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The new shared architecture means faster features for Linux and macOS users – and Windows is next
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- ExpressVPN moves to Qt for unified cross-platform development
- Linux app gets a full GUI, dual-mode speed test, and Dedicated IP support
- macOS beta restores split tunneling and adds WireGuard protocol options
If you’re a desktop user of ExpressVPN, your experience is about to get a lot more consistent, and potentially much faster. The top-rated provider has announced a major architectural shift, moving its Linux, macOS, and Windows apps to a shared foundation built on the Qt framework.
For the uninitiated, this might sound like dry tech jargon, but for subscribers to one of the best VPN services on the market, it’s a significant quality-of-life upgrade. By adopting Qt (pronounced "cute"), ExpressVPN can now build features once and deploy them across all operating systems simultaneously.
This marks the end of the "platform drift" that often plagues software, where the Windows app gets a shiny new feature while Mac and Linux users are left waiting months for the same tool.
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A game-changer for Linux and Mac
The immediate benefits of this rollout are most visible for Linux and Mac VPN users.
For the Linux community, often the most neglected in the VPN world, this update is huge. The new Qt-based app introduces a full Graphical User Interface (GUI), meaning you no longer have to rely solely on the command line to switch servers or adjust settings. While the CLI remains for power users, the new dashboard makes the service far more accessible.
Linux users also gain access to a built-in speed test that measures your internet performance both with and without the VPN in a single session, alongside the ability to manage dedicated IP add-ons directly within the app.
On the Mac side, the news is equally good. The new Qt-based beta app brings back split tunneling for modern macOS versions, a feature that has been notoriously difficult to implement on recent Apple Silicon updates. This allows users to route specific apps through the VPN while keeping others on their standard connection.
Additionally, the Mac beta adds WireGuard alongside ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway and OpenVPN protocols, giving users more choice for speed and stability.
Why the switch to Qt matters
In a blog post detailing the changes, ExpressVPN explained that the shift is about predictability and speed.
"Qt isn't something users will notice directly, but it reshapes how these apps will develop over the next few years," the company stated. "Features can be built once instead of multiple times, design choices can travel across platforms without drift, and updates that used to move unevenly across operating systems can finally align."
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Essentially, this streamlines the engineering process. Instead of three separate teams building the same feature for three different OS environments, one team builds it, and it propagates everywhere. This should result in faster bug fixes, more frequent feature drops, and a unified look and feel whether you’re on an Ubuntu desktop, a MacBook Air, or a Windows gaming rig.
How to get the update
The new experience is rolling out in stages:
- Linux: The new Qt-based app (v3.0+) is available now for distributions based on Debian 11+, Ubuntu 24.04+, Fedora 35+, and others.
- macOS: The Qt version is currently available exclusively via the beta channel on the ExpressVPN website. Users should note that the Qt macOS app will not be available on the App Store due to Apple's restrictions.
- Windows: A beta version for Windows 10 and 11 is expected to arrive in the coming weeks.
For those interested in testing the latest features, you can download the installers directly from your account dashboard on the ExpressVPN site. As always, keeping your VPN app updated is key to maintaining optimal security and performance.
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Rene MillmanContributing WriterRene Millman is a seasoned technology journalist whose work has appeared in The Guardian, the Financial Times, Computer Weekly, and IT Pro. With over two decades of experience as a reporter and editor, he specializes in making complex topics like cybersecurity, VPNs, and enterprise software accessible and engaging.
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