NordVPN vs Surfshark 2026: We Tested Both—Here's the Winner

NordVPN and Surfshark sit at the top of nearly every VPN recommendation list—and for good reason. Both offer excellent security, reliable streaming access, and competitive pricing. But when you’re choosing between two quality options, the details matter.

We spent 60 days testing both services side-by-side on speed, streaming reliability, security features, and real-world usability. Here’s what we found.

Quick Verdict: Who Wins?

NordVPN wins for: Speed, server network, and established security track record. Choose NordVPN if performance and proven reliability are your priorities.

Surfshark wins for: Price, unlimited devices, and innovative features like GPS spoofing and rotating IP. Choose Surfshark if you’re on a budget or need to protect many devices.

Category	Winner	Why
Speed	NordVPN	18% faster on average across all servers
Streaming	Tie	Both unblock Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer
Security	NordVPN	5 independent audits vs Surfshark’s 2
Features	Surfshark	GPS spoofing, rotating IP, unlimited devices
Server Network	NordVPN	6,400+ servers in 111 countries
Price	Surfshark	$1.99/mo vs $2.99/mo on 2-year plans
Device Limit	Surfshark	Unlimited vs 10 devices

Side-by-Side Comparison

Speed Comparison

Speed separates a VPN you’ll actually use from one that collects dust. We tested both services on a 1 Gbps fiber connection across servers in 8 countries.

Test Results

Server Location	NordVPN	Surfshark	Winner
US (Los Angeles)	868 Mbps	653 Mbps	NordVPN
US (Seattle)	903 Mbps	752 Mbps	NordVPN
UK (London)	845 Mbps	710 Mbps	NordVPN
Germany	820 Mbps	695 Mbps	NordVPN
Japan	680 Mbps	590 Mbps	NordVPN
Australia	620 Mbps	540 Mbps	NordVPN

Winner: NordVPN

NordVPN’s proprietary NordLynx protocol (built on WireGuard) delivers consistently faster speeds. On average, NordVPN dropped speeds by 18% while Surfshark dropped by 22%—a noticeable difference for demanding tasks like 4K streaming or large downloads.

That said, Surfshark’s speeds are still excellent for everyday use. Both VPNs easily handle HD streaming, video calls, and general browsing without noticeable slowdown.

Interestingly, Surfshark’s OpenVPN implementation outperforms NordVPN’s—reaching 640 Mbps compared to NordVPN’s 110 Mbps. If you need OpenVPN for compatibility reasons, Surfshark has the edge.

Streaming: Which Unblocks More?

Both NordVPN and Surfshark excel at bypassing geo-restrictions. We tested weekly access to major streaming platforms over our 60-day review period.

Streaming Access Results

Platform	NordVPN	Surfshark
Netflix (US, UK, Japan, Canada, Australia)	Works	Works
Disney+	Works	Works
BBC iPlayer	Works	Works
Amazon Prime Video	Works	Works
HBO Max	Works	Works
Hulu	Works	Works
DAZN	Works	Works

Winner: Tie

Both VPNs successfully unblocked every major streaming service we tested. Netflix libraries in 5+ countries, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Hulu—none caused problems for either service.

The real-world difference is response time when platforms update their blocks. NordVPN’s larger server network means more options when a specific server gets blocked. But in practice, both services kept up with streaming platform changes throughout our testing.

Security and Privacy

Both VPNs take security seriously, but their track records differ.

NordVPN Security

• Jurisdiction: Panama (outside Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, Fourteen Eyes alliances)
• No-Logs Audits: 5 independent audits (latest by Deloitte in December 2024)
• Server Infrastructure: RAM-only servers (no data stored to disk)
• Encryption: AES-256-GCM with perfect forward secrecy
• Protocols: NordLynx (WireGuard-based), OpenVPN, IKEv2
• Additional Security: 2025 Cure53 audit found no critical vulnerabilities

Surfshark Security

• Jurisdiction: Netherlands (part of Nine Eyes alliance—a minor concern)
• No-Logs Audits: 2 independent audits (latest by Deloitte in June 2025)
• Server Infrastructure: RAM-only servers across entire network
• Encryption: AES-256-GCM with perfect forward secrecy
• Protocols: WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2
• Additional Security: MASA certification for Android app (2024), Cure53 infrastructure audit

Winner: NordVPN

Both VPNs use identical encryption standards and RAM-only server infrastructure. The difference is audit history. NordVPN has undergone 5 independent no-logs audits since 2018, while Surfshark has completed 2.

NordVPN’s Panamanian jurisdiction also offers stronger legal protection than Surfshark’s Netherlands base, which falls under EU data retention regulations. For most users, this won’t matter. For privacy purists, it might.

Features Comparison

This is where the differences get interesting.

NordVPN Exclusive Features

• Threat Protection Pro: Blocks malware, ads, and trackers at the system level
• Meshnet: Create your own VPN network between devices
• Dark Web Monitor: Alerts if your credentials appear in data breaches
• Double VPN: Routes traffic through two encrypted servers
• Onion Over VPN: Combines Tor and VPN for maximum anonymity
• Dedicated IP: $4/month extra for a personal IP address

Surfshark Exclusive Features

• Unlimited Devices: Connect every device in your household
• GPS Spoofing: Masks your GPS location on Android (not just IP)
• Rotating IP: Automatically changes your IP address at set intervals
• Dynamic MultiHop: Choose any two servers for double VPN routing
• CleanWeb: Blocks ads, trackers, and malware domains
• Surfshark One: Bundled antivirus and identity protection

Winner: Depends on Your Needs

NordVPN’s features focus on security power users—Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, and Meshnet appeal to those who want maximum control. Surfshark’s features prioritize convenience and value—unlimited devices and GPS spoofing solve real problems for families and mobile users.

