NordVPN vs ExpressVPN (2025): Which Premium VPN Wins?

NordVPN and ExpressVPN have dominated the premium VPN market for years. Both consistently rank in the top three VPNs globally, offering fast speeds, strong security, and reliable streaming unblocking.

But which one deserves your money? After extensive testing with both services, here’s our honest comparison.

Quick Comparison#

NordVPN Overview#

NordVPN is a Panama-based VPN with over 14 million users. It’s known for innovation — NordVPN pioneered RAM-only servers, developed the NordLynx protocol, and continues adding features like Meshnet and Threat Protection.

Key Strengths#

• More servers — 5,900+ servers gives you more options for finding fast connections
• Better value — Half the price of ExpressVPN on long-term plans
• Advanced features — Double VPN, Meshnet, Threat Protection, obfuscated servers
• Slightly faster — NordLynx edges out Lightway on nearby servers

Key Weaknesses#

• Less polished apps — ExpressVPN’s interface is more intuitive
• Limited split tunneling — Not available on macOS or iOS
• 10-device limit — ExpressVPN limits to 8, but some competitors offer unlimited

ExpressVPN Overview#

ExpressVPN operates from the British Virgin Islands and has built a reputation for consistency. It’s the “Apple of VPNs” — premium-priced, beautifully designed, and exceptionally reliable.

Key Strengths#

• Best-in-class apps — Most intuitive VPN interface we’ve tested
• Slightly better international speeds — Lightway shines on long-distance connections
• Split tunneling on all platforms — Including macOS and iOS
• 24/7 live chat — Fastest, most helpful customer support

Key Weaknesses#

• Expensive — Nearly double NordVPN’s price on comparable plans
• Fewer servers — 3,000 servers vs NordVPN’s 5,900
• Fewer advanced features — No Double VPN, no Meshnet equivalent

Speed Comparison#

We tested both VPNs from multiple locations using a 500 Mbps fiber connection.

Local Servers (Within 500 Miles)#

Winner: NordVPN — Slightly faster on nearby connections.

Cross-Country (US East to US West)#

Winner: ExpressVPN — Marginally faster coast-to-coast.

International (US to UK)#

Winner: ExpressVPN — Better performance on transatlantic routes.

International (US to Australia)#

Winner: ExpressVPN — Handles extreme distances slightly better.

Overall Speed Verdict#

Both VPNs are extremely fast — among the top 3 we’ve tested. ExpressVPN has a slight edge on long-distance international connections, while NordVPN is marginally faster on local and regional servers. For most users, the difference is negligible — both easily support 4K streaming, gaming, and large downloads.

Security and Privacy Comparison#

Encryption#

Both use military-grade encryption:

• NordVPN: AES-256-GCM (NordLynx), AES-256-CBC (OpenVPN)
• ExpressVPN: AES-256-GCM (Lightway), AES-256-CBC (OpenVPN)

Both support Perfect Forward Secrecy, which changes encryption keys regularly to prevent retrospective decryption.

Winner: Tie — Identical encryption standards.

No-Logs Policy#

Both have independently audited no-logs policies:

• NordVPN: Audited 3 times (PwC 2018, PwC 2020, Deloitte 2023)
• ExpressVPN: Audited once (PwC 2019), plus a real-world test when Turkish authorities seized a server in 2017 and found no user data

Winner: NordVPN — More recent and frequent audits provide stronger assurance.

RAM-Only Servers#

Both use diskless RAM-only servers that wipe all data on reboot, making it technically impossible to store logs even if servers are compromised.

Winner: Tie — Both implement this critical feature.

Jurisdiction#

• NordVPN: Panama (no mandatory data retention, not part of 5/9/14 Eyes)
• ExpressVPN: British Virgin Islands (no mandatory data retention, not part of 5/9/14 Eyes)

Both jurisdictions are privacy-friendly with no legal obligation to log user data.

Winner: Tie — Both operate in strong privacy jurisdictions.

Advanced Security Features#

Winner: NordVPN — More advanced security options, especially Double VPN and Threat Protection.

Streaming Comparison#

Both VPNs excel at unblocking streaming services. We tested 15+ platforms:

Key differences:

• NordVPN supports 20+ Netflix regional libraries vs ExpressVPN’s 15+
• ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer DNS works on devices that don’t support VPN apps (smart TVs, game consoles)
• ExpressVPN had marginally better success with Prime Video

Winner: Slight edge to ExpressVPN — MediaStreamer feature adds versatility, though both are excellent for streaming.

