NordVPN vs Surfshark 2024

James Everard

Senior Writer

NordVPN and Surfshark are owned by the same parent company, yet they’re direct competitors in the marketplace. Both services offer similar features, and the plans and pricing are almost identical. So how do you choose between them?

Fortunately, there are a few differentiating factors that set these VPNs apart. We tested each for speed, security, streaming, torrenting, customer support, and more. And, while they’re fairly evenly matched in some areas, NordVPN ultimately took the win.

That’s because NordVPN offers faster speeds across the board and a more customizable and effective ad blocker, so it outperforms Surfshark. You can also try NordVPN for free since it has a 30-day money-back guarantee.

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ExpressVPN is fields ahead of its competitors in almost every category. It offers some of the fastest speeds we’ve tested, its streaming capabilities are unrivaled, and its security is virtually bullet-proof. It also has a user-friendly app suitable for beginners and experts since it’s similar on almost any supported device. All in all, its price tag is well-justified.

Our Score: 9.9

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Streaming — Surfshark Wins by a Narrow Margin

The streaming capabilities of both NordVPN and Surfshark are pretty good. Our only criticism would be that Surfshark often took a few seconds longer to connect. But once you’re in, you’ll be able to stream your favorite TV in HD from anywhere within seconds.

That said, we couldn’t watch Prime Video with either NordVPN or Surfshark. At the time of writing, Prime Video is moving to a new website that’s separate from the standard Amazon domain (with the exception of the UK and US libraries). We had no luck with Prime Video on both the Amazon website and its new domain.

These VPNs are evenly matched for the most part. Surfshark works with Disney+ Hotstar, while NordVPN doesn’t. And NordVPN works with DAZN, but Surfshark doesn’t. However, Surfshark clinches the win as it’s one of few VPNs that works with Sky Go.

Both VPNs did well with iPlayer in the UK. We didn’t have any issues during testing, and the quality was great too.

Some of the best VPNs struggle with BBC iPlayer, but NordVPN was streaming in seconds

Similarly, both VPNs worked very well with different Netflix catalogs. During our tests, we found that NordVPN can securely access 17+ libraries, including Netflix US.

There were no interruptions or quality drops during our binge-watching session

NordVPN and Surfshark both offer smart DNS too, which means you can stream content in HD from anywhere on devices that don’t typically support VPNs, like older smart TVs and gaming consoles. In addition, NordVPN’s standard VPN offering utilizes a feature called SmartPlay, which combines the power of a smart DNS and a VPN to improve its reliability for streaming.

Winner

They’re both fantastic for streaming, but they're not perfect. Both struggle with a couple of platforms (albeit niche or region-specific ones), and neither works with Amazon Prime Video. Surfshark earned the win here since it works with Sky Go, unlike most VPNs.

Server Network — Both Have Huge Global Networks

Again, this is too close to call. NordVPN has way more servers, which may account for its faster speeds.

But Surfshark covers exactly 40% more countries. It has servers in Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Bhutan, and Brunei (that’s just up to C, but you get the picture).

Both offer a variety of specialty servers, too. You’ll get access to Double VPN (MultiHop on Surfshark) and dedicated IP servers. Surfshark also offers static IP servers, but NordVPN gives you P2P-optimized ones. Plus, NordVPN has obfuscated servers, but you have this setting in Surfshark for any server with its automatic Camouflage mode.

The only thing that Surfshark can’t match is NordVPN’s Onion Over VPN servers, which let you access the Tor network from your regular browser. But this is a fairly niche use case, so not having access to these might not be a dealbreaker for you.

So, with all that said, Surfshark is a good choice if you usually struggle to find servers in your country or any neighboring locations. Or, if you love to travel.

Otherwise, I’d pick NordVPN, as you’re less likely to deal with server congestion thanks to its large network. Or, if you like to dive into the dark web.

Winner - draw

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Do you want more servers or more countries? There are clear winners either way. Judged together, it’s another dead heat between two heavyweight VPNs.

