Surfshark vs NordVPN – which one is the best fit for you?

NordVPN and Surfshark are some of the biggest names in the VPN industry. They receive high praise from well-established online publications, famous technology influencers, and regular customers on social media. I’m here to compare these two VPNs in the most vital categories to help you pick the most suitable provider for your needs. I’ll compare the two regarding speed, security, features, price, and more. Read on if you can’t decide between Surfshark vs NordVPN.

Surfshark vs NordVPN: overview

Surfshark is a budget-friendly option that offers unlimited simultaneous connections and more additional features. Conversely, NordVPN is slightly pricier than Surfshark and provides more server locations as well as superior streaming and torrenting performance.

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Surfshark vs NordVPN price comparison

Surfshark is cheaper than NordVPN, regardless of the subscription duration. However, the two are still relatively cheap, especially compared to other high-quality VPN providers like ExpressVPN ($6.67/month for a 2-year plan)and Proton VPN ($3.59/month for a 2-year plan).

Note: Pricing last checked in September 2024.

The monthly subscription is the shortest option, and it will be the priciest. NordVPN costs $12.99/month, while Surfshark is a bit cheaper – $15.45/month. To put it into perspective, ExpressVPN monthly subscription is $12.95/month and Proton VPN is $9.99/month. So, NordVPN is the priciest, while Proton VPN is cheapest for a single month.

The longest two-year plan gets you the best savings. NordVPN costs $3.09/month, while Surfshark charges $2.19/month, which is a superb deal.

Both providers accept credit cards, PayPal, AmazonPay, Google Play, Apple Pay, and cryptocurrencies. The only difference between Surfshark vs NordVPN is that NordVPN offers its subscriptions in retail stores like Walmart and Best Buy, where you can pay with cash or gift cards.

Both Surfshark and NordVPN allow potential customers to try their services risk-free by offering 30-day money-back guarantees and 7-day free trials. However, it’s important to note that NordVPN’s free trial can be claimed via Android devices and only after registration can be used on other operating systems. Similarly, Surfshark’s free trial is available to claim through iOS, Android, or macOS devices first.

If the pricing seems too much, there might be a discount waiting for you: check out our pages for NordVPN coupons and Surfshark coupons.

Wrapping up

Both Surfshark and NordVPN offer 1-month, 1-year, and 2-year plans. If you want a short-term solution, NordVPN offers a better monthly deal. Moreover, unlike Surfshark, NordVPN offers cash payments, making it the provider with more payment options overall. However, if you’re looking for a long-term VPN, Surfshark can offer better 1-year and 2-year deals.

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What is it like to use Surfshark compared to NordVPN?

Top VPN providers like Surfshark and NordVPN share a range of advanced features, and the strength of a VPN depends largely on the provider's reputation for building reliable and secure products. Both NordVPN and Surfshark have shaped what users expect from VPN services by prioritizing technical development, usability, and solid customer support.

NordVPN has a slightly longer track record, which may instill more confidence in users. It operates out of Panama, a country known for its privacy-friendly policies, which is a plus for users concerned about data privacy. NordVPN is also praised for its large server network, providing thousands of servers worldwide, ensuring consistent performance and fast speeds.

Surfshark, on the other hand, excels with its feature of unlimited device connections, which is particularly useful for households or users with multiple devices. Surfshark's affordability and ease of use make it a solid choice for those who need multiple secure connections at once.

Both VPNs offer fast, consistent speeds, critical security features like AES-256 encryption, and the ability to unblock geo-restricted content – making them especially valuable in countries with strict internet censorship. Ultimately, both Surfshark and NordVPN are excellent choices for protecting your data and privacy, though Surfshark may appeal more to users with multiple devices, while NordVPN offers a larger server network and a slightly longer industry track record.

Read NordVPN review

Read Surfshark VPN review

Key differences between Surfshark and NordVPN

This article focuses mainly on the comparison between Surfshark and NordVPN. So, for example, if the information about NordVPN that you’re looking for is not in this article, our team included a lot more specific details in our NordVPN review. But if you’re unconcerned about the finer details, here’s a summary of the most significant differences between NordVPN and Surfshark. These aspects give a general understanding of which provider is better suited for which scenarios.

