Areas Where NordVPN Outperforms ExpressVPN

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1. Pricing and Value for Money
   NordVPN is generally more affordable than ExpressVPN. While ExpressVPN’s annual plan costs around $100 for the first 15 months (then $117/year), NordVPN offers a lower entry point, with its two-year plan often priced around $81-$97 for the first term (renewing at $140/year). NordVPN also frequently includes extras like a password manager and 1TB of cloud storage in its higher tiers, providing more bang for your buck compared to ExpressVPN’s steeper price, which bundles fewer additional services (e.g., a password manager and identity theft insurance).
2. Server Network Size
   NordVPN boasts a significantly larger server network, with over 7,400 servers across 118 countries, compared to ExpressVPN’s 3,000+ servers in 105 countries. This gives NordVPN an edge in reducing server congestion and offering more location options, especially in North America and Europe, where it has a denser presence. More servers can translate to better performance and reliability for users in crowded regions.
3. Speed Consistency
   NordVPN often edges out ExpressVPN in speed tests, particularly with its NordLynx protocol (based on WireGuard). Recent tests show NordVPN achieving download speed losses as low as 3%-11%, while ExpressVPN averages around 25% (though it has hit 2% in past years). NordVPN’s consistency across multiple locations, including with OpenVPN and double-VPN setups, gives it an advantage for users prioritizing raw speed, such as gamers or 4K streamers.
4. Specialty Features
   NordVPN offers advanced features that ExpressVPN lacks, such as Double VPN (encrypting traffic over two servers) and Onion Over VPN (integrating Tor network access). These cater to privacy-focused users or those in restrictive environments. Its Threat Protection feature also goes beyond ExpressVPN’s Threat Manager by scanning downloads for malware and working even when not connected to a VPN server, offering broader security utility.
5. Streaming Versatility
   NordVPN tends to unblock a wider range of streaming services more consistently, including Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and BBC iPlayer. While ExpressVPN is excellent for streaming, it has faced occasional outages with platforms like BBC iPlayer and Netflix in recent years, whereas NordVPN’s larger server pool and dedicated streaming optimizations give it a slight edge.
6. Simultaneous Connections
   NordVPN allows up to 10 simultaneous device connections, compared to ExpressVPN’s 8. While neither matches Surfshark’s unlimited connections, NordVPN’s higher limit is better suited for small households or power users with multiple devices.

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Areas Where Surfshark Outperforms ExpressVPN

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1. Pricing and Affordability
   Surfshark is the clear winner in cost, often priced as low as $48-$60 for the first year or $60-$72 for two years (renewing at $60/year), compared to ExpressVPN’s $100 for 15 months. This makes Surfshark significantly cheaper, especially for long-term plans, offering premium features at a budget-friendly rate.
2. Unlimited Simultaneous Connections
   Surfshark stands out with its unlimited simultaneous device connections, far surpassing ExpressVPN’s limit of 8. This is a game-changer for families, small businesses, or individuals with numerous devices, eliminating the need to juggle connections or upgrade plans.
3. Speed on WireGuard
   Surfshark leverages WireGuard to deliver blazing-fast speeds, often outperforming ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol. Tests show Surfshark with a speed loss as low as 17%-19%, consistently beating ExpressVPN’s 25% average in recent cycles. Its OpenVPN speeds (up to 640 Mbps in some tests) also outpace ExpressVPN, making it a top choice for bandwidth-heavy tasks.
4. Server Coverage in Emerging Regions
   While Surfshark has fewer servers (3,200+ across 100 countries) than NordVPN, it excels in covering regions like South America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, where ExpressVPN has less presence. This makes Surfshark a better pick for travelers or users in less-served areas needing nearby servers.
5. Additional Features for the Price
   Surfshark packs in extras like a cookie pop-up blocker, antivirus (with Surfshark One+), and data breach alerts at a lower cost than ExpressVPN’s base offering. Features like Rotating IP and Bypasser (split tunneling for websites) also add flexibility that ExpressVPN doesn’t match, enhancing value for privacy-conscious users.
6. Ease of Use and Budget-Friendly Streaming
   Surfshark’s intuitive interface and unlimited connections make it a standout for streaming on a budget. It reliably unblocks Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+, often at a fraction of ExpressVPN’s cost, with minimal connection delays compared to ExpressVPN’s occasional streaming hiccups.

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Critical Considerations

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• Privacy Jurisdiction: ExpressVPN’s British Virgin Islands base (outside intelligence-sharing alliances) is stronger than Surfshark’s Netherlands location (part of the 14-Eyes alliance), but NordVPN’s Panama base matches ExpressVPN for privacy. This might offset some advantages for ultra-privacy-focused users.
• Ease of Use: ExpressVPN’s simplicity and transparency (e.g., quick fixes for DNS leaks) could appeal more to beginners, despite NordVPN and Surfshark offering robust, user-friendly apps.
• China Performance: None of these VPNs reliably bypass China’s Great Firewall consistently as of now, so ExpressVPN’s past edge here has diminished.

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Conclusion

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NordVPN outperforms ExpressVPN in speed, server count, cost-effectiveness, and specialized security features, making it ideal for power users and streamers. Surfshark shines with its unbeatable price, unlimited connections, and strong performance in diverse regions, appealing to budget-conscious users and multi-device households. ExpressVPN remains a premium all-rounder with top-notch privacy and reliability, but it lags in value and scalability compared to NordVPN and Surfshark’s offerings as of March 2025. Your choice depends on whether you prioritize cost and connections (Surfshark), speed and features (NordVPN), or simplicity and privacy (ExpressVPN).

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