ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (2024)

ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (1)

In the ever-growing world of Virtual Private Network (VPN) providers, three industry giants stand head and shoulders above the rest. Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN are leading the way in terms of what a VPN can offer today.

While all of them are great, they are far from identical. Each provider has its perks and features that make it unique. You wouldn’t be making a wrong choice by going with either of these providers, but one may suit your needs better than the other.

Let’s take a closer look at NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN so you can make an informed decision when choosing your next VPN provider.

Disclaimer:

The comparisons in this blog post were made on May 7, 2024, and are subject to change.

Table of contents

    Surfshark vs. ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN at a glance

    Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN are three of the best VPN providers in the industry today. We need to go in-depth to establish the differences between them. But before we dive in, let’s look at some of the key things they offer.

    Surfshark

    NordVPN

    ExpressVPN

    Simultaneous connections

    Unlimited

    10

    8

    Server countries

    100+

    111

    105

    No. of servers

    3200+

    6344+

    3000+

    Protocols

    OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard

    OpenVPN, IKEv2, NordLynx (WireGuard)

    OpenVPN, IKEv2, Lightway

    Price of the cheapest plan

    $2.19/month

    $3.69/month

    $8.32/month

    Cookie pop-up blocker

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (2)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (3)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (4)

    Ad blocker

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (5)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (6)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (7)

    Independent audits

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (8)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (9)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (10)

    10 Gbps servers

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (11) *

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (12) *

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (13) *

    24/7 support

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (14)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (15)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (16)

    Money-back guarantee

    30 days

    30 days

    30 days

    * Available in specific locations only.

    Now that we’ve covered the key points, let’s look at each of the VPNs more closely.

    Privacy

    First and foremost, a VPN is a privacy tool. The providers we’re comparing today recognize that and put privacy first. Surfshark VPN, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN all have strict no-logs policies and headquarters in countries with no data retention laws. You’d expect nothing less from premium VPN providers.

    It should be noted that as of December 2021, Kape Technologies owns ExpressVPN. The company, previously known as Crossrider, is notorious for creating a platform that has been used to distribute malware. That said, there have been no alarming signs from the company since it changed its name and switched to cybersecurity. There have been no signs of faulty activity by ExpressVPN since the acquisition.

    No-logs policies

    A no-logs policy means that a company keeps no logs about your activity online. As a result, your data usage, connection time stamps, or IP addresses aren’t tracked, and information isn’t stored. The company only keeps the necessary information to provide a quality service without infringing on your privacy.

    All three VPN providers we’re comparing today have had their no-logs policies backed up by independent auditors, proving their legitimacy. ExpressVPN even had its servers seized by Turkish authorities, but they couldn’t get any information from the servers, further proving ExpressVPN’s no-logs claim.

    Headquarters locations

    Any reputable VPN service provider must be based in a country with no data retention laws. This means the law doesn’t require them to keep any information about customers, which is a must for maintaining a no-logs VPN policy.

    NordVPN’s headquarters are located in Panama, ExpressVPN’s are in the British Virgin Islands, and Surfshark’s in the Netherlands. Neither of these countries has data retention laws, which is why they’re perfect locations for a VPN provider to call home.

    Key takeaway:

    You can trust your online privacy to either one of these VPN providers. All of them have audited no-logs policies and headquarters in countries without data retention laws.

    Server locations

    The number of servers and their locations can make or break your VPN experience. Server crowdedness and how close you are to the server are key factors in determining connection speed.

    More servers in more locations mean that you’re more likely to find an uncrowded server nearby, no matter where you are. ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark have widespread server networks. So your choice may simply depend on who has more servers in locations you’ll be connecting to most frequently.

    • Surfshark has 3200+ servers* in 100 countries;
    • NordVPN has 6344 servers in 111 countries;
    • ExpressVPN has 3000+ servers* in 105 countries.

    NordVPN has the most servers and locations available. They offer loads of servers in North America and Europe, with 1970+ servers in the US alone.

    All three VPN providers have a similar number of server locations. In regions such as South America, Asia, Africa, or the Middle East, Surfshark has the most server locations, making it a great choice in these areas.

