NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Which VPN to Select in 2025?
Discovering the suitable VPN could be tough, with many choices promising top-notch safety and privateness. A VPN should present pace and privateness and be versatile sufficient to deal with on-line content material streaming with a world content material library. NordVPN and ExpressVPN are the most popular VPN selections when these necessities are on the desk. So, which one do you have to decide?
NordVPN and ExpressVPN stand out as two of the very best within the enterprise. Each choices supplies servers in over 100 nations, risk safety options, and VPN providers for streaming or gaming. On this comparability, we pit each VPN providers towards one another and evaluate essential parts, comparable to options, efficiency, and pricing. This can enable you make a wise, knowledgeable resolution based mostly in your finances and necessities.
VPN Assessment Methodology
Geekflare examined the core VPN options of each NordVPN and ExpressVPN by means of hands-on subscriptions. We evaluated important privateness and efficiency options and calculated a mixed total ranking for every. To make sure an unbiased overview, we gathered factual information from official web sites and analyzed person suggestions from varied sources to offer complete insights and detailed evaluations.
NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN Comparability Desk
 |  |
NordVPN gives encrypted high-speed web connections with superior safety features. | ExpressVPN offers strong safety features and unmetered bandwidth for dependable efficiency. |
 4.2 | | 4.2 | |
Based in 2012 in Panama | Based in 2009 within the British Virgin Islands |
Helps 10 simultaneous system connections | Helps 8 simultaneous system connections |
Use it for safe searching, P2P file sharing, and bypassing censorship | Use it for streaming, bypassing geo-restrictions, VPN-router setups |
What's NordVPN?
NordVPN, launched in 2012, is without doubt one of the most trusted names within the VPN business. It’s operated by Nord Safety, an organization based mostly in Panama, identified for its robust stance on privacy and safety.
Over time, NordVPN has constructed a reputation for safeguarding customers from on-line threats like hackers, authorities surveillance, and censorship. Past the VPN, Nord Safety gives different merchandise, together with NordPass, a safe password supervisor, and NordLocker, an encrypted cloud storage answer.
This suite of instruments makes NordVPN a complete alternative for anybody trying to improve their on-line safety and privacy.
What's ExpressVPN?
ExpressVPN, established in 2009, is owned by Kape Applied sciences, a well-known identity within the cybersecurity area. With over a decade of expertise, ExpressVPN has constructed a reputation for delivering strong on-line privacy and safety options.
The corporate has expanded its choices with Aircove, a Wi-Fi router that gives seamless VPN safety for all dwelling gadgets. Its Digital Safety Lab focuses on researching and addressing digital safety challenges. Moreover, ExpressVPN’s Keys is a flexible password supervisor designed to retailer and handle passwords securely.
These instruments empower customers to secure their on-line identities, shield their dwelling networks, and simply safeguard private data.
Evaluating Two Main VPNs: NordVPN and ExpressVPN
It’s vital to not rely solely on NordVPN and ExpressVPN’s marketed choices to inform your resolution. To really perceive what they ship, I examined essential features, comparable to encryption, leaks, pace, and cut-up tunneling, of each VPNs in real-world eventualities utilizing testing instruments. This can enable you perceive which VPN service performs better in several use circumstances.
Encryption
VPNs present an excessive stage of safety that protects your information from being accessed by unauthorized events. They use safe algorithms to make sure the information isn't tampered with throughout transmission.
To check each VPN encryption capabilities, I used Wireshark, a community analyzer. First, I visited a couple of unsecured web sites with out connecting to a VPN and captured the packets. As anticipated, HTTP and TCP packets have been highlighted.
On following the packets, I saw the information was readable and contained delicate data, which made it accessible to unauthorized events.
NordVPN makes use of a number of protocols providing completely different encryption: OpenVPN, NordLynx, and IKEv2/IPsec. To check NordVPN, I repeated the method, and as anticipated from a premium VPN service, my IP was changed with a VPN IP, and all packets have been secured with WireGuard encryption provided by NordLynx.
I adopted a packet for additional inspection. NordVPN’s military-grade encryption solely encrypted the dialog, leaving no room for unauthorized brokers to investigate and enter its contents.
