ExpressVPN vs NordVPN 2024

James Everard

Senior Writer

When it comes to brand recognition, NordVPN is possibly the only more familiar name than ExpressVPN, particularly if you regularly watch content creators online. But, the real question is, how do these two VPN big shots compare? In short, pretty well — they’re both fast with robust security and privacy practices. However, there are a few key differences.

We subjected both services to a rigorous program of testing to find the better option across a broad range of metrics. We looked at speeds, streaming capabilities, torrenting, and a whole lot more. And, while it doesn’t win every category, we found an overall winner.

Both VPNs are reliable, but if you want the fastest VPN with a user-friendly app, I recommend ExpressVPN. Its proprietary Lightway protocol puts it ahead of all its rivals, including NordVPN. However, that’s not to say that NordVPN is a bad choice. It’s certainly earned its reputation, and some users may prefer its more technical apps.

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Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

Streaming — ExpressVPN Works With More Regional Platforms

Both VPNs are renowned for their streaming capabilities. They’re both fast, reliable, and work with most major streaming platforms. However, the key difference between them is how well they can access regional platforms in HD from anywhere.

Neither has specialty streaming servers, but that can be an advantage when a service’s entire fleet is streaming-friendly. It means you don’t have to hunt for specific servers or worry about high server load.

ExpressVPN worked with every platform we tried. We could access BBC iPlayer in lag-free HD (the best available quality), and episodes loaded almost instantly. We also had no issues with Netflix US, DAZN, Hulu, and Max.

ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol is ideal for streaming across any network

NordVPN can similarly access all of the large global platforms in great quality from anywhere. We watched Sam and Cat on Netflix US with no buffering or interruptions. But, while it worked with BBC iPlayer, it couldn't safely access Hotstar and struggled with DAZN US. That may prove decisive if either platform is a favorite.

NordVPN streamed Netflix with all of its UK locations

Both offer stable connections and consistently fast speeds for streaming in HD or UHD. With both VPNs, we were all able to watch our favorite shows without our connections dropping out or slowing down at peak times.

Winner

Both VPNs are great for streaming, with global server networks that allow safe access to popular platforms from anywhere. But ExpressVPN is more reliable with regional platforms, which earns it the win in this section.

Server Network — ExpressVPN’s Versatility Proves a Virtue

This is another section where it took time to determine a winner. NordVPN’s server fleet is a little larger than that of ExpressVPN, and it offers a range of specialty servers. It offers Double VPN servers for double encryption (something ExpressVPN can’t match), P2P servers, and even Tor Over VPN  connections that let you browse the dark web in your regular browser.

However, ExpressVPN’s versatile servers are worth mentioning. Each one supports streaming, P2P, and even obfuscation, which reduces the complexity of navigating servers and reconnecting for different activities.

This is where the verdict got tricky for me because I can appreciate the benefits of both all-purpose and activity-optimized servers. That said, in the end, the versatility of ExpressVPN’s connections won me over as more convenient.

Winner

With a more diverse coverage of servers that make for easier navigation, ExpressVPN gets the nod.

Speed — ExpressVPN’s Lightway Outshines NordLynx

Our UK-based speed tester had base speeds of 250 Mbps. They used the fastest protocol available for each VPN, which was Lightway for ExpressVPN and NordLynx for NordVPN.

Lightway and NordLynx are both proprietary protocols, and both were developed for speed without sacrificing security.

The former was built from the ground up by ExpressVPN and has a tiny code base compared to most modern VPN protocols, which allows for faster data transmission. The latter was built on top of WireGuard to address the protocol’s underlying security concerns. It’s more robust than its predecessor, but it hasn’t lost any of the speed benefits.

ExpressVPN's upload speeds were remarkably consistent

Both VPNs are renowned for their speeds, but ExpressVPN is a worthy winner, beating NordVPN in almost every test. It was at least a few megabits per second faster in each of our download tests, and while upload speeds were closer, ExpressVPN still won almost every time. If you’ve got a slower baseline connection, you’ll see a greater benefit to picking a VPN with the fastest possible speeds.

NordVPN's US latency (ping) was notably quick

Here’s a brief rundown of some of the speed tests we performed:

Winner

A faster protocol ensures quicker speeds across all distances for ExpressVPN.

