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.
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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 | — |