In this main segment of this ExpressVPN vs. VPN Unlimited comparison review, we have compared the two providers based on the important aspects considered when choosing a VPN. Without further ado, let's get into it.
ExpressVPN vs. VPN Unlimited; which is the best VPN provider? ExpressVPN is the best choice as it offers excellent security, has a robust server network, and decent speeds. It is also reliable when it comes to content access. But you can’t still rule out KeepSolid VPN Unlimited as it has its advantages.
ExpressVPN and KeepSolid VPN Unlimited are two household names in the VPN industry. They both offer excellent security and have several other similarities. However, there are profound differences that should inform your purchase decision. So, what’s the difference between ExpressVPN and Unlimited VPN?
The difference between ExpressVPN and Keepsolid VPN Unlimited is the protocols supported, privacy, speed, and performance. ExpressVPN is a more robust VPN that works with 8 protocols, offers fast speeds, guarantees privacy and confidentiality as it’s in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction, and has a credible no-log policy. On the other hand, Keepsolid VPN works with 6 protocols, is slower, and doesn’t guarantee privacy and confidentiality as it’s not in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction and keeps logs. Moreover, it is not as reliable as ExpressVPN when it comes to content access.
Keep it right here for more regarding how the two stack up against each other.
Established in 2009 by ExpressVPN International Ltd., ExpressVPN is among the best VPN brands. Today, it is part of the companies owned by Kape Technologies.
This cybersecurity firm owns and operates several other top VPN brands, including CyberGhost, ZenMate, and Private Internet Access (PIA). With over 3 million users, ExpressVPN has been recommended by top cybersecurity experts and has bagged several top awards.
We scoured through Reddit VPN threads and other top publications, and we are glad ExpressVPN has good reviews save for a few complaints here and there.
At the time of writing, ExpressVPN commands a Trustpilot Trustscore of 4.7/5 after over 13,000 reviews which is very impressive.
VPN Unlimited, on the other hand, was established in 2013. The company is owned by KeepSolid, a renowned firm in cybersecurity software and internet protection solutions, including Passwarden, MonoDefense, Private Browser, Goals, and DNS Firewall.
VPN Unlimited is also an award-winning company that won the Editor’s Choice Award by PCMag in 2016 and is recommended by cybersecurity experts for its solid security.
Here again, we checked the top VPN threads on Reddit and other platforms, and we are glad it is also a trusted brand by consumers.
At the time of writing, KeepSolid VPN Unlimited has a Trustpilot Trustscore of 4.3/5 after over 800 reviews, so it is safe to say it is a trusted brand, though it’s not at par with ExpressVPN.
ExpressVPN is a versatile VPN that works with multiple devices. There are apps for several PC platforms, including Windows, Linux, Chromebook, and macOS, alongside browser extensions for Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, and Mozilla Firefox.
ExpressVPN is also a mobile VPN that works with Android and iOS devices. Besides PC and mobile protection, you can connect routers, Smart TVs, Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Nvidia Shield, Chromecast, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo Switch, among other devices.
Unfortunately, ExpressVPN allows a maximum of 5 simultaneous connections. However, you can always extend protection for other devices via an already-connected router.
KeepSolid VPN Unlimited is also an all-rounder that works with several devices. The VPN has apps for PCs, including macOS, Linux, and Windows, alongside browser extensions for Chrome, Opera, Edge, and Firefox. There are also apps for mobile devices running on Windows, iOS, and Android.
VPN Unlimited also works with routers and NAS via manual configuration. Other devices this VPN is compatible with include Apple TV, Smart TVs, Amazon Fire Stick, Chromecast, Kodi, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo, etc.
As for the allowed simultaneous connections, KeepSolid allows a maximum of 5 simultaneous connections, but you can always add more devices via an already-connected router. For the record, KeepSolid has an exclusive Lifetime deal that allows for unlimited connections.
ExpressVPN has excellent usability. Getting started is pretty straightforward.
The first step is to click the Get ExpressVPN button redirecting to the plans page. Once on the plans page, select a preferred plan, enter payment information and email and complete the order.
The next step will be creating an account and downloading the ExpressVPN app. Lastly, login, and you are all set. The user interface is clean, so you won’t struggle to find your way around.
KeepSolid VPN Unlimited is also user-friendly.
To get started, click the Get Started button redirecting to the plans page, where you need to select a preferred plan.
