NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Which VPN is Best for the UK?

Did you know that people in the UK use over 3.6GB of data daily?¹ That’s a lot of info that needs protecting. Choosing the best VPN is key for staying safe online, especially for those in the UK. In this piece, I compare NordVPN and ExpressVPN to help you choose the right one for you.

A VPN keeps your web use safe and lets you access global streaming and sites. But, picking one from the many out there is tough. This review will look at pricing, security, speed, use for watching shows or downloading, ease of use, help from the company, and what makes each good for those in the UK.

– NordVPN costs less with a 2-year deal at £3.09 a month versus ExpressVPN’s £6.67 for 12 months.
– NordVPN has more servers in more countries – 6,000+ servers in 110 countries over ExpressVPN’s 3,000+ in 105.
– Both are good at unblocking Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer, but NordVPN is quicker and more stable.
– NordVPN offers extra security like Double VPN and Onion Over VPN, plus they keep no usage logs.
– ExpressVPN’s home is the British Virgin Islands, while NordVPN’s in Panama, which might matter to some UK users.

VPN Comparison: ExpressVPN vs NordVPN

Understanding Virtual Private Networks (VPNs)

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a tool that keeps your web use safe. It stops hackers and lets you see shows and sites worldwide. It makes a secret path between your gadgets and the net. So, what you do online is private and safe.

Top Providers: ExpressVPN and NordVPN

ExpressVPN and NordVPN stand out as top VPN choices. They are praised for strong safety, many servers everywhere, and easy-to-use apps. They both keep your secrets with tough encryption and don’t track what you do. You can also watch shows or access sites that are usually blocked.

Key Differences in Specs and Features

ExpressVPN is priced at $13 a month, NordVPN matches this. However, you can get NordVPN’s two-year plan for less. Plus, NordVPN tends to slow you down less online compared to ExpressVPN.²

NordVPN has more servers in more places than ExpressVPN. They have special codes to keep you safe online. ExpressVPN offers different safety codes to keep prying eyes away.²

ExpressVPN is in the British Virgin Islands, and NordVPN chose Panama for its home. They work on lots of devices, making them fit for many people.²

ExpressVPN lets 5 devices connect at once, NordVPN allows more, up to 6-10. Both are regularly checked by independent experts. They want to make sure they are as safe as can be.²

For keeping your online doings hidden, both are strong picks. NordVPN adds some cool extras for extra privacy. They both help unlock fun stuff online. But NordVPN has more places you can connect from.²

When looking at who’s best for TV and movies online, both work great. NordVPN’s big server list might give a better chance to watch anything. But ExpressVPN is top if you want to see things from a particular place.²

ExpressVPN is the top choice for all-round quality, rated 8.8 out of 10. NordVPN follows closely, being fast and very secure.²

Pricing Plans and Value for Money

NordVPN is a better deal than ExpressVPN. NordVPN offers cheaper long-term plans. For example, the 2-year plan is only £3.09 a month. In comparison, ExpressVPN charges £6.67 each month for their 1-year deal.³¹⁴

ExpressVPN Subscription Options

ExpressVPN’s pricing starts at £12.95 per month. The 6-month option drops to £9.99 monthly. Their 1-year subscription is also notably cheaper at £6.67 per month.¹

NordVPN Subscription Options

NordVPN’s prices begin at £12.99 a month. The 1-year rate varies from £4.59 to £7.49 each month. They also have a 2-year plan that costs £3.09 monthly, making it the most budget-friendly option.¹⁴

Money-Back Guarantees

Both services offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. This lets users test the VPN risk-free. If unsatisfied, they get a full refund.³¹

ExpressVPN also throws in 3 months free with their yearly plan. NordVPN, on the other hand, slashes prices by up to 74% for their 2-year subscribers.³⁴

Feature	NordVPN	ExpressVPN
Lowest Monthly Cost	£3.09 (2-year plan)¹⁴	£6.67 (1-year plan)¹
Number of Servers	6,000+¹	3,000+¹
Server Countries	110¹	105¹
Simultaneous Connections	10³¹	8³¹
Money-Back Guarantee	30 days¹	30 days³¹
Annual Cost (first year)	£68.85 (with 3 free months)⁴	£99.95 (with 3 free months)⁴

Security and Privacy Considerations

NordVPN and ExpressVPN stand out in the world of online security. Both give utmost priority to keeping users safe. They use strong AES-256 encryption and Perfect Forward Secrecy. This means their encryption keys change often to keep your data safe from hackers.³

Encryption and Security Protocols

They pick the best encryption technologies, like OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and WireGuard. These keep your online activities secure. Should your VPN connection drop, a kill switch stops any data from leaking out.⁵

