Sustainable Substitutes for ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a VPN service with questionable ownership.

Reasons to avoid ExpressVPN

Avoid ExpressVPN due to its ownership by Kape Technologies, a company with a history of adware, malware, and ties to Israeli intelligence. This raises serious surveillance and ethical risks, as user revenue may fund controversial activities. The introduction of autonomous AI further undermines trust. Opt for privacy-focused, ethically sound VPN alternatives instead.

Sustainable Alternatives

Here are some sustainable alternatives to ExpressVPN

Mullvad Browser

A privacy-focused browser with Tor Project Collaboration.

Mullvad is a based in Sweden.
Mullvad’s built-in ad and tracker blocking reduces unnecessary data and energy consumption, making it more efficient for users on limited data plans or battery-powered devices.
Mullvad Browser does not allow third-party trackers or share user data with external parties.
Mullvad Browser removes most ads and sponsored content, ensuring a clean and distraction-free browsing experience.
Mullvad Browser blocks trackers, ads, and fingerprinting by default, with pre-installed uBlock Origin.
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IVPN

IVPN is a privacy-focused VPN service with a strict no-log policy and open-source transparency.

IVPN is ad-free, ensuring a cleaner and more private user experience.
IVPN’s client applications are open-source, ensuring transparency and community-driven development.
IVPN is based in Gibraltar, ensuring compliance with strong European privacy laws.
IVPN does not collect or log user activity or metadata, ensuring complete privacy and security.
No registration is required to use IVPN, anonymous payment options are also available.
IVPN offers subscriptions for one week, making event based subscriptions more affordable.
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protonvpn logo

ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN is a privacy-focused VPN service developed by Proton Technologies, with a strict no-log policy.

ProtonVPN clients are open-source software, ensuring transparency and community-driven development.
ProtonVPN's free tier can be used in Guest Mode where no registration is required.
ProtonVPN offers a free tier with strong privacy protections for all users.
ProtonVPN does not collect or log user activity or metadata, ensuring complete privacy and security.
ProtonVPN is based in Switzerland, ensuring compliance with strong European privacy laws.
ProtonVPN is ad-free, ensuring a cleaner and more private user experience.
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NordVPN

NordVPN is a VPN service with strict no-log policies and servers in 40+ locations.

NordVPN has a strict no-logs policy, ensuring no one traffic data can be sold, breached or analysed.
NordVPN is ad-free, ensuring a cleaner and more private user experience.
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The 3 main issues with ExpressVPN

Privacy Concerns - User data is likely to be stored and used against users' best interest.

Kape Technologies’ ties to Israeli intelligence and the country’s history of using spyware (such as Pegasus) against civilians raise concerns that ExpressVPN could be pressured to cooperate with surveillance efforts. This undermines the trust users place in VPNs to protect their privacy from government spying and corporate trackingSource: Boycat: Everything You Need to Know About ExpressVPN’s Israeli Ownership (2025)

Misinformation / Manipulation - Spread of false or misleading information, often through algorithmic amplification, which can harm public discourse and trust.

ExpressVPN was acquired by Kape Technologies, a company with a controversial history. Kape was previously known as Crossrider, infamous for distributing adware and malware. The company’s leadership includes individuals with backgrounds in Israeli intelligence, and its co-founder, Teddy Sagi, has a controversial past, including donations to the Israeli military during the Gaza war. This raises concerns about the ethical and privacy implications of using ExpressVPN.Source: Frank Line Tech: What Happened to ExpressVPN? (2025)

AI Bloat - Service has unnecessary or harmful AI features.

ExpressVPN has recently introduced autonomous AI agents to control VPN connections, raising ethical and security questions. The use of AI to manage VPN traffic introduces new risks, such as potential misuse of automated location and identity changes, which could compromise user privacy and security.Source: AI Info Zone: You Won't Believe What Changed: ExpressVPN Just Handed Full Control to Autonomous AI Agents (2026)