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ExpressVPN has redesigned its Linux desktop app from the ground up, but Windows users will need to wait a little longer before they get their hands on the same changes.
There's a slew of new tools baked into the app, including a speed test — so you can check the speed of your connection before and after connecting to a VPN server, support for ExpressVPN's Dedicated IP feature, and a simplified new interface for Linux users.
Developers at ExpressVPN have chosen to build the new apps on the Qt cross-platform framework. While the Linux version of the app is available now, ExpressVPN is still beta testing its new software for Mac and Windows.
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The new Qt-based app on Mac will introduce advanced features like split tunnelling and CLI control, which haven't previously been available on Apple desktop machines. This incoming Mac app isn't to be confused with the one already available to download from Apple's App Store.
According to ExpressVPN, this new iteration is a separate, more advanced version available exclusively from the ExpressVPN website. It will mean features that are unavailable in the App Store, due to Apple's policies, such as split tunnelling, can be accessed on the Mac desktop for the first time.
This new app will be the most comprehensive version of ExpressVPN possible, the developers claim.
Rewriting every desktop app in its lineup with this new Qt cross-platform framework is a big undertaking... but one that should result in more consistency across the ExpressVPN lineup of apps. The award-winning VPN brand should it'll be able to deliver new features faster, while keeping the experience consistent across platforms.
Linux users have been treated to the new features before their counterparts on Mac and Windows
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Both the Qt Linux and macOS versions share a design language.
The user interface introduces a modern card-based dashboard, light and dark modes, support for 17 languages, favourites for quick access to preferred server locations, an interactive map with an accessible IP refresh icon to swap IP addresses, and simplified navigation through a slide-in panel for settings and help resources.
Discussing the changes, Chief Operating Officer at ExpressVPN, Shay Peretz said: "Moving to Qt represents a shift in how we build and deliver desktop experiences.
"Instead of developing features separately for each platform, we're able to create a unified experience that lets us deliver highly requested updates, like split tunnelling and CLI control, more quickly, while maintaining the performance and security ExpressVPN is known for."
ExpressVPN will bring the same modern user interface to Windows 10 and Windows 11 with the next beta version of the app, which is due to launch in the next few weeks.
As well as clearer navigation and performance improvements, it will add a built-in speed test to measure your connection in real-time, an Advanced Network Lock that protects your traffic, and network automation to give you more control over how ExpressVPN synchronises with your daily life.
Stay tuned for more news on the ExpressVPN redesign coming soon to Windows users. In the meantime, Mac owners who want to get to grips with the new look can download the beta exclusively from the ExpressVPN website via the beta channel. However, you'll need to be running macOS 11 Big Sur or newer.
As for Linux users, there's no need to wait as the new features are available to download now.
The built-in speed test lets you measure performance twice — once through the internet service provider (ISP) and again when connected to ExpressVPN — offering a clear, side-by-side view of download and upload speeds. Combined with server and protocol details, it provides a straightforward way to understand VPN impact on performance and troubleshoot common issues.
One of the biggest complaints when using a subpar VPN is the negative impact on download speeds. Linux users also now have Dedicated IP support. They can unlock and manage Dedicated IP addresses directly from the app, with a clear status indicator when a dedicated connection is active.
The app also adds post-quantum WireGuard as a third protocol option alongside Lightway and OpenVPN, built to protect against future cryptographic threats. Lightway remains the default, with WireGuard and OpenVPN providing additional options for different network scenarios.
For administrators and power users, the release introduces improved headless installation with reduced system dependencies, making ExpressVPN simpler to deploy on servers, containers, and minimal Linux environments.
This Qt-based app is now the default ExpressVPN experience for Linux, replacing the previous version, which will be discontinued early next year.
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