• Surfshark is cheaper. Surfshark is the better choice for people seeking an affordable VPN. All of Surfshark’s plans are cheaper than NordVPN’s. On the other hand, both offer pricier tiers if you need more cybersecurity features.
• NordVPN has more servers. NordVPN has over 6000 servers in 111 countries, while Surfshark has 3200 across 100 countries. As such, you should go with NordVPN if you prioritize IP address and region variety, whether for content unblocking or connection speed reasons.
• Surfshark supports unlimited connections. If you need a VPN to protect an enormous device fleet with one account, go with Surfshark. You can learn more about details in our team’s Surfshark review. Still, NordVPN’s 10-device connection limit is adequate for most households.
• Unique features. My favorite NordVPN feature is Meshnet, which is integrated into the NordVPN app. Meshnet allows you to securely connect multiple devices over encrypted private networks, perfect for sharing files or gaming with friends. With Surfshark, I appreciate its Webcam protection, which prevents apps from spying on you through your webcam. Both providers offer other compelling features, which I cover in another section.
• NordVPN offers better privacy. If you’re concerned about privacy and the Five-Eyes alliance, you should go with NordVPN. NordVPN is based in privacy-friendly Panama, while Surfshark hails from the Netherlands. However, both are independently audited, so I don’t think there’s anything to worry about.

Security overview: Surfshark vs NordVPN

Both NordVPN and Surfshark are solid cybersecurity providers that focus on ensuring complete privacy and durable online security. For example, both have AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption, which is currently top-notch in data encryption technology. Both have a functional Kill Switch that ensures user privacy even when the VPN connection is down. Finally, both have proved that they do not leak DNS or IP addresses.

Key difference is the country of jurisdiction in which the VPN is based. While NordVPN is located in the privacy-friendly Panama, Surfshark resides in the Netherlands, which belongs to the 9-Eyes Intelligence Alliance. Due to the alliance's agreement to maintain cybersecurity and take counterterrorism measures, innocent individuals might suffer from privacy violations.

Overall, NordVPN and Surfshark seem to be very much alike in terms of security and privacy measures. However, if you take a closer look, you can begin to see some significant differences. We review them in detail below.

Wrapping up – it's a draw

Overall, Surfshark and NordVPN are nearly equal regarding user security and privacy. The most noticeable differences are that Surfshark adds a layer of authentication to applied encryption ciphers, while NordVPN is located in a privacy-friendly country, which makes it our #1 provider.

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Expert comment

Akvilė Tamašiūnienė

Content editor and security expert

Having a reliable VPN is crucial these days. With all the data we share online, there are risks, but using a VPN can help reduce them. That's why I like VPNs with lots of servers – if one goes down, I've got options. Plus, it's important to have extra security features like dark web monitoring, which keeps me informed if my data is ever compromised.

Personally, I choose NordVPN because it offers all these helpful extras and is based in a privacy-friendly country, which gives me peace of mind while browsing online.

Infrastructure and encryption

Both NordVPN and Surfshark have upgraded all servers to run on RAM-only hardware. This means there are no hard drives for long-term data storage, the servers wipe all data after every restart, and don’t retain any information when unplugged.

Despite its unique server design, the two have integrated industry-leading AES-256 ciphers topped with ChaCha20 ciphers. The latter ensures that your connection isn’t only super secure but also fast. However, neither takes the lead over the other in terms of encryption strength, as both VPNs also offer Poly1305 authentication, which enhances data integrity by verifying the authenticity of encrypted data. This means both VPNs use cutting-edge security measures, ensuring that data tampering is detectable and providing robust overall protection.

Jurisdiction

Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, which is a part of the 9-Eyes intelligence alliance. This means the government can retain data if it’s deemed necessary under the Public Records Act, and that it can share relevant information with other member countries. This may raise some concerns about Surfshark’s logging policy, but rest assured – the VPN provider is not required to log any user-identifying information.

NordVPN is based in Panama. It's a privacy-friendly location out of reach of surveillance alliances, and there are no concerns related to data retention.

Overall, your data isn't threatened by intrusive legislation, whichever service you decide to pick.

Kill switch

Just like all reputable VPNs, Surfshark and NordVPN have reliable kill switches. A kill switch blocks your internet access in case a VPN connection drops. This ensures that your privacy remains intact and your real IP address isn’t leaked even if a VPN fails.

All VPNs, even high-quality ones like NordVPN and Surfshark, can encounter connectivity issues. Thus, a kill switch is vital to ensure your IP address isn’t exposed. For example, if you’re connecting to a banned website from a heavily restricted country, where the use of VPNs is punishable by law.

The research team and I conducted in-house VPN testing on these two providers to evaluate their kill switches in various situations. Specifically, with the kill switch enabled, we tested for IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks using the ipleak.net website. Overall, we didn’t encounter any leaking issues when switching between servers or manually terminating the VPN connection.

Independent audits

NordVPN and Surfshark have passed numerous independent audits examining compliance regarding their no-logs and privacy policy claims.