    ExpressVPN also has an impressive server infrastructure, but it has fewer servers than Surfshark and significantly fewer servers than NordVPN.

    *A small portion of Surfshark and ExpressVPN’s servers are virtual. All NordVPN’s servers are physical.

    Key takeaway:

    NordVPN is a great option for users in North America and Europe since most of its 6344 servers are located in these areas. Surfshark has a more widespread network of servers and is a great option for South America, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. ExpressVPN offers a package similar to Surfshark, just with slightly fewer servers.

    Streaming performance

    There are two types of people in this world: those who know the pain of a buffering screen in the middle of their favorite show and those who don’t. Thankfully, a VPN is unlikely to slow your connection down to a point where you can’t watch video content online. So, as long as your internet is working fine, buffering shouldn’t be an issue.

    We can look at Netflix’s recommendations for a rough idea of the speed you need to watch movies and TV shows. But keep in mind that the number may vary slightly for other streaming services.

    Video quality

    Recommended speed

    High definition (HD) — 720p

    3 Mbps

    Full high definition (FHD) — 1080p

    5 Mbps

    Ultra-high definition (UHD) — 4K

    15 Mbps

    Some streaming platforms may not work very well with smaller VPN providers. Thankfully, this is not the case with Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN. They all work great with major streaming platforms, so you shouldn’t have any issues watching your favorite shows and movies while protected by a VPN.

    Streaming platform

    Surfshark

    NordVPN

    ExpressVPN

    Netflix

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (17)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (18)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (19)

    Hulu

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (20)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (21)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (22)

    Amazon Prime Video

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (23)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (24)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (25)

    Disney+

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (26)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (27)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (28)

    BBC iPlayer

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (29)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (30)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (31)

    HBO Max

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (32)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (33)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (34)

    YouTube

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (35)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (36)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (37)

    Key takeaway:

    You won’t have any issues with Surfshark, NordVPN, or ExpressVPN when choosing a VPN for streaming. All of them easily maintain the required connection speed for watching online content and work well with major streaming platforms.

    Disclaimer: Please note that using Surfshark services for any illegal activities is strictly forbidden and violates our Terms of Service. Make sure that any use of Surfshark services for your particular activities conforms to all relevant laws and regulations, including those of any service providers and websites you access using Surfshark.

    Connection speeds

    Your connection speed depends on much more than server crowdedness and location. Encryption, server bandwidth, your own network setup, and other things play a role in determining your VPN connection speed.

    Running a speed test is the easiest way to see which of the three VPN providers is the fastest. So we booted the Ookla Speed Test tool and compared average speeds on a local server as well as servers in Dallas, Tokyo, and Sydney to see how well each VPN service provider does.

    We used the fastest protocol for each provider to get the best speeds. We used WireGuard with Surfshark, and with NordVPN and ExpressVPN, we used their proprietary protocols, NordLynx and Lightway.

    Disclaimer:

    VPN speed testing was done on May 7, 2024.

    The results for each user may be unique and vary from day to day. If you want the most accurate results, we suggest running an identical test on your home network.

    Before connecting to a VPN, we ran a speed test to determine the baseline speed. It’s used as a reference point to see how much a VPN connection affects the connection speed.

    • Download speed — 266.89 Mbps;
    • Upload speed — 214.97 Mbps;
    • Ping — 110 ms.

    Speed type

    Surfshark

    NordVPN

    ExpressVPN

    Local server download speed (Mbps)

    319.65

    336.45

    309.88

    Local server upload speed (Mbps)

    221.50

    228.16

    231.84

    Local server ping (ms)

    135

    21

    63

    International server download speed average (Mbps)

    274.47

    273.75

    243.52

    International server upload speed average (Mbps)

    63.01

    55.42

    125.63

    International server ping average (ms)

    359

    343

    358

    The results on a local server were nearly identical, with only slight deviations either way.

    International VPN servers were a whole different story, though. Surfshark and NordVPN showed similar results. You would expect it to be close between the two since NordLynx is built around WireGuard, the protocol that Surfshark uses.

    ExpressVPN, on the other hand, had slightly lower download speeds on all international servers. But the upload speeds were through the roof, with the average upload speed on international servers doubling that of Surfshark or NordVPN.

