Quick verdict: Start with Basic if you need the core VPN, and pay more only for an extra you will use. Compare the upfront total, months covered and annual renewal before choosing a tier. A low advertised monthly equivalent can require a long initial commitment; there is no verified lifetime plan in the current lineup.
A useful price comparison starts with the amount charged today and the cost of the next term. The breakdown below keeps the introductory offer, renewal and tier-specific benefits separate so you can choose only what you need.
Current ExpressVPN price: initial charge and renewal
The official US-dollar plan page checked 5 October 2026 lists the following long-term offers. These are dated examples, not a promise about every country, device or promotional landing page. Tax may be additional.
Scroll horizontally to see all columns.
| Tier | Initial 28-month charge | Introductory monthly equivalent | Listed annual renewal | Concurrent devices |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $83.72 | $2.99 | $99.95 | 10 |
| Advanced | $125.72 | $4.49 | $119.95 | 12 |
| Pro | $209.72 | $7.49 | $199.95 | 14 |
The table concerns the current 28-month offer. A monthly subscription or annual first term is a separate offer; do not reuse the long-term monthly equivalent as its actual bill. A country-specific checkout may display a different currency or promotion. The payment screen’s full initial charge and renewal terms determine the purchase.
How to calculate the real cost
For Basic, $83.72 ÷ 28 = $2.99 per month during the first term. The listed $99.95 renewal covers 12 months, so its monthly equivalent is about $8.33. The equivalent monthly cost therefore rises at renewal even though the next single payment is smaller than two years of service. Comparing only the headline “per month” misses that change.
If you keep Basic through the first renewal, the stated example is $83.72 + $99.95 = $183.67 for 40 months before tax, or about $4.59 per month averaged over that period. This is a budgeting calculation using the listed terms, not a locked future price. Advanced’s first term costs $42 more than Basic; Pro costs $126 more. Ask whether the extra features are useful enough to justify that difference.
- Read the currency and tax line, not just a converted search-result price.
- Check whether free promotional months are included in the advertised duration.
- Record the renewal date and billing period. A 28-month introductory term can renew annually.
- Keep the order confirmation and review how to disable automatic renewal before the next charge.
Which tier is worth paying for?
The simultaneous-connection limits are 10, 12 and 14 for Basic, Advanced and Pro respectively. Start by counting devices that will actually connect at the same time. A compatible VPN router counts as one connection, but router compatibility and devices away from home still matter.
Basic provides the core VPN with Lite blocking features. Advanced and Pro include tracker blocking according to the current feature description. Dedicated IP is a separate add-on for Basic and Advanced and included with Pro on the pricing page. A fixed IP can be helpful for a particular access requirement, but it should not be bought simply because it sounds more private.
I would choose Basic unless a named extra solves a real problem. Bundles can look economical when every included service is valued at its standalone price, but that arithmetic is meaningless if you would never buy those services. The full ExpressVPN review covers the practical trade-offs.
Discounts, coupons and lifetime offers
Compare the site’s current official offer with any existing renewal quote. An introductory discount for a new account does not establish that the same discount applies to a returning customer. I do not recommend paying a third party for a supposed lifetime subscription or trusting an unverified coupon-code list. The current Basic/Advanced/Pro pricing page is the reference for actual available terms.
Avoid buying a longer subscription just to make a monthly equivalent smaller. If you need a VPN for one short trip, the flexibility of a shorter plan may outweigh its higher monthly price. If you are comparing providers, put the same duration, device requirement and renewal horizon side by side. See the VPN buyer guide for alternatives.
A refund window is not a free trial
An eligible website subscription is billed upfront and may qualify for the 30-day money-back guarantee. The mobile app-store trial has its own duration and billing conditions; it does not convert a paid website purchase into free access. Check store rules before subscribing there. Disabling renewal does not itself request a refund.
Before paying, confirm the full total, the term, the renewal amount, the refund eligibility and the cancellation route. That short check gives a more useful answer to “Is ExpressVPN expensive?” than a discount percentage. Our trial and cancellation guide explains the two routes.
Frequently asked questions
What is the current subscription price for ExpressVPN?
The US-dollar 28-month offer checked5 October2026 lists Basic at $83.72, Advanced at $125.72 and Pro at $209.72 before applicable tax. Monthly and annual first-term offers are separate; verify your local checkout.
Is $2.99 paid every month?
No. It is Basic’s introductory monthly equivalent: $83.72 divided by 28 months. That offer requires the stated upfront payment.
How much is the Basic renewal?
The inspected US-dollar page lists $99.95 per year, approximately $8.33 per month. This differs from the introductory term and can change; check the renewal terms at purchase.
Are there discounts for existing customers?
A new-customer promotion does not establish an existing-customer discount. Compare the actual renewal quote and any eligible official offer before extending service.
Is there an ExpressVPN lifetime subscription?
No verified lifetime plan appears in the current Basic, Advanced and Pro lineup. Do not rely on third-party lifetime claims.
Does cancelling renewal request a refund?
No. Stopping renewal and requesting an eligible refund are separate steps. Website and app-store purchases have different billing processes.
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Stuart Kerr Spindlow is Impulsec’s Publisher, Chief Editor and Lead Reviewer. He writes and maintains coverage of consumer cybersecurity and digital-safety software, with a focus on practical suitability, limitations and the evidence behind product claims. Read Stuart’s full profile.