ExpressVPN vs NordVPN vs Surfshark – which one to choose?

NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark are three of the most popular VPN services out there. They’re all top-quality options with strong security, fast speeds, and great tools for streaming and torrenting without interruptions. However, which of them is the best?

Each of these VPNs offers strong encryption to protect your data, a kill switch to prevent leaks, split tunneling to choose which apps use the VPN, and Smart DNS to help with streaming.

However, there are some key differences. NordVPN and ExpressVPN use their custom connection protocols for better speed and security. Meanwhile, Surfshark stands out with extra features like GPS spoofing and Alternative ID.

In this NordVPN vs Surfshark vs ExpressVPN comparison, I examine their performance in terms of security, speed, features, server coverage, streaming and torrenting, ease of use, and value for money. Then, based on these factors, I ultimately chose the best VPN out of the trio.

ExpressVPN vs NordVPN vs Surfshark: highlights

All three VPNs are reliable and offer excellent performance, making it hard to decide which one is right. To make the choice easier, here’s a simple side-by-side look at their main aspects.

	Top choice
	NordVPN	Surfshark VPN	ExpressVPN
⭐ Rating:	4.9 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.7 ★ ★ ★ ★ ★	4.3 ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
🥇 Overall rank:	#1 out of #41	#2 out of #41	#4 out of #41
🖥️ Servers:	7,950 + servers in 126 countries	3,200 + servers in 100 countries	3,000 + servers in 105 countries
📖 No logs policy:	No logs	No logs	No logs
💵 Price:	From $3.39/month	From $1.99/month	From $4.99/month
🔥 Coupons:	NordVPN coupon 76% OFF	Surfshark coupon 87% OFF	ExpressVPN coupon 61% OFF
🔒 VPN protocols:	OpenVPN, WireGuard (NordLynx), NordWhisper	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2	Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2
🍿 Streaming services:	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more	Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more	Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more
🖥️ Platforms:	Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS	Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
📥 Simultaneous connections:	10	Unlimited	8
💁🏻 Support:	Knowledge base, FAQs, email, 24/7 live chat	Knowledge base, 24/7 live chat, email support	Knowledge base, FAQs, email, 24/7 live chat
	Get NordVPN

NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN are all excellent VPN clients to choose from; however, each of them has its strengths:

• Price. If you’re looking for the best price-to-value ratio, then Surfshark is the winner.
• Security. All three providers have excellent security features. However, NordVPN and Surfshark take it further with malware detection tools.
• Performance. If you are seeking the speediest provider, then NordVPN is the best for you.
• Compatibility and setup. All three VPNs have excellent apps and detailed setup guides. However, NordVPN would be the top choice for the best app performance and ExpressVPN for versatility, thanks to its router applet.
• Features for streaming and torrenting. NordVPN or Surfshark would be the most reliable for streaming or torrenting.
• Additional features. Surfshark does offer excellent extra tools like an antivirus suite and data removal services.

Overall, all three VPNs are excellent choices, but NordVPN takes the lead, followed closely by Surfshark in second place and ExpressVPN in third.

Key differences between NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark

NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark all offer strong security, fast speeds, and excellent streaming support. However, each one stands out in different ways, and the best choice for you will depend on what you value most. Here’s a quick look at how they compare:

• Surfshark allows unlimited connections. Surfshark is the only one of the three that lets you simultaneously use the VPN on as many devices as you want.
• NordVPN has the largest server network. With over 7700 servers in 118 countries, NordVPN provides the biggest server network out of the trio. Surfshark also has a vast network, though slightly smaller. ExpressVPN covers 105 countries but doesn’t share its total server count, making direct comparisons tricky.
• ExpressVPN includes a custom VPN router. This provider sells its custom router, which comes pre-installed with the VPN. ExpressVPN also has an app for certain routers, which is excellent for people who want an easy setup.
• NordVPN is the fastest. In my tests, NordVPN had the best speeds, making it great for streaming and downloads. Surfshark was close behind, while ExpressVPN was reliable but slower than the others.
• ExpressVPN includes a password manager. ExpressVPN adds a password manager (Keys) to all its plans. NordVPN also has NordPass, but it’s not included in the cheapest plan. Meanwhile, Surfshark doesn’t currently offer a built-in password manager.
• Surfshark is the cheapest. Surfshark is the most budget-friendly, especially on long-term plans. NordVPN comes next, with ExpressVPN being the most expensive of the three.

ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and NordVPN: company backgrounds

When comparing VPN providers, it’s essential to look at their background – where and when they were founded and who created them. This helps us understand their values and their commitment to protecting user privacy. Below, you’ll find a quick overview of each provider’s history and how they grew into major players in the VPN market.

ExpressVPN’s company background

ExpressVPN was founded in 2009 by Peter Burchhardt and Dan Pomerantz. Their goal was to help people regain control of their online privacy and security. To this day, the company is based in the British Virgin Islands, which was chosen specifically because it has strong privacy laws and doesn’t require companies to store user data.

In 2021, ExpressVPN became part of Kape Technologies, which owns other privacy-focused brands, including CyberGhost and Private Internet Access (PIA). Even so, ExpressVPN still runs independently and follows its own privacy-focused mission.

The company has a strict no-logs policy, meaning it doesn’t track what you do online or keep records of your activity. This policy has been independently audited multiple times by third-party firms like KPMG, confirming its claims of maintaining user privacy.

Beyond its products, ExpressVPN supports digital rights and online freedom. It backs groups like the Internet Defense League and Fight for the Future, showing its commitment to keeping the internet safe and open for everyone.

Surfshark company background

Surfshark was created in 2018 by Vytautas Kaziukonis to give users more control over their digital privacy. In 2022, Surfshark joined forces with Nord Security, the company behind NordVPN. Although they now share the same parent company, both brands operate independently. This partnership brought together two leading names in online security.

Surfshark was initially based in the British Virgin Islands but moved its headquarters to the Netherlands in 2021. While the Netherlands is part of the Nine Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, Surfshark maintains a strict no-logs policy. This has been confirmed through independent audits by trusted firms like Deloitte and Cure53, and the company has never experienced a privacy breach.

Surfshark has grown quickly. It now offers additional tools like antivirus protection, private search, and data breach monitoring. The Financial Times also recognized it as one of Europe’s fastest-growing companies.

The company is known for taking privacy seriously. For example, it removed its servers from India after the country introduced new data laws. Surfshark is also a founding member of the VPN Trust Initiative, which promotes transparency and best practices in the VPN industry.

NordVPN’s company background

NordVPN was founded in 2012 by Tomas Okmanas and Eimantas Sabaliauskas to make online privacy and freedom accessible to everyone – especially when concerns about government surveillance and data breaches were growing. It is a flagship product of Nord Security, the company behind several leading cybersecurity solutions.

NordVPN is based in Panama, a country known for strong privacy protections and the absence of mandatory data retention laws. This legal environment supports NordVPN’s strict no-logs policy, meaning it does not track or store users’ online activity. This policy has also been independently verified through 5 separate audits by third-party firms, with the most recent conducted by Deloitte in 2024.

In 2018, NordVPN faced a security issue at a third-party data center. The company found out in April 2019, immediately shut down the affected server, and took extra steps to improve security. No user accounts or passwords were leaked.

Today, NordVPN is one of the biggest names in the VPN world. It has millions of users and has added new products like NordPass (a password manager) and NordLocker (a file encryption tool).

Plans and pricing

The cheapest option out of the three is Surfshark. This VPN provider offers the most affordable options for monthly, yearly, and two-year plans, the best deal coming with the longest subscription and costing only $1.99/month.

While slightly more expensive than Surfshark, NordVPN offers budget-friendly plans, especially with longer commitments. The best deal comes with the longest 2-year plan and costs only $3.39/month.

The most expensive option is ExpressVPN. Even the longest-term subscription plan is more expensive than NordVPN and Surfshark’s best deal plans. ExpressVPN’s 2-year plan costs $4.99/month.

