NordVPN vs Expressvpn

We compare the features, pricing, ease of use, support and speeds of NordVPN and ExpressVPN. Reading our guide can help you decide between these two VPNs. Market-leading providers, NordVPN and ExpressVPN, are similar across many key categories. However, they are widely different in other aspects, so let’s compare and test them out!
Article by
Stephen Mash

Stephen is a UK-based freelance technology writer with a background in cybersecurity and risk management.

About writer

Compare ratings

Rating
Nord VPN Logo
ExpressVPN Logo
Features
9.7
9.6
Pricing
8.5
8.2
Ease of Use
9.6
9.4
Support
9.8
9.5

Reviews by experts

Reviews
Review by our expert
Nord VPN Logo
9.4

NordVPN is a premium VPN service based in Panama that markets itself as having one of the best performances thanks to its bespoke NordLynx protocol that implements a double Network Address Translation (NAT) system on a WireGuard backbone. Users have the option to switch to using OpenVPN (UDP or TCT) or IKEv2/IPsec if more transparency in the protocol is wanted.

Its primary selling features are its zero-logging policy and claimed super-fast network speeds. It offers subscribers unlimited bandwidth for up to six devices, and the company claims never to throttle speeds. There are currently no data collection and retention laws for services based in Panama, unlike other regions such as Europe. An audit of the logging claim by PricewaterhouseCoopers AG, Zurich, Switzerland reports this policy description is fair and accurate. Combined with this zero-logging policy, this means that, in theory, user privacy should be guaranteed.

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Article by
Stephen Mash
Last modified:
2/25/2022, 05:26
ExpressVPN Logo
9

ExpressVPN is a premium VPN service based in the British Virgin Islands that markets itself as having one of the best performances thanks to its in-house Lightway protocol. This is a bespoke open-source protocol built on the open-source WolfSSL libraries. This implementation is fully transparent for security researchers looking to validate privacy claims. The Lightway protocol supports both TCP and UDP options. Users have the option to switch to using OpenVPN or IKEv2/IPsec if an alternative protocol is wanted. There is no planned option for ExpressVPN to support WireGuard.

Its primary selling features are its zero-logging policy and claimed high bandwidth, fast network speeds. It offers subscribers unlimited bandwidth for up to five simultaneously connected devices, and the company claims never to throttle speeds. There are currently no data retention laws for services based in the British Virgin Islands, unlike other regions such as Europe. An audit of the privacy policy has been completed by PricewaterhouseCoopers with no issues reported. Combined with its zero-logging policy, this means that, in theory, user privacy should be guaranteed.

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Article by
Stephen Mash
Last modified:
2/21/2022, 02:18

Side-by-Side Comparison

NordVPN
Pricing
Monthly
$11.95
Yearly
$59 (equivalent to $4.92 per month)
Two yearly
$89 (equivalent to $3.30 per month)
Payment Methods
Parallel Connections
6
Server Locations
60 Countries
Jurisdiction
Panama
Protocols
IPsec (IKEv2)
OpenVPN (UDP or TCP)
NordLynx (Built on WireGuard)
Encryption
AES 256 GCM
Speeds
NordVPN VPN Server Locations Download Upload
United Kingdom 732.38 Mbit 352.96 Mbit
Australia 148.82 Mbit 19.61 Mbit
Taiwan 81.91 Mbit 41.36 Mbit
South Africa 241.08 Mbit 15.89 Mbit
Arizona, USA 449.54 Mbit 8.99 Mbit
New York, USA 547.48 Mbit 31.71 Mbit
Germany 545.48 Mbit 96.32 Mbit
Spain 632.41 Mbit 128.17 Mbit
Brazil 390.1 Mbit 26 Mbit
Indonesia 124.18 Mbit 10.54 Mbit
ExpressVPN
Pricing
Monthly
$12.95
Half yearly
$59.70 (equivalent to $9.95 per month)
Yearly
$99.95 (equivalent to $6.67 per month)
Payment Methods
Parallel Connections
5
Server Locations
94 Countries
Jurisdiction
British Virgin Islands
Protocols
IPsec (IKEv2)
OpenVPN (UDP or TCP)
Lightway (Built on WolfSSL)
Encryption
AES 256
Speeds
ExpressVPN VPN Server Locations Download Upload
United Kingdom 468.98 Mbit 212.99 Mbit
Australia 316.19 Mbit 18.08 Mbit
Taiwan 345.33 Mbit 25.09 Mbit
South Africa 331.56 Mbit 9.37 Mbit
California, USA 354.08 Mbit 42.8 Mbit
New York, USA 400.08 Mbit 65.08 Mbit
Germany 540.43 Mbit 118.08 Mbit
Brazil 411.00 Mbit 15.49 Mbit
NordVPN
ExpressVPN
Pricing
Monthly
$11.95
Yearly
$59 (equivalent to $4.92 per month)
Two yearly
$89 (equivalent to $3.30 per month)
Monthly
$12.95
Half yearly
$59.70 (equivalent to $9.95 per month)
Yearly
$99.95 (equivalent to $6.67 per month)
Payment Methods
Parallel Connections
6
5
Server Locations
60 Countries
94 Countries
Jurisdiction
Panama
British Virgin Islands
Protocols
IPsec (IKEv2)
OpenVPN (UDP or TCP)
NordLynx (Built on WireGuard)
IPsec (IKEv2)
OpenVPN (UDP or TCP)
Lightway (Built on WolfSSL)
Encryption
AES 256 GCM
AES 256
Speeds
NordVPN VPN Server Locations Download Upload
United Kingdom 732.38 Mbit 352.96 Mbit
Australia 148.82 Mbit 19.61 Mbit
Taiwan 81.91 Mbit 41.36 Mbit
South Africa 241.08 Mbit 15.89 Mbit
Arizona, USA 449.54 Mbit 8.99 Mbit
New York, USA 547.48 Mbit 31.71 Mbit
Germany 545.48 Mbit 96.32 Mbit
Spain 632.41 Mbit 128.17 Mbit
Brazil 390.1 Mbit 26 Mbit
Indonesia 124.18 Mbit 10.54 Mbit
ExpressVPN VPN Server Locations Download Upload
United Kingdom 468.98 Mbit 212.99 Mbit
Australia 316.19 Mbit 18.08 Mbit
Taiwan 345.33 Mbit 25.09 Mbit
South Africa 331.56 Mbit 9.37 Mbit
California, USA 354.08 Mbit 42.8 Mbit
New York, USA 400.08 Mbit 65.08 Mbit
Germany 540.43 Mbit 118.08 Mbit
Brazil 411.00 Mbit 15.49 Mbit