Proton VPN vs ExpressVPN
Proton VPN suits buyers who want a free VPN or business controls for access to company resources; ExpressVPN suits buyers who want more devices on a personal subscription or a dedicated IP without buying a business plan. Both offer personal VPN subscriptions and centrally managed team plans, but their free access, device limits, and approaches to business access differ.
Last updated November 8, 2026.
At a glance
| Dimension | Proton VPN | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Free personal plan | Unlimited data; 1 simultaneous device | Not published |
| Team purchase minimum | 2 users for VPN Essentials or Professional | 5 licenses for ExpressVPN for Teams |
| Business access controls | Private gateways and access policies on VPN Professional | Admin dashboard for license assignment and reassignment |
| Dedicated IP | Business dedicated servers and IPs on VPN Professional | Included with personal Express Pro; Teams add-on |
| Simultaneous devices | 1 on Free; 10 on VPN Plus | 10 Basic; 12 Advanced; 14 Express Pro |
| Personal plan pricing | VPN Plus: $3.49/month on initial 2-year term | Basic: $2.99/month on initial 28-month offer |
| Business plan pricing | VPN Essentials: $6.99/user/month, billed yearly | Volume-priced licenses; monthly, annual or 2-year terms |
| Other included tools | Premium Mail, Drive and Pass with Proton Unlimited | Email relay on all personal tiers |
| Desktop and mobile apps | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android and iOS | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android and iOS |
| Business deployment | MDM compatibility on VPN Essentials | Dashboard invitations, CSV upload and SCIM provisioning |
| VPN server countries | 140+ on VPN Plus | 113 |
| Business support | 24/7 support and live chat | 24/7 live chat |
Scroll the table sideways to compare each row.
Which should you choose?
Choose Proton VPN if
- Individuals who want a free VPN without a data limit
- Two- to four-person teams buying managed VPN access
- IT teams needing private gateways and access policies
- Organizations deploying VPN apps through MDM
Choose ExpressVPN if
- Individuals connecting more than 10 devices at once
- Personal subscribers who need a dedicated IP
- Teams seeking centrally assigned VPN licenses
- Buyers who want VPN and email-relay tools in one subscription
The verdict
Proton VPN is the stronger fit for someone starting with an unlimited-data free plan, or for an IT team that needs private gateways, access policies, and managed deployment. ExpressVPN is the stronger fit for a paying individual who needs up to 14 simultaneous connections or a personal dedicated IP; its Teams plan focuses on assigning licenses and providing fixed IPs for allowlisted services. For a small team, Proton VPN's two-user minimum versus ExpressVPN's five-license minimum may settle the choice before either feature list does.
Proton VPN vs ExpressVPN: common questions
- Does either VPN have a free plan?
- Proton VPN has a free plan with unlimited data and one simultaneous connection. ExpressVPN advertises paid personal tiers and a 30-day money-back guarantee for new users.
- How many devices can I connect at once?
- Proton VPN allows one simultaneous device on its free plan and 10 on VPN Plus. ExpressVPN allows 10 on Basic, 12 on Advanced, and 14 on Express Pro.
- Which works for a team of fewer than five people?
- Proton VPN Essentials and VPN Professional each have a two-user minimum. ExpressVPN for Teams requires at least five licenses.
- Can I get a dedicated IP without a business subscription?
- ExpressVPN includes a dedicated IP with personal Express Pro and offers one as an add-on to Basic or Advanced. Proton VPN describes dedicated IPs under its business plans.
- Can either service manage employee access?
- Proton VPN Professional includes private gateways, access policies, and network segmentation. ExpressVPN for Teams provides an admin dashboard for assigning and reassigning licenses, with an optional dedicated IP for allowlisted services.
- Do they support Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, and Android?
- Yes. Proton VPN and ExpressVPN both publish support for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
- Are the advertised two-year prices the renewal prices?
- No. Proton VPN lists VPN Plus at $3.49 per month for its initial 24-month term, then $83.88 every 12 months. ExpressVPN lists Basic at $2.99 per month for an initial 28-month offer, then $99.95 annually. Taxes may apply.
- Do either of these replace a VPN into my company's private network?
- Proton VPN Professional offers private gateways and access policies for business resources. ExpressVPN says its Teams dedicated IP can support access to IP-allowlisted tools but does not replace a company VPN for connecting to a private network.