NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN: Which VPN Is Finest?

NordVPN and ExpressVPN each sit on the high of the meals chain relating to fashionable VPN suppliers. Each VPNs are identified for quick speeds, massive server suites, and a powerful popularity for high quality. Nevertheless, there are key variations between the 2.

NordVPN comes with spectacular safety and privacy-focused options, equivalent to its Meshnet encrypted file-sharing system and Risk Safety in opposition to malware and advertisements. In the meantime, ExpressVPN has a clear and easy-to-use interface and a formidable portfolio of third-party safety audits.

On this article, we work out which VPN is greatest for you and your corporation.

• NordVPN: Finest for many customers that need a big server community and quite a lot of further security measures.
• ExpressVPN: Finest for customers that prioritize having a user-friendly interface and quick VPN obtain and add speeds.

NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Comparability Desk

NordVPN and ExpressVPN: Pricing

NordVPN pricing

NordVPN’s paid plans have three subscription tiers, particularly NordVPN Primary, Plus, and Final. Take be aware, I observed that in some areas, NordVPN Final will generally be referred to as NordVPN Full or Extremely. This implies the highest plan could also be completely different relying in your location.

Under is an outline of pricing and have variations with every tier:

Out of NordVPN’s plans, I really feel its Plus subscription for one yr brings one of the best worth. It offers steadiness between an affordable month-to-month charge whereas having a wholesome quantity of NordVPN’s further security measures. Amongst these are its Risk Safety function that protects in opposition to malware and advertisements, in addition to its information breach scanner.

SEE: The Prime 7 NordVPN Options for 2024 (TechRepublic)

In the meantime, I commend NordVPN for together with Nord Safety’s devoted password supervisor, NordPass, to its Plus subscription tier. That is primarily a second service on high of the principle VPN — all in a single subscription. To me, this can be a significant value-add, particularly for customers which might be additionally out there for a password supervisor.

Whereas NordVPN doesn’t at the moment have a free model, it has a seven-day free trial by way of Android. When you join the trial, you’ll be capable of attempt NordVPN on desktop as properly. Whereas I laud Nord for providing a trial, I hope it opens this up for iOS customers as properly. This may enable extra customers to try to check NordVPN out.

Thankfully, NordVPN has a 30-day money-back assure for all its paid subscriptions. With this, you may pay for an preliminary plan and request a refund if you happen to discover it isn’t the appropriate match. Simply be sure to request the refund inside the allotted time interval.

If you wish to study extra, learn our full NordVPN overview.

ExpressVPN pricing

In comparison with NordVPN, ExpressVPN has extra simple pricing that’s solely divided relying on contract size.

• 1 month: $12.95 per thirty days.
• 6 months: $9.99 per thirty days.
• 1 yr: $6.67 per thirty days.

As a shopper, I like this strategy because it simplifies the entire shopping for course of. Nevertheless, this does imply that ExpressVPN carries much less function packages in comparison with NordVPN — a subject we’ll talk about extra in-depth later.

SEE: CyberGhost vs ExpressVPN (2024): Which VPN Is Higher? (TechRepublic)

Coincidentally, ExpressVPN additionally consists of its personal password supervisor, ExpressVPN Keys, to its paid subscriptions. Whereas I discover NordPass to be the extra highly effective password supervisor, I’m nonetheless glad that ExpressVPN bundles it with all of the paid plans.

Like NordVPN, ExpressVPN provides a 30-day money-back assure on all paid plan choices. Whereas ExpressVPN additionally has a seven-day free trial, that is solely accessible for its cell apps on Android and iOS.

If you wish to study extra, learn our full ExpressVPN overview.

NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Characteristic comparability

Safety protocols and encryption

Winner: Tie

Each NordVPN and ExpressVPN present top-tier encryption and high quality VPN protocols. In each companies, we get the business commonplace AES-256 encryption algorithm — properly acknowledged as one of the safe algorithms accessible.

SEE: NordVPN vs Proton VPN (2024): Which VPN Ought to You Select? (TechRepublic)

For VPN protocols, NordVPN carries OpenVPN and its proprietary NordLynx protocol primarily based on the speed-oriented WireGuard. On the flipside, ExpressVPN additionally provides the OpenVPN protocol and its personal Lightway protocol, equally constructed for velocity.