Gaming — ExpressVPN Offers Easier Gaming Console Connections

Ping is the crucial stat for gaming since it measures the latency between your commands and the on-screen response. Under 100 ms is ideal for smooth gameplay, and both VPNs manage that comfortably. The difference of a few ms between the services is negligible and makes no discernible impact on your gaming experience.

Our UK-based speed tester also measured the ping of each service, starting with a baseline of 28 ms.

Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN are fantastic for gaming on nearby servers. I was able to play Risk of Rain 2 on my friend’s dedicated server for hours with no ping spikes, even during peak hours.

Nearby servers offer the fastest speeds and lowest ping for gaming

However, I only recommend using local VPN servers because, like every VPN I’ve tested, the further away you connect, the laggier your game will be. Since both VPNs showed similarly good results, this category is a draw.

Winner - draw

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With excellent speeds and low ping, both services are great for gaming.

Torrenting — Both are Fantastic for P2P

All ExpressVPN’s servers support torrenting, but so do most of NordVPN’s. Once you connect, you can scroll down the server list to see a green light next to "P2P." In fact, only NordVPN’s Albania, Bolivia, North Macedonia, and Moldova locations don’t offer P2P support. Download speeds were too close to differentiate between the two.

ExpressVPN’s obfuscation means that you can torrent on restrictive networks without adjusting your settings. Meanwhile, NordVPN offers a SOCKS5 proxy that provides faster downloads, but it doesn’t encrypt your data. So both services have a major selling point for torrenting, and your preference may depend on your circumstances.

Winner - draw

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If server choice is an issue, go for ExpressVPN. If you just want fast downloads with a SOCKS5 proxy, NordVPN may be the choice.

Security — NordVPN Has More Features

Both services are highly secure, but NordVPN has a few enhanced features. Firstly, its Tor Over VPN servers allow you to access the Tor network and darknet websites on a regular browser, bypassing the notorious slowdowns of the Tor Browser.

NordVPN's Threat Protection Pro can even detect and protect agianst scam websites

Secondly, NordVPN’s content blocker stopped 34% more dangerous annoyances in my tests. Threat Protection Pro is very effective and highly customizable; you can block any combination of ads, trackers, and malware, and it can scan every file you download for viruses. It can even scan your hard drive for dangerous files already on your device.

ExpressVPN also lets you block adult content, which is great for family PC and children's devices

That’s not to say that ExpressVPN’s Advanced Protection was bad; in my experience, 60% is still pretty high for a VPN’s built-in ad blocker. However, the competing Threat Protection Pro knocked it out of the water.

NordVPN also has some unusual advanced options. Meshnet lets you remotely connect to your other devices to create your own private network. You can even connect to friends and colleagues, provided they have NordVPN. It can help you bypass network restrictions at work, college, or on public WiFi.

Finally, NordVPN boasts double-hop servers for extra encryption and dedicated (private) IP addresses to further evade VPN blocks. True, ExpressVPN’s obfuscation is fully integrated into every server, so it may still be a better choice if you prefer minimal configuration.

Winner

With a choice of security-focused servers and a highly effective malicious content blocker, NordVPN takes a slight lead over ExpressVPN here.

Privacy — ExpressVPN Takes Your Privacy Seriously

Both VPNs claim strict no-logs policies, ensuring your online activities remain private. ExpressVPN, based in the British Virgin Islands, and NordVPN in Panama, operate in jurisdictions outside of the 5/9/14 Eyes alliances.

NordVPN is owned by the same umbrella company as Surfshark, whereas ExpressVPN’s parent company also owns CyberGhost. All of these services are developed and managed as separate entities, and so have very different functionality.

ExpressVPN has demonstrated its commitment to transparency by making its Lightway protocol open-source, allowing the tech community to inspect its security. In contrast, NordVPN's applications are not open-source, potentially raising concerns if you value transparency. Both VPNs accept Bitcoin, allowing you to make payments anonymously.

On a similar note, ExpressVPN and NordVPN have both passed third-party audits of their no-logs policies. The former passed its audit in 2022, while the latter passed its fourth audit in 2024.

However, it’s also worth noting that so far, ExpressVPN has a total of 18 passed audits that also cover its privacy policy, VPN routers, apps, browser extensions, and more. It even commissioned an audit in 2024 after it discovered a bug in how Windows handles DNS requests with split tunneling and published a paper detailing the issue.

