Proton VPN vs ExpressVPN
VPN pricing comparison · 2026
Proton VPN pricing ranges from $0–$12.99/month, while ExpressVPN ranges from $3.49–$559.72/month. Proton VPN is typically 98% more affordable, though your actual cost depends on tier and team size.
Proton VPN
Proton VPN is a Swiss-based VPN service developed by Proton AG, the same company behind th
verified 27d ago
$180
$199
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is a premium VPN service owned by Kape Technologies, known for its speed, relia
verified 27d ago
$180
$199
Verdict · Vendr median · year 1
ExpressVPN
saves
$19
vs
Proton
· 25 seats
Cheapest
$180
Spread
10%
Estimated license cost
at 25 seats
List price × seats. Click a tier below to lock it.
VPN Plus (1-Year)
$1.5K/yr
year 1 license · $5/seat
Basic (1-Year)
$1.5K/yr
year 1 license · $5/seat
What buyers actually pay
median, annual
Vendr deal-flow data. The real benchmark, not list price.
Median annual
$199/yr
Vendr · n=23
↓ Lowest median
Median annual
$180/yr
Vendr · n=35
REF · 01
Sources & confidence
Every dollar amount and contract clause below traces back to a sourced fact. We don't manufacture composite scores.
Where this data comes from
Vendr · TrustRadius · Reddit · BBB · official docs
Sources
6 sourced facts
3 hidden-cost · 1 contract · Vendr median · 1 review platform
Last verified
3w ago
Confidence
High confidence
Sources
4 sourced facts
1 hidden-cost · 1 contract · Vendr median · 1 review platform
Last verified
3w ago
Confidence
Medium confidence
REF · 02
Plans at a glance
Every tier per product. Lock one to drive the cost row above and reveal a tier-specific outbound CTA.
Tier ladder
Click a tier to lock the cost row to it. Locking surfaces a tier-specific Visit CTA.
REF · 04
Contract terms
The fine print, surfaced. Green = buyer-friendly. Each clause backed by a quoted source.
Proton
ExpressVPN
Auto-renewal
Yes
Yes
Cancellation
30 days money-back guarantee on new subscriptions
—
Commitment
✓
Month-to-month available, or 1-2 year plans
✓
Varies by plan (monthly, 1-year, or 2-year)
Price escalation
Renewal at standard pricing after promotional period ends
New customers receive promotional pricing, but renewals are at standard rates without promotional discounts
Can downgrade
✓
Yes
—
REF · 05
What users say
Aggregated, with sample sizes. We use whichever review platform has data.
User reviews
TrustRadius · Trustpilot · G2
Decide
Get a quote from each vendor
Each link opens the vendor's pricing page in a new tab.
License cost is computed from publicly listed plans (real math, list price × seats).
Median annual cost is from Vendr's deal flow when available — see source badges.
Hidden costs and contract terms each cite their own sources. We do not invent composite scores.
VS
Proton VPN and ExpressVPN both operate in the vpn category. This page compares their list pricing.
Plan-by-Plan Pricing
| Plan | Proton VPN | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Free | Free /month | $12.99 /month |
| VPN Plus (Monthly) | $9.99 /month | $4.99 /month |
| VPN Plus (1-Year) | $4.99 /month | $3.49 /month |
| VPN Plus (2-Year) | $2.99 /month | $13.99 /month |
| Proton Unlimited (Monthly) | $12.99 /month | $5.99 /month |
| Proton Unlimited (1-Year) | $9.99 /month | $4.49 /month |
| Proton Unlimited (2-Year) | $7.99 /month | $19.99 /month |
| Pro (1-Year) | — | $8.99 /month |
| Pro (2-Year) | — | $7.49 /month |
Cost at Scale
Total cost of ownership — licenses, implementation, and hidden costs included.
Proton VPN
7 scenarios$0/mo
Budget-Conscious User - Free Plan
. Limited to 1 device, 5 countries, and medium speeds, but includes unlimited data and no ads.
$2.99/mo (billed as a 2-year term)
Privacy Advocate - VPN Plus 2-Year Plan
Access to 17,200+ servers, 10 devices, NetShield, and Stealth protocol.
$9.99/mo ($119.88/year)
Proton Ecosystem User - Unlimited 1-Year Plan
Replaces separate VPN, email, and password manager subscriptions.
ExpressVPN
3 scenarios$4.99/mo ($74.85/year for 15 months including 3 bonus months)
Streaming Enthusiast - Basic 1-Year Plan
ExpressVPN consistently ranks top for streaming reliability.
$4.49/mo ($125.72 for 28 months including 4 bonus months)
Security-Focused Professional - Advanced 2-Year Plan
Bundles VPN + password manager + identity tools, replacing multiple subscriptions.
$8.99/mo ($134.95/year for 15 months)
Business Traveler - Pro 1-Year Plan
Dedicated IP included (normally a $3-5/mo add-on elsewhere), plus 5 days of free eSIM data per month.
Market Intelligence
Proton VPN
- Median annual cost
- $199
- Based on
- 23 deals
ExpressVPN
- Median annual cost
- $180
- Based on
- 35 deals
Contract Terms
| Term | Proton VPN | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Auto-renewal | Yes | Yes |
| Cancellation | 30 days money-back guarantee on new subscriptions | — |
| Minimum commitment | Month-to-month available, or 1-2 year plans | Varies by plan (monthly, 1-year, or 2-year) |
| Price escalation | Renewal at standard pricing after promotional period ends | New customers receive promotional pricing, but renewals are at standard rates without promotional discounts |
| Can downgrade | Yes | — |