In the next step, enter your email address and add a payment method before completing the order. The last step is creating an account, downloading the software, and logging in. KeepSolid also has an intuitive interface with a pretty clear navigation and menu.
| Encryption | AES 256-bit encryption |
| Keys & Authentication | RSA-4096 keys and SHA-512 hashing |
ExpressVPN has left nothing to chance when it comes to encryption as it deploys banking-grade 256-bit encryption to secure your traffic. AES 256-bit is so secure that it would take millions of years to break into systems secured using this encryption. RSA-4096 keys and SHA-512 hashing authentication back up AES 256-bit encryption.
| Encryption | AES 256-bit encryption |
| Keys & Authentication | RSA-4096 keys and 3DES |
KeepSolid is also a highly secure VPN that uses AES 256-bit technology to encrypt all traffic sent via the VPN, thus guaranteeing that it’s only you who sees your data; no 3rd parties or prying eyes. RSA-4096 keys and 3DES for authentication further beef up security. As far as encryption is concerned, VPN Unlimited is at par with ExpressVPN.
| Protocol | Supported |
| PPTP | |
| SSTP | |
| L2TP | |
| IKEv2 | |
| OpenVPN | |
| WireGuard | |
| IPSec | |
| Lightway |
One of the best features of ExpressVPN is the support for multiple protocols. So far, it works with 8 protocols; PPTP, SSTP, L2TP, IKEv2, OpenVPN, WireGuard, IPSec, and Lightway. PPTP, SSTP, and L2TP are quite old-school, but IKEv2 is still a popular protocol known for stable and reliable connections. Another protocol is OpenVPN, an open-source tunneling method regarded as the industry standard. There’s also WireGuard which offers relatively faster speeds and security and handles network changes better. Lightway, on the other hand, is ExpressVPN’s in-house protocol. Lightway offers the same security and reliability as WireGuard and improves privacy, obfuscation, and TCP support.
| Protocol | Supported |
| L2TP | |
| IKEv2 | |
| OpenVPN | |
| WireGuard | |
| IPSec | |
| KeepSolid Wise |
KeepSolid VPN is also well-endowed when it comes to the supported protocols, as it works with 6 protocols; L2TP, IPSec, IKEv2, OpenVPN, WireGuard, and KeepSolid Wise. L2TP and IPSec are for Windows Mobile and older OS versions, respectively. For stable connections and reliability IKEv2 works best, while OpenVPN suffices for those who want uptight security and easy configuration. For faster speeds and security, there’s WireGuard. Just like ExpressVPN, KeepSolid also has a proprietary protocol. Dubbed KeepSolid Wise, this is a stealth protocol, basically modified OpenVPN with support for UDP and TCP to bypass firewalls such as the Great Firewall of China. This is what makes KeepSolid VPN Unlimited a good VPN for China.
| Feature | Support |
| IP, WebRTC, and DNS Leak Protection | |
| Network Kill Switch | |
| Split Tunneling | |
| Extras | Encrypted Private DNS, Password Manager |
Regarding security extras, ExpressVPN comes with IP, WebRTC, and DNS Leak Protection, ensuring your DNS and IP don’t leak. The VPN also features a network kill switch which comes in handy when the VPN connection drops. It immediately drops the internet connection preventing your traffic from leaking.
Another security feature is Split Tunneling which lets you decide apps whose traffic can be routed directly to the internet resource and apps whose traffic should be transmitted via the VPN.
Another security extra worth mentioning is Encrypted Private DNS which enhances the security of your DNS queries. To secure your passwords, ExpressVPN has added a user-friendly password manager.
| Feature | Support |
| WebRTC/DNS/IP Leak Protection | |
| Network Kill Switch | |
| Split Tunneling | |
| Extras | Personal VPN Server, Personal Static IP Address, Passwarden, SmartDNS, DNS Firewall, Private Browser |
KeepSolid VPN is equally packed when it comes to security extras. It also features WebRTC/DNS/IP Leak Protection and has a DNS and IP Leak test tool, so you can always check if your DNS queries or IP is leaking. The VPN also comes with a network kill switch that shuts down your internet connection immediately after the VPN connection drops inadvertently.
Another feature is Split Tunneling which allows you to have two connections; one via the VPN and another that connects directly to the internet. Unfortunately, this feature is available on Android only.
There are several other advanced extras, for example, a Personal VPN Server, Personal Static IP Address, Passwarden, SmartDNS, DNS Firewall, and Private Browser. However, some of these advanced features are not part of the VPN plan, so you have to pay for them.
ExpressVPN is based in one of the most privacy-friendly jurisdictions, the British Virgin Islands (BVI). The BVI is not part of any surveillance organizations. Importantly, it doesn’t have any mandatory data retention laws.
On the other hand, KeepSolid is based in the United States, a founding member of the 5-Eyes alliance. Even though there are no mandatory data retention laws, the government can ask ISPs to store users’ data for up to 180 days when necessary, so this should make you wary of your privacy.
| Keeps Logs | |
| Audited Log Policy | |
| Credibility | Credible |
ExpressVPN is a genuine no-log VPN as it doesn’t log any users’ data, particularly personally identifiable information, including real/assigned IP, session duration, data usage, browsing activity, or DNS queries. Even though the company’s no log policy has not been audited, you can be sure it doesn’t log your data as it deploys RAM-only servers, which wipe all data after every reboot, and moreso, it has encrypted DNS on every VPN server, enhancing privacy.
| Keeps Logs | |
| Audited Log Policy | |
| Credibility | Not Credible |
On the other hand, KeepSolid VPN is also marketed as a no-log VPN, but there are a few things that should worry you. The truth of the matter is that it logs some data, including your IP address, country, device ID, web traffic amount, and session dates. To add, it is based in the United States, a country that can request ISPs to log data for up to 180 days. Furthermore, it doesn’t have RAM-only servers and has not yet been audited.
| Number of Servers | 3,000+ |
| Distribution | 160 locations in the Americas, Oceania, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa |
| Physical Servers | |
| Virtual Servers |
ExpressVPN operates a wide server network of 3,000+ highly specialized servers. All the servers are RAM-only servers (TrustedServer Technology) and include virtual and physical servers.
