ExpressVPN Shifts to Tiered Pricing Model, Tripling Subscription Choices
ExpressVPN has announced a major overhaul of its subscription plans, moving from a single-tier structure to a new three-tier pricing system. The change, which is effective immediately, triples the number of available options for users, offering Basic, Advanced, and Pro levels of service. Each tier can be purchased on a monthly, yearly, or two-year basis, creating a total of nine distinct subscription choices.
This new approach aligns ExpressVPN with competitors like NordVPN and Surfshark, who already use similar multi-tiered models. The company stated that existing customers on legacy plans will not be downgraded and their current subscriptions will remain active for the time being.
A key change is how features are allocated. Previously, the full suite of ExpressVPN features was only available to users who committed to a two-year subscription. Under the new system, the features you receive are tied to your chosen service tier, not the length of your commitment. While longer-term plans still offer a discount, a user on a monthly Pro plan will have access to more features than a user on a two-year Basic plan.
The new tiers incorporate several services that were previously part of the Identity Defender suite, such as identity monitoring, credit reports, and data removal tools. The plans also increase the number of allowed simultaneous connections, with the top tier supporting up to 14 devices.
The Basic plan provides core VPN functionality, including the Lightway protocol, but removes access to the ad blocker, tracker blocker, and parental controls. It allows for 10 simultaneous connections and is priced at 12.99 per month, 74.85 per year, or 97.72 for two years.
Stepping up to the Advanced plan increases the device limit to 12 and reinstates the blockers and parental controls. It also includes the ExpressVPN Keys password manager, three days of eSIM service, and the full Identity Defender package. It is important to note that the Identity Defender features, including leak alerts, identity theft insurance, and credit monitoring, are only available to users in the United States. The Advanced tier costs 13.99 monthly, 89.85 annually, or 125.72 for two years.
The Pro plan is the most comprehensive offering. It includes all the features of the Advanced tier but adds a dedicated IP address as a standard feature, which is an extra cost on lower tiers. Pro subscribers also receive monthly credit reports and data removal services, can connect up to 14 devices at once, and get a larger discount on an ExpressVPN Aircove router. A Pro subscription is priced at 19.99 per month, 134.95 for a year, or 209.72 for two years.
For consumers, the most significant takeaway is the potential for lower costs. The new two-year Basic plan is approximately 30 percent cheaper than the previous two-year standard plan. However, even with this reduction, a one-year Basic plan remains more expensive than comparable subscriptions from rivals like Proton VPN or Surfshark. It is also worth noting that the value of the Basic tier is still unclear until ExpressVPN confirms whether essential security features like the Network Lock kill switch and split tunneling are included.
This move does not introduce new features but reorganizes how they are packaged and sold. The overall user experience for existing customers is unlikely to change, but new subscribers will have more choice in selecting a plan that matches their specific needs and budget.