Server Network

Metric	NordVPN	Surfshark
Total Servers	6,400+	3,200+
Countries	111	100
Server Types	Standard, P2P, Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, Dedicated IP	Standard, Static IP, MultiHop

Winner: NordVPN

NordVPN’s network is roughly twice the size of Surfshark’s. More servers means less crowding, more consistent speeds, and more options when a specific server gets blocked.

NordVPN also covers more countries (111 vs 100), which matters if you need access to content from less common locations.

Apps and Ease of Use

Both VPNs offer apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, smart TVs, routers, and browser extensions.

NordVPN Interface

NordVPN’s app centers on a world map showing server locations. Click a country, connect instantly. The design works well for basic use but hides advanced features in submenus.

First-time users face a learning curve. Features like Threat Protection, Meshnet, and specialized servers require exploration to discover. Once configured, daily use is simple.

Surfshark Interface

Surfshark’s app uses a clean, list-based design. Finding and connecting to servers takes fewer clicks than NordVPN. Features are more visible and accessible.

The trade-off is less visual feedback about server locations and network status. Power users may find it lacking; casual users will find it intuitive.

Winner: Surfshark (for beginners), NordVPN (for power users)

Surfshark gets you connected faster with less confusion. NordVPN rewards time invested with more capability.

Pricing Breakdown

NordVPN Pricing (December 2025)

Plan	Monthly Cost	Total Cost
Basic (2-year)	$2.99/mo	$80.73
Basic (1-year)	$4.59/mo	$68.85
Basic (Monthly)	$12.99/mo	$12.99
Plus (2-year)	$3.89/mo	$105.03
Plus (1-year)	$5.49/mo	$82.35

Surfshark Pricing (December 2025)

Plan	Monthly Cost	Total Cost
Starter (2-year)	$1.99/mo	$53.73
Starter (1-year)	$3.19/mo	$47.85
Starter (Monthly)	$15.45/mo	$15.45
One (2-year)	$2.29/mo	$61.83
One+ (2-year)	$4.19/mo	$113.13

Winner: Surfshark

Surfshark’s 2-year Starter plan costs $53.73 total. NordVPN’s comparable Basic plan costs $80.73. That’s $27 in savings—enough for a nice dinner or half of another year of service.

Both offer 30-day money-back guarantees. Surfshark adds a 7-day free trial on mobile devices.

Customer Support

Both offer 24/7 live chat and email support. In our testing:

• NordVPN: Live chat response in 1-2 minutes on average. Knowledgeable agents resolved issues quickly.
• Surfshark: Live chat response in 5-10 minutes during peak hours. Support quality was solid but slower.

Winner: NordVPN

Both provide competent support, but NordVPN’s faster response times make a difference when you need help urgently.

Who Should Choose NordVPN?

Choose NordVPN if you:

• Want the fastest possible VPN speeds
• Value an extensively audited no-logs policy
• Need access to the largest server network
• Plan to use advanced features like Double VPN or Meshnet
• Have 10 or fewer devices to protect

Who Should Choose Surfshark?

Choose Surfshark if you:

• Need to protect unlimited devices (great for families)
• Want the lowest possible price for quality VPN service
• Value GPS spoofing for mobile privacy
• Prefer a simpler, more intuitive interface
• Don’t need the absolute fastest speeds

Frequently Asked Questions

Is NordVPN or Surfshark better for Netflix?

Both work equally well with Netflix. We tested US, UK, Japan, Canada, and Australia Netflix libraries with both VPNs over 60 days—all worked consistently. For streaming, choose based on other factors like price or speed.

Can I use Surfshark on all my devices?

Yes. Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can protect every device in your household with one subscription. NordVPN limits you to 10 devices, which is enough for most individuals but may fall short for large families.

Which VPN is more secure?

Both use identical AES-256-GCM encryption and RAM-only servers. NordVPN has a longer audit history (5 audits vs 2) and operates from privacy-friendly Panama, giving it a slight edge for security-focused users.

Is Surfshark owned by NordVPN?

Surfshark and NordVPN merged under the parent company Nord Security in 2022. However, they continue to operate as separate products with distinct features, servers, and pricing. The merger has not visibly affected either product’s independence.

Which VPN is faster?

NordVPN is faster. In our tests, NordVPN averaged 18% speed reduction compared to Surfshark’s 22%. The difference is most noticeable on long-distance connections and during demanding tasks like 4K streaming.

Do both VPNs work in China?

Both offer obfuscation features designed to bypass VPN blocks in restrictive countries. User reports suggest NordVPN’s obfuscated servers work more reliably in China, though neither guarantees access. VPN effectiveness in China changes frequently.

Which has better customer support?

NordVPN provides faster live chat support (1-2 minute response times vs 5-10 minutes for Surfshark). Both offer 24/7 availability and competent agents.

Can I switch between NordVPN and Surfshark?

Yes. Both offer 30-day money-back guarantees, so you can try one, request a refund if unsatisfied, and switch to the other risk-free.

Final Verdict

This is one of the closest VPN matchups we’ve tested. Both NordVPN and Surfshark deliver on core VPN promises: strong encryption, reliable streaming access, and no-logs policies verified by independent audits.

Choose NordVPN if speed and proven security matter most. Its faster connections, larger server network, and 5 independent audits make it the better choice for users who want maximum performance and peace of mind. The 10-device limit and higher price are acceptable trade-offs for the quality you get.

Choose Surfshark if price and unlimited devices matter most. At $1.99/month with unlimited connections, Surfshark protects your entire household for less than NordVPN’s single-user price. The slightly slower speeds and smaller server network won’t affect most users’ daily experience.

Both VPNs are among the best available. You can’t go wrong with either choice.