NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Which is the Best Overall?

NordVPN vs ExpressVPN (Detailed Review): I know how difficult it is to choose between NordVPN and ExpressVPN; Trust me, I have been there. But what if I tell you I did an ultimate test between NordVPN and ExpressVPN based on different categories, including speed, security, pricing, and a few more, to choose a winner? When you choose a VPN service, three things matter the most: speed, security, and Price. ExpressVPN does have a big competition with NordVPN, but which one should you choose?

We had great confusion initially; both are the best in the industry, and the best among NordVPN and ExpressVPN is only winning by a margin. It is entirely okay to choose the second-best VPN app among these two, but let’s first find the best VPN: NordVPN or ExpressVPN.

Also Read: How to Choose a VPN: Key Factors, Tips and Deets

NordVPN VS. ExpressVPN | Which is the Best VPN?

Let’s compare NordVPN and ExpressVPN and conduct an in-depth review. The links on this blog contain affiliations, and we earn a small commission when you buy a subscription. But to be honest, we have an unbiased review and test, and we support and promote the best products only.

What is NordVPN?

Keep your internet data safe behind a true wall; NordVPN is the best and most advanced VPN service with military-grade encryption that describes the word “Perfect.”

Here are some of the popular features offered by NordVPN –

1. Secure Internet
2. Strict No-Logs Policy
3. Use with ease
4. Multiple devices
5. Ultra-fast connection
6. Worldwide access
7. VPN servers everywhere
8. P2P Servers

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What is ExpressVPN?

Known for fulfilling user needs, ExpressVPN is the best and most popular VPN service among users. With a powerful and advanced set of features and military-grade encryption, ExpressVPN is one of the best VPN services.

Here are some of the best features offered by ExpressVPN –

1. 160 VPN Locations
2. Split tunneling
3. Kill Switch
4. Best-in-class encryption
5. Private DNS on each server
6. Unblock Streaming websites
7. Hide IP address
8. No-log Policy

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1. Security

Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN are great in security standards with AES-256 encryption. It is practically impossible to break this military-grade encryption, and it takes years together for the fastest supercomputers to decipher or decrypt any encrypted data with AES-256 Encryption.

Apart from this, both the VPN services offer split tunneling and kill switches. The split tunneling feature allows users to transfer the data through a hidden channel with multiple security layers. This is the best feature that keeps the data away from intruders and the government. On the other hand, the kill switch feature terminates the connection if the VPN is disconnected abruptly. This secures the real identity of the users who are connected through the VPN.

Additional Security Features of NordVPN and ExpressVPN

Also read: Turbo VPN Review & Test – Is Turbo VPN Safe?

You must be wondering which is the best VPN in terms of privacy and security, and there is no doubt that NordVPN has a slightly greater advantage than ExpressVPN. That does not mean ExpressVPN is no less than NordVPN; it works well but has fewer security features.

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2. Privacy

Both ExpressVPN and NordVPN provide the best privacy features. There is no log policy which means that none of your data is stored on their servers, and both of these VPN services are independently audited. No logs policy is one of the important features as user data is no less than oil, and the right to privacy is one of the biggest concerns. Unlike VPN services like TurboVPN, there are no logs stored, and the privacy is Independently audited.

What does it mean by independent audit? Both the VPN companies get uninformed audits on privacy, and they are thoroughly checked for any data leak by a third party. There are several advantages of this, there is no bias or manipulation of the results, and both the VPN companies maintain the best practices.

Payments are also a privacy concern; no user wants their credit data to be stored. However, thanks the anonymous payment systems adopted by both companies make payment easier and anonymous. NordVPN accepts Bitcoin as a payment option, while ExpressVPN supports a few more cryptocurrencies like Ethereum along with Bitcoins.

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3. Speed

Speed matters the most, and if there are no fast servers, you can never use the VPN as desired. NordVPN and ExpressVPN are both fast and desirable in performance; we did a few tests on multiple servers, and here are the results.

Testing UK servers

NordVPN has some incredible speed metrics on the UK servers {suggested server]. Surprisingly, the speed increased by 15%, and we could stream more smoothly. This is the first time we experienced a boost in internet connections, and we didn’t have to use the internet speed boosters we recently listed. Most VPN services decrease the internet speed because the data has to pass through an extra server. You can give it a try at NordVPN and test it for yourself.

On the other hand, ExpressVPN does a considerable job in terms of VPN speed. The servers are always up, and there is not much loss or jitter while connected to a VPN. You can try using a fast ethernet cable to get a much faster internet speed while you are still passing through an extra server or layers of security.

Testing US servers

Talking about the US servers, there is no significant speed decrease. NordVPN increased the speed by 10%, while on ExpressVPN, the VPN speed reduced to around 2% – 3%. But whatsoever, the speeds are still great, and not to mention, they are better than 90% of other VPN services on the list.

