Your ExpressVPN is getting three huge upgrades - including a private AI assistant

Andriy Onufriyenko via Moment / Getty Images

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ZDNET's key takeaways

• ExpressVPN launched ExpressKeys and ExpressMailGuard, with ExpressAI soon.
• ExpressVPN is expanding beyond VPN into a broader security suite.
• Older ExpressVPN apps retire March 31, 2026, so update soon.

ExpressVPN has announced three new services designed to bring the organization more in line with its competitors as a security suite -- or, if the firm has its way, to jump ahead of it in the security (and AI) space.

Also: Best VPN services 2026: Our top picks for speed and security

The new ExpressKeys and ExpressMailGuard offerings made their debut on Feb 5, whereas ExpressAI will be launched at some point in the future -- with each focused on different areas: confidential computing, password management, and email privacy.

ExpressAI

ExpressAI is described as a "private-by-design" AI platform that combines confidential computing with artificial intelligence (AI) applications. It is intended for general AI queries and use -- such as completing everyday tasks, whether they are requests for information or image generation.

At launch, the following models will be available:

• GPTOSS 20B
• DeepSeek R1 Distill
• Qwen2-VL 2B
• Qwen3 32B
• NVIDIA Nemotron

The idea behind this service is to reduce the risk of user profiling or of user-issued prompts being fed back into large language models (LLMs) for AI training. The company is using what it calls an "enclave architecture," including zero-access end-to-end encryption and loading files into memory only to prevent exposure. In addition, messages will automatically be deleted after a set period of time.

Also: The best VPN routers of 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

"As more people use AI to draft emails, summarize documents, and troubleshoot everyday problems, they're also increasingly sharing more sensitive content, like work files, financial questions, and personal details," ExpressVPN says. "Too often, that means choosing between powerful AI features and personal privacy. ExpressAI is built to remove that tradeoff, ensuring user data remains encrypted and unreadable to anyone, including ExpressVPN."

You also have to set a primary password to enable an encrypted chat history, which ExpressVPN says it cannot access.

During beta testing, I found it to be quite an interesting solution with generally quick responses. One highlight is the comparison tool, which lets you select and compare multiple AI model responses side by side.

Screenshot via ZDNET

ExpressKeys

The second new offering is ExpressKeys, a standalone password manager now available in both the Android and iOS ecosystems. While ExpressVPN Keys already existed, it was an integrated feature with limitations that didn't match the functionality of some rival services, such as NordPass.

Also: The best password managers of 2026: Expert tested

ExpressKeys has been separated from the ExpressVPN app and is now available as an independent offering, focusing on credential management. It includes features such as autofill, passwords, notes, and financial data storage, synchronization across multiple devices, and a password generator. It can also be used as an authenticator, and on mobile, you can use a biometric unlock to manage your saved credentials.

If you are already an ExpressVPN Keys user, you will be able to log in with your existing ExpressVPN credentials to migrate to the new app. The integrated password manager will continue to function for now to allow users to make the transition without losing any of their data.

ExpressMailGuard

ExpressMailGuard, a web-based mail inbox protection service, attempts to differentiate itself from the crowd by providing universal email masking. Now included in ExpressVPN plans, ExpressMailGuard allows users to generate disposable email addresses that work with their genuine email address -- whether you're using Gmail, Outlook, or any other provider.

Also: Best email hosting services 2026: Expert tested and reviewed

The idea is that you can sign up for an online service without handing over your real email address. If you suspect you might be inundated with spam after making a purchase from an online retailer, for example, you will be able to trace the source of junk messages and block them.

"ExpressMailGuard is designed to reduce that exposure and give users more control over how their email address is shared and used online," the company says.

After testing this service, I found that the dashboard has a lot of appeal, and there are plenty of options for extended control over messaging, including rules that allow or stop emails from being forwarded. You can opt for shared or dedicated domain alias types, and you can customize each alias if you wish -- whether this includes numbers, random words, or specific characters.

Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

ExpressKeys and ExpressMailGuard are available on ExpressVPN's tiered plans, whereas the AI service has been delayed to "ensure we deliver the quality experience our users deserve."

Features available to you will vary, depending on whether you are a Basic, Pro, or Advanced subscriber.

ExpressVPN's future

Over the past year, ExpressVPN has been bringing itself more in line with its competitors, such as introducing tiered pricing, lowering subscription costs (at least at the lowest plan level) to rival other companies, and increasing the number of simultaneous connections.

Now that ExpressVPN has expanded to include ExpressAI, ExpressKeys, ExpressMailGuard, and Identity Defender, its US-based identity protection service, the company's direction is clear.

Also: ExpressVPN review: One of the fastest VPNs we've tested

In the same way as rivals such as NordVPN, ExpressVPN is moving from a focus on consumer VPN services to a broader security solution and appears to be trying to cover some of the bases that both consumers and business customers want -- credential management, email masking, and ID protection.

Do I think the ExpressAI solution will make an impact on launch? I'm not so sure. It might be that ExpressAI will, at least, introduce a broader customer base to the brand, and there's no denying that the lure of encryption and deeper protection is appealing. Still, it's an interesting concept, and I think it has potential.

Existing subscribers should also note: With this update and overhaul of the firm's security offerings, older versions of ExpressVPN apps will be deprecated on March 31, 2026. Now considered end of life, you will need to update by this date to retain access to VPN servers.