NordVPN Vs ExpressVPN in Australia: (Comparison 2023)
When comparing NordVPN vs ExpressVPN in Australia, two of the most prominent players in the VPN market, making a choice can be challenging, as each offers distinct features and advantages tailored to different user needs.
Both VPNs boast robust security features. NordVPN stands out with its innovative Meshnet feature, enabling secure connections to other devices, whereas ExpressVPN distinguishes itself by including a password manager to enhance data security. Notably, NordVPN is almost half as expensive as ExpressVPN and typically offers faster connection speeds.
Our goal is to equip you with essential information, enabling you to choose a best VPN for Australia out of both VPNs, that best fits your needs. This comparison is based on comprehensive evaluations, including in-house testing, feature, and streaming capability reviews, speed performance assessments, and other critical benchmarks.
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN in Australia – Quick Comparison Table
| VPN Provider |  |
 |
| Pricing | AU$ 6.1 /mo (US$ 3.99 /mo ) - Save up to 63% with exclusive 2-year plan + 3 months free for a friend | AU$ 10.2 /mo (US$ 6.67 /mo ) - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free |
| Features | Ad-blocking, Dark Web Monitor, MeshNet, malware-scanning, automatic wifi protection, browser extensions for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox | Smart DNS service. Browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Vivaldi, and Brave |
| Streaming Capabilities | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more |
| Devices Supported | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, Routers |
| Servers | 6000 servers across 61 countries | 3000 servers in 105 countries |
| Speed | Average downloading speed of 83.82 Mbps. | Average downloading speed of 89.42 Mbps |
| Security Protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, 256-bit-AES encryption, WireGuard (NordLynx) | Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2, 256-bit-AES encryption. |
| No logs policy | Yes | Yes |
| Customer Service | 24/7 live chat, Email, Guides or articles, FAQs | 24/7 live chat, Email, Guides or articles, FAQs |
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN in Australia – who wins?
Based on our comprehensive testing, NordVPN appears to be the superior option for the majority of users when compared to ExpressVPN. While ExpressVPN provides a high-quality service with rapid speeds and an extensive range of server locations, NordVPN stands out as a more cost-effective choice.
It matches ExpressVPN in terms of speed and security. NordVPN also excels with its advanced security features, strict no-logs policy, and compatibility with numerous services including Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Hulu.
To ensure a precise comparison between these two services, we have conducted thorough tests on both NordVPN and ExpressVPN.
Summary: NordVPN vs ExpressVPN in Australia:
|
|
|
|
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Pricing Comparison in Australia
When selecting a VPN provider, pricing plays a major role in the decision-making process. The best services may be a little expensive, but you can always leverage best cheap VPN services in Australia.
| VPN Provider | |
|
| Subscription periods | One month, one year, two years | 1 month, 6 months, 1 year |
| Special offer | 63% discount on the 2-year plan | Three months free with a 1 year subscription |
| Highest price per month | $12.99 | $12.95 |
| Lowest monthly cost | $3.99 | $6.67 |
| One year price | $59.88 | $99.95 (actually for 15 months) |
| Money back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
| Best deal (per month) | AU$ 6.1 /mo (US$ 3.99 /mo ) - Save up to 63% with exclusive 2-year plan + 3 months free for a friend | AU$ 10.2 /mo (US$ 6.67 /mo ) - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free |
ExpressVPN and NordVPN both provide a 30-day money-back guarantee, which we have verified through testing. Both companies stand by this promise, allowing refunds without requiring explanations or justifications for service dissatisfaction.
For those considering an annual plan, ExpressVPN offers an attractive deal with an additional three months free on a one-year subscription. However, you can even get a 30-day ExpressVPN Free Trial in Australia for testing the service!
NordVPN, on the other hand, proposes significant savings for longer commitments. Opting for a two-year subscription with NordVPN can reduce the monthly cost to as low as $3.99. underscoring the affordability aspect of the NordVPN cost in Australia. You even have a 30-day refund and a 7-day NordVPN Free Trial in Australia on iOS/Android devices.
| VPN Provider | |
|
| Credit card | ✅ | ✅ |
| PayPal | ✅ | ✅ |
| AmazonPay | ✅ | ❌ |
| UnionPay | ✅ | ✅ |
| Apple Pay | ✅ | ✅ |
| Google Pay | ✅ | ✅ |
| Cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others) | ✅ | ✅ |
NordVPN is more budget-friendly than ExpressVPN, with prices as low as $2.99 per month compared to ExpressVPN’s $6.67 per month for their best deals.
