NordVPN and ExpressVPN are two of the biggest names in the VPN industry, offering the best services in nearly every aspect.
Each of these services has its specific disadvantages and disadvantages, so which of the two is better highly depends on what aspects you prioritize.
This in-depth comparison between NordVPN and ExpressVPN covers the two services’ speed, price, security and capabilities to help you choose the best VPN provider for you.
Key Takeaways
- NordVPN and ExpressVPN have comparable speeds and top-notch security protection due to their proprietary VPN protocols and encryption.
- When it comes to pricing, a long-term plan from NordVPN is more affordable than ExpessVPN. Its cheapest plan only costs $3.79 USD a month.
- If you want to support various smart home devices, ExpressVPN is a better choice.
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Summary
| Feature | NordVPN | ExpressVPN |
| Location | Panama | British Virgin Islands |
| Servers | 5,595 servers in 60 countries | Over 3,000 servers in 105 countries |
| Top Features | Threat protection, meshnet and dark web monitoring | VPN split tunnelling, IP address masking and Private DNS |
| Pricing | From $3.79 USD to 14.99 USD per month | From 6.67 USD to 12.95 USD per month |
| Speed | NordLynx and high-speed protocols | Lightway and high-speed protocols |
| Netflix Compatibility | Supports multiple Netflix libraries | Supports some Netflix regions |
| Security | OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec and its WireGuard-based NordLynx | OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP/IPsec VPN protocols |
NordVPN Top Features
NordVPN is located in Panama and has 5,595 servers in 60 countries. For its VPN protocols, NordVPN uses OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, WireGuard (NordLynx), and 256-bit AES for data encryption.
Its other top features include:
- Threat protection
- Meshnet
- Dark web monitor
- Dedicated IP
- Split tunneling
- Kill switch
- Smart DNS
- Private DNS servers
- No logs policy
- Six simultaneous connections
NordVPN plans also come with the following:
- Secure, high-speed VPN
- Malware protection
- Tracker and ad blocker
- Cross-platform password manager
- Data Breach Scanner
- 1 TB cloud storage
- Automatic wifi protection
- Browser extensions for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox
Read our detailed review of NordVPN.
ExpressVPN Top Features
ExpressVPN is located in the British Virgin Islands and has over 3,000 servers in 105 countries.
It uses Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPsec VPN protocols, and 256-bit AES for data encryption.
Its top features include:
- VPN split tunnelling
- TrustedServer technology
- Network Lock kill switch
- Private DNS
- IP address masking
- Threat Manager
- Lightway VPN protocol
- No logs policy
- Simultaneous use for up to 5 devices
ExpressVPN plans include these free extras:
- Smart DNS service
- Browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Vivaldi, and Brave
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Price and Plans
The prices for NordVPN plans are as follows:
| Plan | Monthly Price (in USD) | 1-year Price | 2-year Price |
| Complete | $14.99/mo | $6.49/mo | $5.79/mo |
| Plus | $13.99/mo | $5.49/mo | $4.79/mo |
| Standard | $12.99/mo | $4.49/mo | $3.79/mo |
Special deals are also available all year round.
For ExpressVPN, the plans and prices are as follows:
| Plan | Price Per Month (in USD) |
| 1 Month | $12.95 |
| 6 Months | $9.99 |
| 12 Months + 3 Months free (Special Deal) | $6.67 |
Payment options are credit cards, PayPal, Bitcoin, and others.
Both offer a 30-day money-back guarantee if you are unsatisfied with their services.
When it comes to NordVPN vs ExpressVPN prices, NordVPN is considerably less expensive than ExpressVPN, particularly when it comes to annual plans.
The better choice would depend on your preferred plan, whether you want a short-term or long-term service.
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Speed
For the NordVPN vs ExpressVPN speed category, it is worth noting that both use high-speed tunnelling protocols, which are NordLynx and Lightway, respectively.
The two features offer lighting-fast, next-generation VPN protocols, resulting in sophisticated privacy and superior performance.
Several speed tests have concluded that NordVPN is the faster VPN due to its NordLynx protocol. For some, ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway produces faster speeds.
It generally depends on what country and location you perform the speed test.
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Netflix
In the NordVPN vs ExpressVPN Netflix category, both services provide excellent streaming services and can unblock Netflix and other libraries, such as BBC iPlayer and YouTube.
They also enable streaming on all servers. So, switching to another server before watching a show is unnecessary.
NordVPN and ExpressVPN also have Smart DNS, allowing viewers to stream content with the best video quality.
Between the two, NordVPN supports more Netflix libraries than ExpressVPN, which offers 24/7 Netflix access but only for a few regions.
NordVPN supports the Netflix libraries of several countries, such as the US, UK, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Finland, Spain, Japan, Australia, Brazil, South Korea, and India.
ExpressVPN supports fewer Netflix regions, including the USA, Japan, and the UK.
Other streaming services included in NordVPN plans are Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and others. ExpressVPN streaming services also have Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+.
Related: Netflix Plans and Pricing
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Security
The VPN services that NordVPN and ExpressVPN provide are well-matched as far as security is concerned.