Moreover, both providers have bug bounty programs, allowing outside hackers and researchers to assist in finding their security gaps before a cybercriminal does.

For NordVPN, two audits were performed by the PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) independent agency, and both times, the audit concluded that NordVPN sticks to its no-logs promises. Later, Deloitte repeated the auditing process twice more (most recently, in December 2023) to confirm once again that NordVPN adheres to its zero-logs promises.

Meanwhile, Surfshark was audited by Cure53 penetration testers twice. They checked the browser extensions, server infrastructure, and general security of the tool. Furthermore, Deloitte audited the no-logs policy in 2022, leaving no doubts about Surfshark's integrity.

Surfshark and NordVPN features compared

NordVPN and Surfshark are some of the most feature-rich VPNs available. While some essential features are common between the two and share names, others overlap but have different names to fit the brand. Each provider also has a few unique features, making it difficult to determine which provider is better overall regarding features.

In the following sections, I’ll try to cover NordVPN’s and Surfshark’s features as much as possible. But first, let’s look at a table outlining most of the providers’ features.

The asterisk (*) near some names indicate features not included in the provider’s introductory subscription plan (NordVPN’s Basic and Surfshark’s Starter). If you need those perks, you must subscribe to the appropriate plan. I’ll mention the necessary plan when discussing the features separately below.

Surfshark’s MultiHop vs NordVPN’s Double VPN

As the name suggests, Double VPN routes your connection through multiple VPN servers for added security. Two servers are more than enough to ensure your entry and exit locations are different.

With NordVPN, the feature is called Double VPN and can be found under the specialty servers tab. By default, the feature connects you to the fastest option, which is typically the closest. Once connected, the app displays both the entry and exit servers, so you can see which servers you're using to encrypt your traffic twice. You’ll know the country of both locations, offering more transparency about your connection route. However, I found it frustrating that I couldn’t customize my connection.

Surfshark’s variant is called MultiHop, and I consider its implementation to be superior. You’ll find the feature in a separate menu in the VPN tab. There, you can see a few connection options where the country combination is clear. Most importantly, you can create a custom configuration with hand-picked entry and exit locations. You can even favorite it for easy access in the future.

Static IP

A static IP server differs from a dedicated IP server in one key way: while all VPN customers share the same static IP address on a static server, a dedicated IP address is exclusive to one customer, though the server itself is still shared among users. The benefit they both provide is an unchanging IP address, which can be useful for tasks like accessing IP-restricted services.

Only Surfshark offers Static IP servers, while NordVPN doesn’t. Customers can choose from six countries: Germany, Japan, the Netherlands, Singapore, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Each region has anywhere between five to ten servers, although the numbers will likely fluctuate.

Dedicated IP

NordVPN and Surfshark offer dedicated IP servers if you pay extra. Briefly put, these servers provide a single unchanging IP address in your chosen country. Crucially, this IP is exclusive to you, meaning no one else can use it to access online services. Overall, the two are excellent VPNs with dedicated IP addresses with only minor differences.

NordVPN offers dedicated IP servers in 18 countries, which includes the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, Spain, South Africa, and more. Whichever country you choose, prices start at $4.19/month.

In contrast, Surfshark VPN offers dedicated IP addresses in fewer countries at a lower price. More precisely, you can choose from 11 countries and have to pay around $3.75/month.

Tor over VPN

The feature commonly known as Tor over VPN combines regular VPN servers with the Tor Network. It’s an excellent feature for anyone needing the convenience of a VPN app and the top-notch privacy of Tor. This feature is usually necessary for journalists and activists in censorship-heavy regions rather than regular people for daily browsing.

Regarding NordVPN vs Surfshark, only NordVPN offers Tor over VPN and calls it Onion over VPN. You can find it among other specialty server categories and immediately connect to the fastest option available. Alternatively, you can choose from servers in either Switzerland or the Netherlands.

I tried connecting to these servers on a few occasions, but unfortunately, the internet became borderline unusable. It worked, but I had no patience to actually do anything with such abysmal loading times. As such, I can’t recommend using this feature.

NordVPN’s Split tunneling vs Surfshark’s Bypasser

Split tunneling allows choosing specific apps or websites to go through or ignore the VPN tunnel. It has many applications and can lead to marginally improved performance by reducing the amount of web traffic that needs to be encrypted.

Both NordVPN and Surfshark offer a split tunneling feature, although Surfshark calls its version Bypasser. While both allow you to route specific apps outside the VPN, Surfshark's Bypasser has a slight edge in versatility, as it also lets you select websites to bypass the VPN—something NordVPN can do via its browser extension. This added website selection capability gives Bypasser a bit more flexibility for users managing web traffic.