Speed — NordVPN Steals the Win (But it’s Close)

NordVPN is consistently the faster of these two VPNs. Our UK-based speed tester took a look at servers in 3 continents, and NordVPN came out on top in most cases. In fact, its impressive speeds are only rivaled by ExpressVPN.

That being said, Surfshark’s speeds weren’t bad at all. They were just slightly slower compared to NordVPN, but nothing significant that would make a difference in your connection.

NordVPN offers its proprietary NordLynx protocol, which might be one of the reasons why it was slightly faster than Surfshark.

While download speeds were close between the two, upload speeds were considerably faster

Surfshark was very close to NordVPN in some speed test results, but still a bit slower. For example, it gave us 102.24 Mbps on a UK server, whereas NordVPN gave us 108.57 Mbps.

Surfshark's ping was noticeably lower on the same connection, though

Winner

NordVPN is hands down the fastest of the two services, winning in every single speed-test category. However, it wins just by a narrow margin since the difference wasn’t very noticeable apart from the numbers.

Gaming — NordVPN’s Latency is Super Low

NordVPN is a clear winner on latency as well as overall speed. For reliable gaming with no lag, it’s a level up from Surfshark. Once again, it’s unbeaten across all our test criteria and comes out on top. Under 100 ms is recommended for smooth gaming, and NordVPN gave our UK-based speed tester 77 ms on the New York server.

Even on servers in Canada, we had a smooth gaming experience.

With NordVPN's impressively low ping, we had no issues playing Neverwinter on a server in Canada

Winner

With a lower ping across 4 continents, NordVPN is the clear choice for gaming. We never experienced lag while gaming, even on long-distance servers.

Torrenting — NordVPN’s P2P-Optimized Servers Offer Fast Speeds

Both VPNs are excellent torrenting services. They have specific servers that work for P2P. The difference is that NordVPN has clearly labeled them on its app, whereas to find Surfshark’s, you need to type “P2P” in the server search bar. I was able to download a 4.3GB file 16% faster than Surfshark using one of these dedicated servers, so NordVPN takes the prize.

Just bear in mind that we don’t condone using a VPN to download content illegally. Sites like The Pirate Bay regularly host copyrighted content, and it’s against the law to download this in almost every country. Before you torrent anything, check that it’s legal to do so in your country and that the files you want to download are in the public domain.

Winner

With specialty P2P servers in 53 countries that are capable of fast downloads and uploads, NordVPN is the clear favorite for file sharing.

Security — NordVPN’s NordLynx Protocol Is Hard to Beat

Once again, these VPNs are neck-and-neck on most security factors, but NordVPN wins due to its proprietary protocol and far more customizable ad blocker. NordLynx closes a security loophole in WireGuard, so its servers don’t actually store your IP address when you connect.

Surfshark’s IP rotator gives you access to new IP addresses regularly without changing your selected location. It’s certainly handy to have, don’t get me wrong — if you get a blocked IP, you don’t have to wait long for a new one. But you don’t get the same benefit of keeping your real identity completely private.

NordVPN also gives you a Dark Web Monitor that trawls the dark web for security breaches. If it finds your details, you’ll immediately get an email notification so you can take the necessary measures to secure your accounts.

NordVPN’s Threat Manager is a more effective blocker than Surfshark’s CleanWeb, clocking in at 72% of ads blocked to 57%, respectively. While Surfshark still blocks more than half of all ads (and is far more effective than some VPN built-in ad blockers), it just can’t rival NordVPN.

Also, both have bug bounty programs. If you’ve never come across these before, they’re a big green flag for security. They reward cyber security hobbyists and professionals alike for finding security flaws before someone more nefarious has the chance to. Many hands make light work, after all.

Winner

The proprietary NordLynx protocol and adjustable ad blocker mean NordVPN is my top choice for security. These security features give you a great balance of security and speed. It’s the little differences like this that make NordVPN just a bit better than Surfshark.