Regarding data breach history, NordVPN has faced security challenges, notably a server breach in 2018. Although it has taken significant steps to bolster its security since then, ExpressVPN has not suffered similar breaches, giving peace of mind regarding historical data security.

Winner

ExpressVPN emerges as a stronger choice for privacy due to its proactive transparency measures, clean security record, and favorable jurisdiction.

Works in China — ExpressVPN Works More Consistently

No safe VPN is 100% reliable for China. The Great Firewall (GFW) is constantly updated, which makes it hard for even the best-equipped VPNs to keep up.

Saying that, ExpressVPN generally maintains more consistent performance in China. It offers obfuscation on every server, meaning you can bypass tough network blocks with minimal effort. Plus, it offers a mirror site that changes regularly so you can download it within the country.

It also recommends servers for use in China, including Los Angeles 5, UK—Wembley, Singapore—Marina Bay, and France—Alsace.

Meanwhile, NordVPN makes no guarantee of working in China, and suggests trying many different servers. You can contact its customer support for an updated list.

Winner

ExpressVPN is the only one that works more consistently in China. While NordVPN has a series of features that should let it work in the country, it can’t guarantee this.

Installation & Ease of Use — ExpressVPN Wins With Ease

Both services are straightforward to install across a number of devices and OSs. Once you open the apps, you may find that ExpressVPN is more user-friendly, with a stylish, intuitive app. I compared notes with the rest of the testing team and we all agreed that the app works the same across every device.

EspressVPN's settings are spread across 3 intuitive app views

Unfortunately, I find NordVPN’s app quite cluttered. There are a lot of icons next to your main view, and it takes clicking through them to figure out what they do. In addition, the Windows app has a separate homepage that you can use to connect if you don’t like the world map, which isn’t available on macOS. I’m not a fan of when one service’s apps work differently across different operating systems.

NordVPN's layout is less intuitive, but includes some advanced options

ExpressVPN also now has a travel-size router called Aircove Go, which is ideal for tech fans on the move. It’s small, lightweight, and ideal for use in hotels, coffee shops, and other public spaces.

Both VPNs have a feature that lets you preconfigure your settings for various online activities. With ExpressVPN, this is called Shortcuts, while NordVPN’s version is called Presets.

Winner

Advanced users may prefer NordVPN’s quirky features, but there’s no denying that ExpressVPN is easier and more intuitive to use.

Reliability & Support — ExpressVPN Is the Best Around

I’ve never had to reinstall ExpressVPN, and I don’t remember it ever crashing. However, I’ve had the odd technical issue with NordVPN. Should you run into issues, both services offer a reliable 24/7 live chat feature, but I’ve found that ExpressVPN tends to be a little quicker to respond. Plus, its agents are among the most knowledgeable and efficient I’ve dealt with.

Winner

With a bug-free app and the best live chat in the business, you can rely on ExpressVPN.

Tips on Choosing Between ExpressVPN and NordVPN

• Smooth streaming. Both services are renowned for streaming and have global server networks that allow HD or UHD access to streaming platforms and libraries from anywhere.
• Fast speeds. Speedy connections are vital for data-heavy activities such as streaming, gaming, and downloading. With its lightweight but highly secure Lightway protocol, ExpressVPN is the fastest around.
• Server networks. These VPNs both have impressive global networks, but the versatility of ExpressVPN means you can do all your online activities without switching servers or settings.
• Robust security features. Both VPNs boast bank-level encryption, but with a few quirky features and a truly impressive malicious content blocker, NordVPN comes out on top.
• Respectable privacy practices. I’ve scoured each service’s privacy policies and researched their real-world records, and they both make the grade. However, ExpressVPN took a slight lead as it has a breach-free record.
• Easy to use. I gauged each VPN app to see how much experience you need to use them. ExpressVPN’s simple server list is far easier to navigate than NordVPN’s clunky world map. Its settings are also more intuitive.
• Trustworthy money-back guarantee. Over many years, we’ve regularly tested the guarantees offered by both services, so rest assured, you can rely on them.

ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN — Reddit Opinions

Both VPNs get praise for their speeds, streaming capabilities, and security credentials. ExpressvPN specifically gets props for its long-term reliability, and both services receive favorable support when compared to other VPNs.

Many Redditers have used either VPN for 5 years or more