However, neither Surfshark’s Bypasser nor NordVPN’s split tunneling feature is available on iOS or macOS devices, which limits their usability across Apple platforms.

Speaking of functionality, I tested both features and encountered no noticeable issues. Personally, I use Surfshark’s Bypasser most often on its browser extension to change my location for certain websites, while the main VPN secures the rest of my connection.

Web filters: NordVPN’s Threat Protection vs Surfshark CleanWeb

One of my favorite things about Surfshark and NordVPN is that they grant extra online security features alongside the VPN. More precisely, NordVPN provides Threat Protection, while Surfshark offers CleanWeb. At first glance, both are similar and are responsible for blocking ads, trackers, and malware. But there are a few differences I must address.

NordVPN’s Threat Protection is so effective, it received AV-Comparatives stamp of approval for effective anti-phishing protection. Threat Protection is divided into three protection categories: web, file, and vulnerability detection. The first ensures real-time protection against trackers, ads, and malware while browsing the web. File protection scans downloaded files and checks for malicious software. Finally, vulnerability detection reports any weaknesses in your system, such as outdated or dangerous apps. Overall, the feature is great, but my biggest disappointment is that it’s no longer included in NordVPN’s cheapest plan. You’ll have to get Plus or Ultimate to unlock this perk.

In contrast, Surfshark’s CleanWeb isn’t as detailed, at least in the desktop app. On Windows, it’s simply a toggleable feature. However, the feature is more customizable on Surfshark’s browser extension. And while it isn’t as feature-packed as Threat Protection, at least CleanWeb is included in all of Surfshark’s subscription plans, arguably making it the better option.

Meshnet

Meshnet is a unique feature in the VPN industry that only NordVPN offers. It allows multiple remote devices to be linked into a single local area network. Then, you can securely share various files or use another device as a VPN server to gain its IP address. This feature works with your gadgets and devices from other NordVPN users, allowing you to create remote LAN parties for gaming.

Interestingly, this feature is free, meaning you can use it without subscribing to any of NordPVN’s plans. Instead, you must only create an account.

Data breach monitoring

Both providers offer features for monitoring the dark web for any data breaches containing your data. Unfortunately, NordVPN and Surfshark offer these perks in subscription tiers above Starter and Basic, meaning not all users gain this benefit.

Essentially, both features work the same and only require adding an email address. You can even monitor multiple addresses since most people have more than one email address.

I preferred NordVPN’s Dark Web Monitor because it works directly in the app for added convenience. With Surfshark, I had to open a web browser to see anything, which added friction to the whole process.

Surfshark’s Rotating IP

As the name suggests, Rotating IP periodically changes your IP address without changing the location or interrupting the connection. The feature claims to change your IP address every 5 to 10 minutes. Unsurprisingly, this doesn’t work with Static or Dedicated IP servers.

The feature works well enough and is straightforward. When enabled, the app’s home screen shows how many minutes your IP address will change. While testing, I noticed the number and IP address don’t always update or align with my current IP. In any case, this feature is pretty good for improving your privacy, but bad for gaming and streaming. If your IP would rotate often, streaming services will identify the use of a VPN and will prevent access. But if you’re planning on visiting any websites that limit the number of visits, then this feature will be more than useful. Also, NordVPN doesn’t have an equivalent feature.

Surfshark’s Alternative ID

Alternative ID allows you to create an alternative profile with different details, so you don’t have to input your actual information online. In fact, it creates an entirely new persona with a new email address, phone number (Alternative Number as part of the Alternative ID feature), name, address, and so on. It’s a great way to ensure your details don’t even have a chance of leaking because you’re not putting them online. That means practically everyone will benefit from this feature.

For example, if a website requires you to sign up for its newsletter to access content or you don’t want to give your true email to an online store, you can use Alternative ID’s disposable email. As it redirects emails into your primary inbox, you will still receive letters (but with a noticeable decline in spam), but your true email and identity will remain hidden.

This feature is limited with the cheapest Starter plan (but still includes email masking). More extensive version is available with One and One+ plans. On the bright side, NordVPN doesn’t have an equivalent feature.

Cyber protection with NordVPN

NordVPN's Ultimate plan includes Cyber Protection. Currently, it is only available to users in the United States and the United Kingdom. However, it offers amazing support for dealing with identity theft and cyber extortion.

The feature offers two primary benefits: identity theft recovery and cyber extortion protection. Up to $1M coverage is set aside for identity theft recovery expenses such as credit reports, legal fees, lost wages, and mental health counseling. Moreover, $100K is available for handling extortion threats, including professional consultation and payment facilitation.