I admire how, for each NordVPN and ExpressVPN, customers have the choice to select from a security-focused protocol or one that gives extra velocity. For context, OpenVPN is understood for its safety as an open supply protocol, whereas WireGuard is quicker and extra fashionable.

On this means, you get one of the best of each worlds and aren’t confined to only prioritizing safety or velocity. With this, each NordVPN and ExpressVPN hit the mark for his or her safety protocols and encryption.

VPN server community and areas

Winner: NordVPN

When having a look at their respective VPN server networks, I’ve to present NordVPN the win. As of September 2024, NordVPN at the moment has 6,200+ servers throughout 111 international locations. Alternatively, ExperssVPN has servers unfold throughout 105 international locations. Whereas ExpressVPN doesn’t explicitly present a server quantity, experiences have pegged its server fleet at round 3,000+ servers.

The extra necessary quantity to think about right here is the server international locations or areas. At 111 international locations, NordVPN has six further areas over ExpressVPN’s server fleet. This implies you get barely extra selection when it comes to IP areas with NordVPN — one thing I do know will profit people who plan to primarily use VPNs to unblock region-locked on-line content material.

To be truthful, ExpressVPN’s 105-country server suite additionally provides an intensive vary of nation choices. It simply so occurs that NordVPN will get the slight benefit over ExpressVPN, with its extra sturdy server fleet and nation choice.

SEE: Does a VPN Sluggish Down Your Web Pace? (TechRepublic)

As a aspect be aware, I extremely suggest checking each NordVPN and ExperssVPN’s official server pages to see whether or not the placement you want for unblocking is out there. Fortunately, each suppliers usually replace which VPN server areas they’ve on supply.

Third-party audits and observe report

Winner: ExpressVPN

When you’re searching for a VPN with a powerful portfolio of third-party audits, I like to recommend going for ExpressVPN. Since 2018, ExpressVPN has accomplished a complete of 18 impartial safety audits. That’s very spectacular, particularly contemplating how different VPNs outright don’t have their companies examined independently. These audits have regarded into numerous facets of ExpressVPN, from its no-logs coverage to its desktop purposes. Its most up-to-date audit was revealed simply final June 2024 for the ExpressVPN browser extension.

As VPNs cope with delicate data like our looking information and on-line exercise, I discover third-party audits to be important concerns. They supply customers with greater than only a firm’s guarantees or claims. On this respect, ExpressVPN will get excessive marks from me with its constant and robust dedication to third-party testing.

SEE: It’s protected to make use of SSLVPN companies like NordVPN? (TechRepublic Boards)

On the flipside, NordVPN has had 4 impartial audits of its no-logs coverage since 2018. Its newest audit was performed by Deloitte Audit Lithuania in late 2023, additionally on its no-logs coverage.

Curiously, the newest audit outcomes are solely accessible for lively NordVPN customers and to not the general public. Nord says this “ensures the audit outcomes should not taken out of context or misunderstood.” Whereas I can see the place NordVPN is coming from, I feel the extra consumer-friendly strategy is to make audit outcomes publicly accessible — whatever the findings.

Nonetheless, I feel each VPNs do job of getting their purposes independently examined. It simply so occurs that ExpressVPN is the clear winner on this regard, particularly with its hefty portfolio of audits so far.

Standout options

Winner: NordVPN

For customers that desire a suite of additional options, I recommend going for NordVPN. It has a ton of security-focused capabilities that add significant worth alongside the principle VPN.

My favourite amongst them was NordVPN’s Meshnet non-public community system. It lets customers share information or entry gadgets remotely by way of an encrypted connection — a function I envision to be helpful when sharing delicate information or paperwork.

It additionally has its Risk Safety Professional net and file safety function that blocks in opposition to intrusive advertisements, malware, and trackers. This retains an lively rely of all threats blocked by NordVPN. Apart from these, NordVPN features a darkish net monitor, double VPN servers, Onion Over VPN capabilities, and obfuscated servers, amongst different options.

That isn’t to say ExpressVPN doesn’t have its personal set of standout options. It has what it calls Superior Safety that protects in opposition to trackers, advertisements, and malicious web sites. There’s additionally Parental controls, the place ExpressVPN routinely blocks grownup web sites whereas linked to their servers.

