Which VPN should you choose?
Whom to trust?
Should you go for NordVPN or ExpressVPN in 2019?
Read on to find out the insights about the both.
At first glance, both providers may seem evenly matched. Both have ultra-fast servers and cross-platform compatibility. Also, either of these come with Kill switch, DNS leak protection as well as 24/7 Live Chat.
But when you dive into the details, the key differences between the two become visible. In this comparison, I have highlighted those differences so you could pick the right VPN for you.
1. Head to Head Comparison
When it comes to basics, both of these VPNs have pretty much the similar features. For instance, they both are located in countries where maintaining user data is not mandated by the law.
Yet, there are slight variations in pricing, multi-connection and other little features.
Now, should these variations push you towards one VPN or another?
| Feature | NordVPN | ExpressVPN | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | Panama | British Virgin Islands | Tie: Both are safe jurisdictions |
| One Year Price | $6.99 a month | $6.67 a month | NordVPN: It is cheaper |
| Simultaneous Connections | 6 | 3 | NordVPN: Provides more connections |
| Privacy Policy | No Logs | No Logs | Tie: Both keep no logs |
| Refund Time | 30 days | 30 days | Tie: Similar service |
| Customer Service | 24/7 Live Chat | 24/7 Live Chat | Tie: Similar service |
| Server Coverage | 5077 servers from 62 countries | 2000+ servers from 97 countries | ExpressVPN: Covers more countries |
| P2P Compatibility | Supports Torrenting | Supports Torrenting | Tie: Both Support torrenting |
| Unblocking Capabilities | Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime | Unblocks Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime | Tie: Both unblock streaming sites |
| Extra Security Features | Kill Switch, DNS leak protection, IPv6 protection, Onion over VPN | Kill Switch, DNS leak protection, IPv6 protection | NordVPN: Provides more security |
| The Winner | NordVPN beats ExpressVPN with a thin margin. As it has a cheaper price and high-end security features. | ||
Continue reading to explore.
NordVPN Overview
NordVPN is blazing the trail in the world of online privacy. The Panama-based service has left a mark on the netizens through its fast and consistent servers.
Here are the major Pros and Cons about the provider. These points provide you a much clearer picture of what this VPN has to offer.
- Fast Servers
- Intuitive apps
- 6 simultaneous connections
- 30 days refund policy
- 24/7 Live Chat support
- Zero logs policy
- 3 days free trial
- Works with Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime
- Dedicated P2P servers
- Kill switch, Cybersec, DNS Leak Protection
- Compatible with a great many platforms
- Slow refund process
- Apps do not allow customization
ExpressVPN Overview
ExpressVPN has been the preferred tool for privacy advocates across the world. The VPN has revolutionized the internet for millions through its geo-dodging capabilities.
I am putting down the major Pros and Cons of the provider as following:
- User-friendly apps
- 30 days refund policy
- 24/7 Live Chat support
- No logging
- Dedicated P2P servers
- Works with Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime
- Comparatively expensive
- No free trial
2. Pricing and Discounts
Despite being a sought-after service, NordVPN usually offers ridiculous discounts to the users. It is currently catering the subscribers through four pricing plans.
These plans extend from one month to two years. If you go for longer plans, you get higher discounts.
ExpressVPN on the other hand provides relatively expensive pricing plans to users. Still, you can avail 23% and 49% discount on its six months and 15 months pricing plans.
Winner: Without any doubt, NordVPN offers much cheaper prices.
3. Speed
When I performed speed tests, I found NordVPN on the better side. The latter has clearly beaten Express in all the speed test I conducted.
However, Express is not a slow VPN at all. In fact, it provides enough speed for streaming, gaming and other online activities.
- Provides ultra-fast speed on Australia, Germany, US and UK servers
- Following are the Download Speeds in different countries:
- Australia: 28.41 Mbps
- Germany: 28.73 Mbps
- USA: 28.45 Mbps
- UK: 29.34 Mbps
- Provides impressive speed on Australia, Germany, US, UK servers
- Following are the Download Speeds in different countries:
- Australia: 25.79 Mbps
- Germany: 24.68 Mbps
- USA: 26.62 Mbps
- UK: 26.68 Mbps
Winner: NordVPN as it was faster than ExpressVPN on all the servers I tested.
