NordVPN and Surfshark have been among the most popular VPNs in recent years. Both have garnered excellent reviews and ratings, thanks to their robust security features and user-friendly apps. So which one of these leading VPNs will come out ahead in back-to-back tests?
The following table summarizes key details for both VPNs:
| NordVPN | Surfshark | |
| Website | NordVPN.com | Surfshark.com |
| Location | Panama | Netherlands |
| Servers | 6,400+ | 3,200+ |
| Countries | 111 | 100 |
| Logs | No logs (audited) | No logs (audited) |
| Support | 24/7 live chat; Email; Knowledge Base | 24/7 live chat; Email; Knowledge Base |
| Apps for | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, browsers, and more | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, browsers, and more |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
| Price | $3.09 (with coupon below) | $2.19 (with coupon below) |
| Best Deal | 74% Off Coupon > | 86% Off Coupon > |
This comparison delves into the features, performance, and pricing of these leading VPN services. Whether you’re after advanced security, high-speed connections, or affordable pricing, this article will help you decide which VPN service suits your needs best.
These are the categories I used for comparison:
- Key features
Speed tests
Security measures
Logging policies
Jurisdiction and privacy
User experience
Server network
Streaming and torrenting
Customer support
Pricing
Payment and refunds
- Conclusion and final verdict
Key features comparison
Both NordVPN and Surfshark are renowned for their robust security and advanced features.
| Feature | NordVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| RAM-only servers | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Logs | No logs (audited) | No logs (audited) |
| Multiple VPN protocols | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Private DNS | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Split tunneling | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Kill switch | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Obfuscation | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Browser extensions | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Built-in ad blocking | ✔️ | ✔️ |
A standout feature is their use of RAM-only servers, which wipe all data upon reboot, ensuring no information is stored on permanently as on a hard drive.
Both VPNs use AES-256 encryption, considered nearly unbreakable, ensuring data protection during web browsing, streaming, and bank transactions. They also feature a kill switch to block internet access if the VPN connection drops, preserving your privacy.
Both Surfshark and NordVPN offer obfuscated servers to disguise VPN traffic as regular internet traffic, useful in countries with strict censorship. These features ensure robust protection for your online activities.
NordVPN's advanced security features
NordVPN offers advanced security features for users seeking top-notch privacy. A standout feature is Double VPN, which routes traffic through two VPN servers, adding an extra layer of encryption and making tracking nearly impossible.
Additionally, NordVPN offers the Onion-over-VPN feature, combining the benefits of the Onion network with a VPN for added privacy. This is particularly useful for users who prioritize anonymity and want to keep their online activities completely private.
NordVPN’s obfuscated servers can bypass internet restrictions in countries with strict censorship, making it ideal for users in such areas.
The Threat Protection Pro feature is another noteworthy addition, blocking ads, trackers, malware, and phishing domains to ensure a safer browsing experience. These advanced security features make NordVPN a reliable service that prioritizes user privacy and security.
See all NordVPN features here >
Surfshark's advanced security features
A unique feature of Surfshark is Dynamic MultiHop, which routes traffic through multiple VPN servers, adding an extra layer of encryption and privacy, similar to NordVPN’s Double VPN. However, in addition to pre-configured VPN server pairs, Surfshark lets you create custom ones as well and save them for later use.
Surfshark’s Whitelister lets you specify which apps or websites can bypass the VPN, optimizing performance for specific tasks, useful for accessing certain services without the VPN while keeping other activities protected.
NoBorders Mode helps circumvent internet restrictions in highly censored regions, making Surfshark a solid choice for such areas. Additionally, CleanWeb blocks ads and malicious websites, enhancing online security and providing a cleaner browsing experience.
Both VPNs offer advanced features, making this category a tie with no clear winner.
Speed tests
Both Surfshark VPN and NordVPN delivered impressive speed results in my tests on a 900 Mbps internet connection.
| Server location | NordVPN download speed (Mbps) | Surfshark VPN download speed (Mbps) |
| Seattle | 755 | 753 |
| Los Angeles | 636 | 653 |
| New York | 613 | 638 |
| London, UK | 592 | 556 |
In my speed tests, NordVPN reached a download speed of 755 Mbps on its Seattle server (16% drop from the baseline speed). This is more than sufficient for streaming, gaming, and any other high-bandwidth activities.
NordVPN's Los Angeles server provided download speeds of 636 Mbps (29% speed drop from the baseline speed).