    Keep in mind that download speed has the biggest impact on your browsing experience. But if you upload large files online regularly, the difference in upload speed is something worth noting.

    Key takeaway:

    All three providers showed nearly identical results in the local server speed test. When it came to international servers, Surfshark and NordVPN had a slightly faster download speed, while ExpressVPN had a much higher upload speed.

    This means that NordVPN or Surfshark may be better options for casual users, while ExpressVPN is great for users who regularly upload large files online.

    VPN protocols

    VPN protocols are sets of rules that determine how data moves between your device and the VPN server. Without diving into too much detail, these protocols make it possible for users to establish a secure connection to the internet.

    WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN are considered the best VPN protocols due to their speed and security features. Some companies have created their own protocols, as ExpressVPN did with Lightway or NordVPN with its NordLynx, both of which have been tested and proven to be great options.

    Protocol

    Surfshark

    NordVPN

    ExpressVPN

    OpenVPN

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (38)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (39)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (40)

    IKEv2

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (41)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (42)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (43)

    Wireguard

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (44)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (45) (NordLynx)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (46)

    Lightway

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (47)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (48)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (49)

    OpenVPN is the slowest out of the lot, but it’s been around for a long time and is a reliable, secure workhorse. IKEV2 is a quick and great option for mobile devices because it automatically reconnects when switching networks. WireGuard is the fastest VPN protocol available today, which is why NordVPN chose to build NordLynx around it.

    OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard are widely used by premium VPN providers. Lightway, on the other hand, was created by ExpressVPN and is only available with their services. They made the right choice by making Lightway open-source so it could be tested openly. Much like the other protocols mentioned above, Lightway has no known vulnerabilities.

    Key takeaway:

    All protocols used by Surfshark, NordVPN, or ExpressVPN are fast, reliable, and secure. You may choose Wireguard, NordLynx, or Lightway if you want the fastest connection, but you can’t go wrong with any of the available protocols, really.

    Customer support

    Sometimes things go wrong, and when they do, you want a good customer support team ready to help you out.

    Thankfully, Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN all offer extensive knowledge bases, 24/7 live chat support, and email ticketing systems.

    This means you’ll find answers to common questions in the help center, and if you have an issue you can’t resolve yourself, customer support agents are ready to help at any time.

    Customer service

    Surfshark

    NordVPN

    ExpressVPN

    24/7 live chat

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (50)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (51)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (52)

    Email support

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (53)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (54)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (55)

    Ticket support

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (56)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (57)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (58)

    Phone support

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (59)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (60)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (61)

    Searchable knowledge base

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (62)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (63)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (64)

    Video guides

    Reaching a live chat customer support agent is a quick and painless experience with any of these providers. The agents seem knowledgeable, and if you have questions they can’t solve on the spot, these questions are forwarded to a ticketing system. Either way, you can rest assured your issue won’t go unsolved.

    For those of you who like video content, each provider has extensive guides on YouTube. So, if you don’t feel like reading help desk articles, watch videos to find answers to your questions on the most common issues.

    Key takeaway:

    Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN all have great customer support teams and vast knowledge bases. If things ever go wrong while using their services, rest assured there are people ready to help you out.

    Audits

    In the VPN world, independent audits establish whether company claims are true. Every company can make its own claims about what a VPN can do, but they’re empty words if they can’t be backed up.

    Bonus points if the audits are carried out by well-known and reputable auditing companies such as Cure53, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), or Deloitte.

    Such audits show that a company is willing to stand behind its product and can be trusted. As you would expect from premium VPN providers, Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN have all undergone multiple audits over the years.

    Surfshark audits

    Launched in 2018, Surfshark is the youngest company out of the three. While some may not even think about audits in the first years of development, Surfshark started early with a 2018 audit of its browser extensions by Cure53.

    In 2021, Cure53 audited the entire infrastructure, followed by an assurance report by Deloitte that verified Surfshark VPN’s no-logs policy. No critical issues were found during these audits, and any minor issues were quickly resolved.

    NordVPN audits

    NordVPN has put an extra emphasis on proving its no-logs claim, as its no-logs policy has been audited three times already. The first two audits were completed by PricewaterhouseCoopers in 2018 and 2020, with an assurance report from Deloitte in 2022.

