NordVPN vs ExpressVPN 2021

ExpressVPN vs NordVPN: Head-to-Head

They're both great VPNs, but it's NordVPN that takes the lead when the two are put side by side. It offers excellent speeds – faster than those achieved by ExpressVPN in our tests – which is important to heavy downloaders. It also has a wide range of servers at the user's disposal, making it easy to find the best one for your needs.

However, it's worth pointing out that ExpressVPN is a strong contender, thanks to its superb suite of features and excellent security. The main blocker with ExpressVPN is that the price is quite noticeably higher than NordVPN's. Arguably, this is offset by the generous features of ExpressVPN.

Whether you opt for NordVPN or ExpressVPN, you can rest assured that you've picked a secure and safe VPN.

NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Connection Speed

Speed is a major consideration when picking a VPN, especially if you're someone who does a lot of downloading or streaming. As VPNs route your traffic through their servers to render it untraceable, they're adding another link in the chain, which can affect internet speeds. All VPNs will have some effect on the speed you would usually expect from your ISP, but some are better than others.

In our testing, we found that the typical speed hit when using ExpressVPN was around two-thirds. NordVPN on the other hand was capable of achieving speeds that weren't too adversely affected, making it the best choice of the two.

When accessing local servers, NordVPN's download speeds took just a 4% hit, whereas ExpressVPN's speed was down by 67% on average. For international traffic, NordVPN experienced a 33% speed reduction for downloads, while ExpressVPN almost doubled that, slowing down by 59%.

NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Reliability

The world of VPN providers isn’t always reliable. A lot of companies make a lot of big claims, only to drop the ball with technical failures, dropped connections or poor security practices.

NordVPN and ExpressVPN, however, are both well-respected for their steadfast and reliable service. Using both services, you can expect your internet data to successfully reach its destination at a reasonable speed with a minimum of errors.

NordVPN Reliability

NordVPN is available on a broad range of platforms, and also offers a large number of VPN protocols. By keeping options open, NordVPN stays relevant and useful to a varied user base with different needs.

Some types of connections may be more reliable, while others are faster. NordVPN recommends TCP for reliability, and UDP (a connection that skips unique identifiers or sequence numbers) for speed. Still, any standard protocol and connection should be suitably reliable for the typical user.

ExpressVPN Reliability

ExpressVPN’s dependable service comes with strong encryption and additional security features for extra protection. Like NordVPN, ExpressVPN supports TCP and UDP connections, giving users options for a type of service that meets their needs.

The Android and iOS iterations of ExpressVPN offer full functionality, as well, ensuring the service can be used by users on the go. Overall, ExpressVPN and NordVPN are top of the VPN class when it comes to reliability.

VPN App Usability: NordVPN vs ExpressVPN

Even the best VPN in the world can come unstuck when it's in the hand of a new user. By their very nature, VPNs can be a difficult piece of software to understand. But, this is easily remedied with a clear and well planned-out interface. Not all VPNs offer this. NordVPN and ExpressVPN do.

How does this ease of use break down on the specific apps? The short answer is that both vendors cover all the major platforms you’re likely to use, and a few more besides. These are two modern, well funded VPN brands, and each has invested cannily into their app interfaces. Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN impress with their simple, intuitive apps that make it easy to get started and to do what you need to with a VPN.

ExpressVPN has some rich features for more confident users, and NordVPN too has its share of technical settings. Newbies needn't delve into these if they don't need to, but for more experienced VPN users, the apps have the depth of settings you'd need.

NordVPN offers plenty of assistance if you need it, with guides and help text well-signposted and support available via email and live chat. ExpressVPN stands out with a superb guided startup process, along with informative videos and help guides along the way, making it difficult to come unstuck.

Here’s a complete breakdown of each VPN provider’s app selection and the multi-platform support it offers.

VPN Features Compared

Both ExpressVPN and NordVPN are fully loaded VPN suites that offer a full package worthy of the subscription price. While some packages are scant when it comes to additional features, NordVPN and ExpressVPN both offer a large number of tools to assist you in getting the most from the software.

