CosmoVPNChoose CosmoVPN if you want to start for free without an account, and choose yourself between connection modes made for blocked networks.
Comparison
CosmoVPN vs ExpressVPN
How CosmoVPN and ExpressVPN compare on blocked networks, privacy, free versions, apps and price.
Checked on 1 October 2026
Quick verdict
Which one is for you?
CosmoVPNChoose ExpressVPN if you want a premium paid VPN with an audited no-logs policy, router apps and obfuscation that works without any settings.
Side by side
Feature by feature
| Feature | CosmoVPN | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Free version | Yes: no data cap and no account; each connection lasts 1 hour (then you connect again), with ads and fewer locations than Premium. | No free plan (a separate free app, EventVPN, is available for Apple devices). 30-day money-back guarantee. |
| Account | None for the free version; an e-mail address and password for Premium. | An e-mail address. |
| Tools for blocked networks | CosmoGhost, made for heavily censored networks, and CosmoShield, which is hard for networks to detect or block. Auto switches to the mode that works on your network. | Automatic obfuscation on supported platforms when a network blocks or interferes with VPN traffic; there is nothing to turn on. |
| Protocols | WireGuard, plus the CosmoGhost and CosmoShield modes; Auto picks the one that works. | Lightway (its own protocol), WireGuard and OpenVPN. |
| Logging | Doesn't log the websites you visit, your DNS requests or the content of your traffic. Keeps a record of each connection: time, server, device identifier and model, app version and connection mode. | No activity or connection logs; keeps the dates you connected, the location you chose and the total data used. |
| Audits | No independent audit. | Yes: no-logs audits by KPMG (2023, 2025). |
| Open source | No. | Partly: the Lightway protocol. |
| Devices | Up to 5 devices per account, free or Premium; the free version also works without an account. | 10, 12 or 14 devices, depending on the plan. |
| Apps | Android, iPhone and iPad, Windows, macOS, Linux and Android TV. | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, Fire TV, Apple TV, routers and browser extensions. |
| Price | Free. Premium for 1, 6 or 12 months, bought in the app (App Store or Google Play) at the price shown there in your currency. | $12.99 for one month; from $2.99 a month on the 2-year plan (US prices). |
Getting past blocked networks
ExpressVPN switches on obfuscation by itself (on supported platforms) when it sees that a network blocks VPN traffic. CosmoVPN does the same with its Auto mode, and also lets you choose CosmoGhost (made for heavily censored networks) or CosmoShield (hard for networks to detect) yourself.
Privacy and logging
ExpressVPN keeps no activity or connection logs, but does keep the dates you connected, the location you chose and the total data used; KPMG audited its no-logs policy in 2025. CosmoVPN doesn't log the sites you visit, your DNS requests or the content of your traffic; it keeps connection records (time, server, device) and hasn't been audited.
Free version
ExpressVPN itself has no free plan, only a 30-day money-back guarantee; its separate free app, EventVPN, is for Apple devices. CosmoVPN is free on all its platforms and needs no account: no data cap, 1-hour connections (then you connect again), ads and fewer locations than Premium.
Apps and devices
ExpressVPN covers Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, TVs and routers, with 10 to 14 devices depending on the plan. CosmoVPN covers Android, iPhone and iPad, Windows, macOS, Linux and Android TV, with 5 devices on Premium.
Price
CosmoVPN: Free. Premium for 1, 6 or 12 months, bought in the app (App Store or Google Play) at the price shown there in your currency.
ExpressVPN: $12.99 for one month; from $2.99 a month on the 2-year plan (US prices).
Questions
CosmoVPN or ExpressVPN?
No. ExpressVPN is paid, with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Its sister app EventVPN is free on Apple devices. CosmoVPN is free to start on every platform.
Both have tools for it: ExpressVPN obfuscates automatically, and CosmoVPN has CosmoGhost, CosmoShield and an Auto mode. What works best depends on how your network blocks VPNs, so it's worth trying both; CosmoVPN is free to try.
Yes. You can use CosmoVPN for free on our free servers, with ads and time-limited connections: when the time is up, just connect again. Premium removes the ads, gives you much longer connections and unlocks the Premium servers.
Compare Free and Premium →We do not log the websites you visit, your DNS requests or the content of your traffic. To run the service we keep basic connection records, such as which device connected to which server and when.
Read the Privacy Policy →More comparisons
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Sources
The facts about ExpressVPN come from its own website and app-store listings, checked on 1 October 2026:
- ExpressVPN plans
- ExpressVPN features
- ExpressVPN privacy policy
- ExpressVPN 2025 KPMG audit
- ExpressVPN protocols
- ExpressVPN prices and terms
- EventVPN
The facts about CosmoVPN come from our features, FAQ and privacy policy.
ExpressVPN is a trademark of its owner; CosmoVPN isn't affiliated with ExpressVPN. Something out of date? E-mail [email protected] and we'll correct it.