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.