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CNET’s review gives ExpressVPN an 8.0, describing it as a strong choice for privacy and streaming after testing its speed, apps, security and access to streaming services. The review also flags high prices, renewal increases and usability concerns with the redesigned app; those findings are the reviewer’s assessment, not a new company announcement.

CNET rated ExpressVPN 8.0 in a review of its current VPN service, finding that it remains a strong option for privacy and streaming while raising concerns about its price, renewal costs and app usability. The assessment matters to people choosing a VPN because it weighs the service’s performance against the cost of keeping a subscription beyond its introductory term.

The reviewer said testing included more than 200 speed tests across macOS and Windows, checks for access to streaming services from different server locations, feature comparisons across platforms and tests for data leaks. The review also examined ExpressVPN’s privacy policy and included contact with the company by video chat and email. Based on that work, CNET described the service as a top streaming option and praised its privacy and security features. These are review findings, not a guarantee that every user will see the same speeds or streaming access.

The assessment was less favorable on value and usability. CNET said the redesigned app had some bugs and that the service’s overall usability had declined despite changes to the interface and subscription structure. The review also listed the lack of multihop connections and limited DNS-based content blocking on the Basic plan as drawbacks. Multihop routes traffic through more than one VPN server; the review did not say that its absence means the service lacks other privacy protections.

According to the supplied review details, Basic includes the VPN, 10 simultaneous connections and a limited MailGuard email-protection feature. Its listed price is $15 month to month, $75 for the first year or $84 for the first two years, with annual renewal priced at $100 per year. The review presents these figures as plan terms, while its judgment that the service is expensive is the reviewer’s evaluation. Advanced and Pro bundles add services such as password management and identity protection, but the review says this article focuses mainly on the VPN.

Streaming Performance Comes at a Premium

The review highlights a trade-off for subscribers: strong streaming performance and privacy features may appeal to people who want a single service for those uses, but the subscription price can be difficult to justify for customers seeking a lower-cost VPN. The renewal terms matter as much as the introductory price: a plan that appears cheaper at signup can cost more once the initial period ends.

ExpressVPN’s additional tools also complicate the comparison. Bundles may suit users who want email protection, password management or identity-related services alongside a VPN, but subscribers who only need encrypted VPN connections may be paying for features they do not use. The Basic tier gives customers a VPN-only starting point, though CNET still judged it expensive relative to the functionality it includes.

For readers, the score is best treated as a reviewer’s overall judgment, not a universal ranking. Streaming libraries, connection speeds and app experience can vary by location, device, network and service. The review’s findings help frame a purchase decision, but do not establish that ExpressVPN will unblock every catalog or outperform every alternative for every customer.

New Plans and Broader Privacy Tools

CNET described ExpressVPN as expanding beyond its core VPN product, with subscription bundles that include services such as ExpressKeys password management, MailGuard email protection, Identity Defender and ExpressAI. The review notes that these products are available in different combinations across Basic, Advanced and Pro plans. It does not assess each bundled tool in equal depth, so its overall VPN rating should not be read as a full evaluation of the broader package.

The plan structure also affects what customers receive. The supplied details list 10 simultaneous connections on Basic, 12 on Advanced and 14 on Pro. Advanced and Pro include additional protection and identity-related features; Pro also includes ExpressAI. CNET’s reviewer said the new structure is more consumer-friendly than the previous arrangement in some respects, while arguing that the prices and included features do not deliver better value overall.

The review places ExpressVPN in a crowded market where other services may charge less or include different features. It compares renewal prices with several competitors, but those prices and plan features can change, and the source material does not provide a date for that comparison. The lasting point is the distinction between introductory pricing and renewal pricing, which shoppers should check before choosing a term.

“ExpressVPN is still also the top VPN for streaming.”

— CNET reviewer

Streaming Access and App Fixes

The supplied material does not identify the specific streaming platforms, titles, test dates or server locations used in each access test. It therefore cannot establish which catalogs are currently accessible, or how long any access result will last. Streaming services can change their detection systems, and results can differ across regions and accounts.

The review reports that the new app was “a little buggy” but does not specify which operating systems, app versions or functions were affected, how frequently the problems occurred, or whether ExpressVPN has since issued fixes. The source also does not include a company response addressing the usability criticism. The test findings describe the reviewer’s experience and should not be treated as a finding that all users will encounter the same problems.

Pricing and plan details in the supplied material may also change. It does not say whether the quoted rates apply in every country, or whether taxes, promotions or other terms affect the final charge. Readers should confirm the current price, renewal date, included features and refund terms before subscribing.

Check Current Terms Before Subscribing

The review does not announce a specific upcoming ExpressVPN product release, app fix or pricing change. For now, prospective customers can compare the current Basic, Advanced and Pro terms, check when introductory pricing ends and decide whether bundled tools justify the higher tiers. CNET’s supplied details list a 30-day money-back guarantee; customers should review the applicable conditions directly before relying on it.

For an individual decision, the practical next step is to test the service on the devices and networks that matter, confirm the desired streaming services are available in the relevant region and check the renewal charge before payment. Any later update to the app, subscription prices or streaming access could change the balance described in the review, but no such change is confirmed in the material provided.

Key Questions

What did CNET conclude about ExpressVPN in 2026?

CNET gave the service an 8.0 rating, praising privacy and streaming performance while criticizing its price, renewal costs and aspects of app usability. This is the reviewer’s assessment, not a guarantee of results for every user.

Does the review say ExpressVPN works with every streaming service?

No. It says the reviewer tested access to streaming content from different server locations and rated ExpressVPN highly for streaming. The supplied material does not name every service or confirm that access will remain available.

How much does ExpressVPN Basic cost?

The supplied review details list Basic at $15 per month, $75 for the first year or $84 for the first two years. The annual and two-year options are listed as renewing at $100 per year; confirm current terms before subscribing.

What features are included beyond the VPN?

The supplied plan details list MailGuard on Basic, with more features on higher tiers, including ExpressKeys and identity-protection services. ExpressAI is listed as part of Pro. The review focuses primarily on the VPN rather than providing a full assessment of every bundle feature.

What issues did the reviewer report?

CNET described the redesigned app as somewhat buggy and said usability had declined. The supplied material does not identify the affected functions or say whether later updates addressed the reported problems.

Source: CNET