Let’s cut the crap: most VPN reviews are written by people who’ve never actually used the damn things. I’ve tested NordVPN Privacy against ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and ProtonVPN for months, and I’ll tell you exactly where it fails and where it kills.
I almost lost a client because Surfshark’s kill switch failed during a sensitive file transfer in a coffee shop—my IP leaked for a solid 30 seconds before I noticed. That’s when I switched to NordVPN Privacy for its Double VPN feature, and it hasn’t let me down since. But is it worth the hype? Let’s dive in.
Key Difference 1: The UI is a Blessing and a Curse
NordVPN Privacy’s interface is sleek, but that damn map view is a laggy mess. I click on a server in Japan, and it takes 3 seconds to respond—on a gigabit connection! It’s l…
Let’s cut the crap: most VPN reviews are written by people who’ve never actually used the damn things. I’ve tested NordVPN Privacy against ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and ProtonVPN for months, and I’ll tell you exactly where it fails and where it kills.
I almost lost a client because Surfshark’s kill switch failed during a sensitive file transfer in a coffee shop—my IP leaked for a solid 30 seconds before I noticed. That’s when I switched to NordVPN Privacy for its Double VPN feature, and it hasn’t let me down since. But is it worth the hype? Let’s dive in.
Key Difference 1: The UI is a Blessing and a Curse
NordVPN Privacy’s interface is sleek, but that damn map view is a laggy mess. I click on a server in Japan, and it takes 3 seconds to respond—on a gigabit connection! It’s like they prioritized aesthetics over raw speed. Compare this to ExpressVPN’s minimalist app: no fluff, just connect and go. If you’re in a rush, that lag adds up fast.
Key Difference 2: Pricing Tiers Are a Rip-off for Light Users
NordVPN Privacy forces you into a 2-year plan to get the "best" deal at around $3.99/month. Want month-to-month? That’s $12.99—highway robbery. Surfshark undercuts this at $2.49/month for 2 years, but their speeds are trash during peak hours. ProtonVPN’s free tier is decent for basics, but if you need more than one device, you’re paying up.
💡 Pro Tip: Always test NordVPN Privacy’s Meshnet feature for free before committing. It lets you create a secure LAN over the internet—perfect for remote work without exposing your home network. Most competitors charge extra for this, but Nord includes it in all plans.
Key Difference 3: RAM and Performance Limits
NordVPN Privacy doesn’t cap RAM usage per se, but their apps can be memory hogs—I’ve seen it hit 500MB on Windows during heavy torrenting. ExpressVPN is leaner at around 300MB, but Nord’s Threat Protection feature (ad-blocking and malware scanning) justifies the extra load. Just don’t expect to run it on a potato PC.
Comparison Table
| Feature | NordVPN Privacy | ExpressVPN | Surfshark | ProtonVPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price (2-year plan) | $3.99/month | $6.67/month | $2.49/month | $4.99/month |
| Speed (Avg. Download Drop) | 15% | 10% | 25% | 20% |
| Double VPN | Yes | No | No | Yes (Paid Tier) |
| Kill Switch Reliability | Excellent | Good | Poor | Good |
| Device Connections | 10 | 8 | Unlimited | 10 (Paid Tier) |
The Verdict
Buy NordVPN Privacy if you’re a power user who needs Double VPN and Threat Protection for torrenting or high-risk browsing—it’s a beast for security. Otherwise, avoid it: go with ExpressVPN for raw speed and reliability, or Surfshark if you’re on a tight budget but can tolerate occasional lag. Don’t waste money on features you won’t use.
Originally published at Nexus AI