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.
| 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