Rating: 9.1/10
ExpressVPN built its brand around speed, thanks to Lightway — its proprietary, lightweight VPN protocol designed to beat the latency and slow reconnection issues of older OpenVPN builds. But the VPN space has grown fiercely competitive. NordLynx, WireGuard-based protocols from Surfshark and Proton VPN have closed the speed gap dramatically. We put ExpressVPN through weeks of hands-on testing in 2026 to answer one core question: does Lightway still hold its crown as the fastest VPN protocol you can get?
Our Testing Benchmark
All speed tests ran on a stable 500 Mbps fiber connection. We measured nearby regional servers, transatlantic long-distance routes, streaming-optimized locations and P2P nodes. We tracked download and upload throughput, ping, DNS, WebRTC and IPv6 leak behavior, kill-switch reliability, and automatic reconnection when switching between Wi‑Fi and cellular. Our primary test protocol was Lightway UDP, with Lightway TCP tested for restrictive networks.
Privacy & Security Foundation
ExpressVPN is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, a privacy-friendly jurisdiction with no mandatory data retention rules and no membership in Five, Nine, or Fourteen Eyes surveillance alliances. Its no-logs policy has been repeatedly audited by PwC and KPMG; auditors confirm it never stores timestamps, source IPs, browsing destinations or DNS query logs.
Its TrustedServer RAM-only server architecture is a core selling point. Nothing is written to physical disk. Every reboot wipes all session data instantly, meaning there is no persistent storage that authorities can seize or subpoena later.
Core built-in protections:
- Network Lock kill switch, which cuts all internet access if the VPN tunnel drops unexpectedly
- Private, zero-knowledge DNS on every server (no third-party DNS providers)
- Split tunneling, to route selected apps outside the VPN tunnel
- Built-in ad, tracker and malware domain filtering
- AES-256 encryption for all tunnel traffic
A key caveat: unlike Mullvad and Proton VPN, ExpressVPN’s client apps are closed-source. There is no public GitHub repository for independent code compilation and community audits.
Lightway Protocol & Speed Test Results
Lightway was built with only around 2,000 lines of code — a tiny fraction of OpenVPN’s 70,000-line codebase. The smaller footprint means faster handshakes, fewer bugs, lower CPU usage and better battery life on mobile devices. The latest Lightway Turbo upgrade adds multi-lane tunneling to push throughput even higher on Windows clients, with support rolling out to other platforms graduallyExpressVPN.
In our local nearby-server tests, Lightway retained 88–93% of our baseline speed. On our 500 Mbps line, that translated to 440+ Mbps through the tunnel, with barely noticeable ping increases for gaming and video calls. Connection handshakes finished in under one second, far quicker than OpenVPN.
Long-haul transcontinental routes slowed down naturally, but still streamed 4K reliably. This is where the competition catches up: NordLynx often matched or slightly outperformed Lightway on distant cross-ocean servers in our side-by-side runs. Lightway remains blazingly fast, but it is no longer the clear runaway fastest protocol overall.
Lightway TCP is the fallback for networks that block UDP traffic, but it comes with a measurable speed penalty — expect roughly a 15–25% throughput drop compared to Lightway UDP.
Streaming & Unblocking
ExpressVPN’s streaming performance remains top-tier. Its regularly refreshed IP pool reliably bypasses geo-restrictions for Netflix regional libraries, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Max, Prime Video, DAZN and many European regional services.
We rotated test accounts and server locations across multiple days. Blocks were rare, and when a server got flagged, switching to another nearby location almost always fixed it. This consistency is one reason streamers keep coming back, even at the premium price. Still, streaming platforms continue to upgrade detection systems, so no VPN can guarantee permanent access.
Apps & Usability
ExpressVPN’s apps are polished, streamlined and beginner-friendly. The clean dashboard prioritizes a big one-click connect button, quick location selector, and simple toggles for Network Lock and split tunneling. Native clients are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Fire TV, Android TV and router firmware.
Important limitations:
- 8 simultaneous device connections on one plan — less generous than Surfshark’s unlimited slots or NordVPN’s 10 connections
- No built-in multi-hop / double-VPN routing for extra obfuscation
- No official browser extensions with full tunnel protection (extensions are proxy-only)
- 24/7 live chat support is a major plus; most billing and troubleshooting tickets get answered in under 5 minutes
Pricing
ExpressVPN sits firmly in the premium price bracket. The 12-month plan works out to around $8.32/month, while monthly billing jumps to $12.95. There are no huge teaser discounts like the budget VPNs, and the renewal price does not spike unexpectedly — the rate you sign up for stays consistent for the whole term.
There is no forever-free tier. The only risk-free option is the 30-day money-back guarantee, which works with no complicated hoops.
What We Don’t Like
- Premium pricing: It is consistently more expensive than Surfshark, Proton VPN and many competitors.
- Closed-source clients: No independent public source audit for the main app.
- Only 8 device slots: Restrictive for large households.
- No multi-hop double-VPN feature: A downside for users seeking maximum obfuscation.
- Lightway is fast, but no longer uniquely faster than top WireGuard rivals.
Who ExpressVPN Is Best For
✅ Perfect for: Streamers, frequent international travelers, remote workers, users who value rock-solid reliability, polished cross-platform apps and responsive live chat support. If consistent unblocking and hassle-free usability are your priorities, ExpressVPN delivers.
❌ Less ideal for: Budget shoppers, users who want open-source clients, or heavy torrent users who rely on port forwarding.
Final Verdict
Lightway is still one of the fastest VPN protocols available in 2026 — but it is not the undisputed fastest anymore. NordLynx and modern WireGuard implementations have narrowed the speed gap significantly.
ExpressVPN is not the best pick if your only goal is raw speed for the lowest price. But if you want a premium, low-fuss VPN with reliable streaming, trusted RAM-only infrastructure and excellent customer support, Lightway’s combination of speed, stability and quick reconnection makes it worth the premium cost.
Pros ✅ Ultra-fast Lightway protocol with near-instant connection handshakes ✅ TrustedServer RAM-only diskless servers ✅ Outstanding streaming unblocking for major platforms ✅ Intuitive cross-platform apps + 24/7 live chat ✅ Stable, predictable pricing with no renewal traps
Cons ❌ Expensive premium price tag ❌ Closed-source client software ❌ Only 8 simultaneous device connections ❌ No multi-hop double-VPN mode ❌ Rivals now match or beat Lightway on long-distance speeds
