ExpressVPN vs NordVPN Comparison in 2024

The internet now holds more than 1 billion websites! Is it feasible for me to be aware of each one of them? Certainly not! Is it feasible for me to reach all of them if I am able to gather all the URLs? Yes, it is feasible. However, I will require my reliable friend VPN by my side. Speaking of VPNs, here is my ExpressVPN vs NordVPN comparison guide.

I’ve been planning on doing this ExpressVPN or NordVPN guide for quite some time now. I do believe that both Express VPN vs Nord VPN are very good at their jobs. But who is the ultimate winner? That’s what I plan to discover in this ExpressVPN vs NordVPN guide. Without further ado, let’s get started.

Last updated: 16 December 2024

ExpressVPN vs NordVPN Comparison Table

If have to choose Nord VPN vs Express VPN, I choose ExpressVPN. Here’s why.

ExpressVPN Brief Overview

ExpressVPN is currently the best VPN in the world and it’s my personal choice. The high-speed servers spread across more than 94 countries has enough to get me hooked. It also handles geo-locations for popular VOD platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime like a boss.

The company has also included spectacular security protocols to ensure the privacy of the users. It surely costs more which is going to come into play for my ExpressVPN vs NordVPN guide. But I firmly believe ExpressVPN is worth the extra dough because it’s offering extra features.

NordVPN Brief Overview

You don’t need to be an “expert” to guess that NordVPN is often credited as the 2^nd best VPN in the world between ExpressVPN or NordVPN. If I have to choose between ExpressVPN or NordVPN, my first choice will be Express VPN. But for any reason, if I have to choose otherwise, my vote immediately goes to NordVPN.

It covers around 60 countries as of now which is lower than ExpressVPN but it’s plenty for most regular users. One benefit it has over the competition is that it’s registered in Panama. The data retention laws are very simple there and so NordVPN boasts absolutely no data-tracking or data-logging policies. You can also use it in as many devices as you want at any given time. Compared to the 5 devices max restrictions on ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN vs NordVPN Comparison

In this section, I’m going into the technical details of both VPN companies. I’m going to take the most important features and compare them side by side for your better understanding. Let’s go.

Nord vs Express VPN Server and Country Coverage

While both VPNs boast a humongous number of servers, NordVPN takes the win in terms of raw server numbers in the ExpressVPN vs NordVPN battle. It has over 5,500 servers all over the world, making it the top VPN in its class. ExpressVPN, on the other hand, boasts about 3,000 servers.

However, the number of servers alone cannot determine the performance of any VPN software. I have to account for the number of countries covered as well. In that regard, ExpressVPN is the winner because it covers a whopping 94 countries! Compared to NordVPN’s 60, ExpressVPN opens more doors for the user to access restricted sites.

So, for this section in my ExpressVPN or NordVPN debate, both are winners. You can’t go wrong with either of them. NordVPN has better modulation in a limited number of countries which results in relatively faster speeds. ExpressVPN, on the other hand, offers more areas to access but you have to compromise on speed due to server traffic.

Express VPN vs Nord VPN Speed Tests

Needless to, the internet speed you get after connecting to a VPN server plays a major role in shaping the overall experience. I have tested both VPNs on local and long-distance servers. For the local one, I chose Norway as my baseline. And for the long-distance speed test, I selected the US.

In both cases, ExpressVPN is the clear winner. Despite the use of older OpenVPN protocol and Lightway protocols, ExpressVPN has managed to pull the leverage on NordVPN.

In any case, if stable speed is a priority for your VPN selection, go with ExpressVPN without thinking too much about Express VPN or Nord VPN debacle.

Express VPN vs Nord VPN Security Protocols

Of course, speed or accessing geo-restricted websites are not the only reasons people use VPNs. At least, I don’t. And I know for a fact that there are plenty of users like me who take their online security very seriously. In short, ExpressVPN is the clear winner in terms of security.

