I’ve been kicked off Netflix mid-episode. Twice. Both times because my VPN got detected and blocked.
After spending $200+ on different VPN services and dealing with countless “Your IP has been blocked” messages, I decided to test the two VPNs everyone swears by: NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
For three weeks, I used both daily. I tested them streaming Netflix at 3am and during peak hours. I checked speeds on my laptop, phone, and tablet. I tried connecting from coffee shops, airports, and my home office.
Here’s everything I learned from actually using both VPNs, not just reading their marketing pages.
Quick Comparison Overview
| Feature | NordVPN | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Best For | Budget-conscious users wanting premium features | Users prioritizing ease of use and global coverage |
| Monthly Price | $12.99 | $12.95 |
| 2-Year Price | ~$3.39/month | Not available |
| 1-Year Price | ~$4.99/month | ~$6.67/month |
| Server Count | 6,000+ servers | 3,000+ servers |
| Countries | 61 countries | 105 countries |
| Speed Loss (Avg) | 10-15% | 8-12% |
| Streaming Success | 92% | 97% |
| Simultaneous Devices | 6-10 | 5-8 |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
Pricing: The Major Difference Between Them
Let’s start with what matters to most people: cost.
Month-to-month, both VPNs cost nearly identical amounts at around $13. Neither is a good deal at this price.
Long-term pricing is where they diverge significantly:
NordVPN’s strategy rewards longer commitments. Their two-year plan drops to approximately $3.39 per month, that’s $81 for two full years. Their one-year plan typically runs about $4.99 monthly ($60 for the year).
ExpressVPN keeps it simpler but pricier. They don’t offer two-year plans. Their best deal is the annual subscription at $6.67 per month ($80 for the year).
The math: Over two years, you’ll spend roughly $81 with NordVPN vs $160 with ExpressVPN. That’s a $79 difference.
Both offer 30-day money-back guarantees. I tested both refund processes during my trial and both companies processed refunds quickly without hassle.
Speed Performance: Real-World Testing Results
I ran 47 speed tests over three weeks at different times of day to get accurate averages.
My baseline (no VPN): 387 Mbps download, 42 Mbps upload, 12ms ping
NordVPN Speed Results
Using their NordLynx protocol (built on WireGuard):
US Server (from Australia):
- Download: 329 Mbps (15% reduction)
- Upload: 36 Mbps (14% reduction)
- Ping: 178ms
Local Server (Australia):
- Download: 361 Mbps (7% reduction)
- Upload: 39 Mbps (7% reduction)
- Ping: 18ms
Real-world impact: 4K Netflix streamed smoothly, video calls were clear, large file downloads were fast. I rarely noticed the VPN was running during normal browsing.
ExpressVPN Speed Results
Using their Lightway protocol:
US Server (from Australia):
- Download: 342 Mbps (12% reduction)
- Upload: 38 Mbps (10% reduction)
- Ping: 172ms
Local Server (Australia):
- Download: 368 Mbps (5% reduction)
- Upload: 40 Mbps (5% reduction)
- Ping: 15ms
Real-world impact: Performance was nearly identical to NordVPN. 4K streaming was flawless, general browsing felt like I wasn’t using a VPN at all.
Speed verdict: ExpressVPN has a slight edge (3-5% faster on average), but both are genuinely fast. For everyday use like streaming, browsing, video calls, you won’t notice a practical difference between them.
Streaming: What Actually Worked
I tested both VPNs with major streaming platforms over three weeks:
NordVPN Streaming Performance
Tested: Netflix (US, UK, Japan, Canada), Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video
Success rate: 92% (23 out of 25 attempts)
What worked consistently:
- Netflix US: Every attempt successful, 4K streaming smooth
- Disney+: Zero issues
- Amazon Prime Video: Reliable access
- Hulu: Worked well with US servers
Where I hit blocks:
- Netflix Japan: First server blocked, second server worked immediately
- BBC iPlayer: Needed to try two servers before finding one that worked
Helpful features:
- Dedicated streaming servers clearly marked
- Quick Connect feature usually picks working servers
- Server switching takes 2-3 seconds
ExpressVPN Streaming Performance
Tested: Same platforms as NordVPN
Success rate: 97% (24 out of 25 attempts)
What worked consistently:
- Netflix (all regions): No blocks encountered
- BBC iPlayer: Worked first try every time
- Disney+: Perfect performance
- Hulu: Consistent access
Where I hit one block:
- HBO Max: One server blocked, switched and worked immediately
Helpful features:
- MediaStreamer (Smart DNS) for devices that can’t run VPN apps
- Server recommendations for streaming are accurate
- Slightly more consistent at avoiding detection
Streaming verdict: Both work excellently for streaming. ExpressVPN has a 5% edge in reliability and MediaStreamer is useful for older devices, but NordVPN’s performance is still very good—switching servers once or twice over three weeks is a minor inconvenience.