    VerSprite completed an audit of NordVPN’s apps in 2019, while Cure53 audited app and infrastructure security in 2022. Just as with Surfshark, any detected vulnerabilities were quickly sorted, and no critical issues were found.

    ExpressVPN audits

    As you might expect, ExpressVPN has also had a thorough shakedown by independent auditors. Its no-logs claim was approved by a KPMG audit in 2022, with PricewaterhouseCoopers having audited its privacy policy back in 2019.

    In 2022, they underwent a security audit by Cure53 and another Cure53 audit of Lightway, their proprietary protocol, which was the second time that Lightway had been audited.

    Key takeaway:

    Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN are more than willing to put their money where their mouth is, as proven by multiple audits by reputable auditors backing up any claims made by the companies.

    Security and encryption

    Security feature

    Surfshark

    NordVPN

    ExpressVPN

    VPN protocols

    OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard

    OpenVPN, IKEv2, NordLynx (WireGuard)

    OpenVPN, IKEv2, Lightway

    Data encryption

    AES-256

    AES-256

    AES-256

    Cloaking technology

    Obfuscated servers

    Obfuscated servers

    Obfuscated servers

    App security

    Kill Switch

    Kill Switch

    Network Lock (desktop) and Network Protection (iOS and Android)

    DNS status

    Private DNS

    Private DNS

    Private DNS

    Encryption

    AES (Advanced Encryption Standard)-256 is the magic combination of numbers and letters you should look for in every VPN provider. It’s the best encryption algorithm available today no surprise that Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN all use it.

    Kill switch

    A kill switch is an additional safety measure used by many VPN providers. It shuts down your internet connection if your VPN connection drops. This ensures that no sensitive data is leaked if something goes wrong with your VPN.

    Cloaking technology

    During regular VPN use, your traffic is hidden, but it’s still possible to tell that you’re using a VPN. In countries with oppressive censorship, you might want to hide that you’re using a VPN. That’s where cloaking technology comes into play.

    NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN all have obfuscated servers. Simply connect to one of such servers and browse the internet freely in areas where many basic freedoms are restricted.

    Key takeaway:

    It’s obvious that ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and NordVPN all care about your security. They use the best encryption algorithm available and have plenty of additional security features, such as Kill Switch or obfuscated servers, to keep you safe online.

    Extra features

    Feature

    Surfshark

    NordVPN

    ExpressVPN

    Ad blocker

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (68)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (69)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (70)

    Cookie pop-up blocker

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (71)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (72)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (73)

    Split tunneling

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (74)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (75)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (76)

    Browser extensions

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (77)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (78)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (79)

    Smart DNS

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (80)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (81)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (82)

    Double VPN

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (83)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (84)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (85)

    GPS spoofing

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (86) (Android only)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (87)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (88) (iOS, macOS, and Linux only)

    Dedicated IP

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (89)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (90)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (91)

    Alternative ID

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (92)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (93)

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (94)

    Ad and pop-up blockers

    Both Surfshark and NordVPN have ad and pop-up blocking features. They’re part of Surfshark’s CleanWeb package and NordVPN’s Threat Protection. ExpressVPN also has an Ad Blocker feature, but it doesn’t block audio or video ads.

    Split tunneling

    When you establish a VPN connection, it encrypts all of your data. You can set up a split tunnel if you want some apps or websites to stay unaffected by the VPN. This is particularly handy for using banking apps, accessing wireless devices, or excluding data-heavy apps from the VPN.

    Double VPN

    A double VPN routes your traffic through two different VPN servers instead of one. It does slow down your connection speed but makes the connection even more secure. Using a double VPN for your everyday activities is not recommended due to the drop in speed, but it’s a great option when you need that extra bit of privacy.

    Surfshark calls its double VPN service Dynamic MultiHop, while NordVPN sticks with the Double VPN name. ExpressVPN, on the other hand, doesn’t offer a double VPN option.

    GPS spoofing

    A regular VPN connection hides your IP address, which is the main indicator of your location online. But it doesn’t change your GPS location. You’ll need a GPS spoofing feature to trick your GPS into thinking you’re somewhere else.