Surfshark also performed well in speed tests, with similar download speeds to those measured for NordVPN. Its Seattle server enabled download speeds of 752 Mbps, which is also a 16% drop from the baseline speed. This is only slightly behind NordVPN's speed test result for Seattle.
On Los Angeles servers, Surfshark provided better download speeds than NordVPN in my tests at 653 Mbps.
Overall, both VPNs offer rapid and secure connections, but NordVPN edges out Surfshark in the speed category due to its superior download speeds.
Security measures
Security is crucial when choosing a VPN, and both Surfshark and NordVPN excel here. They use AES-256 encryption, regarded as the gold standard for data protection, ensuring your online activities remain private and secure.
NordVPN uses the proprietary NordLynx VPN protocol, based on WireGuard, but upgraded for better privacy. Surfshark also uses WireGuard, ensuring fast and secure connections.
Both VPNs offer customizable kill switches that prevent your IP address from leaking if the VPN connection drops, maintaining a private internet access at all times.
Encryption standards
The encryption standards of Surfshark and NordVPN are among the most robust in the industry. Both employ AES-256 encryption, resistant to brute-force attacks, ensuring high-level protection for online data and making it a reliable choice for securing sensitive information.
Beyond AES-256, both VPNs support encryption protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec, and WireGuard. These protocols offer flexibility, allowing users to choose the best option for their needs, with WireGuard being particularly popular for its speed and security.
Both VPNs offer Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS), ensuring that even if a session key is compromised, past or future data remains unaffected. This adds an extra layer of security, keeping your online activities private and secure.
VPN protocols
| VPN protocols supported | |
| NordVPN | OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP, IPSec/IKEv2, IPSec/L2TP, and NordLynx |
| Surfshark | OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP, IPSec/IKEv2, and WireGuard |
Leak protection and kill switch
Both NordVPN and Surfshark provide robust leak protection, including DNS leak protection to prevent exposure of your real IP address. Independent tests confirm both VPNs effectively prevent DNS leaks, ensuring your online activities remain private and secure.
Both VPNs guard against IPv6 leaks, which can reveal your true location, and offer protection against WebRTC leaks, which can expose your IP address through web browsers. These features are crucial for maintaining privacy while browsing.
Both NordVPN and Surfshark offer customizable kill switches to block internet access if your VPN connection drops, preventing IP exposure and ensuring privacy.
Given NordVPN's additional VPN protocol and the enhanced performance provided by its proprietary NordLynx protocol as compared to WireGuard, it is the winner in this category.
Logging policies
Both NordVPN and Surfshark have strict no-log policies, ensuring online activities remain private and untraceable. NordVPN’s no-log policy has been verified by an external PwC audit, providing additional assurance of its commitment to user privacy.
Similarly, Surfshark VPN has undergone three independent security audits, including those by Cure53 and Deloitte, validating its security claims and confirming it does not keep logs of user activity, ensuring privacy.
As both VPNs have been verified by independent audits, this category is a tie.
Jurisdiction and privacy
The jurisdiction and privacy laws of a VPN’s headquarters can significantly impact user privacy. NordVPN is based in Panama, known for privacy-friendly laws that do not require data retention, allowing it to operate without strict government surveillance.
Surfshark is headquartered in the Netherlands, part of the 14 Eyes alliance. While the Netherlands has strong data protection laws, being part of the 14 Eyes means Surfshark may be subject to data-sharing agreements. However, Surfshark maintains a Warrant Canary and publishes transparency reports to inform users about government data requests.
Due to its privacy-friendly jurisdiction, NordVPN is the winner in this category. Its Panamanian headquarters provide an added layer of privacy and security for users.
User experience
A seamless user experience is crucial for any VPN service, and both NordVPN and Surfshark excel here.
| NordVPN | Surfshark | |
| Apps | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Browsers | Chrome, Firefox, Edge | Chrome, Firefox, Edge |
| Other devices supported | Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, gaming consoles (via SmartPlay), routers (manual setup), and more | Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, gaming consoles (via Smart DNS), routers (manual setup), and more |
| Connections | 10 | Unlimited |
NordVPN supports up to 10 simultaneous connections, which is sufficient for most users. Surfshark, however, offers unlimited simultaneous connections, allowing you to protect all your devices with a single subscription. This is a significant advantage for users with multiple devices or who share their service with family.
Both VPNs are compatible with a wide range of devices and operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Chromebook. They also support routers, smart TVs, and gaming consoles, ensuring protection for all your devices regardless of the platform.
The user-friendly apps of both VPNs make setup and usage easy, even for beginners. There are also prominent Quick Connect buttons for finding the best servers automatically.
