Both NordVPN and Surfshark are top-tier VPN providers. But they have different strengths — and the right choice depends on your needs. Here's an honest comparison.
Quick Overview
| Feature | NordVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Servers | 6,400+ in 111 countries | 3,200+ in 100 countries |
| Simultaneous devices | 10 | Unlimited |
| Protocols | NordLynx, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| No-logs policy | Yes (audited) | Yes (audited) |
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Starting price | ~$3.49/mo | ~$2.19/mo |
Speed
NordVPN's proprietary NordLynx protocol (built on WireGuard) delivers exceptional speeds. In independent tests, NordVPN consistently ranks among the fastest VPNs available — great for 4K streaming, gaming, and large downloads.
Surfshark also uses WireGuard and delivers excellent speeds. For most users, both are fast enough to not notice a difference.
Winner: NordVPN (slightly faster on distant servers)
Security & Privacy
Both offer:
- AES-256 encryption
- Verified no-logs policies (independently audited)
- DNS leak protection
- Kill switch
NordVPN extras: Double VPN, Onion over VPN, Threat Protection (blocks malware domains).
Surfshark extras: MultiHop, Camouflage Mode (hides VPN use from your ISP), CleanWeb (ad blocker).
Winner: Tie – both are excellent.
Number of Devices
Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections — perfect for families or power users with many devices. NordVPN limits you to 10, which is enough for most.
Winner: Surfshark
Server Count
NordVPN has more servers (6,400+) in more countries (111). More servers means less congestion and more location options.
Winner: NordVPN
Price
Surfshark is significantly cheaper on the 2-year plan. With unlimited devices, cost-per-device is dramatically lower.
Winner: Surfshark
Which Should You Choose?
- Choose NordVPN for maximum server choice, best speeds, and advanced security features.
- Choose Surfshark for unlimited devices, lower price, and great overall performance.
Both offer a 30-day money-back guarantee — risk-free to try.