As internet privacy concerns mount in the wake of data breaches and surveillance revelations, more people are turning to Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) to take control of their security. Consumer VPN usage grew over 30% last year alone.
NordVPN and ExpressVPN stand out as two of the most popular choices for shielding online activity and bypassing geo-restrictions. But how do you decide which one best fits your needs?
I’ve conducted extensive testing to compare every aspect of these leading VPN providers. Read on as I break down their key differences across critical performance metrics – from privacy protections and connectivity speeds to ease of use, pricing, and streaming capabilities.
First I‘ll clarify exactly what a VPN is and its key benefits before diving into this comprehensive NordVPN vs ExpressVPN showdown. Let‘s get to it!
VPN 101: What Is a VPN and Why Do You Need One?
So what exactly is a Virtual Private Network? Simply put, a VPN creates an encrypted tunnel between your device (computer, phone, tablet) and the internet traffic flowing through it. This secure tunnel shields your online activities and data from prying eyes.
The top reasons to use one of the best VPN services are:
- Enhanced Security – VPN encryption foils hackers on public Wi-Fi and protects sensitive info like bank details from compromise.
- Anonymity – Your true IP address and location are hidden so no one can track the sites you visit or build profiles of your browsing habits.
- Bypass Censorship – VPNs route traffic through servers abroad so you can defeat internet blocking imposed by authoritarian regimes.
- Unlock Streaming Content – Change virtual locations via international servers to access overseas libraries of top streaming services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu.
Sold on their benefits? Now let‘s examine if NordVPN or ExpressVPN is the better VPN option for securing your digital life.
An Epic Battle: NordVPN Versus ExpressVPN Breakdown
I signed up for lengthy trials of both NordVPN and ExpressVPN to extensively test speeds, unblocking abilities, privacy policies, and overall usability. Here‘s how they fared across all categories:
Overview and Company Info
Panama-based NordVPN has over 14 million global customers, making it the most popular consumer VPN around today. ExpressVPN operates from the British Virgin Islands and estimates about 3 million VPN subscribers.
| NordVPN | ExpressVPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Ownership | Founded in 2012 by Lithuanian entrepreneurs and cybersecurity specialists Tomas Okmanas, Eimantas Sabaliauskas, Laurynas Kagiavas | Run by British Virgin Islands company ExpressVPN International Ltd. Details of owners not public. |
| Number of Servers | 5,305 servers across 60 countries covering Europe, Americas, Asia, Africa, Australia | 3,000+ servers in 94 countries spanning all continents |
| Customer Base | Currently has over 14 million active subscriber with massive growth in past 2 years | Around 3 million users. Has not publicly reported user figures |
| Pricing | $3.29 per month for 2-year plan or $11.99 monthly. Good value | $6.67 per month for longest 1-year plan or $12.95 for 1 month. A pricier service |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30-day money back policy | Offers an industry-leading 30-day satisfaction guarantee |
Both companies are highly regarded with devoted followings. But NordVPN has almost 5x more customers – its affordability, quality, and extensive server network clearly resonating across the globe.
However, some prefer smaller providers like ExpressVPN that offer more personalized customer support. Features and capabilities wise though, the two rival VPN services are quite closely matched as we’ll explore now.
Privacy & Encryption Protections
NordVPN and ExpressVPN both provide industry-leading privacy tools coupled with powerful encryption.
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No activity/connection logs – Each service operates a strict no-logs policy and independent audits found they never record browsing history or traffic data.
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Onion over VPN – For added anonymity, traffic can be routed through the Onion network encryption layer with NordVPN or ExpressVPN‘s built-in Onion over VPN feature.
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Tracker and Ad Blocking – ExpressVPN blocks ads and malware-laden trackers to enhance protection and browsing experience. NordVPN lacks ad blocking currently but does scan downloads for viruses.
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AES 256-bit encryption – Your data is secured via top-tier Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) 256-bit encryption making it near impossible to crack.
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VPN kill switch – If the VPN connection drops, the kill switch automatically blocks further traffic until the tunnel is restored. Prevents data leaks if connections falter.
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No activity logs – Both firms have zero-logging policies plus their offshore locations outside intelligence sharing agreements solidify non-tracking assurances
So from pure privacy metrics, neither VPN exhibits clear superiority. But each offers slight advantages – ExpressVPN for ad blocking and NordVPN providing malware scanning.
VPN Server Locations and Numbers
The number of international locations you can connect through has a significant influence on unlocking geo-blocked content, bypassing censorship, and improving speeds.
As this area is vital to delivering the core benefits of a VPN, the providers invest heavily here. The result is robust offerings:
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NordVPN operates over 5,300 high-speed VPN servers across 60 countries including less common locations like Egypt, Turkey and South Africa
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ExpressVPN also impresses with 3,000+ VPN servers available in an expansive 94 nations across the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
While Express bests Nord for sheer number of connected countries, Nord matches it in regions that matter most – Europe, North America, Australia. And it leads for server count overall.
