If you've listened to The Joe Rogan Experience for more than a few episodes, you've heard him read an ExpressVPN ad. So the answer to "what VPN does Joe Rogan use" is: ExpressVPN is his sponsor, which means he promotes it in paid ad spots.
Whether he personally uses it as his daily VPN is a different question — and one that's genuinely unknowable from the outside.
But here's what's worth knowing: ExpressVPN is a real, well-regarded VPN. His audience buys it. And there are legitimate alternatives worth knowing about.
What Rogan Says About ExpressVPN
The JRE ExpressVPN spots are fairly standard podcast ad reads. He mentions using it for things like:
- Keeping your internet connection private on public Wi-Fi
- Accessing content from other regions
- Not having your ISP track your browsing
These are real use cases for a VPN. The claims aren't exaggerated. ExpressVPN genuinely does these things.
Is ExpressVPN Actually Good?
Yes. ExpressVPN is one of the better-known consumer VPNs. Here's an honest breakdown:
What it does well:
- Fast connection speeds (consistently among the fastest in independent tests)
- Works in restrictive countries like China — important for travelers
- Clean apps across every platform (Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, routers)
- No-logs policy that's been verified through independent audits
What's less impressive:
- Price — it's around $8-13/month depending on the plan, which is at the high end for consumer VPNs
- Owned by Kape Technologies, a company that also owns Private Internet Access and CyberGhost (some users care about this, some don't)
- Customer support is good but not exceptional
How It Compares to NordVPN
NordVPN is the other major VPN you'll see sponsoring podcasts and YouTube channels. It's also what most security-focused reviewers recommend as the best all-around option.
| Feature | ExpressVPN | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Price (2-year plan) | ~$6-8/month | ~$3-4/month |
| Speed | Excellent | Excellent |
| Server count | 3,000+ (105 countries) | 6,000+ (111 countries) |
| No-logs audit | Yes | Yes |
| Extra features | Threat Manager | Threat Protection, Dark Web Monitor |
| Works in China | Yes | Partial |
NordVPN gives you comparable speed and more servers for about half the price. The main case for ExpressVPN over NordVPN is if you specifically need reliable access from China — ExpressVPN tends to have a slight edge there.
For most people in the US, UK, or India who want a VPN for privacy, streaming, and general security: NordVPN is the better value.
Who Should Get a VPN and Why
A VPN is actually useful for:
- Developers who work from coffee shops or airports — your traffic is encrypted so whoever runs the network can't sniff it
- Remote workers accessing company systems — many companies require VPN for this
- Accessing region-locked content — if something isn't available on Netflix in your country but is in the US
- Privacy from ISP tracking — your internet provider sells browsing data to advertisers in the US; a VPN prevents this
- Indian developers billing US clients — some payment platforms or client tools have geo-restrictions that a US-exit VPN can resolve
A VPN is not useful for: being anonymous on the internet in general (the VPN provider sees your traffic instead of your ISP), avoiding malware, or any serious operational security needs.
The Honest Pick
If you're buying based on Rogan's recommendation: ExpressVPN is a legitimate product. You won't regret it. Go for the 12-month plan for the best price.
If you're buying based on what actually gives you the most for your money: NordVPN at the 2-year plan. Same speed class, twice the servers, half the price. It's what most tech-savvy people who've done the comparison end up with.
If privacy is your primary concern above everything else: Mullvad. You pay flat €5/month, no account required, accept cash payments. It's the paranoid person's choice in the best way.
Podcast sponsorships exist because they work — Rogan's audience buys the products he promotes. That doesn't mean you have to buy the first option. Do a 5-minute comparison and you'll make a better decision than most of his listeners.