NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Which VPN to Choose in 2024?

Finding the right VPN can be difficult, with many options promising top-notch security and privacy. A VPN must provide speed and privacy, and be versatile enough to handle online content streaming with an international content library. NordVPN and ExpressVPN are the most popular VPN choices when these requirements are on the table. So, which one should you pick?

NordVPN and ExpressVPN stand out as two of the best in the business. Both options offer servers in over 100 countries, threat protection features, and VPN services for streaming or gaming. In this comparison, we pit both VPN services against each other and compare crucial elements, such as features, performance, and pricing. This will help you make a smart, informed decision based on your budget and requirements.

NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN Comparison Table

What is NordVPN?

NordVPN, launched in 2012, is one of the most trusted names in the VPN industry. It’s operated by Nord Security, a company based in Panama, known for its strong stance on privacy and security.

Over the years, NordVPN has built a reputation for protecting users from online threats like hackers, government surveillance, and censorship. Beyond the VPN, Nord Security offers other products, including NordPass, a secure password manager, and NordLocker, an encrypted cloud storage solution.

This suite of tools makes NordVPN a comprehensive choice for anyone looking to enhance their online security and privacy.

What is ExpressVPN?

ExpressVPN, established in 2009, is owned by Kape Technologies, a well-known name in the cybersecurity space. With over a decade of experience, ExpressVPN has built a reputation for delivering robust online privacy and security solutions.

The company has expanded its offerings with Aircove, a Wi-Fi router that provides seamless VPN protection for all home devices. Its Digital Security Lab focuses on researching and addressing digital security challenges. Additionally, ExpressVPN’s Keys is a versatile password manager designed to store and manage passwords securely.

These tools empower users to secure their online identities, protect their home networks, and easily safeguard personal information.

Comparing Two Leading VPNs – NordVPN and ExpressVPN

It’s important not to rely only on NordVPN and ExpressVPN’s advertised offerings to guide your decision. To truly understand what they deliver, I tested critical aspects, such as encryption, leaks, speed, and split tunneling, of both VPNs in real-world scenarios using testing tools. This will help you understand which VPN service performs better in different use cases.

Encryption

VPNs provide a high level of security that protects your data from being accessed by unauthorized parties. They use secure algorithms to ensure the data is not tampered with during transmission.

To test both VPN encryption capabilities, I used Wireshark, a network analyzer. First, I visited a few unsecured websites without connecting to a VPN and captured the packets. As expected, HTTP and TCP packets were highlighted.

On following the packets, I noticed the data was readable and contained sensitive information, which made it accessible to unauthorized parties.

NordVPN uses multiple protocols offering different encryption: OpenVPN, NordLynx, and IKEv2/IPsec. To test NordVPN, I repeated the process, and as expected from a premium VPN service, my IP was replaced with a VPN IP, and all packets were secured with WireGuard encryption offered by NordLynx.

I followed a packet for further inspection. NordVPN’s military-grade encryption entirely encrypted the conversation, leaving no room for unauthorized agents to analyze and access its contents.

On the other hand, ExpressVPN offers Lightway, L2TP, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols. Repeating the same test by visiting the unsecured websites and capturing packets, the VPN IP replaced my IP, and Lightway protected all packets with UDP.

On closer inspection, following a packet, all contents were encrypted and couldn’t be analyzed or accessed.

With this test, it’s clear that both VPN services encrypt data as advertised.

Kill Switch

A kill switch automatically disconnects your internet if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your real IP address and online activities from being exposed, keeping your privacy and security intact even if the VPN fails.

To test the kill switches of NordVPN and ExpressVPN, I used a page reloader to simulate a scenario where a page reloads every 2 seconds. I manually disconnected the VPN connection at random intervals.

If the kill switch functions correctly, you should see an error message like “no internet” or “this site can’t be reached”. During my tests with both NordVPN’s Kill Switch and ExpressVPN’s Network Lock, the kill switches worked as expected, immediately disconnecting my internet connection. Both VPN services passed the test.

Leak Tests

An IP leak test checks if your real IP address is exposed while using a VPN. It ensures that the VPN properly hides your IP address, preventing websites and other online services from seeing your actual location and identity.

First, I recorded my IP address and then tested both NordVPN and ExpressVPN by connecting to their servers. After that, I visited ipleak.net to check the IP, and neither VPN revealed my real IP. Both services passed the test.

A DNS leak test checks if your DNS requests are exposed while using a VPN. With this, you can verify if your internet service provider (ISP) or others can see the websites you visit. If the VPN eliminates DNS leaks, then your browsing will be kept private.

To test for a DNS leak, I connected both VPNs to a server and tested individually on DNSleaktest.com. The servers listed didn’t feature the server offered by my ISP, meaning both passed the DNS leak test.

