ExpressVPN Shifts to Tiered Pricing Model, Tripling Subscription Choices
ExpressVPN has announced a major overhaul of its subscription plans, moving from a simple duration-based model to a new tiered pricing structure. The change, which takes effect immediately, introduces three distinct service levels: Basic, Advanced, and Pro. Each tier can be purchased on a monthly, annual, or two-year basis, giving potential customers a total of nine different subscription options.
This strategic shift aligns ExpressVPN with competitors like NordVPN and Surfshark, who already employ similar multi-tiered systems. The company has stated that existing customer plans will remain active for the time being, with no automatic downgrades for current users.
Previously, ExpressVPN tied its full feature set exclusively to long-term, two-year commitments. The new model decouples features from subscription length. While longer plans still offer a discount, the available tools and services are now determined by the chosen tier, not the commitment period.
The new tiers incorporate several features that were once part of the company’s Identity Defender suite, such as identity monitoring, credit reports, and data removal services. The plans also increase the number of allowed simultaneous device connections, with the top tier supporting up to 14 devices.
The entry-level Basic plan provides core VPN functionality. This includes the Lightway protocol for speed, the Network Lock kill switch for security, and split tunneling on specific platforms. It also includes ad and malicious site blockers, though it excludes tracker blocking and parental controls. Basic subscribers can connect up to 10 devices. Pricing is set at $12.99 per month, $74.85 annually, or $97.72 for two years.
Stepping up to the Advanced plan increases the device limit to 12 and unlocks the full suite of content blockers, including trackers and parental controls. This tier also includes the ExpressVPN Keys password manager, three days of eSIM mobile data service, and the full Identity Defender package. It is important to note that the Identity Defender features, which include identity theft insurance and credit monitoring, are only available to users in the United States. The Advanced plan costs $13.99 monthly, $89.85 for a year, or $125.72 for two years, making the longer terms cheaper than the old pricing structure. Advanced users also receive five days of eSIM service and a discount on an ExpressVPN Aircove router.
The premium Pro tier includes all the features of the Advanced plan and adds a dedicated IP address at no extra cost. Pro subscribers also receive monthly credit reports and data removal services, can connect 14 devices simultaneously, and get a larger discount on an Aircove router. A Pro subscription is priced at $19.99 per month, $134.95 annually, or $209.72 for a two-year commitment.
For consumers, the most significant takeaway is the potential for savings. The new two-year Basic plan is approximately 30 percent cheaper than the previous two-year option, making ExpressVPN’s reliable core service more accessible. However, even the Basic plan remains more expensive on an annual basis than comparable subscriptions from rivals like Proton VPN or Surfshark. The change primarily reorganizes how features are accessed rather than introducing new tools, allowing users to pay only for the level of service they actually need.