	NordVPN	Surfshark	ExpressVPN
Free version	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No
Best deal	Get 76% OFF NordVPN + free Amazon gift card	Now up to 87% OFF Surfshark + 3 months FREE	Now up to 61% OFF ExpressVPN + 4 months FREE
Monthly plan	$12.99/month	$15.45/month	$12.95/month
1-year plan	$4.99/month	$3.19/month	$6.67/month
2-year plan	$3.39/month	$1.99/month	$4.99/month
Free trial	3-day Android free trial	7-day mobile and macOS free trial	7-day mobile free trial
Money-back guarantee	30-day money-back guarantee	30-day money-back guarantee	30-day money-back guarantee

All three providers offer various plans based on your price range. The longer the subscription plan, the better deal you get with it. In addition, NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN all come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

All three providers offer a free trial, which is also available on mobile devices (Surfshark also supports macOS). To create a new account, you only need to download the app from either the Google Play Store or the App Store. After that, you can set up the VPN apps on any other device compatible with them and enjoy the full versions of these apps for free.

However, unlike Surfshark and ExpressVPN, which offer 7-day free trials, NordVPN offers a 3-day trial, which might be a con for some users.

You can pick from various payment methods, including credit cards, Google Pay, or even cryptocurrencies. NordVPN offers the most extensive coverage of payment methods, both traditional and completely anonymous.

Payment method	NordVPN	Surfshark	ExpressVPN
Credit card	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
PayPal	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
AmazonPay	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No
Apple Pay	✅ Yes	❌ No	✅ Yes
Google Pay	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others)	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

Surfshark has limited payment methods. While you can purchase it with credit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, and cryptocurrency, it doesn’t accept Amazon Pay or Apple Pay.

ExpressVPN also doesn’t accept Amazon Pay, but other transactional options are covered.

Security overview: NordVPN vs Surfshark vs ExpressVPN

NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark offer excellent security features that protect your device and data from online threats. Even though Surfshark is based in a country that is a part of the Nine Eyes alliance, its multiple security audits prove that this VPN doesn’t collect any of the user data. All three of these VPNs work on RAM-only server infrastructure. Moreover, NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN offer comprehensive security packages that ensure your data is protected while browsing online.

	NordVPN	Surfshark	ExpressVPN
Encryption	AES-256 and ChaCha20	AES-256 and ChaCha20	AES-256 and ChaCha20
Hash	SHA-512	SHA-512	SHA-512
RAM servers	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
A member of the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes alliances?	❌ No	✅ Yes	❌ No
No-logs policy	✅ Yes, last audited by Deloitte Audit Lithuania in 2024	✅ Yes, last audited by Deloitte in 2023	✅ Yes, last audited by KPMG in 2023
Kill switch	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Ad blocker	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
DNS leak protection	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

In addition to these privacy tools, extra features like a kill switch, ad blockers, and leak protection ensure your sensitive data won’t leak or be hacked by online malware threats.

Infrastructure

NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN all come with reliable kill switches. We’ve tested each provider’s kill switch and can ensure that they work reliably and will prevent your actual IP address from leaking if your VPN connection is interrupted or drops completely.

All three of the providers work with RAM-only servers. This means your data and logs aren’t stored on hard drives. Instead, the data is wiped with every server restart. So, there’s a lesser chance of your data being leaked, stolen, or used for marketing purposes.

In addition to not collecting user data, all three providers use the market-standard and unhackable encryption – AES-256. This way, your data is so encrypted that even if cybercriminals somehow got their hands on it, they wouldn’t be able to access its contents.

Privacy

NordVPN is based in Panama, and ExpressVPN is in the British Virgin Islands, both of which are privacy-friendly jurisdictions. On the other hand, Surfshark’s headquarters are located in the Netherlands, part of the Nine Eyes alliance.

The countries in the Five, Nine, and Fourteen Eyes alliances have the right to monitor their citizens’ activity online and share it among the alliance members if necessary.

However, there’s no need to worry about Surfshark’s base country since the VPN provider has a strict no-logs policy. This means that Surfshark doesn’t collect any data about your activity online and, therefore, cannot share it with anyone. That, added to the RAM-only server infrastructure, guarantees that all three VPN providers ensure excellent data security.

