Disclosure: Some links on this page are affiliate links. We may earn a commission if you make a purchase through them, at no additional cost to you.
Quick answer: ExpressVPN is owned by Kape Technologies, a cybersecurity company that acquired it in 2021 for around $936 million. While ExpressVPN operates under British Virgin Islands jurisdiction, it is part of a larger corporate group that also owns other VPN providers.
If you’re researching ExpressVPN, one of the most important questions is not about speed or streaming — it’s about who actually owns the company.
Ownership matters because a VPN sits between you and the internet. It controls how your data is routed, what is stored, and how privacy policies are enforced. That means understanding ownership is critical if you care about trust.
In this guide, we break down ExpressVPN’s ownership structure in detail, including its parent company, history, jurisdiction, and what all of this means for your privacy.
Who owns ExpressVPN?
ExpressVPN is owned by Kape Technologies, a cybersecurity and digital privacy company that acquired it in 2021 in a deal worth approximately $936 million.
ExpressVPN → Express Technologies Ltd. → Kape Technologies
This means ExpressVPN is not an independent VPN provider. Instead, it operates as part of a larger corporate group that owns multiple VPN brands and privacy tools.
Although ExpressVPN continues to operate as a standalone product with its own infrastructure, its strategic direction ultimately sits within the broader Kape ecosystem.
What is Kape Technologies?
Kape Technologies is a cybersecurity company that has built a significant presence in the VPN industry through acquisitions.
Today, Kape owns several major VPN services, including:
- ExpressVPN
- CyberGhost VPN
- Private Internet Access (PIA)
This means that multiple well-known VPN brands — often seen as competitors — are actually part of the same corporate group.
Kape Technologies deep dive: ownership, history, and expansion
From Crossrider to Kape Technologies
Kape Technologies was originally founded in 2011 under the name Crossrider.
At that time, the company focused on browser extension development and monetization tools, including advertising-related software. Some of these tools were associated with aggressive distribution methods, which later became a point of criticism.
In 2018, the company rebranded to Kape Technologies and pivoted fully toward cybersecurity and privacy-focused products.
This transition is one of the most important aspects of Kape’s history and is often referenced when discussing VPN ownership and trust.
Kape’s VPN acquisition strategy
After its rebrand, Kape began aggressively acquiring VPN providers in order to build a large privacy-focused portfolio.
- 2017: Acquired CyberGhost VPN
- 2019: Acquired Private Internet Access (PIA)
- 2021: Acquired ExpressVPN (~$936 million)
This rapid expansion turned Kape into one of the largest VPN holding companies in the world.
As a result, several VPN providers that appear to compete with each other are actually owned by the same parent company.
Who owns Kape Technologies?
Kape Technologies was previously listed on the London Stock Exchange, but it was later taken private.
The company is now part of a private holding structure linked to entrepreneur Teddy Sagi.
This means ExpressVPN ultimately sits within a privately controlled corporate group rather than a publicly traded company.
What Kape ownership means for VPN users
Kape’s ownership structure has both advantages and trade-offs that users should understand.
Advantages:
- Access to significant infrastructure and resources
- Ability to fund security audits and improvements
- Faster development and expansion
Considerations:
- Multiple VPN brands share the same parent company
- Reduced independence between services
- Centralized decision-making at corporate level
For most users, these factors do not negatively affect performance, but they are important for those who prioritize ownership transparency.
Where is ExpressVPN based?
ExpressVPN operates through a company registered in the British Virgin Islands (BVI).
This is significant because the BVI is widely considered a privacy-friendly jurisdiction:
- No mandatory data retention laws
- Outside major surveillance alliances
- Strong legal privacy protections
However, it is important to distinguish between:
- Operational jurisdiction: British Virgin Islands
- Ownership: Kape Technologies
This separation is common in the VPN industry but often misunderstood by users.
Does ExpressVPN keep logs?
ExpressVPN states that it follows a strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not store browsing activity, connection logs, or identifiable user data.
This policy has been independently audited multiple times by third-party firms such as KPMG and PwC.
In addition, ExpressVPN uses RAM-only servers (TrustedServer technology), which ensures that all data is wiped on reboot.
This significantly reduces the risk of long-term data storage.
Does ownership affect privacy?
This is the key question — and the answer is nuanced.
On one hand, ExpressVPN offers:
- Privacy-friendly jurisdiction (BVI)
- Verified no-logs policy
- Regular independent audits
On the other hand, it is part of a larger corporate group, which introduces:
- Shared ownership across VPN brands
- Centralized corporate influence
- Reduced independence compared to standalone providers
Is ExpressVPN independent?
No — ExpressVPN is not independent.
It operates under Kape Technologies as part of a broader VPN ecosystem.
This reflects a growing trend of consolidation in the VPN industry.
How ExpressVPN compares to other ownership models
There are three common ownership models in the VPN industry:
- Corporate-owned: ExpressVPN (Kape Technologies)
- Foundation-owned: Proton VPN
- Founder-owned: Mullvad
Each model offers different trade-offs between scale, independence, and control.
What ExpressVPN ownership means for users
For most users, ExpressVPN’s ownership does not affect everyday usage.
However, if you are privacy-focused, it changes how you evaluate trust:
- Rely more on audits than marketing claims
- Consider corporate ownership structure
- Compare providers beyond surface-level features
In practice, ExpressVPN remains one of the most reliable VPNs for performance, usability, and streaming.
Is ExpressVPN trustworthy?
Despite its corporate ownership, ExpressVPN is widely considered trustworthy.
This is supported by:
- Independent audits confirming its no-logs policy
- Strong technical infrastructure
- Transparent ownership disclosures
There are no confirmed cases of ExpressVPN handing over user activity logs.
Final verdict
ExpressVPN is owned by Kape Technologies, making it part of a larger corporate VPN group rather than an independent provider.
However, its audited infrastructure, strong privacy model, and reliable performance make it a top-tier VPN despite its ownership structure.
If ownership independence is your top priority, alternatives like Proton VPN or Mullvad may be better. If performance and ease of use matter more, ExpressVPN remains one of the strongest options available.
FAQ
Who owns ExpressVPN?
ExpressVPN is owned by Kape Technologies.
Is ExpressVPN independent?
No, it operates under a larger corporate group.
Where is ExpressVPN based?
It operates under British Virgin Islands jurisdiction.
Does ExpressVPN keep logs?
No, it follows a verified no-logs policy.
