NordVPN offers stronger encryption (AES-256 with double VPN) and a larger server network (6,400+ servers across 111 countries), while Surfshark provides better value with unlimited simultaneous connections and lower pricing at $2.19/month versus NordVPN's $3.99/month.
NordVPN vs Surfshark — Side-by-side comparison on A Versus B
Budget-friendly VPN with 5,800+ servers and advanced security features including threat protection and Meshnet.
Budget-friendly VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections and strong encryption
Monthly Price (1-year plan). Simultaneous Connections. Server Network Size. Countries Covered. Double VPN Feature. Kill Switch Protection. Money-Back Guarantee
Choose NordVPN if you prioritize maximum security features, extensive server coverage, and advanced options like Onion Over VPN for accessing the darknet safely. Choose Surfshark if you need unlimited simultaneous connections across all your devices and want the lowest monthly cost while still maintaining strong 256-bit encryption and reliable privacy protection.
NordVPN: 111 countries | Surfshark: 105 countries
NordVPN: NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | Surfshark: N/A
NordVPN: Strict no-logs | Surfshark: Strict no-logs
NordVPN: Included | Surfshark: Not included
NordVPN: Yes (app-level) | Surfshark: No
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: Yes, All Platforms | Surfshark: Yes, all platforms
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: $3.99/month | Surfshark: $2.19/month
NordVPN: 6,000+ | Surfshark: 3,200+ servers
NordVPN: All platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android) | Surfshark: Yes (all platforms)
NordVPN: 2024 (PwC) | Surfshark: 2023 (Deloitte)
NordVPN: Partial (selected components) | Surfshark: N/A
NordVPN: Proprietary/Closed-source | Surfshark: N/A
NordVPN: 2022 (PwC) | Surfshark: 2023 (Cure53)
NordVPN: Partial (proprietary components) | Surfshark: N/A
NordVPN: Yes, all platforms | Surfshark: N/A
NordVPN: 2 (PwC & Deloitte 2024) | Surfshark: 1 (PwC 2023)
NordVPN: 111 countries | Surfshark: 100 countries
NordVPN: 6,500+ servers | Surfshark: 3,200+ servers
NordVPN: 12+ (major platforms only) | Surfshark: 15+ (includes smart TVs, gaming consoles)
NordVPN: Yes (PwC audit 2024) | Surfshark: Yes (Cure53 audit 2023)
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: Yes (automatic) | Surfshark: Yes (automatic)
NordVPN: 60 countries | Surfshark: 100+ countries
NordVPN: No (proprietary) | Surfshark: N/A
NordVPN: 10 devices | Surfshark: Unlimited
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 | Surfshark: N/A
Average Download Speed (500Mbps connection)
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: N/A | Surfshark: Significantly faster with WireGuard
NordVPN: N/A | Surfshark: Fully supported
NordVPN: N/A | Surfshark: 24-hour live chat
NordVPN: N/A | Surfshark: 15+ optimized services
NordVPN: N/A | Surfshark: AES-256 + ChaCha20
NordVPN: N/A | Surfshark: Deloitte (2022)
How to choose between NordVPN and Surfshark
NordVPN vs Surfshark — Structured Comparison Data
Machine-readable comparison dataset for NordVPN vs Surfshark. Contains 148 attribute comparisons, 5 FAQ pairs.
NordVPN vs Surfshark — Attribute Category Vocabulary
Taxonomy of attribute categories used to classify comparison data for NordVPN vs Surfshark.
Which VPN is faster for streaming Netflix?
NordVPN generally offers faster speeds due to its NordLynx protocol (WireGuard-based), which provides 2-3x faster connections than standard OpenVPN. However, Surfshark's ChameléonProtocol is specifically optimized to bypass streaming service throttling and geo-blocking. For Netflix specifically, both work well, but NordVPN's speed advantage makes it slightly faster for 4K streaming.
Can I use these VPNs on multiple devices simultaneously?
NordVPN allows 6 simultaneous connections per account, making it suitable for a single household. Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, allowing you to connect all your devices (phone, tablet, laptop, smart TV, etc.) at once. If you have 7+ devices, Surfshark is the clear winner.
Which is better for accessing the darknet safely?
NordVPN is superior for darknet access because it offers Onion Over VPN (double VPN through Tor), which encrypts your traffic before sending it through the Tor network. This provides additional anonymity layers. Surfshark doesn't have this feature, making NordVPN the better choice for privacy-critical darknet browsing.
Are both VPNs safe and do they keep logs?
Both are safe and maintain strict no-logging policies. NordVPN was independently audited by PwC in 2024 confirming zero logs, while Surfshark was audited by Cure53 in 2023. Both use military-grade AES-256 encryption and have automatic kill switches. The difference is negligible for security; both meet the highest privacy standards.
Which VPN offers better value for money?
Surfshark offers significantly better value at $2.19/month (annual plan) versus NordVPN's $3.99/month—a 45% price difference. For budget-conscious users with multiple devices, Surfshark's unlimited connections at lower cost provides exceptional value. NordVPN justifies its premium through larger server network (6,400 vs 3,200 servers) and advanced features like Onion Over VPN.
How to Choose Between NordVPN and Surfshark
Monthly Price (1-year plan): NordVPN has $3.99/month, while Surfshark has $2.19/month.
Simultaneous Connections: NordVPN has 6 devices, while Surfshark has Unlimited devices.
Server Network Size: NordVPN has 6,400+ servers, while Surfshark has 3,200+ servers.
Countries Covered: NordVPN has 111 countries, while Surfshark has 100 countries.
Double VPN Feature: NordVPN has Yes (Onion Over VPN available), while Surfshark has No (MultiHop available).
Kill Switch Protection: NordVPN has Yes (automatic), while Surfshark has Yes (automatic).
Money-Back Guarantee: NordVPN has 30 days, while Surfshark has 30 days.