NordVPN vs. Surfshark: Key features and performance comparison
Both NordVPN and Surfshark VPN offer a fast and secure VPN connection to shield your online traffic from snoopers. These VPN services also offer features that go beyond standard VPN protection. But which one’s better for you?
Check out the following table to see how NordVPN and Surfshark stack up against each other.
| NordVPN | Surfshark |
---|---|---|
Number of servers | 7200+ | 3200+ |
Covered countries | 118 | 100 |
Lowest monthly price | $3.39 with a two-year plan | $2.19 with a two-year plan |
VPN protocols | WireGuard (NordLynx), OpenVPN, IKEv2 | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
Data encryption | AES-256 | AES-256 |
10 Gbps servers | ✅ | ✅ |
No-logs policy | ✅ | ✅ |
Dedicated IP address | ✅ | ✅ |
Ad blocker | ✅ | ✅ |
Tracker blocker | ✅ | ✅ |
Malware blocker | ✅ | ✅ |
Data breach alert | ✅ | ✅ |
AI-based phishing protection | ✅ | ❌ |
Meshnet for local network | ✅ | ❌ |
Simultaneously connected devices | 10 | Unlimited simultaneous connections |
24/7 customer support | ✅ | ✅ |
Independent audits | ✅ | ✅ |
Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
Operating systems | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chromebook, tvOS | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chromebook |
Both NordVPN and Surfshark are leading VPN services. In 2022, Nord Security, the developer of NordVPN, merged with Surfshark. However, Surfshark and NordVPN function autonomously, relying on separate infrastructures and product roadmaps, which means they offer different plans, features, and prices.
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Surfshark vs. NordVPN: Pricing, plans, and special deals
NordVPN has four different plans while Surfshark has three, and you can subscribe to each plan for one month, one year, or two years. To get the most out of a VPN service, it’s better — and cheaper — to swing for a longer subscription period and a plan that includes extra protection features. You can visit our NordVPN blog post to learn all about the different NordVPN bundles.
The most popular plans of each provider, both in terms of price and features, are NordVPN Plus and Surfshark One.
Subscription period | NordVPN Plus | Surfshark One |
---|---|---|
Monthly | $13.99 | $17.95 |
1-year plan | $5.99 | $3.39 |
2-year plan | $4.39 | $2.69 |
Each provider regularly offers special deals and promotions where you can save up to 86% on your subscription, so check their websites to stay in the loop.
Disclaimer: The prices in the table above are from January 2025.
Payment options
Both of these VPN providers accept a variety of payment methods — credit card, cryptocurrency, PayPal, Google Pay, AmazonPay, Sofort, prepaid (debit) card, and more.
Special deals and discounts
NordVPN and Surfshark regularly offer special deals, coupons, and promotions that let you save big on your VPN subscription. They also collaborate with influencers who offer their followers the best VPN deals, so be on the lookout for discounts from your favorite content creators.
If you’ve already made your mind up to choose NordVPN — go ahead and use the PewDiePie NordVPN discount code. Or if you’re still pondering, head to Surfshark and check out their special offers.
User experience and interface
NordVPN and Surfshark both support major operating systems, offer browser extensions for Chrome, Edge, and Firefox, and have native VPN apps for Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Nvidia Shield. They also work with devices like Kodi, PlayStation, Xbox, and Chromecast using workarounds, and each has a dedicated Linux app.
| NordVPN | Surfshark |
---|---|---|
Supported OS | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chromebook, tvOS | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chromebook, tvOS |
Browser extensions | Chrome, Edge, Firefox | Chrome, Edge, Firefox |
Native apps | Android TV, Google TV, Amazon Fire TV and Fire Stick, Nvidia Shield | Android TV, Google TV, Amazon Fire TV and Fire Stick, Nvidia Shield |
Devices (can be used with workarounds)* | Kodi, PlayStation, Xbox, some older Chromecast devices | Kodi, PlayStation, Xbox, some older Chromecast devices |
Dedicated Linux app | Yes | Yes |
*You can also use NordVPN or Surfshark with Kodi, PlayStation, Xbox, and some older Chromecast with some workarounds:
- Kodi. Use via underlying device, router, or Smart DNS.
