ExpressVPN vs NordVPN
NordVPN scores 9.0 out of 10, ExpressVPN scores 8.0. Compared on price, jurisdiction, measured speed loss and logging policy: the same independent tests we run on every provider.
The quick answer
Pick ExpressVPN if you want the simplest, most polished app experience. Pick NordVPN if you need reliable torrenting and P2P support.
| ExpressVPN | NordVPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.0 / 10 | 9.0 / 10 |
| Verdict | Worth It | Recommended |
| Price / mo | $2.79 | $3.49 |
| Jurisdiction | British Virgin Islands | Panama |
| Speed loss | 11% | 6% |
| Logs policy | No-logs, audited (KPMG) | No-logs, audited (Deloitte) |
| Best for | streaming,ease of use | streaming,torrenting |
| ExpressVPN | NordVPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Kill switch | Yes, called Network Lock, on by default on Windows, Mac, and Linux | Yes, a full Internet Kill Switch plus an App Kill Switch for specific programs |
| Split tunneling | Yes, Windows and Android; not available on macOS 11 or iOS | Yes, Windows and Android only |
| Tor support | Yes, Tor over VPN supported through specific servers | Yes, Onion Over VPN servers, no separate Tor Browser needed |
| Protocols | Lightway (UDP/TCP), Lightway Turbo, OpenVPN, IKEv2 on Mac | NordLynx (WireGuard based), OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Encryption | AES-256 with a 4096-bit RSA key and SHA-512 HMAC authentication | AES-256 with SHA-512 hashing, perfect forward secrecy |
| Ad and malware blocker | Threat Manager blocks tracking and malicious connections, plus a built in ad blocker | Threat Protection Pro, blocks ads, trackers, and malware downloads |
| Leak protection | Private DNS on every server; no IP, DNS, IPv6, or WebRTC leaks found | DNS leak protection through NordVPN's own DNS servers |
| Full disk encryption | RAM only TrustedServer infrastructure, rebuilt on a one to two week cycle | RAM only servers instead of disk encryption, all data wiped on every reboot |
| Bug bounty program | Yes, public bug bounty via Bugcrowd, up to $100,000 for critical vulnerabilities | Yes, public bug bounty via HackerOne, up to $50,000 for critical vulnerabilities |
| Gaming latency impact | Minimal on nearby servers; European routes measured under 85ms ping | Minimal impact; NordLynx is the fastest measured protocol in this comparison |
| Customer support | 24/7 live chat, typically under 1 minute response; email support available | 24/7 live chat under 30 seconds; email replies within one business day |
| Money back guarantee | 30 days on paid plans, first time customers | 30 days on paid plans, first purchase only |
| Server network | 214 server locations across 113 countries | 9,500+ servers across 149 countries |
| Simultaneous devices | 10 devices on Basic, 12 on Advanced, 14 on Pro | 10 devices per subscription |
| Router support | Browser based router app for Asus, Linksys, Netgear, and Microsoft routers; also sells the Aircove router pre-configured | Config support for Asus, TP-Link, DD-WRT, Tomato, and Mikrotik routers |
| Browser extensions | Chrome and Firefox extensions; also works with Edge, Brave, and Vivaldi via the Chrome Web Store | Chrome, Firefox, and Edge extensions, plus native apps for every major platform |
| Works in restrictive countries | Possible but not guaranteed; requires specific servers and a mirror URL to download the app | Not officially supported; obfuscated servers help but connectivity is not guaranteed |
| Payment methods | Visa, Mastercard, PayPal, Bitcoin, Apple Pay, and Google Pay | Credit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, UnionPay, and cryptocurrency including Bitcoin |
| Business plan | No dedicated business plan; consumer tiers scale up to 14 simultaneous devices instead | Yes, NordLayer is sold separately as network access for teams and businesses |
ExpressVPN
The most polished apps and RAM-only infrastructure we tested, offset by a genuine ethical concern in its executive history.
- RAM-only TrustedServer infrastructure, build process audited by PwC
- Lightway protocol is open-sourced and independently audited by Cure53
- Consistently rated the easiest, most polished apps in this comparison
- 214 server locations across 113 countries
NordVPN
Fastest median speeds in our 2026 logs, though the marketing claims outrun the substance.
- Fastest measured speeds of any provider we compared
- Six independent no-logs audits since 2018 (PwC, then Deloitte)
- Threat Protection Pro blocks malware and trackers at the network level
- 9,500+ servers across 149 countries