Beyond Soft Routers: Why Do I Still Keep a Commercial VPN on Hand All Year Round? A Comparison of Four Services, Including ExpressVPN

Last week, a reader asked me in the group chat: “I have a soft router at home and I’ve also purchased an Airport subscription, so why should I spend money on a commercial VPN?” My answer is—because these two types of services don’t solve the same problem.A software router solves the problem of "how to route all devices in the house through a single proxy"; a VPN server solves the problem of "having enough nodes and sufficient bandwidth"; and a commercial VPN solves the problem of "having at least one working connection when you need it most."When you’re at the airport, your subscription expires, or you’re away from home and connected to someone else’s Wi-Fi—in these situations, a self-hosted node often can’t help.

In this post, I’ll start by thoroughly explaining the one I’ve had on hand for years:ExpressVPN—It’s the one I’ve used the longest and the one I’m most comfortable letting my family use directly; later on, I’ll outline the best value proposition for NordVPN, Surfshark, and AdGuard VPN based on different priorities. Pricing, number of devices, and refund policies are all taken from the pricing pages on the official websites of the four providers as of September 24, 2026 (links are provided in the sources below),This article does not include speed test data generated by this site., Regarding availability in mainland China, we only provide guidance on how to determine availability; we do not make any promises that it “will definitely work.”

I. First, let’s clarify three things: what each of the following does—soft routers, “Airport” services, and commercial VPNs

These three things are often compared with one another, but in fact, their roles are quite distinct:

• Software Router (OpenWrt / iStoreOS + OpenClash):It handles “traffic distribution rules” and “whole-home coverage.” It doesn’t provide access points on its own—where those come from is another story. I’ve written about how I set up the one at my house inOpenClash + AdGuardHome + MosDNS: A Three-Part Closed-Loop SolutionIn this article.
• Airport Subscription:It’s known for being “affordable, high-volume, and offering many nodes.” You can pay monthly or by data usage, and switching nodes is quick;Why Are More and More People Choosing Airports?I analyzed this in that post. The downside is that if something happens to the service provider, the nodes you have will disappear all at once.
• Business VPN:It offers “out-of-the-box setup + a single bill + a money-back guarantee.” Once the client software is installed, you can connect right away—your family members don’t need to understand any rules or agreements; if a problem arises, there’s official customer service to assist you, and the 30-day money-back guarantee can serve as a trial period.

So the question "Should I buy a commercial VPN?" is actually asking:Would you be willing to pay an insurance premium to “avoid one more hassle”?If all your devices are at home and the signal is strong at the airport, then you really don’t need to buy one; but as long as you take your laptop on the go, buy cell phones for your family, or have ever experienced a day when the signal at the airport went down completely, it’s definitely worth having one on hand.

II. ExpressVPN: I Let It Handle the "Hassle-Free" Part

First, let me explain how I see its role here:It's not the go-to choice for everyday use, but it's the go-to choice for emergencies.At home, I use a soft router and an AirPort; when I'm out, for temporary devices, or when family members need to use it on their own, I just turn on ExpressVPN—no need to explain the rules or pick a server; one click and I'm connected.

Its official list of features includes several items that are particularly useful for DIY users like me:

• Server coverage in 113 countries and regions(According to the official feature page): When traveling to a different region on business, you don't have to spend a lot of time fiddling with a single node.
• Proprietary Lightway Protocol:Officials say it features streamlined code that balances speed and power efficiency; its mobile power consumption and reconnection speed are particularly strong points.
• Server-Wide Automatic Obfuscation:The official documentation states that “obfuscation is enabled on every server,” so users don’t need to configure anti-DPI mechanisms themselves—this makes a real difference for users in restricted network environments.
• TrustedServer Technology and RAM-Only Servers:Officials say that every time the server restarts, all data is wiped clean, and no records are retained on the disk.
• Full range of standard features:Kill Switch, Split Tunneling, Private Encrypted DNS, Threat Manager, Ad and Malicious Site Blocking, Parental Controls, Dedicated IP (available as an add-on).
• Number of devices:10 Basic, 12 Advanced, and 14 Express Pro units are online simultaneously; the official maximum rated speed is 40 Gbps.

