Selecting the right VPN (Virtual Private Network) comes down to finding the ideal balance between privacy features, speed, device support, and overall pricing. Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN are established VPN providers designed to protect your online privacy. Each makes an excellent choice, but they all have unique perks and features, so one may better suit your needs than the others.
Let’s take a closer look at Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN so you can make an informed decision about your VPN provider.
Note: The comparison was updated on August 4, 2026, and the information listed is subject to change. All prices are in USD.
Surfshark vs. ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN: quick overview
Let’s compare Surfshark’s, ExpressVPN’s, and NordVPN’s core features:
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Feature
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Surfshark
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ExpressVPN
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NordVPN
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Lowest monthly price
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$2.49
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$2.99
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$3.49
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Money-back guarantee
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30 days
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30 days
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30 days
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No. of server countries
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100
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113
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149
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No. of servers
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4,500+
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Undisclosed
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9,400+
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Subscription coverage
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Unlimited devices
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10-14 devices
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10 devices
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Protocols
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Dausos, WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2
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Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2
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NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2
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Data encryption
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AEGIS-256X2, AES-256-GCM, ChaCha20
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AES-256-GCM, ChaCha20
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AES-256-GCM, ChaCha20
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Download speed retention (local server)¹
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99%
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80%
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100%
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Cookie pop-up blocker
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Ad blocker
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(Clean Web)
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(Threat Protection & Threat Protection Pro)
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No-logs policy
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(Netherlands jurisdiction)
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(British Virgin Islands jurisdiction)
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(Panama jurisdiction)
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Independent no-logs policy audit
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(Deloitte, 2025)
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(KPMG, 2025)
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(Deloitte, 2025)
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10 Gbps servers
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(All)
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(All)
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(All)
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24/7 support
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Operating systems
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Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, tvOS
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Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, tvOS
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Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, tvOS
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Dedicated IP address
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(from $3.75/mo, 15 countries)
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(from $3.99/mo, 22 countries)
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(from $3.69/mo, 27 countries)
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Malware blocker
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(Clean Web)
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(Advanced Protection)
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(Threat Protection Lite)
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Data leak alert
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(Alert)
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(ExpressVPN Keys)
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(Dark Web Monitor)
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Key differences between Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN
- Surfshark allows unlimited device connections on all its subscription plans, whereas NordVPN limits their users to 10 simultaneous connections, and ExpressVPN puts a limit of 10-14 devices depending on the subscription tier;
- Surfshark offers the lowest entry price — the Starter pack costs $2.49 per month when subscribing for two years, while ExpressVPN’s two-year Basic subscription starts at $2.99/mo, and NordVPN’s Basic monthly price goes down to $3.49 when subscribing long-term;
- Surfshark implements proprietary security enhancements with its Dausos protocol and AEGIS-256X2 post-quantum encryption;
- All three VPN services maintain strict no-logs policies verified by independent auditing firms, but Surfshark operates under the jurisdiction of the Netherlands, which is subject to comprehensive EU privacy regulations and GDPR protections;
- Surfshark and NordVPN retain 99% and 100% of their download speeds on local servers, respectively, while ExpressVPN retains 80% (based on third-party tests by cybernews.com).
Subscription cost
If you’re looking for a long-term value, all three providers offer deals for one- and two-year plans. Pricing varies by subscription length and bundle tier across the three providers, but Surfshark offers the best overall value for the entry-level long-term subscription.
Pricing
Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN have their plans set in three tiers. Let’s take a look at a pricing breakdown for the three providers’ entry-level plans:
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Plan
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Surfshark Starter
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NordVPN Basic
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ExpressVPN Basic
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2-year plan
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$2.49/mo
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$3.49/mo
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$2.99/mo
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1-year plan
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$3.39/mo
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$5.49/mo
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$4.99/mo
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1-month plan
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$16.45/mo
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$14.99/mo
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$14.99/mo
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Surfshark Starter dominates the long-term savings race with its two-year plan priced at $2.49 per month. Its one-year commitment remains the most budget-friendly annual option at $3.39 per month, while the month-to-month rate is $16.45 per month.
ExpressVPN Basic two-year plan comes in at $2.99 per month — 50 cents more than Surfshark — while its one-year plan sits at $4.99 per month. For short-term flexibility, ExpressVPN matches NordVPN with a $14.99 monthly rate.
