ExpressVPN vs NordVPN 2026: Which VPN Should You Choose
For most people in September 2026, NordVPN is the better pick. It has more independent no-logs audits, more security features, servers in more countries, and it’s a touch more reliable for streaming. ExpressVPN, on the other hand, is easier to use, costs less after the first term, and covers up to 14 devices on its top plan. In speed, they’re very close in independent tests. The gap between them is smaller than it used to be, and both rank among the best VPNs available.
Quick verdict:
- Choose NordVPN if you want more features (Double VPN, Meshnet, stronger ad and malware blocking), servers in more countries and the longest audit track record.
- Choose ExpressVPN if you want the simplest apps, a lower renewal price, a VPN built into your router, or more than 10 devices on one subscription.
01ExpressVPN vs NordVPN at a glance
Figures are current as of September 2026, and prices change with each promotion. On mobile, swipe the table sideways to see every column.
| Feature | NordVPN | ExpressVPN | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price (cheapest plan, longest subscription) | $3.49/month | $2.99/month | ExpressVPN |
| Renewal, cheapest plan | $139.08/year | $99.95/year | ExpressVPN |
| Devices at once | 10 | 10 to 14 depending on plan | ExpressVPN |
| Server countries | 150 | 113 | NordVPN |
| In-house protocol | NordLynx (WireGuard) | Lightway | Tie |
| Independent no-logs audits | 6 since 2018, latest December 2025 | KPMG, covering February 2025 | NordVPN |
| RAM-only servers | Yes | Yes | Tie |
| Based in | Panama | British Virgin Islands | Tie |
| Owner | Nord Security | Kape Technologies | Tie |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | Tie |
- Cheapest planExpressVPN: $2.99NordVPN: $3.49
- Middle planExpressVPN: $4.49NordVPN: $4.49
- Top planExpressVPN: $7.49NordVPN: $7.49
ExpressVPN Basic, Advanced and Pro on the 28-month plan (provider pricing), NordVPN Basic, Complete and Prime on the 2-year plan with 3 extra months (StationX). September 2026.
02Price and plans: ExpressVPN is cheaper in the long run
Both services now offer three plans, and first-term prices are very close. The real difference shows up at renewal.
NordVPN (prices checked August 2026, StationX):
| Plan | 2 years + 3 months (per month) | Renewal (per year) | What it adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $3.49 | $139.08 | VPN and basic threat protection |
| Complete | $4.49 | $219.48 | Full malware protection, NordPass password manager, 1 TB encrypted storage |
| Prime | $7.49 | $296.28 | Adds identity theft protection |
ExpressVPN (prices from the ExpressVPN pricing page, September 2026):
| Plan | 28 months (per month) | Renewal (per year) | What it adds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $2.99 | $99.95 | VPN for 10 devices, ad and malicious site blocking |
| Advanced | $4.49 | $119.95 | 12 devices, broader protection and identity tools |
| Pro | $7.49 | $199.95 | 14 devices, dedicated IP, extended identity protection |
Its identity protection and identity theft insurance features are aimed mainly at US customers.
- Cheapest planExpressVPN: $99.95NordVPN: $139.08
- Middle planExpressVPN: $119.95NordVPN: $219.48
- Top planExpressVPN: $199.95NordVPN: $296.28
Yearly price of each plan after the first term. ExpressVPN per the provider, NordVPN per StationX, September 2026.
Verdict: You’ll pay about the same for either in the first term. After renewal, though, ExpressVPN is noticeably cheaper, by about $40 a year on the Basic plan. If you don’t plan to switch providers after the first term, ExpressVPN works out better value over time.
03Security and privacy: NordVPN has more no-logs audits
Both services use AES-256 encryption, include a kill switch, run RAM-only servers, and are based outside the 5, 9 and 14 Eyes intelligence alliances. On privacy, they’re very close.
