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 simultaneous connections and strong encryption
Premium VPN with advanced security features and 6,400+ servers in 111 countries
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: 105 countries | NordVPN: 111 countries
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: 60 countries
Surfshark: 3,200+ servers | NordVPN: 6,000+
Surfshark: Yes (all platforms) | NordVPN: All platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android)
Surfshark: 2023 (Deloitte) | NordVPN: 2024 (PwC)
Surfshark: Yes, all platforms | NordVPN: Yes, All Platforms
Surfshark: 2023 (Cure53) | NordVPN: 2022 (PwC)
Surfshark: 15+ optimized services | NordVPN: N/A
Surfshark: 3,200+ servers | NordVPN: 6,500+ servers
Surfshark: 100 countries | NordVPN: 111 countries
Surfshark: 15+ (includes smart TVs, gaming consoles) | NordVPN: 12+ (major platforms only)
Surfshark: 1 (PwC 2023) | NordVPN: 2 (PwC & Deloitte 2024)
Surfshark: Unlimited | NordVPN: 6 devices
Surfshark: Yes (Cure53 audit 2023) | NordVPN: Yes (PwC audit 2024)
Surfshark: Yes (automatic) | NordVPN: Yes (automatic)
Surfshark: AES-256 + ChaCha20 | NordVPN: N/A
Surfshark: Deloitte (2022) | NordVPN: N/A
Surfshark: 100+ countries | NordVPN: 60 countries
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 (proprietary components)
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: 89% success rate (tested 13 regions)
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)
How to choose between Surfshark and NordVPN
Surfshark vs NordVPN — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for Surfshark vs NordVPN. Contains 128 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
Surfshark vs NordVPN — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for Surfshark vs NordVPN.
Which VPN is faster for streaming 4K content?
NordVPN averages 650 Mbps vs Surfshark's 580 Mbps, making NordVPN approximately 12% faster. For consistent 4K streaming (25-50 Mbps required), NordVPN's Double VPN and larger server network provide more reliable performance with less congestion.
Can I use one VPN subscription across multiple devices simultaneously?
Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections with a single subscription, while NordVPN limits you to 6 devices at once. Surfshark is vastly superior for households with many devices or users who switch between phone, tablet, laptop, and smart TV regularly.
Which VPN has better privacy and security verification?
NordVPN has undergone 2 independent no-logs audits (PwC and Deloitte in 2024), compared to Surfshark's 1 audit (PwC in 2023). Both passed verification, but NordVPN's dual audits from top-tier firms provide stronger third-party validation of privacy claims.
What's the actual price difference over a year?
Surfshark costs $26.28/year vs NordVPN at $47.88/year on annual plans—a $21.60 annual savings with Surfshark. Over 2 years, Surfshark saves you approximately $43.20, which approaches the cost of an extra month of service.
Which VPN is better for unblocking Netflix internationally?
NordVPN has a larger server network (6,500+ vs 3,200+) and faster speeds (650 Mbps), making it more reliable for streaming Netflix with minimal buffering. Both services unblock Netflix, but NordVPN's performance advantages make it more consistent for 4K streaming across different regions.
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.