VPN Comparison
BlackVault vs ExpressVPN
TL;DR: ExpressVPN is the premium benchmark in the VPN industry - known for its proprietary Lightway protocol, TrustedServer RAM-only architecture, and consistently fast speeds across 105 countries. BlackVault delivers equivalent AES-256-GCM encryption with both WireGuard and OpenVPN at €1.99/mo versus ExpressVPN's €6–13/mo, plus features ExpressVPN lacks like biometric app lock and granular DNS control.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | BlackVault | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption Standard | AES-256-GCM | AES-256-GCM |
| VPN Protocol | WireGuard + OpenVPN | Lightway (proprietary), OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Server Architecture | Standard servers | TrustedServer (RAM-only, no disk) |
| Server Count | 50+ curated servers | 3,000+ servers in 105 countries |
| Simultaneous Devices | Multi-device | 10–14 devices (tier-dependent) |
| No-Logs Policy (Audited) | ✓ | 3× by KPMG (latest 2025) |
| Kill Switch | ✓ | ✓ |
| Split Tunneling | Per-app (macOS), IP/CIDR (iOS) | ✓ |
| Custom DNS | 8 providers + DoH + custom | Private DNS on every server |
| Always-On VPN | ✓ | ✓ |
| App Lock (Biometrics) | Face ID / Touch ID | - |
| Router Support | - | Dedicated router firmware (Aircove) |
| Monthly Price | €1.99/mo | ~€6–13/mo |
| Unlimited Bandwidth | ✓ | ✓ |
| Independent Security Audits | - | 3× by KPMG, Cure53 |
Pricing Comparison
ExpressVPN
~€6–13/mo (the most expensive mainstream VPN)
BlackVault
€1.99/mo - 70–85% less than ExpressVPN
Pros & Cons
ExpressVPN does well
- •Lightway protocol - a lightweight, open-source protocol built for speed and quick connections
- •TrustedServer architecture runs entirely on RAM, wiping all data on every reboot
- •Consistently fast speeds across global server network with minimal latency variance
- •Polished, intuitive apps across all major platforms including routers (Aircove hardware)
- •Strong independent audit history from KPMG and Cure53 verifying no-logs claims
- •Post-quantum encryption enabled by default
Potential trade-offs
- •Most expensive mainstream VPN - monthly plan exceeds €13/mo
- •Complex three-tier pricing: Basic, Advanced, and Pro with different device limits
- •Premium pricing difficult to justify for users who only need basic encryption and IP masking
- •Owned by Kape Technologies (also owns Private Internet Access, CyberGhost) - conglomerate ownership raises questions for some privacy advocates
Where BlackVault stands out
- •70–85% cheaper than ExpressVPN across all billing periods
- •Same AES-256-GCM encryption standard used by ExpressVPN
- •Dual protocol (WireGuard + OpenVPN) delivers comparable performance to Lightway
- •Biometric app lock with Face ID / Touch ID - not available on ExpressVPN
- •8 DNS providers + DNS-over-HTTPS - more granular than ExpressVPN's private DNS
- •No complex product tiers - one plan, one price, immediate access
Who It's Best For
ExpressVPN
Users who want a polished, premium VPN experience with proprietary TrustedServer RAM-only architecture, Lightway protocol, dedicated router firmware, and are willing to pay €6–13/mo for best-in-class apps and infrastructure.
BlackVault
Users who want the same AES-256-GCM encryption, dual-protocol flexibility, and advanced features like biometric lock and custom DNS at €1.99/mo - without the premium brand markup.
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