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.
Surfshark vs NordVPN — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Budget-friendly VPN with unlimited connections and expansive server network
Premium VPN provider with strongest encryption, largest server network, and fastest average speeds.
Monthly Cost (Annual Plan). Simultaneous Connections. Global Server Count. Average Download Speed. No-Logs Audit Verification. Kill Switch Availability. Money-Back Guarantee
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.
Surfshark: Strict no-logs | NordVPN: Strict no-logs
Surfshark: Not included | NordVPN: Included
Surfshark: No | NordVPN: Yes (app-level)
Surfshark: Significantly faster with WireGuard | NordVPN: N/A
Surfshark: Fully supported | NordVPN: N/A
Surfshark: 24-hour live chat | NordVPN: N/A
Surfshark: $2.19/month | NordVPN: $3.99/month
Surfshark: 100 countries | NordVPN: 111 countries
Surfshark: 3,200+ servers | NordVPN: 6,500+
Surfshark: Yes (all platforms) | NordVPN: Yes (All Plans)
Surfshark: Cure53 audit 2022 | NordVPN: PwC audit 2024
Surfshark: Yes, all platforms | NordVPN: Yes (Standard)
Surfshark: 2023 (Cure53) | NordVPN: 2022 (PwC)
Surfshark: 15+ optimized services | NordVPN: N/A
Surfshark: $26.28 | NordVPN: $3.99/month
Surfshark: 15+ (includes smart TVs, gaming consoles) | NordVPN: 12+ (major platforms only)
Surfshark: 2 | NordVPN: Partial open-source, limited audits
Surfshark: Yes (Cure53 audit 2023) | NordVPN: Yes (PwC audit 2024)
Surfshark: Yes (automatic) | NordVPN: Yes, all platforms
Surfshark: AES-256 + ChaCha20 | NordVPN: N/A
Surfshark: Deloitte (2022) | NordVPN: N/A
Surfshark: Generic support | NordVPN: N/A
Surfshark: 256-bit AES | NordVPN: AES-256
Monthly Subscription Price (Long-Term Plan)
Surfshark: Unlimited | NordVPN: 6 devices
Surfshark: 3,200+ servers | NordVPN: 6,400+
Surfshark: $26.28/year | NordVPN: $47.88/year
Average Download Speed on 200 Mbps Connection
Surfshark: 87% success rate | NordVPN: 89% success rate (tested 13 regions)
Surfshark: Cure53 audit (2021) | NordVPN: N/A
Surfshark: 4K support confirmed | NordVPN: N/A
Surfshark: No free trial (30-day refund) | NordVPN: N/A
Surfshark: 3,200+ | NordVPN: 6,200+ servers
Surfshark: No (30-day trial only) | NordVPN: N/A
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: 5.20% decrease
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: 4+ (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max verified)
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: None - 30-day money back only
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: Panama (5/9/14 Eyes)
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: AES-256 (NordLynx)
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: NordLynx (WireGuard-based)
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: 110+ countries
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: None available
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: Yes, regular audits
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: Yes, on all platforms
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: Faster globally
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: Yes - Threat Protection Pro
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: Excellent - Panama
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: Full support for major platforms
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: Fast (20-50 Mbps typical)
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: Verified no-logs
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: Crypto, card, PayPal
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: $69.99/year (2-year plan)
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: Not applicable
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: 0 (Premium only)
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: 6 simultaneous connections
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: 7 major browser extensions
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: Partial (selected components)
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: Proprietary/Closed-source
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: Partial components only
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: Yes, all platforms
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: WireGuard with ChaCha20
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: 8% slower (NordLynx/WireGuard)
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: OpenVPN, WireGuard, ChaCha20, NordLynx
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: Yes (Threat Protection included)
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: Panama (outside 5/9/14-Eyes)
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: No (proprietary)
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: AES-256 Double VPN (dual layer)
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: Yes (multiple 2022-2024)
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: IKEv2/IPSec or WireGuard
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: Strict no-logs policy
Average Download Speed (500Mbps connection)
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: Proprietary (audited)
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: 24/7 live chat and email
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: Deloitte (2024)
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: Mix of disk and RAM
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: Annual (1x/year)
Surfshark: N/A | NordVPN: AES-256 (256-bit)
How to choose between Surfshark and NordVPN
Surfshark vs NordVPN — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Surfshark vs NordVPN. Contains 179 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Surfshark vs NordVPN — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Surfshark vs NordVPN.
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.
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.
Does Surfshark really allow unlimited devices?
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.
Which VPN is faster — NordVPN or Surfshark?
NordVPN is consistently faster in independent speed tests. PCMag, TechRadar, and Tom's Guide benchmarks typically show NordVPN achieving 80-90% of unprotected connection speed on WireGuard protocol; Surfshark achieves 75-85%. The practical difference on a standard 100Mbps+ home connection is small — both are fast enough for 4K streaming and video calls. On slower connections (under 50Mbps) or when using servers in geographically distant countries, NordVPN's speed advantage becomes more noticeable.
NordVPN has a strong security reputation with notable caveats. In 2018, one of its data center servers in Finland was compromised in a breach (discovered and disclosed in 2019). No user data was leaked because the affected server contained no logs, and NordVPN improved its infrastructure security significantly afterward. Since then, NordVPN has completed independent audits by PwC (2019, 2020) and Deloitte (2023) verifying its no-logs policy. For current use, NordVPN is considered trustworthy by most independent security researchers, though the 2018 incident is worth knowing.
How to Choose Between Surfshark and NordVPN
Monthly Cost (Annual Plan): Surfshark has $2.19/month, while NordVPN has $3.99/month.
Simultaneous Connections: Surfshark has Unlimited, while NordVPN has 6.
Global Server Count: Surfshark has 3,200+, while NordVPN has 6,500+.
Average Download Speed: Surfshark has 580 Mbps, while NordVPN has 650 Mbps.
No-Logs Audit Verification: Surfshark has PwC audit (2023), while NordVPN has PwC & Deloitte audits (2024).
Kill Switch Availability: Surfshark has Yes (all platforms), while NordVPN has Yes (all platforms).
Money-Back Guarantee: Surfshark has 30 days, while NordVPN has 30 days.
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 Nexu