Winner NordVPN– Avail Offer at Just: AU$ 6.1 /mo (US$ 3.99 /mo ) - Save up to 63% with exclusive 2-year plan + 3 months free for a friend
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Features
If we talk about app compatibility and features, ExpressVPN vs NordVPN have equal standings. Of course, ExpressVPN gains an edge through its router support.
| VPN Provider | |
|
| Website | NordVPN.com | ExpressVPN.com |
| Simultaneous Connections | 6 | 8 |
| Devices Supported | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux | Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Smart TVs, Routers |
| Manual install devices | Select routers | Set-top boxes and certain routers |
| Free extras | Ad-blocking, Dark Web Monitor, MeshNet, malware-scanning, automatic wifi protection, browser extensions for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox | Smart DNS service. Browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Vivaldi, and Brave |
| Best deal (per month) | AU$ 6.1 /mo (US$ 3.99 /mo ) - Save up to 63% with exclusive 2-year plan + 3 months free for a friend | AU$ 10.2 /mo (US$ 6.67 /mo ) - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free |
ExpressVPN and NordVPN offer command-line utilities, making it easy to install their VPN services on Linux, setting them apart from many other providers. Additionally, both companies provide native applications for a wide range of platforms, including Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire devices.
When it comes to setting up ExpressVPN on router in Australia, it’s worth noting that ExpressVPN offers a convenient solution. ExpressVPN recently introduced the Aircove router with integrated VPN support for ExpressVPN subscribers. Nevertheless, NordVPN supports manual router installation with detailed tutorials.
ExpressVPN allows for two additional simultaneous connections compared to NordVPN, with support for 8 simultaneous connections (versus NordVPN’s six). It’s important to note that installing the VPN on a router counts as a single connection within your allowance.
NordVPN features an ad-blocker and malware protection system called CyberSec, enhancing your online security and complementing your desktop antivirus program. Both services also include a Smart DNS feature, enabling access to select streaming services on devices that typically do not support VPN apps, such as gaming consoles and older Smart TVs.
When it comes to app compatibility and features, both ExpressVPN and NordVPN are on par with each other. However, ExpressVPN gains an advantage with its robust router support.
Winner ExpressVPN!– Avail Offer at Just: AU$ 10.2 /mo (US$ 6.67 /mo ) - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free
Streaming Capabilities
ExpressVPN and NordVPN are both able to unblock all popular VoDs in the marketplace. As premium providers in the marketplace, both have a reputation to maintain.
| VPN Provider | |
|
| Website | NordVPN.com | ExpressVPN.com |
| Unblocks Netflix | 13 Libraries | All Netflix Libraries |
| Unblocks Amazon Prime | ✅ | ✅ |
| Unblocks Disney Plus | ✅ | ✅ |
| Unblocks Hulu | ✅ | ✅ |
| Unblocks Sky Go | ✅ | ✅ |
| Unblocks Prime Video | ✅ | ✅ |
| Unblocks BBC iPlayer | ✅ | ✅ |
| Unblocks ABC | ✅ | ✅ |
| Unblocks CBS | ✅ | ✅ |
| Unblocks NBC | ✅ | ✅ |
| Unblocks ITV | ✅ | ✅ |
| Unblocks Channel 4 | ✅ | ✅ |
During our testing, both ExpressVPN and NordVPN delivered excellent results across various channels. For more details, refer to the guides in the table below.
Both ExpressVPN and NordVPN performed exceptionally well across various channels. However, when it comes to unblocking Netflix content libraries, ExpressVPN outperforms NordVPN.
Winner: ExpressVPN!– Avail Offer at Just: AU$ 10.2 /mo (US$ 6.67 /mo ) - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free.
Setup and Interface
| VPN Provider | |
|
| Automatic Setup Wizard | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux, | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Tomato, and DD-WRT Routers |
| Main Location Selection | Map-based | List-based |
| Extra Settings Pages | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mobile Friendly | ✅ | ✅ |
If we compare the two services, ExpressVPN tends to adopt a more simpler yet user-friendly appearance. They stick to their traditional outlook, with a mixture of red and white colors.
This remains consistent across all its desktop and mobile apps. The main screen is free of clutter and has a clear and visible connect button in the center for easy connectivity.
Country-selection and smart-locations options are placed at the bottom for easy finding of servers, which you can use for unblocking VoDs or engage in p2p torrenting.
For mobile devices, configuration options are fewer than their desktop version. Kill switch and protocol selection are also missing, along with split tunneling features.
NordVPN, on the other hand, has a more broader interface. The Windows app launches by displaying its many server locations on a dynamic map.
They also offer a separate “Specialty” panel, where you can choose servers for specific tasks: P2P/file sharing, accessing a dedicated IP, DoubleVPN, or Onion over VPN.
