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Are you looking for an answer to which is the best between ExpressVPN and NordVPN? No worries. In this post, we are going to discuss the comparison of NordVPN vs ExpressVPN.
Here, you will learn which VPN is
- more secure
- more private
- faster
- easier to use
- offering a good price
- best to watch Netflix
- and many more
Let’s dive right in!
ExpressVPN vs NordVPN: Which VPN is better in 2021?
It is important to remember that both ExpressVPN vs NordVPN providers are great. They are industry leaders right now in 2021. Either one has probably been recommended to you multiple times.
So, NordVPN vs ExpressVPN, which has better values, performance, security, and features? Which is the better investment in the long run?
Features & Options
Moving on to the features and options, both VPNs lets you to use them in several devices simultaneously. ExpressVPN lets you have 5 devices and NordVPN is 6 devices. However, if you need to have more devices connected to the internet, you can just install it on your router. Interestingly, this counts as one device.
A great feature both VPNs offer is Smart DNS. Smart DNS lets you unblock content on devices that don’t have a dedicated VPN app.
In NordVPN, the Smart DNS feature is known as SmartPlay. It allows users to use it on devices that have no dedicated apps.
ExpressVPN has a similar situation. The Smart DNS is known as MediaStreamer that can be used to unblock content on gaming consoles and a wide variety of smart TVs.
One feature that makes NordVPN stands out over ExpressVPN is its ads and malware blocking. NordVPN wants to make sure that you are being more secure and not disturbed by the annoying ads when browsing the internet.
Accessibility
Apps from both services are streamlined and clean-looking.
NordVPN has a unique map-based interface. In NordVPN, you will see a world map that shows the locations of the servers. To use it, you can just click the quick connect and let the app choose the fastest server for you.
ExpressVPN has an elegant user-interface. On the home screen, there is a big connect button and the current location. To change the location, you can just press the three-dot next to the country. It is quite easy to find the country that you are looking for. It has a list of recommended locations for you to choose. Or, just type the country in the search box if you want to have different country that are not in the recommendation list.
Security & Privacy
| ExpressVPN | NordVPN | |
| VPN protocols | OpenVPN, Lightway, L2TP, IKEv2 | OpenVPN, NordLynx |
| No activity or connection logs | Yes | Yes |
| Split tunneling | Yes | No |
| Unlimited bandwidth | Yes | Yes |
| Encryption | AES-256 | AES-256 |
| Private DNS | Yes | Yes |
| Network lock kill switch | Yes | Yes |
| Smart ad-blocking | No | Yes |
Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN are famous for their excellent privacy policies. They provide superb security with strong tunneling protocols, AES-256 encryption, and no leaks.
NordVPN is based in Panama, which is a privacy-friendly location. It has a slightly more solid set of additional features, which includes Double VPN, Onion over VPN, CyberSec, SOCKS5 proxy, and obfuscated servers.
Meanwhile, ExpressVPN is located in the British Virgin Islands. It offers split tunneling and obfuscated servers.
While it is important to note that the NordVPN server in Finland got hacked in 2019, you may have a question like “Is NordVPN safe?” You need to know that most large companies are targets for cybercrime at some point.
After the hack, NordVPN made some significant improvements to its own security. They have announced a five-point plan to strengthen their security in multiple ways.
Starting from infrastructure and code, through to teams and partners. In this regard, what doesn’t kill them makes them stronger – which is why NordVPN currently takes the win in the security category.
When it comes to privacy, both providers are really good. They have been independently audited and have a no-logs policy. Anonymous payments are also of critical importance to both providers.
ExpressVPN offers security to pay with Bitcoin, whereas NordVPN supports a few more cryptocurrencies. All in all both, ExpressVPN and NordVPN take the win on privacy.
Integration & Devices
How many devices of yours connected to the internet? Two or more?
Nowadays, it’s pretty common to have more than two devices connected to the internet. Therefore, it is important to make sure that the VPN app you are going to use can cover all of your devices. Thus, you will have full protection whenever you are online.
It is important to know which of these services is easier to use and more compatible with your devices. In the table below, you can check the list of devices that ExpressVPN and NordVPN support.
| Devices | ExpressVPN | NordVPN |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| iOS (iPhone & iPad) | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| MacOSX | Yes | Yes |
| Linux | Yes | Yes |
| Chrome | Yes | Yes |
| Firefox | Yes | Yes |
| Microsoft Edge | Yes | No |
| Android TV | Yes | Yes |
| Apple TV | Yes | No |
| Roku | Yes | No |
| Samsung TV | Yes | No |
| Firestick | Yes | Yes |
| Xbox | Yes | Yes |
| Playstation | Yes | Yes |
| Nintendo Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Raspberry Pi | Yes | Yes |
| Chromebook | Yes | Yes |
| Chromecast | Yes | Yes |
| Router | Yes | Yes |
| NVIDIA | Yes | No |
| Kindle fire | Yes | No |
The ExpressVPN vs NordVPN supported devices list above shows that they work on various platforms and gadgets. However, ExpressVPN covers more devices than NordVPN. It protects some Smart TVs that NordVPN doesn’t, such as Apple TV, Roku, and Samsung TV. Besides, ExpressVPN offers protection for users who use Edge browser, kindle fire, and NVIDIA graphic card.
It may be the downside of NordVPN for having fewer devices to protect. But, if you install NordVPN on your router, you will be able to protect all devices that connect to the network even though the devices are not included in the NordVPN protected list.
Both ExpressVPN and NordVPN offer all major web browsers, Mozilla Firefox and Google Chrome. And ExpressVPN covers Microsoft Edge, while NordVPN doesn’t. Though both are user-friendly, ExpressVPN offers a simpler list-based system and more apps overall, including software for Chromebooks and routers.
