NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Which One is More Worth Buying?
ExpressVPN costs nearly twice as much as NordVPN—is it really worth the price? Can the more affordable NordVPN meet your needs just as well?
NordVPN and ExpressVPN are two of the biggest names in the VPN world—but which one actually gives you the best value?
To help you decide, we didn’t just run our own speed and security tests. We also looked at expert reviews from trusted tech sites like PCMag, Tom’s Guide, and CNET, and dug through real user feedback on Reddit and Trustpilot. The goal? Give you a no-nonsense, honest look at how these two VPNs stack up—and help you figure out which one comes out on top.
🔒If Privacy Is Your Top Concern, ExpressVPN Raises Some Red Flags
Both VPNs claim to offer top-tier security features: “military-grade encryption,” “strict no-logs policies,” and “RAM-only servers” that automatically wipe all data. On paper, that sounds great.
But it’s not just about what they say—it’s about who’s behind the product and what they actually do.
This is where ExpressVPN’s parent company, Kape Technologies, becomes a concern. It’s something privacy-conscious users might want to look into before deciding.
⚠️The Kape Technologies Problem
Kape’s Past: Formerly known as Crossrider, Kape has a shady history involving adware and “malicious software distribution.” Over the past few years, they’ve bought up several VPN companies, including CyberGhost, Private Internet Access (PIA), and ExpressVPN.
A company with that kind of past suddenly rebranding itself as a privacy guardian understandably makes people nervous. You’ll see a lot of skepticism if you browse Reddit threads discussing ExpressVPN.
User discussion on Reddit
⚠️Cost-Cutting and Layoffs
Kape Technologies (ExpressVPN’s owner) recently made significant staff cuts to reduce costs – and not just random positions. They axed key teams in engineering and quality control. Even Dan Gericke, their Chief Privacy Officer, decided to leave. (PCMag reported on this)
The Open Letter of Dan Gericke (ExpressVPN’s Chief Technology Officer for Privacy)
While ExpressVPN is still a solid performer, these developments make me a bit uneasy when it comes to long-term stability and trust—especially if privacy is a top priority for you.
In contrast, NordVPN has a cleaner track record when it comes to data privacy. It’s never been involved in any major privacy scandals—something that really matters in this space.
🚀 Everyday Use: The Price Gap Is Huge—But the Speed Gap? Not So Much.
Whether I was streaming 4K video or browsing the web, both NordVPN and ExpressVPN performed extremely well. In normal day-to-day use, it’s genuinely hard to notice any major difference between them.
But once I got into the weeds and started testing their actual speeds, I was a little surprised by the results:
NordVPN, despite being cheaper, came out faster.
Both VPNs are “fast enough,” but those extra speed gains can really matter—especially when you’re downloading large files like movies or games.
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
I also looked at third-party reviews from trusted tech sites like CNET, PCMag, and Tom’s Guide. Their test results backed up mine—NordVPN is currently the fastest VPN available. Here’s what they had to say…
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.
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 an 11% speed loss overall, Mullvad came in second place with a 13% average speed loss and Surfshark followed with a 17% overall speed loss. Proton VPN and ExpressVPN rounded out the list with a 21% speed loss and a 25% speed loss, respectively.
A VPN’s speed can really vary depending on where you live, your internet provider, and the server you’re connected to. So no matter what the reviews say, they’re just a helpful starting point—it’s always a good idea to try it out for yourself and see how it works in your situation.
Try It Yourself—Both VPN Offer 30-Day Refunds
The good news is both ExpressVPN and NordVPN offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked. That gives you plenty of time to see which one works best for your needs.
My suggestion? Start with NordVPN. It’s about half the price of ExpressVPN, and honestly, it performs better overall. If it works well for you—awesome! You’ll save a good chunk of money. And if it doesn’t, no worries—just try something else. Either way, you won’t be stuck with a service you don’t like.
At the moment, NordVPN is also running a summer deal with up to 76% off (was $13/month, now just $3.39/month) and up to 50$ Amazon Gift Card. It’s a great time to give it a try!
Final Thoughts– NordVPN is a better all-around choice for most people.
ExpressVPN is still a strong product, especially if speed stability is your number one priority (in all my testing, it’s consistently been the most stable VPN out there). But given its high price and concerns around its parent company, it’s hard to recommend it over competitors that offer similar (or better) performance at a lower cost.
👉 If you’re looking for a VPN that’s fast, reliable, and easier on your wallet, NordVPN is probably the better all-around choice for most people.
It’s faster, backed by a solid reputation, and costs about half as much as ExpressVPN. If you’re planning to use a VPN long-term, it can save you a significant amount of money.
Right now, NordVPN is running a summer deal—up to 76% off (was $13/month, now just $3.39/month) plus up to 50$ Amazon Gift Card. It’s a great time to give it a try!
And if it doesn’t work out for you, don’t forget—they offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, no questions asked.
Mavis has over 6 years of experience testing VPNs, particularly their streaming and unblocking capabilities. She specializes in researching how well VPNs work in different countries around the world.