Alternatively, ExpressVPN gives Lightway, L2TP, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols. Repeating the identical check by visiting the unsecured web sites and capturing packets, the VPN IP changed my IP, and Lightway protected all packets with UDP.
On closer inspection, following a packet, all contents have been encrypted and couldn’t be analyzed or accessed.
With this check, it’s clear that each VPN providers encrypts information as marketed.
Kill Change
A kill swap routinely disconnects your web if the VPN connection drops. This prevents your actual IP deal with and on-line actions from being uncovered, conserving your privacy and safety intact even when the VPN fails.
To check the kill switches of NordVPN and ExpressVPN, I used a web page reloader to simulate a state of affairs where a web page reloads every 2 seconds. I manually disconnected the VPN connection at random intervals.
If the kill swap features appropriately, you must see an error message like “no web” or “this web site can’t be reached”. Throughout my exams with each NordVPN’s Kill Change and ExpressVPN’s Community Lock, the kill switches labored as anticipated, instantly disconnecting my web connection. Each VPN providers handed the check.
Leak Exams
An IP leak check checks in case your actual IP deal with is uncovered whereas utilizing a VPN. It ensures that the VPN correctly hides your IP address, stopping web sites and different on-line providers from seeing your precise location and ID.
First, I recorded my IP deal with, after which examined each NordVPN and ExpressVPN by connecting to their servers. After that, I visited ipleak.net to examine the IP, and neither VPN revealed my actual IP. Each providers handed the check.
A DNS leak check checks in case your DNS requests are uncovered whereas utilizing a VPN. With this, you'll be able to confirm in case your web service supplier (ISP) or others can see the web sites you go to. If the VPN eliminates DNS leaks, then your searching might be stored personally.
To check for a DNS leak, I linked each VPNs to a server and examined individually on DNSleaktest.com. The servers listed didn’t function the server provided by my ISP, which means each handed the DNS leak check.
A WebRTC leak check checks whether or not your actual IP address is uncovered by means of the WebRTC expertise in your internet browser, even whenever you’re utilizing a VPN.
I adopted an analogous testing strategy as above by connecting them to a server and testing them individually on Browserleaks. NordVPN has no leak, and the Distant IP and Public IP are identical.
Nonetheless, ExpressVPN produced completely different outcomes with completely different Distant IP and Public IP. Whereas that is regarding, it isn’t a detrimental issue, as my actual IP is stored hidden, indicating there was no leak with ExpressVPN.
No-logs Coverage
A no-log coverage means the VPN doesn’t maintain information of what you do on-line. That is vital as a result of it maintains your privacy, defending your information from being accessed by anybody, even when requested by governments or hackers.
NordVPN, based mostly in Panama and out of doors the 5 Eyes (FVEY) surveillance alliance, has strict no-log coverage, so no person exercise is tracked or saved. Its infrastructure runs solely on RAM-only servers to forestall any information from being saved domestically.
In December 2023, Deloitte Audit Lithuania confirmed this by means of NordVPN’s audit of its IT programs, server configurations, and logs. NordVPN additionally gives Obstructed servers to bypass censorship and Double VPNs to allow additional encryption.
ExpressVPN, headquartered within the British Virgin Islands, additionally maintains a no-log coverage for full person privateness. ExpressVPN gives RAM-only servers, which don’t retailer information or monitor exercise, enhancing person privateness.
In February 2023, Cure53 audited ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol, verifying its safety and effectivity.
As a part of its dedication to transparency, ExpressVPN makes use of RAM-only TrustedServer Know-how, so no information is saved long-term.
Necessary: Whereas each supply a strict no-logs coverage, each VPNs have a file of your private data and are analyzed solely to offer the very best expertise and future enchancment.
Relaxation assured that not one of the information is bought, shared, leased, or rented, and is maintained and dealt with securely. Plus, you'll be able to request a deletion, and your total file is cleared off their servers.
Velocity Take a look at
As vital as it's to supply safety and privateness, the VPN should supply respectable speeds to make it usable. For this, I've performed a pace check, conserving streaming in thoughts, and have examined each VPNs by connecting to the closest and farthest servers to my present location in India.
