Surfshark vs NordVPN
NordVPN offers faster speeds, more servers (111 countries vs 100), and advanced features like app kill switch, making it ideal for power users. Surfshark provides exceptional value at $2.49/month starting price with solid security and streaming capabilities, perfect for budget-conscious users.
Surfshark
Budget-friendly VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections and family-focused features.
Budget-conscious users, families with multiple devices, streaming enthusiasts seeking affordable premium VPN
NordVPN
Premium VPN service with 5,400+ servers and double encryption, emphasizing speed and advanced security.
Power users, privacy-focused professionals, streamers needing maximum speed and coverage, those prioritizing advanced security features
Short Answer
NordVPN offers faster speeds, more servers (111 countries vs 100), and advanced features like app kill switch, making it ideal for power users. Surfshark provides exceptional value at $2.49/month starting price with solid security and streaming capabilities, perfect for budget-conscious users.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedNordVPN emerges as the winner for speed, server coverage, and advanced security tools like app kill switch and Dark Web Monitor, making it superior for users prioritizing performance and comprehensive protection. Surfshark offers exceptional value with unlimited simultaneous connections at a lower price point, ideal for budget-conscious users and families needing multi-device access without compromise.
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TIE — neck and neck
Choose Surfshark if
Budget-conscious users, families with multiple devices, streaming enthusiasts seeking affordable premium VPN
Choose NordVPN if
Power users, privacy-focused professionals, streamers needing maximum speed and coverage, those prioritizing advanced security features
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Key Differences at a Glance
Key Facts & Figures
58 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | Surfshark | NordVPN | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Monthly Price (2-year plan)(USD/month) | $2.49 | $3.99 | -38% |
| Server Locations(countries) | 105 countries | 111 countries | -5% |
| Simultaneous Connections(devices) | Unlimited | 10 devices | — |
| Value for Money Score(/10) | 8.9 | — | — |
| Global Server Coverage(countries) | 100 countries | — | — |
| Speed Performance Rating(out of 10) | 9.8/10 | — | — |
| Security Rating(out of 10) | 10.0/10 | — | — |
| Streaming Capability Rating(out of 10) | 9.6/10 | — | — |
| Gaming Performance Rating(out of 10) | 9.0/10 | — | — |
| Annual Subscription Price(USD/month) | $2.19/month | $3.99/month | -45% |
| Average Download Speed(Mbps) | 520 Mbps | 450+ Mbps | +16% |
| VPN Server Locations(countries) | 100 countries | 60 countries | +67% |
| Total VPN Servers(servers) | 3,200+ servers | 5,900+ servers | -46% |
| Money-Back Guarantee(days) | 30 days | 30 days | |
| Independent Security Audit(year) | 2023 (Deloitte) | 2024 (PwC) | |
| Annual Plan Price(USD/month) | $2.19/month | — | — |
| Server Count(servers) | 3,200+ | — | — |
| Country Coverage(countries) | 100 countries | 111 countries | -10% |
| Latest Security Audit Year | 2023 (Cure53) | 2022 (PwC) | |
| Streaming Services Optimized(platforms) | 15+ optimized services | — | — |
| Monthly Price (Best Annual Deal)(USD) | $2.19/month | — | — |
| Countries with Servers(countries) | 100 countries | — | — |
| Peak Download Speed(Mbps) | 950+ Mbps | 950+ Mbps | |
| Total Server Count(servers) | 6,400 | 6,400 | |
| Speed Retention Rate(%) | 92% | 92% | |
| Streaming Service Compatibility(platforms) | 10+ | 10+ | |
| Download Speed Performance Impact(% decrease from baseline) | 5.20% decrease | 5.20% decrease | |
| Download Speed(Mbps) | 950 Mbps | 950 Mbps | |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $3.99 | $3.99 | |
| Internet Speed Retention Rate(%) | 92% | 92% | |
| Netflix Libraries Accessible(libraries) | 30+ | 30+ | |
| Total Streaming Services Supported(services) | 10+ | 10+ | |
| Global Server Count(servers) | 6,500+ | 6,500+ | |
| Countries Covered(count) | 110+ countries | 110+ countries | |
| Annual Plan Price(USD) | From $69/year | From $69/year | |
| Basic Plan Monthly Cost(USD) | $3.09 | $3.09 | |
| Server Count(servers) | 7,200+ | 7,200+ | |
| Country Coverage(countries) | 110+ | 110+ | |
| Annual Cost (Best Plan)(USD) | $36+ | $36+ | |
| Base Monthly Price (USD)(USD/month) | $3.09 | $3.09 | |
| Annual Price (First Year)(USD/year) | $83.43 | $83.43 | |
| Number of Servers(servers) | 7200+ | 7200+ | |
| Simultaneous Connections(devices) | 10+ | 10+ | |
| Annual Subscription Cost (Best Plan)(USD) | $69.99/year (2-year plan) | $69.99/year (2-year plan) | |
| Devices Supported on Free Tier(devices) | 0 (Premium only) | 0 (Premium only) | |