You can explore our exclusive guide on VPN speeds in which we compared the speeds of 15 providers.
4. Privacy
NordVPN being a Panama based service does not record users’ information. ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands. Like Panama, the government of British Virgin Islands also does not trace online activities of netizens. Thus, in terms of privacy, both providers stand equal.
- Based in Panama
- Offers no logging policy
- AES 256-bit military grade encryption
- Shared IP addresses
- OpenVPN, SSTP, PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, and IKEv2
- Web proxy
- YouTube Proxy
- Based in British Virgin Islands
- Offers no logging policy
- AES 256-bit military grade encryption
- Shared IP addresses
- OpenVPN, SSTP, PPTP, L2TP/IPsec, and IKEv2
- Does not provide web proxy
- Does not provide YouTube proxy
Winner: NordVPN as it is offering more features related to privacy.
5. Compatibility
My evaluation suggests that both the providers offer immaculate compatibility features. You can download, install and run their apps on almost any device or platform. Both services are on the same page in terms of compatibility.
Following are the major platforms the services are compatible with:
- Windows
- Mac
- Android and iOS devices
- Linux
- Three simultaneous connections on different devices
Winner: NordVPN as it offers more simultaneous connections.
6. Free Trial
Different VPN services offer free trials to users to give them a taste of the service. Many times these trials are crucial in helping users decide whether a VPN is worth their money or not.
- Offers a 3 day free trial
- Offers no trial
Winner: Quite obviously, NordVPN wins this battle hands down.
7. Tools and Features
Tools empower a VPN service to secure from hackers, phishers and other cyber goons.
Proficiency of tunneling protocols, Firewall, and IP leak protection determine the true worth of a VPN.
Below, you will find out which VPN has the firepower to better protect you on the net.
| Features | Winner | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Tunneling protocols | NordVPN | ExpressVPN provides OpenVPN, SSTP, PPTP, IPsec protocol. In comparison, NordVPN supports IKEv2 along with OpenVPN, PPTP, and IPsec.
To compare, IKEv2 is an advanced protocol option that adds extra layer of security. Meanwhile, SSTP, provided by ExpressVPN, only offers minimal security. |
| Split tunneling | ExpressVPN | Split tunneling allows users to route part of their traffic through the VPN. While other traffic routes directly to the web.
ExpressVPN provides this feature while NordVPN is yet to include this. |
| Server list | ExpressVPN | NordVPN boasts to offer 5077 servers from 62 countries. ExpressVPN has 2000+ servers extended to 94 countries.
Based on server reach, ExpressVPN outnumbers NordVPN. |
| Dedicated servers | NordVPN | NordVPN offers dedicated static IPs from the US, Germany, the UK and Netherlands.
These IPs provide extra security and faster speed. ExpressVPN does not have such feature.
|
| DDoS protection | NordVPN | DDos attacks can result in insurmountable loss of financial resources or personal integrity.
NordVPN has an in-built DDos protection in its apps. This gives users ultimate peace of mind. |
| Cloaking tools | NordVPN | When it comes to cloaking tools, NordVPN has Obfsproxy in its arsenal. Whereas ExpressVPN has Cipher Block Chaining (CBC) which serves as a cloaking tool.
While CBC is by no means an inefficient mechanism, it is sometimes fails to bypass capable censorship tools. Obfsproxy, on the other hand, continues to tackle pervasive censorship in countries like China and Iran.
|
| Encryption | ExpressVPN | For control channel encryption, ExpressVPN uses RSA-4096 while NordVPN relies upon RSA-2048.
RSA-4096 weighs heavy on the processor but it does increase the encryption strength. Hence, ExpressVPN is more efficient in this regard.
|
| Multihop Technology | NordVPN | With multi-hop, users can develop a chain on VPNs and make themselves invisible on the web. This nifty feature is part of the NordVPN’s service.
