ExpressVPN becomes latest VPN provider to get audited

ExpressVPN apps running on multiple devices
ExpressVPN apps running on multiple devices (Image credit: ExpressVPN)

The VPN server technology that is at the core of ExpressVPN infrastructure has been independently audited by PwC in another move by the VPN provider to increase trust and transparency in the industry.

(Ed: ExpressVPN is our number one VPN provider. Check out who else is in our best VPN buyers guide)

PwC’s security audit professionals examined ExpressVPN’s servers and code to confirm compliance with the company's published privacy policy, including its policy of not collecting activity logs or connection logs and to certify that its TrustedServer technology works as described.

A step in the right direction

The audit validates key security components rather than examining only the privacy-policy compliance. Other VPN providers that have carried out independent audits in the past couple of years include Tunnelbear (prior to its acquisition by McAfee), Mullvad, Surfshark, NordVPN and VyprVPN.

The first three were audited by German penetration testing specialist Cure53 and focused on the security aspect of their setup while the last two used PwC, the same consultancy firm that audited ExpressVPN. Most importantly, the audits focused on the no-logging policy rather than looking at the infrastructure holistically as ExpressVPN did.

Audit as a unique selling point?

Audits can be intrusive, expensive and time consuming. But they can also be very powerful marketing tools to differentiate yourself from the rest of the competition which is probably why ExpressVPN has jumped on the bandwagon at a latter stage but with more details.

It is worth noting that four out of these six VPN providers (ExpressVPN, Mullvad, TunnelBear and VyprVPN) are also members of the Center for Demoracy and Technology which has published a document related to the signals of trustworthy VPNs which is a basic template for auditing VPN providers.

  • These are the best VPN providers in 2019
TOPICS
Desire Athow
Managing Editor, TechRadar Pro

Désiré has been musing and writing about technology during a career spanning four decades. He dabbled in website builders and web hosting when DHTML and frames were in vogue and started narrating about the impact of technology on society just before the start of the Y2K hysteria at the turn of the last millennium.

Latest in VPN Services
ExpressVPN's new Linux app interface
ExpressVPN releases a major upgrade to its Linux app
ExpressVPN apps running on a laptop and mobile during TechRadar's testing
What's new in Lightway 2.0? Here are the 4 biggest changes I'm excited for
A VPN running on a mobile device
A new era for VPN testing? ATMSO publishes the first-ever testing standards in an "important milestone"
Aircove router, smartphone and laptop with ExpressVPN app on screen on a wooden table
ExpressVPN's Aircove becomes the first device equipped with Lightway 2.0 – and the upgrades don't stop there
ExpressVPN Lightway protocol in Rust – promo image
ExpressVPN's latest upgrade to Lightway hopes to create "the VPN protocol of the future"
Screenshot of Obscura VPN website
Obscura VPN promises to “set the standard for the next-generation of VPNs”
Latest in News
Apple iPhone 16 Review
Three iPhone 17 model dummy units appear in a hands-on video leak
The Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge on display the January 22, 2025 Galaxy Unpacked event.
New Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge may have revealed some key details – including its price
Quordle on a smartphone held in a hand
Quordle hints and answers for Sunday, March 9 (game #1140)
NYT Strands homescreen on a mobile phone screen, on a light blue background
NYT Strands hints and answers for Sunday, March 9 (game #371)
NYT Connections homescreen on a phone, on a purple background
NYT Connections hints and answers for Sunday, March 9 (game #637)
WhatsApp
WhatsApp just made its AI impossible to avoid – but at least you can turn it off