5 Cheaper ExpressVPN Alternatives in 2026 (Fast VPNs for Less)

ExpressVPN has long been one of the best-reviewed VPNs: fast servers in more than 100 countries, its own Lightway protocol, reliable streaming unblocking, apps for every device and a router app. It is also one of the most expensive. In early 2026 ExpressVPN reorganised its plans into Basic, Advanced and Pro tiers and raised prices by roughly 25%. The Basic plan costs about $12.99 a month month to month, about $4.99 a month on a one-year plan, and about $2.79–3.49 a month on a two-year plan — and the long-term rates renew at higher prices. Advanced and Pro add password management, ad-blocking and more devices for more money.

The VPN market is crowded and competitive. Several respected providers offer similar speed and security for less — or for free — and some refuse to play the introductory-price game at all.

What ExpressVPN actually costs in 2026

Longer plans are billed up front and renew at higher rates. Device limits were raised in 2026 (Basic now allows up to 10 simultaneous connections). All plans have a 30-day money-back guarantee. The current tiers are listed on ExpressVPN's official pricing page.

The 5 cheaper alternatives at a glance

How we picked these alternatives

We compared independent audits and no-logs policies, speeds, streaming support, device limits, open-source apps, renewal pricing and the cost over two years. Prices checked 28 October 2026.

1. Proton VPN

Price: Free (unlimited data, limited countries); Plus $9.99 a month month to month, about $3.99 a month on one year, about $2.99 a month on two years. See Proton VPN's official pricing page for current plans.

Proton VPN, from the Swiss company behind Proton Mail, has the best free VPN plan available: no data limits, no ads and a strict no-logs policy, with servers in a handful of countries. Plus unlocks thousands of servers in more than 110 countries, streaming support, Secure Core multi-hop routing through privacy-friendly countries, NetShield ad-blocking and ten devices. Its apps are open source and independently audited.

Proton VPN pricing in detail

Renewals usually return closer to the monthly rate — check before your term ends.

What you get

• Unlimited free plan with no ads.
• Open-source, audited apps and a no-logs policy.
• Secure Core multi-hop servers.
• Streaming support on Plus.
• NetShield ad and malware blocking.

Where it falls short

• Free plan has few locations and lower priority speeds.
• Multi-year discounts renew higher.
• Fewer router options than ExpressVPN.

Who it's best for

Privacy-conscious users and anyone who wants a trustworthy free VPN. Skip it if you need ExpressVPN's router app.

2. Mullvad

Price: A flat €5 a month (about $5.80) whether you pay for one month or ten years — no long-term deals, no renewal increases. See Mullvad's official pricing page for current plans.

Mullvad is the privacy purist's VPN. You do not give an email address — you get an anonymous account number — and you can pay with cash in an envelope, cryptocurrency or a card. It uses WireGuard, has a strict no-logs policy confirmed by audits and police raids that found no data, and keeps a single flat price. It is not the best VPN for streaming, but for privacy and honesty it is hard to beat.

Mullvad pricing in detail

What you get

• Anonymous accounts with no email.
• Flat pricing with no renewal games.
• WireGuard and multihop.
• Independent audits and open-source apps.
• Up to five devices.

Where it falls short

• Weaker for streaming services.
• Fewer server locations than big commercial VPNs.
• Five-device limit.

Good to know

Mullvad's apps include a kill switch, DNS content blocking and quantum-resistant tunnels. Because it accepts cash and does not store your email, you can pay without linking your identity. If you use a VPN mainly for privacy rather than streaming, Mullvad is one of the most trusted options.

Who it's best for

People who care most about privacy and hate subscription tricks. Skip it if you mainly want to unblock streaming catalogues.

3. Surfshark

Price: Starter about $1.99–2.49 a month on a two-year plan; about $3.39 a month on one year; about $15.45 month to month. See Surfshark's official pricing page for current plans.

Surfshark is the value pick among large commercial VPNs. It allows unlimited simultaneous devices, unblocks the major streaming services, and includes CleanWeb ad-blocking and multi-hop on its Starter plan. Higher tiers add antivirus and identity protection. On a two-year plan, it costs less than half of ExpressVPN's equivalent.

Surfshark pricing in detail

Long-term plans renew at higher annual prices.

What you get

• Unlimited devices on one account.
• Strong streaming support.
• CleanWeb ad and tracker blocking.
• Multi-hop and static IP options.
• Independent no-logs audits.

Where it falls short

• Low prices need a two-year commitment.
• Renewal prices are much higher.
• Monthly plan is expensive.