Privacy Policies and Logging Practices

NordVPN and ExpressVPN truly respect your privacy. They have strict no-logs policies which means they don’t remember what you do online. ExpressVPN knows which server you connect to and when but not your actual IP. NordVPN only keeps the connection date and server choice.¹

Additional Security Features

They also provide extra ways to keep your browsing private. NordVPN has special tools such as a dark web monitor, SOCKS5 proxy, and Meshnet for secure device connections.³ On the other hand, ExpressVPN treats its users with an ad blocker and a password manager.¹

Overall, NordVPN and ExpressVPN are top choices for those valuing their security and privacy. They truly excel in protecting your online life.

NordVPN vs ExpressVPN

Server Networks and Global Coverage

NordVPN leads in server networks and global coverage against ExpressVPN. It has over 6,200 servers worldwide, covering 111 countries.² In contrast, ExpressVPN offers 3,000+ servers in 105 countries.² NordVPN’s wider network means users are more likely to find a quick, stable connection, even in popular spots.

Connection Speeds and Performance

NordVPN might offer slightly faster connections than ExpressVPN. Tests in 2024 showed NordVPN with an 11% speed reduction on average,² while ExpressVPN slowed by 24.8%.² However, both services offer quick and dependable connections suitable for most users.

Streaming and Torrenting Capabilities

ExpressVPN and NordVPN stand out for UK users who love streaming and torrenting. ExpressVPN clearly shows it can unblock many streaming sites, like Disney+ and YouTube.³ Our tests reveal that NordVPN is great at getting around restrictions too. It works well with Netflix, Hulu, and Amazon, among others. It can even unlock 9Now and 10 Play.¹

Unblocking Streaming Services

ExpressVPN is famous for breaking through to a lot of streaming content. This makes it a hit for those wanting to see stuff from other countries.³ On the flip side, NordVPN is top-notch at showing you things from around the world. This means more films, TV shows, and unique content for users.¹

P2P File Sharing and Torrenting Support

Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN are top picks for P2P and torrenting lovers.¹ NordVPN’s Meshnet feature shines here, making secure connections between devices easy.³ Plus, they both keep you safe with strong privacy and anonymity tools while torrenting.

Feature	NordVPN	ExpressVPN
Server Count	6,300+⁵	3,000+⁵
Server Locations	111 countries⁵	105 countries⁵
Simultaneous Connections	10⁵	8⁵
Streaming Capabilities	Excellent at unblocking overseas catalogues of major streaming services¹	Reliably unblocks a wide range of region-locked streaming services³
Torrenting Support	Excellent P2P functionality, with Meshnet feature enabling secure direct connections³¹	Excellent P2P functionality¹

User Experience and Device Compatibility

NordVPN and ExpressVPN are both good for users on desktops and mobiles. They look a bit different but are easy to use. ExpressVPN has a simple look while NordVPN uses a map that’s great for new users.²

Desktop and Mobile Apps

NordVPN’s app for desktops shows a map. This helps users quickly pick a server spot. ExpressVPN’s app is simpler, showing only the essential controls. Both apps make it easy to do things like pick servers and check your connection.²

On phones and tablets, using NordVPN and ExpressVPN is much the same. Setting up and managing the VPN is straightforward. You can connect, choose where to connect, and handle your account easily from your device.²

Router and Manual Configurations

Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN let you set up the VPN on your router. They offer guides and help for doing it yourself. This means you can protect all your devices at once. No need to add the VPN to each one separately.²

Simultaneous Connections and Multi-Device Support

NordVPN is better if you have lots of devices. It lets you have 8 to 10 devices connected at the same time.² ExpressVPN, in comparison, only allows 8 connections.¹ This benefit makes NordVPN the top pick for homes with many devices or people.

Customer Support and Reliability

NordVPN and ExpressVPN are known for their great customer support. They both have 24/7 live chat, emails, and helpful guides for users.⁵However, NordVPN is seen as more reliable, offering servers that are faster and more stable than ExpressVPN.⁵²

NordVPN stands out for its focus on security and privacy. It has had external audits to prove it keeps no logs. NordVPN also provides options like Double VPN and Onion Over VPN for added security.² In comparison, ExpressVPN’s security is strong but hasn’t faced as much outside checking.

For those in the UK looking for a VPN, both NordVPN and ExpressVPN are top choices. Yet, NordVPN shines for its better support and reliability. It consistently offers a more secure and stable service for its customers.