A WebRTC leak test checks whether your real IP address is exposed through the WebRTC technology in your web browser, even when you’re using a VPN.

I followed a similar testing approach as above by connecting them to a server and testing them individually on Browserleaks. NordVPN has no leak, and the Remote IP and Public IP are the same.

However, ExpressVPN produced different results with different Remote IP and Public IP. While this is concerning, it isn’t a detrimental factor, as my real IP is kept hidden, indicating there was no leak with ExpressVPN.

No-logs Policy

A no-log policy means the VPN doesn’t keep records of what you do online. This is important because it maintains your privacy, protecting your data from being accessed by anyone, even if requested by governments or hackers.

NordVPN, based in Panama and outside the Five Eyes (FVEY) surveillance alliance, has a strict no-log policy, so no user activity is tracked or stored. Its infrastructure runs entirely on RAM-only servers to prevent any data from being stored locally.

In December 2023, Deloitte Audit Lithuania confirmed this through NordVPN’s audit of its IT systems, server configurations, and logs. NordVPN also offers Obstructed servers to bypass censorship and Double VPNs to enable extra encryption.

ExpressVPN, headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, also maintains a no-log policy for complete user privacy. ExpressVPN offers RAM-only servers, which don’t store data or track activity, enhancing user privacy.

In February 2023, Cure53 audited ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol, verifying its security and efficiency.

As part of its commitment to transparency, ExpressVPN uses RAM-only TrustedServer Technology, so no data is stored long-term.

Important: While both offer a strict no-logs policy, both VPNs have a record of your personal information and are analyzed only to provide the best experience and future improvement.

Rest assured that none of the data is sold, shared, leased, or rented, and is maintained and handled securely. Plus, you can request a deletion, and your entire record is cleared off their servers.

Speed Test

As important as it is to offer security and privacy, the VPN must offer decent speeds to make it usable. For this, I have conducted a speed test, keeping streaming in mind, and have tested both VPNs by connecting to the nearest and farthest servers to my current location in India.

NordVPN operates a vast network of 6,000 servers in over 111 countries, making it a strong choice for users seeking extensive coverage.

The service offers specialized servers for various needs, including obfuscated servers for bypassing censorship and Double VPN for added security. The P2P and Onion Over VPN servers provide secure and private torrenting, file transfer, and downloads.

NordVPN has done a decent job on the closest and distant servers. Despite restrictions on VPNs in my country (India), NordVPN’s virtual server has offered speeds without significant drops.

The connection to the distant server in the US, Chicago, has a noticeable speed drop, but it is enough for uninterrupted streaming.

ExpressVPN is renowned for its global coverage, with over 3,000 servers in 105 countries. While it does not provide specialized servers like NordVPN, it optimizes its servers for high-speed streaming, torrenting, and bypassing censorship.

ExpressVPN had trouble with my country’s restrictions, as connecting to the virtual server had significant speed drops. While this doesn’t affect streaming content, it will result in difficulty with calls and file uploads.

However, ExpressVPN performed on par with NordVPN when connected to the distant US Chicago server. It offered respectable speeds for uninterrupted HD streaming.

However, neither VPN is recommended when connected to distant servers due to latency issues. Both VPNs would work perfectly fine for the closest servers, but noticing ExpressVPN’s mediocre performance with virtual servers, I suggest a speed test before gaming or attending a video call.

Streaming Performance and Unblocking Content

After the speed tests, it’s essential to check streaming performance. To complicate things for the VPNs, I tried streaming geographically restricted content.

For this, I tried to watch a movie on Netflix (May December), which isn’t available in India. As expected, I couldn’t find it in the app’s search. When I tried to search for the Netflix movie page on the browser, I was greeted with a broken link.

After finding out in which country the movie was available, I connected to the specific server on both VPNs and tested them individually.

This enabled me to unlock the content, and thanks to NordVPN’s SmartPlay and ExpressVPN streaming capabilities, I enjoyed buffer-free streaming with both VPNs.

Split Tunneling

Split tunneling lets you control which apps use the VPN and which use your regular internet connection. This allows you to secure sensitive data while still accessing local services without slowing down your internet speed.

I didn’t find a proper tool to test this. Instead, I turned on Split Tunneling on both VPNs and tested the IP with What is my IP Address on different browsers simultaneously to see if Split Tunneling was working.

NordVPN lets you control which apps use the VPN. I added Microsoft Edge to the list and tested it. As expected, the location and IP displayed on Edge matched the NordVPN-assigned ones, and Chrome had my actual location and IP.

Setting up Split Tunneling on ExpressVPN was as straightforward as NordVPN. It produced similar results by displaying the VPN-assigned location and IP on Microsoft Edge, indicating that Split Tunneling is working.