The bottom line of ExpressVPN vs NordVPN is while NordVPN provides detailed instructions on how to set up routers, ExpressVPN takes the win in apps and ease-of-use categories.
Speed & Performance
Speed and performance can make or break the VPNs. That’s why most providers put a lot of focus on it.
When comparing the speed and performance of ExpressVPN and NordVPN, the difference is significant. ExpressVPN and NordVPN have huge networks but NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol makes this a much faster service.
As a matter of fact, it’s currently the fastest of all. Faster speed is a massive deal for any VPN service.
Servers
| ExpressVPN | NordVPN | |
| Countries | 94 | 59 |
| Servers | 3,000+ | 5,400+ |
ExpressVPN may have more locations of countries, but NordVPN has more numbers of servers. It means NordVPN gives you more options of server that you can connect to. You can choose which server that has better speed and use it for streaming. NordVPN uses NordLynx protocol that gives you the best speed.
If you think that choosing the best server taking too much time, then you can use ExpressVPN Smart Location. It automatically selects the right VPN server position for you, allowing you to safely and quickly access the internet and all of its content.
The Smart Location algorithm ranks VPN server positions according to key metrics including download speed, latency, and distance.
In the ExpressVPN vs NordVPN server battle, it is clear that NordVPN is the winner.
Torrenting and P2P
Though security is the main priority for torrent users, there are other factors to keep in mind.
P2P is used in all of ExpressVPN’s countries. NordVPN only allows P2P in countries where the regulation is weak, but they have configured hundreds of servers for P2P.
Where NordVPN has a free SOCKS5, ExpressVPN has a split tunneling feature – making the torrenting and P2P round a draw between the two providers.
China
By 2021, several VPNs will be able to bypass government restrictions and censorship. It’s particularly difficult to do so in China. So, let’s look at how to use ExpressVPN or NordVPN in China.
Well right now, both VPNs bypass firewalls and access restricted content in China and most other restricted states.
ExpressVPN has a built-in stealth server feature, but no Onion Over VPN feature. It does have a .onion site though, so you can anonymously download the ExpressVPN app.
NordVPN offers both stealth server and Onion Over VPN features to users who are looking to remain anonymous in China. For anonymous NordVPN download, you can use these alternate domains:
- nord-help.com/download
- cqxqlbe.site/download
In this NordVPN vs ExpressVPN round, the winner goes to NordVPN because it has more security features. But as long as major features are concerned, this could very well be a draw.
Netflix
Unblocking Netflix is a major challenge for any VPN right now. So, NordVPN vs ExpressVPN, which is better for Netflix?
When it comes to Netflix and other streaming platforms, both ExpressVPN vs NordVPN providers are the best in the business. They unblock Netflix US and other libraries in Japan and Netherlands as well. They’re also ideal for Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and other services.
NordVPN does, however, take the cake when it comes to speed and reliability. The service has over 1,800 servers in the US alone. This is more than half of what ExpressVPN offers in total – making NordVPN the winner of the round. It is because ExpressVPN for Netflix has slower speeds, and it takes longer to find a working server.
They both are capable of unblocking those services though.
Pricing
One of the most important aspects to consider when choosing the best VPN for you is the price. As you might have heard that good quality comes with a good price. However, it’s not true that good things are always expensive.
Let’s see which VPN is affordable for your pocket.
| ExpressVPN | NordVPN | |
| 1-month plan | $12.95 | $11.95 |
| 6-month plan | $9.99 | – |
| 1-year plan | $155.40 $99.95 or $8.32/mo (save 35%) | $143.40 $59.00 or $4.92/mo (Save 58%) |
| 2-year plan | – | $268.80 $89.00 or $3.71/mo (Save 68%) |
| 30 days Money-back 100% guarantee | Yes | Yes |
Overall, NordVPN offers a good price and is cheaper than ExpressVPN if you subscribe for longer than a month.
The 2-year plan from NordVPN is definitely a good deal. You will save 68% which is similar to purchasing $3.71 per month. We suggest you take it if you really want to save your penny as well as getting good protection over your internet network.
Even if you take 1-year plan, NordVPN’s price is still cheaper than ExpressVPN. It’s almost half the price of ExpressVPN.
Unfortunately, both NordVPN and ExpressVPN don’t provide a free trial. Instead, they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. When you have a free trial, access to the features is limited. And this guarantee lets you access all features which is a pretty good way to know its service.
However, if you find the service, speed, or security unsatisfying, you can contact Support via email or chat to get your money refund.
That said, in the ExpressVPN vs NordVPN price comparison, we have a clear winner on this round – NordVPN.
Get ExpressVPN now and save 35%.
Or, take NordVPN and save 65%.
Bottom Lines: ExpressVPN vs NordVPN: Which VPN is better in 2021?
It’s obvious that both ExpressVPN vs NordVPN have great quality, but there are a few drawbacks to the services too. Are any of these significant?
NordVPN has fewer apps than ExpressVPN. However, it is still possible to access the VPN via your router or the SmartPlay feature.
ExpressVPN is slower, has fewer features and it’s more expensive. The features aspect will only affect users who want more variety or complexity out of their service.
The price and performance definitely affect all users. These are the most significant drawbacks to picking ExpressVPN or NordVPN.
So, is there a clear winner between ExpressVPN vs NordVPN?
NordVPN won more categories than ExpressVPN.
Have you used NordVPN or ExpressVPN already? What do you think of ExpressVPN vs NordVPN? Do you have different thoughts? Please write them down in the comments box below. Thank you for reading.
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