They are spread in 94 countries at over 160 locations in the Americas, Oceania, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.
These servers boast top-of-the-line hardware for smooth performance and reliability. As mentioned above, all the servers have private DNS for added security and privacy.
Regarding speed, 70% of the servers have 10Gbps ports for enhanced speeds. What’s more? A Smart Location feature suggests the fastest servers based on your location.
| Number of Servers | 3,000+ |
| Distribution | 50 countries in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific |
| Physical Servers | |
| Virtual Servers |
Regarding server network and distribution, KeepSolid is also a great choice.
It operates over 3000+ super-fast servers in over 50 countries and 80 top locations in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Pacific.
These servers boast state-of-the-art hardware for optimal performance and reliability. There are physical and virtual servers specialized for speeds, streaming, and safe torrenting.
Worth mentioning is the Optimal Server feature that chooses for you the best server and the Favorite Location feature that lets you save your favorite servers.
| Streaming Sites Unblocked | Netflix, Hulu, Apple TV, DAZN, BBC |
| Torrenting | |
| Gaming |
ExpressVPN is among the best VPNs for streaming. In our tests, it performed exceptionally, unblocking all the major streaming sites with geo-blocked content. We managed to access several Netflix libraries, including the US, UK, Japan, and Canada. It also unblocked Hulu, Apple TV, DAZN, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and YouTube, among other platforms. When it comes to torrenting, it is also exceptional. We launched several torrenting sessions and got our files in record time without bandwidth throttling. All the servers are P2P-friendly. When it comes to gaming, it is also up to the task as it has fast speeds and low latency. The pings averaged 21ms when playing Call of Duty. It is also secure enough to protect consoles from DDoS attacks and allows gamers to access geo-restricted gaming content and discounts.
| Streaming Sites Unblocked | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+ |
| Torrenting | Yes (5 Servers) |
| Gaming |
KeepSolid is also a reliable VPN for streaming, but it can’t match ExpressVPN. In our tests, it unblocked Netflix libraries, including Netflix US, Canada, UK, and Germany. It also unblocked Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+. However, for some reason, we were not able to unblock DAZN. One thing to mention is that VPN Unlimited comes with Smart DNS, but then it has to be purchased separately as an add-on. On torrenting, it is also up to the task only that it limits users greatly in that you can safely torrent on just 5 servers in Europe and North America. The servers are quite congested so expect huge speed drops. Last on gaming, VPN Unlimited is secure enough to protect gamers from DDoS attacks and other threats. It’s also possible to access geo-restricted gaming content, but on performance, the speeds are wanting, and so is latency as pings shot up to 35ms.
ExpressVPN has a robust customer support infrastructure, multichannel support for that matter. The best option is the 24/7 live chat that offers immediate feedback.
Besides live chat, you can reach the provider via an email ticketing system, though feedback may take time.
Other options to explore include guides, tutorials, and a detailed FAQ section with answers to the common questions users ask.
KeepSolid also understands the essence of customer support. The company also has multichannel support, with live chat as the best.
However, it is not available 24/7, as illustrated in the image below. At one point, we got instant feedback, but a few hours later, no agent was available.
Other support channels include extensive FAQs, troubleshooting guides, and manuals.
Unfortunately, there is no ExpressVPN free version or free trial. However, you can take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee just in case you feel it isn’t the right service for you.
Regarding the paid plans, there are 3; a 1-month plan for $12.95 a month, a 6-months plan for $9.99 billed every 6 months, and an annual plan for $8.32 billed annually. The available payment plans include Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, Discover, UnionPay, JCB, PayPal, QIWI, GiroPay, iDEAL, and Sofort Banking.
The company also accepts crypto payments such as Bitcoin for under-the-radar payments.
KeepSolid VPN doesn’t have a free trial but is generous enough to offer a 7-day free trial and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
There are 3 paid plans; a 1-month plan for $9.99 a month, a 12-months plan for $5.00 billed every year, and a Lifetime plan for $99.99.
The available payment methods include debit ad credit cards, Bitpay, and PayPal.
That’s the end of this ExpressVPN vs. VPN Unlimited comparison review. So, what’s the best VPN provider to go for? Well, Keepsolid VPN offers excellent online security and decent speeds. However, it can’t match ExpressVPN as ExpressVPN is faster and offers excellent security and privacy. Besides, it is reliable in unblocking streaming sites and supports torrenting without server restrictions. What’s more, it’s the best VPN for gaming and works in China reliably.