Surfshark vs NordVPN in 2026: I Tested Both: Here's What Won
Tested Surfshark vs NordVPN side by side in 2026. NordVPN wins on speed and streaming, Surfshark wins on price and unlimited devices. Here's who should pick which.
- Surfshark ($2.49/mo on 2-year plan) vs NordVPN ($3.39/mo on 2-year plan) — Surfshark is 27% cheaper with unlimited simultaneous connections.
- Speed tests: NordVPN 10-15% faster on average. Streaming: both unblock Netflix, Disney+, and Hulu reliably.
- Pick Surfshark if: you have many devices or want the lowest price. Pick NordVPN if: you prioritize speed and want the larger server network (6,000+ vs 3,200+).
I've been switching between Surfshark and NordVPN for the past year. Both are solid VPNs, both claim to be the best deal, and both run aggressive discount campaigns that make the real price confusing. So I put them side by side and tested what actually matters. Speed, streaming reliability, and whether the cheaper option cuts corners.
Quick Comparison Table
| Feature | NordVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly price (2-year plan) | $3.39/mo | $1.99/mo |
| Shared plan price | ~$2.99/mo | ~$1.49/mo |
| Servers | 6,400+ | 3,200+ |
| Countries | 111 | 100 |
| Simultaneous devices | 10 | Unlimited |
| Protocol | NordLynx (WireGuard) | WireGuard |
| Encryption | AES-256 | AES-256 |
| Kill switch | Yes | Yes |
| No-logs audit | Yes (PwC, Deloitte) | Yes (Deloitte) |
| Jurisdiction | Panama | Netherlands (BVI registered) |
Speed: NordVPN Wins, But Barely
I tested both from Australia connecting to US, UK, and Singapore servers. NordVPN was consistently about 10-15% faster on long-distance connections, which I attribute to their NordLynx protocol optimization and larger server network. On nearby servers (Singapore, Japan), the difference was negligible, maybe 2-3% apart.
For everyday browsing and streaming, both are fast enough that you won't notice a difference. The gap only matters if you're downloading large files or gaming competitively.
Streaming: NordVPN Slightly More Reliable
Both VPNs unblock Netflix US, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and most major streaming platforms. NordVPN had about a 95% success rate across my testing. A few servers got blocked temporarily but switching servers fixed it immediately. Surfshark was around 90%. A few more hiccups, especially with BBC iPlayer and Japanese Netflix.
If streaming is your primary VPN use case, NordVPN is the safer bet. But Surfshark works fine for most services most of the time. Check out our VPN deals guide for more on getting the best price.
Price: Surfshark Wins Decisively
Surfshark at $1.99/month is roughly 40% cheaper than NordVPN at $3.39/month. Over a 2-year plan, that's about $34 in savings. Not life-changing, but meaningful if budget is your priority.
Through shared plans, the gap narrows a bit. NordVPN deals through NordVPN direct or GamsGo (code WK2NU) bring NordVPN to about $2.99/mo, while Surfshark deals go to about $1.49/mo.
Devices: Surfshark's Killer Feature
Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections. NordVPN gives you 10. For most people, 10 is plenty. But if you're covering a household. Phones, laptops, tablets, smart TVs, gaming consoles, Surfshark's unlimited policy means you never have to think about it.
This is probably Surfshark's single biggest advantage and why it's popular with families.
Privacy: Both Solid, Different Approaches
Both have been independently audited for no-logs compliance. NordVPN operates from Panama (no data retention laws, outside Five Eyes). Surfshark is registered in the British Virgin Islands but has operations in the Netherlands. Both use RAM-only servers that can't store data permanently.
For most users, the privacy difference is academic. Both are trustworthy. If you're in a high-risk situation (journalist, activist), NordVPN's Panama jurisdiction gives a slight edge.
Who Should Pick Which
Choose NordVPN if:
- Streaming reliability is your top priority
- You want the fastest long-distance speeds
- You prefer a larger server network (6,400+ vs 3,200+)
- Panama jurisdiction matters to you
Choose Surfshark if:
- Budget is your priority ($1.99 vs $3.39/mo)
- You need unlimited devices for a household
- You want solid performance without paying premium
- Good enough streaming unblocking is fine (90% vs 95%)
For how these compare to ExpressVPN, see our NordVPN vs ExpressVPN breakdown. For more options, check our full VPN for streaming guide.
FAQ
Is Surfshark as good as NordVPN?
For about 85-90% of use cases, yes. Surfshark matches NordVPN on security, privacy, and basic performance. NordVPN edges ahead on speed and streaming reliability, but the gap is smaller than the price difference suggests.
Which VPN is cheaper in 2026?
Surfshark at $1.99/month on a 2-year plan is the cheaper option. Through shared plans, Surfshark goes as low as about $1.49/month while NordVPN bottoms out around $2.99/month.
Can I use Surfshark on all my devices?
Yes. Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, meaning you can install it on every device in your household without hitting a limit. NordVPN allows 10 simultaneous connections, which is still generous but has a ceiling.