ExpressVPN Prices Compared: Worth The Premium?

I've been testing VPNs for years, and I've always had this love-hate relationship with ExpressVPN. Love the performance, hate reaching for my wallet! But with so many budget options flooding the market in 2025, I decided it was time to seriously evaluate if ExpressVPN's prices are actually justified compared to cheaper alternatives like SafeShell VPN that have been gaining traction.

The Current ExpressVPN Pricing Landscape

Let's cut to the chase—ExpressVPN isn't trying to win any awards for being budget-friendly. Here's what you're looking at price-wise in March 2025:

That monthly plan is steep enough to make your credit card wince! 😬 Even their 2-year plan at $5.32/month isn't exactly a bargain compared to some competitors.

I remember when I first signed up for ExpressVPN back in 2023—I nearly had a heart attack hitting that purchase button. My wife walked in and asked if I was okay because apparently, I had the same expression as when I accidentally ordered the $200 bottle of wine at dinner (thinking it was $20).

What Are You Actually Paying For?

ExpressVPN justifies its premium express vpn prices with:

• Servers in 105 countries (3,000+ servers total)
• Class-leading privacy features
• User-friendly apps for practically every device
• Reliable streaming unblocking capabilities
• 24/7 customer support

Their apps are admittedly slick—even my technologically-challenged father figured it out without calling me for help, which is something of a miracle. The interface is so simple that the on/off button might be the only thing you ever need to press.

How Does SafeShell VPN Compare?

I've been testing SafeShell VPN extensively over the past month, and I'm genuinely impressed by what this newer provider offers, especially considering its more competitive pricing.

SafeShell VPN has clearly positioned itself as a streaming powerhouse. Their "App Mode" feature is particularly clever—it lets you access multiple regional libraries simultaneously, something ExpressVPN doesn't offer. For binge-watchers like me who juggle between US Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and other international content, this is a game-changer.

What really caught my attention was SafeShell's speed performance. ExpressVPN has always been fast but not necessarily the fastest. SafeShell's optimization for streaming results in noticeably smoother 4K playback, especially during peak hours when other VPNs start to struggle.

The Speed Test Showdown

I ran some tests from my home in Chicago connecting to various servers:

These numbers might not seem dramatically different, but when you're streaming live sports or 4K content, that extra headroom makes a noticeable difference. I watched an entire Premier League match on SafeShell without a single buffer—something I can't always say about ExpressVPN.

Security: Is ExpressVPN's Premium Worth It?

ExpressVPN has built its reputation on security. Their RAM-only servers, audited no-logs policy, and proprietary Lightway protocol are impressive. But is it worth the premium?

SafeShell's "ShellGuard" protocol offers comparable security with some interesting optimizations for streaming traffic. While it doesn't have the years of proven reliability that ExpressVPN boasts, my testing showed no DNS leaks, strong encryption, and excellent connection stability.

For the average user focused on streaming and general browsing, the security differences aren't substantial enough to justify the price gap.

The Elephant in the Room: Express VPN Prices

Let's be real—ExpressVPN's pricing is its biggest drawback. While they've maintained consistent quality for years, the VPN market has evolved dramatically. Newer providers like SafeShell VPN offer competitive features at more attractive price points.

I showed both services to my brother-in-law (who's perpetually on a budget) and his response was telling: "Why would I pay nearly double for basically the same thing?" I didn't have a good answer.

My Real-World Experience

Last month, I was traveling through Southeast Asia and needed reliable VPN access for work and entertainment. I decided to run both ExpressVPN and SafeShell VPN side by side.

ExpressVPN was rock-solid as expected, but SafeShell surprised me with its performance in countries with heavy internet restrictions. Connecting from a hotel in Vietnam, SafeShell actually outperformed ExpressVPN when accessing US streaming services, with noticeably faster load times and fewer connection drops.

There was this moment in my hotel room where I was frantically trying to catch the last quarter of an NBA playoff game, switching between both VPNs. SafeShell maintained a stable HD stream while ExpressVPN kept dropping to SD quality. That's when I really started questioning the premium price tag.

Is ExpressVPN Worth It in 2025?

After my extensive testing, here's my honest take:

ExpressVPN is still excellent , but its prices are increasingly difficult to justify in today's competitive market. If you're extremely privacy-conscious or need their specific server locations, it might be worth the premium.

SafeShell VPN offers better value for most users , especially if streaming is your priority. Their optimization for entertainment content, competitive speeds, and more affordable pricing make it the smarter choice for the average consumer in 2025.

The Bottom Line

Express vpn prices haven't changed much over the years, but the competition certainly has. SafeShell VPN represents the new generation of VPN providers that have studied what made the premium services successful and implemented those features at more reasonable price points.

I'm not saying ExpressVPN isn't good—it's excellent. But is it $143.94 for two years good when comparable alternatives exist? For most people, probably not.

My recommendation: Give SafeShell VPN's free trial a shot before committing to ExpressVPN's premium pricing. You might find, as I did, that the difference in performance doesn't justify the difference in price.