NordVPN vs ExpressVPN for Gaming: Which I Sould You Choose?

Virtual Private Network has become a tool without which many online gamers can no longer imagine a quality gaming process without any restrictions and interruptions. Still, people often wonder if their chosen VPN provider is the best option available.

For example, is it better to choose NordVPN or ExpressVPN for online gaming? Although both of them are included in the list of top VPNs for online gaming, the question is – which one is better?

NordVPN is rated with 4,9 stars out of 5 while ExpressVPN with 3,8 by users. However, this does not yet show that NordVPN is more suitable for online gaming.

Average download and upload speeds comparison

It is difficult to draw accurate conclusions because choosing a VPN server in different countries will result in different download and upload speeds. However, at least a brief overview of what both providers offer is just a must.

NordVPN uses NordLynx protocol and ExpressVPN uses Lightway. As the test results show, NordVPN takes better position than its’ competitor – it has 259 Mbps average download (while ExpressVPN – 196 Mbps) as well as 137 Mbps (130 Mbps) average upload speed.

As IKEv2 is also used by both VPNS, once again NordVPN shows better results. It has 227 Mbps (while ExpressVPN 202 Mbps) average download and 52 Mbps (while ExpressVPN 5 Mbps) average upload speed. Similar results can be seen when comparing OpenVPN UDP and OpenVPN TPC as NordVPN is faster VPN.

Extraordinary protection features

Online gamers more and more often face situations when gaming or gambling websites recognize their IP address as VPN IP and block them. Therefore, this increases the need for more servers in different countries for VPN providers or simply better protection features.

NordVPN boasts to have an Obfuscated servers feature which makes your traffic look like regular HTTPS. That is how it fools the censorship and restrictions. The VPN provider mentioned before also has SOCKS5 proxy, Double VPN, CyberSec anti-malware tool as well as other exclusive protection features while ExpressVPN cannot offer anything like that.

For example, SOCKS5 proxy is a unique protection tool for torrents which ensures that your traffic is absolutely safe even if you forget to turn on VPN. Double VPN (or multi-hop) provides double protection by using two VPN servers for your connection instead of one. This is important so that in case your VPN connection is lost, your real IP address will not be revealed. All in all, even though both VPN providers – NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer high level security and privacy, NordVPN is the winner indeed.

P2P and Torrenting

Although VPN providers’ speed and protection feature, the better option for online gamers was quite clear, this time it is more difficult to decide. For example, both – NordVPN as well as ExpressVPN offer a big variety of servers to choose from, NordVPN is allowed to be used only on specialized servers.

Furthermore, ExpressVPN seems to be a better tool because it has servers in 94 countries (while NordVPN offers servers in 59). The more servers a VPN provider has, the more likely you are to find the right one for you in your particular case, t. y. able to offer the best speed and quality.

Pricing comparison and other advantages

Given that the majority of VPN users are young people under the age of 22, the financial side can also be significant when choosing a VPN provider. Obviously, choosing a monthly plan costs more per month than choosing a plan for a year or two. For example, NordVPN mothly plan costs 10,49 Eur. But the price drops to 4,39 Eur per month if you take a plan for a year and 3,49 Eur if you take a plan for two years.

Meanwhile ExpressVPN offers the service of using VPN for a month for about 12 Eur ($ 12,95). A monthly price with a plan for one year costs 6,23 Eur ($ 6,67) and offers to use their service for three months for free.

It is important to note that both compared VPN providers provide a 30-day money-back guarantee. This gives you the opportunity to try out the service, evaluate it and, if you don’t like it, give it up. This way, you can be sure that the VPN provider you choose will allow you to play your favourite online games without any restrictions or other problems.

If these arguments have not led to a final decision, the following review may help.