If you click on “Settings”, you gain access to a list of features like CyberSec, Internet Kill Switch, and Invisibility on LAN, which boost your privacy online.
NordVPN’s mobile apps are just as user-friendly. Swiping up gives you access to the complete list of servers, and you can even activate obfuscated servers directly.
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN Servers
| VPN Provider | |
|
| Servers | 6000 | 3000 |
| Countries (total) | 61 | 105 |
| Virtual locations | ❌ | ✅ |
| Specialty servers | Yes (Double VPN, obfuscated, P2P, Onion over servers) | ❌ |
Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN excel in their own ways. If we explore NordVPN server list in Australia, it is evident that NordVPN boasts a larger server network, with approximately 6000 servers across 61 countries, while ExpressVPN server list in Australia stands out for its extensive global coverage, featuring over 3000 servers in an impressive 105 locations.
Having a substantial number of servers contributes to a fast and reliable connection, while wide location coverage is crucial for bypassing geo-restrictions. ExpressVPN, for example, offers virtual servers in India, enabling access to local content. In contrast, NordVPN provides servers in the vicinity of India but not within the country itself.
We really like using ExpressVPN because it’s easy and straightforward. The small details make a big difference, such as having a clear list of selected, smart, and recent locations in the interface. We find ExpressVPN’s simple list of locations better than NordVPN’s map design, especially when using one of the best mobile VPN apps in Australia.
In summary, both services offer a substantial number of servers with global coverage, but ExpressVPN gains an advantage by offering servers in India, Bolivia, Pakistan, and various other countries, providing users with even more diverse options.
NordVPN has more servers, while ExpressVPN offers a wider range of global locations. If you need servers in unique locations like Bolivia or India, ExpressVPN is the clear choice.
Winner ExpressVPN!– Avail Offer at Just: AU$ 10.2 /mo (US$ 6.67 /mo ) - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free.
China and countries with restricted internet access
Both ExpressVPN and NordVPN are effective at bypassing China’s Great Firewall, making them reliable choices for users in countries with restricted internet access. However, they employ different methods to handle VPN bans.
ExpressVPN automatically activates its Stealth VPN feature when it detects Deep Packet Inspection (DPI), but this only works if you set your tunneling protocol to automatic.
In contrast, NordVPN offers specialty Obfuscated servers designed to combat DPI and other censorship measures. However, using these servers may result in reduced connection speeds.
NordVPN also offers additional features like Double VPN, which uses two servers for enhanced security, and Onion Over VPN, which combines Tor relays with your encrypted VPN connection. Overall, NordVPN is rated as the top VPN for China due to its comprehensive features and effectiveness in circumventing online censorship.
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN: Speed Comparison in Australia
We compared the speed test results of ExpressVPN and NordVPN using the available high-speed tunneling protocols, NordLynx and Lightway.
The numbers below are average download and upload speeds from different countries – the US, the UK, Canada, Germany, France, and Japan. It’s worth mentioning that the distance to the server location has a major impact on the results.
NordVPN’s NordLynx and ExpressVPN’s Lightway are two different protocols, but it makes sense to compare them side-by-side. They’re both high-speed, next-generation protocols, built for advanced privacy and performance. Developed internally by the providers themselves, performing significantly better than older OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols.
| Download retention | |
|
| US (NY) | 55% (527 Mbit/s) | 14% (139 Mbit/s) |
| United Kingdom | 63% (606 Mbit/s) | 16% (154 Mbit/s) |
| Canada | 59% (568 Mbit/s) | 29% (285 Mbit/s) |
| Germany | 85% (816 Mbit/s) | 10% (97 Mbit/s) |
| France | 100% (1,000 Mbit/s) | 25% (242 Mbit/s) |
| Japan | 71% (683 Mbit/s) | 22% (210 Mbit/s) |
| Upload retention | ||
| US (NY) | 48% (462 Mbit/s) | 15% (150 Mbit/s) |
| United Kingdom | 56% (535 Mbit/s) | 23% (221 Mbit/s) |
| Canada | 58% (557 Mbit/s) | 30% (294 Mbit/s) |
| Germany | 77% (739 Mbit/s) | 12% (118 Mbit/s) |
| France | 100% (967 Mbit/s) | 42% (407 Mbit/s) |
| Japan | 55% (530 Mbit/s) | 27% (262 Mbit/s) |
| Download/Upload baseline speed – 1000 Mbit/s |
In addition, we’ve conducted ping tests to assess the performance of these two VPN providers. Below, you’ll find the obtained ping results in the following table:
| NordVPN (NordLynx) | ExpressVPN (Lightway) | |
| The UK | ~ 65 ms | ~ 73 ms |
| The US | ~ 202 ms | ~ 213 ms |
| Japan | ~ 442 ms | ~ 426 ms |
During a NordVPN speed test in Australia, it became evident that NordVPN outperformed ExpressVPN in terms of ping, download, and upload speeds. In contrast, when conducting an ExpressVPN speed test in Australia, ExpressVPN’s performance wasn’t as strong overall. Notably, NordVPN’s NordLynx making it the more efficient choice.