However, NordVPN is not a licensed insurance provider; it relies on the HSB Specialty Insurance Company. The details are complicated, so I recommend reading the whole document about Cyber Protection Benefits to learn what this feature entails.

Wrapping up

Even though both VPNs have similar features to offer, we must declare that Surfshark offers a more comprehensive suite of features than NordVPN. It includes GPS spoofing, antivirus, and even more that makes Surfshark a winner.

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Servers

Regarding servers, NordVPN shines with its wide range of servers in many countries, giving many options for different needs. Surfshark, however, has fewer servers than NordVPN. Still, both work well on different devices, so either can be a good pick, depending on your online activities.

NordVPN has 6300+ servers across 111 countries, while Surfshark has 3200+ servers in 100 countries. So, overall, NordVPN packs more server power globally.

It's worth considering that NordVPN in Europe and the US has as many servers as Surfshark's entire network. You can expect the bigger fleet to guarantee faster speeds.

Just to compare, Surfshark has 50+ European server locations, 40+ server locations in the Americas, 30+ in Asia and the Pacific region, and 9 server locations in Africa and the Middle East, with a total number of 3200+ servers. Comparatively, NordVPN has 40+ European server locations, 20+ server locations in the Americas, 15 in Asia and the Pacific region, and 4 server locations in Africa and the Middle East, with a total of 6300+ servers. So, while Surfshark offers more locations to pick from, it has a significantly lower number of servers, illustrated by the fact that it has 600+ US servers versus NordVPN’s 1970+ US servers.

Additionally, both providers offer 10Gbps servers in some locations and constantly expand their fleets to include more. As you can imagine, 10Gbps servers significantly increase a VPN provider’s overall throughput, leading to increased speeds and lower congestion because more data can easily cross the VPN’s server.

Occasionally, I use these VPNs for data-intensive activities like gaming and streaming. Most of the time, I don’t notice them running in the background because they’re so fast. Naturally, this is likely because both services have servers in my home country, so consider this factor if you want the best possible speeds.

Obfuscated servers

VPN usage in countries with strict censorship, such as China, is heavily restricted, and even though services like NordVPN and Surfshark offer obfuscated servers, these alone aren't guaranteed to bypass The Great Firewall of China or similar VPN blocks.

Reliable VPNs for China, such as NordVPN with obfuscated servers and Surfshark with NoBorders mode have specific designs. They are crafted to evade firewalls and Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) that restrictive governments might employ against VPN usage. These servers are most likely to work in China and anywhere else in the world.

However, even when using special cloaking servers, chances are you will need additional configurations to use both VPNs in countries with restrictions.

Wrapping up

Overall, NordVPN and Surfshark have vast server fleets and can offer servers closer to your physical location that are not overcrowded, thus guaranteeing faster connection speeds. However, NordVPN has more servers than Surfshark, which leads to NordVPN's win in this category.

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Speed comparison

For the Surfshark vs NordVPN speed comparison, I used Speedtest by Ookla to measure the fastest available tunneling protocols across 5 locations (US, UK, France, Singapore, and Australia). We tested NordLynx (NordVPN) and WireGuard (Surfshark) protocols to see which service is faster on average.

Data period: 09.04 - 09.18

Download retention
US (NY)	93% (467 Mbit/s)	96% (482 Mbit/s)
United Kingdom	94% (473 Mbit/s)	93% (467 Mbit/s)
France	95% (478 Mbit/s)	96% (481 Mbit/s)
Singapore	90% (453 Mbit/s)	89% (449 Mbit/s)
Australia	88% (443 Mbit/s)	86% (433 Mbit/s)
Upload retention
US (NY)	92% (462 Mbit/s)	79% (399 Mbit/s)
United Kingdom	92% (461 Mbit/s)	84% (424 Mbit/s)
France	92% (462 Mbit/s)	79% (395 Mbit/s)
Singapore	87% (438 Mbit/s)	15% (75 Mbit/s)
Australia	53% (268 Mbit/s)	25% (127 Mbit/s)

Download/Upload baseline speed - 500 Mbit/s

Note: Speed test results vary from user to user based on the distance between the VPN server and the user, internet service provider, and server overcrowding.

For our test, the download/upload baseline speed was 500 Mbp/s. Throughout the results, it’s clear that NordVPN is faster than Surfshark. While both providers offer blazing-fast speeds and clearly are two of the fastest VPNs on the market, NordVPN delivers better connectivity with its in-house NordLynx protocol. NordVPN usually averages around 471 Mbit/s download and 378 Mbit/s upload speeds, which is 94% and 76% speed retention, respectively. The highest speed that I saw NordVPN reach was in the UK and Swedish servers, with 97% speed retention (485 Mbit/s).