| Devices Supported on Premium(devices) | 6 simultaneous connections | 6 simultaneous connections | |
| Browser Extensions Available(browsers) | 7 major browser extensions | 7 major browser extensions | |
| Annual Subscription Cost(USD) | $3.99/month | $3.99/month | |
| Maximum Simultaneous Connections(devices) | 6 devices | 6 devices | |
| Money-Back Guarantee Period(days) | 30 days | 30 days | |
| Countries with Presence(countries) | 111 | 111 | |
| Global Server Count(servers) | 6,700+ servers | 6,700+ servers | |
| Monthly Cost (Best Plan)(USD) | $3.99/month | $3.99/month | |
| Monthly Subscription Cost (1-Year Plan)(USD) | $3.99/month | $3.99/month | |
| Average Download Speed (US Servers)(Mbps) | 580 Mbps | 580 Mbps | |
| Total VPN Server Count(servers) | 5,400+ | 5,400+ | |
| Simultaneous Device Connections(devices) | 6 devices | 6 devices | |
| Countries with Server Presence(countries) | 60+ countries | 60+ countries |
Sourced from publicly available data · Jun 2026
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
Surfshark
$2.49/month (2-year plan)🏆
NordVPN
$3.99/month (2-year plan)
Surfshark
100 countries
NordVPN
111 countries🏆
Surfshark
Good
NordVPN
Fastest available🏆
Surfshark
No
NordVPN
Yes (app-level)🏆
Surfshark
Unlimited🏆
NordVPN
6 devices
Surfshark
MultiHop feature
NordVPN
Double VPN feature
Surfshark
Not available
NordVPN
Available🏆
Full Comparison
| Attribute | Surfshark | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Starting Monthly Price (2-year plan)(USD/month) | $2.49 | $3.99 |
| Annual Subscription Price(USD/month) | $2.19/month | $3.99/month |
| Annual Plan Price(USD/month) | $2.19/month | — |
| Monthly Price (Best Annual Deal)(USD) | $2.19/month | — |
| Monthly Subscription Cost(USD) | $3.99 | — |
Show 10 more attributesFree Plan Data Limit(GB/month) None available — Annual Plan Price(USD) From $69/year — Basic Plan Monthly Cost(USD) $3.09 — Annual Cost (Best Plan)(USD) $36+ — Base Monthly Price (USD)(USD/month) $3.09 — Annual Price (First Year)(USD/year) $83.43 — Annual Subscription Cost (Best Plan)(USD) $69.99/year (2-year plan) — Annual Subscription Cost(USD) $3.99/month — Monthly Cost (Best Plan)(USD) $3.99/month — Monthly Subscription Cost (1-Year Plan)(USD) $3.99/month — | ||
| Server Locations(countries) | 105 countries | 111 countries |
| Global Server Count(servers) | 6,700+ servers | — |
| Connection Speed Rating | Good | Fastest |
| Speed Performance (US Servers)(relative) | Significantly faster with WireGuard | — |
| Speed Performance Rating(out of 10) | 9.8/10 | — |
| Streaming Capability Rating(out of 10) | 9.6/10 | — |
| Gaming Performance Rating(out of 10) | 9.0/10 | — |
Show 10 more attributesAverage Download Speed(Mbps) 520 Mbps 450+ Mbps Streaming Services Optimized(platforms) 15+ optimized services — Peak Download Speed(Mbps) 950+ Mbps — Speed Retention Rate(%) 92% — Download Speed Performance Impact(% decrease from baseline) 5.20% decrease — Download Speed(Mbps) 950 Mbps — Internet Speed Retention Rate(%) 92% — Connection Speed Performance Faster globally — Average Download Speed(Mbps) Fast (20-50 Mbps typical) — Average Download Speed (US Servers)(Mbps) 580 Mbps — | ||
| Simultaneous Connections(devices) | Unlimited | 10 devices |
| Torrenting Support(supported) | Fully supported | — |
| Native Streaming Box Apps | Limited | — |
| Simultaneous Connections(devices) | 10+ | — |
| Maximum Simultaneous Connections(devices) | 6 devices | — |
Show 1 more attributeSimultaneous Device Connections(devices) 6 devices — | ||
| Logging Policy | Strict no-logs | Strict no-logs |
| Jurisdiction Privacy Rating | Excellent - Panama | — |
| No-Logs Policy | Verified no-logs | — |
| Payment Anonymity Options | Crypto, card, PayPal | — |
| Dark Web Monitor | Not included | Included |
| App Kill Switch Feature | No | Yes (app-level) |
| Kill Switch Availability | Yes (all platforms) | All platforms (Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android) |
| Dark Web Breach Monitoring | No | — |
| Value for Money Score(/10) | 8.9 | — |
| Global Server Coverage(countries) | 100 countries | — |
| Server Count(servers) | 3,200+ | — |
| Country Coverage(countries) | 100 countries | 111 countries |
| Countries with Servers(countries) | 100 countries | — |
| Global Server Count(servers) | 6,500+ | — |
Show 1 more attributeServer Count(servers) 7,200+ — | ||
| Netflix Compatibility(rating) | Good | — |
| Streaming Service Compatibility(platforms) | 10+ | — |
| Netflix Libraries Accessible(libraries) | 30+ | — |
| Total Streaming Services Supported(services) | 10+ | — |
| Customer Support Satisfaction(rating) | Very Good | — |
| Customer Support Type | 24-hour live chat | — |
| Security Rating(out of 10) | 10.0/10 | — |
| Encryption Standard | AES-256-GCM | AES-256 + Double VPN |
