Identity Defender becomes the latest ExpressVPN feature to receive its own app – but only for US users

ExpressVPN Identity Defender image
(Image credit: ExpressVPN)

ExpressVPN has released its dedicated Identity Defender app for users in the US, designed to provide "real-time protection" for your data.

Identity Defender is the third ExpressVPN feature to receive its own app, following the release of ExpressMailGuard and ExpressKeys at the start of February 2026.

ExpressVPN Advanced | 2 years + 4 months FREE | $3.14 per month

ExpressVPN Advanced | 2 years + 4 months FREE | $3.14 per month
ExpressVPN Advanced is the provider's best value plan. You'll access all its new apps, along with most of Identity Defender – if you live in the US.

What you'll get...

✨ Four apps inc. Identity Defender
🔒 End-to-end encryption on all apps
📱 Protection for 10 devices
🔑 One of the best VPNs available

A 28-month plan starts at $3.14 per month ($88.00 upfront pre-tax) and comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Dedicated app for Android and iOS

Identity Defender is designed to cover your personal information with "real-time protection" and to catch "small changes that are easy to miss."

It's available to download now for Android and iOS. It's included in ExpressVPN Advanced and Pro plans, with a more comprehensive version of the product offered with the latter plan.

In a blog post, ExpressVPN explained the decision to move Identity Defender away from VPN settings and into its own app.

ExpressVPN said it has allowed Identity Defender's tools to be significantly upgraded, built around a new central dashboard.

Protection Score sits at the heart of the app's dashboard and it gives you a "clear snapshot of your risk level."

ExpressVPN Identity Defender dashboard displayed on iPhone

(Image credit: ExpressVPN / Future)

The dashboard gives a summary of Dark Web alerts, data removal requests, your credit score, and data broker findings.

As well as the dashboard, there are three dedicated tabs: Credit, Privacy, and Security.

Credit is the home of Credit Scanner and Credit Reports, keeping your credit health separate from general identity risks. Data Removal is located under the Privacy tab. This allows you to find data brokers holding your personal data and set up automated removal requests to delete it.

ExpressVPN Identity Defender Credit Monitoring displayed on iPhone

(Image credit: ExpressVPN / Future)

Security stores all information related to ID Alerts and ID Theft Insurance. ID Alerts has been significantly expanded to include a range of monitoring options. Identity Defender can now monitor:

  • Dark web data – scans for appearance of your personal data on the Dark Web. ExpressVPN says it offers "one of the most comprehensive monitoring engines in the industry."
  • Social Security Number use – Flags unauthorised uses of your SSN
  • Home and Auto Title Records (new) – Monitors public records for any changes to property or vehicle ownership
  • You Neighbourhood Security (new) – Alerts you if a registered sex offender moves into your area
  • Court and Judicial Records (new) – Checks for criminal court records filed under your name
  • High-risk Financial Transactions (new) – Connects via secure, read-only access to highlight unusually large or suspicious transfers
  • 401(k) Account Activity (new) – Monitors retirement accounts for unauthorized access using read-only data
  • Change of address requests – Flags attempts to redirect mail

ExpressVPN Identity Defender Security features displayed on iPhone

(Image credit: ExpressVPN / Future)

ID Theft Insurance has also been expanded. $3 million and $5 million of coverage is now provided, depending on your ExpressVPN plan. Cash Recovery is now covered, meaning you are eligible for up to $1 million in cash reimbursement should money be stolen directly from your accounts – something not previously protected against. The previously offered expense reimbursement and restoration support remains in place.

What's included in each plan?

As well as being a US-exclusive, Identity defender is only available for ExpressVPN Advanced and Pro subscribers. Feature availability varies between the two plans.

Full Dark Web and credit monitoring is offered on both plans. Also included is SSN monitoring, change of address alerts, and data removal.

Up to $3 million in ID Theft Insurance is provided for ExpressVPN Advanced subscribers, while Pro subscribers benefit from up to $5 million. All other monitoring features are only available to ExpressVPN Pro subscribers.

Screenshot of ExpressVPN Identity Defender feature comparison

(Image credit: Future)

A 28 month ExpressVPN Advanced plan currently costs $3.14 per month ($88.00 upfront pre-tax). A 28 month ExpressVPN Pro plan currently costs $5.24 per month ($146.80 upfront pre-tax).

ExpressVPN Pro is the VPN's highest tier of plan and includes everything it has to offer. This includes all features for its other apps, alongside Dedicated IP.

Shay Peretz, COO at ExpressVPN, commented on the release of Identity Defender. He said: "While developing this product, I was inspired by wanting to protect the people I care about most."

"Understanding potential risks, monitoring for threats, and having greater visibility into your personal security shouldn’t be complicated. Identity Defender is a must-have tool for anyone who values their privacy and security, and I’m incredibly proud that we’re bringing this level of protection and peace of mind to our ExpressVPN users."

Identity Defender's release sees the number of apps included in an ExpressVPN subscription rise to four – ExpressVPN, ExpressKeys, ExpressMailGuard, and Identity Defender. ExpressAI will take the total to five but its launch has been delayed and no set date for its release has been confirmed.

Disclaimer

We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.

George Phillips
Staff Writer

George is a Staff Writer at Tom's Guide, covering VPN, privacy, and cybersecurity news. He is especially interested in digital rights and censorship, and its interplay with politics. Outside of work, George is passionate about music, Star Wars, and Karate.

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