For non-technical users, comparing Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) can feel impossible. Don’t worry. In this Surfshark vs. ExpressVPN comparison review, we’ll put everything you need to know in simple terms, so you can feel confident choosing the best one.
Surfshark and ExpressVPN offer similar encryption, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection; Surfshark isn’t as expensive and offers an ad blocker while ExpressVPN has its own protocol but limits the number of devices you can use to five.
Note: the tests for the comparisons were made on March 28, 2023. Keep in mind that speed test results may vary on any given day.
| Surfshark | ExpressVPN | |
| Devices | Unlimited | 5 |
| Server countries | 100 | 95 |
| Protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPsec, Lightway |
| Cookie pop-up blocker |  |
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| Ad blocker | |
|
| Independent audits | |
|
| 10 Gbps servers | * |
* |
| 24/7 support | |
|
| Price | $2.49 | $8.32 |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
*Available in specific locations only
Your connection speed is directly affected by server crowdedness and your distance from the VPN server. Therefore, you should look for a VPN with many servers worldwide, ensuring that you always have an uncrowded server to connect to nearby.
Here’s how Surfshark and ExpressVPN compare in terms of server count and locations:
And here’s how their VPN server locations are distributed:
| Region | Surfshark | ExpressVPN |
| The Americas | 18 | 16 |
| Europe | 46 | 47 |
| Asia Pacific | 27 | 26 |
| Middle East & Africa | 9 | 5 |
Key takeaway:
Even though the server infrastructures of both providers are impressive, Surfshark still has more servers in more locations than ExpressVPN. This means that you should always be able to find an uncrowded server in your preferred location.
We ran speed tests to find out which one is faster in the battle of Surfshark vs. ExpressVPN.
To develop a baseline, we ran a test without a VPN connection, which resulted in download and upload speeds of 300 Mbps.
We then tested the speed of servers in the UK, the US, Switzerland, Australia, and Brazil while using the fastest protocol each provider has available.
| Fastest protocol | Surfshark (WireGuard) | ExpressVPN (Lightway) |
| Download speed average | 263 Mbps | 198.6 Mbps |
| Upload speed average | 170 Mbps | 165.6 Mbps |
Key takeaway:
We found that Surfshark offered consistently faster speeds, while ExpressVPN seemed to struggle in some locations. For example, it offered download speeds of 43 Mbps on a Swiss server and 261 Mbps on a UK server.
If you want to watch your favorite streaming services, you will need a certain download speed. Netflix gives users information about the download speed needed to watch without buffering, which can be taken as a rough estimate for other streaming services as well.
Of course, Netflix isn’t the only good streaming platform out there. And while some VPNs don’t work all that well when it comes to streaming, we found that both Surfshark and ExpressVPN are excellent choices for watching content online.
| Surfshark | ExpressVPN | |
| Netflix | |
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| BBC iPlayer | |
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| HBO Max | |
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| Amazon Prime Video | |
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| Disney Plus | |
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| Hulu | |
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| YouTube | |
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Key takeaway:
Surfshark and ExpressVPN are both great for streaming. Just make sure to test your connection speed and check if it’s fast enough.
Disclaimer: We prohibit using Surfshark services for any unlawful purposes as it is against our Terms of Service. Please be sure to act in compliance with all applicable laws and regulations of other service providers.
As you would expect from premium VPN providers, both Surfshark and ExpressVPN have some of the best VPN protocols out there. Surfshark is the only one to support WireGuard, which is the fastest protocol around, but ExpressVPN’s own proprietary protocol Lightway is pretty speedy as well.
Surfshark also does not offer the LT2P/IPSEC option anymore, but there’s a good reason for it — it’s simply not as safe as the others on this list.
| Protocol | Surfshark | ExpressVPN |
| OpenVPN | |
|
| IKEv2 | |
|
| L2TP/IPSec | |
(Windows and macOS) |
| WireGuard | |
|
| Lightway | |
|
Key takeaway:
Surfshark and ExpressVPN both offer top-quality protocols for users. Surfshark is the only provider to offer WireGuard, the fastest VPN protocol currently available. But ExpressVPN has Lightway, their own protocol, which performs quite well.
A strict no-logs policy and headquarters in a country with no data retention laws are the two main things you should look at to make sure that your VPN provider is prepared to protect your privacy.