Ad and Tracker Blocking

An ad blocker is essential because it protects your privacy, speeds browsing, and shields you from malicious ads, phishing attempts, and scams. It also reduces the frustration of dealing with intrusive, annoying ads that disrupt your online experience.

Before heading directly to VPNs, I tested my current state using the AdBlock tool to verify if the ad blockers offered by VPNs are helpful.

With a poor score, I turned on NordVPN’s Threat Manager, enabled all toggles, and surfed the web to notice no ads. When tested with the tool, the score skyrocketed to 96%.

When ExpressVPN’s turn came, I browsed the web and noticed no ads. While it scored slightly less than NordVPN, there wasn’t any significant difference, and it offered the same level of privacy and security.

Interface

NordVPN offers an easy-to-use interface with clear descriptions for each tool. With multiple tools included and several options for each, NordVPN features a full-window interface.

Upon first usage, the number of tools and options was overwhelming. It took me a while to get comfortable with NordVPN, so I recommend exploring it first to avoid confusion in the long run.

While the descriptions helped, a non-technical user will struggle to understand and use a few tools thoroughly. The biggest concern with the NordVPN interface is that it can sometimes become unresponsive.

To understand why this was the case, I tracked its resource consumption using the Task Manager and realized it uses three times more memory than ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN provides a simple, user-friendly interface. The conventional Connect button is right on the home screen, and all the tools and options are easily accessible within the settings.

While more advanced or technical users might feel limited by the fewer customization options, non-technical users will find it handy and straightforward.

ExpressVPN is always responsive, allowing me to start using it immediately without needing to explore or put much effort into understanding how it works.

Compatibility

NordVPN is highly compatible with a wide range of devices, including Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. It offers browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, allowing you to secure your browsing directly from the browser.

In terms of devices, it is compatible with smart TVs and streaming devices like Amazon Fire TV Stick. It also supports routers, enabling you to protect all devices on your network, including gaming consoles and NAS devices.

NordVPN allows up to 10 simultaneous connections under one account, and I had no issues using it with several devices simultaneously.

ExpressVPN is on par with NordVPN, offering the same level of compatibility. However, ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer does a slightly better job than NordVPN when setting up VPNs on routers.

Customer Support

NordVPN provides support through 24/7 live chat and email. If you send an email, you will receive a response within a few minutes to hours. You can also reach out to their live chat for an instant response.

For more flexibility and control, you can also report a problem within the app to customer support.

ExpressVPN offers 24/7 live support through chat and email support. You can access the live chat from their website or send an email to get a response within a few minutes to hours.

Alternatively, you can contact customer support within the app. However, unlike NordVPN, it didn’t provide an option to add attachments, like screenshots, to elaborate on the problem.

When to Choose NordVPN?

NordVPN is ideal for advanced users who need more than security and privacy. Its Meshnet allows private file transfers using P2P, remote traffic routing, and access to files and media from anywhere. You can even use other devices as VPN servers.

Additionally, NordVPN’s Dark Web Monitor is a unique feature that alerts you if your information appears on the dark web, offering an extra layer of security that’s challenging to find on other VPNs.

Apart from unique features, NordVPN offers added security through DoubleVPN, Obfuscated Servers, and Onion Over VPN.

When to Choose ExpressVPN?

ExpressVPN is a balanced and reliable option that meets the needs of all users, making it easy for anyone to use without hassle.

It offers top-notch security and privacy, a seamless streaming experience, and the ability to unblock geo-restrictions, covering the key needs you’d expect from a VPN.

If compatibility is important to you, especially with routers, ExpressVPN is ideal. It provides MediaStreamer for devices that don’t usually support VPNs and even offers the unique ExpressVPN Aircove, a router with VPN built-in, thereby eliminating complex setup processes.

NordVPN vs ExpressVPN Verdict

After testing both, NordVPN and ExpressVPN are equally impressive. Each shines in different areas or metrics. Instead of picking a single winner, I suggest choosing based on your needs.

If you’re looking for top-tier security and privacy, NordVPN is a great choice. It’s designed for users who want unique security and privacy measures when using specific websites for their requirements.

On the other hand, if you value a simple setup, broad device compatibility, and a seamless streaming experience, ExpressVPN is the way to go. It’s perfect for users who want a VPN with reliable performance and essential security features.

Which VPN Router Works with NordVPN and ExpressVPN?

NordVPN and ExpressVPN both support a variety of routers, but each has specific models that work best. For NordVPN, a popular choice is the ASUS WRT router (RT-AX1800S), which can be set up with its firmware or ASUS Merlin for better control.

For ExpressVPN, the Linksys WRT3200ACM, is a great option, especially if you prefer a router with custom firmware that’s easy to set up. If you want to skip the setup hassle, you can purchase ExpressVPN Aircove.

To learn more about VPN routers and how you can choose one, check out Geekflare’s list of the best routers for VPNs.