Intro & Overall Ratings
Our Ratings
ExpressVPN and AirVPN are two popular VPN services with distinct features. ExpressVPN leads with a 77.9% overall rating, while AirVPN trails at 39.1%. In terms of pricing, AirVPN offers a significantly lower starting price at $1.96/mo compared to ExpressVPN’s $6.67/mo for a 15-month subscription. However, ExpressVPN justifies its higher cost with military-grade encryption, 24/7 live chat support, and a global network of 3,000 servers in over 90 countries. When it comes to jurisdiction, ExpressVPN’s location in the British Virgin Islands provides a significant privacy advantage over AirVPN, based in Italy, a 14-Eyes Alliance country known for extensive surveillance and data-sharing practices. ExpressVPN also boasts a larger server network, offering better geographical coverage and potentially faster and more stable connections. Both VPNs offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, but ExpressVPN stands out with an integrated ad blocker, enhancing the browsing experience. From a user’s perspective, ExpressVPN’s higher rating, broader server network, and enhanced privacy features make it the better choice for those seeking a premium VPN experience.
About Our VPN Rating Systems
Our reviews delve deeply into each VPN service, scrutinizing aspects such as privacy, customer feedback, pricing, and usability to provide well-rounded insights.
Ratings are based on our comprehensive research of 96 VPN companies. Out of 96 VPNs we reviewed, only 11 surpass the 75% threshold in our evaluation, while half of the reviewed services score below average (54.1%).
Why Read Our VPN Guide?
- Our VPN reviews are unbiased and data-driven. We are not affiliated to any of the VPN companies listed on this website.
- Our rating system covers diverse user needs. We delve deeply into each VPN service, scrutinizing aspects such as privacy, customer feedback, pricing, and usability to provide well-rounded insights.
Specifications: ExpressVPN vs AirVPN
| VPN Company | ExpressVPN | AirVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Jurisdiction Country | British Virgin Islands (BVI) | Italy |
| Cheapest Price | $6.67/mo over 15-month subscription | $1.96/mo |
| Monthly Price | $12.95 | $7.66 |
| Money Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
| No Logging Policy? | Yes | Yes |
| Encryption | AES-256, and ChaCha20 | AES-256, and ChaCha20 |
| Protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and Lightway | Open VPN, WireGuard, and SSL VPN |
| Servers | 3,000 | 200 |
| Servers Countries | 94 | 23 |
| Simultaneous Connections | 8 devices | 5 devices |
| Works in China? | Partially | Likely |
| Smart DNS | No | No |
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Browser Extension | Yes | No |
| Double VPN | No | No |
| Ads Blocking | No | No |
| Split Tunneling | Yes | Yes |
| Third Party Audit | Cure53 | – |
| Customer Support | 24/7 Live Chat | Email, and Ticketing |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Unblock Streaming | Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, Netflix, Hulu, and HBO | Disney+, and Hulu |
| Learn More | Visit Online | Visit Online |
Cruical Features & Key Differences
Plans & Pricing: AirVPN Better
AirVPN presents an appealing price point at $1.96/mo, while ExpressVPN opts for a premium pricing strategy, starting at $6.67/mo for their 15-month subscription plan. This leads to an intriguing evaluation of the additional value ExpressVPN offers. Boasting military-grade encryption (AES-256, and ChaCha20), 24×7 live chat support, and a global network of 3,000 servers in more than 90 countries, ExpressVPN aims to justify its higher cost.
Yet, when compared to the offerings of AirVPN, the question remains: do these enhanced features of ExpressVPN align with the specific needs and preferences of users seeking a premium VPN experience? This is something you’ll need to consider when comparing the two.
Jurisdiction: ExpressVPN Better
When it comes to privacy, the jurisdiction of a VPN provider is key. ExpressVPN’s location in British Virgin Islands (BVI), free from mandatory data retention laws, offers a significant privacy advantage over AirVPN, based in the 14-Eye Alliance country of Italy. This alliance, including the US, UK, and several European nations, is known for its extensive surveillance and data-sharing practices, potentially impacting user privacy.
In brief, for those dealing with sensitive data or in strict online environments, ExpressVPN represents a safer choice. Its non-14-Eyes location reduces the risk of surveillance and involuntary data sharing, making it a preferable option for privacy-conscious users.
Comparing the two, ExpressVPN’s BVI base generally offers a higher level of privacy protection. However, it’s important to consider other factors such as the VPN’s own privacy policy, encryption standards, and track record in handling user data. Both VPNs have their own merits, but for strict privacy considerations, being based in BVI gives ExpressVPN an edge.
Servers Count & Geographical Coverage: ExpressVPN Better
The server fleet size of ExpressVPN and AirVPN is a critical aspect where these two VPN providers diverge significantly. ExpressVPN stands out with its impressive network, hosting over 3,000 servers worldwide. This extensive coverage ensures that users almost anywhere can find a reliable and fast server connection.
In contrast, AirVPN maintains a more modest server presence, with only 200 servers across 23 countries. If you live in regions with fewer servers from AirVPN, this might translate to slower speeds and potentially less stable connections. The vast server network of ExpressVPN not only provides broader geographic reach but also typically allows for better performance and lower latency.
Money Back Guarantee: Tie
The commitment of ExpressVPN and AirVPN to customer satisfaction is clearly seen in their extensive money-back guarantees. These guarantees show the confidence each service has in its quality. It’s a no-risk offer. Users can try out each VPN’s features without worry. Explore AirVPN’s server network in 23 countries, experience ExpressVPN’s ad blocking and Lightway protocol, and exaluate their technical support quality. All this can be done before making a long-term decision.
Ad Blocking Feature: ExpressVPN Better
A notable difference between ExpressVPN and AirVPN lies in their additional features – particularly ad blocking. ExpressVPN offers an integrated ad blocker, enhancing the browsing experience by eliminating unwanted ads and potentially harmful malware. On the other hand, AirVPN does not come with an ad blocking feature, which might be a drawback for users who prioritize a clean and uninterrupted browsing experience.
Bottomline
In conclusion, both ExpressVPN and AirVPN offer distinct advantages and cater to different user needs. While ExpressVPN excels in privacy and server coverage, AirVPN presents a compelling pricing strategy and additional features. Users should carefully consider their specific requirements and preferences when choosing between these two VPN services.
Pick What You Need
Our VPN recommendations and ratings are just a general guide and may not match your personal needs. Know what you need and pick a VPN that fits. It’s crucial to assess your personal requirements, whether it’s enhanced security, better privacy, faster speeds, or access to specific content. Use our ExpressVPN and AirVPN comparison as a starting point, but ultimately, select a VPN that aligns with your unique needs. This approach ensures you get the most out of your VPN service.
About ExpressVPN & AirVPN
AirVPN
AirVPN, operated by activists committed to net neutrality, privacy, and anti-censorship, uses OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols. It offers strong encryption, no monitoring or logging of online activities, and circumvents censorship and georestrictions. AirVPN provides unlimited bandwidth and server switches, high-performance servers in multiple countries, and compliance with European Union privacy laws. Their service allows five simultaneous connections per account, and they offer port forwarding and optional block lists for enhanced security.
To learn more, read our AirVPN review.
ExpressVPN
Founded in 2009 by Peter Burchhardt and Dan Pomerantz, ExpressVPN stands out for its speed and extensive server network, with over 3,000 servers across 94 countries. It uses TrustedServer technology for enhanced security and supports AES-256 encryption. ExpressVPN offers wide device compatibility, including routers and smart TVs, and provides 24/7 customer support. The company is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands.
To learn more, read our ExpressVPN review.