ExpressVPN Features

ExpressVPN has a trick up its sleeve that NordVPN doesn't. It offers split tunnelling, a method that allows for your traffic on a specific app or service to be allocated to the VPN or your regular internet service provider connection. This means that you can route all your traffic for torrenting, for example, through the VPN, while relying on your standard connection for daily browsing.

Both ExpressVPN and NordVPN offer a killswitch, which can be a great defense against unintentionally making your online habits visible. A killswitch kicks in if your VPN loses its connection, stopping your activity dead, rather than defaulting to your ISP, which is less secure and could reveal your actions.

NordVPN Features

NordVPN offers a robust suite of features as well, from the aforementioned killswitch to a “double VPN” functionality, which sends your traffic through two servers rather than just one. This adds an additional layer of security to the data you’re trying to protect.

Also worth mentioning is NordVPN’s “CyberSec” feature, which can be turned on from within the Settings page. Once enabled, CyberSec will auto-block websites known for malware or phishing attempts, keeping users safe from bad actors while online. It serves as an ad-blocker as well, though Google policy restricts this function from working in NordVPN’s Android-specific app.

Security and Encryption: ExpressVPN vs NordVPN

Keeping your personal data secure is essential for any VPN. ExpressVPN and NordVPN both bring an array of security practices and features to ensure they keep your data safe.

Here’s a quick look at their top security features, from military-grade encryption to no-logging policies.

Encryption comparison

NordVPN and ExpressVPN both use the same encryption standard – the Advanced Encryption Standard with 256-bit keys, also known as “AES-256.”

That 256 number refers to the number of combinations that are possible: 2 to the 256th power. It’s an astronomically high number that makes the encryption impossible to crack with a brute force attack. It’s the NSA-recommended standard used by US government agencies and security experts alike, so you should be fine with it.

VPN protocols

A VPN protocol is the process through which a VPN tunnel (the thing that protects your data) is formed. Different protocols are best for different needs, and may offer varying levels of security or speed.

NordVPN offers the OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and WireGuard protocols, while ExpressVPN offers the Open VPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and L2TP/IPSec protocols. Both services offer the dependable OpenVPN protocol as their default.

NordVPN retired the relatively insecure L2TP/IPSec protocol a few years ago and, while ExpressVPN still offers it, the provider warns users that it’s not recommended.

More on this – What is OpenVPN?

Server security

In March 2018, NordVPN suffered a security breach on a third-party server provider. That’s a tough blow to recover from, but NordVPN’s no-logging policy saved any personal data from being compromised, and NordVPN has taken several steps to ensure security moving forward.

US cybersecurity consulting firm VerSprite vetted NordVPN’s security for vulnerabilities, with a third-party independent security audit scheduled for the near future. NordVPN is also building a network of collocated servers fully owned by their company to avoid third-party vulnerabilities.

ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer security is also independently audited, and their servers run on RAM only, with all data wiped with every reboot and the entire software stack reinstalled at startup. NordVPN is making the switch to RAM-disk mode as well.

Leak protection

Even when most of your traffic is safe within a VPN tunnel, your device’s DNS queries may sometimes “leak” out, leaving data like website visits or app use vulnerable. Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN automatically use their own DNS servers. This limits the chances of damage due to leaks, since their servers are faster, the traffic is encrypted, and neither service keeps connection logs.

More on this – Are VPNs Safe? See our Expert Guide

Logs and Privacy

For many people, privacy is the main reason to invest in a VPN. By masking your online activity, a VPN can protect you from prying eyes, whether they belong to hackers, colleagues or governments. Some VPNs, typically the free ones, will even keep logs of your data, meaning that there is a record of the sites you've visited and the files you have downloaded. Others allow users to piggyback off your connection, potentially exposing you to illegal activity that is out of your hands.

Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN do a fantastic job of protecting your privacy. It's the reason you're paying them, after all, and the brands know that their reputations are built on this sort of trust.

Neither service keeps logs of your activity or connection history, meaning that the sites you visit, the files you download, and the messages you exchange aren't saved anywhere for future reference.

In testing, we also found both services to be robust and leak free. It's not a claim that many VPNs can make, but our checks for holes in the security protocols came up negative, which is reassuring news.