Torrenting Comparison#

Both VPNs allow and actively support P2P torrenting:

Winner: NordVPN — P2P-optimized servers, port forwarding, and SOCKS5 proxy give torrenters more control.

Device Support and Apps#

Platform Support#

Both support all major platforms:

• Windows, macOS, Linux
• iOS, Android
• Browser extensions (Chrome, Firefox, Edge)
• Smart TVs and streaming devices

NordVPN supports 10 simultaneous connections vs ExpressVPN’s 8.

Winner: NordVPN — Two extra device connections.

App Quality#

ExpressVPN has the most polished, user-friendly VPN apps we’ve tested. The interface is clean, intuitive, and consistent across all platforms. Even complete beginners can connect in seconds.

NordVPN’s apps are good but more cluttered. The map interface looks impressive but isn’t as practical as ExpressVPN’s simple server list. Power users appreciate NordVPN’s granular settings, but casual users may feel overwhelmed.

Winner: ExpressVPN — Best-in-class app design and ease of use.

Split Tunneling#

ExpressVPN offers split tunneling on all platforms, including macOS and iOS.

NordVPN only offers split tunneling on Windows and Android — a significant limitation for Mac and iPhone users.

Winner: ExpressVPN — Universal split tunneling support.

Customer Support Comparison#

Both offer 24/7 live chat support, email ticketing, and extensive knowledge bases.

ExpressVPN’s support is faster and more knowledgeable. We consistently got helpful responses within 2-3 minutes. Support agents could answer technical questions about protocols, DNS leaks, and advanced configurations.

NordVPN’s live chat can be slow during peak hours (5-10 minute wait times), and front-line agents sometimes escalate issues unnecessarily. However, the support team eventually resolves problems satisfactorily.

Winner: ExpressVPN — Faster, more knowledgeable support.

Pricing Comparison#

Here’s where NordVPN pulls ahead significantly:

ExpressVPN costs nearly double NordVPN on comparable long-term plans. For a 2-year commitment, you’ll pay $160 for ExpressVPN vs $81 for NordVPN — a $79 difference for marginally better international speeds and app design.

Winner: NordVPN — Significantly better value without compromising quality.

Unique Features#

NordVPN Exclusives#

• Meshnet — Create encrypted networks between devices for remote access and LAN gaming
• Threat Protection — Blocks malware, trackers, and ads even when VPN is off
• Double VPN — Route traffic through two servers for maximum anonymity
• SOCKS5 Proxy — Faster (unencrypted) proxy option for torrenting

ExpressVPN Exclusives#

• MediaStreamer — Smart DNS feature for devices that don’t support VPN apps
• Parallel connections — Automatically tests multiple servers to find the fastest
• Better app design — Most intuitive VPN interface across all platforms

Winner: NordVPN — More innovative features that provide tangible benefits.

Which Should You Choose?#

Choose NordVPN If:#

• You want the best value — Half the price of ExpressVPN on 2-year plans
• You need advanced features — Double VPN, Meshnet, Threat Protection, port forwarding
• You torrent frequently — P2P-optimized servers and SOCKS5 proxy
• You need more device connections — 10 simultaneous vs ExpressVPN’s 8
• You prioritize innovation — NordVPN consistently adds new features

Choose ExpressVPN If:#

• You value simplicity above all — Easiest VPN to use with the best app design
• You need split tunneling on Mac/iOS — NordVPN doesn’t support this
• You want the best customer support — Fastest, most knowledgeable live chat
• You frequently connect internationally — Slight speed edge on long-distance connections
• You use devices without VPN apps — MediaStreamer DNS works on smart TVs and consoles
• Budget isn’t a concern — You’re willing to pay double for marginal improvements

Our Bottom Line#

Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN are top-tier VPNs that deliver on security, speed, and streaming. You can’t go wrong with either.

NordVPN wins on value and features. For $3.39/month, you get 95% of ExpressVPN’s performance plus advanced features like Meshnet, Threat Protection, and Double VPN. The apps aren’t quite as polished, but they’re perfectly functional.

ExpressVPN wins on ease of use and consistency. If you want the absolute best VPN experience with zero learning curve and don’t mind paying premium prices, ExpressVPN justifies the cost. It’s the most user-friendly VPN we’ve tested.

For most users, we recommend NordVPN — the price-to-performance ratio is unbeatable. Save $79 over two years and get more features in the process.

NordVPN Pros & Cons#

ExpressVPN Pros & Cons#

FAQ#