ExpressVPN alternatives
Killing $4.99-12.95/mo (~$60/yr) — here are 3 verified escapes, honest trade-offs included.
Roll your own VPN on a $5 VPS for personal devices.
you stop paying $4.99-12.95/mo → keep ~$60/yr
head-to-head
| ExpressVPN | WireGuard (self-hosted) | |
|---|---|---|
| price | $4.99-12.95/mo | Free |
| self-hostable | no | yes |
| license | proprietary | GPL-2.0-only |
| verified | — | 2026-08 |
| migration | — | hard effort |
free & open source (1)
Roll your own VPN on a $5 VPS for personal devices.
trade-offs: You manage keys/server · IP tied to your VPS provider
cheaper, but not open source (2)
Flat pricing, anonymous accounts, audited no-logs — the privacy purist pick.
trade-offs: No streaming-optimized servers
Swiss no-logs VPN with unlimited free data tier.
trade-offs: Free tier: few locations, no P2P
faq
What is the best free alternative to ExpressVPN?
WireGuard (self-hosted) is the top free option — Roll your own VPN on a $5 VPS for personal devices.
How much can I save by switching from ExpressVPN?
ExpressVPN costs $4.99-12.95/mo, so switching to a free alternative saves roughly $60/year per seat.
Can ExpressVPN be self-hosted?
Yes — WireGuard (self-hosted) can be self-hosted for free.