ExpressVPN vs NordVPN
We give ExpressVPN and NordVPN the same GPA: 2.4 out of 4.0. ExpressVPN grades higher on value for money. NordVPN grades higher on ease of use. They get the same grade on the free plan, features and platforms.
Price, platforms and features side by side. The table says where each price was read and when.
ExpressVPN
VPN with its own Lightway protocol, sold in three yearly tiers
NordVPN
Subscription VPN with threat protection and Meshnet device links
How we grade them
| 2.4GPAExpressVPNFair | 2.4GPANordVPNFair | |
|---|---|---|
| Value for money | COver two years Basic costs $174.80: $74.85 for the first 15 months, then $99.95 for the next year. That's about $7.30 a month, between the middle and the dearer end of VPN prices. Advanced renews at $119.95 and Express Pro at $199.95. | DOnly Nord's renewal prices could be read: Basic renews at $139.08 a year, so two years on record come to $278.16, about $11.59 a month, the dearest in this category. The first-term price for new customers wasn't readable, so a first purchase may cost less. |
| Free plan and trial | DOnly a 3-day free trial, and only when you subscribe in the iPhone or Android app. The 30-day money-back guarantee is for first-time customers and isn't a trial. | DA 7-day free trial of the 1- and 2-year top-tier plans, but only for new customers in the US and 14 other countries, and it needs a card or PayPal. The 30-day money-back guarantee isn't a trial. |
| Features | BLightway with post-quantum protection, a kill switch, split tunneling, servers in 113 countries, ad and threat blocking, an email alias relay, and from Advanced a password manager and ID theft cover. It covers the whole job. | BNordLynx, NordWhisper, OpenVPN and IKEv2 with a kill switch, malware and ad blocking, Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, obfuscated servers, Meshnet, Dark Web Monitor and dedicated IPs. Nothing in the listing is missing from a VPN's job. |
| Ease of use | B4.68 from about 420,000 App Store ratings, a whisker under the 4.7 an A needs. Pick a location and connect. | A4.7 from about 709,000 App Store ratings, the biggest crowd in this category. Install, sign in, tap connect. |
| Platforms and integrations | BMac, Windows, Linux, iPhone, Android and browser extensions, with apps for routers and TVs too. There's no integration list or API on record, so it stops at B. | BMac, Windows, Linux, iPhone and Android, plus Chrome, Firefox and Edge extensions. There's no integration list or API on record, so it stops at B. |
| Best for | a VPN with apps for routers and TVs too | a big-name VPN for up to 10 devices |
The GPA is the average of the five grades: an A is 4 points, an F is none. The full reasons are on each tool's page: ExpressVPN and NordVPN. How we grade
Price against what you get
ExpressVPN starts at $8.33 a month when paid by the year and scores 3.0 out of 4 on features, ease of use and platforms. NordVPN starts at $11.59 a month when paid by the year and scores 3.3.
NordVPN scores higher, and starts $3.26 a month higher: the question is whether the extra is worth that to you. Of the other VPNs on the chart, 1 scores higher than ExpressVPN for less, and none scores higher than NordVPN for less.
Features, ease of use and platforms, averaged
What paid plans start at, a month (each step along is roughly double) →
- The best score at each price
- Has a free plan
- No free plan
Where they differ
- ExpressVPN starts at $99.95 per year at renewal (Basic), after a first 15 months for $74.85. NordVPN starts at $139.08 per year at renewal (Basic 1-year plan).
At a glance
| ExpressVPN | NordVPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing | Free trial | Free trial |
| Starts at | $99.95 per year at renewal (Basic), after a first 15 months for $74.85 | $139.08 per year at renewal (Basic 1-year plan) |
| Free plan | None | None |
| Free trial | 3-day free trial when you subscribe in the iOS or Android app | 7-day free trial of 1- and 2-year top-tier plans for new users in the US and 14 other countries |
| macOS | ||
| Windows | ||
| Linux | ||
| iOS | ||
| Android | ||
| Browser extension | ||
| Made by | ExpressVPN | Nord Security |
| Price read from | expressvpn.com | my.nordaccount.com |
| Checked | Oct 17, 2026 | Oct 17, 2026 |
Who each one suits
ExpressVPN
- People who want a VPN with apps for routers and TVs as well as computers
- Buyers who want a password manager and ID monitoring on one bill
- Small teams of five or more, through ExpressVPN for Teams
NordVPN
- Households covering up to 10 devices on one account
- People who want ad and malware blocking in the VPN app
- Linking home devices to each other privately with Meshnet
Worth knowing
ExpressVPN
- The advertised $4.99 a month covers only the first 15 months of Basic; it then renews yearly at $99.95, or $119.95 and $199.95 on the higher tiers.
