There is an extensive range of VPNs available on the market including services like NordVPN and Surfshark. This means that it can often be difficult to choose the right one for you.
We have saved you time by comparing the two VPN providers, NordVPN vs Surfshark, against our strict reviewing standards to help you decide which is the best for your needs.
Both NordVPN and Surfshark are two of the best VPN companies and are similar in many areas. However, they differ in some ways namely VPN server network size and device connection limits. Read on to find out more about these popular services.
NordVPN offers an excellent VPN product that comes with torrenting support, streaming unblocking capabilities, and fast connection speeds. NordVPN is arguably the most well-known VPN provider on the market, and its service does not disappoint.
Surfshark is a well-designed VPN service with an impressive range of high-quality security features for a meager price. As long as you are happy to commit to a 2-year subscription plan, Surfshark is one of the most affordable VPN providers on the market in 2024.
It offers unrivaled value for money, all of the features that you could ever need, as well as a generous unlimited simultaneous connections policy, which means that you can protect all of your devices for no extra cost.
For many users, pricing and affordability are among the most important factors when choosing a VPN provider. Therefore, we have compared NordVPN vs Surfshark in terms of their subscription options, discounts, and refund policies.
With NordVPN, prices start at $11.95 if you opt for the freedom of a rolling monthly contract. As with any VPN provider, prices fall significantly if you commit to a longer-term NordVPN subscription. On its 6-month plan, NordVPN monthly prices drop to just $6, while its 12-month plan comes in at $5.75 a month.
Similarly, NordVPN comes with a 7-day free trial on Android and iOS; however, there is no NordVPN trial option for Windows or macOS. If you want to test the NordVPN service fully, we recommend signing up for a paid subscription plan and utilizing the 30-day refund guarantee if you are not happy.
NordVPN offers a decent variety of payment methods, including credit card, PayPal, Bitcoin Cash, Monero, Ethereum, and Bitcoin.
Surfshark’s monthly plan is priced at $12.95 a month. This makes it more expensive than some of its competitors. If you pay 6 months in advance with Surfshark, the price falls to $6.49 a month, which is still relatively expensive. However, it’s 2-year plan is quite a bit cheaper, making it great value for money.
Surfshark also frequently offers further discounts and deals, meaning that you may receive access to the VPN’s services for extremely cheap prices. Although you may be wary of committing to such a long-term, its affordability means that it is worth it. Surfshark also comes with a 7-day free trial on its macOS, iOS, and Android clients if you are still not yet convinced. Unfortunately, there is no Surfshark trial option for Windows.
Regarding payment options, Surfshark offers a range of methods, including credit cards, cryptocurrencies, PayPal, AliPay, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and more.
Both NordVPN and Surfshark come with generous 30-day money-back guarantees, allowing you to test the products and services before committing to a paid plan. If you are not happy with the service provided, request a refund, no questions asked.
Privacy features are undoubtedly one of the most important aspects of any VPN service and both NordVPN and Surfshark offer strong security and privacy tools to keep you safe online.
Surfshark comes with a host of privacy and security features, including standard AES-256 bit encryption and support for first-rate protocols, including OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP, IKEv2, and WireGuard. Some advanced Surfshark privacy features, including private DNS across all of its VPN servers, offer an extra layer of security protection to prevent cybercriminals or third parties from accessing your private browsing data.
Surfshark also comes with a VPN chaining feature. This allows you to re-route your internet traffic through two different VPN servers rather than just one. This can be easily accessed by clicking the MultiHop button and enables you to connect to one VPN server location and exit through a different one. This means that even if a cybercriminal gained access to the exit server, they would be unable to decipher your real IP address as your data is being routed through two VPN servers.
There are 15 Surfshark MultiHop server routes with connection locations in the United Kingdom, the United States, Germany, Singapore, France, the Netherlands, India, or Australia. Exit locations include Germany, France, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Portugal, Sweden, Singapore, the United Kingdom, or the United States.
The VPN also comes with ad and web-tracker blocking technology too to ensure you are protected online.
NordVPN offers an extensive list of privacy features too, including basic AES-256 bit encryption and 4096-bit Diffie Hellman keys. There is Perfect Forward Secrecy technology too, which means that new NordVPN encryption keys are created at the start of every VPN session and every hour thereafter. This means that even if a cybercriminal gained access to a VPN session, they would be booted after an hour.
In terms of security, there is Onion over VPN with NordVPN; this serves to reroute your internet connection via the Tor network through encrypted Tor servers for an additional layer of anonymity. There is Double VPN technology too, to re-route your internet connection through two different NordVPN servers too. NordVPN also offers a range of obfuscated servers to mask the fact that you are using a VPN to allow you to bypass VPN restrictions or censorship.
Both Surfshark and NordVPN also offer a built-in kill switch that will automatically cut your online connection if the VPN fails for any reason. This is useful for any activities that require complete privacy and anonymity. There is complete DNS and WebRTC leak protection with both Surfshark and NordVPN too.