In terms of privacy and auditing, the "Transparency" page on its official website lists all past third-party audits, ISO compliance, and vulnerability bounty programs. I recommend that you visit the official page yourself to review the list and dates, rather than just looking at the review conclusions—When it comes to audits, the most important things are “whether one has been conducted recently” and “the scope of the audit.”。

By the way, regarding routers: The official router app can be flashed onto certain models, such as some ASUS routers, to route all traffic through the VPN. If you haven’t set up a software router but want devices like Apple TV and Switch to use the VPN as well, this approach is much less hassle than tinkering with OpenClash (though it doesn’t offer the traffic-splitting capabilities found in Airport).

Video: ExpressVPN in Action and How to Choose the Right One

III. ExpressVPN Pricing: To Get the Best Deal, Calculate the Initial and Renewal Prices Separately

Data from the checkout page on the official website on September 24, 2026 (2-year plan, including a free bonus for a total of 28 months):

The most common pitfall is focusing only on that "US$2.99/month."This price is calculated based on the total initial payment for 28 months; upon renewal at the end of the term, payment is made annually, with the Basic plan costing US$1,499.95 per year. To get a figure closer to the actual average annual cost, take the average of “total initial price ÷ number of months in the initial term” and “annual renewal price ÷ 12”; for the Basic plan, this figure is significantly higher than 2.99. New users have a 30-day money-back guarantee, which must also be used in conjunction with a long-term plan (see Section 8 below for instructions). If you want to view the real-time figures on the checkout page directly, you can go here:ExpressVPN Official Pricing Page。

IV. What It Isn't Good At: Four Things You Must Know Before Buying

Weakness 1: The unit price is typically the highest in its price range.Among the four providers, its monthly price isn’t the lowest—there’s a noticeable difference compared to Surfshark’s US$1 for $ starting at $2.49. What you’re paying extra for is the client experience, server quality, and consistency—not just the specs on paper.

Weakness #2: Basic features have been split up.The Basic plan includes only “Lite Protection” (blocking ads, malicious sites, and adult sites); more comprehensive features such as Advanced Protection and email aliases are available in the Advanced plan and above. If you want a dedicated IP address, you’ll need to choose the Express Pro plan or purchase it as an add-on. Don’t assume that buying the cheapest plan means you’re getting all the features listed on the official website.

Weakness #3: No long-term free quota.Of the four services, only AdGuard VPN offers long-term free access (3 GB per month); ExpressVPN’s “trial” is essentially a 30-day money-back guarantee, and the refund policy specifies that it’s primarily intended for new users.

Weakness #4: It is not a silver bullet.No commercial VPN can guarantee access to mainland China at all times or on all ISP networks, and this article makes no such promise. Needs such as utilizing full bandwidth during evening rush hour or requiring a static IP for business purposes should be handled by a self-hosted VPS or a "VPN server" rather than a commercial VPN. I’ve outlined the overall trade-offs of VPN solutions in this article on my main site:How to Choose a VPS for Bypassing Internet Restrictions and Accessing the Internet Abroad。

V. The Other Three: Each has its own standout feature; just choose one that meets your needs.

NordVPN: The provider with the most detailed tiered pricing structure.The official website's pricing page as of September 2026 lists three 2-year plans (including 27 free months): US$3.49/month (total price US$94.23), US$ 4.49/month (officially labeled as the best-seller, total price US$ 121.23), US$7.49/month (total price US$202.23). The annual renewal prices upon expiration are US$139.08 / US$219.48 / US$296.23. It includes 10 devices and a 30-day money-back guarantee. Its obfuscated servers and NordLynx protocol are specifically designed for restricted networks; if you’re looking for “the most feature-rich, out-of-the-box solution,” it’s in the same category as ExpressVPN—just compare prices. Our main site has a long-term usage history:NordVPN User Experience in China. Link:NordVPN Official Website Offers。