Supported devices
Surfshark and NordVPN offer extensive compatibility with a wide range of devices, ensuring you can secure all your gadgets under one account. They support major operating systems like Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, and Chromebook, making it easy to protect your desktop, laptop, smartphone, and tablet.
NordVPN also launched an app for tvOS, allowing users to secure their Apple TV. Both VPNs support direct installation on smart TVs as well as setup on gaming consoles via smart DNS. Surfshark offers a GPS override feature on its Android app, allowing you to hide your actual GPS location and enhance privacy.
The two VPNs offer user-friendly and intuitive apps, making it easy for beginners. Both also support routers, allowing multiple device connections and maintaining VPN coverage for all devices on your home network.
Browser extensions
Both Surfshark and NordVPN provide browser extensions compatible with major browsers, including Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. These extensions enhance online security by simplifying secure browsing without needing a full desktop application. NordVPN’s browser extension includes features such as blocking ads and trackers, while Surfshark’s extension is known for its CleanWeb functionality, which blocks ads and malicious websites.
In terms of security, both extensions include measures to protect against malicious scripts and phishing attacks. NordVPN’s browser extension also offers malware protection and a dedicated IP option for its users.
With their user-friendly interfaces and robust security features, both browser extensions provide an excellent user experience, but NordVPN slightly edges out in this category due to its additional security measures.
Server network
A larger server network can significantly enhance a VPN’s performance and access to different regions. NordVPN boasts over 6,400 servers in 111 countries, providing extensive geographic coverage. This wide server network allows for better performance and access to more regions compared to Surfshark, which offers 3,200 servers in 100 countries.
Both VPNs utilize RAM-only servers, which delete all stored data upon reboot, thereby enhancing security. They also offer static IP servers, which can help prevent accidental bans during online gaming.
With more servers and better geographic coverage, NordVPN is the clear winner in this category, ensuring reliable connections and access to a broader range of locations.
Streaming and torrenting
Both NordVPN and Surfshark are highly effective at unblocking popular streaming platforms, allowing you to access your favorite content without restrictions. Whether you want to watch Netflix, Max, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, or Amazon Prime Video, both VPNs provide reliable access to these services.
In terms of torrenting, both VPNs support P2P activities on their servers. They offer strong security features, including kill switches and DNS leak protection, to maintain your privacy during torrenting activities.
With their robust streaming and torrenting capabilities, both VPNs excel in this area, but let’s dive deeper into each aspect in the following subsections.
Streaming
NordVPN’s SmartPlay feature enhances its ability to unblock content seamlessly. Best of all, it’s integrated into its apps. This feature enables you to access services such as Netflix, Max, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video without any issues. SmartPlay automatically detects when you are trying to access geo-restricted content and reroutes your connection through the appropriate server, eliminating the need for manual configuration.
Surfshark also performs well in this area, with its Smart DNS feature that requires manual setup and is primarily compatible with US servers. This feature allows Surfshark users to access a wide range of streaming content, though it may require a bit more effort to set up compared to NordVPN’s integrated solution.
In terms of streaming performance, both VPNs offer high connection speeds and minimal buffering times, ensuring a smooth viewing experience. This is also the reason why the two services feature in our list of the best VPNs for Netflix.
With their extensive server networks and dedicated streaming servers, both VPNs are well-equipped to handle streaming activities, but NordVPN’s integrated SmartPlay feature gives it a slight edge in this category.
Torrenting
Both NordVPN and Surfshark support P2P activities on all servers, making them excellent choices for torrenting. Both also offer dedicated P2P servers, which can provide faster speeds and better performance for torrenting activities.
In terms of privacy, both VPNs have strong no-logs policies, ensuring that your torrenting activities remain private. With their robust security features and dedicated P2P support, both VPNs excel in this area.
Customer support
Both Surfshark and NordVPN provide robust customer support services, ensuring that users receive timely and efficient assistance. They offer 24/7 live chat support and email options, allowing users to get help whenever they need it. My tests showed that both VPNs provide quick and knowledgeable responses through their live chat support, ensuring immediate assistance for users.
For more complex issues, both providers utilize a ticketing system to process support requests that cannot be resolved immediately. Additionally, users have access to extensive knowledge bases and resources that enable them to troubleshoot common issues independently.
With similar customer support quality and efficiency, this category is a tie.
