyprVPN has a non-existent support profile.
For example, VyprVPN maintained over 90% of the exact wording on its installation pages and guides for mobile, PC, and other devices.
Conversely, ExpressVPN has curated helpful guides to help install, manage, and get the best out of its VPN app on any device you install it on.
On top of that, ExpressVPN runs a YouTube channel with lots of helpful videos. Besides showing how to install the VPN, it also features use cases and brings you closer to the people working on the app.
In contrast, the latest video on the VyprVPN YouTube page was from two years ago, and it doesn’t have half as many videos as ExpressVPN.
On top of that, no video shows the VPN use cases nor teaches you how to install it on any device.
It’s not all bad, though. After all, customer support still referred me to a helpful article when I was asking about the P2P servers, so I guess some articles are updated.
However, a few good support pages don’t cut it for a VPN provider of this standing. So, it needs to do better.
Without a doubt, ExpressVPN takes the win in this section.
| Winner: ExpressVPN. With a combination of helpful tutorials and targeted guides, ExpressVPN is unrivaled here | Follow-Up: VyprVPN's tutorials and help guides are outdated, insufficient, and could use some overhaul | |
|---|---|---|
| Criteria: | ExpressVPN | VyprVPN |
| Live chat? | Yes | Yes |
| Social media? | Yes (slow) | Yes (non-responsive) |
| Video guides? | Updated and relevant | Outdated and irrelevant |
| Articles/Text guides? | Updated and personalized | Outdated and generalized |
User Experience and Usability
ExpressVPN and VyprVPN do an excellent job on their apps, ensuring a great user experience without a steep learning curve.
Let’s see how they both compare on mobile (I’ll use the iOS app) and PC (I’ll use the Windows app).
ExpressVPN App (iOS & Windows)
You can click the big connect button on the mobile or PC app to automatically get the best server. ExpressVPN will even choose a smart location based on your internet connection, device, and VPN needs.
Likewise, you don’t have to worry about setting the best VPN protocol when you can just leave it as Automatic. This way, ExpressVPN cycles through the protocols and picks the best one based on the server you choose, your device, internet connection, and other considerations.
Plus, the ExpressVPN iOS app comes with a help center that guides you through
- Using the app
- Getting connected
- Solving connection problems
So, all the learning you need to get the VPN working (which is minimal, by the way) is right in front of you.
However, ExpressVPN omits OpenVPN (TCP and UDP) and IPSec protocols on the mobile side, even though these protocols are present in the PC app.
That limits your connection options if you prefer any of both.
Fortunately, Lightway and IKEv2 hold the fort.
That said, ExpressVPN’s addition of its Threat Manager to the iOS mobile app is impressive.
You also get extra security tools such as an IP/DNS/WebRTC leak checker and a password generator.
VyprVPN App (iOS & Windows)
I’m impressed at how VyprVPN keeps similar app interfaces for iOS and Windows. This makes it easier to find your way around the app on multiple platforms.
However, VyprVPN won’t automatically pick a protocol.
That isn’t an issue if you always know the suitable protocols, but it’s not beginner-friendly. Even if I know the proper protocols, I still like to defer to the VPN knowledge to get the best out of the service most times.
Besides that, I like that there’s a help center within the VyprVPN app.
Still, it’s not as targeted as ExpressVPN’s, and you’ll have to browse through all of the support articles to find articles dedicated to your platform and app.
To VyprVPN’s credit, it offers OpenVPN protocols on its mobile app, which are missing from ExpressVPN’s iOS app. But considering it only uses the UDP protocol, you’re not missing out on too much.
Moreover, VyprVPN might not have a leak checker like ExpressVPN, but it offers a connection detail tracker that shows:
- Ongoing upload speeds
- Ongoing download speeds
- Current VPN connection status
- Connected server
- Public IP address
- VyprVPN IP
- Network
- Protocol
And in response to ExpressVPN’s Smart Location feature, you get the Fastest Server recommendation across iOS and Windows apps on VyprVPN.
However, the VPN provider doesn’t have answers to ExpressVPN’s Threat Manager or password generator, which are nice should-haves.
Overall, ExpressVPN does a great job with its easy-to-use app fitted with other premium and easily accessible features to boost online security.
VyprVPN doesn’t slack either, but it’s nowhere close to the feature-packed yet navigable platform ExpressVPN built.
| Winner: ExpressVPN. The app is more detailed and provides extra security features | Follow-Up: VyprVPN's app may be easier to navigate due to the straightforward options, but it’s not as feature-packed | |
|---|---|---|
| Criteria: | ExpressVPN | VyprVPN |
| User-friendly app? | Yes. Great for beginners | Yes. |
| Unique Extras? | Threat Manager, IP/DNS/WebRTC leak checker | Connection graph, OpenVPN on mobile |
| Best server recommendation? | Yes (Smart Location) | Yes (Fastest Server) |
| Help & Support? | Well-curated | General |
Pricing, Plans, and Deals
I’ve always known ExpressVPN to be one of the costlier VPNs, but you’ll be shocked at how the tables turn in this comparison.
Whether ExpressVPN has justified that price or not is up for personal debates, but how does VyprVPN compare?
ExpressVPN Plans & Payments
ExpressVPN isn’t a cheap VPN by any standards.
Compared to most other VPN providers, you can even say ExpressVPN is highly expensive.
Thus, you’ll get the best out of your ExpressVPN plan with the 12-month plan, bringing down the monthly payment compared to month-to-month.
That said, I like that ExpressVPN offers a ton of payment options.
There’s even crypto support to further anonymize your payments and protect your online identity.
