Should you lookup the perfect VPNs obtainable at present, likelihood is each Surfshark and NordVPN prime the record. As two standard suppliers, each companies convey high quality VPN efficiency with their very own standout options.
Surfshark brings a ton of worth with its reasonably priced pricing throughout its plans and the power to attach a limiteless variety of units on the similar time. However, NordVPN brings persistently quick VPN speeds and an enormous 111-country server community.
On this article, we assist you determine which of the 2 VPNs is finest for you and your group.
- Surfshark: Finest for budget-conscious customers that need a high quality VPN that may accommodate a limiteless variety of units
- NordVPN: Finest for many companies searching for an all-around VPN, with quick efficiency, further safety features, and a cultured consumer expertise
Surfshark vs NordVPN: Comparability desk
Whereas each Surfshark and NordVPN have broad platform help, they’ve key variations when it comes to their pricing and server community.
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Surfshark and NordVPN: Pricing
Each Surfshark and NordVPN have three subscription tiers, with various function inclusions in every plan. As well as, each supply month-to-month, one-year, and two-year plan choices for every subscription tier.
SEE: Learn how to Run a Cybersecurity Danger Evaluation in 5 Steps (TechRepublic Premium)
Surfshark VPN pricing
Surfshark has three subscription tiers: Surfshark Starter, Surfshark One, and Surfshark One+. Starter consists of the primary VPN service, whereas One+ bundles in essentially the most quantity of further options.
Under is a abstract of pricing and have variations with every tier:
| Starter | One | One+ | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Month-to-month | $15.45 per thirty days | $15.95 per thirty days | $17.95 per thirty days |
| 1 12 months | $2.99 per thirty days | $3.39 per thirty days | $6.09 per thirty days |
| 2 years | $2.19 per thirty days | $2.69 per thirty days | $4.29 per thirty days |
| Options | Consists of primary VPN and advert blocker | All Starter options plus masked e-mail generator, antivirus, and real-time e-mail breach alerts | All One options plus knowledge elimination from firm databases and folks search websites |
Personally, I feel the Surfshark One subscription for one 12 months brings the perfect stability of worth and have set. At $3.39 per thirty days, it’s considerably extra reasonably priced than NordVPN’s equal plan however nonetheless consists of nifty extras like antivirus and breach alert capabilities as properly.
SEE: Surfshark vs CyberGhost (2024): Which VPN Is Higher? (TechRepublic)
Whereas I might have cherished it if Surfshark provided a free model, it luckily has a seven-day free trial through iOS, Android, and macOS. It additionally has a 30-day money-back assure for all its subscription plans, supplying you with an opportunity to refund your preliminary subscription should you really feel it isn’t match.
If you wish to be taught extra, learn our full Surfshark VPN evaluation.
NordVPN pricing
NordVPN’s paid plans have three subscription tiers, particularly NordVPN Fundamental, Plus, and Full. Like Surfshark, all three NordVPN plans have a month-to-month, a yearly, and a two-year plan.
Under is an outline of pricing and have variations with every tier:
| Fundamental | Plus | Full | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Month-to-month | $12.99 per thirty days | $13.99 per thirty days | $14.99 per thirty days |
| 1 12 months | $4.99 per thirty days | $5.99 per thirty days | $6.99 per thirty days |
| 2 years | $3.09 per thirty days | $3.99 per thirty days | $4.99 per thirty days |
| Options | Consists of primary VPN | All Fundamental options plus Menace safety, anti-malware safety, advert blocker, and cross-platform password supervisor | All Plus options plus 1TB encrypted cloud storage |
For NordVPN, its one-year Plus subscription is what appeals to me essentially the most. Even when it’s not as reasonably priced as Surfshark’s One plan, I really feel like NordVPN Plus at $5.99 per thirty days nonetheless brings good worth contemplating it consists of the complete VPN and a full-fledged password supervisor bundled in. This may be splendid for people who need a suite of safety instruments from a single software program supplier.
SEE: Non-public Web Entry (PIA) vs NordVPN: Which VPN Is Higher? (TechRepublic)
Fortunately, NordVPN additionally has a seven-day free trial and a 30-day money-back assure for all its plans, enabling refunds after an preliminary buy. Sadly, the free trial is barely accessible through Android. To me, the best scenario is to no less than have the free trial obtainable to each iOS and Android customers, in order that entry is truthful no matter which smartphone ecosystem you utilize.
Fortunately, it’s pretty simple to check NordVPN on desktop after accessing the free trial on Android — which is how I examined one in all NordVPN’s premium subscriptions.
If you wish to be taught extra, learn our full NordVPN evaluation.
Surfshark vs NordVPN: Characteristic comparability
Right here’s a side-by-side comparability of NordVPN and Surfshark, specializing in seven key options:
Safety protocols and encryption
Winner: Tie
Each NordVPN and Surfshark embrace a stable mixture of VPN protocols that cowl each safety and pace. To me, a top quality VPN ought to no less than have the security-centric OpenVPN protocol and the speed-oriented WireGuard protocol. All the pieces else is an additional.
