Proton VPN (founded 2014, Switzerland, majority-owned by the non-profit Proton Foundation) has fully open-source apps and has completed consecutive annual independent no-logs audits. ExpressVPN (founded 2009, British Virgin Islands, owned by Kape Technologies) runs RAM-only TrustedServer infrastructure and has had its no-logs policy audited by KPMG and Cure53 across multiple engagements. Neither is a universal winner — the right choice depends on whether non-profit ownership, open-source transparency, and a free plan outweigh an extensive audit history and a distinctive server architecture.
VPN comparison
Proton VPN vs ExpressVPN: An Honest Comparison
By Editorial Team · Last updated 25 June 2026
Proton VPN vs ExpressVPN: the verified facts
| VPN | Trust & certifications | pricing | money-back | Actions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Proton VPN Since 2014 | Open-source apps + independent no-logs audits | — | — | |
| ExpressVPN Since 2009 | Independent no-logs audits (KPMG, Cure53, PwC) | — | — |
Proton VPN Since 2014
- Trust & certifications
- Open-source apps + independent no-logs audits
- pricing
- —
- money-back
- —
ExpressVPN Since 2009
- Trust & certifications
- Independent no-logs audits (KPMG, Cure53, PwC)
- pricing
- —
- money-back
- —
Only fields we can verify (certifications, confirmed specs, launch year) are shown.
How do they compare on the facts?
Proton VPN was founded in 2014 and is headquartered in Switzerland, outside the 5/9/14 Eyes alliances and with strong statutory privacy protections. The majority owner is the Proton Foundation, a non-profit entity — a structural distinction that gives the company less commercial pressure than a VC-backed or corporate-group-owned provider. All Proton VPN apps are 100% open-source across all major platforms. The service has completed five consecutive annual independent no-logs audits, an unusual consistency record in the industry. It also offers an audited free plan that does not monetise user data, making it one of the few credible free VPN options.
ExpressVPN was founded in 2009 and is registered in the British Virgin Islands, outside the 5/9/14 Eyes alliances. It is owned by Kape Technologies, a UK-listed company that also owns CyberGhost and Private Internet Access. ExpressVPN's most distinctive technical feature is its RAM-only TrustedServer architecture, which means session data cannot persist across a reboot — a meaningful infrastructure commitment. Its no-logs claims have been independently audited by PwC, KPMG (twice), and its TrustedServer infrastructure by Cure53, building a multi-firm audit history across several years.
Who suits whom?
Proton VPN suits readers who weight structural transparency, non-profit ownership, and open-source verifiability most heavily. The Proton Foundation's majority ownership means the company's incentive structure is aligned with user privacy rather than shareholder returns — a meaningful structural point. Five consecutive annual audits is a consistency record that few providers match. The audited free plan is a genuine differentiator: you can start with zero cost, test the product, and upgrade only if you need more locations. Switzerland's legal framework adds a strong jurisdictional layer. Proton VPN is also the only provider in this comparison with apps that are fully open-source across all platforms.
ExpressVPN suits readers who weight a distinctive RAM-only server architecture and a long multi-firm audit history. The TrustedServer model — audited by Cure53 — is a meaningful technical commitment that CyberGhost's NoSpy servers share but that Proton VPN does not specifically implement. Four independent audit engagements across PwC, KPMG, and Cure53 give a broader firm diversity than Proton VPN's annual-single-firm model. If the British Virgin Islands jurisdiction and the Kape Technologies ownership are acceptable to you, ExpressVPN's technical architecture is distinctive. Consider that Kape also owns CyberGhost and PIA — worth weighing if concentrated ownership is a concern.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, Proton VPN or ExpressVPN?
Neither is objectively better — they make different structural bets. Proton VPN offers non-profit ownership, a non-profit Foundation majority shareholder, five consecutive annual no-logs audits, fully open-source apps, and an audited free plan, all from Switzerland. ExpressVPN offers RAM-only TrustedServer infrastructure (audited by Cure53), multi-firm no-logs audits (PwC, KPMG), and a BVI jurisdiction — under Kape Technologies ownership. If open-source transparency and non-profit structure matter most, Proton VPN. If RAM-only architecture and long multi-firm audit history are priorities, ExpressVPN.
Does Proton VPN have a free plan?
Yes. Proton VPN offers an audited free plan that does not monetise user data or inject ads — it caps the number of available server locations rather than selling your traffic. The free plan has been independently audited alongside the paid plans. ExpressVPN does not offer a free tier. If cost is a deciding factor, Proton VPN's free plan is among the most credible options in the category.
Is ExpressVPN's TrustedServer model audited?
Yes. ExpressVPN's TrustedServer RAM-only infrastructure has been audited by Cure53. The no-logs policy itself has also been independently audited by PwC and KPMG across multiple engagements. Each audit is point-in-time, so check the date and scope of the latest reports on ExpressVPN's own site.
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