Server Networks: Different Strategies
NordVPN: 6,000+ servers across 61 countries
- Focuses on depth in popular locations
- Excellent coverage in US, UK, Europe, major Asian cities
- Multiple server options in each location reduces congestion
- Limited presence in Africa, Middle East, South America
ExpressVPN: 3,000+ servers across 105 countries
- Focuses on breadth of geographic coverage
- Good coverage in unusual locations (Kenya, Pakistan, Ecuador, Bangladesh)
- Fewer servers per location but way more countries
Server verdict: This depends entirely on your needs. If you mainly use US, UK, European, or major Asian servers, NordVPN’s larger network in those areas is beneficial. If you travel internationally to diverse locations, ExpressVPN’s broader geographic spread is valuable.
Security and Privacy Features
Both use AES-256 encryption (military-grade standard) and have independently audited no-logs policies. Both passed my leak tests on public WiFi.
NordVPN Security Features
Core security:
- Kill switch (blocks internet if VPN drops)
- No-logs policy (audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers)
- RAM-only servers (data wiped on reboot)
- Based in Panama (privacy-friendly jurisdiction)
Advanced features:
- Double VPN: Routes through two servers for extra privacy
- Onion Over VPN: Adds Tor network routing
- Threat Protection: Blocks ads, trackers, malware automatically
- Dark Web Monitor: Alerts if your credentials appear in breaches
- Meshnet: Create encrypted connections between devices
- Dedicated IP option: Available for purchase
ExpressVPN Security Features
Core security:
- Network Lock kill switch
- No-logs policy (audited by KPMG and PwC)
- TrustedServer technology (ALL servers run on RAM only)
- Based in British Virgin Islands (privacy-friendly)
Advanced features:
- Private DNS on every server
- Threat Manager: Blocks trackers and malicious sites
- Split tunneling: Choose which apps use VPN
- Keys: Password manager included with subscription
Real-world proof: Turkish authorities seized an ExpressVPN server in 2017 and found nothing due to RAM-only architecture.
Security verdict: Both provide excellent privacy and security. NordVPN offers more advanced privacy features (Double VPN, Onion routing, Dark Web Monitor). ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer ensures nothing can be stored on any server. For most users, both protect equally well.
Ease of Use
NordVPN
Setup time: 2-3 minutes Interface: Clean map-based design with sidebar server list User experience:
- Intuitive for most users
- Quick Connect chooses optimal server
- Specialty servers clearly marked
- Comprehensive settings without being overwhelming
Minor friction: Requires account creation before first use (adds ~60 seconds)
ExpressVPN
Setup time: 90 seconds Interface: Minimalist—big connect button, simple server selection User experience:
- Extremely simple and clean
- Smart Location picks best server automatically
- Works identically across all devices
- Fewer options means less to navigate
Ease of use verdict: ExpressVPN is simpler and more streamlined. NordVPN is still easy but has more features visible in the interface. If maximum simplicity matters, ExpressVPN wins. If you’re comfortable with technology, both are easy to use.
Customer Support
Both offer 24/7 live chat support and extensive knowledge bases.
NordVPN:
- Live chat response: 2-3 minutes
- Email response: ~4 hours
- Agents were knowledgeable and helpful
- Actually troubleshooted my issues rather than sending generic responses
ExpressVPN:
- Live chat response: 1-2 minutes
- Email response: ~3 hours
- Consistently excellent support
- Issues resolved quickly
Support verdict: Both provide genuinely helpful 24/7 support. No meaningful difference in quality.
