What Is ExpressVPN?
ExpressVPN is a VPN service operated by Express Technologies, registered in the British Virgin Islands, a jurisdiction with no mandatory data retention laws. It routes your internet traffic through an encrypted tunnel to a server of your choice, hiding your real IP address from websites, your ISP, and anyone monitoring the network you're connected to.
For South Africans, that means protection on public Wi-Fi at malls and airports, privacy from ISP-level tracking, and a practical defence against the phishing and account-takeover threats that rely on intercepting unencrypted traffic. ExpressVPN has been one of the most consistently top-rated VPNs in independent testing for close to a decade.
SA Speed Test Results
ExpressVPN runs its own Lightway protocol, built specifically for speed and battery efficiency, alongside standard OpenVPN and IKEv2. It has a server location in Johannesburg, giving South African users a genuinely local connection point rather than routing through Europe.
Speed test results (tested from Vodacom fibre, Johannesburg)
- Without VPN: 100 Mbps download / 45 Mbps upload
- ExpressVPN Johannesburg (Lightway): 93 Mbps download / 41 Mbps upload (7% reduction)
- ExpressVPN UK server: 54 Mbps download / 26 Mbps upload (46% reduction)
- ExpressVPN US server: 38 Mbps download / 19 Mbps upload (62% reduction)
A 7% drop on the local server is excellent, and marginally better than what we measured for NordVPN under similar conditions in our NordVPN review. In practice, the difference is small enough that you won't notice it during normal browsing, video calls, or streaming.
๐ Key Takeaway
Lightway is the reason to pick ExpressVPN over a cheaper competitor. It reconnects faster after a dropped connection, uses less battery on mobile, and holds a more consistent speed on congested networks like MTN LTE during peak hours.
Security & Privacy
ExpressVPN uses AES-256 encryption and operates on a RAM-only server network called TrustedServer, meaning every server runs from volatile memory and is wiped completely on every reboot. No data can persist on a server even if it were physically seized.
- No-logs policy: Independently audited by KPMG, most recently reconfirming that ExpressVPN collects no connection or activity logs.
- Network Lock (kill switch): Cuts your internet immediately if the VPN connection drops, preventing any unprotected data leakage.
- Private DNS on every server: ExpressVPN runs its own DNS on every server it operates, closing a common leak vector in cheaper VPNs.
- Split tunnelling: Lets you choose which apps use the VPN and which use your normal connection, useful for SA banking apps that sometimes flag foreign IP addresses.
Streaming Performance
This is where ExpressVPN separates itself from cheaper competitors. It unblocks over 100 streaming platforms globally, and we specifically tested the services South Africans actually use.
DSTV Now, Showmax & SABC+
All three worked without buffering or region-lock errors on the Johannesburg server. This matters if you're travelling and want to keep watching SA content, or if you're an expat South African abroad.
International Netflix & Prime Video
US Netflix, UK Netflix, and Amazon Prime Video all unblocked reliably across three separate test sessions. Many cheaper VPNs fail this test intermittently as streaming services actively block known VPN IP ranges.
Pricing & Plans (in USD, approx. ZAR)
| Plan | Duration | Monthly Cost | Approx. ZAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic Best Value | 2 Years | From ~$4.99/mo | โR95/mo |
| Advanced | 2 Years | From ~$6.99/mo | โR133/mo |
| Pro | 2 Years | From ~$9.99/mo | โR190/mo |
| Basic | Monthly | $12.99/mo | โR247/mo |
Prices and promotions change frequently, check ExpressVPN's site for the current offer. Advanced adds a password manager and identity monitoring; Pro adds a dedicated IP and credit monitoring. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee, and SA bank cards are accepted.
How ExpressVPN Compares to Competitors in SA
| VPN | Our Score | SA Servers | Speed Loss (Local) | Devices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 9.4/10 | โ JHB | 9% | 6 |
| ExpressVPN | 9.1/10 | โ JHB | 7% | 8 |
| Surfshark | 8.6/10 | โ JHB | 12% | Unlimited |
| CyberGhost | 8.2/10 | โ JHB | 14% | 7 |
See our full Best VPN for South Africa 2026 roundup for the complete rankings and testing methodology.
Rating Breakdown
| Category | Score | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| Security & Privacy | 9.3/10 | |
| Speed & Performance | 9.6/10 | |
| Ease of Use | 9.4/10 | |
| Value for Money | 8.2/10 | |
| SA Compatibility | 9.5/10 | |
| Overall Score | 9.1/10 |
Final Verdict
ExpressVPN is the VPN to pick if speed and streaming reliability are your top priorities and you're willing to pay a premium for it. The Lightway protocol, RAM-only TrustedServer network, and KPMG-audited no-logs policy make it one of the most trustworthy options on the market. For most South Africans, NordVPN offers nearly identical real-world performance for less, which is why it still edges out ExpressVPN in our overall rankings, but if budget isn't the deciding factor, ExpressVPN won't disappoint.
Ready to Get ExpressVPN?
Current deal on the 2-year plan. 30-day money-back guarantee.
๐ 30-day money-back guarantee
Frequently Asked Questions
In our tests, ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol was marginally faster than NordVPN's NordLynx on international servers, but on the local Johannesburg server the difference was negligible, within a few Mbps of each other. For everyday SA browsing, both are fast enough that you won't notice a difference.
Yes. ExpressVPN accepts Visa and Mastercard, which covers all major SA banks. Payment is processed in USD and converted at your bank's exchange rate. It also accepts PayPal for users who prefer not to enter card details directly.
Yes. We tested ExpressVPN with DSTV Now, Showmax, and SABC+ using the Johannesburg server, and all three worked without issues. It also reliably unblocked US Netflix, which is a common failure point for cheaper VPNs.
It depends on your priority. If you want the single fastest, most reliable option and don't mind paying more, ExpressVPN is worth it. If price is your main concern, NordVPN offers nearly identical performance for less, and Surfshark offers unlimited devices at a lower price. We rank NordVPN slightly higher overall because of its value for money.
Yes, ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans. We tested the refund process from a South African account and received the refund to our original card within 5 business days, with no questions asked.
