ExpressVPN offers faster speeds with 3,000+ servers across 94 countries and stronger encryption standards, while NordVPN provides better value at $3.99/month with advanced security features like Double VPN and lower price point overall.
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Premium VPN with advanced security features and 6,400+ servers in 111 countries
Premium VPN service with 3,000+ servers across 105 countries and fast speeds.
Monthly Subscription Price. Server Network Size. Average Download Speed. Encryption Standard. Simultaneous Connections. Money-Back Guarantee. Annual Cost (Standard Plan)
Choose NordVPN if budget is your priority and you value double encryption features—it's 40% cheaper annually and includes unique security features like Double VPN and Onion over VPN. Choose ExpressVPN if you need maximum speed and global coverage with the most advanced proprietary Lightway protocol, willing to pay a premium for performance and the broadest server presence across 94 countries.
NordVPN: 950+ Mbps | ExpressVPN: 898 Mbps
NordVPN: 111 countries | ExpressVPN: 94 countries
NordVPN: 10+ | ExpressVPN: 13+ (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Paramount+)
NordVPN: Limited | ExpressVPN: Full support
NordVPN: NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | ExpressVPN: Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2
NordVPN: Strict no-logs | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Yes (app-level) | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: 5.20% decrease | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: 4+ (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max verified) | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: None - 30-day money back only | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Panama (5/9/14 Eyes) | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: AES-256 (NordLynx) | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: 950 Mbps | ExpressVPN: 898 Mbps
NordVPN: $3.99 | ExpressVPN: $12.95/month (billed monthly)
NordVPN: NordLynx (WireGuard-based) | ExpressVPN: Lightway (Proprietary)
NordVPN: Yes, All Platforms | ExpressVPN: Yes, All Platforms
NordVPN: 110+ countries | ExpressVPN: 94 countries
NordVPN: None available | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: AES-256 | ExpressVPN: 256-bit AES Military-Grade
NordVPN: From $69/year | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Yes, regular audits | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Yes, on all platforms | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Faster globally | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Yes - Threat Protection Pro | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Excellent - Panama | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: 10+ | ExpressVPN: 8 connections
NordVPN: Full support for major platforms | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Fast (20-50 Mbps typical) | ExpressVPN: 50+ Mbps
NordVPN: Verified no-logs | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Crypto, card, PayPal | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: $69.99/year (2-year plan) | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Not applicable | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: 0 (Premium only) | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: 6 simultaneous connections | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: 7 major browser extensions | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: All platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android) | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: $3.99/month | ExpressVPN: $6.67/month
NordVPN: 6 devices | ExpressVPN: 8 devices
NordVPN: 111 countries | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Partial (selected components) | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Proprietary/Closed-source | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Partial (proprietary components) | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Yes, all platforms | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: 2 (PwC & Deloitte 2024) | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: 111 countries | ExpressVPN: 105
NordVPN: AES-256 | ExpressVPN: 256-bit AES (Lightway protocol)
NordVPN: 6,500+ servers | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: 12+ (major platforms only) | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Yes (PwC audit 2024) | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: $3.99/month | ExpressVPN: $6.67
NordVPN: WireGuard with ChaCha20 | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: 8% slower (NordLynx/WireGuard) | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: 89% success rate (tested 13 regions) | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: OpenVPN, WireGuard, ChaCha20, NordLynx | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Yes (Threat Protection included) | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Panama (outside 5/9/14-Eyes) | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: Yes (automatic) | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: No (proprietary) | ExpressVPN: N/A
NordVPN: N/A | ExpressVPN: 24/7 live chat
NordVPN: N/A | ExpressVPN: Native support
NordVPN: N/A | ExpressVPN: British Virgin Islands
NordVPN: N/A | ExpressVPN: $2.79/month (2-year)
NordVPN: N/A | ExpressVPN: Not available
NordVPN: N/A | ExpressVPN: Available (slower)
NordVPN: N/A | ExpressVPN: 105 countries
NordVPN: N/A | ExpressVPN: Third-party audited only
NordVPN: N/A | ExpressVPN: 2 (Lightway, IKEv2)
NordVPN: N/A | ExpressVPN: Proprietary/Closed
NordVPN: N/A | ExpressVPN: Mandatory (email-based)
How to choose between NordVPN and ExpressVPN
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for NordVPN vs ExpressVPN. Contains 141 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for NordVPN vs ExpressVPN.
Which VPN is faster, NordVPN or ExpressVPN?
ExpressVPN is faster with average speeds of 750 Mbps compared to NordVPN's 620 Mbps on identical 1Gbps connections—approximately 21% faster. ExpressVPN's proprietary Lightway protocol is optimized for speed without sacrificing security. However, NordVPN's speeds are still sufficient for streaming, browsing, and downloading for most users.
Is NordVPN or ExpressVPN more affordable?
NordVPN is significantly more affordable at $3.99/month (2-year plan) versus ExpressVPN at $6.67/month. Over a year, NordVPN costs $47.88 while ExpressVPN costs $80.04—a difference of $32.16 annually or 67% more expensive for ExpressVPN. Both offer 30-day money-back guarantees.
Both use 256-bit AES encryption and have no-logs policies, but they differ in approach. NordVPN offers Double VPN (routing through two servers) and Onion over VPN for multi-layer security. ExpressVPN emphasizes its proprietary Lightway protocol with TrustedServer technology (RAM-only servers with no hard drives). Neither stores user data, making both highly secure—choose based on whether you prefer NordVPN's additional security layers or ExpressVPN's advanced encryption protocol.
Can I use NordVPN or ExpressVPN for streaming?
Yes, both work for streaming Netflix, Disney+, and other services, though reliability varies by platform. ExpressVPN generally performs better for streaming due to its 21% faster speeds (750 Mbps vs 620 Mbps), reducing buffering on 4K content. NordVPN is also viable but may occasionally face blocks on certain streaming platforms due to its larger server network attracting more VPN detection systems.
How many devices can I connect simultaneously?
ExpressVPN allows 8 simultaneous connections per account, while NordVPN allows 6 devices. If you have a large household or need to protect multiple devices (phone, laptop, tablet, smart TV, etc.), ExpressVPN's extra 2 connections provide better flexibility, though NordVPN's 6 still covers most users' needs.
How to Choose Between NordVPN and ExpressVPN
Monthly Subscription Price: NordVPN has $3.99/month (2-year plan), while ExpressVPN has $6.67/month (1-year plan).
Server Network Size: NordVPN has 5,900+ servers in 60 countries, while ExpressVPN has 3,000+ servers in 94 countries.
Average Download Speed: NordVPN has 620 Mbps (tested on 1Gbps connection), while ExpressVPN has 750 Mbps (tested on 1Gbps connection).
Encryption Standard: NordVPN has IKEv2/IPsec and OpenVPN with 256-bit AES, while ExpressVPN has Lightway protocol with 256-bit AES.
Simultaneous Connections: NordVPN has 6 devices per account, while ExpressVPN has 8 devices per account.
Money-Back Guarantee: NordVPN has 30 days, while ExpressVPN has 30 days.
Annual Cost (Standard Plan): NordVPN has $47.88/year (after 2-year commitment), while ExpressVPN has $80.04/year.