In comparison, Surfshark’s average speed is approx. 468 Mbit/s download and 326 Mbit/s upload speeds, which is 93% and 65% speed retention rate respectively. While the highest recorded speed was in the Swedish server, with 95% speed retention (477 Mbit/s).

But that’s not all. We also compared their performance with other protocols, including OpenVPN (UDP and TCP variants) and IKEv2.

When comparing the IKEv2 protocol on mobile devices, it's important to note that NordVPN does not offer IKEv2 on its app, while Surfshark does. NordVPN's average download speed drop was 28%, while Surfshark’s was 27%. So, in terms of download speeds, both providers are almost identical. However, NordVPN is a bit more efficient with upload speeds.

Wrapping up

Overall, NordVPN is a faster VPN than Surfshark as its NordLynx performance is better regarding both download and upload speeds. However, both services are similarly matched when measured with IKEv2 and OpenVPN (UDP/TCP) protocols.

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Streaming performance

Unblocking Netflix and other streaming services is a popular use case among VPN users. Thus, it’s vital to compare Surfshark vs NordVPN in this area to see which is better for content enthusiasts.

We began our tests with Netflix since the service is almost synonymous with video streaming and offers immense regional library variety. As expected, the two leading VPNs for streaming had no trouble bypassing geographical restrictions and streaming content without lag or buffering.

During our Cybernews tests, I was able to unblock US exclusives and managed to connect to Japan. However, when I tried unblocking Netflix NZ, I had to reconnect to make it work.

Overall, both Surfshark and NordVPN worked with plenty of global streaming sites, including BBC iPlayer, Hulu, different Amazon Prime Video catalogs, Max, iQiyi, Crunchyroll, and many others.

I did encounter a couple of errors with the two. However, it’s completely normal for a VPN to be interrupted by a streaming platform, as these are known for vigilantly blocking VPN activities. After reconnecting to another server, both providers maintained video quality in full HD.

If you want to stream foreign content libraries on devices that don’t support VPN apps, like your smart TV, you can also take advantage of the Smart DNS feature. It is provided by both NordVPN and Surfshark.

Yet, note that Surfshark’s Smart DNS requires a manual setup and works with the US servers only. Similarly, NordVPN’s Smart DNS mainly works with the US streaming services. Additionally, NordVPN offers SmartPlay, which is integrated into all apps and increases the likelihood of unblocking foreign content by changing your DNS servers.

Wrapping up – it's a draw

NordVPN and Surfshark both manage to unblock the global content libraries of plenty of the most popular streaming sites. In addition, both VPNs offer Smart DNS features to stream on devices without VPN app support. Overall, we recommend our #1 provider – NordVPN.

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Torrenting

Surfshark allows torrenting on all of its servers; however, the speeds will be a bit lower. Meanwhile, NordVPN limits torrenting to its specialized P2P servers, which are optimized for the activity and lead to better speeds. If you connect to a regular server and start torrenting, the service will switch to a P2P server automatically.

In addition, NordVPN includes a SOCKS5 proxy, which is a useful alternative for P2P connections since it will provide faster download speeds than a VPN tunnel. Personally, I would avoid the SOCKS5 proxy because it isn’t as secure as a VPN connection. Besides that, you may also boost torrenting speeds with split tunneling by limiting VPN traffic to your torrent client.

Our torrenting tests with these two providers were positive and didn’t result in negative experiences. Naturally, details may vary based on various circumstances, such as the peer number, file size, location, and more. For our evaluation, we downloaded Ubuntu using BitTorrent, and the overall performance was as good as you expected. There were plenty of peers, and the speed loss was minimal.

Wrapping up

While NordVPN and Surfshark are great for torrenting, I nominate NordVPN as the winner because it includes the SOCKS5 proxy option, a quicker alternative to typical VPN connections. Plus, the P2P servers resulted in better speeds overall.

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Platforms, interface, and ease of use

NordVPN and Surfshark excel in their usability and user-friendliness. They have a very diverse selection of apps, which are super easy to use.

NordVPN and Surfshark support a wide variety of operating systems. Additionally, they have a couple of browser extensions and work with other devices, like smart TVs. For me, both providers are easy to use, but that can be attributed to my constant use of these services. Even so, I believe newcomers will have no trouble making the most of these apps.

Overall, both providers don't restrict your usage cases with wide device support and convenient UI.

