VoIP VPN: How ExpressVPN protects your internet calls

Written byAkash Deep

Reviewed byAna Jovanovic

Edited bySam Boyd

October 29, 20267 min read

ExpressVPN helps protect Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) calls by routing your traffic through an encrypted virtual private network (VPN) connection and masking your public IP address. This helps protect your call data from people monitoring your network while limiting what others can learn about your connection.

Quick guide: How to use ExpressVPN for VoIP calls in 3 steps

What changes when you use ExpressVPN for VoIP calls?

When you use ExpressVPN for VoIP calls, your calling app handles the call itself, including any encryption it provides. ExpressVPN protects your network connection while you make that call.

Your VoIP traffic is encrypted

When you make a VoIP call, the calling app exchanges information with its service to set up and manage the connection. ExpressVPN encrypts this information, along with the call's audio and video, as it travels between your device and an ExpressVPN server.

Your public IP address gets masked

With ExpressVPN connected, the calling service sees the VPN server's IP address instead of your own. This makes it harder to estimate your location or link your calls to your usual internet connection.

Your calling service is harder to identify

Without a VPN, your internet provider or Wi-Fi operator may be able to identify which calling service you're using from the IP addresses your app connects to. With ExpressVPN connected, they see the VPN server's IP address instead.

When is ExpressVPN useful for VoIP calls?

ExpressVPN can help when you want more privacy during VoIP calls on home Wi-Fi, mobile data, or public networks.

Calling on public or shared Wi-Fi

If you regularly make VoIP calls on hotel, airport, or café Wi-Fi, you can enable ExpressVPN's auto-connect feature on supported devices. This lets ExpressVPN connect automatically when you join an untrusted network, so you don't have to remember to turn it on before making a call.

Calling on the move

When you leave a building during a call, your phone may switch from Wi-Fi to mobile data. When you're connected using ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol, the VPN session can resume quickly after a brief interruption, without starting a new connection.

If the VPN unexpectedly disconnects while your phone still has internet access, ExpressVPN's Internet Kill Switch blocks traffic until the VPN reconnects. This prevents your call traffic from being sent over an unprotected connection.

However, your call may still pause or end during an interruption. Depending on your calling app, you might need to reconnect the call yourself.

How to check ExpressVPN is working with VoIP

Before making a call in your browser, check that ExpressVPN is masking your IP address and that Web Real-Time Communication (WebRTC) isn't exposing your real one

1. Check your IP address: Connect to ExpressVPN and wait until the app shows Protected. Then, open the ExpressVPN IP address checker and look for a notice saying your IP address is secured. If the checker says your IP address is currently exposed, check that ExpressVPN is connected and refresh the page. If the warning remains, contact ExpressVPN Support.
2. Check for WebRTC leaks: Keep ExpressVPN connected and open the WebRTC leak test in the browser you use for calls. Look for “No WebRTC leak detected” in the results.

If you see warnings about your IP address being exposed, close any tabs you opened before connecting and run the test again in a new tab.

Common VoIP issues and how to fix them with ExpressVPN

If calls lag, cut out, or won't connect while ExpressVPN is on, work through these troubleshooting steps to identify the cause. Test your calls after each change to see whether the problem improves.

Compare calls with and without ExpressVPN

On a network you trust, make a short test call with ExpressVPN connected, then another with it disconnected. Use the same calling app, device, and network for both. If the problem happens only when ExpressVPN is connected, the VPN connection may be causing the issue. If it happens in both calls, check your internet connection or calling app before troubleshooting the VPN.

Try another VPN location

If the VPN is causing the issue, try connecting to another ExpressVPN location. If you’re on a distant server, try a nearby location. You can also use Smart Location on desktop or Fastest Location on Android and iOS to let ExpressVPN recommend a server location suited to your connection.

Check the VPN protocol

Your VPN protocol can affect connection speed and stability. A protocol that works well on one network may struggle on another. If you've manually selected a protocol, switch to Automatic so ExpressVPN can choose an option suited to your network.

If the problem continues, follow the instructions for changing your VPN protocol and test another available option. Keep the VPN location the same to help determine whether changing the protocol makes a difference.

Update your apps and contact Support

Install any available updates for your calling app and the ExpressVPN app, then test again.

If the problem continues and the issue is with the VPN, contact ExpressVPN Support. Provide information about your device, calling app, VPN location, protocol, and the results of your troubleshooting. You can also contact Support through the ExpressVPN app's Help section and provide diagnostic information to help investigate the issue.

What are the limitations of using ExpressVPN for VoIP calls?

ExpressVPN protects your network connection, but your calling app, device security, and internet connection still affect how private and reliable your calls are.

• ExpressVPN can't add end-to-end encryption (E2EE): If your calling app doesn't encrypt calls end-to-end, the service may still be able to access your conversations. ExpressVPN only encrypts the connection up to the VPN server.
• Doesn't hide your call history from the calling service: The service may still record who you called, when, and for how long. It can also link those records to your account.
• Can't stop malware from recording calls: Malware on your device may capture audio before ExpressVPN encrypts it or after your calling app decrypts it. ExpressVPN doesn't remove malware from your device.
• Can affect call quality: Routing traffic through a VPN server can add delay, particularly if the server is far away or your connection is slow. VPN encryption also uses some processing power and adds a small amount of data overhead, which may impact call quality on slower devices or connections.