Independently audited no-logs policies

All three VPNs on this list have been independently audited by top cybersecurity firms. NordVPN's no-logs policy was last audited by Deloitte Audit Lithuania in 2024, confirming its adherence to data privacy standards. Surfshark also underwent an independent audit by Deloitte in 2023. ExpressVPN had its no-logs policy audited by KPMG in 2023, further validating its commitment to user privacy.

Speed

All three of these providers are amongst the fastest VPN providers on the market. NordVPN and ExpressVPN use their own proprietary protocols, while Surfshark employs the speedy WireGuard tunneling protocol.

We’ve tested these three VPNs with their best-performing protocols to see what speed results we can obtain in different locations.

• Baseline: 1ms ping/500Mbps download/500Mbps upload

	NordVPN (NordLynx)	ExpressVPN (Lightway)	Surfshark (WireGuard)
US	419Mbps download/203Mbps upload	420Mbps download/163Mbps upload	403Mbps download/201Mbps upload
UK	465Mbps download/467Mbps upload	459Mbps download/441Mbps upload	468Mbps download/470Mbps upload
Canada	415Mbps download/163Mbps upload	401Mbps download/178Mbps upload	406Mbps download/163Mbps upload
Germany	465Mbps download/469Mbps upload	453Mbps download/459Mbps upload	468Mbps download/470Mbps upload
France	466Mbps download/466Mbps upload	457Mbps download/462Mbps upload	468Mbps download/442Mbps upload
Japan	410Mbps download/82Mbps upload	439Mbps download/433Mbps upload	343Mbps download/74Mbps upload

During tests, it becomes clear that NordVPN is the fastest of all three. NordVPN performed better with both download and upload speeds, while Surfshark was a close second (in some of the locations, it was even slightly faster than NordVPN). Meanwhile, ExpressVPN provided stable connections throughout the different server locations.

In addition to these results, we also calculated, throughout a certain period of time, how much speed on average each provider retains. Based on our calculations, NordVPN, with the NordLynx tunneling protocol, can retain up to 84% of the initial speed. Surfshark also keeps 84% of the connection speed, while ExpressVPN, with Lightway, retains up to 87%.

Even the lowest retention rate is impressive and can ensure lag-free browsing, streaming, and torrenting experiences.

Feature overview

ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark are all top-rated premium VPN providers offering excellent features with their subscription packages. Here’s a comparison of the features these VPNs offer:

	NordVPN	Surfshark	ExpressVPN
Smart DNS	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (MediaStreamer)
SmartPlay	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ No
Dedicated IP	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Double VPN	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No
Obfuscated servers	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
P2P support	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Split tunneling	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Web filters	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	❌ No (tracker blocker only)
Dark web monitoring	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes, ID alerts

Smart DNS

The Smart DNS tool enhances the streaming experience by allowing you to unblock streaming platforms without traffic encryption or a VPN tunnel. In addition, it works on devices that don’t support VPN apps.

ExpressVPN calls this feature MediaStreamer. When we tested it, it worked well with smart TVs but struggled with gaming consoles. NordVPN and Surfshark also offer this feature, which is simply called Smart DNS. The feature worked well, and we had no issues setting it up with smart TVs or gaming consoles.

Specialty servers

ExpressVPN only offers one type of specialty server – obfuscated servers, which help to bypass internet and VPN restrictions without your connection being identified as coming through the VPN tunnel.

On the other hand, NordVPN has a much larger variety of specialized servers from which you can choose.

However, you should note that some servers will only appear with an appropriate tunneling protocol.

Here’s what you can get:

• Dedicated IP – you can purchase a static IP address to always connect through the same IP address.
• Double VPN – combines two VPN servers to create a VPN-to-VPN connection for maximum privacy.
• Obfuscated servers – these servers hide your VPN tunnel to appear as regular HTTPS traffic, which is especially useful when connecting to the internet in countries with high censorship rates. This only works on OpenVPN protocols.
• Onion over VPN – these servers combine the Tor network with VPN connections. This way, your connection goes through the VPN server and several Tor nodes, which makes it extra difficult to track the online activity back to you.
• P2P – even though NordVPN supports torrenting on all of its servers, picking the P2P-specific servers will give you slightly better performance while downloading or sending peer-to-peer files and data.