Surfshark: Unlimited devices + the cheapest long-term plan.Prices on the official website during the same period: Starter US$—$2.49/month (total of $67.23 for 27 months); One US$—$2.79/month; One+ US$—$4.49/month. All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee;No limit on the number of devices that can be online at the same timeA single account covers the entire family’s phones, computers, tablets, and TVs. For restricted networks, it offers two mechanisms: NoBorders (which automatically switches nodes and protocols when a restricted network is detected) and Camouflage (which disguises VPN traffic as HTTPS). Its no-logs policy has been independently audited by Deloitte. The trade-off is that it isn’t truly “plug-and-play”—according to third-party reviews (Wall Mama, updated September 13, 2026), using it in mainland China requires enabling NoBorders and adjusting the protocol and server to an Asia-Pacific node. I’ve posted the configuration checklist on my main site:Can Surfshark Be Used in China? (2026). Link:Surfshark Official Website Deals。

AdGuard VPN: The only service that lets you test the connection for free.Data from the official website's licensing page: Free version—3 GB per month, 2 devices; Paid version—1 month for US$1.99 (No Refund Guarantee), 1-year plan: US$1.TP4T47.88 (equivalent to US$1.TP4T3.99/month), 2-year plan: US$1.TP4T71.76 (equivalent to US$1.TP4T2.99/month); both long-term plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee, After payment, there are no speed or data caps, support for up to 10 devices, and AdGuard DNS Personal Edition is included for free. Its TrustTunnel protocol was open-sourced under the Apache 2.0 license in January 2026, making it stand out among these four providers in terms of transparency and verifiability. Link:AdGuard VPN Official Website(For a detailed review, see the Tools section at AdGuard VPN Review）。

VI. Side-by-Side Comparison of the Four Companies (Data captured from official websites on September 24, 2026)

Prices and policies are compiled from the official websites of the four companies. Promotions, free months, and tax amounts are subject to change; please refer to the checkout page for the most up-to-date information before placing an order. In this table, the two columns that actually make the biggest difference in the total cost are:Number of Devices Online Simultaneously和Refund Policy—They determine whether you should buy an extra one for your home and whether you can treat it as a trial size.

VII. How the Three-Tier Architecture at My Home—Soft Router, AirPort, and Commercial VPN—Works Together

If you're also tinkering with software routers, you can take a look at how I currently organize my tasks. You don't have to copy it exactly, but you can borrow the logic:

• First layer: Soft router + VPN, handling the day-to-day operations of all devices in the house.My TV box, NAS, and all the mobile devices in my home route their default traffic through it, with the rules determined by OpenClash. The key to this layer is getting the DNS and traffic routing configured correctly. My three-piece set (OpenClash + AdGuardHome + MosDNS) was built specifically for this purpose.
• Second Tier: Business VPN (I use ExpressVPN), which handles situations where I’m “away from home” or my family “can’t set it up.”Whether it's your work laptop, a family member's phone, or a computer you've borrowed temporarily, just install the client, click once, and you're good to go—no need to worry about nodes or rules.
• Layer 3: Backup circuit, which takes over when “Layer 1 goes down.”It could be a second airport subscription (the one billed by data usage is more cost-effective,NUTS-type airports that charge based on traffic volume(That's the idea), or it could simply be a commercial VPN account that you don't use very often but have had all along.

If you want to use your home's software router while you're away, there's a ready-made solution—I'veUse Your Home Soft Router to Access the Internet Safely While on the GoIt was mentioned in that article; if you haven't decided on a client yet, take a look at this firstA Cross-Platform Guide to Clients for Accessing the Internet Safely...which can save you a lot of trial and error.

The criteria are actually quite straightforward:Even if one layer fails, you should never lose your internet connection.No matter how stable an airport may be, it should never be your only option. The fact that Kuailian (LetsVPN) announced on its official website in April 2026 that it was terminating its operations in mainland China serves as the most direct reminder of this (Source: Kuailian official website announcement, April 28, 2026).

