NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN: Which VPN Should You Use in 2023?
Reading Time: 5 minutesExpressVPN and NordVPN are two of the best VPN services, but which is right for you? We compare prices, advanced features, and more.
There are several free VPNs that’ll work just fine, but they are often limiting. In most cases, free VPNs only let you connect to a few, slow servers, and there are bandwidth restrictions. To get a better privacy experience while enjoying speed, you may need to invest in a VPN. But if you’re going to do this, it’d better be worth the money.
If you want to invest in a VPN, NordVPN and ExpressVPN are obvious options. Both offer high speeds and have positive customer reviews. So how do you choose between two VPNs when both come highly recommended?
Where Are NordVPN and ExpressVPN Servers Based?
Regardless of which VPN provider you choose, you’re going to have your pick of fast servers. At the time of writing, NordVPN provide over 5400 servers in 60 countries, and ExpressVPN provide over 3000 servers in 94 countries. 60 countries should do just fine, but if you’re looking for more location flexibility, ExpressVPN is the better choice.
However, before signing up for either one, it’s worth checking the exact locations of the VPN servers. You want to choose a server closest to your location to enjoy the fastest connection speeds. Closer servers also typically have low latency, which is important if you live-stream content or play competitive games online.
NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN: Privacy
NordVPN is based in Panama, while ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands. From a privacy standpoint, both of these locations are ideal. Neither country has data retention laws, and they are both outside the purview of the 14 eyes, a conglomerate of countries that agree to share intelligence and surveillance technology.
This also allows both NordVPN and ExpressVPN to provide a service that is committed to the privacy of their users. In addition, each company offers a no-log policy. This means that when you surf the web using their product, they don’t keep any record of your activity. So, any investigation into your VPN-covered activity is essentially a dead end.
Each policy has also been independently verified by PWC. This is important because logs can be valuable, and without independent verification, any company could make this promise.
NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN: Security
Both ExpressVPN and NordVPN use 256-bit encryption to keep your browsing habits private. They also support a range of different VPN protocols, including OpenVPN and IPSec. But they’re not exactly the same in this area.
One notable difference is that NordVPN uses WireGuard while ExpressVPN uses Lightway. WireGuard is an increasingly popular VPN protocol that is open source. Open-source tools are great because anyone can audit them to make sure they do what they claim to do.
On the other hand, Lightway is a proprietary protocol developed by ExpressVPN. It’s closed-source, so no one can copy them. Also, the odds of finding and exploiting vulnerabilities in the protocol are low since no one outside the company has access to the source code.
Advanced Features on NordVPN and ExpressVPN
Both ExpressVPN and NordVPN offer a range of features designed to keep your online activity private.
NordVPN, however, has a few additional features that make it the most secure choice overall.
Features Offered by ExpressVPN and NordVPN
- Split Tunneling: This allows you to select which apps connect via VPN and which apps connect directly. For example, you might want to stream on Netflix using a VPN but prefer browsing without one because the location change messes up location-based search results, suggestions, and trends recommendations on social media.
- Kill Switch: A kill switch keeps your IP address hidden in the event that you accidentally disconnect from the VPN server. It achieves this by turning your internet off until the connection is restored. This is especially important because an unsecured connection can expose your internet activity to your ISP and other prying eyes.
Additional Features Offered by NordVPN
- Cybersec: This blocks malicious websites that NordVPN has deemed unsafe.
- Double VPN: This allows you to connect via two VPNs instead of one, so your connection is encrypted twice. The main benefit of this feature is the added security in case one VPN server fails or is breached. It’s like filtering the water you drink twice.
- Onion Over VPN: This allows you to first connect to a NordVPN server and then route your traffic through at least three different Tor servers for additional anonymity.
How Easy Are NordVPN and ExpressVPN to Use?
Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN are designed to be easy to use, even for those who are new to VPN technology. The apps are compatible with all popular operating systems, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS. They can also be installed on a range of different devices, such as Amazon Fire Sticks and Kindles.
If you own multiple devices, it’s worth noting that both providers support simultaneous connections. NordVPN can be installed on up to six different devices, while Express can be installed on up to five.
The primary difference between the two is that the NordVPN app is larger and offers an interactive map of server locations.
The ExpressVPN app provides a list of server locations instead and arguably has a cleaner design.
Can You Stream Using NordVPN and ExpressVPN?
If you want to watch something on Netflix that isn’t available in your location, a VPN will allow you to do so. Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN are compatible with Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and a host of other streaming platforms. They also have a number of features that make doing so more efficient.
For one, all of their servers allow streaming. This means that you don’t have to change servers to start a stream. Plus, it means that you can choose whatever location will get you the best speeds.
Both VPNs also come with Smart DNS. Smart DNS allows you to stream content without first sending your data packets through a VPN server. This means faster speeds when streaming. It also allows a VPN to be used on devices that don’t otherwise support VPN use, like some smart TVs.
NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN: Torrenting
Whether you are seeding or leeching, both NordVPN and ExpressVPN can be used to torrent without revealing your IP address. ExpressVPN allows you to use any server for torrenting. NordVPN only allows torrenting on specialized servers, but there are so many of them (3,000+) that you’re unlikely to notice the restriction. NordVPN also provides servers that have been specifically optimized for P2P traffic.
NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN: Price
NordVPN starts at $14.49 per month, but the price drops to $7.49 if you sign up for a year or $5.99 if you sign up for two years.
ExpressVPN starts at $12.95 per month, but the price drops to $9.99 if you sign up for 6 months or $8.32 if you sign up for one year.
On a monthly basis, the price difference between the two is negligible. But if you want a VPN for long-term use, NordVPN is significantly cheaper than ExpressVPN.
Payment Options and Refund Policies on NordVPN and ExpressVPN
Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN allow you to pay via credit card, cryptocurrency, and a range of different e-wallets. Consider the latter payment options if you care about your anonymity as much as you care about your internet privacy.
NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. This is important because neither company offers a truly free trial. You pay the subscription fee upfront but reserve the right to cancel and request a refund after the trial period.
That’s indeed a pickle, but you can take advantage of our exclusive deals, which get you three months free on ExpressVPN or huge discounts on NordVPN.
Which Is Better: NordVPN or ExpressVPN?
If you want to purchase a new VPN, both ExpressVPN and NordVPN are excellent choices. Each service provides unbreakable encryption and allows private surfing with minimal loss of speed. If you’re trying to choose between the two, however, NordVPN is slightly better. The added features that they offer are genuinely useful. And despite the added functionality, they manage to offer their service at a lower price.
Reference: https://www.makeuseof.com/nordvpn-vs-expressvpn/
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