Surfshark also offers various specialty servers you can connect to instead of regular servers.

Here’s what you can choose from:

• MultiHop – the same as DoubleVPN, your connection goes through two VPN servers. Thanks to Nexus technology, Surfshark allows you to pick the entry and exit locations for your VPN connection.
• Dedicated IP – a purchasable IP address that you can use to always connect with the same IP address.
• Static IP – different from a dedicated IP because it doesn’t require purchasing. You can pick one server you’ll always connect to. However, other people can also use the same server.

Split tunneling

Split tunneling allows you to customize which apps and websites require a VPN tunnel and which don’t. This way, you can easily set up, for example, to exempt your banking app from connecting through a VPN tunnel, even with the VPN enabled. Alternatively, you can also customize your connections, so you would always have to launch Netflix with a VPN enabled.

All three VPNs on this list offer a split tunneling feature. Surfshark calls it Bypasser, which can be accessed through the settings page. There, you can enable the tool and select which apps require a VPN tunnel by clicking Add websites or IP addresses.

NordVPN doesn’t have a specific name for this tool, and the setup process is similar to Surfshark’s. You can find split tunneling in the settings tab, where you can enable it and customize what apps require the encrypted tunnel connection.

Unfortunately, NordVPN only has split tunneling on Windows and Android devices. Surfshark, however, offers it on Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS.

ExpressVPN’s split tunneling feature is available on Windows, macOS (not on Mac 11 or newer), and Android devices. It works the same as the NordVPN and Surfshark ones.

Web filters

Web filters prevent you from accessing or interacting with malicious pages online. In essence, it works like an ad blocker.

ExpressVPN offers protection against trackers with its Threat Manager feature. This provider also offers an ad blocker and parental controls. NordVPN and Surfshark have dedicated tools to block ads and prevent online threats from targeting your data and device.

Surfshark has CleanWeb, which blocks trackers and ads by blocking known IPs associated with malware, adware hosts, and trackers. This feature works on Chrome, Firefox, and Edge extensions.

NordVPN has Threat Protection, which, in addition to blocking ads and trackers, also identifies malware threats and prevents you from visiting malicious sites.

Additional features

All three providers also have some additional features that I review below. Here’s what ExpressVPN offers:

• Router applet. ExpressVPN offers an easier way to set your VPN up on a router. This is especially useful when you want to cover more than 8 devices simultaneously.
• Password manager. This newest feature is currently available for Android, iOS, and browsers. You can also protect your login credentials to enhance your online security.
• ID Alerts (US only). Monitors various records, the dark web, and public platforms for activity relating to your personal information.

To learn more, check out our detailed ExpressVPN review.

NordVPN also has some extra tools to add to an already excellent feature package:

• Meshnet. This feature allows you to create an encrypted network connecting up to 60 devices simultaneously. Meshnet lets you stream, create LAN parties, and browse online for free. You don’t even need to be a NordVPN subscriber to use this tool.
• Presets. This feature allows you to create your custom VPN settings.
• Dark web monitoring. This feature continuously checks for any leaked data on the dark web.

Learn more in our NordVPN review.

Last but not least, Surfshark’s extra features include:

• GPS spoofer. With this feature, you can spoof your Android device’s GPS location, which helps to prevent websites from tracking your geographical location.
• Alerts. This feature monitors your sensitive data and informs you about any possible leaks.
• IP rotator. Automatically switches your VPN IP address every other minute.
• Alternative ID. Generates a fake online identity and email to prevent data leaks.

Check out our Surfshark review for more information.

Extra value

You can splurge and get additional tools that NordVPN and Surfshark offer to enhance your data and device protection:

• Surfshark antivirus – it's compatible with Windows, macOS, and Android devices. For an extra $33.62/year, you can purchase the Surfshark One package and get the VPN and antivirus suite.
• Incogni – with the Surfshark One+ bundle, you can get a tool that helps you remove your information from data broker sites. Alternatively, you can purchase Incogni as a standalone product for $8.29/month.

