ProtonVPN is owned by Proton AG — independent, Swiss-registered. ExpressVPN is owned by Kape Technologies, whose prior corporate identity involved a documented period of adware distribution before rebranding. Ownership is the structural starting point before any feature comparison applies.

What you get that ExpressVPN doesn't offer

Proton AG independent ownership with no conglomerate parent. Swiss registration provides cleaner legal separation from Eyes alliances than BVI under Kape. Open-source clients on every platform — full codebase independently auditable. Secure Core double-hop through hardened Swiss or Icelandic servers. Privacy and security depth lead across measured dimensions. Free tier with unlimited bandwidth. More accommodating long-term value position.

What you give up

Lightway is audited as a standalone protocol implementation — ProtonVPN uses standard open protocols without a custom layer. TrustedServer enforces data non-persistence at the hardware level; ProtonVPN's server model relies on operational controls instead. Cross-platform app refinement leads at ExpressVPN — the product is built around a seamless connection experience as a primary commitment.

What you get that ProtonVPN doesn't offer

Lightway: a proprietary protocol independently audited as a standalone implementation. TrustedServer infrastructure where data cannot persist across reboots, enforced at the hardware layer. App experience is designed around lower-friction connection — the service positions itself around seamless cross-platform use. Operational track record in high-censorship environments where obfuscation has been refined at scale.

What you give up

Kape Technologies — the parent — previously operated as Crossrider with documented adware distribution before the rebrand; that history is part of the ownership chain. ExpressVPN's clients are closed-source — code verification is not possible. Privacy and security depth trail ProtonVPN's. Premium pricing reflects in a weaker long-term value position.