ExpressVPN vs Zenmate VPN [Test Results 2022]
ZenMate VPN and ExpressVPN go head-to-head in this comparison guide as we compare their features to help you choose the right one for your online needs. Both VPN providers are market leaders in the industry and offer competitive pricing with other spectacular features.
ExpressVPN was founded in 2009 while ZenMate VPN made its entrance into the market in 2013. They share many similarities in terms of server availability, multi-platform support, and reliable customer service. Since both VPNs are great options, it would be difficult picking just one out of the two.
That is why we created this comparison guide where we place both VPNs side by side and compare their individual offerings. This comparison guide will help you pick the best value VPN for you, whether you’re looking to download content.
In this guide, we will compare both VPNs in the following categories:
- Top Selling points for each brand
- Speed tests
- Prices
- Features
- Security and Encryption
- Privacy
- Simultaneous Connections
- Customer Support
Read on through our comparison to see how each side fares.
Top Selling Points – Let’s get to know them
ExpressVPN
- Network kill switch
- High-level encryption
- Unlimited bandwidth
Standard encryption and leak protection are basic features for any VPN, but ExpressVPN does a little bit more by offering a network kill switch feature. By now, you should know that your Internet Service Provider keeps tabs on your online activity. But with VPNs, you can keep all your internet activities private.
However, when a VPN connection drops, your online activity could get leaked. ExpressVPN offers a network kill switch that stops all online activity until the connection is strong again, giving you all-around protection. ExpressVPN is basically a VPN service that cares about you.
ZenMate VPN
- 3500+ servers in 74 countries
- P2P connections available
- Compatible with multiple platforms
- 1 account for an unlimited number of devices
ZenMate VPN makes a dramatic entrance into this comparison guide by offering high-end security features and an extensive network of servers in more than 70 countries all over the globe. One feature that stands out is the number of devices you can connect to one account. You don’t have to register different accounts to connect your Windows PC, Android phone, iPhone, iPad, and macOS computer. With ZenMate VPN, you can protect all those devices using one account.
Speed Tests
Speed performance is one of the biggest factors used in determining the quality of a VPN. Free VPNs are incredibly slow, so if you’re going to spend on a VPN, it should at least, come with an upgrade.
ExpressVPN is offers fast internet speeds if you’re connecting to nearby servers, and somewhat slower if you’re connecting to other areas.
Though ExpressVPN is said to be fast, it is still looking to push its speed performance up a notch. To achieve faster speeds, it has launched the Lightway VPN protocol. This new protocol promises faster connection speeds, stronger security, and fast switching between mobile and Wi-Fi networks.
ZenMate VPN is almost just as good. You will notice fast internet speeds when connecting to servers closest to your physical location.
When it comes to which VPN comes out on top between both options, ExpressVPN takes the lead. It is twice as fast as ZenMate VPN, making it a better option.
Prices
Below is a breakdown of the current pricing plans offered by both ExpressVPN and ZenMate VPN.
ZenMate VPN Pricing
- Monthly Plan: $10.99/month
- 6 Months Plan: $5.39/month
- 18-Months Plan: $2.22/month
ExpressVPN Pricing
- Monthly Plan: $12.95/month
- 6-Month Plan: $9.99/month
- 12-Month Plan: $8.32/month
ZenMate VPN is a lower-cost service if you’re considering committing to a longer subscription plan. Its monthly plan is expensive, but it is still cheaper than ExpressVPN’s monthly subscription. ZenMate VPN offers discounted long-term plans. Its 3-year plan comes with an 85% discount and you would only have to pay $59 every three years. Its 1-year plan costs just $53.88 per year thanks to the 59% discount.
Both VPNs offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on their plans. This means you can make a payment, test the features each service has to offer, and if you’re not satisfied, you can request a refund. You will receive your initial payment, no questions asked.
Overall, ZenMate VPN performs best when it comes to pricing plans.
Features
ExpressVPN
- 99.99% uptime
- No activity logs
- 3000+ servers in 94 countries
- 5 simultaneous connections
- OpenVPN, L2TP-IPsec, SSTP, PPTP
- VPN split tunneling
ExpressVPN offers satisfying features that would meet the need of most internet users. You get high-level encryption through VPN split tunneling and AES 256-bit encryption. The service also flaunts an IP masking feature that cloaks your original IP address, making it difficult for your internet service provider (ISP) or even the government to track your whereabouts.
When it comes to servers, you will never run out of options. There are more than 3,000+ to choose from.
ZenMate VPN
- IP masking
- Compatible with major platforms
- Fast connection speeds
- Standard security
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Unlimited bandwidth
ZenMate VPN throws in IP masking, standard security, and unlimited bandwidths in the mix, which should give it an edge over ExpressVPN. That’s if the latter disappoints in these areas.
Overall, ZenMate VPN offers quite a lot with more than 3,000+ server locations in 74 countries. With such a variety of servers, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about slow speeds when opening your favorite content.
ExpressVPN floors ZenMate VPN in this category by offering better security features like VPN split tunneling, DNS, and WebRTC leak protection. While ZenMate also comes with a kill switch feature to protect your information, it still falls short in other areas.
Both VPNs offer more than 3,000 servers, but ExpressVPN has a wider reach. Overall, ExpressVPN packs the biggest features.