NordVPN operates an unlimited community of 6,000+ servers in over 111 nations, making it a robust alternative for customers in search of intensive protection.
The service gives specialised servers for varied wants, together with obfuscated servers for bypassing censorship and Double VPN for added safety. The P2P and Onion Over VPN servers present safe and personal torrenting, file switching, and downloads.
NordVPN has achieved a good job on the closest and distant servers. Regardless of restrictions on VPNs in my nation (India), NordVPN’s digital server has provided speeds with out vital drops.
The connection to the distant server within the US, Chicago, has a noticeable pace drop; however, it's sufficient for uninterrupted streaming.
ExpressVPN is famed for its world protection, with over 3,000 servers in 105 nations. Whereas it doesn't present specialised servers like NordVPN, it optimizes its servers for high-speed streaming, torrenting, and bypassing censorship.
ExpressVPN had hassle with my nation’s restrictions, as connecting to the digital server had vital pace drops. Whereas this doesn’t have an effect on streaming content material, it can end in issue with calls and file uploads.
Nonetheless, ExpressVPN carried out on par with NordVPN when linked to the distant US Chicago server. It provided respectable speeds for uninterrupted HD streaming.
Nonetheless, neither VPN is really helpful when linked to distant servers as a consequence of latency points. Each VPNs would work completely effectively for the closest servers; however, noticing ExpressVPN’s mediocre efficiency with digital servers, I counsel a pace check earlier than gaming or attending a video call.
Streaming Efficiency and Unblocking Content material
After the pace exams, it’s important to examine streaming efficiency. To complicate issues for the VPNs, I attempted streaming geographically restricted content material.
For this, I attempted to look at a film on Netflix (Could December), which isn’t obtainable in India. As anticipated, I couldn’t discover it within the app’s search. Once I tried to seek for the Netflix film web page on the browser, I used to be greeted with a damaged hyperlink.
After discovering out by which nation the film was obtainable, I linked to the particular server on each VPNs and examined them individually.
This enabled me to unlock the content material, and because of NordVPN’s SmartPlay and ExpressVPN streaming capabilities, I loved buffer-free streaming with each VPNs.
Break up Tunneling
Break up tunneling permits you to manage which apps use the VPN and which use your common web connection. This lets you secure delicate information whereas nonetheless accessing native providers with out slowing down your web pace.
I didn’t discover the correct device to check this. As an alternative, I turned on Break up Tunneling on each VPNs and examined the IP with What is my IP Address on completely different browsers concurrently to see if Break up Tunneling was working.
NordVPN permits you to manage which apps use the VPN. I added Microsoft Edge to the checklist and examined it. As anticipated, the placement and IP displayed on Edge matched the NordVPN-assigned ones, and Chrome had my precise location and IP.
Establishing break-up Tunneling on ExpressVPN was as simple as NordVPN. It produced comparable outcomes by displaying the VPN-assigned location and IP on Microsoft Edge, indicating that Break up Tunneling is working.
Advert and Tracker Blocking
An ad blocker is important as a result because it protects your privacy, speeds searching, and shields you from malicious ads, phishing attempts, and scams. It additionally reduces the frustration of coping with intrusive, annoying advertisements that disrupt your online expertise.
Earlier than heading on to VPNs, I examined my present state utilizing the AdBlock device to confirm if the advert blockers provided by VPNs are useful.
With a poor rating, I turned on NordVPN’s Menace Supervisor, enabled all toggles, and surfed the online to note no advertisements. When examined with the device, the rating skyrocketed to 96%.
When ExpressVPN’s flip got here, I browsed the internet and saw no advertisements. Whereas it scored barely lower than NordVPN, there wasn’t any vital distinction, and it provided the identical stage of privateness and safety.
Interface
NordVPN gives an easy-to-use interface with clear descriptions for every device. With a number of instruments included and several other choices for every, NordVPN incorporates a full-window interface.
Upon first utilization, the variety of instruments and choices was overwhelming. It took me some time to get snug with NordVPN, so I like to recommend exploring it first to keep away from confusion in the long term.
Whereas the descriptions helped, a non-technical person will wrestle to grasp and use a couple of instruments completely. The largest concern with the NordVPN interface is that it will possibly typically develop into unresponsive.
