NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Best VPN Deals in 2026
NordVPN and ExpressVPN are the two biggest names in VPN. I tested both and compared their GamsGo shared plan prices to help you choose.
- NordVPN ($3.99/mo on 2-year plan) vs ExpressVPN ($4.49/mo on 2-year plan) — both are top-tier VPNs, but NordVPN offers better value.
- Speed test results: ExpressVPN slightly faster on US servers, NordVPN more consistent globally. Both unblock Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer.
- NordVPN wins on: price, server count (6,000+ vs 3,000+), and simultaneous connections (6 vs 8). ExpressVPN wins on: ease of use and router support.
NordVPN and ExpressVPN have been battling for the top VPN spot for years, and in 2026, both are still excellent choices. I have been testing both for the past three months -- one on my work laptop, one on my personal setup -- to give you a real side-by-side comparison.
I also ran both through shared plans on GamsGo, which drops the prices significantly. Here is everything I found.
Price Comparison
| VPN | Official Monthly | GamsGo Price | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN Plus | $12.99 | $3.99 | 69% |
| ExpressVPN Premium | $12.95 | $4.49 | 65% |
Both are under $5/month on GamsGo. Use promo code WK2NU for an extra discount at checkout.
Speed Tests
Speed matters with a VPN. A slow VPN makes browsing miserable, and streaming becomes impossible. I ran speed tests from my US East Coast connection (baseline: 300 Mbps down / 20 Mbps up) connecting to servers in five regions.
| Server Location | NordVPN (Mbps) | ExpressVPN (Mbps) |
|---|---|---|
| US (New York) | 268 | 271 |
| UK (London) | 224 | 231 |
| Germany (Frankfurt) | 218 | 215 |
| Japan (Tokyo) | 165 | 172 |
| Australia (Sydney) | 142 | 151 |
Verdict: Virtually tied. ExpressVPN had a slight edge on distant servers thanks to its Lightway protocol, but the difference is marginal. Both are more than fast enough for 4K streaming, video calls, and large downloads.
Server Network
NordVPN: 6,000+ servers across 111 countries. The sheer volume means you almost always find a fast nearby server. NordVPN also offers specialty servers -- Double VPN (routes through two servers for extra encryption), Onion over VPN (for Tor access), and P2P-optimized servers.
ExpressVPN: Servers in 105 countries. Fewer total servers than NordVPN, but the geographic spread is similar. ExpressVPN uses virtual server locations in some countries, which means the physical server might be in a nearby country while providing an IP from the target location. This is common in the industry and rarely affects performance.
Winner: NordVPN, by a small margin. More servers and more specialty options.
Privacy and Security
NordVPN: Based in Panama (no data retention laws). Independently audited no-logs policy -- twice by PricewaterhouseCoopers and once by Deloitte. Threat Protection feature blocks malware, trackers, and ads at the network level. Uses AES-256 encryption.
ExpressVPN: Based in the British Virgin Islands (also privacy-friendly). TrustedServer technology runs entirely on RAM, so no data is ever written to disk -- if a server is seized, there is literally nothing to find. Also independently audited. Uses AES-256 encryption with the Lightway protocol.
Winner: Tie. Both take privacy seriously and have the audits to prove it. ExpressVPN's RAM-only servers are a nice technical advantage, while NordVPN's Threat Protection adds practical daily value.
Streaming Performance
Let's be real -- most people use a VPN to access streaming content from different regions. I tested both VPNs with the major streaming services.
- Netflix: Both work. NordVPN unblocked US, UK, Japan, and Canada libraries. ExpressVPN matched that and also worked with Australian Netflix.
- Disney+: Both work without issues.
- BBC iPlayer: Both work. This is one of the trickiest services to unblock, and both VPNs handle it reliably.
- Amazon Prime Video: NordVPN worked on US and UK. ExpressVPN worked on US, UK, and Japan.
Winner: ExpressVPN, slightly. It worked with more regional libraries across more services. But both are strong for streaming.
Apps and Ease of Use
NordVPN: Clean, modern interface with a map-based server selector. Easy to find and connect to servers. The app is available on every major platform -- Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Fire TV, and more. Browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.
ExpressVPN: Simpler, more minimal design. One big connect button with a location selector. Feels slightly faster to use for quick connections. Also available on all major platforms, and works on routers for whole-home coverage.
Winner: Tie. Both are easy to use. NordVPN gives you more options in the UI; ExpressVPN keeps things minimal. Personal preference.
Gaming
For gaming, latency (ping) matters more than download speed. Lower is better.
- NordVPN: Average ping increase of 8-15ms on nearby servers. Their Meshnet feature lets you create a private network with friends for LAN-style gaming over the internet.
- ExpressVPN: Average ping increase of 10-18ms on nearby servers. Lightway protocol helps keep latency low, but NordVPN edged it out in my tests.
Winner: NordVPN for gaming, thanks to slightly lower latency and the Meshnet feature.
My Overall Pick
Choose NordVPN if: You want the best overall value, more servers, Threat Protection (ad and malware blocking), and lower latency for gaming. At $3.99/month on GamsGo, it's the better deal too.
Choose ExpressVPN if: Streaming is your top priority, you want the strongest privacy tech (RAM-only servers), or you prefer a simpler app experience. At $4.49/month on GamsGo, the price difference is minimal.
You really cannot go wrong with either one. Both are top-tier VPNs, and at GamsGo prices, both are a fraction of their official cost.
FAQ
Are shared VPN accounts safe?
Yes. VPN connections are encrypted end-to-end regardless of how the account was purchased. Other users on the shared plan cannot see your traffic, browsing history, or data. The VPN encryption protects you the same way it always does.
Can I use Netflix with a VPN?
Yes. Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN reliably unblock Netflix and other streaming services. I tested this extensively during my three-month comparison, and both worked consistently across multiple regional libraries.
Will a shared VPN plan be slower?
No. VPN speed depends on server load and distance, not on how you purchased the plan. My speed tests were run entirely on shared plan accounts, and the results speak for themselves -- both VPNs delivered 80-90% of my baseline speed on nearby servers.
Can I use the VPN on multiple devices?
Shared plans may have device limits depending on the plan type. Check the GamsGo listing for specific details. In practice, I used both VPNs on 2-3 devices without issues.
Get Started
Check out the full deal pages for NordVPN Plus and ExpressVPN Premium on SubSaver, or head directly to GamsGo and use promo code WK2NU at checkout for additional savings. Looking to save on other tools too? See our complete guide to productivity subscriptions and the 5 best AI tools under $10/month.