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ExpressVPN vs CactusVPN – Which VPN is better?

Which VPN is the better choice: ExpressVPN or CactusVPN? In our detailed comparison we analyse performance, privacy and streaming compatibility.

Our winner

ExpressVPN

In this head-to-head comparison ExpressVPN delivers the better overall performance.

See ExpressVPN deal

Comparison table

Feature
ExpressVPN
CactusVPN
Speed
90 Mbit/s
66 Mbit/s
Servers
3.000+
36+
Countries
105
22
Streaming
Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer
Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer
Security
No-logs policy (checked)
No-logs policy
No-Logs
Yes (audited)
Yes
Price
6,67 €/month
2,77 €/month
Apps
Win, Mac, iOS, Android, Router
Win, Mac, iOS, Android (6 devices)
Support
24/7 Live Chat
24/7 Live Chat

Speed – ExpressVPN vs CactusVPN

ExpressVPN impresses with 90 Mbit/s download speed and a 20 ms ping. CactusVPN reaches 66 Mbit/s – sufficient for most use cases.

ExpressVPN
Download 90 Mbit/s
Upload 76 Mbit/s
Ping 20 ms
CactusVPN
Download 66 Mbit/s
Upload 52 Mbit/s
Ping 30 ms

Security – ExpressVPN vs CactusVPN

Both VPN services encrypt with AES-256 and keep no logs. ExpressVPN has a slight edge with 4 security features.

ExpressVPN
  • No-logs policy (checked)
  • AES-256 Encryption
  • TrustedServer (RAM-only)
  • Kill Switch
CactusVPN
  • No-logs policy
  • AES-256 Encryption
  • Kill Switch
  • Smart DNS Proxy

Streaming – which VPN works better?

In our streaming test: ExpressVPN unblocks Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+, while CactusVPN works with Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+. ExpressVPN performs slightly better overall.

ExpressVPN

Netflix
Amazon Prime
Disney+
Hulu
BBC iPlayer

CactusVPN

Netflix
Amazon Prime
Disney+
Hulu
BBC iPlayer

Pricing

ExpressVPN

from 6,67 €/month

1-year subscription - 30-day money-back guarantee

See ExpressVPN deal

CactusVPN

from 2,77 €/month

2-year subscription - 30-day money-back guarantee

See CactusVPN deal

Which VPN is better for…

Streaming

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN unblocks streaming services slightly more reliably.

Security

ExpressVPN

More security functions and features.

Value for money

CactusVPN

Lower price with comparable performance.

Our verdict – ExpressVPN or CactusVPN?

In the head-to-head comparison ExpressVPN comes out ahead – on speed, security and the overall package. CactusVPN remains a good alternative, especially when price matters most.

FAQ – ExpressVPN vs CactusVPN

Is ExpressVPN or CactusVPN faster? +

ExpressVPN is a bit faster on average (90 Mbit/s vs 66 Mbit/s). Both deliver good speeds for streaming and downloads.

Which VPN is cheaper – ExpressVPN or CactusVPN? +

CactusVPN is cheaper (from 2,77 €/month). ExpressVPN starts at 6,67 €/month.

Which VPN is more secure? +

Both offer AES-256 encryption and no-logs policies. ExpressVPN packs a few more security features.

Which VPN is better for streaming? +

ExpressVPN unblocks streaming services slightly more reliably in our test. Both VPNs work with Netflix and other platforms.

When is CactusVPN the better choice? +

CactusVPN is the better choice when specific features or a lower entry price matter more to you than maximum overall performance.

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