{"slug":"nordvpn-vs-surfshark","question":"Surfshark vs NordVPN","answer":"NordVPN offers stronger encryption (AES-256) and faster speeds (avg 650 Mbps) with a larger server network (6,500+ servers), while Surfshark provides better value with unlimited simultaneous connections at a lower annual price ($2.19/month vs $3.99/month) and more advanced privacy features like Nexus protocol.","answer_curated":true,"verdict":"Choose Surfshark if you prioritize affordability, need unlimited simultaneous connections across devices, and want advanced features like Nexus protocol at the lowest cost. Choose NordVPN if you prefer the largest server network, fastest speeds (650+ Mbps), stronger brand recognition with more comprehensive security audits, and prioritize pure speed performance over connection quantity.","keyDifferences":[{"label":"Monthly Cost (Annual Plan)","winner":"a","entityAValue":"$2.19/month","entityBValue":"$3.99/month"},{"label":"Simultaneous Connections","winner":"a","entityAValue":"Unlimited","entityBValue":"6"},{"label":"Global Server Count","winner":"b","entityAValue":"3,200+","entityBValue":"6,500+"},{"label":"Average Download Speed","winner":"b","entityAValue":"580 Mbps","entityBValue":"650 Mbps"},{"label":"No-Logs Audit Verification","winner":"b","entityAValue":"PwC audit (2023)","entityBValue":"PwC & Deloitte audits (2024)"}],"winner":{"slug":"nordvpn","name":"NordVPN"},"confidence":"high","entities":[{"name":"Surfshark","slug":"surfshark","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/entity/surfshark","alternativesUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/alternatives/surfshark"},{"name":"NordVPN","slug":"nordvpn","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/entity/nordvpn","alternativesUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/alternatives/nordvpn"}],"faqs":[{"question":"Is NordVPN or Surfshark better?","answer":"NordVPN is generally considered the stronger overall VPN service: faster speeds, more specialized server types (Double VPN, Onion Over VPN), and a longer security track record. Surfshark is better for households needing unlimited simultaneous connections — it imposes no per-account device limit, versus NordVPN's 10-device cap. For individual users or small households, NordVPN's performance edge justifies the modest price difference. For families or power users with many devices, Surfshark's unlimited policy is the decisive advantage."},{"question":"Is Surfshark owned by NordVPN?","answer":"NordVPN and Surfshark are not the same company, but they share the same parent corporation. Nord Security (NordVPN's parent) acquired Surfshark's parent company, Peakstar Technologies, in 2022. Both VPN brands continue to operate independently with separate servers, applications, and pricing. The merger raised some competition concerns among privacy advocates, though regulatory approval was granted. Users of both services are operating under the same ultimate corporate ownership."},{"question":"Does Surfshark really allow unlimited devices?","answer":"Yes. Surfshark has no limit on the number of simultaneous device connections — one account can protect unlimited devices at the same time. NordVPN limits simultaneous connections to 10 devices per account. For families, shared households, or users with many devices (phones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs, routers), Surfshark's unlimited policy eliminates the need to manage device slots. This is Surfshark's most significant differentiating feature versus NordVPN at a comparable price."}],"attribution":{"source":"A Versus B","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/nordvpn-vs-surfshark","license":"CC BY 4.0","citationFormat":"According to A Versus B (https://www.aversusb.net/compare/nordvpn-vs-surfshark), NordVPN offers stronger encryption (AES-256) and faster speeds (avg 650 Mbps) with a larger server network (6,500+ servers), while Surfshark provides better value with unlimited simultaneous connectio","dateModified":"2026-08-18T09:00:24.764Z"},"relatedQuestionsUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/faq/nordvpn-vs-surfshark","relatedComparisonsUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/v1/related/nordvpn-vs-surfshark","knowledgeGraphUrl":"https://www.aversusb.net/api/knowledge-graph/nordvpn-vs-surfshark","claimReviewSchema":{"@context":"https://schema.org","@type":"ClaimReview","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/nordvpn-vs-surfshark#claimreview","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/nordvpn-vs-surfshark","inLanguage":"en-US","isAccessibleForFree":true,"conditionsOfAccess":"Free","claimReviewed":"NordVPN is better than Surfshark for most use cases","reviewBody":"NordVPN offers stronger encryption (AES-256) and faster speeds (avg 650 Mbps) with a larger server network (6,500+ servers), while Surfshark provides better value with unlimited simultaneous connections at a lower annual price ($2.19/month vs $3.99/month) and more advanced privacy features like Nexus protocol.","datePublished":"2026-03-29T10:34:07.281Z","dateModified":"2026-08-18T09:00:24.764Z","reviewRating":{"@type":"Rating","ratingValue":"TRUE","bestRating":"TRUE","worstRating":"FALSE","alternateName":"NordVPN wins","ratingExplanation":"Verified verdict based on structured attribute comparison, community votes, and expert analysis"},"author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/#organization","name":"A Versus B","url":"https://www.aversusb.net"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/#organization","name":"A Versus B","url":"https://www.aversusb.net"},"itemReviewed":{"@type":"Claim","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/nordvpn-vs-surfshark#claim","inLanguage":"en-US","name":"NordVPN is better than Surfshark for most use cases","text":"NordVPN offers stronger encryption (AES-256) and faster speeds (avg 650 Mbps) with a larger server network (6,500+ servers), while Surfshark provides better value with unlimited simultaneous connections at a lower annual price ($2.19/month vs $3.99/month) and more advanced privacy features like Nexus protocol.","author":{"@type":"Thing","name":"Internet consensus"},"appearance":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/nordvpn-vs-surfshark","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/nordvpn-vs-surfshark","name":"Surfshark vs NordVPN","inLanguage":"en-US"},"firstAppearance":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/nordvpn-vs-surfshark","url":"https://www.aversusb.net/compare/nordvpn-vs-surfshark","name":"Surfshark vs NordVPN"}},"speakable":{"@type":"SpeakableSpecification","cssSelector":[".claim-review-answer","#short-answer","#verdict"]}}}