- PlayStation. Use via router, Smart DNS, or shared VPN connection.
- Xbox. Use via router, Smart DNS, or shared VPN connection.
- Chromecast. Requires router setup or virtual router sharing.
Protecting your privacy: Surfshark vs. NordVPN security features
Privacy protection is the main goal of anyone who uses a VPN. But an advanced VPN service typically offers more than just shielding your online traffic from prying eyes. Here’s a detailed display of the main security features that you get if you use either NordVPN or Surfshark:
| NordVPN | Surfshark |
---|---|---|
Encryption | AES-256 | AES-256 |
Hash | SHA-512 | SHA-512 |
RAM servers | ✅ | ✅ |
MFA protection | ✅ | ✅ |
Tracker blocker | ✅ | ✅ |
Ad blocker | ✅ | ✅ |
Malware scanner | ✅ | ✅ |
AI-based phishing detection | ✅ | ❌ |
Antivirus | ❌ | ✅ |
Dark web monitor | ✅ | ✅ |
Obfuscated servers | ✅ | ✅ |
Private DNS | ✅ | ✅ |
DNS leak protection | ✅ | ✅ |
Double VPN | ✅ Double VPN | ✅ MultiHop |
Onion over VPN | ✅ | ✅ |
Dedicated IP | ✅ | ✅ |
Kill switch | ✅ | ✅ |
No-logs policy | ✅ | ✅ |
Infrastructure and encryption
NordVPN and Surfshark’s server infrastructures operate on RAM-only hardware, which eliminates the use of hard drives for long-term data storing. Each time the servers reboot, they erase all stored data and keep no records once powered down.
Both VPN providers offer robust data encryption — they use advanced AES-256 encryption, providing a secure and fast connection.
Extra protection features
NordVPN and Surfshark go above and beyond to protect your privacy with security features that include:
- A kill switch. A kill switch protects your data from accidental exposure by blocking your internet access if your VPN connection unexpectedly drops.
- DNS leak protection. Both providers prevent DNS leaks by using company-operated DNS servers by default. Once you connect to a VPN server, your DNS address automatically adapts to the server to prevent DNS leaks.
- MFA protection. MFA secures your account with one or more authentication methods in addition to your password. For your NordVPN account, you can use authenticator apps like Google Authenticator or Authy, or you can opt for a physical security key or a built-in passkey, depending on your device and browser. For your Surfshark VPN account, you can use Google Authenticator or Duo Mobile, or you can choose to receive temporary security codes into your inbox.
- Protection from malware. NordVPN offers an additional Threat Protection Pro™ feature – an anti-malware tool, while Surfshark has its alternative – the CleanWeb malware protection tool.
- Obfuscated servers. Both Surfshark and NordVPN offer the option of obfuscated servers to allow their users to conceal the fact they’re rerouting their traffic with a VPN.
- Dedicated IP address. You can get a dedicated IP address from both NordVPN and Surfshark. It’s a private IP address that belongs only to you. A dedicated IP helps you to avoid blocklisting or having your access to websites limited in other ways.
- Double VPN. NordVPN’s Double VPN and Surfshark’s MultiHop route your internet traffic through two VPN servers instead of just one, encrypting your data twice for an extra layer of privacy.
In the context of extra features, NordVPN stands out for its advanced web protection. Apart from removing ads and making websites look better, NordVPN’s additional Threat Protection Pro™ feature uses AI-based technologies and machine learning to detect phishing websites, unsafe domains, double extensions, and malicious downloads.
Surfhark’s tool for malware protection CleanWeb also blocks trackers, ads, malicious websites and downloads, and prevents some phishing attempts by blocking fraudulent websites.
Another difference between the two VPN providers is that Surfshark offers Antivirus and webcam protection with its One and One+ plans. The antivirus protects your devices 24/7, while the webcam protection feature locks down your camera to prevent spying.