Global Server Coverage

NordVPN currently has over 5,363 servers in 59 countries around the world, and 1,600 servers in the US alone. ExpressVPN boasts more than 3,000 servers globally across 160 locations and 94 countries.

How comprehensive is this coverage? In layman's term, “very.” Both providers offer better global coverage than most VPN services, and more than enough to keep their users well protected at all times.

Simultaneous Connections

When it comes to using VPNs on multiple devices at the same time, NordVPN and ExpressVPN have different approaches.

ExpressVPN is straightforward. Users can connect up to five devices simultaneously, although the service can be installed on even more devices.

NordVPN is a little more complicated. It lets users connect up to six devices simultaneously, but there’s one catch. If you’re connecting more than one device to the same server, you’ll need to pick a different protocol. Different protocols offer different levels of encryption, so you may lose a little security by adding a second device to the same server, but practically speaking, this won’t be an issue for the typical user.

Multi-Platform Support

Full VPN access is available across any platform supported by either service, so users can use their smartphones, tablets, and laptops to securely and simultaneously access the internet across Macs, PCs, iOS, Android and more.

Both services cover all the major platforms across desktop and mobile devices. We’ve included a more comprehensive list of these platforms up in our section on VPN apps, so scroll back up if you need the full details.

ExpressVPN vs NordVPN Torrenting Tests

ExpressVPN and NordVPN are both great VPN for torrenting.

This is due to three factors that both VPN providers excel at. First, they both have no-logging policies. Second, they’re both fast, offering few to no torrenting interruptions (though NordVPN’s speedier download times gives it the edge here). Finally, they both offer strong DNS leak protection, ensuring your torrenting stays encrypted.

Now, as for the elephant in the room – is it legal to torrent over a VPN? The answer is yes, and no, depending on what it is you're torrenting. The process of sharing files over peer-to-peer torrenting systems certainly isn't illegal. But, you'd be breaking the law if you were to torrent copyrighted material. And yes, that means the music, movies and TV shows that have so often been victim to illegal file-sharing.

More on this – Are VPNs Legal? Your Rights to Using a VPN Explained

ExpressVPN vs NordVPN with Netflix

In the grand scheme of things, whether or not your VPN can unlock Netflix access might be a small issue. But, as streaming services continue to thrive, it’s a popular VPN question to ask. If you want to check out other regions of Netflix content, then you'll need to pick a VPN that can do this for you.

And we have bad news for you – ExpressVPN failed to access Netflix in our testing, but NordVPN is able to access to streaming platform. Netflix is constantly playing whack-a-mole with VPNs, evolving to detect their efforts to get around its VPN detections. So, the fact that it has blocked ExpressVPN isn't such a surprise. .

ExpressVPN vs NordVPN: Gaming Test

Security-conscious gamers need a speedy VPN to keep up with their peers – even a split second of lag can be the difference between life and virtual death.

Both ExpressVPN and NordVPN should work great in this area, however. Tests show that both VPN services can give gamers all the speed and bandwidth capability needed to play online MMOs in Full HD.

ExpressVPN vs NordVPN price comparison

VPNs tend to be competitively priced, but ExpressVPN and NordVPN are quite distinct in their costs. There's no getting around it – NordVPN is a lot cheaper than ExpressVPN.

The cheapest NordVPN plan can be yours for under $4 per month. ExpressVPN, meanwhile, will cost you around $8 per month at its cheapest.

You can make a bigger saving per month if you decide to sign up for a longer period of time. Commit to a year, or even longer, to make a substantial saving.

Payments options and refunds: NordVPN vs ExpressVPN

Both services accept all major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover), as well as PayPal and bitcoin.

In addition, both NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer the same refund deal – a 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked.

Is ExpressVPN or NordVPN the best value?

NordVPN offers a better price value than ExpressVPN. Both services offer stellar security, reliability, ease of use, and features, but NordVPN comes at a meaningfully lower price point.

Customer Support

NordVPN offers an online help center, and lets users chat directly with customer care agents via live chat or email. They have three branches of customer service – Billing, Connectivity, and General Information.

ExpressVPN offers a help center of online video and article tutorials, as well as app-specific, step-by-step guides to setting up a VPN. Live chat and email options are available for customers who need to directly contact the customer service team.

FAQs