Privacy — Panama-Based NordVPN Keeps Your Data From Prying Eyes

Both VPNs have a proven no-logs policy, so I’m confident they’re both private services that protect your data.

NordVPN pays for regular independent audits. As of the time of writing, its no-logs policy has been audited and verified 3 times. On top of that, it has undergone an additional audit to confirm the security of its infrastructure, including its mobile apps.

In comparison, Surfshark B.V. finally had its no-logs policy audited in 2022. But, it has had its infrastructure audited since then, too. I’m curious as to why it traded for 4 years without going to the effort of getting an independent audit, though.

But, Surfshark’s HQ is in the Netherlands, a 5/9/14 Eyes alliance country. That means that any government within the alliance can demand all of Surfshark’s user data, and it would have to comply. While it doesn’t have any logs of your browsing activity, it’d still have to hand over some information, but it shouldn’t be identifiable.

NordVPN’s HQ is outside the alliance in Panama, and so is under no such obligation to hand over any data. That’s enough to give NordVPN the win for privacy.

For added privacy while signing up, both services accept 3 cryptocurrencies via CoinGate payment. You can’t auto-renew your subscription using this method, though, because there are no credit card details to keep on file. You can also use a disposable email if you don’t want to leave any trace of your subscription.

Winner

With its headquarters in Panama, outside the jurisdiction of the 14 Eyes Alliance, NordVPN takes this category by default. Plus, NordVPN has undergone more cybersecurity audits than Surfshark.

Works in China — Neither Work

Unfortunately, neither NordVPN nor Surfshark currently work in China.

China has the toughest nationwide firewall in the world (known as the Great Firewall), and at the time of writing, even the best VPNs don’t work there consistently. Every VPN that wants to operate in China has to invest a great deal of time and money to stay one step ahead of the government’s highly advanced VPN blocks.

We continually check to see which VPNs work in China, and we’ve found the most reliable VPN for China is ExpressVPN.

Winner - draw

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Neither NordVPN nor Surfshark currently works in China, so this round is a dead heat.

Installation & Ease of Use — Surfshark’s Beginner-Friendly Apps Win

Both of these VPNs are compatible with the major OSs and are easy to install and set up. I’d recommend either of them to VPN beginners because the apps are clean, simple, and pre-configured to give you great security and speeds without having to change any settings.

The mobile apps (iOS and Android) are all similar to their desktop counterparts (Windows and macOS), too. All of them are just as easy to install and navigate. Surfshark also has a handy Android-exclusive feature that spoofs your GPS location, which makes it even easier to hide where you are, even if you’re on the go. It’s just a shame that it’s not available on iOS too.

Speaking of Android-exclusive features, you can’t use split tunneling on NordVPN’s iOS app. So, if you’re an Apple geek (guilty as charged), you might find this VPN a bit less useful when you go on vacation.

All in all, Surfshark took the win because its app is more straightforward to navigate. I like that when you’re connected, it shows your new IP address, and some key stats about your connection, and gives you quick links to important settings like your kill switch.

In comparison, NordVPN’s animated map server list is pretty clunky. But it’s got a lot more customization compared to Surfshark. So, if you can deal with a larger app window (seriously, it’s huge compared to some others), you’ll be rewarded with a few more security and privacy options.

Winner

Both VPNs are quick to set up and beginner-friendly. However, I did find it a bit more complicated to change settings and activate certain features with NordVPN. Plus, Surfshark’s settings are mostly one-click, whereas NordVPN has more customizability.

Reliability & Support — It’s Easier to Talk to a Human With Surfshark

Both VPNs are very reliable services, but should you run into any technical problems, Surfshark offers more support. Technically, the chat facilities are very similar; it’s just a lot easier and quicker to speak to a real agent with Surfshark. Getting past NordVPN’s bot is time-consuming and annoying. It’s one of the few areas in which NordVPN has some real room for improvement.