Happily, NordVPN comes with OpenVPN and its proprietary NordLynx protocol that’s primarily based on WireGuard. On the flipside, Surfshark carries OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 VPN protocols.
SEE: Surfshark vs IPVanish (2024): Which VPN Ought to You Select? (TechRepublic)
When it comes to encryption, each companies make the most of the trade customary AES-256 encryption algorithm. That is essential, as AES 256 is widely known as one of the vital safe encryption algorithms at present, a lot in order that it’s utilized by some United States authorities entities to safe delicate knowledge towards prying eyes.
With this, our first spherical is a transparent tie, with each NordVPN and Surfshark hitting the mark in the case of safety protocols and encryption.
VPN server community and places
Winner: NordVPN
NordVPN will get the win in the case of server networks and VPN places. As of August 2024, NordVPN has 6,400+ servers unfold throughout 111 nations. In distinction, Surfshark VPN at present has 3,200+ servers in 100 nations inside its community.
Whereas NordVPN’s lead when it comes to precise server depend is important, I place extra weight on Nord having extra server/nation places in comparison with Surfshark. Even when having 11 extra nations doesn’t appear to be a lot, it nonetheless means NordVPN supplies a bit extra nation choices to its customers than Surfshark.
That isn’t to say that Surfshark’s 100-country server fleet isn’t stable. It’s — it simply so occurs NordVPN at present has a slight benefit country-wise. Given how one of many primary functions of a VPN is to unblock geo-restricted content material by altering IP places, NordVPN’s 111-country server suite is a particular plus.
SEE: PureVPN vs NordVPN (2024): Which VPN Ought to You Select? (TechRepublic)
For companies which have unblocking as their primary precedence with a VPN, NordVPN is the higher alternative.
Third-party audits and monitor document
Winner: Surfshark
So far as third-party testing and total monitor document go, I give the win to Surfshark. Whereas NordVPN technically has extra impartial audits than Surfshark — having 4 in comparison with three — I respect Surfshark giving the general public an precise abstract of their audit outcomes and entry to the complete report.
Surfshark’s most up-to-date impartial audit was printed in 2023, the place Deloitte confirmed that Surfshark’s “IT techniques and administration of the supporting IT operations is correctly ready, in all materials respects, in accordance with Surfshark’s description of its no-logs coverage.”
In distinction, NordVPN has accomplished a formidable 4 impartial audits of its no-logs coverage as of January 2024. Nonetheless, if we have a look at its most up-to-date audit, additionally carried out by Deloitte, the outcomes are solely obtainable for individuals with a NordVPN account.
In response to NordVPN, this was finished “[d]ue to the intensive nature of the audit, excerpts from the report can’t be shared straight. This measure ensures the audit outcomes will not be taken out of context or misunderstood.”
Whereas I perceive the dangers of publishing a full audit report and the way findings may very well be blown out of proportion, I respect Surfshark’s extra accessible method to sharing its audit outcomes with the general public. That is particularly impactful should you’re a potential consumer who doesn’t essentially have an present account in both service but.
SEE: The 5 Finest VPNs with Free Trials in 2024 (TechRepublic)
Regardless of giving the win to Surfshark, I do commend each VPNs for displaying full dedication to having their companies independently examined and evaluated.
Standout options
Winner: NordVPN
Wanting into standout options, I give the purpose to NordVPN. On prime of its VPN service, Nord features a ton of safety and privateness options that make for a formidable bundle. It features a devoted malware and advert blocker, a darkish internet monitor, and even an choice for encrypted cloud storage.
It additionally has a cool Meshnet function that lets customers create their very own privateness encrypted networks, which they will use to share information or entry units extra securely.
My private favourite is the truth that a NordVPN Plus subscription truly offers customers a NordPass account — Nord Safety’s personal password supervisor. That will get you each a VPN and a password administration service with one subscription. If you wish to be taught extra, try our full NordPass evaluation right here.
In the meantime, Surfshark has noteworthy options of its personal. It has a built-in antivirus service with its Surfshark One plan, a masked e-mail generator, and its CleanWeb advert blocker for a cleaner on-line looking expertise.
We get double VPN and cut up tunneling performance from each NordVPN and Surfshark, in addition to RAM-only servers of their respective server fleets.
General, I feel NordVPN supplies a barely extra well-rounded function suite, with the addition of the NordPass password supervisor being a specific spotlight for me.
Efficiency and pace
Winner: NordVPN
For VPN pace and efficiency, NordVPN takes the cake. In my expertise, each Surfshark VPN and NordVPN are in a position to present dependable and quick speeds for on a regular basis duties.
Throughout testing, I used each VPNs for my normal workflow as a author. This concerned going by way of a number of web sites for analysis, attending on-line video conferences, and streaming the occasional 1080p video on YouTube. Qualitatively, I had zero hassle utilizing each VPNs speed-wise and may confidently suggest each should you’re searching for a fast-performing VPN.
