They Say It’s “Risk-Free” — But Is It Really? I Found Out
I’ve been using ExpressVPN for years. It’s my go-to VPN for work, streaming, and staying private when traveling. It never let me down—whether I was in a hotel in Bangkok or working from a noisy café in Lisbon.
But recently, I got curious.
What happens if you actually request a refund?
Does their famous “30-day money-back guarantee” really work?
Or is it one of those marketing phrases that sounds good but vanishes when you actually ask for your money back?
So I ran an experiment. I signed up with a new email, tested it for a few days on multiple devices—and then asked for a full refund, just to see what would happen.
Here’s what I learned.
Step 1: Signing Up (Again)
First, I created a fresh account with a new email and signed up for the 1-month plan using my personal card. The whole process took less than 3 minutes.
Things I noticed:
- No aggressive upsells
- No confusing payment options
- The confirmation email came instantly
- The app installed on my Mac and iPhone in seconds
I chose the 1-month plan ($12.95) because it’s the easiest to test and refund. Their guarantee applies to all plans, but I wanted something simple.
Step 2: Real-World Usage Before Requesting Refund
For the next 10 days, I used ExpressVPN just like I normally would.
🔒 Privacy:
Connected to public Wi-Fi in a co-working space and airport.
Enabled the kill switch and auto-connect.
No data leaks detected in DNS/IP tests.
📺 Streaming:
Watched Netflix US from Europe
Accessed BBC iPlayer via UK server
Listened to Spotify and watched YouTube ad-free
🌍 Server switching:
Tested connections in:
- New York (very fast)
- Tokyo (great for anime apps)
- Frankfurt (best ping for me)
- Bahamas (for fun)
Everything worked flawlessly, as expected.
Step 3: Contacting Support for a Refund
After about 10 days, I opened a live chat with support.
No drama. No trick questions. Just:
Me: “Hi, I’d like to cancel my subscription and request a refund.”
Agent: “I can help with that. May I ask why?”
Me: “Just testing a few providers, want to compare.”
Agent: “Understood. One moment while I process that for you.”
Within 3 minutes, the refund was confirmed.
They even asked me if I wanted help uninstalling the app (I said no, obviously).
No pressure, no guilt-tripping, no attempt to convince me to stay longer.
Step 4: Getting the Refund
I received a full refund within 4 business days—no follow-up emails, no complications.
It showed up directly on my card statement.
“It was the smoothest refund I’ve ever requested from any online service.”
Final Verdict: Yes, It’s Actually Risk-Free
The 30-day money-back guarantee from ExpressVPN is real. You don’t need to provide a dramatic excuse. You don’t need to fight with a chatbot or send angry emails. And you don’t lose access the second you ask—it works until the 30 days are up.
Would I Recommend It Based on This Test?
100% yes. Especially if:
- You’re not sure VPNs are worth it
- Want to test performance in your country
- You need short-term privacy during travel
- You’re curious how it handles your streaming needs
And here’s the kicker: You can test it completely free for 30 days, even if you plan to cancel from the start. That’s not shady—it’s smart.
“Try ExpressVPN for yourself. Stream, browse, travel, test. And if it doesn’t work for you? Get your money back, no hard feelings.”
Want to Try It Too?
👉 Get ExpressVPN – Risk-Free for 30 Days
No hidden terms. No complicated process. Just fast, secure VPN access—with a refund if you need it.
FAQ – 3 Friendly Questions & Answers
Can I really cancel ExpressVPN and get all my money back?
Yes. I used it for 10 days and got a full refund—no questions, no stress. The support agent processed it within 3 minutes.
How fast do you get your money back?
In my case, the refund showed up within 4 business days. It may vary depending on your payment method, but it’s not instant.
Do they cut off your access immediately after you cancel?
Nope. You still have full access to all ExpressVPN features until your original 30-day period ends—even if your refund is already processed.