Build my stack
Free ExpressVPN alternatives
Every pick starts with a genuine free tier, which makes it the easiest way to test a full workflow for zero dollars. Start free and upgrade only when it earns it.
What is the best free alternative to ExpressVPN?
Bitwarden is the free ExpressVPN alternative we recommend first. Unlike ExpressVPN, Bitwarden ships a genuine free tier, so you can start without a card and only pay once it earns it. It scores 4.7 in our testing, and at $0.83/mo it keeps the monthly bill reasonable. See the full ranked list below to compare every pick.
4 free alternatives worth your time
Bitwarden
4.7 out of 54.7Open-source password management, free forever.
Unlike ExpressVPN, Bitwarden ships a genuine free tier, so you can start without a card and only pay once it earns it.
- Open-source codebase with full transparency; anyone can audit the code
- Genuinely unlimited free tier with unlimited devices and item storage
Proton VPN
4.6 out of 54.6Open-source Swiss VPN with a genuinely useful free plan, five straight years of no-logs audits, and 20,000-plus RAM-only servers.
Unlike ExpressVPN, Proton VPN ships a genuine free tier, so you can start without a card and only pay once it earns it.
- Permanent free plan with unlimited data, no ads, and no credit card required.
- Five straight years of independent no-logs audits by Securitum, latest passed in May 2026.
Dashlane
4.3 out of 54.3Password manager with a built-in VPN.
Unlike ExpressVPN, Dashlane ships a genuine free tier, so you can start without a card and only pay once it earns it.
- Well established product with an active user base
- Regular updates and clear roadmap
Proton Pass
4.3 out of 54.3Encrypted password manager from the Proton suite.
Unlike ExpressVPN, Proton Pass ships a genuine free tier, so you can start without a card and only pay once it earns it.
- Well established product with an active user base
- Regular updates and clear roadmap
ExpressVPN vs the free alternatives
| Tool | Our score | From | Free tier | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | 4.5 | $6.67/mo | No | Privacy-focused users, frequent travelers, and heavy 4K streaming households wanting top-tier speeds and proprietary Lightway protocol security. |
| Bitwarden | 4.7 | $0.83/mo | Yes | Individuals, families, and businesses that want a secure, open-source password manager with no hidden limits. Bitwarden is equally suited for personal use, small teams, and enterprise deployments that need self-hosting or compliance controls. |
| Proton VPN | 4.6 | $2.99/mo | Yes | Privacy purists, journalists, and Proton suite users who want audited open-source apps, plus anyone who needs a free VPN that actually respects them. |
| Dashlane | 4.3 | $4.99/mo | Yes | Password manager with a built-in VPN. |
| Proton Pass | 4.3 | $1.99/mo | Yes | Encrypted password manager from the Proton suite. |
No catch, just answers
The things readers ask us most about how GoPickStack works and stays independent.
Affiliate disclosure: We may earn a commission if you buy through the links on this page, at no extra cost to you. We only recommend tools we have tested, and commissions never change our scores or rankings.