Winner

The ease of using the live chat alone is enough to hand this round to Surfshark. Plus, its video setup tutorials are easy to follow and great for beginners.

Pricing

	NordVPN	Surfshark
Starting Price	$2.99/month	$1.99/month
Price (On Renewal)	$99.48 per year (subject to change)	$59.76 per year (subject to change)
Money Back Guarantee (Days)	30 days	30 days
Number of Devices per License	10	Unlimited
Router Setup (for Unlimited Devices)	Easy setup and support for many popular routers.	Router support significantly less extensive than with NordVPN.

Both NordVPN and Surfshark offer the same tiered pricing structure with a money-back guarantee. NordVPN Basic and Surfshark Starter are each provider’s most affordable plans, providing just the VPN. However, Surfshark goes a step further by also offering Alternative ID, which lets you generate a name, date of birth, and address to use with your online accounts. This can help to mask your actual data and reduce the potential impact of a breach.

NordVPN’s Plus plan gives you Threat Protection Pro, which offers always-on blocking, malware scanning, and customizable blocklists. You’ll also get data breach scanning and a password manager, and Ultimate adds on encrypted cloud storage and cyber insurance. Similarly, Surfshark One also offers breach alerts, but it also includes antivirus. And, with Surfshark One+, you’ll also get a data removal service.

However, Threat Protection Pro used to be included as standard with every NordVPN plan, so I’m disappointed that this is now a paid extra.

Both providers give the best value on 24-month plans and regularly offer additional free months on long-term plans. Plus, you can get a 7-day free trial of NordVPN on Android or Surfshark on iOS, macOS, and Android.

Overall, Surfshark takes the win for value for money. It’s more affordable from the get-go, and it doesn’t lock core VPN features behind a higher-tier plan, unlike NordVPN. However, if you’ve got the budget, NordVPN is still a good option, and its basic version of Threat Protection is still more powerful than Surfshark’s CleanWeb.

Winner

It was a close fight, but Surfshark’s affordability wins this round. It’s disappointing that NordVPN decided to lock Threat Protection Pro, one of its best features, behind a higher-cost plan.

Tips on Choosing Between NordVPN and Surfshark

By now, you should have a good picture of both VPNs. But if you still need help deciding, here’s a quick summary of the key factors in this comparison:

• Reliable streaming capabilities. That’s crucial if you want to stream UHD content securely. We tested both VPNs with dozens of Netflix libraries and popular platforms like Disney+, Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. Both NordVPN and Surfshark worked with most platforms, but they struggled with some regional services.
• Fast speeds. Speeds can significantly impact your browsing and streaming experience. NordVPN came ahead, offering marginally faster speeds, which could be crucial for data-heavy tasks like streaming in UHD.
• Extensive server networks. The more extensive and varied the server network, the better your options. NordVPN has 6,800 servers in 113 countries, while Surfshark boasts 3,200 servers in 100 countries. Although both have great networks, NordVPN has a slight edge in terms of sheer server numbers.
• Robust security features. Security is paramount for ensuring your data remains private. Both NordVPN and Surfshark offer strong encryption and multiple protocols, making them highly secure options for your VPN needs, but the exclusive NordLynx protocol has the edge.
• Respectable privacy practices. You should use a VPN that has a solid commitment to user privacy. NordVPN’s HQ is in Panama, and Surfshark’s is in the Netherlands. The latter isn’t great, as it’s part of the 14 Eyes Alliance. That’s why Surfshark’s no-logs policy is so important.
• Easy to use. The user interface should be intuitive, making the VPN straightforward to navigate. Surfshark's interface was a bit more user-friendly, with more straightforward menus and settings that are easier to find. But, NordVPN’s app is still a good choice for beginners.
• Trustworthy money-back guarantee. This lets you try out a VPN risk-free, knowing you can get your money back if it doesn’t meet your expectations. I signed up for both services and requested a refund to test their money-back guarantees. Both NordVPN and Surfshark promptly refunded the full amount with no issues.