- The US pricing page offers only 12-month plans, and devices are capped at 10, 12 or 14 depending on the tier.
- The 30-day money-back guarantee is for first-time customers; App Store and Google Play purchases are refunded at Apple's or Google's discretion.
- ExpressVPN for Teams has a minimum of five licenses.
NordVPN
- Nord's pricing page turned away automated readers, so the first-term prices it advertises are missing here; only the US 1-year renewal prices could be read.
- Nord's renewal list also names an Ultimate 1-year tier at $256.68 for the US; plan names vary by country.
- The 30-day money-back guarantee covers the first purchase only; renewals are not refundable under it, and App Store purchases go through Apple.
- The free trial is limited to new customers in 15 countries and needs a credit card or PayPal.
Key features
ExpressVPN
- Lightway protocol
- ExpressVPN's own VPN protocol, with post-quantum protection, plus an internet kill switch and split tunneling in the apps.
- Servers in 113 countries
- Every plan reaches the same network of servers in 113 countries, with speeds of up to 40Gbps quoted on the pricing page.
- Ad and threat blocking
- Basic blocks ads, malicious sites and adult sites; Advanced and Express Pro also block trackers.
- ExpressMailGuard
- A private email relay that hides your address behind aliases. The monthly relay allowance and number of aliases and custom domains grow with the plan.
- ExpressKeys and Identity Defender
- From Advanced, a password manager with a 2FA authenticator, plus ID alerts, automated data removal and up to $3 million ($5 million on Pro) of identity theft insurance.
- Dedicated IP
- A fixed IP address of your own: included with Express Pro and an add-on for Basic and Advanced.
NordVPN
- Protocols
- Choose between NordLynx (built on WireGuard), Nord's own NordWhisper, OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec, with an automatic kill switch and DNS leak protection.
- Real-time protection
- Scans files for malware and blocks harmful websites; the App Store listing adds tracker and ad blocking, depending on device and plan.
- Specialty servers
- Double VPN sends traffic through two servers, Onion Over VPN adds the Tor network, and obfuscated servers make VPN traffic look like ordinary traffic.
- Meshnet
- Links your own devices into a private network so they can reach each other without exposing your real IP address.
- Dark Web Monitor
- Watches for your email address and other personal details turning up in data leaks and alerts you when they do.
- Dedicated IP
- A fixed personal IP address, bought on its own or in a bundle, for services that only accept allow-listed addresses.
Plans
ExpressVPN
Basic, 12 months$99.95
per year at renewal, after a first term of 15 months
10 devices and blocking of ads, malicious and adult sites. The first 15 months cost $74.85 ($4.99 a month), shown against $224.85.
Advanced, 12 months$119.95
per year at renewal, after a first term of 15 months
12 devices, tracker blocking, ExpressKeys and Identity Defender. The first 15 months cost $89.85 ($5.99 a month).
Express Pro, 12 months$199.95
per year at renewal, after a first term of 15 months
14 devices, a dedicated IP and ExpressAI, with more ID alerts and insurance. The first 15 months cost $134.85 ($8.99 a month).
NordVPN
Basic 1-year$139.08
per year, the US renewal price of a 1-year plan
The VPN-only tier. Nord's first-term price for new customers could not be read, so only the renewal price is shown.
Standard 1-year$149.88
per year, the US renewal price of a 1-year plan
Priced between Basic and Plus at renewal. Nord's first-term price for new customers could not be read.
Plus 1-year$179.88
per year, the US renewal price of a 1-year plan
Priced between Standard and Complete at renewal. Nord's first-term price for new customers could not be read.
Complete 1-year$219.48
per year, the US renewal price of a 1-year plan
Adds NordPass and NordLocker to the VPN. First-term price not readable; this is the 1-year renewal price.
Ultra 1-year$269.88
per year, the US renewal price of a 1-year plan
One of the top tiers that the 7-day free trial covers. First-term price not readable; this is the renewal price.
Prime 1-year$296.28
per year, the US renewal price of a 1-year plan
The dearest US tier on Nord's renewal list, and one the free trial covers. First-term price not readable.
Ways to pay less
ExpressVPN
- Other savings
First 15 months of a 12-month plan from $74.85
A 12-month plan comes with 3 extra months for a first payment of $74.85 (Basic), $89.85 (Advanced) or $134.85 (Express Pro), then renews yearly at the full price.
NordVPN
- Education
Student discount for ages 18 to 26
Nord's help center says students and apprentices aged 18 to 26 can get an additional discount. The size of the discount is not stated there.
