ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is the premium option, priced accordingly, and it justifies that on speed, reliability and a router app nobody else has matched.

What it does well

Consistency. Connections establish quickly, stay up, and deliver similar speeds across distant servers rather than falling apart outside your region. The Lightway protocol is genuinely fast and reconnects cleanly when a mobile network drops.

The router firmware is the real differentiator: protect every device on the network, including ones that cannot run a VPN app, without a per-device install.

What it costs

Roughly $8 to $13 a month depending on term, which is two to four times what Surfshark charges. There is no meaningful discount that closes that gap. Servers cover 105 countries and all plans are identical, so there is no tier confusion.

Where it falls short

The price, plainly. For most people the extra spend buys reliability they would not notice against a competent cheaper rival. Device limits are lower than Surfshark's unlimited. There is no free trial on desktop, only a money-back window.

Ownership by Kape Technologies has drawn scrutiny given Kape's history, and that is a reasonable thing to weigh.

Who it's for

Frequent travellers, people in heavily restricted regions, and anyone who wants a VPN on their router. If cost is a factor at all, the cheaper options are close enough that the premium is hard to defend.