The difference is in how many no-logs audits they’ve had and how recent they are. NordVPN has passed six independent no-logs audits since 2018, the latest by Deloitte at the end of 2025. ExpressVPN’s most recent no-logs verification was by KPMG, covering its setup as of February 2025 (Gizmodo). ExpressVPN does have more security audits of its apps and infrastructure, and lists them on its trust page.
NordVPN also offers:
- Double VPN, which routes your traffic through two servers
- Onion over VPN for access to the Tor network
- Threat Protection Pro (from the Complete plan), which blocks ads, trackers and malicious files even when the VPN is off
- The NordWhisper protocol for networks that block VPNs
ExpressVPN also offers:
- Its own open-source Lightway protocol
- TrustedServer, the infrastructure ExpressVPN has used to run RAM-only servers since 2019
- Obfuscation switched on for every Lightway connection, which helps on censored networks (Gizmodo)
- Identity protection on higher tiers (mainly for the US)
- NordVPN76%
- ExpressVPN71%
Share of the 135 domains in the d3ward test that were blocked. NordVPN with Threat Protection Pro, ExpressVPN with its in-app blocker. Gizmodo testing, September 2026.
Ownership is worth a mention too. ExpressVPN belongs to Kape Technologies, which also owns CyberGhost and Private Internet Access. NordVPN is part of Nord Security, alongside Surfshark.
Verdict: Both are safe. NordVPN comes out ahead thanks to its longer no-logs audit history and broader set of security features.
04Speed: nearly a dead heat in testing
Independent results vary depending on where and on what connection the tests are run:
- Gizmodo (September 2026): Tested on the same connection across three continents, both lost exactly the same amount of download speed, 7.8%. On uploads, NordVPN lost 5.5% and ExpressVPN 8.9% (Gizmodo).
- CyberInsider (article updated September 2026): On a gigabit connection, NordVPN peaked at 903 Mbps, ExpressVPN at 718 Mbps (CyberInsider).
- DownloadExpressVPN: 7.8%NordVPN: 7.8%
- UploadExpressVPN: 8.9%NordVPN: 5.5%
Average across servers in the UK, the US and Japan on a 190 Mbps connection from Europe, 3 days of 3 sessions. Lower is better.
- NordVPN903
- ExpressVPN718
Highest download speed measured on a gigabit connection in CyberInsider testing.
Verdict: For downloads, the two are very close in testing, while NordVPN loses less speed on uploads, which helps with video calls and cloud backups. In everyday use, though, you won’t notice the difference. Both handle 4K streaming, gaming and big downloads with ease.
05Streaming: both are excellent, NordVPN is a hair more reliable
In Gizmodo’s testing, both services unblocked all 14 streaming services tested. NordVPN leads only narrowly: it opened the UK’s ITVX without switching servers, while ExpressVPN needed a different server. Prime Video required a server switch on both, and Disney+ worked on both only through the browser extension (Gizmodo).
For smart TVs and game consoles that can’t run a VPN app, both offer a DNS service: NordVPN has SmartDNS and ExpressVPN has MediaStreamer. MediaStreamer requires you to register your home IP address and, according to ExpressVPN, doesn’t change your location.
Both have servers in many countries, which makes them handy for watching your home streaming services while traveling.
Verdict: You’re in good hands with either for Netflix or BBC iPlayer. NordVPN is slightly more reliable in testing, and both offer a DNS service for TVs without an app.
06Features, apps and support
| Feature | NordVPN | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Ad and malware blocking | Yes (Threat Protection, full version from the Complete plan) | Yes (scope depends on plan) |
| Double VPN | Yes | No |
| Private network between your devices | Yes (Meshnet) | No |
| Split tunneling | Yes | Yes |
| Port forwarding | No | No |
| DNS service for smart TVs without an app | Yes (SmartDNS) | Yes (MediaStreamer) |
| Own VPN router | No | Yes (Aircove) |
| Dedicated IP | Paid add-on | Included in Pro, otherwise paid add-on |
| Support | 24/7 live chat, email | 24/7 live chat, email |
- Cheapest planExpressVPN: 10NordVPN: 10
- Middle planExpressVPN: 12NordVPN: 10
- Top planExpressVPN: 14NordVPN: 10
NordVPN covers 10 devices on every plan, ExpressVPN 10 on Basic, 12 on Advanced and 14 on Pro.