VIII. Basic Skills Used in Mainland China (Which One Is More Important?)

• Always be ready to run.One commercial VPN plus one self-hosted or proxy service—if either one goes down, you won’t lose your internet connection.
• Treat the refund period as a trial period.Three out of four providers offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, but AdGuard VPN’s monthly plan does not; the best approach is to purchase a long-term plan and test it using your usual network connection within the refund period.
• Conduct one test for each of the two time periods and the two networks.Test once during the morning rush hour and once during the evening rush hour, and once using your home broadband and once using your phone's hotspot—a single speed test doesn't indicate stability.
• Don't believe the claim that "it's guaranteed to work."Third-party assessments of availability in China are contradictory and extremely short-lived, so this article provides only methods and prices—no guarantees regarding availability.

IX. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q: Is ExpressVPN guaranteed to work in mainland China?
No service provider can guarantee this. Each of its servers features automatic obfuscation, which is an advantage, but availability varies depending on the time of day, the ISP, and the network connection. Please test it yourself using the method described in Section 8 and have a backup plan ready.

Q: How do I choose between the three ExpressVPN plans?
If you only have one device and don’t need advanced protection, the Basic plan is sufficient; if you have 12 devices and want full protection, choose the Advanced plan; if you need a dedicated IP address or want to connect multiple devices simultaneously, consider the Express Pro plan. For most households, the Advanced plan is the best choice.

Q: Will the price really go up when I renew?
Yes, that's standard practice in the industry. The ExpressVPN website states that the Basic plan renews at US$4.99 per year upon expiration, and NordVPN also lists three annual renewal price tiers (starting at US$139.08). Calculate the introductory price and the renewal price separately before deciding whether it’s worth it.

Q: Can I try it for free first?
Of the four providers, only AdGuard VPN offers a long-term free plan (3 GB per month, 2 devices). The “trials” offered by the other three are backed by a money-back guarantee—you purchase a long-term plan, test it within 30 days, and get a refund if you’re not satisfied.

Q: Can one account be shared by the whole family?
Check the limits: Surfshark has no device limit; ExpressVPN allows 10–14 devices; NordVPN and AdGuard VPN allow 10 devices. Also, avoid frequent simultaneous logins from the same account across multiple continents, as this can easily trigger security measures.

Q: Why aren't the speed test results included?
Since I haven’t conducted any actual tests, I won’t include them here. All prices, number of devices, and refund policies in this comparison are sourced from the four companies’ official websites; for availability in China, I’ve only cited dated third-party conclusions. Speed test results vary greatly depending on the broadband provider, so they’re less useful as a reference than running a test yourself.

X. In Closing: How I Plan to Spend This Money

If I had to choose just one:I'll renew my ExpressVPN subscription—It isn’t the cheapest option, but these three points—“just click and it works, no need to teach family members how to use it, and customer service and a money-back guarantee if something goes wrong”—are exactly what I’m willing to pay for. The other three providers each offer better value in specific scenarios: if you have multiple devices and are on a tight budget, go with Surfshark; if you want the most comprehensive features, choose NordVPN; and if you just want to test the connections first, use AdGuard VPN’s free trial.

Official access points for the other three companies—use as needed:NordVPN · Surfshark · AdGuard VPN. For a more detailed item-by-item comparison of the four providers and the renewal pricing formula, check out this more comprehensive article on our main site:How to Choose a VPN That Will Still Work in China in 2026。

Sources of Information and Statements

Prices, number of devices, and refund policies were obtained from the pricing, checkout, and licensing pages on the official websites of the four companies (data captured on September 24, 2026):ExpressVPN Pricing Page、NordVPN Pricing Page、Surfshark Pricing Page、AdGuard VPN License Page; ExpressVPN's server coverage, Lightway, TrustedServer, automatic obfuscation, and audit checklist are sourced from itsOfficial Features Page与Transparency and Audit Page. The information regarding LetsVPN’s termination of its services in Mainland China comes from an announcement on its official website (April 28, 2026). Statements regarding availability in Mainland China cite third-party public reviews (Qiangmama, updated September 13, 2026) and are dated accordingly; this article does not include speed test data generated by this site.

This article contains affiliate links., We may earn a commission from purchases made through the links in this article; this will not affect your purchase price and does not constitute a guarantee of the availability of any services in mainland China. Prices and promotions are subject to change at any time; please refer to the final display on the checkout page of each official website.