ExpressVPN Problems & Issues
Real user-reported problems, complaints, and limitations for ExpressVPN. Based on analysis of 13 signals.
Overall score: 66/100
Issues by Category
Why is ExpressVPN so expensive after the first term? Renewal jumps to $99.95-$199.95/year
The headline price is a 28-month introductory deal. After it ends, plans auto-renew annually at the standard rate: about $99.95/year for Basic, $119.95/year for Advanced and $199.95/year for Pro (EUR 79.95 / 109.95 / 179.95 in Europe). That is two to three times the effective monthly cost of the intro term, and reviewers consistently list ExpressVPN as one of the priciest mainstream VPNs.
ExpressVPN price increase 2026 - 2-year plans up about 25%
Between late December 2025 and spring 2026 ExpressVPN raised its 2-year (28-month) promo prices by roughly 25%: Basic from $2.79 to $3.49/month, Advanced from $3.59 to $4.49/month and Pro from $5.99 to $7.49/month, while advertised discounts shrank. Aircove router discount coupons that came with Advanced (50% off) and Pro (75% off) were dropped. Promo prices have kept moving since, with short sales dipping Advanced to $3.99 and Pro to $5.99 in September 2026 before returning.
ExpressVPN auto-renewal class action lawsuit (2025)
In June 2025 a California customer filed a class action (Millar v. Express Technologies Ltd., C.D. Cal.) claiming a one-month plan bought in 2022 was silently turned into a recurring monthly subscription, in breach of California's Automatic Renewal Law. ExpressVPN said it would defend the case; it was listed as pending. The suit mirrors a broader pattern of users surprised by renewal charges.
ExpressVPN Basic vs Advanced vs Pro - extras locked behind higher tiers
The three-tier lineup pushes you upward: Basic only has 'Lite' blocking (ads, malicious and adult sites) and no tracker blocking or password manager, the dedicated IP is a paid add-on except on Pro, and ExpressAI, unlimited email aliases and the longer eSIM are Pro-only. People who just want a VPN pay for bundled extras they may never use, and those who want one extra feature are pushed to a pricier plan.
Charged again after cancelling ExpressVPN auto-renewal
Play Store reviewers and r/Express_VPN posts describe renewal charges after they believed auto-renew was off, and TechRadar's analysis of Play Store billing complaints put ExpressVPN among the VPNs with the most negative billing sentiment. Common causes are subscriptions bought through Google Play or the App Store (which must be cancelled there, not on expressvpn.com) and failed PayPal payments that hide the cancel button.
ExpressVPN refund denied - 30-day guarantee has limits
The 30-day money-back guarantee applies to first-time customers who request it from support; renewals are generally not covered, and App Store purchases must be refunded through Apple. Some users report refusals, for example after entering a promotion, and guides note that you need to ask explicitly for the refund in the cancellation chat.
ExpressVPN unable to connect or stuck on connecting
ExpressVPN's support center lists 'Unable to Connect' and endless 'connecting' as common issues, caused by server maintenance, antivirus or firewall software blocking the tunnel, outdated app versions, restrictive networks and dedicated IPs used without Lightway. Fixes are usually a server or protocol change; in censored countries it often takes support's help.
ExpressVPN not working with Netflix - proxy error M7111-5059
Netflix and other streamers block known VPN IP ranges, so specific ExpressVPN locations stop working from time to time and users see the M7111-5059 proxy error or a limited catalog. ExpressVPN's own fix is to rotate through a list of recommended server locations and force-close the streaming app after each change. ExpressVPN's terms now say you should connect to a server in the country you are actually in.
ExpressVPN keeps disconnecting on Android and iPhone
Dropped connections and 'The VPN connection has unexpectedly dropped' errors are often caused by aggressive Android battery optimisation (Samsung, OnePlus), iOS Wi-Fi Assist or Android auto-switch to mobile data, ISP interference and antivirus apps. ExpressVPN documents device-specific settings to change, which suggests the problem is common.
Why is ExpressVPN so slow? Speeds vary a lot by test and server
Reviews disagree on speed: some testers rate ExpressVPN among the fastest, while RTINGS scored its speed 7.3 and lists slow speeds and mediocre latency as a con, and Cybernews found upload speeds slow and unstable, giving NordVPN the edge. Distance to the server, protocol choice and ISP routing explain most real-world slowdowns.
Is ExpressVPN safe after the Kape takeover? Ownership trust concerns
Kape Technologies bought ExpressVPN in 2021. Kape's past as Crossrider, an adware company, and its ownership of other VPNs (CyberGhost, PIA) and VPN review sites led many Reddit users to say they would leave. ExpressVPN says it runs independently and keeps its audited no-logs policy, and no logging breach has been shown, but the ownership question still comes up in 'is ExpressVPN trustworthy' threads.
ExpressVPN device limit 10-14 vs unlimited devices on Surfshark
Basic allows 10 simultaneous devices, Advanced 12 and Pro 14. That is plenty for most people but less than Surfshark, which allows unlimited connections at a lower price, so large households often compare the two on value.
ExpressVPN Lightway Turbo hides the VPN adapter on Windows - torrent binding breaks
With Lightway Turbo on Lightway UDP, the Windows app uses a packet-filter driver instead of a visible network adapter. Apps that bind to a VPN interface, such as torrent clients, can't find it, and leak-test sites like ipleak.net may show ISP details. ExpressVPN's fix is to turn off Lightway Turbo when you need interface binding.
Regret Patterns
Common reasons users regret choosing ExpressVPN.
Surprise renewal at full price
Users who bought the 28-month deal are charged $99.95-$199.95 a year later, often without having noticed the renewal date, and find that renewals are outside the refund window.
Cancelled but still charged
People cancel on the website when they actually subscribed through Google Play or the App Store, or a failed PayPal payment hides the cancel button, and the subscription renews anyway.
Bought for streaming, servers blocked
Users who bought mainly for Netflix or other streamers hit proxy errors on their favourite location and have to keep rotating servers.
Paid for extras they never use
Advanced and Pro bundle a password manager, email aliases, eSIM data and AI credits; users who only wanted the VPN realise they're paying for extras.
Refund refused after 30 days or for a renewal
Users who ask for money back after a renewal or after the first 30 days find the guarantee doesn't apply.
Found the same features cheaper
After comparing, users see Surfshark or Proton VPN offer similar privacy and streaming for less and switch at renewal.
When ExpressVPN Breaks Down
Specific scenarios where ExpressVPN fails or underperforms.
Antivirus or corporate firewall on the device
Security suites can block the VPN tunnel, causing 'Unable to Connect' or no internet once connected until ExpressVPN is whitelisted (UDP ports 1194-1204).
Android phones with aggressive battery saving
Samsung, OnePlus and other OEM battery optimisation kills the VPN in the background, causing repeated disconnects.
Streaming from a flagged server
When Netflix, Prime Video or Disney+ flags a server IP, you see proxy errors until you move to another location and restart the streaming app.
Censored or restrictive networks
In high-censorship countries, schools and some offices, protocols get blocked and the app can't connect without trying other protocols or contacting support.
Torrent client bound to VPN interface on Windows
With Lightway Turbo on, there is no visible VPN adapter, so interface binding fails until Turbo is disabled.
Dedicated IP on the wrong protocol
A dedicated IP only works over Lightway; on OpenVPN or WireGuard it won't connect.
Using Google with a VPN
Google sometimes shows the wrong country or extra CAPTCHAs because IP databases disagree, even though the VPN is working.