Wrapping up – it's a draw

NordVPN and Surfshark are both equal when it comes to the quality of their apps and the coverage they offer. Therefore, we call a draw in this category. However, NordVPN is our overall category winner!

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Simultaneous connections

Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, while NordVPN caps it at 10 connections maximum. With a single Surfshark subscription account, you can secure your devices and the whole household with unlimited connections.

Alternatively, to cover more devices with NordVPN, you’d have to manually set up your VPN on a router; only when connected to that Wi-Fi connection would unlimited devices be secured. Setting up a VPN on a router can be a challenge for beginner users. Therefore, Surfshark, with its unlimited connections, might be a better choice.

In my experience, NordVPN’s 10-connection limit should be enough for most people. I use the VPN daily on my PC and phone, which only requires two slots. In theory, I could share the account with a handful of friends who have similar device needs, and I still wouldn’t run out of slots. But, if you have a larger family with more devices in your household, you might run out of slots. In that case, Surfshark is the better choice.

Desktop apps

Starting from noticeable strengths, Surfshark has a dedicated app for Linux with a nice visual interface and a rich suite of features. On the contrary, with NordVPN, you'll be using the terminal by typing in your intended servers.

Moving further, Surfshark’s Windows users get the best treatment. Not only do they get an aesthetically pleasing user interface, but they are also given a bunch of features that are unavailable on macOS, like Split Tunneling/Bypasser.

It's worth noting that the macOS version for Surfshark comes in two forms – the Apple Store version and the website version. Both versions come with all of the tunneling protocols. Yet, the Apple Store app doesn’t work with the Surfshark One bundle, meaning you won’t be able to get an antivirus and other additional security features.

NordVPN’s Windows and macOS versions are very similar, have the map interface, and are easy to navigate and use.

Just like with Surfshark, NordVPN’s macOS app also has two versions – the website one and the App Store. The website version will have more recent updates, unique features, such as Presets to custom VPN connections for specific apps and sites, as well as the WireGuard and OpenVPN tunneling protocols.

Mobile apps

Both NordVPN and Surfshark have superb Android VPN apps, while iOS is a bit behind.

Surfshark's Android version has Bypasser and GPS spoofing – a feature that no other competing VPN has implemented yet. The iOS version also includes a kill switch, an IP rotator, and NoBorders mode. But other additions are only CleanWeb and auto-connect. You can read more about these features in our Surfshark VPN review.

NordVPN’s Android app is feature-rich and easy to use. You can select your server from a map interface or a list of servers. Additionally, it has all the essential features, like a kill switch, split tunneling, pausing, auto-connect, Meshnet, Threat Protection Lite, and more. Naturally, Surfshark doesn’t have Meshnet or Threat Protection since these features are unique to NordVPN.

NordVPN's iOS app has a built-in kill switch, favorites tab, and dark web monitoring. There’s also a map interface, but you can also use the list of countries to pick your server.

Customer support

When it comes to reaching out for technical help, both Surfshark and NordVPN have excellent customer support services in terms of communication options and speed. I contacted both providers' customer service, and I was quickly connected to an agent in all instances.

If you run into any issues, you'll get many customer support options, whether you choose Surfshark or NordVPN. Both have up-to-date customer support web pages with extensive guides for various tasks.

Neither of the providers offers phone support, but if you prefer a more direct approach or need to get in touch with a human, NordVPN and Surfshark have a 24/7 live chat. So, you'll be able to find help even in the middle of the night.

For instance, NordVPN's agent quickly responded to my question about payment methods and additionally provided an informative guide:

Meanwhile, Surfshark's customer support agent cheered me up using a friendly tone of voice and giving answers about their antivirus service within less than a minute:

My experience with both providers was pleasant. I didn't have to wait in long queues, and when I got assigned an agent, they proved to be knowledgeable and quickly answered all my questions.

Wrapping up – it's a draw

Even when your query proves to be more challenging, your problem is turned into a ticket, and you can expect an email with a solution in a short while. So, whichever VPN service you decide to pick to securely work or browse, customer support will be just as good. NordVPN is our overall category winner, though!

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Surfshark vs NordVPN: VPN user insights

Reddit and Quora are fantastic resources for finding frank reviews of many products, including VPNs. You can choose the best provider for your needs by consulting the countless subreddits devoted to discussing specific VPN use cases. On Quora, you can look for existing answers or create a new one to get answers.

According to Redditors, both NordVPN and Surfshark are great VPNs due to privacy, security features, speed, and ease of use. The effectiveness of these VPNs may vary based on individual preferences and usage patterns, for instance, gaming, streaming, or bypassing content blocking at school. In short, the winner in a NordVPN vs Surfshark Reddit comparison will depend on the subreddit you’re visiting.