Security and Encryption
Going online would expose you to malware, adware, spyware, phishing sites, and several other dangers. These threats are even more serious if you hook your device onto a free public Wi-Fi. Also, there are hackers out there waiting to track and gain access to your online activities.
Reliable VPNs will give you all the privacy and security you would need while surfing online. And In this category, we’re going to compare the security features offered by ZenMate VPN and ExpressVPN.
Encryption Comparison
ExpressVPN makes use of AES 256-bit encryption to protect users’ data. Encryption refers to turning readable information into unreadable scribbles.
The type of encryption used in transforming the information will determine how easy it would be for hackers to decrypt it. AES 256-bit encryption is currently unbreakable by today’s standards. ExpressVPN also uses VPN split-tunneling to provide additional protection.
ZenMate VPN also uses AES 256-bit encryption to protect users’ data, but this security feature is only available to its desktop and mobile clients. Its browser extensions are protected by AES 128-bit encryption, which is not as secure as the former.
ExpressVPN takes the win here since it offers tougher encryption features on all its platforms.
Security Comparison
ExpressVPN security features include OpenVPN, IKEv2, PPTP, L2TP VPN protocols, and TrustedServer technology. Note that the PPTP VPN protocol is not quite secure so you should stick to other options.
TrustedServer technology is a new approach to running VPN servers that ensures user data is never written on a hard drive. This means you don’t have to worry much about breaches.
ZenMate VPN also offers impressive features. Alongside OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols, you get Identity Shield Protection. This means that ZenMate will perform monthly security checks on your email account to ensure that it hasn’t been hacked elsewhere on the net. If such has happened, you will be notified.
Both VPNs are great here, so this part of the category ends in a tie.
Leak Protection
Both VPNs offer leak protection, however, ExpressVPN does it a little bit better. You will get DNS leak protection that protects your online data and prevents leaks to your ISP.
There is also an IP address masking feature that switches your IP address and masks your tracks. Lastly, both offer a kill switch that keeps your information safe when the VPN connection drops.
Overall, ExpressVPN offers better security features you won’t get with ZenMate VPN.
Want to learn more about security? Read our ultimate guide for VPN security.
Privacy
ExpressVPN and ZenMate VPN provide high-end security features that will keep hackers out. While this is great, you also have to consider if these VPN services won’t spy on you while making use of their services.
VPN providers that track your details can sell it to third-party services, like advertisers, or give to the authorities if they are compelled to.
ExpressVPN claims that it will not track your online information, like your IP address and location, or store your online activity. This has been proven to be true.
ZenMate VPN also performs well in this category. While this VPN provider is based in Germany (which shares intelligence with other countries), it offers and follows a strict no-log policy. However, ZenMate VPN’s privacy policy is quite confusing.
The site does not specifically state that it won’t track your online activity, rather, it states that it won’t collect user activity logs. It is unclear whether ZenMate would keep connection logs when users make use of the VPN. There have been no complaints about the VPN service since it was launched, so we can say it appears safe at the moment.
Simultaneous Connections
Simultaneous connections in VPNs refer to the ability to hook up different devices to a single VPN account at the same time. This feature comes in handy if you own multiple devices or you’re looking to purchase a VPN subscription for your family and their devices.
ExpressVPN – Up 5 Devices
ExpressVPN allows you to connect up to 5 different devices with a single account and it doesn’t matter which platform these devices are on. This means that you can connect your Windows PC, macOS computer, iPhone, Android smartphone, and Linux computer to one account.
The service also offers apps for other platforms, and there are browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Microsoft Edge.
You also get apps for routers (ExpressVPN offers a custom router firmware for you to configure your router), Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. If you own Kindle Fire or Surface RT mobile device, you can browse anonymously by downloading their respective ExpressVPN apps.
ZenMate VPN – Up to 5 Devices
ZenMate VPN is available on all major platforms including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, routers, and Smart TVs. While you can connect an unlimited number of devices using a ZenMate subscription, you can only use 5 devices at the same time.
Customer Support
Everyone loves a reliable customer support system that is always at the right place at the right time, and so do we.
ExpressVPN Customer offers a live chat option and a broad FAQ section that provides solutions to the most common queries. However, ExpressVPN’s FAQ section stands out among others. The site provides troubleshooting and installation videos to guide you through.
Tutorials videos are way easier to follow than blocks of text. There is also an email support feature for less-urgent matters.
ZenMate Customer Service offers live chat support that would get your issues resolved in a few minutes, however, this is one area where ZenMate VPN flops.
There is no live chat support feature, but you do get email support and an extensive knowledge base. The email support feature is very fast considering replies usually take 24 hours with most services. With ZenMate VPN, it takes just a few hours.
An issue of concern is that ZenMate VPN outsources its email support system to Zendesk, a third-party company. This raises eyebrows as to how private users’ information will be when they use the support system.
Overall, ExpressVPN is a way better option thanks to its live support feature.
ExpressVPN vs ZanMate VPN – Which One’s Better?
We’ve come to the end of this comparison guide. If you paid attention to every category, you will agree that ExpressVPN came out on top in most aspects. Though ExpressVPN costs a lot more to use, its services outmatch that of ZenMate VPN, making it a better option for VPN users.
If you want to enjoy lightning-fast connection speeds, powerful security features, and numerous server locations, ExpressVPN is the perfect choice for you. Nonetheless, ZenMate also performs well in some areas.
Choose 2 VPN Services to Compare