Good to know

Surfshark's Alternative ID feature creates a separate online identity with an alternative email and personal details for sign-ups. Its apps include split tunnelling, so you can exclude banking apps or local services from the VPN. Set a calendar reminder before your plan renews to compare the renewal price with current deals.

Who it's best for

Households with many devices who want a strong all-round VPN cheaply. Skip it if you dislike long contracts.

4. Windscribe

Price: Free (10 GB a month); Pro $9 a month or $5.75 a month billed yearly; Build-a-Plan from $1 per location per month. Renewal prices stay the same. See Windscribe's official pricing page for current plans.

Windscribe offers one of the most generous free plans — 10 GB of data a month with servers in about ten countries — and an unusual Build-a-Plan option that lets you pay $1 a month per location you actually need. Pro unlocks every location and unlimited data, and Windscribe does not raise prices at renewal. Its R.O.B.E.R.T. feature blocks ads, trackers and malware.

Windscribe pricing in detail

What you get

• Generous free plan.
• Build-a-Plan pricing.
• R.O.B.E.R.T. blocking.
• Unlimited devices on Pro.
• Stable renewal pricing.

Where it falls short

• Smaller company and server network.
• Speeds vary more between locations.
• Streaming support is less consistent.

Good to know

Windscribe's free plan is ideal for occasional travel or public Wi-Fi use, and Build-a-Plan lets you add specific countries for streaming or work. Its browser extensions include separate privacy features such as cookie and notification blockers. Windscribe publishes a transparency report and has a no-logs policy.

Who it's best for

Light users and people who only need a few countries. Skip it if you need the fastest servers everywhere.

5. Private Internet Access

Price: About $2.03–3.33 a month on multi-year plans; about $11.95 month to month. See Private Internet Access' official pricing page for current plans.

Private Internet Access (PIA) has one of the largest server networks, servers in every US state, unlimited devices and open-source apps with many advanced settings. Its no-logs policy has been tested in court. Long-term plans are among the cheapest of any major VPN.

Private Internet Access pricing in detail

What you get

• Unlimited devices.
• Huge server network including every US state.
• Open-source apps.
• Advanced settings for encryption and split tunnelling.
• No-logs policy tested in court.

Where it falls short

• Interface can overwhelm beginners.
• Owned by Kape Technologies, like ExpressVPN — check if ownership matters to you.
• Renewal prices rise.

Good to know

PIA lets you choose encryption settings, ports and protocols (WireGuard or OpenVPN), which is useful on restrictive networks. Its dedicated IP add-on helps when services block shared VPN addresses. Because it allows unlimited devices, one subscription can cover a whole household.

Who it's best for

Tinkerers and US users who want many locations and settings. Skip it if you want the simplest possible app.

What two years of VPN protection cost

How to switch without losing your work

1. Check your renewal date and turn off auto-renewal in your ExpressVPN account.
2. Try the new VPN using its free plan or money-back guarantee.
3. Test the services you care about — streaming, banking, work apps — on each device.
4. Reconfigure your router if you used ExpressVPN's router app.
5. Uninstall old apps to avoid conflicts between VPN clients.

Which one should you choose?

• You want a trustworthy free VPN or a privacy-first paid one: Proton VPN.
• You care most about anonymity and fair pricing: Mullvad.
• You protect many devices on a budget: Surfshark.
• You need a few locations or a free plan: Windscribe.
• You want many locations and settings: Private Internet Access.

Hidden costs and gotchas

• Renewal prices. Most VPNs advertise multi-year introductory rates that renew higher.
• Auto-renewal. Long plans renew automatically — set a reminder.
• Device limits. Check how many devices each plan allows.
• Streaming. No VPN can guarantee access to every streaming catalogue.
• Free VPNs. Only use free plans from reputable providers — many free VPNs sell data.

Our verdict

Proton VPN is the best ExpressVPN alternative for most people — a trustworthy free plan and a strong paid plan at a lower price. Mullvad is best for privacy purists, Surfshark for households with many devices, Windscribe for light users, and Private Internet Access for people who want lots of locations and settings.

More cheaper alternatives: see our breakdowns of the cheaper options to 1Password, Google Workspace and GoDaddy.

Related reading: What GDPR Actually Requires of a Website, Why Does My Website Say "Not Secure"? and What Is an SSL Certificate, and Do You Have to Pay for One?.

Planning a switch, or not sure which tool fits the way your team works? Book a free call and we will look at your stack with you.

Prices are US list prices in USD unless marked, checked on 27 October 2026. "Annual" means the per-month price when billed yearly. Vendors change pricing often, so confirm on the vendor's site before buying. Product names and logos are trademarks of their respective owners and are used here for identification only.

Common questions