Choosing a VPN can be overwhelming with so many options on the market. There is a lot to consider, from device compatibility to price, and that’s just scratching the surface. It can take hours of research to narrow the field, and then you have to whittle down the finalists to one winner.
We dug into two of our favorite VPN providers because they remain popular. NordVPN and Surfshark repeatedly appear on top VPN providers lists, so it’s only natural to compare them.
Surfshark vs NordVPN: quick comparison
 |  | |
| Jurisdiction | BVI | Panama |
| 3rd party audit | Yes, by Cure53 | Yes, by PwC |
| RAM-only servers | Yes, all servers | No |
| Native apps | Windows MacOS Android iOS Android TV Linux Firestick | Windows MacOS Android iOS Android TV Linux |
| Connections | Unlimited | 6 |
| Browser extensions | Chrome Firefox | Chrome Firefox |
| Advanced features | Kill Switch Camouflage mode NoBorders mode Double VPN Ads Blocker | Kill Switch NordLynx protocol Dedicated IP Double VPN Onion over VPN Obfuscated servers Ads Blocker |
| Servers network | 1700 servers in 63 countries | 5400 servers in 59 countries |
| Streaming and P2P | Yes, all servers | Yes, Dedicated servers |
| Free trial | Yes, in the mobile app | Yes, in the mobile app |
| Price | $2.49 /mo 2-years plan $59.76 billed 30-days money-back guarantee | $6.58 /mo 1-year plan $79 billed 30-days money-back guarantee |
| cybersynchs.com rating | 4.5 / 5.0 | 4.8 / 5.0 |
| Full review | Surfshark Review | NordVPN Review |
Since 2012, NordVPN has made a name as a reliable VPN provider with fast speeds and an impressive network of servers. Surfshark is a newer provider that burst onto the scene in 2018 with a fast-growing network and unlimited connections.
Both providers offer several perks on top of the security and privacy of using a VPN. We took a look at everything from jurisdictions and transparency to advanced features and pricing. Let’s dig in and compare two of the best VPNs available in an epic showdown of NordVPN vs Surfshark!
Jurisdictions
When it comes to VPNs, jurisdiction matters because you don’t want to choose a provider that is subject to unfavorable privacy laws. In terms of jurisdiction, both Surfshark and NordVPN have favorable jurisdictions.
Surfshark falls under the British Virgin Islands, which currently manages all in-country affairs and doesn’t require data retention. Of note, Surfshark does retain limited information, but none of it identifies users.
NordVPN works out of Panama, another country with strong privacy laws and no requirements to save or share your data. The provider doesn’t keep any logs.
Transparency
Transparency may be more important with a VPN than nearly any service you work with today. The more information you have about a company, including any third-party audits, can increase that provider’s trust factor.
NordVPN had a 2018 third-party audit to support its no-logs policy. In 2020, they ordered a second audit with a wider scope to reinforce a commitment to privacy and security.
Surfshark also underwent a third-party audit in 2018, which revealed a strong security setup with minimal concerns, and none related to browser extensions.
Native Apps
One benefit of using a VPN is using it across all of your devices. Native apps for each platform you use make life easier for you because you only need to download and install them. However, not all VPNs offer cross-platform software, which means you would need to manually set up some devices.
Yes, NordVPN and Surfshark offer native apps for all popular platforms. You can download free apps for Android, Windows, macOS, iOS, Fire TV, Linux, Chrome, and Firefox. Both providers function with Xbox and Playstation consoles.
Browser Extensions
VPN browser extensions provide privacy and security by encrypting your data when you shop online or surf the web. You can also turn the extension on or off, depending on your needs and preferences. NordVPN and Surfshark offer browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.
Simultaneous connections
Unless you use one device for everything, you probably want to know how many simultaneous connections each VPN supports. VPN providers usually limit simultaneous connections for one account, so it’s important to get that magic number before signing up.
NordVPN allows six simultaneous connections per account. Though the provider offers apps for multiple devices, if you have more than six, you won’t be able to sign on with all of them at once.
Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections under one account. That means an entire household with mobile devices, laptops, and gaming consoles can share one account.
Advanced VPN Features
Not all VPNs offer the same advanced features, so comparing these features can help you make the best decisions for your household. Some features may not be as critical for you as others, so weigh your options carefully.
NordVPN’s Advanced Features
With more than eight years to develop its brand and build in advanced features, NordVPN created some impressive perks. First, the strict no-logs policy backed up by two separate third-party audits sets NordVPN apart.
- NordVPN’s NordLynx technology enhances the WireGuard protocol for increased speed and privacy.
- Onion Over VPN combines the NordVPN encryption with protection from the Onion network to enhance security.
- The built-in Kill Switch features prevent your data from leaking if the connection to a NordVPN server drops for any reason.
- Initiate the CyberSec feature to block malware-hosting websites, ads, and bots.
- NordVPN offers DoubleVPN to protect your IP by changing it twice.
Surfshark’s Advanced VPN Features
In terms of Surfshark’s advanced offerings, you can expect some of the same enhancements, including a strict no-logs policy. The company maintains that it doesn’t monitor, track, or store your information or activities.
- Surfshark also over a Kill Switch feature to protect your data in case of a dropped connection.
- CleanWeb blocks ads, trackers, malware, and phishing.
- Surfshark’s Camouflage Mode prevents others, including your internet provider, from knowing you use a VPN.
- The MultiHop feature is similar to the DoubleVPN as it connects you through two different VPN servers.
- Since Surfshark believes the internet should be open to all, they created a NoBorders mode to allow users in restrictive areas to use their service.
Servers network
The server network is another consideration you can’t overlook when comparing NordVPN vs Surfshark. Choosing a VPN with quality servers is important, but you also want one with enough servers to handle the number of clients they serve.
NordVPN’s Network
NordVPN has one of the larger networks available with servers located all over the world. The provider boasts more than 5,000 servers in more than 59 countries. NordVPN’s network has more than 2,200 servers in North America and over 2,000 in Europe. You can also access servers in Africa, the Middle East, India, Asia, and the Pacific.
The provider’s smart algorithm matches you with the best VPN server based on location, loads, or requirements you select. NordVPN also has some specialty servers should you need them.
- Dedicated IP servers that only one user can use.
- Double VPN servers send your traffic through two servers for increased security.
- Obfuscated servers work best for users living in countries with heavily restricted internet access.
- Onion Over VPBN servers enhance your NordVPN privacy with that of the Onion Router.
- P2P servers optimize P2P sharing with no bandwidth limits and no activity logs.
Surfshark’s Network
Surfshark may not have as many servers as NordVPN, but it still commands a large network of more than 1,700 servers across 63 countries. All servers in Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Pacific, have private DNS and operate with no-logs.
There are no bandwidth limits, and every server is capable of Camouflage Mode. Ever Surfshark server is specialized to handle P2P.
Streaming Capabilities
Streaming is another common reason people choose to use VPNs. Not only does a VPN improve speeds to eliminate buffering, but it can also unblock geo-restricted content. If you plan to use your VPN to improve and expand streaming services, you probably want to know how they stack up.
Surfshark does a commendable job of unblocking content on Netflix, Amazon Prime, HBO Go, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu. If you live in the U.S. and desperately want to catch some Doctor Who episodes, Surfshark has you covered.
NordVPN also unblocks the primary streaming networks, plus Eleven Sports. It’s noted to deliver some of the fastest speeds available, and it managed to access more geo-restricted content on the streaming networks than Surfshark.
Torrenting Capabilities
Torrenting (P2P file sharing) is often overlooked when researching VPNs, but not all VPNs allow it. NordVPN and Surfshark both have servers capable of handling P2P traffic, and they don’t maintain activity logs, which provides you extra privacy.
NordVPN has dedicated servers to handle torrenting, in Canada and the Netherlands. Consequently, if you plan to participate in P2P file sharing, you need to connect to one of them. It’s easy to do by setting the parameter for server type when you connect. However, some users recently noted issues with torrenting when using NordVPN.
