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NordVPN vs ExpressVPN 2026: Prices, Audits & Protocols

Editorial Team
NordVPN
NordVPN

65.88 EUR/yr

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ExpressVPN

29.88 EUR/yr · 28-month term

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NordVPN and ExpressVPN are two of the best-known premium VPNs. Both offer apps for the main platforms, independently assessed no-logs policies and a 30-day money-back guarantee. They differ on pricing structure, device limits, protocols and extra features.

How we compared them: we did not run our own speed or streaming tests. This comparison is based on each provider’s pricing pages, feature documentation and published audit reports, checked in September 2026. VPN prices change often, so check the current offer before you subscribe.

At a Glance

NordVPNExpressVPN
JurisdictionPanamaBritish Virgin Islands
PlansBasic, Plus, Complete (Prime in the US)Basic, Advanced, Pro
Lowest advertised price——
Simultaneous devicesUp to 1010 (Basic), 12 (Advanced), 14 (Pro)
Own protocolNordLynx (built on WireGuard)Lightway (open source)
Latest no-logs assessmentDeloitte, December 2025KPMG, 2025
Server coverageThousands of servers worldwide, per NordVPN113 countries, per ExpressVPN
Money-back guarantee30 days30 days (new users)
ExpressVPN

Pricing

NordVPN

Higher tiers add security extras: Plus includes Threat Protection Pro (malware and malicious link scanning, ad and tracker blocking), the NordPass password manager and a data breach scanner, and Complete adds further services on top.

ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN’s three plans are priced for a 28-month term (two years plus four months):

The main differences between ExpressVPN plans are the number of devices and the extra services included.

Takeaway: on long-term plans, ExpressVPN’s entry price is lower than NordVPN’s. Compare the renewal price and the total billed upfront, not just the monthly equivalent.

Privacy and Security

No-logs assessments

  • NordVPN commissioned Deloitte Lithuania for its sixth independent no-logs assurance engagement, carried out between 10 November and 12 December 2025 under the ISAE 3000 standard. Deloitte concluded that NordVPN’s systems are designed and implemented in line with its no-logs statement.
  • ExpressVPN had KPMG assess its TrustedServer technology and no-logs claims in 2025.

Infrastructure

  • ExpressVPN runs its servers on RAM only (TrustedServer), so data is wiped at every restart.
  • NordVPN offers specialty servers, including Double VPN (traffic routed through two servers) and Onion Over VPN (access to the Tor network).

Protocols

  • NordVPN uses NordLynx by default, its protocol built on WireGuard. OpenVPN is also available.
  • ExpressVPN developed Lightway, an open-source protocol that has been independently audited.

Jurisdiction

NordVPN operates under Panamanian jurisdiction and ExpressVPN under the British Virgin Islands. Both providers point out that these jurisdictions have no mandatory data retention law for VPN services.

Features

FeatureNordVPNExpressVPN
Built-in malware / ad blockingThreat Protection (full version on Plus and above)Varies by plan
Password managerNordPass on Plus and aboveVaries by plan
Multi-hopDouble VPN serversNot offered as a server category
Tor accessOnion Over VPN serversNot offered as a server category

For streaming, both providers market their service for access to streaming platforms, but results depend on the platform and the server, and streaming services actively block VPNs. See our guides to the best VPN for streaming and VPN for Netflix.

Which One Should You Choose?

Choose NordVPN if:

  • you want security extras such as malware scanning and a password manager bundled with the VPN;
  • you are interested in specialty servers (Double VPN, Onion Over VPN);
  • you want a provider with a series of six Deloitte no-logs assessments.

Choose ExpressVPN if:

  • you want the lowest long-term entry price of the two;
  • you need more simultaneous devices (up to 14 on Pro);
  • RAM-only servers and an open-source protocol are important to you.

Both are solid premium choices. Read our full NordVPN review and ExpressVPN review for more detail.

Try NordVPN Try ExpressVPN

FAQ

Is NordVPN cheaper than ExpressVPN?

Which VPN allows more devices?

ExpressVPN, depending on the plan: 10 devices on Basic, 12 on Advanced and 14 on Pro. NordVPN allows up to 10 devices.

Have NordVPN and ExpressVPN been audited?

Yes. NordVPN’s latest no-logs assurance engagement was carried out by Deloitte in late 2025, its sixth. ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer and no-logs claims were assessed by KPMG in 2025.

Can I try them risk-free?

Both offer a 30-day money-back guarantee (for new users, in ExpressVPN’s case). Neither is a free trial: you pay first and request a refund within 30 days.

Which protocol is faster, NordLynx or Lightway?

We have not measured it. Both were designed for speed: NordLynx is built on WireGuard, and Lightway is ExpressVPN’s lightweight open-source protocol. Real-world speed depends mostly on your connection and the server you choose.

Sources