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ExpressVPN Ad Blocker Review

Our verdict: ExpressVPN is best known as a VPN, but its apps also include a set of browsing protection tools that block ads, trackers and dangerous websites. Called Advanced Protection (it grew out of the earlier Threat Manager feature), these tools work while you are connected to the VPN, so there is no separate extension to install. Read our review to see what the blocker covers, where it works and what its limits are.

WHO IS BEHIND EXPRESSVPN?

ExpressVPN has been running a VPN service since 2009 and is one of the longest-established names in consumer privacy. The company is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands and has, for several years, been part of Kape, the group that also owns other privacy brands. Over time ExpressVPN has added more than a VPN tunnel to its apps, and its ad and tracker blocking tools are part of that wider push towards everyday online protection.

HOW DOES THE AD AND TRACKER BLOCKER WORK?

The blocking runs at the DNS level. When you are connected to ExpressVPN, your device asks ExpressVPN's own DNS servers where a website lives. If the domain is on a list of known ad servers, trackers or malicious sites, the request is simply not answered, so the ad, tracker or harmful page never loads. Because this happens inside the VPN connection, it protects every browser and app on the device, not just one browser.

KEY FEATURES

These are the main protections you can switch on in the Advanced Protection section of the app:

  • Ad blocker
    • - stops requests to known advertising domains, so many banners and pop-up ads disappear from websites and apps.
  • Tracker blocker
    •  - blocks domains used by analytics and tracking companies to follow you across sites and build a profile of your activity.
  • Malicious site blocker
    •  - prevents connections to domains known for malware, phishing and other scams, adding a safety net if you click a bad link.
  • Parental content filters
    •  - let you block adult websites and other categories of content on a device, which is useful on a child's phone or a shared family computer.
  • Works across apps
    •  - since the filtering happens in DNS, it also covers in-app ads and trackers, not only those shown in a web browser.
  • Simple toggles
    •  - each protection can be turned on or off separately, and you can pause it if a site stops working properly.

    IS IT SAFE AND RELIABLE?

    Blocking at the DNS level does not read the content of your pages. It only decides whether a domain should be reached at all. ExpressVPN states that it does not keep activity logs of the sites you visit, and its no-logs claims and apps have been checked by outside auditors several times. The block lists are maintained by ExpressVPN and update in the background, so you do not need to manage filter lists yourself.

    THINGS TO CONSIDER

    DNS blocking is light and fast, but it cannot remove every ad. Ads served from the same domain as the content, such as many video ads on large streaming platforms, usually still appear, and some pages may show empty spaces where ads used to be. The protections also only work while the VPN is connected. If you want fine-grained cosmetic filtering or your own custom rules, a dedicated browser ad blocker gives more control.

    EASE OF USE AND PLATFORMS

    Setup takes a minute: install the ExpressVPN app, sign in, open the protection settings and switch on the blockers you want. The features are available in ExpressVPN's apps for the major platforms, including Windows, macOS, Android and iOS, with availability of individual options varying slightly by device. There is nothing to configure in each browser, which makes it a good fit for people who prefer one tool that handles privacy for the whole device.

    CUSTOMER SUPPORT

    ExpressVPN offers 24/7 live chat and email support, plus a large library of setup guides and troubleshooting articles. Support staff can help if a site breaks because of the blocker, or explain how to adjust the settings. New subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test the protection tools before committing.

    OUR VERDICT

    ExpressVPN's built-in ad and tracker blocking is a practical extra for anyone who already uses or plans to use the VPN. It cuts down on many ads, trackers and dangerous sites across the whole device with almost no effort, and the parental filters add value for families. It is not a full replacement for a specialist ad blocker on video sites, but as part of a VPN subscription it is an easy way to make everyday browsing cleaner and safer.

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