Nonetheless, pace testing is the place NordVPN takes the benefit over Surfshark. As VPNs add one other step to your site visitors, it’s anticipated that we see a lower in total pace in comparison with your web service supplier.
Per my testing, NordVPN recorded glorious speeds — having solely a 5.8% lower in obtain pace and a 16.2% lower in add in comparison with my ISP. In distinction, Surfshark had a 3.34% lower in obtain pace and a extra important 72.1% drop in uploads.
With this, if your enterprise is strictly searching for the sooner VPN service, my testing confirmed that NordVPN is the higher alternative.
Ease of use and design
Winner: Tie
With ease of use, consumer expertise, and design, I discovered each Surfshark and NordVPN had polished and intuitive purposes.
Taking every software one-by-one, we see that NordVPN brings a minimalist consumer interface that I discovered nice to make use of and navigate. Even with its breath of options, every thing was neatly organized, and I had no hassle utilizing its options and establishing a VPN connection.
The identical was true with Surfshark’s desktop app. It comes with the same, light-themed UI that’s well-organized and straightforward on the eyes. I significantly like how Surfshark offers customers a transparent board of stats on the correct of its primary interface, displaying connection time, connection standing, and which VPN protocol you’re utilizing (see beneath).
Each VPN apps additionally carried out fairly properly, with no main points when it comes to activating options or establishing VPN connections. For me, ease of use and design are the place NordVPN and Surfshark present their polish in comparison with the competitors.
Whether or not you select Surfshark or NordVPN, you’ll get entry to a refined VPN consumer expertise that received’t depart you aggravated or confused.
Simultaneous system connections
Winner: Surfshark
For system connections, Surfshark takes the clear win. Surfshark permits customers to hook up with a limiteless variety of units all on the similar time. This implies you possibly can have a handful of smartphones, laptops, computer systems, and different units related to a VPN server with out worrying a couple of system restrict.
However, NordVPN at present permits a most of 10 simultaneous system connections. To be truthful, 10 will probably be sufficient for many particular person customers. Nonetheless, should you’re a small enterprise that requires quite a few group members to attach their units to a VPN, Surfshark’s limitless connections is your finest guess.
Personally, I discover Surfshark’s limitless simultaneous connections provides unbelievable worth to the VPN’s already reasonably priced subscriptions. That is very true after we take into account that NordVPN, even with its abundance of additional options, continues to be a bit dearer than Surfshark.
Surfshark professionals and cons
Execs
- Limitless simultaneous system connections.
- Straightforward-to-use and well-designed interface.
- CleanWeb function that blocks adverts, trackers, and malware.
- Reasonably priced subscription choices.
- Extra accessible third-party audit outcomes.
Cons
- Smaller server fleet in comparison with NordVPN.
- Much less constant pace check outcomes.
NordVPN professionals and cons
Execs
- 111-country server fleet; 6,400+ servers.
- Polished desktop software.
- Quick and constant VPN speeds.
- Meshnet encrypted file sharing function.
- NordVPN Plus subscription consists of NordPass password supervisor.
Cons
- Barely dearer in comparison with Surfshark.
- Solely permits for 10 simultaneous system connections.
- Third-party audit outcomes require a NordVPN account.
Ought to your group use Surfshark or NordVPN?
After a troublesome match-up, I give NordVPN the win as my suggestion for many companies and people. It presents an enormous server fleet with 6,400+ servers throughout 111 nations, features a bunch of additional safety features, and supplies persistently quick and dependable VPN speeds.
I significantly respect NordVPN’s all-around high quality of service with its VPN, because it doesn’t skimp out on in-app expertise, safety capabilities, and VPN efficiency.
This isn’t to discredit Surfshark, nevertheless. Surfshark’s refined consumer expertise, stable 100-country server suite, and limitless simultaneous connections make it an awesome alternative for extra budget-conscious customers or organizations.
To me, you actually can’t go unsuitable with both Surfshark or NordVPN, as they’re two of the perfect VPN companies obtainable at present.
Methodology
My head-to-head comparability of Surfshark and NordVPN concerned an in-depth analysis of each VPNs’ options, real-world efficiency, and worth.
To evaluate every VPN, each companies have been scored on every thing from their server networks to their pricing. Particularly, I took under consideration 5 primary pillars, every having corresponding weights:
- Pricing (20%).
- Core VPN options (30%).
- Ease of use (15%).
- Buyer help (30%).
- Skilled evaluation (5%).
I additionally seemed into actual consumer testimonials and respected evaluations to spherical out my closing suggestions for each Surfshark VPN and NordVPN.
For pace and efficiency, I examined each VPNs on my private Home windows pc and ran them by way of Ookla’s public Speedtest. Lastly, I thought-about which kinds of companies or particular person customers would finest profit from both Surfshark or NordVPN.