A no-logs VPN service won’t track your activity online, keep information about it, or sell it to third parties. It only keeps a minimal amount of information that is necessary for providing the service itself.
You must provide your payment information to complete a transaction with any service. You may also need to create an account, so a username or an email address will be required. A no-logs policy promises that no other information is collected and used.
For ExpressVPN, you’ll find the headquarters in the British Virgin Islands, while Surfshark is based in the Netherlands. Both locations are ideal for a VPN provider since they don’t have any data retention laws. This allows the providers to protect your privacy and stick to their no-logs policies.
Key takeaway:
Both services do an excellent job of protecting your privacy thanks to their no-logs policies and headquarters in countries with no data retention laws.
In the past, VPN hosts could rely on their reputation alone to establish trustworthiness. But these days, there’s much more scrutiny involved.
Independent security audits are essential for backing up any claims made by a VPN provider. Audits can be a quick overview or an in-depth analysis of the provider. Bonus points if the company is audited by KPMG, Deloitte, Cure53, or PricewaterhouseCoopers, as these are the biggest names in the industry.
In 2018, Cure53 audited Surfshark’s browser extensions. They concluded the extensions “are not exposed to any issues, neither in the privacy nor in the more general security realms.”
The 2018 audit did reveal two “low severity” vulnerabilities. These were quickly fixed and highlighted the transparency and commitment of the company.
In 2021, Cure53 conducted an independent audit of Surfshark VPN’s infrastructure. Again, no serious issues were unveiled, and any raised concerns were swiftly rectified.
The 2023 Deloitte audit verified Surfshark’s no-logs statement.
ExpressVPN has also been thoroughly audited throughout the years, with some structures undergoing multiple audits.
Its privacy policy was audited by PwC in 2019, which was backed up by a KPMG audit of its no-logs policy in 2022.
Lightway, ExpressVPN’s proprietary protocol, has also been audited twice. Once in 2021 and a second time in 2022, both times by Cure53.
There have also been audits of ExpressVPN browser extensions, the build verification process, and their apps.
Needless to say, ExpressVPN takes auditing very seriously, so if it claims something, it likely has been or will be, backed up by an independent audit.
Key takeaway:
Surfshark and ExpressVPN have engaged independent security auditors to ensure their top-quality services. Both have audited the key aspects of a VPN — the no-logs policy and server infrastructure.
Customer support is a crucial vertebra in the backbone of every service provider. Thankfully, both Surfshark and ExpressVPN have great customer support teams ready to assist you at all times. Surfshark does have a bigger knowledge base, though, while ExpressVPN had a shorter email turnaround time in our test.
| Customer service | Surfshark | ExpressVPN |
| Live chat | |
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| Ticket support | |
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| Email Support | |
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| Phone Support | |
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| Searchable knowledge base | |
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| Video guides | YouTube |
YouTube |
| Average email response times | 2 hours 36 minutes | 52 minutes |
Key takeaway:
Both VPN providers offer excellent support teams. ExpressVPN provides slightly faster response times. Surfshark’s knowledge base is more thorough and easier to search.
| Surfshark | ExpressVPN | |
| VPN protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPSec, Lightway |
| OpenVPN data encryption | AES-256 | AES-256 |
| OpenVPN control channel encryption | RSA-2048 | RSA-4096 |
| Cloaking technology | NoBorders obfuscation | Cipher block chaining |
| App security | Kill Switch (all platforms) | Kill switch (desktop and routers) |
| DNS status | Private DNS | Private DNS |
You’ll notice that many of the security features for these providers are similar. They offer roughly the same protocols, and both use AES-256 encryption, which is basically impossible to crack!
Don’t get confused by ExpressVPN using a longer RSA key, as both RSA-2048 keys are just as secure as RSA-4096.
The kill switch feature is an extra layer of protection offered by both providers. It disconnects you from the internet if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly. This means your user data is never vulnerable, and your privacy is always protected.
ExpressVPN uses cipher block chaining to keep you safe. It’s a trusted method that’s almost impossible to crack.
Surfshark uses obfuscating and its NoBorders feature to conceal your internet activity completely. They’re great for hiding the fact that you’re using a VPN, unblocking geo-restricted websites, and overcoming oppressive censorship.
Key takeaway:
When it comes to security and encryption, you’re in safe hands, regardless of whether you choose Surfshark or ExpressVPN. Both VPN providers have great encryption and security features.
