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Most people looking for an ExpressVPN alternative want a lower renewal: the Basic plan renews at $99.95 a year after its first term, our tables record. Others want more than its 10 to 14 devices, or a different owner from Kape. Some want WireGuard, which ExpressVPN replaces with its own Lightway protocol. ExpressVPN remains strong on China access and audits, so the right switch depends on the reason.
Each pick below draws on our audit, device, refund and renewal tables.
Why People Leave ExpressVPN
Renewal is the main complaint: $99.95 a year on Basic, against $56.94 for CyberGhost or $47.95 for PureVPN, our renewal table shows. The first-term promotion hides that gap. ExpressVPN allows 10 devices on Basic, 12 on Advanced and 14 on Pro.
ExpressVPN belongs to Kape, which also owns CyberGhost and PIA, so switching to either keeps the same parent. Its strengths remain real, and worth weighing before you go: 27 independent audits, including three KPMG no-logs reports, Lightway with post-quantum key exchange and reliable access in China.
For Audits at a Similar Level: NordVPN
NordVPN has six no-logs audits in our table, double ExpressVPN’s three, and allows 10 devices. Its renewal, $139.08 a year on Basic, is higher than ExpressVPN’s, so it suits people leaving for features and evidence rather than price. It offers NordLynx, its WireGuard-based protocol, and apps on Vega OS Fire TV sticks.
NordVPN and Surfshark share an owner, Nord Security. Our NordVPN vs ExpressVPN page compares them in detail.
For Unlimited Devices: Surfshark
Surfshark sets no device limit, renews at about $79 a year and has two Deloitte audits, our tables record. It suits households that hit ExpressVPN’s 10 to 14 device caps, especially with TVs and consoles added. Surfshark has apps on every major platform, including Vega OS, and a 30-day refund.
Our ExpressVPN vs Surfshark page compares them on devices and price, and our Surfshark review covers its audits.
For Privacy and a Free Plan: Proton VPN
Proton VPN has five Securitum audits in our table, a free plan with no data cap, port forwarding and Secure Core. It renews at about $83.88 a year on Plus. It is independent of Kape and Nord Security, and Proton publishes its apps’ source code.
Our ExpressVPN vs Proton VPN page compares their audit records.
For the Lowest Renewal: PureVPN or CyberGhost
PureVPN renews at $47.95 a year with four KPMG audits and 10 devices. CyberGhost renews at $56.94 with three Deloitte audits, seven devices and a 45-day refund on long plans, our tables record. CyberGhost shares Kape with ExpressVPN, so choose PureVPN if a different owner matters; PureVPN belongs to Gaditek.
Our ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost page compares the two Kape services.
For China: Astrill
ExpressVPN is one of the few VPNs that works in China, connecting on every attempt in vpnpicked’s testing, our tables record, so leaving it for China use narrows the field. Astrill is the other specialist our guides recommend there, at a higher price. Check either before travelling, since conditions in China change, and install the app before you arrive, as our China guide advises.
Our ExpressVPN vs Astrill page compares the two in China, and our China VPN guide covers what still works.
Devices Compared
ExpressVPN allows 10, 12 or 14 devices by tier. Surfshark and PIA set no limit, NordVPN, Proton Plus and PureVPN allow 10, and CyberGhost allows seven, our device table records. PureVPN can extend to 50 with a paid add-on.
A router counts as one device everywhere, which stretches any limit to cover TVs and consoles. Our multiple devices guide explains when the limit matters.
Price Over Time
ExpressVPN’s Basic plan renews at $99.95 a year. PureVPN at $47.95 and CyberGhost at $56.94 cost roughly half that, and Surfshark about $79 and Proton Plus about $83.88 cost less too. NordVPN at $139.08 costs more, our renewal table records.
Over several years, the renewal matters more than the first-term promotion, since most people stay longer than the first term. Our renewal price guide compares the market.
Refund Windows Compared
CyberGhost gives 45 days on longer plans and PureVPN 31; NordVPN, Surfshark, Proton and ExpressVPN give 30, our refund table records. Astrill’s terms differ, so check before paying.
Test the new provider carefully on your own devices within its window before cancelling ExpressVPN, including any TV or router you rely on.
Switching to an ExpressVPN Alternative Without a Gap
Turn off ExpressVPN’s renewal in your account, but keep using the service until the new VPN works on every device you own. ExpressVPN offers a 30-day refund for new users and a renewal refund window, our guides record, so even a renewal you forgot can be reversed in time.
Test the new provider within its own refund window. Our guide to cancelling ExpressVPN covers the steps.
How We Research
This page draws on ExpressVPN’s pricing page and our audit, device, refund, renewal, ownership and China tables. We cross-checked these sources against each other, and where they conflict or something can’t be verified, we say so in the text rather than guessing. We checked time-sensitive figures, including prices in US dollars, on 8 October 2026. The main source we relied on is ExpressVPN’s pricing page. Our full approach lives on the About Us page.
ExpressVPN Alternative FAQ
It depends on why you are leaving; Surfshark for devices, PureVPN for price.
PureVPN, at $47.95 a year.
Astrill, the other China specialist.
No; Kape owns all three.
ExpressVPN overall, with 27 independent audits by May 2026; NordVPN has more no-logs audits, six against three.
The Verdict
The right ExpressVPN alternative depends on the reason: PureVPN or CyberGhost for renewal, Surfshark for devices, Proton VPN for privacy, NordVPN for no-logs audits, Astrill for China.