Surfshark vs NordVPN
A detailed head-to-head comparison of Surfshark and NordVPN based on our 100-point scoring system.
Surfshark
Surfshark VPN Service
87/100
Very Good4.5
27,651 reviews
Winner
NordVPN
NordVPN Premium VPN Service
93/100
Excellent4.6
84,213 reviews
Side-by-Side Comparison
Metric
Surfshark
NordVPN
Overall Score
87/100
93/100
Price
$30.00
$48.00
Customer Rating
4.5/5
4.6/5
Review Count
27,651
84,213
Best For
Best for Unlimited Devices
Best for Security & Value
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
NordVPN — Score Breakdown
Privacy & Security25/25
Speed & Performance18/20
Server Network14/15
Price & Value14/15
Ease of Use9/10
Customer Support5/5
Streaming & Unblocking8/10
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.
NordVPN
Highest overall score in TrustBrand's VPN category (93/100), reflecting genuine leadership across privacy, server network, and value.
NordLynx protocol delivers WireGuard-level speeds with an added IP obfuscation layer — consistently among the fastest commercial VPN options tested.
At $3.99/month on a two-year plan, NordVPN offers near-premium security depth at a price point well below ExpressVPN.
The two-year commitment required to reach the $3.99/month price is a significant upfront payment — monthly billing costs considerably more.
The 2018 server breach (a single server in Finland was accessed without authorization) remains a historical incident that privacy-focused users should be aware of, even though no user data was exposed.
The app interface, while improved, can feel more complex than ExpressVPN for new users unfamiliar with features like Double VPN and Onion over VPN.
Our Verdict
NordVPN comes out ahead with a score of 93/100 compared to 87/100. NordVPN is best for best for security & value. 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.