With each VPN provider offering additional security, some of them overlapping, choosing a provider might feel like an overwhelming task. To help you out, we’ve dedicated a blog post on the topic of how to choose the most secure VPN.
Activity tracking and independent audits
NordVPN and Surfshark take their no-logs and privacy policies seriously, so they regularly undergo independent security audits to ensure they comply with the policies. These independent audits assure that users are getting what they’ve been promised — a VPN service that doesn’t track or log their browsing traffic.
These VPN providers commission market-leading Big Four audit firms, such as PricewaterhouseCoopers AG Switzerland (PwC) and Deloitte Audit Lithuania, or cybersecurity firms like Cure53, to interview their employees and examine their server infrastructure, server configuration, and technical logs.
VPN provider | Audit data | Auditing firm |
---|---|---|
NordVPN | 2018 | PwC |
NordVPN | 2020 | PwC |
NordVPN | 2022 | Deloitte |
NordVPN | 2023 | Deloitte |
Surfshark | 2018 | Cure53 |
Surfshark | 2021 | Cure53 |
Surfshark | 2022 | Deloitte |
To stay on top of their game, NordVPN and Surfshark also run bug bounty programs, inviting white hat hackers and researchers to identify potential vulnerabilities before malicious actors can exploit them.
Jurisdiction
NordVPN operates under the jurisdiction of the Republic of Panama. This means that NordVPN is not required to store logs on their user activity and can successfully fulfill the promise to its users to protect their privacy and not share their online traffic information with third parties. NordVPN has offices in Lithuania, the United Kingdom, Poland, Germany, Panama, and the Netherlands.
Surfshark was initially registered in the British Virgin Islands but moved its headquarters to the Netherlands on October 1, 2021. The company chose to move to the Netherlands because of the favorable business and economic environment, and the no-logs-friendly legal jurisdiction.
Surfshark’s offices are located in Lithuania, the Netherlands, Poland, and Germany.
VPN protocols
Encryption protocols are the backbone of any VPN services. Let’s explore which protocols NordVPN and Surfshark VPN use to protect your data during transit.
Protocol | NordVPN | Surfshark |
---|---|---|
OpenVPN | ✅ | ✅ |
IKEv2 | ✅ (for manual configuration) | ✅ |
WireGuard | ✅ (NordLynx) | ✅ |
Both VPN providers use these protocols:
- IKEv2 which is particularly good at maintaining stable connections
- OpenVPN, a reliable and highly secure protocol, known for its flexibility and compatibility across various devices
- WireGuard, a lightweight protocol, known for its speed and efficiency
However, about three years ago, NordVPN introduced a new protocol — NordLynx. Why? To give its users an even faster connection speed without compromising their privacy. NordVPN added a double NAT system to NordLynx, making sure your online traffic stays private and secure while still taking full advantage of WireGuard’s speed and simplicity. This way, NordLynx combines the best of both worlds — excellent performance and privacy.
Server locations, speeds, and obfuscation
If you’re looking for a VPN to boost your privacy and not slow you down online, you’ll be interested to know NordVPN’s and Surfshark’s server locations and countries covered by their server network, their obfuscation capabilities, and the NordVPN vs. Surfshark speed tests.
Having many servers in many countries lets a VPN offer faster speeds and more reliable connections. It means you can choose a server close to you for better performance or one in another country if you’re travelling abroad and need to access the content you’re subscribed to at your home country.
- Server locations and countries covered. If you use NordVPN, you get access to a worldwide network of over 7200 ultra-fast VPN servers, covering 118 countries. Surfshark is not far behind in terms of countries — their network of 3200+ servers covers 100 countries.