To know why this was the case, I tracked its useful resource consumption utilizing the Activity Supervisor and realized it makes use of three times more extra reminiscence than ExpressVPN.
ExpressVPN offers an easy, user-friendly interface. The traditional Join button is true on the house display, and all of the instruments and choices are simply accessible inside the settings.
Whereas extra superior or technical customers would possibly really feel restricted by the fewer customization choices, non-technical customers will discover it helpful and simple.
ExpressVPN is all the time responsive, permitting me to begin utilizing it instantly with no need to discover or put a lot of effort into understanding the way it works.
Compatibility
NordVPN is very suitable with a variety of gadgets, together with Home Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux. It gives browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge, permitting you to save your searching instantly from the browser.
When it comes to gadgets, it's suitable with sensible TVs and streaming gadgets like Amazon Fireplace TV Stick. It additionally helps routers, enabling you to guard all gadgets in your community, together with gaming consoles and NAS gadgets.
NordVPN permits as much as 10 simultaneous connections underneath one account, and I had no points utilizing it with a number of gadgets concurrently.
ExpressVPN is on par with NordVPN, providing the identical stage of compatibility. Nonetheless, ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer does a barely higher job than NordVPN when organising VPNs on routers.
Buyer Help
NordVPN offers assistance by means of 24/7 stay chat and e-mail. For those who ship an e mail, you'll obtain a response inside a couple of minutes to hours. You can even reach out to their stay chat for an on-the-spot response.
For extra flexibility and management, you too can report an issue inside the app to buyer assistance.
ExpressVPN gives 24/7 stay assist by means of chat and e-mail assist. You may enter the stay chat from their web site or send an e mail to get a response inside a couple of minutes to hours.
Alternatively, you'll be able to contact buyer assistance inside the app. Nonetheless, not like NordVPN, it didn’t present a possibility so as to add attachments, like screenshots, to elaborate on the issue.
When to Select NordVPN?
NordVPN is good for superior customers who want greater than safety and privateness. Its Meshnet permits personal file transfers utilizing P2P, distant site visitors routing, and entry to information and media from wherever. You may even use different gadgets as VPN servers.
Moreover, NordVPN’s Darkish Internet Monitor is a novel function that alerts you in case your data seems on the darkish internet, providing an additional layer of safety that’s difficult to seek out on different VPNs.
Aside from distinctive options, NordVPN gives added safety by means of DoubleVPN, Obfuscated Servers, and Onion Over VPN.
When to Select ExpressVPN?
ExpressVPN is a balanced and dependable possibility that meets the wants of all customers, making it simple for anybody to make use of without problem.
It gives top-notch safety and privateness, seamless streaming expertise, and the power to unblock geo-restrictions, protecting the important things you’d anticipate from a VPN.
If compatibility is vital to you, particularly with routers, ExpressVPN is good. It offers MediaStreamer for gadgets that don’t often assist VPNs and even gives the distinctive ExpressVPN Aircove, a router with VPN built-in, thereby eliminating complicated setup processes.
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN Verdict
After testing each, NordVPN and ExpressVPN are equally spectacular. Every shines in several areas or metrics. As an alternative to selecting a single winner, I counsel selecting based mostly on your wants.
For those who’re on the lookout for top-tier safety and privacy, NordVPN is a good alternative. It’s designed for customers who need distinctive safety and privacy measures when utilizing particular web sites for their necessities.
Alternatively, if you happen to want an easy setup, broad system compatibility, and seamless streaming expertise, ExpressVPN is the best way to go. It’s excellent for customers who need a VPN with dependable efficiency and important safety features.
Which VPN router works with NordVPN and ExpressVPN?
NordVPN and ExpressVPN each assist quite a lot of routers; however, every has particular fashions that work best. For NordVPN, a well-liked alternative is the ASUS WRT router (RT-AX1800S), which could be arranged with its firmware or ASUS Merlin for higher management.
For ExpressVPN, the Linksys WRT3200ACM is a good possibility, particularly if you happen to choose a router with customized firmware that’s simple to arrange. If you wish to skip the setup problem, you should buy ExpressVPN Aircove.