VPN for UK Users: Specific Considerations

When picking a VPN for use in the UK, the legal scene matters a lot. Luckily, the UK lets people use VPNs freely. There are no rules against ensuring your online privacy or accessing content not available in your region.³

Legal and Regulatory Landscape

The UK gives a thumbs up to VPNs, letting folks beef up their online safety and privacy. This is unlike some spots that heavily regulate or even forbid VPNs. With such an open stance, the UK is a friendly place for VPN users.³

Accessing UK-Based Content from Abroad

For those from the UK living abroad, a VPN is a friend indeed. It helps access much-loved UK shows on BBC iPlayer, ITV Hub, and more. NordVPN and ExpressVPN are great at bypassing these content walls. They let users abroad enjoy British shows easily.¹³

Choosing between NordVPN and ExpressVPN in the UK means looking at various aspects. Think about costs, how secure they are, their network, and speed, as we detailed earlier. Both are solid VPN choices. They make browsing safer and unlock more content online. That’s why they’re top picks for UK users.¹⁵³

Conclusion

After comparing NordVPN and ExpressVPN, I conclude that NordVPN is the top choice for most UK users. While ExpressVPN is also great, NordVPN is better value. It has faster speeds, a bigger server network⁵⁶, and more security features.

NordVPN has over 6,300 servers in 111 countries, allowing for more fast, stable connections.⁵⁶ During tests, NordVPN was faster than ExpressVPN. In Seattle, it reached 755 Mbps, and in Los Angeles, 636 Mbps. This was better than ExpressVPN’s 329 Mbps and 296 Mbps.⁵

NordVPN is also cheaper with its long-term plans. Its 2-year plan costs £3.09 a month, compared to ExpressVPN’s £6.67 a month for 1 year.⁵ Plus, you can use NordVPN on 10 devices at the same time. ExpressVPN allows 8.⁶ Overall, NordVPN is better for UK users wanting quality and savings.

Both companies focus on keeping user data safe. NordVPN stands out with its extra tools like CyberSec ad-blocker, Threat Protection, and Dark Web Monitor.⁶ Also, NordVPN’s NordLynx is faster than ExpressVPN’s Lightway.⁶

I highly recommend NordVPN for UK users looking for a top VPN. It has strong security, fast speeds, and great value. NordVPN wins over ExpressVPN in this comparison.

FAQ

What is a VPN and how does it work?

A VPN, or Virtual Private Network, is a tool that makes your online activities more secure. It does this by hiding your internet traffic in a secure, private server. This protects you from hackers. It also lets you view content that might be blocked in your area. The VPN creates a private path for your connection, keeping your identity and location hidden.

How do NordVPN and ExpressVPN compare in terms of pricing?

NordVPN tends to be more budget-friendly versus ExpressVPN. Its long-term deals are much cheaper. For example, the 2-year plan on NordVPN goes for £3.09 monthly. In contrast, ExpressVPN’s 1-year option costs £6.67 each month.

What security and privacy features do NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer?

Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN make security and privacy top priorities. They use strong encryption and other advanced methods to keep your data safe. This includes regularly changing encryption keys to minimise data breach risks. They both promise not to keep any logs that could compromise your privacy.

How do the server networks of NordVPN and ExpressVPN compare?

NordVPN boasts a far larger network than ExpressVPN. It has over 6,000 servers in 110 countries, while ExpressVPN offers around 3,000 servers in 105 countries. More servers mean a better chance of finding a fast connection. This is especially true in popular areas.

How do NordVPN and ExpressVPN perform for streaming and torrenting?

For streaming, both NordVPN and ExpressVPN excel at unblocking content from around the world. ExpressVPN is clear about what it can unblock, mentioning services like Disney+ and BBC iPlayer. Our tests found that NordVPN was also effective at bypassing restrictions on many major and less common streaming platforms. Plus, they support P2P sharing and torrenting.

How do the user interfaces and device compatibility differ between NordVPN and ExpressVPN?

NordVPN and ExpressVPN both have apps designed for ease of use. ExpressVPN goes for a simpler, smaller design, whereas NordVPN uses a map interface that could be better for new users. They both work on many devices and allow you to use more than one device at a time.

How do NordVPN and ExpressVPN compare in terms of customer support?

For customer support, NordVPN and ExpressVPN shine with 24/7 service. They are praised for being quick to help and knowledgeable through live chat, email, and resources online. Their customer service teams have a strong record of good reviews.

What are the specific considerations for using a VPN in the UK?

In the UK, the rules for VPNs are pretty relaxed. VPNs can be used to safeguard privacy and access blocked content without legal issues. It’s key to think about the VPN’s access to UK content when abroad. Also, consider how it fits into the UK’s legal framework.