NordVPN vs ExpressVPN
NordVPN and ExpressVPN are the two names most people start with, and for years the choice came down to this: ExpressVPN was the polished, pricey one and NordVPN was nearly as good for less. Here is how they compare for Australians today on the facts each publishes, followed by what we found when we tested both from Melbourne.
ExpressVPN vs NordVPN: prices in Australia
| VPN | Lowest monthly price | Renewal price | Money-back | Countries | Devices | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 ExpressVPN | US$2.99 (about A$4.29) 28 months, US$83.72 upfront | US$99.95 per 1 year | 30 days | 113 | – | Visit ExpressVPN |
2 NordVPN | A$4.79 27 months, A$129.33 upfront | A$187.08 per 1 year | 30 days | 150 | 10 | Visit NordVPN |
– means the provider does not publish that detail on its pricing page. Prices shown in US$ are published in that currency; the Australian-dollar figure is approximate, converted at the European Central Bank euro reference rates for 12 Oct 2026 (US$1 = A$1.43).
How this list is ordered
The order is calculated from the figures in the table, weighted as follows. How we compare VPNs
- Lowest monthly price (AUD): 60%
- Countries with servers: 40%
Ranking calculated 13 Oct 2026.
The first difference shows up at the checkout. NordVPN prices its plans in Australian dollars. ExpressVPN prices in US dollars, so the Australian figure above is a conversion and moves with the exchange rate, and your bank may add a foreign transaction fee.
NordVPN and ExpressVPN side by side
Servers in Australia
Both list servers in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney on their own server pages, so neither has an edge for Australians wanting a nearby connection. The country counts are in the table above.
Speed: what we measured
We tested both from the same Melbourne home connection in August 2021. It is a like-for-like comparison: same line, same month, same method.
From our test bench Melbourne, August 2021
| Connection | Download | Upload | Ping |
|---|---|---|---|
| No VPN | 104.1 Mbps | 18.1 Mbps | 15 ms |
| NordVPN, Sydney server | 99.2 Mbps −4.7% | 8.99 Mbps −50.3% | 46 ms |
| Server in | Download | Upload |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 85.7 Mbps −17.7% | 5.25 Mbps −71.0% |
| United Kingdom | 80.2 Mbps −23.0% | 7.60 Mbps −58.0% |
| India | 19.1 Mbps −81.7% | 1.35 Mbps −92.5% |
| Brazil | 73.8 Mbps −29.1% | 3.59 Mbps −80.2% |
12.5 MiB/s average torrent download rate on an Australian server
Our own measurements from August 2021, on a Melbourne home connection of about 104 Mbps. Changes are against the no-VPN speed on the same line.
From our test bench Melbourne, August 2021
| Connection | Download | Upload |
|---|---|---|
| No VPN | 102 Mbps | 18.4 Mbps |
| ExpressVPN, Sydney server | 88.2 Mbps −13.5% | 9.83 Mbps −46.6% |
| Server in | Download | Upload |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 25.1 Mbps −75.4% | 7.08 Mbps −61.5% |
| United Kingdom | 43.1 Mbps −57.7% | 4.95 Mbps −73.1% |
| India | 63.5 Mbps −37.7% | 4.88 Mbps −73.5% |
| Brazil | 42.6 Mbps −58.2% | 11.7 Mbps −36.4% |
| South Africa | 55 Mbps −46.1% | 3.94 Mbps −78.6% |
11.8 MiB/s average torrent download rate on an Australian server
Our own measurements from August 2021, on a Melbourne home connection of about 102 Mbps. Changes are against the no-VPN speed on the same line.
On a Sydney server NordVPN gave up less download speed than ExpressVPN. The bigger gap was overseas: NordVPN held about 86 Mbps to the United States where ExpressVPN managed 25. Both cut upload speeds roughly in half. On torrents they were close, at 12.5 and 11.8 MiB/s.
For the current picture, each review summarises what independent testers measured in 2025 and 2026: NordVPN review and ExpressVPN review.
Streaming
In our 2021 tests both opened American Netflix on every US server we tried, and both got into BBC iPlayer. Streaming services change what they block all the time, so use the refund period to confirm it works for the service you want.
Which should you choose?
- Choose NordVPN if you want to pay in Australian dollars and see the exact price up front.
- Choose ExpressVPN if you prefer its apps or its Lightway protocol and do not mind the US-dollar pricing.
- Not sure? Both have a 30-day money-back guarantee. Try one, and ask for a refund if it does not suit.
If price is the deciding factor, compare both with Surfshark and the rest of the cheapest VPNs in Australia.