NordVPN vs ExpressVPN
NordVPN is VPN service with 5,000+ servers, double VPN, and threat protection, while ExpressVPN is Premium VPN known for speed, reliability, and wide device support. NordVPN comes in cheaper, but price alone does not tell the full story. NordVPN is built for anyone wanting fast, secure vpn with lots of servers, whereas ExpressVPN targets users wanting a reliable, fast vpn across all devices.
At a glance
|
NordVPN
|
ExpressVPN
|
|
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Anyone wanting fast, secure VPN with lots of servers | Users wanting a reliable, fast VPN across all devices |
| Starting price | $3.99/mo | $6.67/mo |
| Free tier | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Free tier available | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| 5000+ Servers | ✓ | — |
| 94 Countries | — | ✓ |
| Double VPN | ✓ | — |
| Fast Speeds | — | ✓ |
| MediaStreamer | — | ✓ |
| Meshnet | ✓ | — |
| Split Tunneling | — | ✓ |
| Threat Protection | ✓ | — |
NordVPN
Strengths
- Includes 5000+ Servers as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows
- Includes Double VPN as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows
- Affordable at $3.99/mo — one of the lower-priced options in the vpn category
- Established product with 14+ years on the market and a mature ecosystem
Weaknesses
- No free plan — you need to pay $3.99/mo from day one to use it
- Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
- Ecosystem of third-party integrations is smaller than the market leaders in vpn
- Limited team/admin features if your organization eventually scales up
ExpressVPN
Strengths
- Includes Fast Speeds as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows
- Includes 94 Countries as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows
- Affordable at $6.67/mo — one of the lower-priced options in the vpn category
- Established product with 17+ years on the market and a mature ecosystem
Weaknesses
- No free plan — you need to pay $6.67/mo from day one to use it
- Fewer built-in features means you may need additional tools to cover gaps
- Ecosystem of third-party integrations is smaller than the market leaders in vpn
- Limited team/admin features if your organization eventually scales up
The bottom line
Pricing: NordVPN starts at $3.99/mo. ExpressVPN starts at $6.67/mo. NordVPN is the more affordable option.
Feature gaps: NordVPN offers 5000+ Servers, Double VPN and Meshnet that ExpressVPN lacks. ExpressVPN brings 94 Countries, Fast Speeds and MediaStreamer that NordVPN does not have.
Team fit: Both tools target individuals teams, so the decision hinges on features and workflow fit rather than scale.
Where each tool shines: NordVPN's biggest strengths are: includes 5000+ servers as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows. includes double vpn as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows. ExpressVPN's biggest strengths are: includes fast speeds as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows. includes 94 countries as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows.
Watch out for: With NordVPN, users commonly note that no free plan — you need to pay $3.99/mo from day one to use it. With ExpressVPN, the main complaint is that no free plan — you need to pay $6.67/mo from day one to use it.
Choose NordVPN if...
- You need a tool built for anyone wanting fast, secure vpn with lots of servers
- You want to save on per-user costs — NordVPN is $2.68/user/mo cheaper
- You specifically need 5000+ Servers and Double VPN
- You care about includes double vpn as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows
Choose ExpressVPN if...
- You need a tool built for users wanting a reliable, fast vpn across all devices
- You specifically need 94 Countries and Fast Speeds
- You care about includes 94 countries as a core feature, purpose-built for vpn workflows
Looking for more options?
Related comparisons
vs
vs
vs
vs
vs
vs
Stay sharp
price changes, and honest takes — weekly.