Surfshark vs ExpressVPN
A detailed head-to-head comparison of Surfshark and ExpressVPN based on our 100-point scoring system.
Surfshark
Surfshark VPN Service
87/100
Very Good4.5
27,651 reviews
Winner
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN Premium VPN Service
91/100
Excellent4.7
16,842 reviews
Side-by-Side Comparison
Metric
Surfshark
ExpressVPN
Overall Score
87/100
91/100
Price
$30.00
$100.00
Customer Rating
4.5/5
4.7/5
Review Count
27,651
16,842
Best For
Best for Unlimited Devices
Best for Speed & Streaming
About Page
Yes
Yes
Contact Info
Yes
Yes
Surfshark — Score Breakdown
Privacy & Security21/25
Speed & Performance16/20
Server Network12/15
Price & Value15/15
Ease of Use9/10
Customer Support5/5
Streaming & Unblocking9/10
ExpressVPN — Score Breakdown
Privacy & Security23/25
Speed & Performance19/20
Server Network13/15
Price & Value11/15
Ease of Use10/10
Customer Support5/5
Streaming & Unblocking10/10
Pros & Cons
Surfshark
Unlimited simultaneous connections — the clearest differentiator in the VPN category, eliminating device counting entirely for households and families.
At $2.49/month on a two-year plan, Surfshark offers the best absolute price among our top-five ranked VPN providers with no meaningful sacrifice in core security.
CleanWeb ad and malware blocking, MultiHop, and Camouflage Mode provide advanced features at a price point where rivals often offer only basic VPN functionality.
Speed performance, while strong by general standards, trails NordVPN (NordLynx) and ExpressVPN (Lightspeed) in independent testing — noticeable on connections above 500 Mbps.
Netherlands jurisdiction, while GDPR-protected, places the company under EU legal jurisdiction, which may be less privacy-ideal than Panama (NordVPN) or the British Virgin Islands (ExpressVPN) for users with specific threat models.
Streaming reliability is slightly inconsistent compared to ExpressVPN — most major platforms unblock correctly, but occasional server rotation is needed for certain libraries.
ExpressVPN
Consistently fastest speeds in independent third-party testing — ideal for 4K streaming and gaming.
TrustedServer RAM-disk architecture provides a uniquely strong no-logs guarantee that has been independently audited.
Polished, beginner-friendly apps across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, and browser extensions.
At $8.32/month on an annual plan, ExpressVPN is one of the most expensive mainstream VPN options — competitors like Surfshark offer unlimited devices at a fraction of the cost.
The 8-device simultaneous connection limit, while adequate for individuals, is tighter than the unlimited plans offered by Surfshark and some other rivals.
No free tier makes it harder to test the service before committing financially, even with the 30-day money-back guarantee.
Our Verdict
ExpressVPN comes out ahead with a score of 91/100 compared to 87/100. ExpressVPN is best for best for speed & streaming. However, Surfshark may be a better fit if you prioritize best for unlimited devices.
VPN services do not guarantee complete anonymity. Effectiveness depends on the provider's infrastructure and policies. Always review the provider's privacy policy and applicable laws in your jurisdiction.