For an extra cost, NordVPN offers:

• NordPass – a premium password manager to secure all your credentials in one place, generate impenetrable passwords, and autofill your information. You can get it for $1.38/month.
• NordLocker – this is an encrypted cloud storage where you can safely store up to 2TB of data. You can get it for $3.99/month.
• NordProtect – an identity protection tool that monitors your credentials for data leaks and offers identity theft recovery.

ExpressVPN offers a unique feature:

• Holiday.com eSIM – this is an eSIM created by developers behind ExpressVPN. You can get up to 5GB free, depending on the VPN plan you choose.

Server locations

All three VPN providers have large server fleets worldwide. NordVPN offers over 7950 servers in 126 countries. In comparison, Surfshark offers 3200+ servers in 100 countries.

ExpressVPN no longer publicly states how many servers are available. This provider has many servers in 105 countries.

More servers in more locations mean a better chance of finding an uncrowded server, improving your connection instantly. Server congestion and proximity are key factors in determining speed, so a well-distributed network fleet ensures a faster and provide a more reliable experience.

	NordVPN	Surfshark	ExpressVPN
Servers	7950+	3200+	N/A
Countries (total)	126	100	105
Virtual locations	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Specialty servers	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

NordVPN and Surfshark come with extra specialty servers. NordVPN has dedicated IPs, double VPN, obfuscated servers, and onion over VPN. Surfshark offers MultiHop, static IP, and dedicated IP servers. Lastly, ExpressVPN offers fewer specialty servers since its main servers support all activities, including gaming and torrenting.

Torrenting

NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN support torrenting and are rated as some of the best VPNs for torrenting. While ExpressVPN showed slightly slower speeds, it wasn’t far behind.

NordVPN supports torrenting on all of its servers and has specialized servers for P2P connections. This allows for speedy and secure downloads. In addition, this VPN has a SOCKS5 proxy for better speeds.

Surfshark also supports torrenting on all of its servers and doesn’t throttle speeds, so you can enjoy speedy and secure P2P connections.

Lastly, ExpressVPN also supports torrenting on all servers. While it was slightly slower than Surfshark or NordVPN, the speed drops weren’t that noticeable.

Streaming and Netflix performance

Looking at NordVPN vs Surfshark vs ExpressVPN, these providers are excellent for streaming. With a vast list of servers, reliable tunneling protocols for a high streaming experience, and the ability to bypass content restrictions, no matter which VPN – NordVPN, Surfshark, or ExpressVPN – you pick, you’ll enjoy easy streaming.

Platform	NordVPN	Surfshark	ExpressVPN
Netflix	✅ Yes (most popular country libraries: US, UK, Canada, Germany, Japan)	✅ Yes (most popular country libraries: US, UK, Canada, Germany, Japan)	✅ Yes (most popular country libraries: US, UK, Canada, Germany, Japan)
Amazon Prime Video	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Hulu	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Max	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Disney+	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
BBC iPlayer	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
YouTube TV	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

NordVPN had no issues unblocking different Netflix libraries, including the US, Japanese, and German. In addition, the streaming quality was excellent, and we didn’t encounter any lag.

This VPN also works with other popular platforms like Amazon Prime Video, Max, Hulu, etc. NordVPN works with less popular streaming platforms like Crunchyroll and iQiyi as well.

Surfshark showed the same results as NordVPN. It accessed different Netflix libraries (like Australian, Japanese, US, and others) on the first try, and we had no issues with streaming in HD quality.

Like the competitor, Surfshark unblocks all the most popular streaming platforms, including Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Crunchyroll, and others.

Last but not least, ExpressVPN also performed well. It unblocked various Netflix libraries, even if we had to try twice with several server locations. Ultimately, the stream quality was excellent, and we encountered no lag or buffering.

