NordVPN and ExpressVPN are widely recognized among VPN users worldwide. They’re both known for their strength, speed, and security, making them excellent choices. NordVPN and ExpressVPN aren’t part of the 14-Eyes group and are known for their strong security. No matter which one you pick, you can trust that you’ll get a reliable and secure VPN service.
NordVPN is affordable, fast, and with feature-packed options, great for quality without high costs. It’s the fastest VPN, perfect for speedy performance. ExpressVPN has a router applet and many server locations. Plus, it allows more device connections, handy for users with multiple gadgets
NordVPN Vs ExpressVPN: Overview
NordVPN
ExpressVPN
Base price (Annual subscription)
$4.59
$6.67
Rating
4.8
4.4
Device connections
10
8
Available for devices
Ios. Android, Window, MacOS, Linux, Chrome, Firefox
Windows, Mac, Android, Ios, routers, ChromeBook, Kindle fire
Servers
6,200+ servers across 111 countries
3000+ servers across 105 countries
Encryption
AES 256-bit encryption
AES 256-bit encryption
VPN protocols
OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEV2
OpenVPN, IKEV2, Lightway
Jurisdiction
Panama
British Virgin Islands
Pricing and Plans: NordVPN vs ExpressVPN
NordVPN offers a great deal on its 2-year plan, which costs only $2.99 per month. In contrast, ExpressVPN’s 2-year plan is pricier, at $4.99 per month. Both charge $13 for the 1-month plan. Yet, for the 1-year plan, NordVPN is more affordable, at $4.59 per month, compared to ExpressVPN’s $6.25. Furthermore, NordVPN offers massive discounts during Black Friday and Cyber Monday, thus it is an even better choice for saving money.
Each VPN provider offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try their services risk-free. NordVPN and ExpressVPN also offer a 7-day free trial. You can access a 7-day free trial for mobile apps via the Google Play Store. NordVPN’s free trial is available only on Android. However, once you activate it, you can use the same account on multiple devices like Windows, iOS, and macOS. In contrast, ExpressVPN offers it on both Android and iOS.
Payment method
ExpressVPN and NordVPN offer a range of payment options to cater to different needs. Both accept credit or debit cards like Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover. They also support PayPal and cryptocurrencies for added privacy. Additionally, they receive digital wallets such as Google Pay and Apple Pay. NordVPN goes a step further by offering Amazon Pay as a payment option. Both VPN providers also support UnionPay for region-specific convenience.
Security And Privacy
NordVPN and ExpressVPN both use strong encryption to protect your data. They use AES-256-bit encryption, regarded as the “gold standard” in cybersecurity. They also support popular protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec. Each VPN has its own unique protocol. NordVPN offers NordLynx, based on WireGuard, which delivers faster speeds and reliable security. Meanwhile, ExpressVPN features LightWay, which provides fast, reliable, and secure connections.
Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer excellent jurisdiction for privacy. NordVPN operates in Panama, whereas ExpressVPN is in the British Virgin Islands. The best part? Both are outside the Five, Nine, and Fourteen Eyes alliances, making them excellent choices for privacy-conscious users.
Neither NordVPN nor ExpressVPN keeps logs, meaning they don’t track or store data. NordVPN and ExpressVPN have undergone independent audits to prove their privacy, security, and transparency. NordVPN has a strong track record of multiple third-party audits, and in 2024, it completed four external audits.
2023-2024, Deloitte verified its no-logs policy, confirming that NordVPN does not track or store user activity. Earlier audits by PwC in 2018 and 2020 also demonstrated NordVPN’s strong commitment to user privacy.
NordVPN has audited its apps and server infrastructure to detect and address any security issues. It also runs a bug bounty program that allows ethical hackers to report any flaws, which helps improve its security.
ExpressVPN has often undergone audits, compared to NordVPN, which examine various aspects of its service. This includes audits by PwC for no-logs, KPMG for privacy and transparency, and Cure53 for browser extension security. The audits also evaluate features like its TrustedServer technology and Lightway protocol. ExpressVPN highlights its regular audit schedule as part of its commitment to transparency.
NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer split tunneling features. This allows you to choose which apps to use the VPN and which to bypass.NordVPN and ExpressVPN include a Kill Switch feature. When the VPN disconnects unexpectedly, this disables your internet connection. NordVPN provides more customization options. For example, its App-specific kill Switch only blocks internet access for selected apps.
With NordVPN, you get extra security features like double VPN and onion over VPN. Double VPN routes your internet traffic through two VPN servers for enhanced security. Onion over VPN combines NordVPN encryption with the Tor network for more privacy.
Streaming: NordVPN vs ExpressVPN
Numerous people use VPNs like NordVPN and ExpressVPN to access geo-blocked content, and both are fantastic for streaming. They successfully unblock platforms like Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. Both can access 20+ Netflix libraries, including popular regions such as the US, UK, Canada, and Japan. This means you can easily switch locations to unlock a wider range of content.
Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN come with Smart DNS features, making them great options for streaming. This allows you to watch content on devices that don’t support VPN apps like Smart TVs, and gaming consoles.
ExpressVPN’s Smart DNS feature, MediaStreamer, is easy to set up and works smoothly to unblock geo-restricted content. NordVPN, on the other hand, offers something similar but calls it Smart DNS.
NordVPN stands out for its additional SmartPlay technology, which takes streaming a step further. Not only does it bypass geo-blocks, but it also encrypts your data while streaming. This adds an extra layer of security without you needing to do anything extra—it’s built right into their apps.
Both VPNs are fast enough for HD and 4K streaming, so you won’t have to deal with buffering or low-quality playback. Moreover, NordVPN and ExpressVPN allow streaming on all their servers, so you don’t have to worry about selecting a server.
Servers and Network Coverage
NordVPN offers an impressive 7000+ servers in 118 countries, giving you plenty of variety and coverage. Its large server network reduces congestion and ensures consistent speeds,. In addition, NordVPN has specialized servers for tasks like Double VPN, Obfuscation, and P2P sharing. By comparison, ExpressVPN has servers in 105 countries but doesn’t specify its exact number anymore.
Both VPN services are excellent at bypassing censorship, but NordVPN’s obfuscated servers give it an edge in heavily restricted regions like China. ExpressVPN calls its obfuscation “Stealth Servers” but it doesn’t have dedicated “Censorship” servers like NordVPN.
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