Unfortunately, ExpressVPN users cannot avail this technology. |
Winner: NordVPN with its tools can better thwart many forms of cyber-attacks.
8. Trustworthiness
Both providers have a proven track record of being genuine advocates of online privacy. Either of these take their work seriously and are not in this field just for money.
NordVPN regularly helps out NGOs in war-torn areas whereas ExpressVPN uses its platform to voice support for internet freedom.
Call me naive but I believe these factors make both of the services trusted and reliable.
Tie: Both providers are equally trustworthy and reliable.
9. Customer Support
My analysis unveils that NordVPN has passed customer support test with excellence.
ExpressVPN is also providing excellent benefits to solve their users’ queries. It offers a live chat feature that solves their users’ queries timely.
- Tutorials
- Blog
- FAQs
- Live chat support
- Tutorials
- Blog
- FAQs
- Live chat Support
Winner: It is a difficult task for me to choose the winner. Hence, I will declare this contest as a tie.
10. Discounts and Other Offerings
NordVPN was giving a special discount on its two-year pricing plan few days ago. Still, it is providing 24% and 41% discounts on six months pricing plan. , you can also get 41% discount on their one year plan.
ExpressVPN seldom offers special packages to its users. At present, you can only avail 35% discount on its yearly pricing plan.
Winner: NordVPN for providing better value of money.
11. Setup and Interface
- Setup guides for different platforms
- Offers attractive user interface
- Mobile friendly
- Support agents solve subscribers’ queries
- Setup guides are available
- Easy to install setups & Multi platforms support
- Provides appealing and user friendly design
- Mobile friendly
NordVPN’ has dedicated apps for various platforms and devices. Likewise, you can also use ExpressVPN apps on different operating systems. Both services offer apps, which are easy to install on mobile devices.
When I Installed ExpressVPN on my Linux device, I found it better than NordVPN’s app. ExpressVPN delivers setup wizards for Linux based operating systems. The provider offers setup guides for all platforms like Windows, Mac, Android and iOS.
Surprisingly, I did not like its protection feature like an activation code. You have to insert the code that enables you to use the app accordingly. Once you have logged into your account, you can avail the code from the official site.
On the same note, I very much liked NordVPN’s Windows client over ExpressVPN’s software. It presents a map on the interface, which allows users to connect with servers from all around the world.
Winner: NordVPN has better setup and user interface.
12. Kodi Compatibility
Kodi is accessible with both providers. ExpressVPN has dedicated Kodi guides for all major platforms. It offers setup guides for Windows, Mac, Android, Nvidia shield, and Amazon Fire TV.
For installation, click the below links:
- Compatible
- Offers setup guide
- Does not have a dedicated Kodi add-on
- Compatible
- Offers setup guides
- Does not provide a specific Kodi add-on
Winner: Tied
13. Which One is Good for China?
NordVPN allows subscribers to access blocked content in China through obfuscation servers. In fact, it is one of the providers that are still operation in China in spite of the recent GFW update.
Meanwhile, ExpressVPN too has smartly upgraded its product. Now it is one of very few services that offer great experience for users in China.
Winner: So far, NordVPN is being preferred by the users to bypass the Great Firewall of China.
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN Comparison: Final Verdict:
Both VPNs are heavyweights in the industry. Due to their feature-rich apps and seamless customer service, these two are undoubtedly the leading names in the industry.
However, there is one clear winner.
NordVPN Outperforms ExpressVPN!
NordVPN has managed to beat ExpressVPN. Nord’s advanced security tools such as DDos protection and multihop connection give it a clear edge over it’s contestant.
Now, this does not mean that ExpressVPN is not a capable VPN provider. In contrast, it is one of the top privacy provider in the world.
NordVPN continues to stand on top by adopting the latest online privacy trends.
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More Helpful Blogs:
- ExpressVPN vs IPVanish Comparison 2019
- NordVPN Guide for China
- ExpressVPN Guide for China
- Best VPN Providers for China in 2019
- NordVPN vs IPVanish – New 14-Round Comparison for 2019
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