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ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN: Features compared
| ExpressVPN | NordVPN | |
| Server network | Number of servers is unknown, 113 country locations | 9,100+ servers, 149 country locations |
| Simultaneous connections | Up to 14 | 10 |
| Average speeds | 70% of base download, 80% of base upload | 75% of base download, 81% of base upload |
| Protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2, Lightway, Lightway Turbo | WireGuard (NordLynx), NordWhisper, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec |
| Available platforms | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, iPadOS, Fire TV, Apple TV, Linus, Browsers, Routers | Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, iPadOS, Fire TV, Apple TV, Linus, Browsers, Routers |
| Business location | British Virgin Islands | Panama |
| Cost (base price only) | $12.99 per month, $74.85 for the first year, or $97.72 for the first two years | $14.99 monthly; $65.88 for the first year; $94.23 for the first two years |
Best for speed: NordVPN
In my testing, both NordVPN and ExpressVPN ranked with stellar speed scores. Along with Hotspot Shield they’re the fastest VPNs available. While all VPNs will slow down your internet speeds to some degree, these two slow it down the least.
In my latest tests, ExpressVPN resulted in an average of 70 percent of the base internet speed for downloads and 80 percent of the base for uploads—with a slight bump on most servers if you utilize the Lightway Turbo protocol. NordVPN nosed it out though with 75 percent of the base download speeds and 81 percent of the base upload speeds. Those are pretty close margins and you likely won’t see much of a difference in your everyday usage. For what it’s worth though, NordVPN has consistently had the fastest speeds of any VPN for a few years running now.
Whichever you choose, you can expect to handle bandwidth-heavy tasks, such as gaming and 4K streaming, with ease. However, the winner for speed—by the slimmest of margins—is NordVPN.
Best for cost: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN used to have only one subscription tier for the longest time. That’s all changed thanks to the overhaul of its pricing model in 2025. Now, ExpressVPN offers three subscription tiers: Basic, Advanced, and Pro. The Basic plan gives you access to the VPN with 10 simultaneous connections and ad-blocking. A Basic subscription costs $14.99 per month, $74.85 for one year, or $83.72 for a two-year plan.
Advanced adds two extra connections, tracker-blocking, a password manager, and three days of eSIM service. An Advanced subscription costs $16.99 per month, $89.85 for one year, or $125.72 for a two-year plan.
The Pro plan adds another two connections, bringing the total to 14, along with five days of eSIM service and access to your own dedicated IP. A Pro subscription costs $22.99 per month, $134.85 for one year, or $209.72 for a two-year plan. Both the Advanced and Pro two-year plans also include four extra months for free.