What Is ExpressVPN?
ExpressVPN is a subscription VPN with apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS and Android, a Chrome extension, router support and its own Aircove routers. It runs on Lightway, an in-house protocol whose core is open source on GitHub. Lightway was rewritten from C into Rust, uses the wolfSSL cryptography library, applies ML-KEM post-quantum protection by default and has been audited by Cure53 and Praetorian. TrustedServer technology runs servers from RAM so their data is wiped on every reboot, and each server runs its own private DNS. Network Lock blocks traffic if the VPN connection drops. Split tunneling handles apps and websites on Windows and macOS, apps, IPs and subnets on Linux, apps on Android and device groups on routers, while iOS can only exclude single IPv4 addresses. The Basic, Advanced and Express Pro plans allow 10, 12 and 14 devices, with Advanced adding the ExpressKeys password manager and Express Pro including a dedicated IP.
Best for: Individuals and households who want an audited VPN protocol, router-level coverage and split tunneling on most of their devices.
ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol offers an optional HTTPS proxy hop in supported mobile apps, but the configuration requires Lightway TCP and does not work with UDP. Its advanced-protection features also depend on the VPN state and protocol in most apps, with a separate rule for Aircove hardware. These conditions distinguish a VPN routing policy from the independent proxy controls used in web collection pipelines.