Both use multiple VPN protocols to ensure the security of your internet traffic. NordVPN uses OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec and its WireGuard-based NordLynx that boasts higher speeds.
ExpressVPN features the OpenVPN, IKEv2, and L2TP/IPsec VPN protocols. Protection becomes more sophisticated with the proprietary protocol Lightway, which combines security and speed.
Both providers use the AEX encryption with the virtually impenetrable 256-bit key. They also have a kill switch option that prevents browsing when the VPN is disconnected.
Overall, both companies excel in providing robust security due to their industry-standard features.
Pros and Cons of ExpressVPN
Pros
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Anonymous browsing
- No activity or connection logs
- Simultaneous use of 5 devices
- Bypasses ISP throttling
- Unlimited bandwidth
- Provides VPN on routers
- Lowers ping and overall lag
- Apps for every device
- Wide range of payment methods
- Access to content from anywhere
- 24-hour live chat support
Cons
- More expensive than other VPN services
- No dedicated IP option
- Not recommended for large families and budget-conscious users
Pros and Cons of NordVPN
Pros
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- A higher number of servers
- No logs policy
- 6 devices can be used simultaneously
- Lets you access content abroad
- Bypasses internet censorship
- Streaming while away
- Hide Your IP
- Mobile app
- Browser support
- Dedicated IP address
- 24/7 support
Cons
- Fewer server connections than its competitors
- The cost for dedicated IP is higher than some rival services
- More expensive for users looking for a monthly plan
Alternative VPNs
Although both NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer superior services, there are alternative VPNs that provide superb features, too.
Surfshark
Surfshark is a top-tier and affordable VPN with AES-256 encryption, OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols, and a kill switch on every platform.
It can unblock every major global streaming site and provides access to 10 Netflix libraries. It uses private DNS servers and Multi-Hop, which routes your traffic through two VPN servers.
It includes an ad blocker, a kill switch, and a bypasser. It also connects unlimited devices to a single account.
For 1.99 USD/mo for its 2-year plan, you can have the cheapest subscription plan that offers high-quality VPN service. It also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
CyberGhost
CyberGhost offers features you would look for in a VPN provider, such as solid security protections and a massive network of over 9,000 servers in 91 countries.
Its features include unlimited bandwidth, a WireGuard protocol, 256-bit AES encryption, an audited no-logs policy, a built-in Kill Switch, streaming- and torrenting-optimized servers, and protection for up to 7 devices simultaneously.
Cyber Ghost offers three plans: the 2-year plan at $2.11/mo; the 6-month plan for $6.99/mo; and the 1-month plan at $12.99/mo.
It offers a 24-hour free trial for Windows and macOS, a 3-day free trial for Android, and a 7-day free trial for iOS. Cyber Ghost plans also offer a 45-day money-back guarantee.
ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN is a high-speed, no-logs Switzerland-based VPN service that protects your privacy by sending your internet traffic via an encrypted VPN tunnel to keep your personal data safe.
The provider uses the highly secure OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec internet connection protocols. It has 1,900+ servers across 65+ countries and protects ten devices at a time.
Its features include network traffic encryption (AES-256), a Kill Switch, split tunneling, Netflix, torrenting, DNS Leak Protection, and IP address shared with others.
ProtonVPN offers three plans: Free, VPN Plus (4.99 €/mo), and Proton Unlimited (7.99 €/mo). Both subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Which is Better?
Overall, NordVPN and ExpressVPN are evenly matched as both offer excellent services with superior features. They are both reliable for unblocking platforms and streaming shows.
Both offer split tunnelling, a kill switch, DNS leak protection, P2P support, streaming and optimization features, and 24/7 customer service.
The services are compatible with Android, iOS, Linux, Mac, and Windows. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee.
If you consider price as a primary factor, NordVPN can provide the best value, especially if you prefer an annual contract. It has dedicated IP support and has more servers in its network.
If you want a VPN provider that can support various smart home devices, then ExpressVPN is a better choice. It also has servers in many countries and can support streaming devices and a broad range of smart home devices.
Ultimately, the best VPN for you depends on your needs and uses. Compare the options to find what you need.
To be sure, take advantage of the 30-day money-back guarantee that both providers offer. It would be the best way to determine what VPN will work best according to your needs and location.
FAQs
While both have lightning-quick speeds, the faster VPN would depend on where the speed test occurs. Overall, both have comparable speeds, with many reviews concluding that NordVPN is faster due to its NordLynx technology, which gives it superior performance over ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol.
ExpressVPN is more expensive because it markets itself as a premium VPN service and highlights its lightning-fast speeds courtesy of its proprietary Lightway protocol. It also boasts ultra-fast servers in 94 countries.
NordVPN is excellent for Netflix as it can securely access more than a dozen regional libraries in the US, UK, Canada, Australia, and Japan. NordVPN also allows streaming on all its servers and uses the Smart DNS feature to enable the best video quality when streaming content.
Yes. NordVPN is based in Panama, which does not have data retention regulations. It also uses sophisticated encryption technology, the AES-256-CBC cipher, considered the gold standard in the VPN market. Additionally, NordLynx utilizes the ChaCha20 protocol, further strengthening its privacy and security layers.