Each NordVPN and ExpressVPN supply password managers with their subscriptions — NordPass and ExpressVPN Keys. Consider, nevertheless, that NordPass is barely bundled with NordVPN Plus and above, whereas Keys is included in all ExpressVPN plans.

SEE: Finest VPNs for streaming, gaming, torrenting (TechRepublic Boards)

All in all, NordVPN will get my vote for having a bit extra in the way in which of additional options in comparison with ExpressVPN. Personally, I admire how most of Nord’s further options are all centered on safety and privateness. This makes their service much more compelling as a handy safety resolution and never simply an unusual VPN.

Efficiency and velocity

Winner: ExpressVPN

For efficiency, I give ExpressVPN the spherical by a slim margin. Each NordVPN and ExpressVPN gave me quick, and dependable VPN speeds throughout my interval of testing. Web sites loaded rapidly, and I had zero noticeable drops in connection whereas linked to servers from every.

Throughout testing, I linked my work laptop computer to one in all their VPN servers and did my typical work as a author. This concerned having a number of tabs open for analysis, downloading, and importing information, attending on-line video conferences, and streaming music within the background.

The place ExpressVPN gained a bonus is velocity check outcomes. With NordVPN, it really had a 0.78% enhance in downloads in comparison with my web service supplier — which is great. Nevertheless, its add velocity efficiency was much less spectacular, recording a 44% lower compared to my ISP.

SEE: Why Your Enterprise Wants Cybersecurity Consciousness Coaching (TechRepublic Premium)

Alternatively, ExpressVPN recorded persistently quicker speeds in each outcomes. For downloads, it solely had a 25.65% lower in comparison with my residence community. For uploads, it recorded 0.37% quicker speeds in opposition to my ISP connection. With these outcomes, ExpressVPN reveals it will probably supply quick efficiency in each downloads and uploads.

In my view, most customers might be completely glad with both NordVPN or ExpressVPN. I acquired nice speeds with each in day-to-day use. However if you happen to’re particularly after which VPN brings higher efficiency, my testing confirmed ExpressVPN is the higher choose.

Ease of use and design

Winner: ExpressVPN

On the subject of general person expertise, my vote goes to ExpressVPN. It has, maybe, the most effective VPN purposes I’ve used up to now.

It comes with a easy and fashionable design that helps make the interface user-friendly and straightforward to make use of. I notably like how every thing is clearly laid out — it has a giant energy button as an On/Off swap; a well-organized server record categorized by areas; and an equally intuitive browser extension that works as a VPN distant management.

On the flipside, NordVPN implements a stable interface as properly. It makes use of a smooth design and does job of organizing all of its options right into a single hub.

Whereas I additionally like NordVPN’s VPN app, I really feel it’s a tad overwhelming initially. There’s a ton of options you’re inspired to activate, and the server record is much less accessible upon setup in comparison with ExpressVPN. This will make it a bit intimidating for much less tech savvy customers that aren’t used to tinkering with software program.

Thankfully, when you give every part of NordVPN a attempt, you really notice that it does an excellent job of maintaining its abundance of options organized and tidy. That being mentioned, if having an easy-to-use and modern-looking VPN app is a precedence, I like to recommend going for ExpressVPN.

Worth

Winner: NordVPN

For worth, NordVPN will get the win for me. That is due largely to NordVPN having extra subscription choices and a extra inexpensive beginning value.

If we’re to check every VPN’s base one-year subscriptions, NordVPN Primary at $4.99 per thirty days is round $2 cheaper than ExpressVPN’s one-year plan at $6.67 per thirty days.

Shifting up a tier, NordVPN’s Plus one-year plan with further security measures remains to be extra inexpensive — priced at $5.99 per thirty days in comparison with the identical $6.67 ExpressVPN plan.

I additionally admire the truth that NordVPN offers longer, two-year subscriptions, which convey the month-to-month charge all the way down to $3 to $6 per thirty days. Whereas I like ExpressVPN’s simple subscription plans, I hope they provide longer contract choices like this for longtime clients that wish to get some financial savings.

Simultaneous system connections

Winner: NordVPN

By way of system connections, I give it to NordVPN. Proper now, NordVPN permits for as much as 10 gadgets to be concurrently linked to its VPN servers. As compared, ExpressVPN covers as much as eight simultaneous system connections.

