The online world we find ourselves in today is full of security flaws. From unauthorized eavesdropping to malicious ransomware, the average internet user has been hit from all sides. Thankfully, there are companies working hard to deliver a protection service for any internet user in the form of VPN services.
What Is VPN
VPN is short for Virtual Private Network and is an encryption technology that routes your internet communication through an encrypted tunnel from your computer. By doing this, it protects your internet communication from being monitored by ISPs or data interception by other unauthorized entities.
VPN also allows you to conceal your geo-location so that you can access websites that have been blocked in certain regions. In this article, we’ll look at two leading VPN services, NordVPN and ExpressVPN, and see why NordVPN is the clear leader of VPN services across the globe.
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NordVPN
NordVPN is one of the leading VPN companies offering a subscription model for their VPN service with a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. It has a robust network of over 5,000 servers across 60 countries, making it the most popular choice for users in Europe, Asia, and the Middle East.
Pros
NordVPN provides several great features, and here’s a list of the top features that it provides:
- Connect up to 6 devices concurrently on your subscription. For many people, this number of devices covers all the devices that one needs to secure.
- Subscription options from monthly to yearly and 2-year intervals give you the best savings.
- NordVPN speed is one of the fastest, as tested by independent firms like PC Mag.
- In case of any issues, NordVPN provides 24/7 live chat support so you can get your issues resolved within minutes.
- All major platforms and devices are supported, including Windows, Android, MacOS, iOS, Linux, Blackberry, Windows Phone, and routers.
- Automatic kill switch.
- NordVPN unblocks streaming services like Netflix, HBO, Amazon Prime, Pandora, BBV iPlayer, Hulu, and others.
- Offers split tunneling for your browser traffic.
- A feature (CyberSec) that blocks dangerous websites and lets users avoid annoying ads.
- NordVPN never logs user activities to ensure user privacy and security.
Cons
- There isn’t much to report as a con. Some users online have stated that they’d like the number of devices to be supported, but that can be handled by reaching out to NordVPN support.
Security Packages
NordVPN offers the following online security package options.
- Per month – Standard, Plus, or Complete
- 1-year plan – Standard, Plus, or Complete
- 2-year plan – Standard, Plus, or Complete
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is another excellent VPN service that is spread across 94 countries and 160 locations. Unlike NordVPN, ExpressVPN supports many devices, including Linux systems and routers. Express VPN’s encryption provides 256-bit AES, DNS/IPv6 leak protection, kill switch, and split tunneling. ExpressVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros
- Connect up to 5 devices concurrently.
- Subscription options for VPN service from month-to-month plans up to 15 months.
- ExpressVPN is very fast and has been bench-marked by independent auditors.
- ExpressVPN offers 24/7 live chat to help with service setup and troubleshooting.
- VPN app for your devices (Windows, Android, Mac, iOS, Linux, routers, Nook, Chromebook and Kindle Fire).
- Kill switch.
- Unblocks streaming services like Netflix, HBO, Amazon Prime, Pandora, BBV iPlayer, Hulu, and others.
- Offers several split tunneling choices.
Cons
- As far as pricing is concerned, ExpressVPN is more expensive than NordVPN and has 3,000 servers as opposed to NordVPN’s 5,110 as of the time of writing this article.
- According to ExpressVPN, although they don’t keep all the users’ data, they do keep information about where the users accessed the VPN from and how long they were online. Many people are concerned about a data breach that could potentially leak all this information.
Security Packages
ExpressVPN offers the following online security package options.
- Per month plan
- Per six six-month plan
- 1-year plan
Conclusion
In our world today, using a virtual private network is vital to protecting yourself online. Adding a VPN to your cybersecurity strategy is a great idea. Today, you have a lot more options than just 2 or 3 years ago. We’ve looked at a comparison between NordVPN and ExpressVPN and how NordVPN is the clear choice for your VPN service. You get the most bang for your buck with NordVPN, given all they have to offer.
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COMMENTS
No, that is incorrect. A browser proxy extension is only encrypting traffic within the browser to the proxy server, not your entire operating system. Yes, these browser proxy extensions can come in handy in some situations. I have used these with VPN.ac as well. You could have the VPN app connected to one server, encrypting everything on your operating system level, and then run the browser proxy extension for only your browser if you want to utilize different locations. I have not tested it with NordVPN. ExpressVPN also offers browser extensions, but they are NOT utilizing proxy servers. Instead, the ExpressVPN browser extension is merely an extension of the existing VPN client on the operating system, while also implementing HTTPS Everywhere .