    Surfshark offers this feature for Android users, ExpressVPN has it available for macOS, iOS, and Linux, while NordVPN doesn’t have a GPS spoofing feature.

    Dedicated IP

    If you want to use a VPN but always have the same IP address only you can use, a dedicated IP is your only option. This helps avoid frequent CAPTCHAs and issues with certain apps that arise when you constantly change and share your IP address.

    Both NordVPN and Surfshark offer a dedicated IP option, which is a paid service separate from the base VPN package. Surfshark does offer static IPs with all its plans, which also never change, but you do have to share them with other users. ExpressVPN, on the other hand, doesn’t offer options for dedicated or shared IPs.

    Alternative ID

    As a premium VPN service, Surfshark offers additional safety features, including Alternative ID. Alternative ID allows you to generate new personal details and an email address to use when registering on websites you don’t trust. It helps you avoid spam and scams.

    NordVPN and ExpressVPN don’t offer such a feature.

    Key takeaway:

    ExpressVPN has fewer extra features than Surfshark or NordVPN. It lacks a cookie pop-up and video/audio ad blocker, and a dedicated IP or double VPN option. Thus, if you prefer to have extra privacy, NordVPN or Surfshark is a better choice. Surfshark is also the only one that offers Alternative ID.

    Price

    Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN are all premium VPN providers. But not all of them come with a premium price tag. Each provider has three plan options, and you’ll get a hefty discount if you choose to commit to a long-term subscription.

    Plan length

    Surfshark

    NordVPN

    ExpressVPN

    1 month

    $15.45/month

    $12.99/month

    $12.95/month

    12 months

    $2.79/month

    $4.59/month

    $8.32/month

    24 months

    $2.19/month

    $3.69/month

    Money-back guarantee

    30 days

    30 days

    30 days

    The price for short-term plans is very similar for each provider. It’s with the long-term plans that you start seeing a big difference.

    Key takeaway:

    Surfshark is the cheapest option available, with its 24-month plan priced at $2.19/month. NordVPN isn’t far behind, with a price tag of $3.69/month for a 24-month plan. ExpressVPN is the most expensive option. It doesn’t offer a 2-year option, so its cheapest plan is a 12-month subscription at $8.32/month.

    Reddit reviews: Surfshark vs. NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN

    The Reddit community often has valuable opinions, so I’ve looked through various subreddits to see what they think of these three VPN providers.

    • Redditors praise all three VPN services’ top-notch encryption, many servers and server locations, impressive customer support, and their 30-day money-back guarantee.
    • They love that Surfshark has many additional features and believe that it has the best value for money.
    • Reddit’s users are impressed by NordVPN’s fast speeds.
    • They appreciate NordVPN’s and Surfshark’s ad blockers and audited no-logs policies.
    • The community believes that ExpressVPN is a great but a bit pricey service.

    Redditor smart_duji says:

    “Recently, I decided to explore other options to see if there’s a better service for the same price, but after some searching, I’m finding myself leaning back towards Surfshark. It’s familiar and reliable, and I think I’ll stick with it.”

    There is also a subreddit r/VPN with a VPN comparison table where Redditors review the VPNs they tried. They update the comprehensive table regularly, which should help you choose a VPN based on the latest information and the community’s experiences.

    As of March 20, 2024, Redditors rank Surfshark as one of the top two VPN providers.

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark recap

    Surfshark has the most widespread server network and is the only one that offers unlimited simultaneous connections. This makes Surfshark a great choice if you use many different devices or want to share your account with a family member.

    NordVPN has the most servers, most of which are in North America and Europe, making NordVPN a great choice in these regions. Both Surfshark and NordVPN also have an impressive fleet of extra features.

    ExpressVPN may have fewer extra features than the other two providers, but it’s great at providing a secure and private online experience. ExpressVPN also had the highest upload speed by far on international servers during our speed test.

    Category

    Notes

    Privacy

    All VPN providers have audited no-logs policies and headquarters in countries with no data retention laws. There’s nothing here to split them in terms of privacy.

    Server locations

    NordVPN has the most servers and server locations and is great for Europe and North America, where servers are plentiful. Surfshark has almost as many server locations but fewer servers, while ExpressVPN has the fewest servers of the lot.

