How Many Devices Can I Use ExpressVPN On At the Same Time?

Before subscribing to a VPN service, you'll want to know how many simultaneous connections your VPN supports, helping you narrow down your options. That's also how you can plan which devices you want to protect and which ones to leave out of your VPN's coverage. That said, know that ExpressVPN is among the most generous VPNs in that sense.

ExpressVPN gives you 8 simultaneous connections and works on any device. Knowing how to install it on multiple devices will come in handy, letting you protect all your devices at home and on the go. We’ll add that ExpressVPN works on practically any device. So, unless you plan your approach to installing it on multiple devices, you’ll quite easily cross its limits on concurrent connections.

In this guide, we'll explain how many simultaneous connections ExpressVPN supports, what to do if you need to cover more devices, how to manage your active devices on ExpressVPN, how to fix this VPN's 'Connection Limited Reached' error, as well as answer some FAQs.

How Many Devices Can I Use With ExpressVPN Simultaneously?

You can use up to 8 devices simultaneously with ExpressVPN. That means using a single subscription to this VPN, as per its device limit, lets you connect from 8 devices at the same time.

Unlike most other VPNs, ExpressVPN doesn’t limit your use of its 3,000+ servers. Differently said, you’re free to use the same VPN server on all 8 devices, or you can use a different VPN server on each device. The only limitation is that up to 8 sessions can be active at any given moment.

Also, keep in mind that you can install ExpressVPN on as many devices as you want. In fact, we highly recommend setting up the VPN across all your devices, helping you create a solid system for digital privacy protection. Then, you can use ExpressVPN when needed.

What To Do If I Need to Connect ExpressVPN on More Than 8 Devices?

To connect from more than 8 devices when using ExpressVPN, you can purchase an additional subscription, share your VPN connection, or install ExpressVPN on a router. Find more info below.

Option #1: Purchase an Additional ExpressVPN Subscription

At any moment, you’re free to buy an additional ExpressVPN subscription, which is perhaps the easiest way to bypass the VPN’s 8-device limit. To make that happen, you’ll need to use another email address, as you’ll be in charge of 2 separate ExpressVPN accounts.

We’ll also mention that ExpressVPN doesn’t offer any add-ons, so there really is no other way to increase its 8-device limit. That’s why our first recommendation is to buy an extra subscription, especially if you don’t wish to tinker with this VPN.

Option #2: Share Your VPN Connection from Another Device

Sharing a VPN connection requires you to turn your computer or smartphone into a virtual router. That means your phone or computer will emit your VPN connection, taking only a single slot of your ExpressVPN connection.

In essence, you’ll create a new Wi-Fi network. To take full advantage of that VPN-protected Wi-Fi network, it’s best to use a Windows or macOS computer that’s always powered on. That’s the only way to create a VPN network that works 24/7 without performance fluctuations.

Option #3: Set Up ExpressVPN on a Router

If you set up ExpressVPN on a router, that router will take only a single "slot" in ExpressVPN's device limit, which means you can connect as many devices as you want at the same time. The only downside is that you need a router compatible with VPNs. Also, you’ll need some time and knowledge to make this setup work.

There are 3 ways to get started. The easiest one is to buy ExpressVPN's own router - Aircove. You'll get a pre-flashed router with ExpressVPN already installed. Just power it on, set it up, and you'll create a VPN-protected Wi-Fi network for your household. Here's how to set up ExpressVPN's Aircove.

Another, a bit more complex option, is to use ExpressVPN’s firmware for routers, which is an option for supported routers made by Linksys, ASUS, and Netgear. Here's how to set up ExpressVPN on a router.

In most cases, you’ll need to set up ExpressVPN manually. Of course – we got your back in those cases as well. Here’s how to set up ExpressVPN on DD-WRT, Tomato, TP-Link, D-Link, Google WiFi, ASUS, Linksys, Netgear, Xiaomi, Huawei, Netduma, DrayTek, and Sabai routers.

How to Setup and Install ExpressVPN on Multiple Devices

It's easy to set up, install, and use ExpressVPN on multiple devices. It offers native apps, which greatly simplifies its installation. To help you get started, we offer a range of easy-to-follow guides, found below.

How to Manage Devices on ExpressVPN?

ExpressVPN doesn’t have a centralized place from where you can manage your devices. That means you can't log out of all your devices automatically, as you’ll need to disconnect each device manually. Let's see how that's done using ExpressVPN's app and ExpressVPN's router firmware.

Option #1: Manage & Remove Devices from ExpressVPN’s App

You can install ExpressVPN on an unlimited number of devices. However, you can connect up to 8 devices at any given moment. Once you cross that limit, you'll need to remove a device manually in the following way:

1. Open any of your ExpressVPN apps on any device.
2. If there’s an active VPN session, ExpressVPN’s interface will be green.
3. Disconnect using the ON/OFF button. The interface will turn red.
4. Do the same on any other device you’d like to remove from ExpressVPN.

For each device you disconnect from ExpressVPN, you’ll free up one slot of your subscription. That happens instantaneously. In other words, you’ll be free to connect to a VPN server from another device immediately.

Option #2: Manage & Remove Devices from ExpressVPN on a Router

Routers using ExpressVPN’s own firmware (version 3.2.0 and above) have access to a feature called ‘Device Groups.’ So, here’s how to use that feature to sort your devices into groups, each connected to a different VPN server:

1. Access your router that runs ExpressVPN’s custom firmware.
2. Select ‘Add Group,’ provide a name, and click ‘Save.’
3. By default, newly created groups will use ExpressVPN’s Smart Location.
4. If you want a different VPN location, make sure to select it.
5. You can also add new devices and freely move them between groups.
6. A device group can also be set not to use a VPN connection.
7. Lastly, you can also remove groups using the ‘Settings’ icon.

Everything said above applies to ExpressVPN’s custom firmware. If you use another type of router firmware (such as DD-WRT or your router’s stock firmware), there might be an option to manage devices that use ExpressVPN’s connection. We recommend searching via Google for further information.

ExpressVPN ‘Connection Limit Reached’ Error – How to Fix?

To fix ExpressVPN's 'Connection Limit Reached' error, you need to disconnect from ExpressVPN on one of your devices. In other words, that error happens once you connect from 8 devices at the same time and then you try to connect from an extra device.

To fix this error, open ExpressVPN on one of your devices that's already connected. Press the ON/OFF button to disconnect, and the app's interface should turn red. Once you disconnect, a single slot of your 8-device limit will become available once again.

Unfortunately, ExpressVPN doesn't offer a dashboard where you can see all your connected devices at once. That means you'll need to try to remember which of your devices have ExpressVPN's app installed and then disconnect manually.

Final Thoughts

ExpressVPN comes with a generous 8-device limit that you can take advantage of any way you see fit. For example, you can connect from 4 computers, 2 phones, or 2 tablets, or you can use ExpressVPN on a router, which takes a single "slot" while protecting your entire household. That said, it's crucial to plan your approach, especially if you want to stay within a single ExpressVPN subscription.

In the end, we'll add that we highly recommend ExpressVPN even if you have a household with many Web-connected devices, as it gives you a high level of flexibility. In that case, it's best to set it up on a router (or buy ExpressVPN's Aircove router), allowing you to connect all your devices at once while still having 7 "slots" for any devices you use on the go.

This is where we end our guide on installing and using ExpressVPN on multiple devices. If you have any questions, let us know via the comments section below. Lastly, thanks for reading!