Thanks to ExpressVPN’s capabilities to bypass various geo-restrictions, it works with various other streaming platforms, including Hulu, HBO Max, and YouTube TV.

Better yet, all three of these VPNs have Smart DNS features (ExpressVPN calls it MediaStreamer), which allows you to easily set up a VPN on devices that don’t support VPN apps.

Platforms, interface, and ease of use

Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN have applications that are easy to use and set up. These VPNs are very user-friendly and cover a wide range of devices.

	NordVPN	Surfshark	ExpressVPN
Supported OS	Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS	Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS
Other software and devices	Kodi, Android TVs, Fire devices, PlayStation, Xbox, Chromecast, and more	Android TVs, Fire devices, PlayStation, Xbox, Apple TV, and more	Android TV, Fire devices, routers, Apple TV, Roku, PlayStation, Xbox devices, and more
Browser extensions	Chrome, Firefox, Edge	Chrome, Firefox, Edge	Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, Vivaldi
Simultaneous connections	10	Unlimited	8
Usability level	Easy	Easy	Very easy

All VPNs offer dedicated apps for different OS and are compatible with various other devices, like streaming sticks and smart TVs. In addition, you’ll be able to get different browser extensions and connect on multiple devices.

While Surfshark covers unlimited devices, it doesn’t give this VPN that much edge when you can set up NordVPN and ExpressVPN on a router and cover any device connected to your Wi-Fi.

Desktop apps

NordVPN Windows and macOS apps look very similar. Both come with a map interface and essentially the same features. The apps are easy to navigate for beginners and allow customization for more experienced users.

Additionally, macOS has two NordVPN versions available – the one from the App Store, which is a little more limited, or the full version that can be downloaded from the official website.

While testing this app, we found it to be one of the easiest to navigate. In addition, there’s plenty of customization that you can do.

Surfshark also has excellent apps for Windows and macOS users and a dedicated app for Linux. All versions are very easy to use, and the interface looks the same.

Like with NordVPN, Surfshark also has two app versions available for macOS – one from the App Store and one from the official website. However, the App Store version doesn’t work with the Surfshark One bundle, so you won’t be able to get the full package with an antivirus tool.

ExpressVPN Windows and macOS apps offer the same features. In addition, the apps look simplistic and are easy to navigate and use.

The ExpressVPN desktop app doesn’t offer a map interface, which can be an aesthetic choice, but for those who like picking their servers from a map, this might be a drawback. We didn’t find this to be an issue during our tests.

Mobile apps

All three VPNs offer better-developed Android apps than the iOS ones. In contrast, the Android versions are the same as the desktop ones.

NordVPN has an excellent Android app with full functionality. It’s feature-rich and very easy to use. In addition, both Android and iOS apps have a map interface.

The iOS app lacks a configurable kill switch due to Apple restrictions. However, always-on VPNs work in the background and reconnect you if the connection drops.

Surfshark offers an impressive Android app with features like Bypasser and GPS spoofing that competitors don’t provide. In addition, both Android and iOS apps are modern and easy to navigate.

The iOS app version lacks Whitelister and GPS spoofing tools, making it slightly weaker than the Android one. Again, this is because of Apple’s restrictions on third-party apps making changes to their system settings.

ExpressVPN’s mobile apps look exactly the same as the desktop versions. However, the iOS version lacks split tunneling and shortcut features that are available on Android.

In addition, while testing this app, we found it very easy to navigate and customize our experience.

ExpressVPN vs NordVPN vs Surfshark: video review

Tired of reading? Check out our video on NordVPN vs ExpressVPN vs Surfshark to see how these three VPNs compare and which we deem the best out of the bunch.

Customer support

All three premium VPN providers offer the exact same customer support options. That includes both knowledge bases and the ability to contact support agents.

	NordVPN	Surfshark	ExpressVPN
24/7 live chat	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Email	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
Phone line	❌ No	❌ No	❌ No
Guides or articles	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
FAQs	✅ Yes	✅ Yes	✅ Yes

NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark offer 24/7 live chat and email support. This way, you can get support with whatever issues you have and receive a direct answer. We tested the response times of each provider, and the waiting time was similar as well – we waited 5-10 minutes for the initial response. Then, the solution was provided to us momentarily.

