Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | NordVPN | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Server count | 6,300+ in 111 countries | 3,000+ in 105 countries |
| Price (2-year plan) | ~$3.99/mo | ~$8.32/mo |
| Price (monthly) | ~$12.99/mo | ~$12.95/mo |
| Protocols | NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN, IKEv2 | Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP |
| Jurisdiction | Panama (outside 5/9/14 Eyes) | British Virgin Islands (outside 5/9/14 Eyes) |
| No-logs audit | Deloitte (multiple audits) | KPMG (multiple audits) |
| Simultaneous devices | 6 | 8 |
| Kill switch | Yes (app + system) | Yes (app) |
| Split tunneling | Yes | Yes |
| Ad/malware blocking | Yes (Threat Protection) | No built-in |
| Router VPN firmware | No | Yes (ExpressVPN routers) |
| Streaming (Netflix US) | Reliable | Reliable |
| Streaming (BBC iPlayer) | Reliable | Reliable |
| Meshnet / device linking | Yes (unique feature) | No |
Our Picks
- 6,300+ servers in 111 countries
- NordLynx (WireGuard) — fast and stable
- Threat Protection: ad + malware blocking
- Meshnet for device-to-device tunnels
- Multiple Deloitte audits
- 6 device limit (vs 8 for ExpressVPN)
- No native router firmware
- 2-year commitment for best price
- Lightway protocol — best on mobile/variable connections
- 8 simultaneous devices
- Native router firmware (ExpressVPN-branded routers)
- KPMG-audited no-logs policy
- 105 countries
- ~2× more expensive than NordVPN
- No built-in ad blocking
- No meshnet feature
Speed Comparison: NordLynx vs Lightway
Both NordVPN (NordLynx) and ExpressVPN (Lightway) are built on WireGuard's cryptographic primitives, which means both are dramatically faster than older OpenVPN-based configurations. In independent speed tests, NordVPN typically delivers 5–15% speed overhead on a fast connection; ExpressVPN's Lightway performs similarly on wired connections but shows a consistent edge on high-packet-loss mobile networks where Lightway's UDP/TCP fallback logic handles interference better.
For home broadband use — which is the primary use case for most subscribers — both will feel identical at normal speeds up to 500 Mbps. The speed difference only becomes meaningful at 10 Gbps+ fiber connections, where both still perform well above what most users need.
Streaming: Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+
Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN reliably unblock Netflix US, UK, Japan, Canada, and Australia libraries. Both have dedicated streaming server labels in their apps. Neither has had significant sustained outages on major Netflix regions in recent years. For BBC iPlayer specifically — one of the most aggressively VPN-blocking services — both are in the top tier of reliable unblocking. ExpressVPN has historically been slightly more consistent with BBC iPlayer due to its server rotation strategy, but NordVPN has closed that gap with its streaming-optimized servers.
Privacy and Security: Jurisdiction and Audits
Both VPNs are incorporated outside 5-Eyes, 9-Eyes, and 14-Eyes intelligence-sharing jurisdictions — NordVPN in Panama, ExpressVPN in the British Virgin Islands. Both have had their no-logs policies independently audited by major accounting firms (Deloitte for NordVPN, KPMG for ExpressVPN) and both publish transparency reports. NordVPN's Threat Protection adds DNS-level ad and malware blocking without requiring the VPN tunnel to be active — a useful bonus feature for everyday browsing. ExpressVPN offers no comparable built-in blocking feature.
Pricing: Long-Term Value
The price gap is significant. NordVPN's two-year plan works out to roughly $3.99/month with frequent promotional pricing. ExpressVPN's one-year plan is approximately $8.32/month — there is no two-year option. Over a 24-month period: NordVPN costs ~$95; ExpressVPN costs ~$200. Both offer 30-day money-back guarantees. If you are not sure, commit to the shorter period and evaluate before renewing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is NordVPN or ExpressVPN faster?
On wired home broadband connections, both are effectively the same speed — overhead of 5–15% means on a 100 Mbps connection you get 85–95 Mbps through either. ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol has a measurable edge on high-latency or lossy mobile connections due to its smarter UDP/TCP handling. For home use, speed is not a differentiating factor between these two.
Which is cheaper, NordVPN or ExpressVPN?
NordVPN is significantly cheaper. The two-year NordVPN plan averages around $3.99/month. ExpressVPN's best available plan is the one-year at approximately $8.32/month. Over 24 months, NordVPN costs roughly half what ExpressVPN costs. Both offer 30-day money-back guarantees.
Can both unblock Netflix?
Yes. Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN reliably unblock Netflix US, UK, Japan, Canada, Australia, and Germany. Both maintain dedicated streaming servers that are refreshed when Netflix blocks IP ranges. If one server fails, switching to another streaming-labeled server in the same country resolves it in under 60 seconds.
Does ExpressVPN work on a router?
Yes — ExpressVPN offers its own router firmware (for Asus, Netgear, and Linksys models) and detailed setup guides for DD-WRT and Tomato routers. This lets every device on your home network use the VPN without individual app installs. NordVPN does not offer native router firmware but can be configured manually on routers supporting OpenVPN or WireGuard.
Which has better privacy, NordVPN or ExpressVPN?
Both have independently audited no-logs policies and are incorporated outside intelligence-sharing alliances. NordVPN adds Threat Protection (DNS-level blocking) as a privacy bonus. The practical privacy difference between the two is minimal for most users — both are among the most trustworthy VPN providers available.