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ExpressVPN vs UltraVPN compares two fast VPNs built on their own protocols. ExpressVPN runs Lightway and lists 27 audits in total; UltraVPN runs Hydra and has no audit of its own.
Both stream well, so proof, base and price decide. This guide compares each. Our UltraVPN review covers the second service in depth.
ExpressVPN vs UltraVPN on Audits
Our audit table counts 27 ExpressVPN audits by May 2026, 3 of them KPMG no-logs checks.
No audit covers UltraVPN on its own; it shares a group privacy policy with other Point Wild brands, which reviewers call unclear. On proof, ExpressVPN has one of the deepest records in the industry.
The Hydra Protocol
Speed is UltraVPN’s strength. It uses Hydra, also found in Hotspot Shield, and Comparitech measured 211 Mbps on average.
ExpressVPN’s Lightway is also its own protocol, and it has been audited, which Hydra in UltraVPN’s form has not been on its own.
Speed
CNET measured an 18% speed loss for ExpressVPN, our speed table notes.
UltraVPN averaged 211 Mbps across Comparitech’s tests with Hydra. Both are fast; the measurements come from different testers, so treat them as indicative.
Two-Year Cost
In a seasonal offer, ExpressVPN Basic cost $83.72 for 28 months, about $2.99 a month, renewing at $99.95 a year, according to its pricing page on 25 September 2026.
UltraVPN costs $7.99 monthly or $59.88 yearly, ProPrivacy reports, but the two-year plan later renews at $159.80. ExpressVPN’s seasonal long-plan price is lower per month; UltraVPN is cheaper month to month.
Free Use and Devices
There is no free ExpressVPN tier, and our device table lists 10, 12 or 14 devices by plan.
UltraVPN offers a free app with in-app upgrades, though sources disagree on its limits. UltraVPN has a free app with disputed limits; ExpressVPN has none but covers up to 14 devices.
Jurisdiction and Ownership
Kape, owner of ExpressVPN, CyberGhost and PIA, runs ExpressVPN from the British Virgin Islands.
UltraVPN operates under US law within Point Wild. The British Virgin Islands sit outside the Five Eyes; the US sits inside. Ownership differs too: Kape runs ExpressVPN, while Point Wild runs UltraVPN alongside Hotspot Shield.
Security Features
Network Lock, ExpressVPN’s kill switch, comes with Threat Manager, which blocks trackers.
UltraVPN offers Tor over VPN on all servers, while vpnMentor found one leaking server in its 2026 tests.
Platforms and Support
Apps cover every major platform, and ExpressVPN sells its own Aircove router. Apps cover the main platforms, and a free app sits in the App Store.
Live chat with ExpressVPN runs around the clock. Premium members get round-the-clock email support, according to the developer’s replies.
Protocols and Streaming
Lightway, ExpressVPN’s own protocol, runs alongside OpenVPN; our ExpressVPN Netflix guide covers streaming.
All connections run over Hydra, Tor over VPN is available everywhere, and ProPrivacy unblocked BBC iPlayer on UK servers. Both stream well, so proof decides.
Which Is Better Value?
ExpressVPN gives more value on long plans, with audits and its Aircove router option. UltraVPN wins on short monthly use.
After the first term, ExpressVPN renews at $99.95 a year, which you pay for its audits, speed and router option.
Which Plan to Pick
Most readers only need ExpressVPN Basic, ideally on the 28-month term. With UltraVPN, the yearly plan avoids the steep renewal on the two-year plan.
Payment and Checkout
Before paying for either, read the renewal line at checkout and note the date. For UltraVPN and ExpressVPN alike, tax can raise the headline price.
Refunds
Our refund table lists 30 days for ExpressVPN.
UltraVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, FileHorse notes. Both offer 30 days.
Who Each Is For
Choose ExpressVPN for its audit record, streaming and Aircove router. UltraVPN suits streamers who want fast speeds at a modest price.
In short, UltraVPN fits cheap monthly streaming; ExpressVPN fits long-term users who want proof and a router option. A practical test is to run both on the same evening stream and compare picture quality, then decide with the refund windows still open.
What Else to Know About UltraVPN
One more point: Point Wild, formerly Pango and Aura, has owned UltraVPN since 2020.
What Else to Know About ExpressVPN
Higher ExpressVPN tiers, Advanced and Pro, renew at $119.95 and $199.95 a year; Basic is enough for the VPN alone.
Testing Both
Try ExpressVPN and UltraVPN back to back on one connection. Then compare speed, the services you stream and a leak test, using our guide to checking if a VPN is working.
Switching Between Them
Switching is simple: set up the new VPN on every device, confirm it works, then cancel the old plan. Keep any refund deadline in mind.
You may also want CyberGhost vs UltraVPN, whether UltraVPN is safe, NordVPN vs UltraVPN and UltraVPN’s free plan.
Similar services are covered in ExpressVPN vs AdGuard VPN and ExpressVPN vs Turbo VPN.
How We Research
For this ExpressVPN vs UltraVPN comparison, ExpressVPN’s audits, prices, devices, speed and refunds come from our tables. UltraVPN’s figures come from our research for the UltraVPN review, mainly ProPrivacy’s UltraVPN review, read on 21 October 2026. We do not run our own tests. Our full approach lives on the About Us page.
ExpressVPN vs UltraVPN FAQ
ExpressVPN for audits and a non-US base; UltraVPN for cheap monthly streaming.
Not on its own.
Both Lightway and Hydra are fast.
Kape owns ExpressVPN; Point Wild owns UltraVPN.
ExpressVPN at $99.95 a year, against UltraVPN’s $159.80 per two years.
The Verdict
ExpressVPN vs UltraVPN: both are fast, but ExpressVPN adds 27 audits, a base outside the Five Eyes and a router option. UltraVPN suits only short monthly streaming.