Both NordVPN and Surfshark claim not to keep any user activity logs and are based in countries that do not require VPN services to store user information. The two providers have each completed an independent audit to back up these claims, which is reassuring.
Surfshark is based in the British Virgin Islands, a country that enjoys excellent privacy laws. This means that Surfshark VPN is not required to keep logs of VPN-related activities or identifiable user data.
Surfshark provides a complete explanation of its no-logs policy on the FAQ section of its website. The policy states that Surfshark does not store IP addresses, browsing activity, internet history, accessed VPN server locations, bandwidth consumption, session information, connection logs, or timestamps.
The only information that Surfshark VPN does store is the email address and billing information you used when signing up for your Surfshark account and some anonymous statistical information such as crash reports and performance statistics.
Like Surfshark, NordVPN does not store logs of user online activity. Its no-logging policy states that it does not monitor, record, store, or share user information with third parties, and the provider is based in privacy-friendly Panama.
NordVPN users can also rest assured that the provider does not log user connection timestamps, bandwidth consumption, data traffic logs, accessed IP addresses, or online browsing data. The provider also claims that it does not store session logs, which many VPN services continue to do.
When it comes to auditing, Surfshark has completed a full audit of its services and policies with Cure53, a renowned security company.
However, Surfshark’s audit claim is a little misleading; theaudit only covered the VPN service’s browser extensions, which is somewhat disappointing. We are pleased to see that the company has completed an audit, but we would like to see a complete audit of all of its VPN services.
On the other hand, NordVPN received a complete security audit by PricewaterhouseCooper which supported its no-logging claims. Considering that NordVPN’s security audit covered its whole product and server, it is the clear winner in this category.
Both Surfshark and NordVPN performed well during speed tests. However, NordVPN is slightly faster thanks to its proprietary NordLynx protocol. When we connected to a US server over NordLynx, we were impressed to get a download speed of 38Mbs. Considering that our download speed without a VPN was 40Mbps, this was incredible and indicates that you won’t get a much slower connection with NordVPN.
Although Surfshark is a little slower than NordVPN, we can’t fault its speeds, which were also great. The VPN was able to provide us with an average download speed of 35Mbps when connected to various US-based servers.
One thing we noticed during speed tests, was that the speed slowed down severely when we connected via two servers (using Double VPN for Nord and MultiHop for Surfshark). However, since this provides users with an extra layer of encryption, we aren’t surprised to see our download speed dip quite a lot.
Overall, when comparing speeds, NordVPN comes out on top. We recommend it to users looking for a VPN for streaming and gaming in high definition without lag or buffering.
Many users choose to download a VPN service for the sole purpose of streaming geo-restricted content on sites such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, YouTube, Disney+, and more. Therefore, we have compared Surfshark and NordVPN in terms of streaming capabilities.
NordVPN is great when it comes to accessing Netflix from a large number of servers. The provider offers reliable access to the popular service, in part thanks to its various specialty servers. These include 4,400 streaming-optimized servers and obfuscated servers. These specialized servers hide your VPN use from streaming services like Netflix, which frequently block VPN software.
YouTube also posed no issue to the provider, nor did Disney+ or Amazon Prime Video.
However, NordVPN did have difficulties when it came to accessing BBC iPlayer, which is well-known to be difficult to access with a VPN. Surprisingly, although the NordVPN desktop client did not enable access to iPlayer, the provider’s browser extension did.
Like NordVPN, Surfshark is an excellent choice for streaming fans, thanks to its ability to unblock the most popular streaming platforms. Many VPN services claim to offer access to a range of sites but do not deliver. However, Surfshark is different.
When it comes to Netflix, Surfshark is extremely reliable. It offers access to Netflix libraries in more than 15 countries, and it lists all of the countries in which it works. These countries include the United States, Japan, France, Italy, Australia, and more. The provider also had no issue accessing US Netflix from a range of servers which is a great indication of the service’s quality.
Surfshark is great when it comes to other streaming services and can unblock US YouTube without an issue. It was successful at accessing BBC iPlayer from a range of servers which is impressive as many providers often struggle to overcome VPN restrictions there. It also enabled access to Disney+ and US Amazon Prime Video from several servers too.
Given the evidence above, Surfshark is the clear winner regarding streaming, thanks to its reliable unblocking of all of the VPN services that we tested.
Surfshark suggests that it is the best VPN available for torrenting. It makes it easy for P2P sharers by automatically re-routing your connection to a suitable VPN server when it identifies torrenting activity. There are excellent connection speeds and unlimited bandwidth too, meaning that you can download and share quickly.
Surfshark also offers the option to pay with Bitcoin, which is great if you want to keep your torrenting activities completely anonymous. There is a Whitelister (split tunneling) feature too, which means that you could reroute your torrenting activity through the VPN while allowing the rest of your internet traffic to continue through your normal ISP connection.
