ExpressVPN has put its 30-day money back guarantee on hold after launching a new promotion following its previous World Cup promotion.
In ExpressVPN’s summer tech contest/giveaway, the company is giving away 30 new iPhone 17 Pros, with the caveat that users are not covered by ExpressVPN’s usual 30-day money-back guarantee.
The promotion will run from July 11, 2026 until 11:59 pm BST on August 9, 2026, immediately following ExpressVPN’s FIFA World Cup 2026 ticket giveaway event, which ran from June 10, 2026 to July 11, 2026.
During the promotion, each new registration gets 10 entries into the iPhone 17 Pro drawing, with the caveat that all sales are final during this period.
This means that ExpressVPN will not have offered its usual 30-day money-back guarantee for 60 days when the Summer Tech Sweepstakes promotion ends.
Mixed reactions
At first glance, ExpressVPN’s decision to remove the money-back guarantee during these promotional periods might seem logical.
After all, if the refund option were still available after entering a drawing for World Cup tickets or a new iPhone, users could try to cheat the system by entering the contest and then canceling their ExpressVPN plan if they win.
However, ExpressVPN’s decision to deny users a money-back guarantee for two consecutive months has worried some users, marking a break from standard industry practice.
Feedback on the decision has been mixed at best, with several commenters on r/Express_VPN speaking out. User queenbe12 warned others to “be careful” while the user rockyboy called the move “predatory business” and asked “who came up with this idea?”
New scam tactics: Express VPN does not offer a money-back guarantee or refunds, but it does offer you to enter the drawing to win an iPhone.
from r/Express_VPN
In a statement given to TechRadar, ExpressVPN said: “ExpressVPN sometimes runs optional limited-time promotions, such as the current prize draw, that customers can choose to join.
These promotional plans are clearly identified and disclosed at the time of purchase, and offer additional benefits, such as entry into a sweepstakes, in lieu of the 30-day money-back guarantee. This allows customers to make an informed decision about which option is best for them before subscribing.
Whether or not a money-back guarantee is offered, customers’ legal rights are not affected. “Anyone on a promotional plan can also contact ExpressVPN support to request a refund, and each request is considered on its merits.”
Why are money-back guarantees important for VPNs?
Like most software services, VPNs can be paid for as monthly subscriptions, but almost all VPNs offer deep discounts when you sign up for one- or two-year plans.
In the case of ExpressVPN, a two-year plan offers an 84 percent discount compared to monthly renewal, and you get four additional months free of charge.
As such, when we talk about VPN pricing here at TechRadar, we’re usually referring to the price of one of these extended plans. It is usually the cheapest option for most users.
However, our price-based recommendations are usually made in the context of money-back guarantees, which protect users from long payment plans if they sign up for the wrong option or realize that a certain VPN is not for them.
Many of the best VPNs offer these guarantees, and many smaller and mid-tier brands will offer them as well. NordVPN and Surfshark VPN offer 30 days; CyberGhost increases this to 45 days and Norton VPN gives users a full 60 days.
All of this is to say that ExpressVPN removing its money-back guarantee, even for a promotion, is a big deal and a genuine reason to consider avoiding a longer plan until the promotional period ends.
So, if you’re still interested in purchasing ExpressVPN, consider purchasing a monthly plan or waiting until August 10 for a longer plan, and be sure to check out our ExpressVPN review for an in-depth breakdown of its features and performance.