    Streaming performance

    Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN all work great with major streaming platforms. You shouldn’t have any issues with streaming performance, no matter which of the three you choose to go with.

    Connection speeds

    NordVPN and Surfshark had nearly identical speed test results on both local and international servers. ExpressVPN had a slightly slower download speed but a much higher upload speed on international servers.

    VPN protocols

    All providers use fast and secure VPN protocols. They all use OpenVPN and IKEv2; Surfshark has WireGuard as its fastest protocol, while NordVPN and ExpressVPN have proprietary protocols called NordLynx and Lightway, respectively.

    Customer support

    Each of the three providers has great customer support with vast knowledge bases, 24/7 live chat, ticketing systems, and YouTube guides.

    Audits

    All three have had independent audits of their browser extensions, infrastructures, and no-logs policies. They regularly undergo new audits to ensure the safety of their VPN services.

    Security and encryption

    NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN all use AES-256 encryption, which is the best available option. They also offer features such as a kill switch or obfuscated servers for additional security.

    Extra features

    NordVPN and Surfshark are quite similar in terms of the extra features they offer. ExpressVPN has a slightly shorter list of additional features, as its ad blocker doesn’t block all ads; it doesn’t have a cookie pop-up blocker or a dedicated IP feature..

    Price

    While prices for 1-month plans are pretty similar for all providers, Surfshark has the cheapest long-term plan at $2.19/month. NordVPN’s cheapest option is $3.69/month, while it’s $8.32/month for ExpressVPN.

    Surfshark vs. NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN — which one should you choose?

    There is no wrong choice to make between Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN. They are three of the best VPN providers out there, yet all provide a unique package to the user. Most importantly, all of them do a good job of keeping you safe and private online, which is the main reason for using a VPN.

    More Surfshark comparisons and reviews

    Want to see how Surfshark stacks up against other VPN service providers? We have plenty of other comparisons for you to check out. Take your time and find the best VPN for your needs before starting your next VPN subscription.

    • Surfshark review
    • Surfshark vs. PIA
    • Surfshark vs. IPVanish
    • Surfshark vs. CyberGhost
    • Surfshark vs. ProtonVPN
    • Surfshark vs. NordVPN
    • Surfshark vs. ExpressVPN
    • Surfshark vs. Mullvad
    • Surfshark vs. Windscribe
    • VPN services comparison

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    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (95)

    FAQ

    Does Surfshark work with Netflix?

    Surfshark works great with Netflix, allowing you to watch your favorite shows and movies privately.

    Is Surfshark better than ExpressVPN?

    Both ExpressVPN and Surfhark are great choices for a VPN, each having unique strengths. Surfshark has more extra features, while ExpressVPN had a higher upload speed during our speed tests.

    Is Surfshark better than NordVPN?

    Surfshark and NordVPN offer a similar VPN experience. They both provide industry-leading encryption and have plenty of extra safety features. Surfshark has many servers in South America, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East, which makes it a great option if you travel or live in these regions. NordVPN has more servers in North America and Europe.

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark (2024)

    FAQs

    ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark in 2024 - Surfshark? ›

    So your choice may simply depend on who has more servers in locations you'll be connecting to most frequently. Surfshark has 3200+ servers* in 100 countries; NordVPN has 6344 servers in 111 countries; ExpressVPN has 3000+ servers* in 105 countries.

    Is Surfshark owned by China? ›

    Surfshark is a brand of VPN services offered by the Netherlands-based company Surfshark B.V.

    Is there a better VPN than Surfshark? ›

    No, NordVPN is slightly better than Surfshark. While both are in our top five VPNs, NordVPN edges Surfshark out slightly for its larger server network (5,246 compared to over 3,200) and higher-rated iOS app.

    Why is ExpressVPN better than Surfshark? ›

    Surfshark: At a Glance. ExpressVPN and Surfshark are both rated one of our best VPNs of 2024. While ExpressVPN is more expensive and limits the number of devices you can use to five, it offers a higher-speed internet connection and more than double the number of server locations as Surfshark.

    Why Surfshark is better than NordVPN? ›

    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.