• Encryption Protocols & Standards: In a discussion of ExpressVPN vs NordVPN encryption, I found that both use AES 256-bit Cipher. It’s currently the strongest encryption available to use. ExpressVPN also offers L2TP-IPsec, SSTP, and PPTP protocols which are not present for NordVPN.
• Ad & Malware Blocker: On paper, in a battle of Express VPN vs Nord VPN, NordVPN will win. Simply because it offers a feature called “Threat Protection” that blocks all the incoming ads as well as malware. However, ExpressVPN encrypts your traffic before it reaches your network. So, an ad blocker is virtually useless.
• Leak Protection: If you’re wondering which is better ExpressVPN or NordVPN, know that both offer DNS leak protection.
• Specialty Servers: In this section of the Express VPN vs NordVPN battle, Nord is the winner because it offers specialty servers that work as a double VPN. Your IP address is masked twice before routing the traffic instead of just once.
• Server Security: When comes to server security for NordVPN or ExpressVPN, ExpressVPN is the winner. Its servers are more secure thanks to all the encryption protocols we’ve discussed previously.
• Security Infrastructure Audit: There’s no point in going into the NordVPN or ExpressVPN fight for the audit because both companies are audited. Cure53 does the audit for ExpressVPN while PricewaterhouseCoopers AG does it for Nord. ExpressVPN or NordVPN, both have been found compliant with all the policies.

Privacy and Anonymity

Given that one of the biggest reasons you’d want to use a VPN in the first place is privacy, I couldn’t help but include this section in our Express VPN vs NordVPN discussion. Interestingly, both VPNs offer excellent anonymity on the internet.

• Headquarters in “Eyes Countries”: The idea of the “EYES Alliance” is that the member countries have agreed to share intelligence between them. None of the VPNs are headquartered in any of the member countries which is an excellent feature for anonymity.
• Data Logging Policy: None of the interfaces have been found guilty of logging data or leaking any DNS information to 3^rd So, for anonymity purposes, you can’t go wrong with NordVPN or ExpressVPN.
• Signup Information: Whether you’re going for NordVPN or ExpressVPN, you don’t have to provide any more information than you want to. To sign up, you need a valid email address and a valid credit card. That’s it. No need to enter your address or phone number in the process.
• User Data Storage: ExpressVPN or NordVPN, none of them even knows which sites you’re visiting, let alone recording it. It’s been proven with 3^rd party audits so you can rest assured with using both.

Which Unblocks Netflix Better?

You’d be amazed to know how many people decide to get a VPN just for the sake of Netflix or Amazon Prime. Geo-restriction is a massive issue among consumers because it robs them of the enjoyment of enjoying shows from different countries and cultures.

NordVPN or ExpressVPN, whichever you use, you can get access to various locations and the shows offered. But if you’re asking for my personal opinion, I’d have to say ExpressVPN does a better job. It has more stable speeds and it’s prone to the connection being broken midway. It’s something I’ve suffered more than once with NordVPN but never with ExpressVPN.

On paper, Express VPN vs Nord VPN both unlock shows from the UK, US, Canada, Australia, Denmark, France, etc. countries.

Which One to Use for Torrenting?

Although Nord or Express VPN both has P2P for torrenting, ExpressVPN is better for me. As I said in the geo-unblocking section, ExpressVPN is more stable when compared to Nord. And if you lose connection during a torrent download, it can impose massive risks on your identity.

So, if you’re looking into a VPN and you happen to torrent a lot, go for ExpressVPN.

ExpressVPN vs NordVPN Price & Plan

When it comes to pricing for NordVPN versus ExpressVPN, NordVPN takes the win all the time. It’s much cheaper than ExpressVPN. It’s true for all the package tiers. Ideally, you should go for the longest possible subscription for any VPN because that’s the most economic.

Moreover, there’s a massive discount on NordVPN right now if you want to Hurry Up! It’s not like ExpressVPN doesn’t have a promotion going on because it does. But NordVPN is overall a  more economic choice.

Featured Portfolio

In a feature battle for NordVPN or ExpressVPN, Express is the winner. It’s been featured on WSJ, CNet, TechCrunch, Vox, Financial Times, and BBC! You might not know about some of these platforms because they’re mostly behind the curtains.

NordVPN, on the other hand, has been featured on Wired, HuffPost, BuzzFeed, Forbes, TEDx, and BBC. All of these are internet sensations but not as reliable as the platforms that accredited ExpressVPN.

Which Offers More Simultaneous Connections

While ExpressVPN caps out on 5 connections only, NordVPN lets you connect as many devices as you want in your lifetime. But you can keep 6 connections activated simultaneously which is still more than what ExpressVPN offers.

Customer Support

There’s no NordVPN or ExpressVPN confusing when it comes to customer support. Both offer 24/7 support via live chat and email. The support staff has some of the most knowledgeable people you’ll talk to. So, you’re safe with both choices.

Wrapping Up

Considering all the aspects I’ve covered in this Express VPN vs Nord VPN guide, it’s apparent that ExpressVPN is the winner. It surely lacks in some areas but it comes on top with an unmatched overall experience. I’ve been personally using it for years.

However, if you’re not ready to commit to ExpressVPN right now, NordVPN is an excellent choice indeed.