To be truthful, the distinction between eight and 10 is small, and I really feel each system limits are sufficient for many customers. Nevertheless, it’s necessary to bear in mind NordVPN’s extra inexpensive pricing and bigger server suite.

Having extra system connections provides one other layer of worth with NordVPN’s service in comparison with ExpressVPN. The bigger system restrict also can show necessary for small groups or startups that plan on sharing a subscription amongst one another.

NordVPN vs ExpressVPN on Reddit

When taking a look at Reddit discussions speaking about which VPN is best, it’s clear that NordVPN and ExpressVPN are pretty evenly matched.

Based on a Reddit person within the VPNAdvice group, “Nord’s been hella dependable up to now. Been utilizing it for a yr now and the devoted IP has made issues so a lot better since its means quicker than utilizing a shared IP.” Within the identical group, one other Reddit person mentioned this about ExpressVPN: “Regardless of the upper value, I wouldn’t swap from ExpressVPN to a different service.”

Nevertheless, if we check out threads asking about one of the best VPNs, plainly NordVPN is talked about extra occasions than ExpressVPN.

One Reddit person within the VPNOverview group mentioned, “I’ve used a bunch of VPNs like Surfshark, CyberGhost, and NordVPN. NordVPN is my favourite. It blocks a number of abroad stuff I stream, and a number of other relations use it too. It’s tremendous reliable and prices solely $3.50 a month. Simply my two cents.”

Two suppliers incessantly additionally talked about alongside NordVPN and ExpressVPN are Surfshark and Proton VPN. These are worthy options as properly, and I encourage you to take a look at our Surfshark overview and Proton VPN overview.

NordVPN execs and cons

Execs

• Gives round 6,200+ servers in 111 international locations.
• Meshnet encrypted file-sharing system.
• Risk Safety Professional in opposition to malware, advertisements, and trackers.
• Independently audited no-logs coverage.
• Quick VPN speeds.
• 7-day trial by way of the Android app.
• Double VPN and obfuscated servers.

Cons

• No free model.
• Could be intimidating at first.

ExpressVPN execs and cons

Execs

• Servers unfold throughout 105 international locations.
• 18 impartial audits for its companies and apps.
• Simple-to-use, well-designed app interface.
• Quick speeds and efficiency.
• Superior Safety in opposition to advertisements and trackers.
• Parental controls in opposition to grownup websites.

Cons

• Costlier.
• Free trial is cell solely.
• Lacks extra inexpensive, 2-year subscription.

Ought to your group use NordVPN or ExpressVPN?

After a tricky matchup, NordVPN comes out on high over ExpressVPN. Its vast server community, top-tier safety capabilities, and quick VPN speeds make it the most effective VPN companies accessible.

When in comparison with ExpressVPN, NordVPN additionally positive aspects a bonus with its extra inexpensive pricing, number of subscription choices, and barely extra beneficiant simultaneous system connections.

I personally like NordVPN’s robust give attention to privateness and safety, making it a extremely good safety resolution alongside its predominant VPN performance. I really feel NordVPN is greatest for many customers, particularly people who need an all-around VPN with quick efficiency and numerous further options.

Alternatively, ExpressVPN is a good selection if you happen to worth having a well-designed VPN app and reliably quick speeds. ExpressVPN can be my high advice if constant, third-party audits are necessary to you.

Methodology

My head-to-head comparability of NordVPN and ExpressVPN concerned an in-depth evaluation of each VPNs’ options, real-world efficiency, and worth.

To evaluate every VPN, each companies had been scored on every thing from their server networks to their pricing. Specifically, I took under consideration 5 predominant pillars, every having corresponding weights:

• Pricing (20%).
• Core VPN options (30%).
• Ease of use (15%).
• Buyer assist (30%).
• Knowledgeable evaluation (5%).

I additionally regarded into actual person testimonials and respected evaluations to spherical out my closing suggestions for each NordVPN and ExpressVPN.

For velocity and efficiency, I examined each VPNs on my private Home windows laptop and ran them by way of Ookla’s public Speedtest. Lastly, I thought-about which varieties of companies or particular person customers would greatest profit from both NordVPN or ExpressVPN.