Surfshark provides users an opportunity to torrent using any of their servers because they can all handle P2P file sharing. You don’t have to seek out special servers, and you don’t have to compromise on speed.
Free Trials and Money-Back Guarantees
It’s difficult to commit to a product with a test drive unless there’s a money-back guarantee, right? We’ll talk pricing shortly, but it’s a bit of a perk if you can land a free trial or money-back guarantee as an assurance.
NordVPN agrees. The provider claims to offer a 30-day free trial to give their product a try. Conveniently, they also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you look at the fine print, you see that you have to pay upfront for the service, try it for thirty days, and then cancel for a refund.
Surfshark doesn’t pretend to offer a free trial; they have one. However, you can only use the seven-day free trial on mobile devices. You do not need to give your credit card information to get started. They also offer a 30-day money-back guarantee if you choose to purchase their product.
Pricing
Unfortunately, neither of these VPN providers allows you to connect to their servers for nothing. Even though they both offer money-back guarantees, they charge something, so it’s only natural to compare their payment plans.
NordVPN Pricing
NordVPN offers three tiers for users to choose from. Longer plans include greater savings, and the provider also runs special deals at various times.
- Month-to-month plan – $11.95 per month
- Six-month plan – billed $54 every six months for an average of $9 per month
- Two-year plan – billed $89 for the first two years, which factors out to $3.71 per month
Surfshark Pricing
Surfshark also allows users to choose from three tiers. They occasionally run deals and load more savings into their longer plans.
- Month-to-month plan – $12.95 per month
- Six-month plan – billed $38.94 every six months for an average of $6.49 per month
- Twelve-month plan – billed $59.76 upfront and then annually after the first 24 months (you get one year free), which rounds out around $2.50 per month
Who is the Winner on Reddit?
You can comb through thousands of reviews and never reach the conciseness of a Reddit post, even when it comes to VPNs. It seems that people have plenty to say about the effectiveness, performance, and capabilities of most VPN services, including NordVPN and Surfshark.
NordVPN has a massive following with several mentions on Reddit. Several users report they use it for streaming and torrenting with no complaints about speed. A few commenters note that the performance fell off in recent years.
A handful of recent posts on the community page mention difficulty finding a decent connection, mostly regarding torrenting. One poster reported issues with constantly connecting to the same server no matter what they try.
Surfshark may not have a dedicated following on Reddit yet, but there is plenty of conversation about the VPN provider. There are several negative comments from 2019 and before, but more recent comments suggest an uptick in opinions on the provider.
One Reddit user notes that Surfshark is “on the cheap side” and that they could watch Netflix libraries from the US, UK, and Japan without difficulty. Another user noted that they “switched from Cyberghost to Surfshark, and I couldn’t be happier.” They also reported an excellent price plan and access to a lot of geo-blocked streaming.
Though NordVPN initially had loads of support, it sounds like things may be cooling off a bit in recent months. On the other hand, Surfshark seems to have overcome a rocky start with Reddit users by improving its shortcomings.
The Verdict: Surfshark vs NordVPN
Choosing a VPN is a personal choice heavily influenced by how you use the internet. Consider what’s most important to you, including speeds and pricing.
If you simply need an additional security and privacy level for internet use, it may not matter much. However, if you hope to unblock geo-restricted content or torrent, you may want to look a little closer.
NordVPN and Surfshark share a lot of similar features. They were even in four of the twelve domains we evaluated (jurisdiction and privacy laws, native apps, browser extensions, and advanced features). Here’s a recap on how the rest of the comparison broke out.
Though NordVPN remains one of the most popular providers available, it appears to us that Surfshark narrowed the divide over the last year. Though both providers leave something to be desired, Surfshark is an impressively affordable VPN provider with a lot to offer users.
We would love to see a few tweaks to Surfshark’s streaming services, primarily the ability to unblock more services. That said, Surfshark is affordable, accommodates torrenting on all of its servers, and allows unlimited simultaneous connections.
