ExpressVPN and NordVPN are both paid VPNs with no permanent free plan, only a 30-day money-back guarantee, and both have submitted their no-logs policies to…
| ExpressVPN | NordVPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Primary category | Security | Security |
| Rating | Not documented | Not documented |
| Pricing model | Subscription | Subscription |
| Starting price | $3.49/month (billed every 2 years, Basic plan) | From $3.09/month (multi-year Basic plan) |
| Free plan | Not documented | Not documented |
| Free trial | Yes | Not documented |
| Platforms | Web, iOS, Android, Mac, Windows | iOS, Android, Mac, Windows |
| Team collaboration | Not documented | Not documented |
| AI features | Not documented | Not documented |
| Public API | Not documented | Not documented |
Starting price
ExpressVPN: Roughly $8-9 per month on longer-term plans billed upfront, with shorter monthly plans costing more per month
NordVPN: Roughly $3-5 per month on a multi-year plan billed upfront, with monthly billing costing considerably more
Entry pricing shapes the real cost of a multi-year commitment, and the gap between these two starting points is significant for budget-conscious buyers
Company history and headquarters
ExpressVPN: Founded in 2009, registered in the British Virgin Islands and operated as a subsidiary of Kape Technologies, headquartered in London
NordVPN: Founded in 2012 and headquartered in Panama City, Panama
Corporate jurisdiction affects which legal data-request regimes a provider operates under, a factor some privacy-focused buyers weigh directly
Core proprietary protocol
ExpressVPN: Lightway, a fully proprietary protocol built for fast, lightweight, quick-reconnecting connections
NordVPN: NordLynx, a proprietary implementation built on top of the open-source WireGuard protocol
The underlying protocol affects connection speed, reconnection behavior when switching networks, and how much of the implementation is open versus fully proprietary
Multi-hop encryption
ExpressVPN: Not documented as offering a multi-hop or double-encryption server option
NordVPN: Double VPN routes traffic through two separate VPN servers in sequence for an added layer of encryption
Multi-hop routing is a meaningful extra layer of protection for users handling especially sensitive traffic, at some cost to speed
Private peer-to-peer networking
ExpressVPN: Not documented as offering a peer-to-peer private networking feature
NordVPN: Meshnet creates private, encrypted peer-to-peer connections between a user's own devices or trusted contacts
Meshnet extends NordVPN beyond simple browsing privacy into secure file sharing and remote device access, a use case ExpressVPN's documented feature set does not address
Dark web and breach monitoring
ExpressVPN: Not documented as offering a dark web or data breach monitoring feature
NordVPN: Dark Web Monitoring scans for user credentials exposed in known data breaches and alerts subscribers, included on higher tiers
Breach monitoring adds proactive account-security value beyond basic VPN encryption, which can reduce the need for a separate monitoring service
Bundled extras beyond the VPN itself
ExpressVPN: Bundles ExpressVPN Keys, a password manager, with a subscription, plus Threat Manager for network-level tracker and malicious-domain blocking
NordVPN: Bundles a password manager, dark web monitoring, and on the Complete tier, encrypted cloud storage and full Threat Protection with antivirus scanning
The breadth of bundled tools affects whether a subscription can replace several separate security apps, and NordVPN's top tier goes further than ExpressVPN's single-tier bundle
Plan structure
ExpressVPN: A single feature set unlocked progressively across 1-month, 6-month, and 12-month terms, with the same core app for everyone
NordVPN: Three distinct product tiers, Standard, Plus, and Complete, each unlocking additional bundled tools rather than only a lower price
A tiered product structure lets buyers pay only for the extras they want, while a single-tier structure keeps the decision simpler but ties extra features to how long a term is purchased
Customer support model
ExpressVPN: Round-the-clock live chat support is explicitly documented as a feature
NordVPN: Priority customer support is documented specifically as a Complete-tier feature; general support hours are not documented
Guaranteed 24/7 live chat access matters for users who expect to need real-time setup or troubleshooting help regardless of which plan they buy
| Feature | ExpressVPN | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Proprietary VPN protocol | Available | Available |
| Automatic kill switch | Available | Available |
| Multi-hop double-encryption servers | Not documented | Available |
| Feature | ExpressVPN | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Independently audited no-logs policy | Available | Available |
| RAM-only server infrastructure | Available | Not documented |
| Feature | ExpressVPN | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Split tunneling | Available | Available |
| Private peer-to-peer device networking | Not documented | Available |
| Feature | ExpressVPN | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Network-level tracker and malicious-domain blocking without active VPN connection | Available | Available |
| Smart DNS for unblocking on devices without a full VPN client | Available | Not documented |
| Feature | ExpressVPN | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Password manager included with subscription | Available | Available |
| Dark web or breach monitoring | Not documented | Available |
| Encrypted cloud storage | Not documented | Available |
| Feature | ExpressVPN | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Native apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, and Linux | Available | Available |
| Browser extensions | Available | Available |
| Router setup support | Available | Available |
| Feature | ExpressVPN | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| 24/7 live chat support | Available | Not documented |
| Priority support tier | Not documented | Available |
| Feature | ExpressVPN | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent free plan | Unavailable | Unavailable |
| Money-back guarantee | Available | Available |
| Multiple product tiers with different bundled feature sets | Limited | Available |
Starting price reflects the lowest paid tier, not the full cost for every team size or usage level.
Pros
Cons
Pros
Cons
NordVPN is generally cheaper, starting at roughly $3-5 per month on a multi-year plan compared to ExpressVPN's roughly $8-9 per month on its longer-term plans, though both cost considerably more on short monthly terms.
Neither offers a permanent free plan or a standalone free trial; both instead back new subscriptions with a 30-day money-back guarantee that lets users request a refund if they cancel within that window.
NordVPN bundles more extras on its higher tiers, including dark web monitoring and encrypted cloud storage in addition to a password manager, while ExpressVPN bundles a password manager and network-level threat blocking as part of its single feature set.
Yes, both are commonly used for accessing geo-restricted streaming content, with ExpressVPN offering a MediaStreamer smart DNS feature for unsupported devices and NordVPN relying on its large server network, though access to specific catalogs can vary and change over time on either service.
Both do. ExpressVPN's no-logs policy has been reviewed by outside auditors including PwC, and NordVPN states it has submitted its own policy and infrastructure to third-party audits as well.
NordVPN offers more documented advanced privacy tooling, including Double VPN for multi-hop encryption and Meshnet for private peer-to-peer device connections, neither of which is documented as a feature of ExpressVPN.
Read the full ExpressVPN review · Read the full NordVPN review