    Is ExpressVPN Chinese owned? ›

    The service is operated by Express Technologies Ltd., a company registered in the British Virgin Islands, although its headquarters are situated in Hong Kong. As of September 2021, ExpressVPN is owned by Kape Technologies, a global cybersecurity firm and reportedly has 4 million active users.

    Is NordVPN a Chinese company? ›

    NordVPN is not owned by a Chinese company and doesn't have any other ties with China or Chinese businesses. The company that developed and owns NordVPN a Lithuanian cybersecurity software developer Nord Security, which is also owned by business incubator company Tesonet.

    Which is better NordVPN or ExpressVPN or Surfshark? ›

    ExpressVPN has fewer extra features than Surfshark or NordVPN. It lacks a cookie pop-up and video/audio ad blocker, and a dedicated IP or double VPN option. Thus, if you prefer to have extra privacy, NordVPN or Surfshark is a better choice. Surfshark is also the only one that offers Alternative ID.

    Which VPN is better than ExpressVPN? ›

    Server locations

    NordVPN is superior to ExpressVPN both in server fleet size and country coverage. To be exact, NordVPN has 6300+ servers across 111 countries, while ExpressVPN has servers in 105 countries, but no longer shares the exact server number (some sources claim it has over 3000 servers).

    Which is the strongest VPN to use? ›

    The Best VPN Services of 2024
    • NordVPN - Best VPN for Privacy.
    • Surfshark - Best VPN for Security.
    • Private Internet Access VPN - Best VPN for Windows.
    • Hotspot Shield - Best VPN for Netflix.
    • Norton Secure VPN - Best VPN With Dynamic IP Addresses.
    • IPVanish - Best Customer Support.
    • ExpressVPN - Best Encryption.
    Aug 7, 2024

    What are the cons of ExpressVPN? ›

    Another drawback with ExpressVPN is that it is more expensive than many rival VPN services (but also not the most expensive VPN). In short, this is not a cheap VPN. With the regular pricing, the cheapest you can get ExpressVPN for is $8.32 per month or $99.95 per year.

    Is ExpressVPN really the best? ›

    We rate ExpressVPN as the best VPN for usability overall thanks to how simple and straightforward the app is to use across devices. The app features a prominent Connect button and finding a server location is a simple affair.

    How much is Surfshark after 2 years? ›

    How much does Surfshark cost after two years? After the first two years, Surfshark will cost $59.76 per year, or $4.98 a month. Additional taxes may apply, depending on where you live.

    Is Surfshark owned by NordVPN? ›

    Is Surfshark owned by NordVPN? No, Surfshark is not owned by NordVPN. In 2022, Nord Security, the developer of NordVPN, merged with Surfshark. However, Surfshark and NordVPN operate autonomously, relying on separate infrastructures and product roadmaps.

    What is better than NordVPN? ›

    Verdict: ExpressVPN inches ahead

    Although NordVPN has a higher number of servers overall, ExpressVPN provides servers in more countries at 105 versus NordVPN's 83.

    What country is Surfshark based in? ›

    Surfshark is based in the Netherlands. The business registration address is Kabelweg 57, 1014BA Amsterdam, the Netherlands. We also have offices in Vilnius (Lithuania) and Warsaw (Poland).

    Does Surfshark support China? ›

    The great news is that people can use Surfshark VPN in China to avoid all of these issues. A VPN like this will encrypt your traffic and hide your original IP address, changing it to another IP somewhere else.

    Who is the owner of Surfshark? ›

    The founder of Surfshark is Vytautas Kaziukonis. In 2022, Surfshark and Nord Security merged under one holding company to form a cybersecurity powerhouse while still operating independently.

    Is Surfshark VPN trustworthy? ›

    In short, Surfshark is trustworthy, despite its logging of IP addresses. Note From Our Experts: While we're fine with Surfshark's IP address logging, there are better VPNs than Surfshark in this area. Our roundup of the best “no-logs” VPNs includes options like NordVPN, Private Internet Access, ExpressVPN, and PureVPN.

    Does Surfshark sell your data? ›

    We're established in the Netherlands and we keep our Services logs-free. We don't collect any information that could lead us to know what you're up to online. Surfshark respects your privacy, therefore we are committed to not process any information related to the online activity of our users.

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