NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Which Is Worth It?
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN
I tested both for 1 month—here’s the one I’d buy.
Before testing, I expected ExpressVPN to win. It did in terms of latency, but once I compared performance + price + trust, NordVPN was my preference.
Try it risk-free — 30-day money-back guarantee.
60-Second Verdict
Best overall
value
NordVPN — best balance of price + everyday performance
Lowest latency
ExpressVPN — better for competitive gaming or real-time calls
Raw
throughput
NordVPN — slightly higher downloads/uploads in my tests
Trust
NordVPN — fewer corporate background concerns
My general recommendation: Start with NordVPN, then switch only if you have a specific situation in which latency is consequential.
I evaluated each VPN based on 3 criteria:
- Performance (streaming, browsing, downloads)
- Price vs. benefit (whether premium is worth it)
- Trust (effectiveness of privacy tools)
I wasn’t looking for perfect performance, just something to meet my needs. And personally, I care more about value for money and whether the VPN protects my privacy.
Performance: in daily use, they’re very similar
I found both VPNs to be impressively fast. For everyday use, like browsing, downloading, and streaming, you won’t notice much of a difference between the two.
That said, if you test them in depth, you can identify the variations.
My test method:
- I connected to the auto-recommended server in NordVPN and ExpressVPN (usually the fastest option for my location).
- I tested speed and latency using Speedtest.net and the built-in Windows network tools.
- I ran 10 tests for each VPN, then used the average as my result.
Here’s what my tests showed:
 |  | |
Upload speed difference vs. normal speed | Down 4.11% | Down 12.9% |
Download speed difference vs. normal speed | Down 5.78% | Down 7.57% |
Latency (lower is better) | 125.8 ms | 78.3 ms |
ExpressVPN has a clear advantage in latency. (Expand)
My tests show ExpressVPN is better for real-time tasks (video calls, online gaming). ExpressVPN maintained a significantly lower latency of 78.3 ms, compared to NordVPN’s 125.8 ms. Lower latency feels more responsive, meaning less lag in voice/video calls, quicker feedback in games, and smoother remote desktop control.
NordVPN, however, is faster in raw numbers. (Expand)
Across multiple speed tests, NordVPN consistently delivered slightly higher download and upload speeds. The additional capability might matter if you’re transferring large files or working with high-bandwidth tasks.
My takeaway:
In everyday use, it’s hard to notice a difference between the two.
- If you care most about lower latency, go with ExpressVPN.
- If you care more about faster speeds, go with NordVPN.
Confirmed by reviewers
After finishing my side-by-side runs, I checked reputable reviewers (CNET, PCMag, and Tom’s Guide), and the overall picture matched my findings: NordVPN is currently the fastest available. Here’s what they had to say:
CNET: NordVPN is currently the fastest VPN, based on our latest speed tests. Out of the VPNs we speed tested, NordVPN’s speeds were the most consistently fast across the board. NordVPN averaged just a 3% speed loss overall. Source
PCMag: We’ve been testing VPNs for more than 10 years, and part of that process includes speed tests. In our latest round, NordVPN comes out on top of download speed results, trailed closely by ExpressVPN. Source
User reviews tell a similar story.
User reviews reflected similar results, with higher ratings of NordVPN on Trustpilot, and more complaints about ExpressVPN for steep pricing and occasional IP leak reports.
NordVPN on Trustpilot
ExpressVPN on Trustpilot
Trust matters more than slight differences in speed
From a technical and privacy standpoint, both are excellent on security. They use strong encryption, have no-logs policies, and run RAM-only servers (which automatically wipe all data). And both have been through third-party audits.
That said, trust isn’t only about features. It’s also about the company behind the product.
ExpressVPN’s parent company, Kape Technologies, has a controversial history. (Expand)
ExpressVPN’s parent company, Kape Technologies, formerly known as Crossrider, was previously involved in adware and “malicious software distribution.” They’ve since rebranded and acquired several VPN brands, including CyberGhost, PIA, and ExpressVPN.
Recent internal changes may also be cause for concern. (Expand)
Kape reportedly went through major layoffs, including engineering and quality assurance personnel. Furthermore, ExpressVPN’s Chief Privacy Officer, Dan Gericke, left the company. While these changes don’t automatically mean trouble, they do raise questions about the company’s long-term focus on privacy and reliability.
None of that automatically means ExpressVPN is unsafe, but if you’re someone who factors trust into your decision, you might weigh that context differently.
This is important to me, so I felt better with NordVPN, even if ExpressVPN can be a little smoother in certain conditions.
Price: relatively similar now
In the past, because performance felt similar with both, I usually told people to go with the cheaper option (often NordVPN).
But recently, that changed for me.
I managed to find an ExpressVPN promo page offering up to 81% off. With that discount, ExpressVPN’s price ends up very close to NordVPN, and in some cases even lower (depending on the exact plan and timing).
So in that situation, ExpressVPN is a really good value, and the choice becomes less about cost and more about what you personally care about, as the prices of the two are very similar.
Price
The prices of the two are very close.
NordVPN
From 2.69$/Month (76% Off)
ExpresVPN
From 2.44/$/Month (81% Off)
- NordVPN: faster overall speeds (in my tests), and it feels easier for me to trust long-term.
- ExpressVPN: lower latency, better for real-time tasks
Try both VPNs with no risk
Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer a 30 day money-back guarantee, which makes it easy to test them yourself. I tested both refunds, and both were easy to request and processed within a day.
To decide between the two, I suggest you:
- Try them side by side.
- Use both for a couple of weeks, see which one fits your needs.
- Refund the one you don’t keep.
Personally I’d try NordVPN first, mostly because it feels more reassuring to me from a trust perspective. Since performance is nearly identical in everyday use, I was able to prioritize trust.
Bottom line
At the end of the day, both are excellent VPNs.
If latency is a priority for you (competitive gaming, calls), ExpressVPN may be a better choice for you.
But for everyday use, NordVPN offers a better balance of performance, privacy, and price.
As I’ve said, I personally think NordVPN is the better pick overall and a good place to start.
