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Express VPN vs NordVPN, Which One Is Worth Your Money as the Best VPN Service?
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When it comes to choosing the right Virtual Private Network (VPN) for your needs, the options can be overwhelming. Two of the most popular and highly-regarded VPN providers are ExpressVPN and NordVPN. In this article, we’ll compare these two VPN giants, examining their features, performance, and pricing to help you make an informed decision in 2023.
What is ExpressVPN?
ExpressVPN is a popular VPN service that has been around since 2009. Based in the British Virgin Islands, it is known for its fast connection speeds, strong security features, and user-friendly interface. ExpressVPN has servers in over 90 countries and offers unlimited bandwidth, making it a great choice for streaming and downloading content.
One of the standout features of ExpressVPN is its split tunneling capability, which allows you to choose which apps or websites use the VPN connection and which ones use your regular internet connection. This feature is especially useful if you need to access websites or services that are only available in certain regions.
ExpressVPN uses military-grade encryption to protect your online activity, and it has a strict no-logs policy, which means that it does not collect any data on your activity or connection logs. It also offers a kill switch feature, which automatically disconnects you from the internet if your VPN connection is lost, ensuring that your online activity remains private.
What is NordVPN?
NordVPN is another popular VPN service that has been around since 2012. Based in Panama, it is known for its advanced security features and large server network. NordVPN has servers in over 60 countries and offers unlimited bandwidth, making it a great choice for streaming and downloading content.
One of the standout features of NordVPN is its double VPN feature, which encrypts your internet traffic twice, providing an extra layer of security. It also offers a CyberSec feature, which blocks ads, malware, and other online threats.
NordVPN uses military-grade encryption to protect your online activity, and it has a strict no-logs policy, which means that it does not collect any data on your activity or connection logs. It also offers a kill switch feature, which automatically disconnects you from the internet if your VPN connection is lost, ensuring that your online activity remains private.
Security and Privacy
Both ExpressVPN and NordVPN take security and privacy seriously, offering AES-256 encryption and DNS leak protection.
They both offer a kill switch feature that protects your data if your VPN connection drops by blocking all online traffic until the connection is restored.
Additionally, both VPN providers have a strict no-logs policy, meaning they won’t keep records of your online activities.
Server Locations
ExpressVPN boasts a vast network of more than 3,000 servers across 94 countries, while NordVPN has over 5,603 servers in 60 countries. While NordVPN has more servers, ExpressVPN offers a wider range of locations, which can be beneficial when trying to access geo-restricted content.
Speed and Performance
ExpressVPN is well-known for its blazing-fast speeds, making it ideal for streaming, gaming, and downloading large files. NordVPN also offers reliable and fast connections, but it may not be as consistently speedy as ExpressVPN.
Both ExpressVPN and NordVPN are known for their fast connection speeds. They also offer features to optimize your connection, such as ExpressVPN’s “Smart Location” and NordVPN’s “Quick Connect.” These options automatically select the best server for you based on your location and network conditions. However, in independent speed tests, ExpressVPN consistently outperforms NordVPN, especially when connecting to servers in distant locations.
In terms of security, both VPN services use military-grade encryption to protect your online activity. However, NordVPN offers more advanced security features, such as double VPN and CyberSec.
When it comes to privacy, both VPN services have a strict no-logs policy, meaning that they do not collect any data on your online activity or connection logs. However, ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, which has no data retention laws, while NordVPN is based in Panama, which also has strong privacy laws.
Streaming and Torrenting
ExpressVPN and NordVPN are both excellent choices for streaming and torrenting. Both providers can unblock popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. They also support P2P file sharing and have dedicated servers for torrenting.
Ease of Use
Both ExpressVPN and NordVPN have user-friendly interfaces and apps for various devices, including Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Both providers offer browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, and they are compatible with routers, smart TVs, and gaming consoles.
Additional Bundled Services
NordVPN offers higher-tier plans and bundles additional services besides the VPN, and the pricing is truly lucrative. You can opt for higher-tier plans with an additional $2-$5 difference in monthly service. You can also purchase NordPass and NordLocker services separately even if you don’t want to purchase the VPN.
- Malware protection: Safeguard your devices from malicious software and potential cyberattacks.
- Tracker and ad blocker: Block intrusive ads and prevent websites from tracking your online activities.
- NordPass: Cross-platform password manager: Securely store and manage your passwords across multiple devices and platforms.
- Data Breach Scanner: Regularly monitor and alert you if your personal information has been compromised in a data breach.
- NordLocker: Next-generation file encryption + 1 TB cloud storage: Protect your sensitive files with cutting-edge encryption technology. You can also safely store and access your files with a generous amount of cloud storage space.
ExpressVPN also comes with certain advanced features, some of which are unique:
- VPN Split Tunneling: Allows you to route some device traffic through a VPN, while the rest accesses the internet directly, giving you more control over your connection.
- TrustedServer Technology: An innovative approach to running VPN servers, ensuring no data is ever written to a hard drive, increasing your security.
- Threat Manager: Blocks apps and sites from communicating with trackers and other malicious third parties, enhancing your security.
- Lightway Protocol: A pioneering VPN protocol developed by ExpressVPN, Lightway offers a faster, more secure, and more reliable VPN experience.
- Gaming Optimized VPN.
Customer Support
ExpressVPN and NordVPN provide 24/7 customer support via live chat and email. Both providers have extensive knowledge bases on their websites, including guides, FAQs, and troubleshooting articles.
Headquarters
The location of a VPN provider is important because it often influences its logging policies and determines whether the VPN provider is legally obligated to share customer information with agencies or governments.
NordVPN is headquartered in one of the most privacy-friendly nations: Panama. This country does not have mandatory data retention laws, which is why NordVPN only logs the minimal information necessary to provide services to each user.
Similarly, ExpressVPN is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands, another privacy-friendly jurisdiction with no data retention laws. This allows ExpressVPN to maintain a strict no-logs policy as well.
Both Panama and the British Virgin Islands, where ExpressVPN is based, are not part of the 14 Eyes alliance and remain unaffected by the influence of the US and European Union regarding data sharing and retention.
Pricing and Plans
ExpressVPN offers three pricing plans:
- 1-month plan: $12.95 per month
- 6-month plan: $9.99 per month, billed as $59.95 every 6 months
- 12-month plan: $6.67 per month, billed as $99.95 annually
NordVPN’s pricing plans include:
- 1-month plan: $12.99 per month
- 1-year plan: $4.59 per month, billed as $68.85 annually
- 2-year plan: $3.29 per month, billed as $88.83 every 2 years
Both providers offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to try their services risk-free.
Conclusion
ExpressVPN and NordVPN are both top-tier VPN providers, offering robust security features, strong privacy policies, and the ability to unblock streaming services and support torrenting. ExpressVPN has the edge when it comes to server locations and speed, while NordVPN offers a more affordable pricing structure.
Ultimately, the choice between ExpressVPN and NordVPN depends on your specific needs and priorities. If you prioritize speed and a wide range of server locations, ExpressVPN is an excellent choice. The protection and security offered by both platforms are equally impressive. The competition is fierce due to the additional services each platform provides, with some features not available on the other.
Guru’s choice is NordVPN since it gives you excellent value for your money by offering a wealth of features, bundled services, 1TB storage, and a password manager at a price comparable to ExpressVPN. They have a special promotion on their website so check this link to get more information and get your VPN.