Alternatively, you can solve your problems by checking the available guides or FAQ pages. All three providers have extensive libraries of guides and articles to help you through whatever issue you’re dealing with.

NordVPN vs ExpressVPN vs Surfshark: Reddit upvotes

Overall, Redditors rate all three – ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark – very favorably. These VPNs are constantly top recommended by VPN users for various reasons, whether for streaming, torrenting, or securing your data online.

ExpressVPN is seen as a reliable option that many Reddit users vouch for. It’s considered good for many purposes, including security, streaming, and torrenting.

Redditors praise Surfshark not only for its performance but also for its budget-friendly prices. It has stood the test of time, and people still rave about their experience using this VPN even after a long time.

NordVPN, according to Reddit users, is one of the best value-for-money VPNs. This provider’s feature package, performance, and security are rated very highly, and it’s said to have a very appropriate price for such various tools.

Which is better – NordVPN, Surfshark or ExpressVPN?

NordVPN is the overall winner of this comparison. The three VPN giants – NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN – are all excellent services that are topping the VPN market. They have excellent features, performance, and security tools, but NordVPN is simply slightly better.

During our testing, NordVPN won the most categories. It’s an excellent tool to protect your data online and enjoy browsing quickly and without any restrictions. This is the top choice for streaming and torrenting, making this VPN the best tool you could purchase.

Category	NordVPN	Surfshark	ExpressVPN
Price	❌	✅	❌
Protection	✅	✅	✅
Speed	✅	❌	❌
Features	✅	✅	❌
Server locations	✅	❌	❌
China	✅	✅	✅
Torrenting	✅	❌	❌
Streaming	✅	✅	✅
Ease of use	✅	✅	✅
Customer support	✅	✅	✅

Surfshark came out as the second-best VPN in this comparison. Its budget-friendly prices, excellent speed performances, feature package, as well as streaming and torrenting capabilities, prove that this is one of the best VPNs to select for your daily online life.

Last but not least, ExpressVPN is another premium VPN provider that ensures excellent protection for your data while browsing online. Even though it came third in this comparison, it’s still a very impressive and reliable tool. However, I wish it extended its feature package to fit its higher price tag.

Comparison methodology

Here, you can see the criteria we used to analyze NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark for this comparison. We tested all three providers in detail for each category to determine which one is the best out of the three:

1. Pricing (20%). We looked for the best quality-price deals to determine which of these three VPNs is the best. In addition, we looked for free trials and money-back guarantees.
2. Security tools (15%). The best VPNs offer extensive security feature packages that ensure the best data and device protection from online threats and surveillance. Therefore, we checked what features each provider offers to determine which one will be the best to secure your data.
3. Speed performance (15%). While all VPNs have an impact on connection speed, it’s important that they don’t slow down browsing too much. Therefore, we tested all three providers' performance and how much of the original speed they retained to select the fastest one. This way, you’ll get a quality VPN that ensures lag and buffer-free browsing, streaming, and torrenting experience.
4. Features included (10%). We looked for additional features that enhance your security and browsing experience, whether that is an ad blocker, malware detection, or specialized servers.
5. Server network (10%). We analyzed the server coverage these providers had to note how successful these VPNs would be with bypassing geo-restrictions, avoiding censorship, and the likelihood of dealing with overcrowded servers.
6. Streaming (10%). To select the best VPN for streaming out of NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark, we tested their capabilities with different streaming platforms to note which ones were easy to access and which were impossible. In addition, we also checked for video quality when making our decisions.
7. Torrenting capabilities (10%). Some users purchase VPNs for torrenting, so we test the providers’ capabilities with P2P connections, security, and performance.
8. Ease of use (5%). The tools should be easy to use for both beginners and experienced users. So, we tested the different apps to see how easy it is to set up, navigate, and customize your experience.
9. Customer support (5%). Top VPNs need to provide various customer support channels for their customers. Therefore, we tested the available help options and how efficiently you can obtain help.

FAQ