NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Which One is More Worth Buying?
ExpressVPN costs nearly twice as much as NordVPN—is it 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 let’s help you decide which one of these two actually gives you the best value?
Our goal is to provide you with an honest review of the comparisons between the two VPN and you choose the best VPN as per your needs. For this purpose, we looked at expert reviews from trusted sites such as PCMag, Tom’s Guide and CNET. In addition to this, we also run our own speed and security tests as well as researched user feedback on platforms such as Reddit and Trustpilot.
Detailed Comparison
🚀 Speed Test Results: NordVPN Wins by a Step
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.
When you factor in NordVPN’s better speeds, lower price, ExpressVPN’s security concerns (more on that below), it’s hard to justify paying extra for ExpressVPN.
🔒If privacy is your main concern, ExpressVPN raised 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.
ExpressVPN’s parent company, Kape Technologies, is 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.
Tips: Most top-rated VPNs offer similar features and performance, so why overpay?
Save More
1 Month Plan
12.95$/Mo
12.99$/Mo
1 Year Plans
155$ 99.95$ / 12 Mo
139.08$ 59.88$ / 12 Mo
2 Year Plans
311$ 139.72$ / 24 Mo
270$ 83$ / 27 Mo
1 Month Plan
12.95$/Mo
2.99$/Mo
1 Year Plans
155$ 99.95$ / 12 Mo
139.08$ 59.88$ / 12 Mo
2 Year Plans
311$ 139.72$ / 24 Mo
270$ 81$ / 24 Mo
Both VPNs offer discounted plans, but NordVPN’s pricing is significantly more affordable, making it a better option for users seeking premium features at a lower cost.
💰 Save More with NordVPN Today:
1-Year Plan: Save $40 vs ExpressVPN
2-Year Plan: Save $60 vs ExpressVPN + 3 EXTRA months
Top tech websites like Tom’s Guide, TechRadar, and Security.org have named NordVPN the Best VPN of 2024 and 2025, solidifying its reputation as the industry leader.
TechRadar
The best VPN overall
Our latest testing proves that NordVPN continues to lead the pack in terms of providing the best VPN experience possible. Offering a superbly quick and secure VPN, alongside security tools to improve your overall online and on-computer security, NordVPN offers an impressive security package for a surprisingly low cost.
NordVPN offers the best overall VPN package, with great privacy at a reasonable price. It’s able to unblock just about every streaming service worldwide, and excellent speeds mean it won’t be slowing you down. If you want very simple apps, something like ExpressVPN might be better, but overall, Nord leads the pack.
NordVPN is a popular choice, because it strikes a nice balance between remaining user-friendly and full-featured, all without sacrificing speed on most platforms. Our CNET Labs tests clocked a class-leading 11.1% average internet download speed loss. The service’s focus on privacy means you’ll get niche but useful features like a Double VPN and Tor over VPN for enhanced encryption. In addition, regular no-logs audits foster transparency.
– Reivewd by CNET
PCMAG
What makes NordVPN stand out is that it has continued to grow and respond to an extremely competitive market. After adding just about every VPN feature available, NordVPN diversified its product, adding a password manager, an antivirus, and an encrypted file locker. Its unique set of features helps it stand out from other VPN services by providing cross-platform file-sharing and traffic routing between your devices or rented servers. All these additions help NordVPN justify its high price. So, while it is more expensive than much of the competition, NordVPN is an excellent, innovative product that is well deserving of our Editors’ Choice award.
With its feature-set, we recommend NordVPN to users who are looking to improve their overall digital security posture. It’s not just a VPN, especially if you sign up for the mid-tier or top-tier plans. That said, even if you’re looking for just a VPN, the Basic plan is an excellent option that can give you a rich selection of security and privacy features for daily use.
Final Verdict – NordVPN is a better over-all choice
ExpressVPN is still a solid choice, especially if speed stability is your number one priority (in all my testing, it’s consistently been the most stable VPN out there). However, given its high price and concerns around it’s parent company, It doesn’t take a lead over it’s competitors that offer similar and better performance at a lower cost.
👉 If you’re looking for a VPN that’s fast, reliable, and easier on your wallet, NordVPN is a better overall 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 has a summer deal, giving a great discount of up to 77% off (was $13/month, now just $3.09/month) plus up to 3 EXTRA months. 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.
A VPN’s speed can vary depending on your geographical location, internet provider, and the server you are connected to. So, regardless of the reviews, whether positive or negative, they are a helpful starting point. It is always a good idea to give it a try yourself.
The good news is both ExpressVPN and NordVPN offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. Which gives you plenty of time to test which one works best for your needs.
My suggestion is to Start with NordVPN. It is half the price of ExpressVPN, and the performance is better overall. If it works well for you—awesome! You will save a good amount of money. And if it doesn’t, no worries—you can always try something else. Either way, you won’t be stuck with a service you don’t like.
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.
