Proton VPN and ExpressVPN represent two distinct philosophies: Proton prioritizes verified, open-source privacy built in Switzerland; ExpressVPN optimizes for raw speed with its proprietary Lightway protocol. Both are reputable, but they serve different priorities. This comparison helps you decide which matters more: Swiss privacy jurisdiction and a free plan, or the fastest possible connection speeds.
Option A
Swiss-based, open-source VPN with a verified no-logs policy and a free plan that's actually usable
| Feature | Proton VPN | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Price | ✓$0/month (free plan) / $4.99/month (Plus, annual) | $2.44/month (28-month deal) / $12.95/month (monthly) |
| Connection Speed | Fast — WireGuard protocol on paid servers | ✓Fastest in category — Lightway protocol built specifically for speed |
| Privacy Jurisdiction | ✓Switzerland — strongest privacy law in the world for VPN providers | British Virgin Islands — solid privacy jurisdiction, outside 5 Eyes |
| Open Source | ✓All apps fully open source — Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux | Lightway protocol is open source; apps are proprietary |
| No-Log Verification | Court-verified — Swiss legal proceedings confirmed Proton held no data | ≈Audited by KPMG and Cure53; TrustedServer RAM-only architecture adds confidence |
| Server Network | 5,600+ servers in 91 countries | ≈3,000+ servers in 105 countries |
| Server Architecture | Mix of physical and virtual servers | ✓RAM-only servers across all locations — TrustedServer technology |
| Device Limit | ✓10 devices (Plus plan) | 8 devices |
| Free Plan | ✓Yes — 1 device, 5 countries, no speed limits, no data caps, no ads | No free plan |
If maximum speed is your priority, ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol is the fastest in the category — and the 28-month deal at $2.44/month has closed the price gap significantly. If privacy assurance matters more, Proton VPN's Swiss jurisdiction, open-source code, court-verified no-logs, and free plan make it the stronger choice on principles. For budget-conscious users, Proton VPN's free plan with no speed limits is an unbeatable starting point.