Apps: Both have apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV and Fire TV. According to Gizmodo’s testing, ExpressVPN has the simplest apps in the industry, with the same layout on every platform, and connects in 1 to 2 seconds (Gizmodo). NordVPN packs in more features, but newcomers need a little time to find their way around, and in Gizmodo’s testing its Windows app failed to connect on several days until the app was reset (Gizmodo).
VPN on your router: ExpressVPN sells its own Aircove router with the VPN built in. It protects your whole household, including devices you can’t install an app on (ExpressVPN).
Verdict: NordVPN wins on features. ExpressVPN wins on simplicity and its own router.
07Which one should you choose?
| You need | Pick | Why |
|---|---|---|
| As many security features as possible | NordVPN | Double VPN, Threat Protection Pro, Meshnet |
| Netflix and foreign TV | NordVPN | A hair more reliable in testing |
| Servers in as many countries as possible | NordVPN | 150 countries versus 113 |
| The longest no-logs audit record | NordVPN | 6 audits since 2018 |
| A VPN for the whole home via your router | ExpressVPN | Its own Aircove router |
| The lowest price after renewal | ExpressVPN | Basic renews about $40 a year cheaper |
| More than 10 devices | ExpressVPN | The Pro plan covers 14 |
| The simplest apps | ExpressVPN | Simpler apps and fast connections |
Overall verdict: If you want one VPN for everything and care most about security features, streaming and a large server network, go with NordVPN. If you value simplicity, want a VPN on your router, or don’t want a big price jump after the first term, choose ExpressVPN. Both come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try each risk-free.
Looking for a cheaper alternative or want to compare more services? See our comparison of the 14 best VPNs for 2026. Don’t want to pay at all? You’ll find safe free services in our article Best free VPN 2026.
08ExpressVPN vs NordVPN FAQ
Is ExpressVPN or NordVPN better?
For most people, NordVPN, thanks to more no-logs audits, a wider range of features and servers in more countries. ExpressVPN is the better fit if you want the simplest apps, a VPN on your router, more than 10 devices or a lower renewal price.
Which is faster?
For download speed, they’re very close: in Gizmodo’s September test, both lost exactly the same 7.8% of speed. In CyberInsider’s test, NordVPN was faster, and it also loses less speed on uploads.
Which is cheaper?
For the first term, they cost about the same: roughly $2.99 to $3.49 a month. After renewal, ExpressVPN is cheaper, at $99.95 a year for Basic versus $139.08 for NordVPN.
Which is better for Netflix?
In Gizmodo’s testing, both unblocked Netflix and BBC iPlayer, and Disney+ only through the browser extension. NordVPN also opened the UK’s ITVX without switching servers.
How many devices do they cover?
NordVPN covers 10 devices on every plan. ExpressVPN covers 10 on Basic, 12 on Advanced and 14 on Pro.
Are they legal, and do they work while traveling?
Yes, VPNs are legal in most countries. Some countries, such as China, Russia or the UAE, restrict VPN use, so check the local rules before you travel. Gizmodo gives ExpressVPN the edge on censored networks because its obfuscation is always on, though neither was tested on the ground in China.
09The bottom line
NordVPN and ExpressVPN are closer in 2026 than they’ve ever been. NordVPN wins on no-logs audits, security features and network size, which is why we recommend it to most people. ExpressVPN wins on simplicity, renewal price and its own Aircove router. With a 30-day money-back guarantee on both, you can try each one and keep whichever suits you better.
10Sources
We checked prices, audits and speeds in September 2026: