Surfshark vs NordVPN

By Billy G. · Founder & Lead EditorVerified May 18 by Billy G.

Surfshark
Surfshark
NordVPN
NordVPN
Verified Confidence: 89%

Verdict: NordVPN wins on raw performance and audit transparency. Surfshark wins for households that need unlimited device connections at the lowest price.

Winner: NordVPN

Surfshark: 7.3/10

NordVPN: 8.3/10

Spec-by-spec comparison

SurfsharkNordVPN
Best plan price~$2.49/mo (2-year)~$3.69/mo (2-year)
Simultaneous devicesUnlimited6
Server count3,200+ servers6,000+ servers
Speed (WireGuard)ExcellentBest-in-class
No-log auditYes (Deloitte 2023)Yes (Deloitte, PwC)

Surfshark

What works

  • Unlimited simultaneous device connections
  • Cheapest among reputable paid VPNs (~$2.49/mo)
  • CleanWeb ad/malware blocking included

What doesn't

  • Speed slightly below NordVPN
  • Fewer total servers than NordVPN
  • Less extensive audit history

NordVPN

What works

  • Faster speeds in independent tests
  • More thorough audit history (Deloitte, PwC)
  • Larger server network

What doesn't

  • 6-device limit — can be tight for households
  • More expensive than Surfshark (~$3.69/mo)
  • 2018 server incident (resolved, no data breach)

Bottom line

Our pick: NordVPN. It edges out the alternative on faster speeds in independent tests. That said, Surfshark still wins on unlimited simultaneous device connections — consider it if that single trade matters most for your use.

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