Here’s our updated VPN rankings for May 17th, 2023.
Every six months, our VPN rankings undergo evaluation. We consider new features, speed, connections, app usability, and pricing of top VPN services. If needed, adjustments are made to our top 3 list.
Testing is carried out on Fire TV and Android TV devices, focusing on systems popular among TROYPOINT fans and cord-cutters who visit the site.
In the latest VPN ranking update, there has been a change made.
ExpressVPN has been moved to the #2 spot due to the introduction of a new Threat Manager feature, an effective kill switch on Fire TV/Android TV devices, successful Netflix geo-location unblocking, and the introduction of a dedicated router, Aircove Wi-Fi 6 Router.
Our ranking methodology is simple — VPN companies that innovate and introduce valuable features move up. We also factor in pricing to help users make informed VPN purchase decisions.
ExpressVPN Surges to #2 TROYPOINT VPN Ranking
Here are the reasons behind moving ExpressVPN to the #2 position.
Threat Manager
ExpressVPN introduced Threat Manager, a new feature since the last VPN Rankings update in late summer.
Threat Manager blocks communication of apps/webpages with known tracking/malicious entities, offering enhanced online privacy control.
It restricts device communication with servers on ExpressVPN’s blocklist, updated regularly in each new app version, to prevent tracking or malicious activities.
Working Kill Switch on Fire TV & Android TV Devices
Effective VPN kill switch functionality is crucial, terminating the device’s internet connection if the VPN disconnects.
ExpressVPN stands out by successfully implementing a kill switch on Fire TV and Android TV systems.
While apps like VPN Monitor Dot can indicate VPN connection status, they aren’t foolproof, as IP address exposure can happen quickly once VPN disconnects.
Netflix Geo-Location Unblocking Now Working
Previously, ExpressVPN faced challenges with unblocking Netflix catalogs across different regions.
Recent tests confirm that ExpressVPN now successfully unblocks Netflix content.
Switching countries on the VPN can expand Netflix content options significantly, as different regions offer diverse shows and movies.
Additionally, Netflix supports other streaming services to access more media options.
ExpressVPN Aircove Wi-Fi 6 Router
ExpressVPN introduced a dedicated VPN router offering protection for all connected devices, a unique feature among VPN providers.
One downfall of ExpressVPN is that they only allow their service to be used on five different devices. Their Aircove VPN Router counts as only one device. Yet, all of the devices in your home could be connected to it and therefore protected with one account.
Don’t want to buy the Aircove Router but want to use their firmware on an existing one? You can do that too! ExpressVPN offers firmware for popular routers such as Asus, Netgear, and Linksys. You can find the exact router models that their firmware supports on the official ExpressVPN Website.
Get ExpressVPN + 3 Free Months
Surfshark VPN Remains at #1
When it comes to available features, both Surfshark and ExpressVPN are pretty much neck and neck.
Surfshark includes one feature that I really miss in ExpressVPN, and that’s ad blocking. Surfshark’s ad blocking strips advertisements from popular APKs, free streaming sites, and many ad-supported apps on phones and tablets. I love it!
There are still two main reasons why Surfshark edges out ExpressVPN and is still crowned the champion in our VPN rankings: unlimited devices and price!
Unlimited Devices
Surfshark VPN customers can use their service on unlimited devices when at home or on the road. One Surfshark account will cover all family members and all of their Internet-connected devices!
This will always be a big determining factor when ranking these VPN services due to the numerous Internet-connected devices that we all use on a daily basis. Yes, it’s nice that ExpressVPN customers can use the new Aircove VPN Router and count as only one connection, but that’s an additional $189.
Price
ExpressVPN has always been priced more than most other VPN services. Its loyal fans will tell you that you get what you pay for.
Here are both the introductory and regular prices for both ExpressVPN and Surfshark long-term plans which provide the most savings.
Surfshark VPN Pricing
$83.76 for 26 months, then $79.00 annually (plus tax).
Get Surfshark 82% Discount + 2 Free Months
ExpressVPN Pricing
$99.95 for 15 months, then $99.95 annually (plus tax).
Get ExpressVPN + 3 Free Months
What About IPVanish VPN?
IPVanish VPN slips to the #3 position.
Although it’s still a great VPN, we haven’t seen any notable new features or enhancements in a very long time.
Their last feature release was the VPN Status Indicator for Fire TV/Android TV devices. This functions similarly to the VPN Safety Dot that I mentioned earlier, displaying an indicator notifying you if your VPN is connected or not. I would rather see a working kill switch on Fire TV/Android TV systems due to the reasons mentioned earlier. Their new VPN Status Indicator seems like a band-aid applied to a problem that they don’t know how to fix.
IPVanish serves as a great VPN for people who don’t need added features such as ad/malware blocking and unblocking streaming services that impose geo-restrictions like Netflix. IPVanish is a basic VPN that encrypts your connection to the Internet and assigns an anonymous IP Address.
Many people have questioned our demotion of IPVanish in the past due to the fact that they were our #1 ranked VPN for over five years. We’re not going to keep a service in the #1 position just because they held that spot for a long period of time. We will gladly move them up the rankings if they can deal with their current shortcomings and provide a better product than Surfshark and ExpressVPN. We are honest with our fans and provide an accurate VPN ranking system unlike many cord-cutting sites out there.
We hope to see some major enhancements to IPVanish VPN in the future and will gladly report on them if and when they arrive.
TROYPOINT VPN Rankings with Notable Pros & Cons
#1 Surfshark VPN
Notable Pros
- Zero logs
- Encryption + anonymous IP address
- Inexpensive
- Use on unlimited devices when at home or away
- Working kill switch on Fire TV / Android TV
- Beautiful user interface
- Fast download/upload speeds
Gets around most streaming service geo-blocks such as Netflix.
Clean Web feature with ad-blocking, and multi-hop VPN technology.
Notable Cons
- Some network incompatibilities with IPv6
#2 ExpressVPN
Notable Pros
- Zero logs
- Encryption + anonymous IP address
- Fast download/upload speeds
Working kill switch on Fire TV / Android TV, Threat Manager, gets around most streaming service geo-blocks such as Netflix.
New Aircove VPN Router (separate purchase), and ExpressVPN firmware available for certain router models.
Notable Cons
- High price
- 5 Device Max
- No ad blocker
#3 IPVanish VPN
Notable Pros
- Zero logs
- Encryption + anonymous IP address
- Inexpensive
- Use on unlimited devices when at home or away
- Fast download/upload speeds
SOCKS5 Proxy Support for downloading/uploading torrents.
Notable Cons
- Can’t get around some streaming service geo-blocks such as Netflix
No working kill switch on Fire TV/Android TV systems, and no ad/malware blocker.
Summary
All three of the above VPN services perform exceptionally well but they all have their pros and cons as I’ve listed. We always try to drive home the fact that some VPNs work better than others depending on outside factors such as Internet service provider, network, equipment, etc. Also, everyone has different use cases for a VPN service. One size definitely doesn’t fit all when it comes to choosing the right VPN! All of our top 3 VPNs provide a 30-day money-back guarantee. If one of them doesn’t satisfy your needs, simply ask for a refund and try a different one. Please don’t complain that you got ripped off and one of the services doesn’t meet your standards. Take advantage of their money-back guarantees and move onto a different VPN that works for you! We will continually evaluate the best VPN services on the market and in-turn update our VPN rankings when we see fit.