Of the three providers, NordVPN Basic has the highest price for long-term subscribers, charging $3.49 per month for its two-year deal and $5.49 per month for the one-year plan, while the short-term one-month subscription costs $14.99.
Payment options
All three services accept multiple payment options:
- Credit/debit cards;
- PayPal;
- Google Pay and Apple Pay.
Surfshark and Nord add a cryptocurrency option to their checkout methods for enhanced payment privacy. NordVPN also accepts cash payments at select retail stores.
Summing up
Surfshark offers the lowest entry price among the three services at $2.49 per month and supports flexible payment methods, including cryptocurrency.
Server network
Server distribution impacts how easily you can establish stable, low-latency connections worldwide. A large number of servers can reduce congestion, but overall, server quality is what makes the biggest difference. Let’s see how Surfshark, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN server infrastructure compare.
Surfshark’s server network
Surfshark VPN operates 4,500+ servers in 100 countries, providing a wide global reach so you can easily connect to a fast local server. Beyond standard servers, Surfshark offers specialized infrastructure options:
- Multi Hop double VPN servers: route internet traffic through two separate VPN locations to double encryption layers;
- P2P-optimized servers: configured specifically for secure peer-to-peer file exchanges;
- Obfuscated servers: designed to obscure VPN traffic, helping you access the internet more freely in restrictive network environments;
- 100 Gbps server infrastructure: Surfshark features the world’s first 100 Gbps VPN servers deployed in Amsterdam, designed to minimize congestion and maintain high throughput;
- RAM-only servers: a 100% diskless server network takes your privacy one step further, as no data is saved on physical servers, and it’s all automatically wiped whenever a server reboots.
ExpressVPN’s server network
ExpressVPN provides access to a server network spanning 113 countries to accommodate general web traffic. The service also uses RAM-only hardware configurations across its locations, with some servers upgraded to 40 Gbps ports for faster data transfer.
NordVPN’s server network
NordVPN maintains a RAM-only server infrastructure of over 9,400 servers across 149 countries. Specialty configurations include Double VPN nodes, Onion Over VPN routing, and dedicated P2P servers.
Summing up
Surfshark offers a balanced 100-country server network, RAM-only diskless storage, a range of specialized routing options, and port speeds reaching up to 100 Gbps — making it an excellent choice if you’re looking for fast VPN speeds and strong privacy protection.
Server speeds
How fast your VPN runs directly impacts smooth video streaming, online gaming, and web page load times. Due to traffic encryption and rerouting, VPNs can slow your connection slightly. However, the best VPNs keep this slowdown barely noticeable by using fast protocols and servers built for speed.
Let’s see how Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN differ in terms of server speeds, based on tests done by cybernews.com¹ (March 13, 2026):
Download speed retention (baseline speed 900 Mbps):
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Server location
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Surfshark (WireGuard)
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ExpressVPN (Lightway)
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NordVPN (NordLynx)
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Local
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895 Mbps (99%)
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724 Mbps (80%)
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899 Mbps (100%)
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US
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780 Mbps (87%)
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469 Mbps (52%)
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794 Mbps (88%)
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UK
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848 Mbps (94%)
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575 Mbps (64%)
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860 Mbps (96%)
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Note: Speed test results can vary depending on factors such as the distance between the VPN server and the user, the user’s ISP (Internet Service Provider), and server overcrowding.
Surfshark’s performance
Based on independent speed tests, Surfshark retained 99% of baseline speeds on local connections and up to 94% on international routes with WireGuard, making it a great VPN choice for high-bandwidth tasks like 4K streaming, online gaming, and large file transfers.
To further optimize connection speeds, Surfshark uses FastTrack. It’s a proprietary route optimization technology that dynamically calculates and selects the most efficient data path to your server, significantly reducing latency and ping times for a better connection in key locations.
Additionally, macOS users connecting via Surfshark’s Dausos protocol can see up to 30% faster VPN speeds than connecting with industry-standard protocols.
ExpressVPN’s performance
During third-party testing, ExpressVPN retained 80% of its baseline speed locally and up to 64% on international connections using its proprietary Lightway protocol.
NordVPN’s performance
NordVPN retained almost 100% of baseline speed on local servers, 96% on UK, and 88% on US connections using its proprietary NordLynx protocol.
Summing up
Surfshark delivers reliable high-speed connection retention across both local and international servers, matching NordVPN’s speeds nearly identically. Surfshark’s speeds are also boosted by the Dausos protocol on supported platforms and FastTrack in supported locations.
Streaming performance
Streaming takes up a lot of bandwidth, so if you want to watch your favorite shows while traveling abroad or keep your connection private during online games, your VPN should run smoothly without lagging. Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN all work with major streaming services, but their overall speed and reliability can still vary.
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.
Streaming platforms
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Platform
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Surfshark
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NordVPN
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ExpressVPN
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Netflix
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Amazon Prime Video
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Hulu
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|
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HBO Max
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|
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Disney+
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|
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BBC iPlayer
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|
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YouTube and YouTube TV
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|
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Apple TV
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|
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All three providers work with popular streaming services such as Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, and HBO Max.
Surfshark allows you to safely watch your favorite content while also helping prevent activity-based ISP throttling and blocking ads and trackers while you stream in your browser with the Clean Web feature.
Gaming
Surfshark provides stable, low-latency connections necessary for multiplayer online gaming, along with built-in DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) protection. Surfshark includes native GPS override functionality on Android devices to match virtual IP coordinates with the device’s location data — a useful feature for mobile gamers when traveling.
NordVPN and ExpressVPN support low-ping connections on PC setups but lack built-in mobile GPS spoofing tools.
Summing up
All three providers support the main video streaming platforms, but Surfshark provides extra value for mobile gaming through native Android GPS location spoofing.
Security and encryption
Strong security is arguably the most important aspect of a VPN — its main goal is to protect your data, encrypt traffic, and help prevent unauthorized tracking of your online activities. Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN all use industry-standard encryption and offer extra security tools to boost your privacy. Let’s see how they stack up:
Encryption
Each provider puts its own spin on how it delivers encryption:
- Surfshark uses the standard AES-256 (with OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec protocols) and ChaCha20 (with Wireguard protocol) encryption, but also offers its Dausos protocol with AEGIS-256X2 encryption to deliver faster speeds on modern devices;
- NordVPN uses standard AES-256 for OpenVPN and IKEv2 connections, and ChaCha20 to power its custom NordLynx protocol;
- ExpressVPN also uses AES-256 for the OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols and pairs either AES-256 or ChaCha20 with its Lightway protocol.
Kill switch
A kill switch is a safety feature that cuts off your internet connection if your VPN accidentally drops. This prevents your location and IP address from leaking online, ensuring your privacy stays protected even during an unexpected outage.
All three providers include a kill switch in their security suite: Surfshark lets you choose if you want the kill switch on or not, ExpressVPN’s Internet Kill Switch is turned on by default and can be disabled in the settings, and NordVPN includes both application-level and system-wide kill switches.
Additionally, Surfshark takes another step to safeguard your connection with a patented self-healing infrastructure, Everlink. While a traditional kill switch reactively cuts off internet access during a drop, Everlink proactively reroutes your encrypted tunnel in real time if a server fails or undergoes maintenance. This keeps your IP address protected while allowing you to remain online uninterrupted.
Obfuscation technology
Obfuscation, also known as a stealth VPN, makes VPN traffic much harder to identify, making this feature very useful in places with heavy internet censorship.
Surfshark automatically applies obfuscation to all servers using the OpenVPN protocol; ExpressVPN applies automatic obfuscation on supported platforms; while NordVPN offers dedicated obfuscated servers accessible via its app menu.
Summing up
All three VPNs offer strong encryption and core security, but Surfshark has an advantage with the Dausos protocol and its quantum-proof AEGIS-256X2 encryption, as well as the self-healing Everlink infrastructure.
VPN protocols
Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN all offer industry-standard VPN protocols, known for their speed, encryption, and overall security. In line with these established standards, all three providers have proprietary protocols: Surfshark has developed Dausos, a protocol specifically designed for everyday consumer VPN use; NordVPN offers NordLynx; and ExpressVPN includes the Lightweight protocol.
Proprietary protocols
Surfshark introduces its custom protocol called Dausos*, built specifically for individual consumers rather than enterprise environments. Rather than relying on traditional shared tunnels, Dausos assigns each user an isolated data tunnel paired with post-quantum AEGIS-256X2 encryption — delivering up to 30% faster throughput and better traffic isolation compared to standard protocols.
NordVPN features NordLynx, a custom protocol built directly on the lightweight WireGuard architecture, addressing WireGuard’s potential privacy limitations with static IP assignments.
ExpressVPN developed their proprietary protocol Lightway to include default post-quantum protection and maintain active tunnels even when devices switch networks.
*Currently available on our macOS app via the App Store and will soon be available on other platforms.
WireGuard
Surfshark supports WireGuard across most major platforms, utilizing its minimal codebase to deliver fast throughput, efficient battery usage, and post-quantum encryption enhancements.
NordVPN leverages WireGuard through its primary NordLynx implementation, while ExpressVPN relies on its custom Lightway protocol as an alternative to WireGuard, though WireGuard remains available for manual configurations and select environments.
IKEv2/IPSec
IKEv2 is recognized for its stability during sudden network transitions.
Surfshark supports IKEv2 on mobile devices, making it a reliable choice for users who frequently switch between Wi-Fi networks and mobile data.
NordVPN and ExpressVPN also offer the IKEv2 protocol on select platforms, too, providing stable connections across changing mobile networks.
OpenVPN
OpenVPN remains a battle-tested protocol favored for its security and versatility.
Surfshark supports both OpenVPN UDP for speed and OpenVPN TCP for stability, and utilizes the protocol to obfuscate VPN traffic.
NordVPN and ExpressVPN both provide full OpenVPN functionality in UDP and TCP modes as well.
Summing up
Surfshark offers a more complete and future-proof choice by combining next-generation protocol design with full support for legacy standards, even though all three providers cover the industry-standard protocols, and introduce proprietary protocols of their own.
Audits
Independent security audits are something you should consider when choosing a VPN service. They help verify that a VPN provider complies with its privacy claims and technical architecture standards.
Surfshark audits
In 2018, Cure53 audited Surfshark’s browser extensions with the conclusion that they “are not exposed to any issues, neither in the privacy nor in the more general security realms.”
In 2021, Cure53 independently audited Surfshark VPN’s infrastructure and found no serious issues.
Deloitte verified Surfshark’s no-logs policy in 2023. The 2025 Deloitte assurance report verified Surfshark’s no-logs statement again.
In 2025, Surfshark’s infrastructure security penetration test by SecuRing found no critical vulnerabilities.
ExpressVPN audits²
ExpressVPN has also undergone several audits in recent years. In 2025, KPMG verified ExpressVPN’s no-logs policy and privacy commitments for the third time, while Cure53 and Praetorian conducted two separate security audits of the Lightway protocol in 2025.
NordVPN audits³
NordVPN has a long history of independent audits. In 2018 and 2020, PwC (PricewaterhouseCoopers) conducted audits to verify NordVPN’s no-logs policy. In 2023, 2024, and 2025, Deloitte audits reaffirmed NordVPN’s no-logs policy and privacy protections.
Summing up
All three providers hold recent, verified independent audits validating their strict commitment to no-logs practices and user security.
Privacy
Privacy isn’t just a nice-to-have when choosing a VPN — it’s non-negotiable. You need assurance that your online life stays confidential and your data isn’t logged or tracked by third parties or the VPN service provider itself. Let’s see how Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN approach this:
Jurisdiction
Surfshark is headquartered in the Netherlands, which provides a distinct privacy advantage. On top of no data retention laws, operating within the Netherlands means Surfshark functions under strict European Union regulations and GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation) frameworks, providing strong baseline legal protections for user data privacy.
ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, a country that also has no data retention laws and isn’t part of any international data-sharing agreements. NordVPN is headquartered in Panama, which is known for its privacy-friendly laws as well.
Logging policy
Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN all stick to strict no-logs rules and don’t track, monitor, or store what you do online.
All three providers regularly bring in independent third parties to verify it: Deloitte confirmed Surfshark’s policy in 2023 and 2025, NordVPN passed audits by PwC Switzerland in 2018 and 2020, followed by Deloitte in 2023 and 2025, while ExpressVPN had KPMG double-check their claims in 2022, 2023, and 2025.
Transparency and privacy measures
Trust requires transparency, and all three providers back up their promises with hardware-level security and clear reporting.
Surfshark runs entirely on RAM-only servers that wipe clean every time they reboot, meaning no data can be physically recovered from Surfshark’s servers. You also get Multi Hop (double VPN routing through two servers), Clean Web to block ads, trackers, and malicious websites, and frequent transparency reports detailing government data requests.
NordVPN uses a 100% RAM-only network to prevent long-term data storage. Extra features include Double VPN for double encryption and Onion Over VPN to combine VPN privacy with Tor anonymity.
ExpressVPN relies strictly on RAM-only servers, so data cannot be physically stored or retrieved. They also publish biannual transparency reports detailing every legal data request they receive.
Summing up
Surfshark leverages its Netherlands jurisdiction under EU GDPR laws alongside RAM-only servers, a Deloitte-audited no-logs policy, and regular transparency updates to provide top-tier privacy guarantees.
NordVPN addresses deeper privacy needs with specialized features like built-in Tor routing, while ExpressVPN keeps things clear with KPMG-verified logging policies and biannual transparency reports.
Customer support
Let’s see how the three VPN services approach customer support:
Support channels
Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN provide the same support channels across the board:
|
Support option
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Surfshark
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NordVPN
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ExpressVPN
|
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24/7 live chat
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Email support
|
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Help center and guides
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Phone support
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All three offer 24/7 live chat, email support, and online help centers packed with troubleshooting guides. However, none of these providers offer phone support, so you won’t be able to call a representative directly.
Availability and ease of access
Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN all back their services with extensive self-service help centers featuring deep FAQ libraries, installation guides, and technical support articles covering everything from basic setups to advanced security configurations.
Ticketing system
Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN all offer email support ticketing to deliver detailed, customized solutions. If a live chat agent can’t resolve your problem on the spot, they’ll automatically generate a ticket so a specialist can follow up with tailored guidance.
Summing up
Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN offer matching, round-the-clock customer support centered on digital channels: 24/7 live chat, detailed help centers with setup guides, and email ticketing for complex issues, though none offer phone support.
Bundled products and features
While the primary purpose of a VPN is to provide enhanced privacy and security online through traffic encryption, leading VPN providers often go beyond that and bundle extra features and products into their security suites for more comprehensive protection. Let’s see what Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN have to offer:
Ad blocker
If you’re tired of intrusive ads, trackers, and malicious websites ruining your browsing experience, all three of these VPNs offer built-in tools to keep your devices clean.
Surfshark includes Clean Web, a straightforward ad blocker available across all its subscription tiers on both desktop and mobile. It’s especially handy for in-browser streaming, giving you a smooth, interruption-free viewing experience. If you use the Surfshark browser extension, Clean Web packs even more of a punch, as it blocks annoying cookie pop-ups, warns you about potential malware, and even alerts you if a site you’re visiting has been part of a data breach.
NordVPN offers a similar feature called Threat Protection, which handles your standard ad and tracker blocking across desktop and mobile. If you want to take things a step further, NordVPN offers Threat Protection Pro on its higher-tier plans, which upgrades your security by actively scanning your downloaded files for malware.
ExpressVPN has recently leveled up its ad-blocking, which now works at the device level across all your apps, browsers, and mobile games. As long as you’re using their Lightway protocol, it automatically stops display ads and pop-ups before they even load. Plus, it uses open-source blocklists to filter out phishing links and malicious domains.
Split tunneling
If you need to maintain local access for certain services while keeping the rest of your traffic encrypted, split tunneling is the way to go. All three providers offer this feature, letting you choose exactly which apps or websites use the VPN connection and which ones bypass it. However, they each handle it a bit differently.
Surfshark gives you a lot of flexibility with its Bypasser feature. It lets you exclude both specific apps and URLs from the VPN across its main apps on Windows, macOS, and Android. Websites can also be excluded on iOS and via browser extensions.
Surfshark also offers inverse split tunneling (route via VPN) on Android and Windows, where you only select specific apps or websites to get VPN coverage.
NordVPN also offers strong split tunneling, though its scope is a little different. Its app-based split tunneling is available on Windows, Android, and Android TV, while website-level exclusion is handled separately through its browser extensions.
ExpressVPN offers app-level, IP address, and subnet-range split tunneling on Windows, macOS, and Linux. For mobile, ExpressVPN lets you exclude specific apps on Android and IP addresses on iOS.
Double VPN
If you want an extra layer of privacy, a double VPN (or multi-hop) routes your traffic through two separate VPN servers instead of one, encrypting your data twice and making your online activity significantly harder to trace. While the concept is simple, the three providers approach it in completely different ways.
Surfshark offers the highest level of flexibility with its Multi Hop feature. It gives you full customization by letting you manually select both your entry and exit server locations from its global network, in addition to pre-selected pairs. This makes Surfshark the best choice if you need tailored routing for a specific location or security needs.
NordVPN takes a more streamlined approach with its Double VPN feature, with a set list of pre-configured, optimized server combinations.
ExpressVPN does not offer a double VPN feature at all.
GPS location override
While a standard VPN masks your IP address, it doesn’t change your phone’s GPS coordinates, which can be a headache when using location-based apps or games that track your precise physical position. Surfshark solves this with its native GPS override (or GPS spoofing) feature on Android by syncing your device’s physical GPS coordinates to match your chosen VPN server location.
Neither NordVPN nor ExpressVPN currently offer built-in GPS spoofing on their Android apps.
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.
Dedicated IP
A dedicated IP gives you a static, personal IP address that’s completely exclusive to you, rather than shared with other VPN users. This is a game-changer if you want to avoid constant human verification prompts or prevent triggering fraud alerts on sensitive services like online banking.
All three providers offer a dedicated IP as an optional paid add-on to their standard VPN plans, with varying prices and available locations.
Alternative ID
If you want to keep your primary inbox clean and shield your personal details from data brokers, identity masking tools are a must for online sign-ups. They generate alternative email addresses or virtual personas for web forms, helping prevent spam, tracking, and phishing attempts before they ever reach your actual inbox.
Surfshark’s Alternative ID, included with all plans, creates a complete alternative persona, including name, birth date, physical address, and alternate email details. You can maintain up to three email aliases at a time, forwarding incoming messages to your real address while giving you the flexibility to delete and generate new ones whenever spam starts creeping in.
ExpressVPN includes ExpressMailGuard, a private email relay service, with its plans. It lets you create 2-10 alias email domains (depending on the subscription tier) that forward directly to your existing inbox, helping prevent identity tracking and allowing you to disable specific aliases if they get compromised.
NordVPN doesn’t offer a native identity or email masking tool directly inside its main VPN application.
Alternative number
If you want to keep your primary mobile line out of spam databases and protected from data leaks, a virtual phone number is exactly what you need.
Surfshark offers alternative number as an optional paid add-on, sold separately from its standard Alternative ID feature. It provides a virtual phone number directly inside the Surfshark app, allowing you to handle incoming calls and texts while keeping your personal phone number safe from marketers, strangers, and potential data leaks.
Neither of the two competitors includes a virtual phone number feature or a comparable identity-masking line, giving Surfshark a distinct privacy advantage beyond traditional VPN security tools.
Antivirus
If you want extra malware protection alongside your VPN, Surfshark includes a lightweight, dedicated Antivirus tool as part of its Surfshark One and One+ bundles. It provides real-time malware defense, webcam protection, and full-device manual or scheduled scans across up to 5 devices.
Available in higher-tier bundles, NordVPN’s next-gen antivirus focuses on real-time web and download security. However, unlike a traditional antivirus, such as one provided by Surfshark, it focuses strictly on pre-execution online threats rather than running full-disk scans on files already stored on your computer.
ExpressVPN does not offer a standalone or traditional antivirus program. Instead, it relies on built-in DNS-level filtering to automatically block known malicious domains, phishing sites, and trackers.
If you need a traditional antivirus that handles both existing and incoming malware, Surfshark offers the most comprehensive local antivirus setup.
Scam protection
As mobile phishing, scams, and impersonation fraud continue to grow, VPN providers are expanding beyond basic network encryption to catch fraudulent messages before you interact with them.
Surfshark tackles scam protection across text and email. Its scam text protection on mobile devices scans incoming SMS patterns to flag smishing attempts, dangerous links, and impersonation scams like fake bank or postal texts.
On web browsers, its email scam checker integrates with Gmail and uses AI to analyze suspicious emails in real time, warning you about deceptive domains, urgent phrasing, and hidden malicious links.
NordVPN’s call and message protection scans texts from unknown senders for scam keywords, malicious links, and suspicious sender numbers, and screens incoming phone calls in real time against a live database of reported scam numbers.
ExpressVPN does not offer native call-screening, SMS-filtering, or email-scanning tools.
Data leak monitoring
When personal data lands on the dark web after a breach, monitoring tools alert you to take immediate action. All three providers offer dark web scanning, though they structure their alerts and coverage across different plan tiers.
Included in the Surfshark One and One+ tiers, Surfshark Alert scans the web for your personal information leaks. It sends notifications if your email addresses, passwords, credit card numbers, or national ID numbers are exposed in a breach, making it easy to catch compromises as soon as they happen.
NordVPN’s standard Dark Web Monitor automatically runs in the background to track leak databases for the primary email address linked to your Nord account. If you want to monitor additional details like your phone number, credit card info, and national ID number, you’ll need Dark Web Monitor Pro, which is reserved for NordVPN’s highest-tier plan.
ExpressVPN approaches breach monitoring through two different tools, available with higher-tier plans. For basic checks, ExpressVPN Keys lets you manually check if your email address has been leaked. For continuous protection, ExpressVPN offers Identity Defender, featuring ID alerts. This dedicated service scans the dark web and public records for your SSN, exposed financial accounts, and personal details.
Web content blocker
If you want to restrict specific types of websites across your devices for family safety or focused browsing, category-based web filtering lets you block entire categories of online content rather than manually entering individual URLs.
Surfshark’s web content blocker gives you multi-category control directly at the device level. You can toggle off access to specific website categories, including adult content, gambling, drugs, weapons, etc., preventing those pages from loading on your device.
ExpressVPN includes category filtering with varying availability across its suites. On its standard apps, you can easily toggle parental control filters to block adult websites and malicious domains.
NordVPN does not offer a fully customizable, multi-category web content blocker inside its core VPN application. While its next-gen antivirus suite includes a built-in adult site blocker that restricts access to explicit domains via DNS filtering, it lacks broader category toggles.
If flexible, multi-category web filtering is a priority, Surfshark offers the most configurable controls to keep unwanted content off your devices.
Identity theft coverage
If you fall victim to cybercrime or financial fraud, identity theft coverage provides a financial safety net and professional recovery support to help you reclaim your identity, cover legal fees, and recover stolen assets. All three VPN providers now offer identity recovery support, though coverage limits and plan availability vary.
Surfshark includes identity theft coverage through its Surfshark One+ plan (available for customers residing in the US, including US territories and the District of Columbia, except for New York State residents). It covers up to $1M in eligible expenses related to identity restoration, including legal fees, document replacement costs, and lost wages.
ExpressVPN offers Identity Defender to US subscribers on its higher-tier plans. Subscribers on the Advanced plan get up to $3M in ID theft insurance, while those on the Express Pro plan receive up to $5M in coverage to reimburse eligible losses, stolen funds, legal support, and identity recovery expenses.
NordVPN offers identity theft insurance exclusively through its top-tier Prime plan for US users. It includes up to $1M in identity theft recovery insurance (covering legal fees, document replacement, and lost wages) along with a dedicated identity recovery case manager, and up to $100,000 in cyber extortion insurance (to cover expert guidance and response costs if hackers demand a ransom for your data).
Data removal service
Data brokers and people search sites constantly scrape and sell your personal details, including your full name, physical address, and phone numbers. This makes automated deletion tools an invaluable means of defending against spam, robocalls, and identity theft. Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN eliminate the tedious process of manually chasing down data brokers to scrub your digital footprint.
Both Surfshark and NordVPN include Incogni, a dedicated third-party data removal service, directly in their top-tier subscription bundles. Incogni automatically identifies data brokers holding your information and sends legally binding opt-out and deletion requests on your behalf to erase your profile from commercial databases, and continuously monitors these platforms to resubmit deletion requests if your data ever pops back up.
ExpressVPN offers its own proprietary Data Removal tool inside its Identity Defender suite (available to US subscribers on its higher-tier plans). It scans people search sites and data brokers for your personal records, submits automated removal requests, and gives you step-by-step guides for sites requiring manual intervention.
Password manager
A password manager stores your logins, credit card details, and secure notes in an encrypted vault, automatically filling in your credentials whenever you sign in to websites or mobile apps.
Bundled with higher-tier NordVPN plans, NordPass auto-fills logins across all your devices, organizes credit cards and notes, monitors overall password health to spot weak or reused logins, and includes a data breach scanner to alert you if your stored credentials appear in online leaks.
ExpressVPN’s higher-tier plans include its password manager, Keys, built directly into the main mobile apps and desktop browser extensions. It securely stores unlimited passwords, credit card details, and notes with auto-fill support, and features built-in breach alerts to warn you if any of your saved passwords have been compromised in a data leak.
Surfshark doesn’t offer a similar feature at the moment.