Although the main function of a VPN is to protect user data and identities, premium VPN providers also include extra features to improve your online life. Here’s what Surfshark and ExpressVPN have to offer:
| Feature | Surfshark | ExpressVPN |
| Ad blocker | |
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| Cookie pop-up blocker | |
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| Split tunneling | |
|
| Browser extensions | |
|
| Smart DNS | |
|
| Double VPN | |
|
| GPS spoofing | |
Browser extension only |
| Threat manager | |
Only for iOS, macOS, and Linux |
| Password manager | |
|
Surfshark’s CleanWeb feature is an ad blocker. It prevents malicious ads, pop-ups, trackers, or dangerous websites from accessing your information.
It’s worth highlighting that CleanWeb is not an antivirus.
Both Surfshark and ExpressVPN offer a split tunneling feature. Surfshark users will need to look for Bypasser on the mobile apps.
Smart DNS is also available on both Surfshark and ExpressVPN. The feature allows you to bypass firewalls and censorship on devices that don’t usually support VPN connections. For example, your PlayStation or smart TV.
This feature adds an extra layer of security by routing traffic through two different VPN servers. ExpressVPN doesn’t offer a Double VPN, so Surfshark takes the gold here with Dynamic MultiHop.
You can trick GPS-enabled apps into thinking you’re elsewhere. This works for apps like Tinder, Pokémon Go, and more.
Surfshark offers this option on the Android app, while ExpressVPN only has options for browser extensions.
This feature prevents third-party tracking. It stops apps from communicating with third-party trackers or engaging in malicious behavior. Only available on iOS, macOS, and Linux.
Key takeaway:
While both Surfshark and ExpressVPN have some great features, Surfshark takes the cake with the likes of Double VPN and cookie pop-up blocker, which are not available with ExpressVPN.
Before we conclude, we have one final, vital aspect to consider — price. Both offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get started risk-free. They also offer cryptocurrency payment options if you want to make a more anonymous purchase.
| Plan | Surfshark | ExpressVPN |
| 1 month | $12.95/month | $12.95/month |
| 6 months | |
$9.99/month |
| 12 months | $3.99/month | $8.32/month |
| 24 months | $2.49/month | |
Key takeaway:
The price for a short-term plan is the same for both ExpressVPN and Surfshark. But when we get to long-term plans, Surfshark is much cheaper, with its cheapest plan being more than 3 times cheaper than ExpressVPN’s cheapest option.
| Category | Notes |
| Server count & locations | Surfshark has more servers in more countries than ExpressVPN. |
| Server speeds | Although this was a close call, Surfshark performed more consistently in our tests. |
| Streaming performance | Both providers work well with all major streaming platforms, making them great options for watching content online. |
| VPN protocols | Both Surfshark and ExpressVPN offer reliable protocols. Both have OpenVPN and IKEv2, while only Surfshark offers WireGuard and only ExpressVPN offers Lightway. |
| Audits | Both companies have had the top names in auditing test their infrastructures and no-logs policies. Proving their claims and showing they can be trusted. |
| Customer support | Surfshark has a bigger searchable knowledge base, but ExpressVPN took less time to answer emails. Both offer live chat and YouTube guides. |
| Security and encryption | The security levels offered by both services are identical, with industry-leading encryption and security features. |
| Extra features | Surfshark offers a more comprehensive selection of extra features, including some that aren’t available with ExpressVPN. |
| Price | If you decide to stick with either service for more than a month, Surfshark ends up being the cheaper option by far. |
Have a hard time making your mind up? Take a look at our in-depth Surfshark review and see how it compares to other big names in the VPN industry.
Surfshark is an excellent VPN. It’s among the best VPN services to use AES-256-bit encryption and offer security and convenience features like Kill Switch and split tunneling. Having their headquarters outside of the Five Eyes alliance is a huge plus.
Every VPN slows down the download and upload speeds because the data has to make a trip to the VPN servers to get encrypted and decrypted.
With that in mind, Surfshark offers split tunneling, a feature that lets you choose which part of the data stream you want to encrypt and save some internet speed without leaving you unprotected.
Authorities can’t track encrypted VPN traffic. But with a court order, they can go to your ISP (Internet Service Provider) and request connection or access to the records. Better choose a VPN provider that uses obfuscated servers and doesn’t log user data. Care to guess who that might be? (*wink wink*)