Pricing
| Subscription length | NordVPN Basic Plan | Surfshark Starter |
| 1 month | $12.99 | $15.45 |
| 1 year | $4.99/mo | $2.79/mo |
| 2 years | $3.09/mo (+3 months free) | $2.19/mo (+3 months free) |
| Coupon | 74% Off Coupon | 86% Off Coupon |
When it comes to pricing, Surfshark is the more budget-friendly option. Surfshark’s subscription plans start at $2.19 per month for a 2-year plan, making it an affordable choice for users seeking a reliable VPN service. Additionally, Surfshark offers tiered pricing based on subscription length, with the longest plan (2 years) boasting the lowest monthly cost and three additional months included as a bonus.
Surfshark offers three subscription tiers: Starter, One, and One+. The Starter plan includes essential VPN features. The One plan builds on the Starter package by adding Surfshark Alert, which monitors your email addresses for data breaches, Surfshark Search, a private search tool, and Surfshark Antivirus, providing real-time protection against malware and viruses. The One+ plan further enhances the offering with Surfshark Incogni, which helps remove your personal data from data brokers.
See the latest prices and deals here: https://surfshark.com/pricing/coupons/
NordVPN, on the other hand, has a slightly higher starting price, with the 2-year plan starting at $3.09 per month (+3 months free). NordVPN offers three pricing tiers: Basic, Plus, and Ultimate, each adding more features such as a password manager (NordPass), data breach scanner, and encrypted cloud storage (NordLocker).
See the latest NordVPN deals here: https://nordvpn.com/special-offers
While NordVPN provides more features in its higher tiers, Surfshark’s overall affordability makes it the winner in terms of pricing and affordability.
Payment and refunds
Both NordVPN and Surfshark offer a variety of payment methods to cater to different user preferences.
If you choose NordVPN, you’ll be able to pay using standard payment methods like credit cards and PayPal, multiple cryptocurrencies, and others, as well as cash payments at retail locations in several countries, providing an extra layer of anonymity.
Surfshark also accepts payments via credit card, PayPal, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and cryptocurrencies. With a wide range of payment options available, both VPNs ensure that you can choose the method that best suits your needs.
Money-back guarantees and free trials
Both Surfshark and NordVPN offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to request a refund within this period if you are not satisfied with the service. This refund policy provides peace of mind for users who want to try out the VPNs without committing to a long-term subscription. The refund process is straightforward, with both providers processing refunds quickly through their customer service live chats.
While both VPNs offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, NordVPN also provides a 7-day free trial on the Google Play Store, allowing users to test the service before making a purchase. Surfshark offers a similar 7-day free trial accessible through the Google Play Store and Apple App Store.
However, the refund process can be more difficult if you purchase either VPN through a virtual store like the Apple App Store, as third-party vendors handle refunds, which usually means delays.
Overall, both VPNs provide a straightforward refund process within the 30-day money-back guarantee period, as well as free trials on certain systems. Therefore, there's no clear winner in this category.
Conclusion and final verdict
Here’s an overview of how NordVPN and Surfshark VPN performed in each category:
| Category | Winner |
| Key features | Tie |
| Speed tests | NordVPN |
| Security measures | NordVPN |
| Logging policies | Tie |
| Jurisdiction and privacy | NordVPN |
| User experience | NordVPN |
| Server network | NordVPN |
| Streaming and torrenting | NordVPN |
| Customer support | Tie |
| Pricing | Surfshark |
| Payment and refunds | Tie |
Although NordVPN and Surfshark are both among the best VPNs in 2024, NordVPN emerges as the overall winner in this comparison. Its advanced security features, extensive server network, superior streaming and torrenting capabilities, and privacy-friendly jurisdiction make it the best choice for users seeking a reliable and secure VPN service.
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However, Surfshark is still a fantastic service worth trying out, especially for users looking for affordable pricing and unlimited device connections. With its robust security features and strong performance, Surfshark remains a competitive option in the VPN market.
This NordVPN vs. Surfshark comparison guide was last updated on September 28, 2024.
Nord VpN on my mac has two versions, one from the apple store and one from the nord website. the one with nordlynx does not have an individual app kill switch (just kill all apps), the one without nordlynx does have the individual app kill switch but does not have the option to kill all apps when vpn is lost. The kill switch only kills an individual app when the vpn is lost but I would greatly prefer that it would also prevent the opening of an app if the vpn is not active, and I consider this limitation to be a flaw.
Do you know if Surfshark kill switch prevents the opening of an individual app when the vpn is not active?
My past testing of the tunneling of Nordvpn did not work properly but that was a while ago.
Hi Dennis. Last time we tested out the Surfshark VPN app on Mac OS, it offered a system-level kill switch that blocked traffic if the connection dropped. This is in contrast to the option with NordVPN that closes apps.