| Independent Security Audit(year) | 2023 (Deloitte) | 2024 (PwC) |
| Kill Switch Feature | Yes, all platforms | Yes, All Platforms |
| Encryption Protocol | AES-256 + ChaCha20 | — |
Show 8 more attributesVPN Protocols Offered NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2 — Encryption Standards Offered(algorithms) AES-256 (NordLynx) — Primary VPN Protocol NordLynx (WireGuard-based) — Encryption Standard AES-256 — Independent Security Audits Yes, regular audits — Kill Switch Feature Yes, on all platforms — Advanced Threat Protection Yes - Threat Protection Pro — Kill Switch Implementation Yes, all platforms — | ||
| VPN Server Locations(countries) | 100 countries | 60 countries |
| Total VPN Servers(servers) | 3,200+ servers | 5,900+ servers |
| Country Coverage(countries) | 110+ | — |
| Total VPN Server Count(servers) | 5,400+ | — |
| Countries with Server Presence(countries) | 60+ countries | — |
| Money-Back Guarantee(days) | 30 days | 30 days |
| Latest Security Audit Year | 2023 (Cure53) | 2022 (PwC) |
| Independent Security Audits | 3 audits (2018-2022) | — |
| No-Logs Audit Year | Deloitte (2022) | — |
| Total Server Count(servers) | 6,400 | — |
| Countries with Presence(countries) | 111 | — |
| US Streaming Platforms Supported(platforms) | 4+ (Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, HBO Max verified) | — |
| Free Trial or Free Plan(monthly data) | None - 30-day money back only | — |
| Devices Supported on Free Tier(devices) | 0 (Premium only) | — |
| Devices Supported on Premium(devices) | 6 simultaneous connections | — |
| Privacy Jurisdiction | Panama (5/9/14 Eyes) | — |
| Countries Covered(count) | 110+ countries | — |
| Number of Servers(servers) | 7200+ | — |
| Geographic Coverage(edge locations) | 111 countries | — |
| Streaming Compatibility | Full support for major platforms | — |
| Maximum Password Character Support(characters) | Not applicable | — |
| Browser Extensions Available(browsers) | 7 major browser extensions | — |
| Money-Back Guarantee Period(days) | 30 days | — |
| Open-Source Code Availability | Partial (selected components) | — |
| Open Source Code | Partial (proprietary components) | — |
| Source Code Availability(null) | Proprietary/Closed-source | — |
| Free Tier Monthly Data(GB) | No free tier | — |
NordVPNShow 10 more attributes
Show 10 more attributes
Show 1 more attribute
Show 1 more attribute
Show 8 more attributes
Visual Comparison
Side-by-side comparison of numeric attributes
Pros & Cons
10 pros·6 cons across both
Surfshark
Pros
- Lowest starting price at $2.49/month for 2-year plan
- Unlimited simultaneous connections ideal for families
- MultiHop feature for enhanced privacy routing
- Strong encryption with strict no-logs policy
- Clean, user-friendly interface
Cons
- Fewer server locations (100 countries) than competitors
- Speeds not as fast as NordVPN in testing
- No app-level kill switch feature
NordVPN
Pros
- Fastest connection speeds in 2026 testing
- Largest server network with 111 country locations
- App-level kill switch for enhanced protection
- Dark Web Monitor and Threat Protection Pro included
- Modern app interface with intuitive design
Cons
- Higher starting price at $3.99/month
- Limited simultaneous connections (6 devices vs unlimited)
- Requires subscription to premium tier for all advanced features
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
Both VPNs support streaming effectively, but NordVPN's superior speeds and larger server network make it slightly better for consistent streaming without buffering. However, Surfshark offers excellent streaming access at a lower price point, making it a great choice for budget-conscious streamers.
Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections, making it perfect for families and multi-device users. NordVPN limits you to 6 simultaneous connections, which may require sequential switching on additional devices but is adequate for most households.
Both use top-grade IKEv2/IPSec encryption with strict no-logs policies. NordVPN edges ahead with additional features like Dark Web Monitor and app-level kill switch. Surfshark's MultiHop provides excellent multi-server routing protection. For maximum security, pair either with antivirus software like Bitdefender or Norton.
Surfshark costs approximately $29.88/year on a 2-year plan ($2.49/month), while NordVPN costs $47.88/year ($3.99/month). Surfshark saves you roughly $18 annually, though NordVPN offers faster speeds and more advanced features justifying the premium for some users.
Both include kill switch protection, but NordVPN uniquely offers app-level kill switch for additional security. Surfshark provides system-level kill switch that cuts all traffic if the VPN disconnects. NordVPN's implementation is more granular and user-friendly.
Resources & Learn More
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