Winner NordVPN– Avail Offer at Just: AU$ 6.1 /mo (US$ 3.99 /mo ) - Save up to 63% with exclusive 2-year plan + 3 months free for a friend.
ExpressVPN vs NordVPN: Which one is more secure in Australia
Both ExpressVPN vs NordVPN offer amazing privacy and security to users. They utilize some of the best and most advanced technologies for keeping the identity of customers anonymous.
| VPN Provider | |
|
| Encryption | AES-256 | AES-256 |
| Hash | SHA-512 | SHA-512 |
| RAM servers | ✅ | ✅ |
| Outside of the 14-Eyes Alliance | ✅ | ✅ |
| No-logs policy | Audited | Audited |
| Kill switch | ✅ | ✅ |
| Ad blocker | ✅ | ❌ |
| DNS leak protection | ✅ | ✅ |
Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN are highly secure and prioritize user privacy. They operate from countries that do not readily share data with others, avoiding involvement in the 14-Eyes Alliance. Both employ robust AES-256 encryption and trusted tunneling protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2. Additionally, they offer enhanced protocols, NordLynx and Lightway, for added security.
NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer identical top-tier security features, including 256-bit AES encryption, IP and DNS protection, RAM servers for no user logs, and are headquartered in safe jurisdictions.
Winner – It’s a Tie!
Privacy
Both NordVPN and ExpressVPN prioritize user privacy. NordVPN is based in Panama, and ExpressVPN is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands. Neither of these countries enforces data retention laws, allowing both VPNs to maintain a reliable no-logging policy.
Furthermore, neither NordVPN nor ExpressVPN is affiliated with the 14-Eyes intelligence alliance. Consequently, users can trust that government requests for ISP data collection and disclosure of online activity are not a concern with these VPNs.
Logging
When it comes to logging policies, NordVPN is the top choice. While both NordVPN and ExpressVPN have undergone independent audits by PwC, a global accounting firm, ExpressVPN does collect some usage data, albeit for service improvement purposes. NordVPN, with multiple audits, has proven to be more trustworthy in maintaining a strict no-logs policy.
NordVPN and ExpressVPN: Customer Service Comparison in Australia
ExpressVPN and NordVPN provide excellent customer support with similar options. While neither offers phone support, both have efficient and effective live chat assistance, ensuring users receive prompt and helpful assistance when needed.
| VPN Provider | |
|
| 24/7 live chat | ✅ | ✅ |
| ✅ | ✅ | |
| Phone line | ❌ | ❌ |
| Guides or articles | ✅ | ✅ |
| FAQs | ✅ | ✅ |
To begin, both offer 24/7 live chat support. Waiting times are minimal, and the support representatives are courteous and well-informed.
Furthermore, both providers offer email support for addressing more intricate issues that may not be suitable for live chat. In our experience, we received an email response within just a few hours.
Lastly, both NordVPN and ExpressVPN provide a comprehensive knowledge base containing FAQs, setup guides, and various resources. ExpressVPN deserves praise for offering translations in French, Dutch, Italian, German, Spanish, and Portuguese, catering to a broader audience.
NordVPN and ExpressVPN both offer robust customer support through multiple channels and comprehensive guides. However, our top recommendation goes to ExpressVPN.
Winner ExpressVPN!– Avail Offer at Just: AU$ 10.2 /mo (US$ 6.67 /mo ) - Save up to 49% with exclusive 1-year plans + 3 months free.
Other VPN Comparisons Guides
NordVPN vs ExpressVPN in Australia: FAQs
Does NordVPN run obfuscated servers in Australia?
Which is better to use in Australia NordVPN or ExpressVPN?
Is NordVPN faster than ExpressVPN?
Why does ExpressVPN show fewer servers than NordVPN?
Does ExpressVPN offer dedicated IP in Australia?
Is ExpressVPN better than NordVPN for Torrenting in Australia?
Wrapping Up
There is no doubt that NordVPN is equally as good as ExpressVPN. Determining a winner for NordVPN vs ExpressVPN in Australia was a difficult decision. As you can see, the services are tied to each other in many categories. This explains why either option is considered to be the best VPN for 2023.
At the end of the day, both NordVPN and ExpressVPN are great options to consider, whether that be streaming, torrenting, unblocking, or gaming.
