ExpressVPN launches industry's first VPN MCP server, bringing secure network connect to AI agents

ExpressVPN becomes the first VPN provider to adopt the Model Context Protocol, enabling AI tools to securely manage user’s VPN

ExpressVPN has announced the beta launch of its Model Context Protocol (MCP) server, becoming the first VPN provider to enable AI tools to securely read VPN status and configure connection settings.

MCP, introduced by Anthropic in November 2024, is an open standard for connecting AI systems with external tools and data sources. While MCP has been adopted across developer platforms, VPN infrastructure has remained outside this ecosystem. ExpressVPN’s release brings VPN control into MCP-based workflows for the first time.

As AI assistants become part of everyday development, network configuration has remained a manual bottleneck. Developers still need to switch server regions, verify secure connections, and troubleshoot network issues outside their automated workflows. ExpressVPN’s new MCP server eliminates that friction. 

By creating a strictly local bridge between AI tools and ExpressVPN’s desktop apps, developers can now use natural language to verify a VPN connection is active, switch server locations, check security settings, and troubleshoot connectivity issues—without leaving their workflow.

The early beta is MCP-compatible AI tools like Anthropic’s Claude Code and OpenAI’s Codex, and works with ExpressVPN’s desktop apps for macOS, Windows, and Linux. Through a fixed command allowlist, AI tools can read VPN status, switch regions, change protocols, and run diagnostics and more as part of automated workflows.

Shay Peretz, COO of ExpressVPN, said: “Developers are increasingly relying on AI agents to automate complex tasks, yet their network environment has remained manual. Our MCP server brings VPN control into those workflows, enabling secure testing, troubleshooting, and region switching without interrupting their workflow. As we continue to evolve the product alongside the market, we see MCP becoming a foundational standard for how AI systems interact with external tools.”

Private and secure by design

The integration is disabled by default and requires users to opt in via the ExpressVPN desktop app. It runs entirely on the user’s device only.

The MCP server uses a fixed command allowlist and does not provide access to account credentials or session information. It operates under ExpressVPN’s no-logs policy, meaning activity logs, connection logs, and destination data are not collected or stored, as clarified in our privacy policy.

The beta version enables developers to automate tasks such as verifying secure connections before running scripts, testing geo-sensitive APIs across multiple regions, and diagnosing network issues through AI-assisted workflows.

The ExpressVPN MCP server is available in beta from 5 March 2026, exclusively to subscribers on the following plans:

• Basic, Advanced, or Pro Tier (1-year or 2-year subscriptions)
• ExpressVPN for Teams

For more information, visit https://www.express-vpn.biz/features/mcp-server and https://www.express-vpn.biz/support/mcp-server/.