US servers did have some jitter and loss after using ExpressVPN for a long time, but it is temporary. Also, the smart suggested servers are well optimized to give the best performance each time nearly. ExpressVPN is consistent, but NordVPN gives more speed than you have.

Testing Asian Servers

Okay, here the speed gets interesting, and the servers are put to the real test. Both ExpressVPN and NordVPN see a significant drop in internet speed, around 15% – 20%, and this is because we are situated far away from the servers. The speed that you get may vary because of the distance from the server. Do you want to know the reason why? At a far distance, the data has to travel for a longer distance and pass through the data server and the VPN server, along with multiple layers of security.

If you are near the server locations, you can see a better speed. If you are in India and connect to one of Hong Kong or northern Asia servers, the speed drop would not be higher. Test it for yourself on NordVPN and ExpressVPN, and let us know in the comment section.

NordVPN is a clear winner, thanks to the NordLynx protocol that increases the speed. But compared to other VPNs, ExpressVPN also performs excellently. If we had to compare VPNs like IPVanish, Astrill VPN, or any other VPN, you still get the maximum speed and the least loss on ExpressVPN, which is fascinating.

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4. Streaming

In our test of NordVPN vs ExpressVPN, Streaming is one of the most important factors. NordVPN and ExpressVPN unblock some of the major streaming platforms. They unblock the major media libraries – BBC iPlayer, Netflix US, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and Disney+ in almost all the areas globally. Also, there is good support for other major libraries in Asia, the UK, and specifically Japan and India.

Honestly, it should have been a tie, but NordVPN offers 1800+ servers in the US alone, making it more reliable than ExpressVPN. The server count for ExpressVPN in the US is almost half, but they are also dependable. Because NordVPN offers more VPN servers, it becomes more desirable, and ExpressVPN is not bad.

Also read: How to Watch Netflix with Friends on Android and IOS Device.

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5. Torrenting and P2P Servers

P2P servers and torrenting are major factors when choosing a VPN service. NordVPN and ExpressVPN are both capable of torrenting and have a good hold on P2P servers. ExpressVPN supports P2P on all the servers, making it more reliable. Switch to any server, and you are good to go. On the other hand, P2P is only available on NordVPN, where VPN is LAX and flexible. It is good that NordVPN complies with the LAX factor, but that terminates the main purpose of a VPN.

We see ExpressVPN wins Torrenting and P2P though there are 100’s of servers optimized on NordVPN. But why depend on limited servers when you can have all the servers optimized for the purpose of ExpressVPN? However, that does not mean NordVPN is bad at torrenting and P2P servers; both VPNs are at the top for peer-to-peer sharing and torrenting. A big thumbs up for both, but ExpressVPN wins in this section.

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6. No-Log Policies

There can be no better policies for the top 2 VPNs globally. Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN guarantee that none of your data is stored; they claim the moment user is connected to the VPN, their data is encrypted, and even the VPN authorities cannot view the data.

The Best part is that NordVPN and ExpressVPN operate outside the control of the 5 eyes group, which makes your connections more reliable. If you are unaware of the 5 eyes group, you can check one of the NordVPN blogs that discusses it.

It feels good to say how user-oriented both the VPN services are, and they are governed by the Independent audits that build the user trust. There is no point in having a NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN for no-logs policy; both VPNs excel at it.

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7. Student Benefits

If you are a student, you can have a big save on these VPN services. Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN have different student programs that make them an ideal option.

On NordVPN, Students can globally get a discount of 15% on the original subscription pack, and all they need to do is verify if they are a student. On the other hand, ExpressVPN does not have any student discount but a much more exciting offer that is open for all age groups regardless of what you are doing in life.

The essay competition winner gets $5000 as the price money and a 1-year ExpressVPN subscription for free. Also, the first 5 runners up get the 1-year ExpressVPN subscription for free; what are you waiting for? Click the link below, scroll down to the footer, and find the “$5000 Scholarship” option.

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8. Compatibility

One of the greater advantages of using NordVPN is the router compatibility. You can use NordVPN on routers and secure all the Wi-Fi router devices, removing the compatibility barrier. Besides, there are NordVPN OpenVPN installed routers that are great for security. On the other hand, ExpressVPN is compatible with most smart devices and has router configurations for overall security.

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9. Pricing

NordVPN has better pricing options than ExpressVPN; NordVPNs lowest pricing is $3.71, while ExpressVPN charges more than four times for the same program.

ExpressVPN pricing may seem a little unfair, but it does a great job of pricing compared to its features for other VPN services. However, NordVPN does the same for a much lower price.

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Frequently Asked Questions [Faqs]

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Final Verdict – Overall Winner for NordVPN vs ExpressVPN

NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: We find both the top VPNs are best in what they do, and as I have mentioned earlier, the second-best VPN service loses by a fractional margin. If you wish to go to either of the above VPN services, go for it. They are both excellent and have great features for their users.