Express VPN could be an option if you’re looking for a new VPN provider. This detailed review will look at how ExpressVPN stacks up against the industry leader NordVPN.
Both of these reputable VPNs offer reliable, high-speed service with plenty of features to ensure that your data remains safe while you browse the web. NordVPN and ExpressVPN are two of the most popular VPN services in the market, but which one is better?
This comparison article will look at both providers and review their key features. We will then make our final recommendation for the better choice based on your personal needs. So keep reading to find out which VPN provider is right for you!
Key Aspects to Consider
NordVPN and ExpressVPN both provide secure and reliable virtual private network (VPN) services that help you stay safe and anonymous while browsing the web. Both offer a wide selection of features but differ in many key aspects.
Let’s start with their ratings. NordVPN is rated 4.7 out of 5 and Express VPN is rated 4.8 out of 5. This is slightly better and could be due to the greater number of countries’ Express VPN services – 94 compared to NordVPN’s 60.
From a speed and countries served perspective, while NordVPN services fewer countries, the number of servers is almost double that of Express VPN. NordVPN also offers dedicated P2P (torrenting) servers, unlike ExpressVPN.
From a security point of view, NordVPN and Express VPN are pretty close to the same, but NordVPN also offers NordLynx, providing even faster speeds to users. Both providers have an audited no-logging policy, so you can be sure your privacy is protected regardless of which one you choose.
Streaming is always a bone of contention when picking and choosing between providers, and here NordVPN comes out on top. NordVPN works better as it can unblock Netflix libraries in nearly all regions worldwide, whereas Express VPN only works in certain countries like Canada and Japan. Its price is also a bit better, especially for customers who are making a two-year commitment.
| NordVPN | ExpressVPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Rating | 4.7 | 4.8 |
| Countries and Servers | 60 countries & 5400+ servers! | 94 countries & 3000 servers |
| Pricing | As low as $4.19/mo on the 2yr plan | $6.67/mo on a 1yr commitment |
| VPN Protocols | OpenVPN/IKEv2/IPSec/WireGuard | OpenVPN/IKEv2/IPSec/WireGuard |
| Logging Policy | Audited No Logging Policy | Audited No Logging Policy |
| Netflix and Streaming | Yes – worldwide | Yes – limited countries |
| Torrenting | Dedicated P2P Servers | Yes, but configuration needed |
| Customer Support | 24/7/365 | 24/7/365 |
| Platforms | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS |
Simple & Effective
Your VPN needs to be easy to set up and use if its going to be popular. Let’s see how NordVPN and ExpressVPN do
VPN Speed
Don’t let them tell you differently. When using a VPN, speed matters! Let’s look at the difference between NordVPN and ExpressVPN
Stream It All
Censorship sucks! A good VPN will help you access streams from anywhere and will unblock popular services
Ease of Use
A VPN that is complicated and difficult to use, is unlikely to have many fans. NordVPN and ExpressVPN both offer a simple and intuitive tool that even newbies can pick up and use.
Ease of Use
NordVPN has an intuitive, modern interface with an organized tab structure where you can easily find all the settings and options you need. The main control panel provides easy access to all the essential services such as Quick Connect, Speciality Servers and Settings. The Quick Connect option is particularly useful as NordVPN does all of the heavy lifting of finding the best server for you.
ExpressVPN, on the other hand, has a more straightforward and minimalistic interface. It does not offer customization options, and the main control panel has fewer features than NordVPN’s. That said, it still provides all the necessary settings to customize your experience and secure your connection. In addition, ExpressVPN also offers a Speed Test feature which is quite helpful if you want to find out what server will give you the best performance in terms of speed and latency.
Regarding mobile support, both NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer apps for Windows, macOS, Android and iOS devices. NordVPN is one of the few VPN services with a Linux app, which puts it slightly ahead of ExpressVPN.
Speed
VPN speed is absolutely a function of location, as the further you are away from a server, the slower your connection will be. This can be mitigated based on the quality and quantity of the servers.
NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer an extensive range of servers worldwide, with both companies offering thousands of proxies. However, NordVPN tends to have more servers in certain parts of the world, such as North America and Europe, while ExpressVPN offers more options in Asia.
In addition to the number of servers available, it’s also essential to look at the quality of those servers. NordVPN has invested heavily in its network infrastructure, which gives it an edge over ExpressVPN when it comes to speed and reliability.
The bottom line is that both NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer very good speeds, but NordVPN tends to come out on top due to its faster servers in certain parts of the world.
Fast as Lightning
NordVPN and ExpressVPN have some of the fastest servers on the planet and when it comes to a VPN service, this is a crucial requirement.
Watch Anything
A good VPN will have servers all over the world and will help you stream all of the best shows from any streaming services.
Streaming Compatability
With servers worldwide, both NordVPN and ExpressVPN can easily remove georestrictions, letting you watch anything you want.
Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN are compatible with major streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, Disney+ and Amazon.
ExpressVPN and NordVPN both work with US Netflix – however, ExpressVPN also streams from 10 additional regions, while NordVPN surpasses that number by offering 11. With the help of NordVPN, you’ll have no problem connecting to your favourite content in areas such as the UK, Japan, Australia or Italy.
In addition to Netflix, NordVPN also beats ExpressVPN when looking at BBC iPlayer, as all of the NordVPN servers provide access, while with ExpressVPN, some manual configuration is required.
Additional Features
01
Kill Switch
A kill switch is a security feature that automatically disconnects you from the internet if your VPN connection fails. Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer a system-level kill switch.
02
split tunneling
Split tunnelling allows users to decide which apps they want to use their VPN connection for and which should remain unencrypted. NordVPN has an advantage here as it offers split tunneling for both Android and iOS devices. ExpressVPN is only available for Android users at present.
03
DNS Leaking
DNS leaks occur when your computer or router bypasses the VPN’s secure connection and reveals your true IP address. To prevent this, NordVPN has its own custom DNS servers, while ExpressVPN sends all traffic through its private, secure DNS servers.
04
double encryption
Both offer the same level of 256-bit AES encryption with OpenVPN as the recommended protocol. However, NordVPN uses double encryption technology which encrypts data twice for extra security, while ExpressVPN does not offer this feature.
Pricing
NordVPN offers 3 different pricing plans depending on the time you want to commit to. The shorter the time frame, the higher the monthly price, but NordVPN offers significant discounts for longer subscriptions.
ExpressVPN has a similar pricing structure to NordVPN, with a few key differences. Firstly, they don’t offer a 2-year plan, so the longest subscription you can get is for 12 months. Secondly, their prices are slightly higher across the board, which can be a bit of a turnoff in comparing the two.
Both providers offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so if you’re unsatisfied with the service, you aren’t risking anything. When it comes to value for money, we think NordVPN is the clear winner here. Their longer subscription periods provide significant savings compared to ExpressVPN, and their service offers more for less.
| Pricing | 1 Month | 1 Year | 2 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | $11.95/mo | $6.99/mo | $4.99/mo |
| ExpressVPN | $12.95/mo | $8.32/mo | NA |
An Apples to apples comparison
Nordvpn vs expressvpn
expressvpn
Pretty Good
- Audited no-logs policy
- $6.67/mo
- 3000 servers
- Split Tunnelling
- DNS Leak Protection
- Kill Switch
nordvpn
better
- Dedicated P2P Servers
- Linux app
- Double Encryption
- Linux app
- Audited no-logs policy
- $4.19/mo
- 5400+ servers
- Split Tunelling
- DNS Leak Protection
- Kill Switch
Final Thoughts
While both providers have many features in common, there is enough of a difference between the two to put NordVPN in the lead. Overall, it’s clear that NordVPN is the better deal between the two providers.
They offer longer subscription periods at better prices, and their service has more features for less money. If you’re looking for a secure and reliable VPN with plenty of options, then NordVPN is definitely worth considering. The 30-day money-back guarantee means there’s no risk in giving it a try. So why not take the plunge and join NordVPN today? You won’t regret it!