VyprVPN Plans & Payments
I never imagined finding another VPN as expensive as ExpressVPN until I came across VyprVPN. While the 12-months plan price comes really close to what ExpressVPN charges, it’s still more expensive.
I’m also surprised it doesn’t offer as many deals as ExpressVPN.
Here, you’re limited to the 12-month deal or month-to-month payment, ruling out the six months option from ExpressVPN.
That said, the biggest concern I have with VyprVPN is the lack of flexible payment support. Outside of PayPal and credit cards, you can’t pay for the VPN any other way.
Knowing that PayPal isn’t available everywhere yet, and censorship may keep some people from using their cards, this is less than ideal.
Free Trials and Money Back Guarantees
VyprVPN doesn’t offer any free trials and advises you try the VPN risk-free for 30 days instead. I checked with customer support and got this.
If you don’t like the VPN within the first 30 days of making your payment, you can request (and get) a full refund of the amount you paid.
On the other hand, ExpressVPN allows a 7-day free trial on iOS and Android devices, provided you sign up via the official App Store or Google Play Store. However, the 7-day free trial is limited.
According to customer support, you can only use the 7-day free trial
- On mobile phones
- In supported regions
- On one device
Likewise, you might not get access to the app’s full features.
On top of that, you don’t get a full refund if you subscribe after the trial period and want your money back later.
Thus, I recommend the 30-day money-back guarantee with ExpressVPN for a risk-free trial. So, you can try the service without limitations and get a full refund if you don’t like what you get.
Is There a Lifetime Access?
Neither ExpressVPN nor VyprVPN offers lifetime access to their services. While VyprVPN doesn’t say much about this, ExpressVPN has penned a blog post against a lifetime plan.
ExpressVPN makes good points, and if you want to continue enjoying the level of service it provides, the monthly fees are justified.
Fortunately, you can grab huge savings that bring down the costs of these VPNs below.
ExpressVPN & VyprVPN Discounts
Save more on your subscriptions to either VyprVPN or ExpressVPN and remain eligible for the 30-day money-back guarantees with our discount offers:
- Get your ExpressVPN discount here.
- Grab your VyprVPN discount here.
I recommend ExpressVPN since it’s the better priced of the two and has consistently beaten VyprVPN on most comparison factors anyway.
So, you can rest assured of getting the best value too.
| Winner: ExpressVPN. Besides having a better pricing model, it also allows for a 7-day free trial | Follow-Up: Both VPN providers allow 30-day risk-free trials with a money-back guarantee | |
|---|---|---|
| Criteria: | ExpressVPN | VyprVPN |
| 7-day free trial? | Yes | No |
| Money back guarantee? | Yes (30 days) | Yes (30 days) |
| Plans? | 1-month, 6-month, 12-month | 1-month, 12-month |
| Best Deal? | Here | Here |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is VyprVPN Better Than ExpressVPN?
VyprVPN and ExpressVPN offer premium security and protection, but ExpressVPN is faster, easier to use, and better priced than VyprVPN. ExpressVPN also boasts 3000+ servers in 160 locations compared to 700+ servers in 70+ server locations with VyprVPN.
Finally, ExpressVPN ships with more proprietary technology and security features than VyprVPN, making it a better VPN overall.
Is the VyprVPN or ExpressVPN App Better?
Both the VyprVPN and ExpressVPN apps are easy to use and navigate.
The VyprVPN app is more straightforward since it contains fewer sections than ExpressVPN’s app. Still, the latter is better for improved security and configurations.
Is ExpressVPN or VyprVPN Better for Android?
ExpressVPN is better than VyprVPN on Android.
It provides Android users with more server locations to connect from, faster speeds, and obfuscation on all servers.
ExpressVPN’s Android app is also easy to use and packs more security features than VyprVPN’s, plus you get access to both OpenVPN TCP and UDP (vs. just OpenVPN UDP with VyprVPN).
Is ExpressVPN or VyprVPN Better for AT&T?
ExpressVPN provides more and faster USA server locations essential to AT&T users looking to unblock local content without overcrowding servers.
Likewise, ExpressVPN and VyprVPN support P2P connections on all servers, making them desirable to torrent, access censored content, and defeat AT&T’s internet throttling.
However, ExpressVPN’s fast obfuscation on all servers makes it a better choice so that AT&T can’t filter VPN traffic and block access to some sites.
Is VyprVPN Cheaper Than ExpressVPN?
ExpressVPN is relatively cheaper than VyprVPN on all plans.
ExpressVPN also offers a 6-month plan alongside its 1-month and 12-month price packages, which is obviously missing on VyprVPN.
Meanwhile, for VyprVPN’s 1-month and 12-month plans, ExpressVPN still manages to edge it out with better prices.
Because ExpressVPN manages 3000+ servers in 160 locations compared to VyprVPN’s 700+ servers in 70+ locations, it becomes even cheaper than VyprVPN.
Final Thoughts
ExpressVPN did win more tests than VyprVPN, but I still won’t say one VPN is infinitely better than the other. Instead, I’ll concede they excel at doing different things.
Thus, they’re both great to have, depending on what you need.
For example, ExpressVPN is the best choice to unblock content fast from numerous locations worldwide. On the other hand, VyprVPN is the go-to VPN when protecting uncommon devices like Blackphone and Anonabox.
So, if you’re ready to try them, you can get your ExpressVPN discount here or VyprVPN discount here.
Protect private web traffic from snooping, interference, and censorship. All plans are covered by a no-hassle 100% money-back guarantee for your first 30 days of service.