Cloud storage
If you want to back up sensitive files, photos, or documents in an encrypted online vault, having cloud storage bundled with your subscription can be a major plus. Though only NordVPN offers a dedicated solution — through NordLocker, available in higher-tier bundles, you get zero-knowledge, end-to-end encrypted cloud storage.
eSIM
If you travel frequently, having a digital eSIM allows you to connect to local mobile data networks in other countries without buying physical SIM cards or paying steep roaming charges from your home carrier.
ExpressVPN partners with holiday.com to bundle travel eSIM coverage directly with its service. Included with ExpressVPN’s higher-tier subscriptions, it offers digital data plans across 150+ countries.
Surfshark and NordVPN don’t directly include eSIMs in their security bundles.
Summing up
Surfshark sets itself apart by packing in several highly specialized tools. Most notably, it is the only provider featuring native Android GPS location spoofing. It also introduces Alternative ID tool that creates entire online personas and an optional alternative number feature.
Surfshark’s fully customizable Multi Hop feature lets you manually pick both your entry and exit servers worldwide. For local device security, Surfshark provides a traditional Antivirus that scans both stored and incoming files. It also boosts your security with scam protection that monitors incoming SMS messages and Gmail inboxes for phishing links and other scam indicators. It also rounds out its feature set with multi-category web content blocking.
All three services include built-in ad and tracker blocking, flexible split tunneling to route specific app traffic, and optional dedicated static IP addresses. Their identity suites also overlap: all three scan the dark web for leaked personal data, run automated data-broker removal requests to scrub your personal info from commercial databases, and offer financial identity theft recovery for eligible US subscribers.
NordVPN incorporates specialized tools into its tier packages, including the NordPass password manager and NordLocker for zero-knowledge encrypted cloud storage.
ExpressVPN bundles international travel eSIM data plans covering over 150 countries, alongside the ExpressMailGuard email relay service and the built-in Keys password manager.
Reddit reviews: Surfshark vs. NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN
For community-driven recommendations when choosing between Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN, you can explore this VPN comparison table discussion to help narrow down your decision.
According to the comparison spreadsheet, Reddit users consistently place Surfshark and NordVPN among the top two VPNs overall.
While conducting personal research is always encouraged, here is a selection of user comments from various Reddit discussions about Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN:
Conclusion: making the right choice for your privacy
Choosing the right VPN ultimately comes down to which provider best aligns with your budget, device setup, and preferred features. While ExpressVPN and NordVPN are great industry choices, Surfshark offers better connection flexibility with unlimited device connections and lower pricing tiers on long-term plans.
Because all three back their services with 30-day money-back guarantees and independently audited no-logs policies, you can test any option risk-free to see which best fits your routine.
Surfshark vs. other VPN providers
See how Surfshark’s features, pricing, and performance compare to other VPN providers:
- Surfshark vs. PIA;
- Surfshark vs. IPVanish;
- Surfshark vs. CyberGhost;
- Surfshark vs. ProtonVPN;
- Surfshark vs. Mullvad;
- Surfshark vs. Windscribe;
- Surfshark vs. PureVPN.
These comparisons stack up encryption, server networks, speeds, and privacy policies so you can pick the right fit. Just want to focus on Surfshark? Check out our full Surfshark review.
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What are the top 3 best VPNs?
There is no single best VPN for everyone, as the right choice depends entirely on your specific needs, preferred devices, budget, and privacy priorities. However, Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN are widely recognized as top contenders in the industry due to their strong security standards, independently audited no-logs policies, high speeds, and RAM-only server networks.
Which VPN is better, ExpressVPN or Surfshark?
Both Surfshark and ExpressVPN are great VPN choices, each with unique strengths. Compared to ExpressVPN, Surfshark lets you enjoy VPN protection across unlimited simultaneous connections at a lower monthly price with long-term subscriptions.
Is Surfshark just as good as NordVPN?
Yes, Surfshark performs nearly identically to NordVPN in speed and security — retaining 99% of baseline connection speeds locally (compared to NordVPN’s 100%) and maintaining an independently audited no-logs policy. While NordVPN features a larger total server count, Surfshark offers better long-term value by allowing unlimited simultaneous connections at a lower monthly price.
Does Surfshark have a free trial?
Yes, Surfshark offers a 7-day free trial for new users. You can activate it through mobile app stores or their website, with full access to core features on up to three devices. In addition, all regular subscriptions come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test the service risk-free for a longer time.
