Updated January 2026
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN 2026
The two most popular VPNs go head-to-head. Pricing, speed, streaming, security — which one is worth your money?
⚡ Quick Answer
NordVPN costs $2.99/mo (2-year plan). ExpressVPN costs $3.49/mo (2-year plan). Winner: NordVPN for price, speed, and features. ExpressVPN wins for ease of use and consistent streaming.
💰 Pricing Comparison
| Plan | NordVPN | ExpressVPN | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $12.99/mo | $12.99/mo | Tie |
| 1-Year | $4.59/mo ($68.85) | $4.99/mo ($74.85) | NordVPN |
| 2-Year BEST VALUE | $2.99/mo ($80.73) | $3.49/mo ($97.72) | NordVPN |
2-Year Savings: NordVPN saves you $16.99 vs ExpressVPN over 2 years. Both include 30-day money-back guarantees.
⚔️ Feature-by-Feature Comparison
| Feature | NordVPN | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | ⭐ Excellent (NordLynx) | Great |
| Server Count | 6,000+ in 111 countries | 3,000+ in 105 countries |
| Simultaneous Devices | 10 devices | 10 devices (Basic) |
| Netflix/Streaming | 15+ Netflix libraries | Most streaming sites |
| Ease of Use | Good | ⭐ Excellent |
| Kill Switch | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Split Tunneling | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes |
| Password Manager | ✅ Included (higher tiers) | ❌ No |
| Antivirus | ✅ Threat Protection | ❌ No |
🎯 Which VPN Should You Choose?
Choose NordVPN If...
- Budget is a priority ($17 cheaper over 2 years)
- You want the fastest speeds (NordLynx protocol)
- You need extra features (password manager, antivirus)
- You want to access the most Netflix libraries
Choose ExpressVPN If...
- Ease of use is your #1 priority
- You want consistent, reliable streaming
- You need VPN on devices that don't support apps (MediaStreamer)
- You're willing to pay a premium for polish
🏆 Final Verdict
Winner: NordVPN (for most users)
NordVPN offers better value at $2.99/mo (2-year), faster speeds with NordLynx, and more features including Threat Protection and NordPass. It also unblocks more Netflix regions.
ExpressVPN is still excellent — its apps are more polished and user-friendly — but the price premium is harder to justify when NordVPN matches or beats it in most categories.
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