Brave VPN and ExpressVPN represent two very different approaches to the VPN market, and their overall scores reflect this clearly. Brave VPN earns a 41% overall score while ExpressVPN scores 68%, though the gap between them is more nuanced than those numbers alone suggest.
On the privacy and ethics front, Brave VPN makes a strong case for itself. It earns a perfect 100% in the ethics category and an impressive 85% in privacy audits, suggesting that its foundational commitment to user privacy is well-documented and independently verified. ExpressVPN, by contrast, scores only 23% in privacy audits and 67% in ethics. For users whose primary concern is a VPN provider's verifiable privacy practices and transparent conduct, Brave VPN holds a meaningful advantage in these areas.
Performance and usability tell a very different story. ExpressVPN achieves a perfect 100% in speed testing, compared to Brave VPN's 20%. ExpressVPN also scores 100% for streaming, 90% for its graphical interface, and 73% for its overall application quality. Brave VPN scores 13% for its application and 40% for its interface, indicating that the day-to-day user experience with Brave VPN falls considerably short of what ExpressVPN delivers. For users who rely on a VPN for streaming content or who prioritize smooth, fast connections, ExpressVPN's performance metrics are substantially stronger.
Feature availability further separates the two providers. ExpressVPN includes WireGuard protocol support, a kill switch, split tunneling, P2P and torrenting support, and a bug bounty program. Brave VPN supports P2P and torrenting but lacks the broader security toolkit that ExpressVPN offers. Customer support is another area where the difference is stark: ExpressVPN scores a perfect 100%, while Brave VPN scores 0%, suggesting that users seeking assistance may find Brave VPN's support options severely limited or absent.
Brave VPN is based in the United States, a jurisdiction that some privacy-conscious users may view less favorably due to data retention considerations. ExpressVPN operates out of the British Virgin Islands, a location that is generally considered more favorable for privacy purposes.
In summary, Brave VPN distinguishes itself through its strong ethical standing and verified privacy practices, which may appeal to users for whom those qualities are paramount. ExpressVPN offers a more complete and polished product with superior speeds, streaming capability, feature depth, and customer support, making it a stronger choice for users seeking consistent, versatile performance.