Some Redditors discuss app and interface differences, while others care more about streaming, privacy, speed, and price. For example, NordVPN is mainly praised for its progressive security, excellent connection speeds, and unmatched streaming capabilities.

Meanwhile, Surfshark is mostly loved due to its unlimited simultaneous connections and intuitive apps. Moreover, many choose Surfshark over NordVPN simply because it’s cheaper.

If you’d like to learn more about what Redditors take into consideration before choosing a VPN, take a look at our review of the best VPNs according to Reddit.

If you’re looking for in-depth answers, Quora is the place to be. However, I’ve noticed the platform isn’t very active regarding NordVPN vs Surfshark comparisons. Some of the most prominent answers I saw were a few years old, meaning the information is outdated. Here’s one from this year, which I don’t find particularly helpful.

As you can see, the user claims both providers are excellent and even compares a few features. He doesn’t pick favorites and says it depends on your needs and preferences, which is correct. However, the information is surface level, server numbers are outdated, and unique provider features are not mentioned.

On the flip side, some answers are clearly meant to promote a particular provider over others. In the example below, the user obviously favors Surfshark and likely wants you to use his affiliate link.

I would suggest ignoring such answers, especially considering the poor grammar. This is a rare but expected occurrence on sites like Quora and Reddit, meaning you can’t trust every answer you find there.

Speaking of some of the real issues Surfshark users pointed out, you may not be able to access some public networks with a VPN, as certain public places place restrictions on ports that Surfshark uses. The most common issues that people discuss usually occur when Surfshark is not updated, or there’s a temporary clash between OS updates and Surfshark’s.

Users pointed out the most common issues with NordVPN, which usually involve protocol clashes (you need to change between them to find compatible ones) or temporary problems with Windows 11. Reinstalling the app can solve those, though more persistent problems could warrant contacting customer support.

Overall, I prefer using Reddit over Quora simply because it’s more active. Whichever platform you choose, don’t unquestionably trust the advice given because not all users have your best interests at heart.

Comparison methodology: Surfshark vs NordVPN

Here’s a summary of all the criteria we took into consideration while testing and comparing Surfshark vs NordVPN:

• Pricing structure. Affordable prices should be accompanied by free trials, generous money-back guarantees, massive discounts, and impressive payment method variety.
• Security tools. The best VPNs on the market should boast exceptional extra security features that swiftly deal with any cyberthreat you come across.
• Connection quality. A worthwhile VPN must keep upload and download speeds high regardless of what country location you pick.
• Server network. A good server network is the bread and butter of any VPN provider. It influences speed and showcases what foreign content users can unlock. Bonus points if specialty servers are available.
• Censorship removal. Digital censorship is enforced in many technological ways, meaning some VPNs may struggle to nullify them.
• Bonus features. Customers should have the opportunity to customize as many settings as possible to make the product fit their specific needs.
• Customer support. Users should have plenty of options to reach the service’s representatives for solving various technical issues.
• Streaming performance. A good VPN must unlock as much foreign video content as possible while keeping connections fast enough for lag-free streaming.
• P2P support. Torrenting is a contentious topic and many providers opt for restricting P2P traffic to prevent digital piracy. However, we must give credit to those who impose only minor limitations or none at all.

Video review

If you'd rather watch a video, here is our team's extensive comparison:

Surfshark vs NordVPN roundup: which one you should choose?

Even though NordVPN and Surfshark are equal in many aspects, one manages to defeat the other. Let’s look at the final roundup.

Winner

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In this incredibly close race, NordVPN is better than Surfshark. However, Surfshark is right behind, and it’s no wonder both are ranked as the top two VPNs of 2024.

That being said, NordVPN has demonstrated slightly faster speeds than Surfshark, and the provider has a bigger server fleet that consists of over 6000 servers across 111 countries. Because NordVPN has more servers, global users are more likely to find nearby servers and are less likely to face overcrowded servers, which guarantees faster connections.

When it comes to security and privacy, both Surfshark and NordVPN are comparable, and both can guarantee full protection and anonymity. On the other hand, NordVPN is based in Panama, which is considered more privacy-friendly than the Netherlands, where Surfshark is based. Of course, both providers follow strict no-logs policies that have been independently audited, which means both can be trusted.

As for pricing, both Surfshark and NordVPN are considered budget-friendly options. With prices starting from just $2.19/month for Surfshark and $3.09/month for NordVPN, your wallet won’t suffer in either case.

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