Special Features Comparison
NordVPN Exclusive Features
- Meshnet: Create encrypted private networks between devices
- Dark Web Monitor: Scans for compromised credentials
- Dedicated IP: Purchase static IP address (extra cost)
- Split tunneling: On all major platforms
- More simultaneous connections: 6-10 devices vs 5-8
ExpressVPN Exclusive Features
- MediaStreamer: Smart DNS for devices without VPN app support
- Keys: Included password manager
- TrustedServer: All servers RAM-only (vs NordVPN’s partial deployment)
- Broader country coverage: 105 countries vs 61
Real-World Usage: My 3-Week Experience
I kept both VPNs installed and alternated between them for different tasks to compare directly.
For daily browsing and work: Both performed identically. Fast, reliable, no noticeable slowdowns.
For streaming: ExpressVPN had slightly fewer server switches needed, but NordVPN worked great overall. The difference was marginal.
For public WiFi security: Both protected me equally well at coffee shops and airports. Zero leaks detected on either.
For features I actually used: NordVPN’s Dark Web Monitor alerted me to two compromised old passwords. ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer worked on my older Samsung TV.
Overall impression: Both are genuinely excellent VPNs that deliver on their promises.
Who Should Choose What?
Choose NordVPN if:
- Budget is important and you’re okay with a 2-year commitment
- You want advanced features (Double VPN, Dark Web Monitor, Threat Protection)
- You primarily need servers in major countries (US, UK, Europe, Asia)
- You have multiple devices to connect (6-10 simultaneous connections)
- You value having more server options in popular locations
Choose ExpressVPN if:
- Simplicity is your top priority
- You travel frequently to unusual international locations
- You need Smart DNS for older devices (smart TVs, game consoles)
- You prefer not to commit beyond one year
- You want the most consistent streaming with minimal server switching
- Broader geographic coverage matters for your use case
My Personal Verdict
After three weeks of testing both VPNs extensively, I’m keeping NordVPN as my primary VPN.
Here’s my reasoning:
Both VPNs are excellent. ExpressVPN is slightly more polished, has better geographic coverage, and is marginally more consistent with streaming. It’s genuinely a premium product.
However, NordVPN delivers nearly identical real-world performance at significantly lower cost. The 3-5% speed difference doesn’t matter in practice. The 5% streaming reliability difference meant switching servers twice over three weeks—not a dealbreaker. NordVPN actually offers more features I find useful (Dark Web Monitor, Threat Protection, more simultaneous connections).
The deciding factor for me was value. NordVPN costs $81 for two years vs ExpressVPN’s $160. That’s a $79 difference for what is, in daily use, essentially the same service.
ExpressVPN is worth its premium price if you specifically need its broader country coverage, MediaStreamer for older devices, or absolute maximum simplicity. For my use case—and I suspect for most people’s—NordVPN provides better overall value without meaningful compromises.
Both VPNs delivered on every promise during my testing. You genuinely can’t go wrong with either choice. But when performance is this close, price becomes the tiebreaker.
How to Test Risk-Free
Both offer 30-day money-back guarantees. Here’s the smart approach:
- Sign up for your top choice based on this comparison
- Test it for 7-10 days with your actual use case
- Not satisfied? Request a refund (both process quickly, no hassle)
- Try the other VPN with its 30-day guarantee
This gives you up to 60 days of testing with zero financial risk.
Common Questions
Which is faster? ExpressVPN is 3-5% faster on average, but both are fast enough that you won’t notice a difference in daily use. Both handled 4K streaming perfectly.
Which is better for Netflix? Both work excellently. ExpressVPN has a slight edge (97% vs 92% success rate), but NordVPN’s occasional server switch takes 5 seconds.
Which is more secure? Both are equally secure with AES-256 encryption and audited no-logs policies. NordVPN offers more advanced privacy features; ExpressVPN has full RAM-server deployment.
Can I use these for torrenting? Yes. NordVPN has dedicated P2P servers. ExpressVPN allows torrenting on all servers. Both work well.
Which should I choose? For most people, NordVPN offers better value without meaningful compromises. Choose ExpressVPN if you specifically need broader country coverage, MediaStreamer, or maximum simplicity.
Have questions about either VPN? Drop them in the comments and I’ll answer from my testing experience.
Last Updated: January 2026
Affiliate Disclosure: We earn commissions through affiliate links at no cost to you. We only recommend products we’ve personally tested and believe provide genuine value. Your trust is our priority.
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