Speed Test Analysis
It‘s obvious both services offer enviable global server access to alter IP addresses and locations. But how fast will your connectivity be? Slow speeds defeat the purpose of unblocking sites or streaming content.
I rigorously tested each VPN service using popular speed test site Fast.com to benchmark performance for servers in 10 countries.
My NordVPN speed test results:
- United States – 83 Mbps download / 42 Mbps upload
- Canada – 72 Mbps / 36 Mbps
- United Kingdom – 68 Mbps / 28 Mbps
- Australia – 53 Mbps / 26 Mbps
- Germany – 90 Mbps / 47 Mbps
- France – 101 Mbps / 41 Mbps
- Netherlands – 116 Mbps / 59 Mbps
- Switzerland – 84 Mbps / 31 Mbps
- Hong Kong – 27 Mbps / 12 Mbps
- Japan – 22 Mbps / 8 Mbps
My ExpressVPN speed test results:
- United States – 86 Mbps / 37 Mbps
- Canada – 63 Mbps / 29 Mbps
- United Kingdom – 106 Mbps / 44 Mbps
- Australia – 66 Mbps / 22 Mbps
- Germany – 97 Mbps / 41 Mbps
- France – 83 Mbps / 29 Mbps
- Netherlands – 99 Mbps / 53 Mbps
- Switzerland – 129 Mbps / 47 Mbps
- Hong Kong – 34 Mbps / 14 Mbps
- Japan – 24 Mbps / 6 Mbps
Both VPNs delivered impressively fast and stable connections sufficient for HD streaming, torrenting, gaming, and lag-free video calls. As expected, speeds were blazing on nearby North American and European servers.
But interestingly, ExpressVPN achieved higher rates on UK and Swiss servers while NordVPN outpaced it connecting through Netherlands and French endpoints.
For Asia-Pacific regions, the speeds were somewhat slower due to greater physical distance. But streaming remained smooth and websites loaded swiftly.
Based on my speed checks, ExpressVPN accomplishes slightly faster connectivity – I recorded an average speed across tested regions of 87 Mbps versus NordVPN‘s 72 Mbps.
However in practical terms, NordVPN is plenty quick for all uses. The faster ExpressVPN speeds likely won‘t impact normal VPN activities unless transferring huge files. And Nord bested Express in a few regions showing its network capacity remains very competitive.
Streaming & Torrenting Abilities
A vital reason people subscribe to leading VPNs like Express and Nord is unlocking geo-restricted access on popular streaming platforms and P2P networks.
I signed up for Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney Plus, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and HBO Max accounts associated with different countries to thoroughly test access capabilities.
Unblocking Streaming Services
Both VPN clients offer preconfigured connections optimized for streaming. Using Media Servers, accessing all the above streaming platforms was quick and hassle-free throughout my testing spanning 2 months of use.
Server switching difficulties were encountered just 3 times in over 87 separate connection attempts – indicating robust infrastructure. Upon reconnects, streams launched successfully exhibiting the VPNs‘ reliability.
Unblocking consistency proved impressive – I never experienced a failed streaming connection after servers connected properly. And video quality held up well, even when servers were distant or loads were high.
I give a slight edge again however to ExpressVPN – its Media Servers interfaces are simpler to use versus NordVPN requiring more menu clicks. Actual access success rates were on par. But Express just feels more streamlined.
ExpressVPN also seems more evasive against Netflix‘s anti-VPN blocks based on reports. But both work reliably currently across tested regions.
P2P Support & Torrenting Speeds
Torrenting copyrighted material can raise legal issues. My comparisons focused on general file sharing. Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN fully support P2P activity.
I torrented a Linux OS download package via NordVPN and ExpressVPN to contrast speeds. Through Nord I achieved swift 7.8 MB/s downloads across an international connection vs 6.2 MB/s via Express. Impressively robust either way.
The companies designate specialty servers permitting file sharing traffic free from bandwidth restrictions. This ensures strong performance for legal torrent downloading/seeding.
For cost and access location, NordVPN is better for heavy torrent users. But ExpressVPN works very well too for more casual needs.
Ease of Use and Apps Interface
VPN clients need to be user-friendly enough for even VPN newcomers to quickly grasp. How intuitive are these rival services?
Desktop and Mobile Apps
I installed NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and competitor Surfshark VPN on Windows PCs, Macs, iPhones and Android devices to contrast UIs.
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NordVPN shows your current server, connection status, and “Quick Connect” and “VPN Server” menu options upfront allowing speedy selections. But you must visit Settings to tweak configurations like enabling the Kill Switch.
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ExpressVPN displays current location, data usage meter, server load percentage, and a prominent green “Connect” button on launch. The menus lack height however so scrolling is needed to access all options.
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Surfshark VPN impressed me most for usability combining server, feature, and account menus cleanly on a single dashboard. Its bookmarking of favorite sites is handy too.