NordVPN is another excellent choice for torrenters, despite the fact that it does not boast about its support for P2P sharing. Like Surfshark, not all of the NordVPN servers are optimized for torrenting. Still, if the client detects torrenting traffic, it will automatically redirect you to one of the specialty P2P servers supporting torrenting activity. There are hundreds of NordVPN servers across the globe that support torrenting, meaning that you will always have access to a secure connection.
There is a range of additional privacy features that make NordVPN a pretty good choice for torrenters too, including Double VPN technology, Onion over VPN, DNS leak protection, and a transparent no-logging policy to ensure your activity remains anonymous.
Installing and setting up Surfshark is a simple, streamlined experience. Enter your account and payment details, click the download link, and allow the client to install. To set up your VPN connection, all you need to do is click the Connect button. Once you are connected, a notification will tell you that you are connected to the VPN, and the client interface will display your new IP address and location.
NordVPN offers a similarly simple setup process across all devices and operating systems. The provider offers a range of tutorials, setup guides, and articles. NordVPN comes with 24/7 live chat support too, in case you require further assistance.
NordVPN also provides a range of setup guides for niche uses, including SOCKS5 proxy setup, as well as installation guides for browser extensions.
Surfshark provides excellent VPN clients for both Windows and macOS. Installation is simple; all you need to do is click one of the download links available on the provider’s website.
The Surfshark Windows client interface is intuitive and well-designed. It features a large Connect button, allowing a quick connection to the VPN. There is a panel offering server status details as well as a list of server locations. There is a helpful Favorites feature too, which allows you to save your most used servers for easy access later.
In the desktop client, there is a dedicated IP list that allows connections to VPN servers in Singapore, the United Kingdom, Japan, the United States, and Germany. This means that you can access the same dedicated IP address every time you access the VPN.
Surfshark also comes with a NoBorders mode which enables you to use the VPN in places that do not typically support the use of VPNs, such as offices or universities. There is also a MultiHop feature, Whitelister, and an integrated kill-switch.
With NordVPN, the desktop interfaces are clean and simple too. There is a large map visible upon launching the client, allowing you to select your desired server by clicking on the map. There is a typical server list too, which is simple to use. Unfortunately, NordVPN has replaced the Favorites option with a Recents system, which is somewhat less useful.
Connections are quick and easy, and so is switching between NordVPN protocols, activating the kill switch, and using a range of additional features in the Settings.
The Surfshark mobile version apps for iOS and Android is impressively powerful, and both apps are packed with useful privacy features. The VPN apps are well-designed and clean too, ensuring a user-friendly experience on your mobile device.
The Android app is extremely similar to the Windows version and features a list of server locations, split tunneling, Multi-Hop, and Whitelister. There is support for a range of protocols, including OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard, and Shadowsocks, and the same kill switch as the desktop client.
The Surfshark Android app also offers the option to choose between AES-256 GGM or Chacha20Poly1305 encryption methods. Most of the features are available on the iOS version too.
Like its desktop versions, the NordVPN mobile clients feature a map-based interface which is slightly difficult to use on a smaller screen. NordVPN installation and setup are quick and simple. Once you have signed up to NordVPN, you will be redirected to the relevant app store. Download and install the NordVPN app, and you will be using the VPN in a few minutes.
Connecting and disconnecting from NordVPN is simple and will take less than a minute. There is an auto-connection feature available on both of the NordVPN mobile clients. There is also split tunneling, an anti-malware feature called CyberSec, and a reliable kill switch available on iOS. However, the Android app lacks a kill switch.
The NordVPN Android app even comes without split tunneling, which is impressive for a mobile version.
When signing up for a new VPN provider, it is reassuring to know that there is excellent customer support on hand when you run into any issues while setting up or using the service.
NordVPN offers excellent live chat, which ensures fast, helpful responses to all of your queries. There is a range of NordVPN setup and support articles, which are comprehensive and packed full of useful information.
Surfshark support options include a ticket email system and live-chat support too and also promises quick and useful responses. Its user guides have recently been updated too, which is good to see.
Both NordVPN and Surfshark offer excellent customer service, which means that you will be looked after no matter which service you pick.
Overall, it is an extremely close call between NordVPN and Surfshark. Both VPN services have different strengths and weaknesses and we would recommend one or the other for varying reasons.
If you want to protect every single device you own at no extra cost and have access to incredibly user-friendly desktop and mobile apps, Surfshark is the clear winner. It is also a lot cheaper and offers the same level of privacy and security as NordVPN.
However, NordVPN is a household name in the VPN world, offers a large number of servers, excellent customer support, and performed well during our speed test. Moreover, the provider has had its privacy policy audited, affirming its validity as a solid VPN provider. If you’re looking for a VPN with a good reputation then Nord is the best choice. Yet overall, we’d argue that Surfshark is a better VPN for the average internet user.
Hi, I'm Cliff. I'm based in Cleveland, Ohio, with my wife and two kids.
I have a keen interest in cybersecurity and have been writing about it for around a decade now. Due to my background in computer science, I am familiar ...
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