VPN or virtual private networks are used to create a secure connection between two networks within the internet. In modern times, ExpressVPN and NordVPN are two of the leading VPN service providers. It is difficult to choose any one of them and crown them the best because both provide a myriad of features and have robust security protocols in place.
Let’s compare various aspects of these two VPNs and check for ourselves which does better.
ExpressVPN vs NordVPN – Detailed Comparison
Metrics | ExpressVPN | NordVPN |
Subscription duration | 1 year
6 months 1 month |
3 years
2 years 1 year 1 month |
Offers | The one year plan comes with three months of free usage | There is a 66% discount on the two-year subscription |
Highest price | $ 12.95 | $ 11.95 |
Lowes price | $ 6.67 | $ 2.99 |
Money return guarantee | One month | One month |
Thus from the comparison table above we can see that NordVPN edges ExpressVPN in terms of prices and discounts. The two-year plan with a 66% discount seems a pretty exciting offer to me. Further, comparing the metrics of lowest price, NordVPN costs half of that of ExpressVPN, so people if the price is a factor, I would go for NordVPN.
Features:
Metrics | ExpressVPN | NordVPN |
Maximum connections | 5 | 6 |
OS | Windows, macOS, Amazon Fire, ios, Android and few routers | Windows, macOS, Amazon Fire, ios, Android |
Manual installation devices | Set-top box | Linux along with few routers and set-top boxes |
Split tunneling | Yes | No |
Free items | Browser extensions are free for chrome, safari, and Firefox | Browser extensions are free for Chrome and Firefox along with a malware detection program |
Both ExpressVPN and NordVPN are amongst few VPNs that offer easy installation on Linux machines through command-line utilities. However, ExpressVPN beats NordVPN when compared through router a connection since ExpressVPN has its custom firmware that sets up on is won for few routers. Nevertheless, NordVPN beats ExpressVPN in terms of allowing a total number of connections since one router counts as a single connection for NordVPN.
UI and Setup:
Metrics | ExpressVPN | NordVPN |
Automated setup | Windows, macOS, ios, Android, Linux, and DDWRT routers | Windows, macOS, ios, Android and Linux |
Selection of location | List-based | Map-based |
Additional settings availability | Yes | Yes |
Mobile friendly | Yes | Yes |
ExpressVPN beats NordVPN in terms of space efficiency of the application, but NordVPN has a much more attractive UI and it pinpoints all the locations on the globe where it has is servers. NordVPN is a step ahead from ExpressVPN in terms of its list view of the servers since it has a DDoS protection scheme and it connects its VPN through a tor router along with adding a choice of double hop route.
Server & Connections:
Metrics | ExpressVPN | NordVPN |
Total server countries | 94 | 6 |
Total servers in all the countries | Over 3000 | Over 5200 |
There exists a world of difference when comparing the total number of countries that NordVPN and ExpressVPN have their servers in. It is a huge 94 for ExpressVPN compared to a mere 6 of NordVPN. Albeit NordVPN has access to over 5200 servers, it still lacks in terms of choices available for a user. In terms of security, well it’s a different matter altogether since NordVPN routes your traffic through two separate servers meaning that the data packets are encrypted twice. Comparing the metrics of speed, both NordVPN and ExpressVPN are deemed to be amongst the faster connection providers.
Security Protocols:
Metrics | ExpressVPN | NordVPN |
VPN protocols | SSTP, PPTP, OpenVPN, L2TP | IKEv2, PPTP, L2TP, OpenVPN |
OpenVPN data encryption | AES 256 | AES 256 |
Encryption of control channel OpenVPN | RSA 4096 | RSA 2098 |
Cloaking technology | Cipher block chaining | Obsfproxy |
Protection through extra transmission | N/A | Double op routes |
Leak protection | IPV6 along with WEBRTC and DNS | IPV6 along with WEBRTC and DNS |
App security | Kill switch | Kill switch along with Wi-Fi protection |
DNS status | Private | Private |
Both ExpressVPN and Nord VPN provide OpenVPN in their security protocol suite, OpenVPN is one of the most brawny security suite used by VPN providers. Previously both used PPTP; however considering that this protocol is backdated and has lost its vigor; SSTP is being sued by both the VPNs now. The encryption sued by both these VPNs is a 256 bit AES encryption; however, ExpressVPN edges NordVPN through the slightest of terms since it uses an additional cipher blocking the channel. This ensures that the cloaking or rather the cipher used by ExpressVPN is almost uncrackable.
NordVPN is a step ahead of express VPN in terms of providing mobile connections since it utilizes the IKEv2 protocol for its usage in mobile devices. The DNS status of the device is made pirate and therefore it cannot be traced by the government or hackers. If the DNS status is not changed to private and him VPN you are using keeps the default DNS address, then it can be tracked by hackers or by the government.
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Privacy:
Metrics | ExpressVPN | NordVPN |
HQ base | BVI | Panama |
Logs of connections | Few | no |
Logs of activity | no | no |
Required user details while signing up | ||
Anonymous options for payment | Bitcoin and mint | Bitcoin, Zcash, Ripple and many more |
The VPN business is based on privacy and anonymity and in terms of these ExpressVPN and NordVPN top the list. Neither of the VPNs is based in the US or UK and therefore are not under any pressure from governments to track a particular person or disclose any details. NordVPN is a step further in terms of privacy since it does not keep any logs of the collections or activity whereas ExpressVPN does keep track of a few connections,
As we reach the end of the comparison, we are at the edge of our seats to find out which VPN has outdone itself and the other, well people sorry to disappoint as the crown goes to none. Both ExpressVPN and NordVPN share the crown. This is because either NordVPN or ExpressVPN has edged the other in few cases but has ranked together when it comes to the most important specs for a VPN, namely privacy, security and features. Therefore I would recommend either one of the aforementioned VPNs for masking your IP.
Conclusion:
- NordVPN wins the Best VPN 2019 Award.
- ExpressVPN stands 2nd in the race (When compared with 50+ VPNs).