Continent | NordVPN (the number of countries the network covers) | Surfshark (the number of countries the network covers) |
---|---|---|
The Americas | 27 | 18 |
Europe | 43 | 46 |
Asia Pacific | 28 | 27 |
The Middle East and Africa | 20 | 9 |
- Speed. These two leading VPN services both use 10Gbps servers. To give you an overview of their server capabilities, we conducted a NordVPN vs. Surfshark speed test and measured the average download speed on their servers in the US, the UK, the Netherlands, and Singapore in mid March 2024. Here’s what we found:
Country | NordVPN | Surfshark |
---|---|---|
US | 2,063 Mbps | 1,783 Mbps |
UK | 2,542 Mbps | 2,153 Mbps |
Netherlands | 2,881 Mbps | 2,528 Mpps |
Singapore | 1,426 Mbps | 1,268 Mbps |
- Obfuscation. In some countries, VPN use is against the law, while others impose strict internet censorship and monitoring. That’s where obfuscated servers come in. In areas with heavy internet censorship, obfuscated servers can help mask VPN traffic. Both Surfshark VPN and NordVPN include this feature increasing the privacy of your online activities.
Secure streaming and gaming performance
You don’t even need to compare Surfshark vs. NordVPN in the context of streaming your favorite home content securely — both services will help make it happen. If you’re travelling abroad and want to access your paid subscription to streaming services in your home country, either of the VPN apps is a great choice.
As for ultra-high definition video transmission without buffering, fast NordVPN’s servers are a go-to choice. Surfshark also offers good speeds, though they might vary more than NordVPN’s.
Disclaimer: The NordVPN service should never be used to bypass copyright regulations. NordVPN does not promote, condone, or endorse the use of the service for such purposes.
A VPN for gaming: Surfshark or NordVPN?
NordVPN is an excellent service for gamers — it provides a stable connection and a minimal lag due to its NordLynx protocol which is excellent for gaming. Surfshark also offers good speeds and lets you avoid bandwidth throttling based on activities.
However, Surfshark doesn’t have an equivalent to NordVPN’s Meshnet. If you choose NordVPN for gaming, you also get the free Meshnet feature for LAN games. Meshnet allows remote access to your devices, wherever in the world they are, and the possibility to connect them directly. You don’t need port forwarding when you’re using Meshnet — simply link up with others to form a secure virtual LAN and play online games with your friends.
Customer support
As a customer of either NordVPN or Surfshark, you’ll get help quickly and easily via the channel of your choice, be it a live chat, email support, an extensive knowledge base, or the many video tutorials and guides.
Customer support channel | NordVPN | Surfshark |
---|---|---|
Live chat | ✅ | ✅ |
Email/ticket support | ✅ | ✅ |
Knowledge base | ✅ | ✅ |
Video guides on YouTube | ✅ | ✅ |
User reviews and community feedback
NordVPN constantly receives great reviews and ratings from both users and tech experts at TechRadar, PCMag, Forbes, and Wired. Surfshark doesn’t lack raving reviews either, benefit-wise ticking some of the same boxes as NordVPN.
It might be worth checking the Surfshark vs. NordVPN Reddit comparisons to get a better idea of what online reviewers think about these VPNs. One of the most broadest VPN reviews that aims to select the best VPN among Reddit users, as of the time of writing this blog post, places NordVPN and Surfshark at the top among 50+ VPN services.
Deciding on the best VPN service: NordVPN or Surfshark?
NordVPN is a great choice for you if you value top-notch security, blazing speeds, and the ability to access home content while travelling abroad. With features like Double VPN and Onion Over VPN, it offers advanced encryption to keep your internet traffic private, while Threat Protection ProTM helps to avoid tracking, phishing, and scams. If you enjoy streaming your home content from abroad or gaming, NordVPN is the way to go.
On the other hand, Surfshark is perfect for you if you want a budget-friendly VPN with unlimited device connections. It’s an excellent option for families or anyone juggling multiple devices because you can connect them all simultaneously. Surfshark also stands out with its competitive pricing and features like CleanWeb, which blocks ads and malware for a safer online experience. If simplicity, affordability, and convenience are your priorities, Surfshark might be a great pick.
Online security starts with a click.
Stay safe with the world’s leading VPN