ExpressVPN Price in 2026: What It Really Costs
ExpressVPN costs $12.99 a month on rolling billing, or from $3.49 a month on a two-year plan. The twelve-month Basic plan sits at $4.99 a month and usually adds three extra months. But the number that actually matters is the renewal: around $99.95 a year once the introductory term ends.
That renewal figure is what most price comparisons leave out, and it changes the picture considerably. Here is the full breakdown.
ExpressVPN price at a glance
| Plan | Monthly billing | 12-month term | 2-year term |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $12.99 / month | $4.99 / month | $3.49 / month |
| Advanced | — | — | $4.49 / month |
| Express Pro | — | — | $7.49 / month |
The twelve-month Basic plan typically comes with three extra months attached, which lowers the effective rate below the headline $4.99. All plans carry a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Prices are ExpressVPN's published US rates in USD and reflect promotional terms that change frequently.
The renewal price is the real number
ExpressVPN's introductory pricing is genuinely competitive. The catch is that both the twelve-month and two-year Basic plans renew at around $99.95 a year once the initial term expires.
At $99.95 annually, that is roughly $8.33 a month — more than double the $3.49 you paid on the introductory two-year deal, and well above what Surfshark or NordVPN charge on their long terms.
This is not unique to ExpressVPN; the whole category prices this way. But it does mean the honest comparison is introductory rate against introductory rate, and renewal against renewal. Set a calendar reminder before your term ends so the decision is yours rather than automatic.
Is ExpressVPN worth the premium?
The case for
ExpressVPN has a long-standing reputation for speed and for reliably working with streaming services when cheaper providers get blocked. For some users that reliability is the entire point.
The case against
At renewal it is meaningfully more expensive than Surfshark or Proton VPN, and those alternatives have closed much of the performance gap.
The sensible approach
Buy the introductory term, use the 30-day guarantee to test it properly, and reassess honestly at renewal rather than letting it roll.
Cheaper ways to buy ExpressVPN
Take the two-year term. $3.49 a month against $12.99 monthly is the largest saving available, and the twelve-month plan usually adds three free months on top.
Diarise the renewal. At around $99.95 a year, letting it auto-renew is the single most expensive thing you can do. Decide deliberately when the term ends.
Use the 30-day guarantee. Test it on your actual connection and the services you care about. If it does not clearly beat a cheaper rival, it is not worth the premium.
Buy a discounted subscription. THEOTTDEALS lists ExpressVPN in USD below the direct rate. Live pricing is on the product page below.
Frequently asked questions
How much does ExpressVPN cost per month?
ExpressVPN is $12.99 a month on rolling monthly billing, $4.99 a month on a twelve-month term, or from $3.49 a month on a two-year term.
What does ExpressVPN renew at?
Both the twelve-month and two-year Basic plans renew at around $99.95 a year, which is roughly $8.33 a month — considerably more than the introductory rate.
What is the cheapest ExpressVPN plan?
Basic on the two-year term at $3.49 a month is the cheapest introductory rate.
What is the difference between ExpressVPN Basic, Advanced and Pro?
Basic is the VPN itself at $3.49 a month on two years. Advanced is $4.49 and Express Pro is $7.49 on the same term, each adding further tools above the core VPN.
Is ExpressVPN more expensive than Surfshark?
Yes, particularly at renewal. Surfshark starts from $2.49 a month on a 24-month term with unlimited devices, while ExpressVPN renews at around $99.95 a year.
Does ExpressVPN have a money-back guarantee?
Yes, all plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee, which is the practical way to test it before committing to a long term.
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View live USD pricing and order ExpressVPN directly from its product page.