Today I updated the version of ExpressVPN in various versions and found the following screenshot showing the ExpressVPN version number in Macbook: 9.0.12 (9), where the Lightway (bate) protocol is already available, which was previously only available in Windows and Android. But I didn’t find Lightway (bate) protocol in the latest version 8.3.8 (13490) for IOS devices. I’ll be running a full test of ExpressVPN today on MacOS/Macbook devices with the officially recommended connection method, the IKEv2 protocol connection method, and the Lightway (bate) protocol connection method. I hope this test will provide a reference for you.
FYI: A reader message today tells us that SurfsharkVPN is now updated in Windows with a new version that adds support for the WireGuard protocol and is stable and fast. I would like to thank @shanna for sharing this.
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Local device and network: Macbook/200M/WiFi;
Speedtest Ping: 8ms; Download: 224Mbps; Upload: 21.1Mbps;
ExpressVPN last 6 test reports: [See More]Checking out multiple test reports can help you understand more effectively how this VPN works in the long run.
- ExpressVPN Test Report in China March 20, 2025 - Today's ExpressVPN test was prompted by its recent update for Chinese users, which added several new servers. Previously, there were only five, but now the number has increased to ten. Could this be a sign that ExpressVPN is paying more attention to the Chinese market? Additionally, on March 6, 2025, ExpressVPN released an update for its Windows version (12.97.0). This update introduced Lightway Turbo and OpenVPN DCO to its protocol options. I wanted to test whether these enhancements would improve the VPN's performance for users in mainland China trying to bypass restrictions. Introducing Lightway Turbo – You can now experience even faster VPN speeds with our cutting-edge optimization. Lightway Turbo is on by default if you’re connected to Automatic or Lightway – UDP protocols. To adjust your Lightway Turbo settings: Click > Options > Protocol. Click Enable Lightway Turbo to toggle it off/on. Enhanced OpenVPN Performance – Our upgraded OpenVPN Data Channel Offload (DCO) module gives you a smoother, faster connection. To…
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- ExpressVPN Android Test in China Report – 20220524 - May 24, 2022 China VPN test, since the test report on the 10th of this month has been 14 days without ExpressVPN test. During that time Macbook, iPhone, and Windows, the three devices I commonly use, were confirmed to be working properly. Today I will be conducting a connection and speed test of ExpressVPN on my Android device. I hope that this test will give readers a better understanding of how ExpressVPN actually works in mainland China. If you have any questions, please leave a comment (anonymous) to communicate.
- ExpressVPN Windows test in China-20220510 - May 10, 2022 China VPN test, today will be a massive server spot check test of ExpressVPN's Automatic protocol option in Windows devices, the complete process of this test will be recorded via video recording software. The advantage of recording the screen is that it can be more intuitive to show the whole connection process to the reader, so that the reader can feel more intuitive, the VPN in the actual use of the process is a kind of experience. This test was conducted through SpeedTest for speed testing. If you have any questions, you can leave a message (anonymous) to communicate...
- ExpressVPN Win/Mac/iOS Test in China/20220421 - China VPN test on April 21, 2022. A field test of ExpressVPN for mainland China will be conducted today in Windows, Macbook, and iOS (iPhone). The test ExpressVPN has been checked and upgraded to the latest version, the specific version number will be explained in the test below. ExpressVPN is currently the most stable and secure sVPN in China, bar none. Even during the most severe blocking period there was only a brief (24 hours) or so connection difficulties or speed drops. If you have any questions, you can leave an anonymous message to communicate.
- Best 4 VPN in China, OMG, Just only one！ - On March 21, 2022, China VPN test will be conducted on a Windows 10 device today. The test VPNs include ExpressVPN, PureVPN, StrongVPN, and AtlasVPN. If there is enough time, we will test others. Each VPN will indicate its App version number, connection protocol and other information at the beginning before the test. As a result, the number of VPNs tested this time is large, so each VPN will usually randomly check 5-10 servers in different regions. If there are officially recommended servers, it will be explained in the test. If you have any questions, you can leave a message (anonymous) to communicate.
ExpressVPN – MacOS Test in China:
Starting Time: Oct 14, 2020, 1:54 PM
The following is official recommend method; Protocol: Auto
Hong Kong – 4: First success. (Time efficiency: 38s)
Speedtest Ping: 213ms; Download: 14.3Mbps; Upload: 3.33Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 5.7Mbps;
Japan – Yokohama: First success. (Time efficiency: 5s)
Speedtest Ping: 129ms; Download: 6.7Mbps; Upload: 4.15Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 3.9Mbps;
Singapore – Marina Bay: First success. (Time efficiency: 247s)
Speedtest Ping: 71ms; Download: 10.4Mbps; Upload: 4.63Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 4.1Mbps;
USA – Los Angeles – 5: First success. (Time efficiency: 118s)
Speedtest Ping: 71ms; Download: 10.4Mbps; Upload: 4.63Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 4.1Mbps;
The following is unofficial recommend method and random servers; Protocol: IKEv2
USA – Santa Monica: First success. (Time efficiency: 81s)
Speedtest Ping: 205ms; Download: 118Mbps; Upload: 2.58Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 31Mbps;
USA – San Francisco: First success. (Time efficiency: 35s)
Speedtest Ping: 263ms; Download: 11.7Mbps; Upload: 2.59Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 2.7Mbps;
USA – Washington DC: Failed. (Try once)
USA – Dallas: First success. (Time efficiency: 6s)
Speedtest Ping: 191ms; Download: 1.35Mbps; Upload: 2.71Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 4.1Mbps;
USA – Tampa – 1: First success. (Time efficiency: 9s)
Speedtest Ping: 263ms; Download: 14.1Mbps; Upload: 2.97Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 2.1Mbps;
USA – Los Angeles: First success. (Time efficiency: 9s)
Speedtest Ping: 142ms; Download: 63.9Mbps; Upload: 5.44Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 4.9Mbps;
USA – Los Angeles – 1: First success. (Time efficiency: 80s)
Speedtest Ping: 153ms; Download: 35.8Mbps; Upload: 0.63Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 44Mbps;
Canada – Toronto – 2: First success. (Time efficiency: 45s)
Speedtest Ping: 200ms; Download: 11.8Mbps; Upload: 3.38Mbps;
Netflix Fast: 5Mbps;
The following is unofficial recommend method and random servers; Protocol: Lightway
USA – Los Angeles – 5: Failed. (Try once)
USA – San Monica: Failed. (Try once)
USA – New York: Failed. (Try once)
USA – San Francisco: Failed. (Try once)
USA – Chicago: Failed. (Try once)
USA – Miami: Failed. (Try once)
USA – Los Angeles – 1: Failed. (Try once)
USA – Tampa – 1: Failed. (Try once)
Canada – Toronto – 2: Failed. (Try once)
Summary: I tested ExpressVPN’s three connection protocols in MacOS/Macbook today. I also tested the IKEv2 protocol on a few servers and found no problems with it. I was hopeful that the Lightway protocol would appear in the latest update, but I couldn’t connect to any of the servers I tested, so it’s possible that I didn’t find the corresponding server, but at least it means that there are problems with this protocol.
ExpressVPN MacOS Version: 9.0.12 (9)；Protocol: Auto/IKEv2/Lightway
Today’s Test Score: ★ ★ ★ ★