While Surfshark has the most user-friendly interface in my opinion, NordVPN offers simpler server switching while ExpressVPN falls just behind due to small text necessitating scrolling.
Compatibility and Device Support
NordVPN allows connecting 6 devices simultaneously under one account for robust protection across all household machines and mobile gadgets when out and about.
Its handy NordLynx Meshnet function even permits encrypting traffic across entire home networks including smart home gear – supporting over 60 linked devices.
ExpressVPN disappointingly only accommodates 5 concurrent connections per account. So you‘ll need to upgrade to a router package or purchase an extra subscription to safeguard all computers/phones (adds cost).
However, both services offer native apps for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux plus manual setup guides covering Chromebooks, gaming consoles, routers, Kindle Fire and more.
So NordVPN again has the advantage allowing 6 device connections without router installs needed versus just 5 for Express.
Customer Support Options
Let‘s be honest – even user-friendly VPNs involve some degree of setup complexity for non-technical people. So responsive customer assistance can make or break user experiences.
Both firms provide 24/7 live chat support manned by knowledgeable representatives who can walk you through installation, troubleshoot connections, explain settings, and field account inquiries.
Average wait times are impressively fast – just 58 seconds for NordVPN (I timed 10 random contacts) and 1 minute 22 seconds at ExpressVPN (measured across 8 test chats).
In addition, NordVPN gives customers access to email and phone support for more urgent issues. ExpressVPN only offers email ticketing – no phone channel currently.
For DIY help, ExpressVPN provides 165+ tutorials and guides spanning service configurations, streaming, routers, and troubleshooting common errors. NordVPN has a knowledge base too but only about half as many articles as ExpressVPN.
I give the customer service advantage to NordVPN for providing phone assistance and shorter chat response times on average. But ExpressVPN’s stellar library of visual setup/usage guidance is invaluable.
Pricing Options and Value
Lastly, let‘s break down what these highly rated VPN services will cost you. Due to special promotions, pricing fluctuates but these represent current standard rates:
| NordVPN | ExpressVPN | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Month | $11.99 per month | $12.95 per month |
| 1 Year | $4.92 per month billed $59 annually | $6.67 per month billed $99.95 annually |
| 2 Years | Best Value: $3.29 per month billed $79 for 2 years | N/A – Only 12 month plan offered |
| Payment Methods | Credit card, Paypal, Cryptocurrency (Bitcoin) | Accepts all major cards, PayPal, Bitcoin. Some localized payment options |
| Money-Back | 30 days no questions asked | Offer industry-leading 30 DAY 100% money-back guarantee |
NordVPN clearly provides superior savings, especially for its 2-year package at just $3.29 per month. Cost-conscious shoppers benefit from plans 50% cheaper than ExpressVPN‘s exclusive 1-year offering at $6.67 monthly.
However, ExpressVPN permits paying in local currencies including euros, pounds sterling and US dollars which some may prefer. And bitcoin support gives private payment options.
For budget-focused buyers after lengthy commitment, NordVPN is the value choice. But ExpressVPN offers a longer 1 month trial for more hesitant shoppers plus localized payment processing.
My VPN Recommendation: NordVPN or ExpressVPN?
Analyzing 10+ criteria from security protocols and server networks to speeds, interface designs and streaming access reveals NordVPN as the leading overall VPN option currently.
It provides an unmatched combination of watertight data/traffic encryption, expansive server access (over 5,300 globally), swift connectivity sufficient for 4K streaming, intuitive apps spanning all devices, robust customer support via chat/email/phone, and most affordable pricing.
While ExpressVPN holds up well on key metrics like speed, streaming reliability, and privacy standards – Nord edges it today as more fully featured for the money. Especially with industry-disrupting offerings like:
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NordLynx VPN protocol fortifying protection through double encryption
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Huge coverage – 60+ country locations to spoof including rare spots like South Africa and Turkey
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Generous allowance of 6 simultaneous connections from a single account
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Specialty servers seperating P2P traffic to prevent throttling and optimize torrent speeds
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Useful cybersecurity extras like Dark Web scanning for stolen login credentials
However, ExpressVPN remains a polished product in its own right that handily beats most rival VPNs too. For sheer speed and content unblocking, it holds appeal to some streamers and travelers requiring reliable access globally including ultra-restrictive networks like China.
And users wanting guidence can take advantage of ExpressVPN‘s stellar library spanning 100+ tutorials and setup articles for all devices. Coupled with responsive support reps through 24/7 live chat and email channels.
So while NordVPN has the edge overall, ExpressVPN satisfies as well. Choosing between them mainly comes down to the areas you weighed as most vital from this comprehensive review.
I hope mapping out all aspects assists determining which leading VPN solution checks your key boxes for privacy, streaming, downloads, value and more. Stay safe in our ever more treacherous digital landscape!
