NordVPN vs Surfshark
Match NordVPN's specialty connections or Surfshark's device allowance to your setup.
NordVPN's specialty servers offer alternative routing and options for restricted networks; Surfshark's account allowance matters when connecting household devices together. On the plans compared here, NordVPN covers 10 simultaneous devices; Surfshark covers unlimited simultaneous devices. Network coverage: NordVPN (8,096 servers · 149 countries · 224 locations); Surfshark (4,500+ servers · 100 countries).
Based on published provider facts and editorial assessment. How we evaluate. Some links earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.
NordVPN
Choose NordVPN for its specialty connection options if 10 simultaneous devices meets your needs.
Read the review →Surfshark
Choose Surfshark if unlimited simultaneous devices suits the computers, phones and other devices your household uses together.
Read the review →
Want to test it on your own devices?
The quickest way to settle a shortlist is to check the official deal page, install the apps you actually use, and lean on the refund window if it is not the right fit.
Offer terms
NordVPN: Basic 2-year offer: $3.49/mo
Surfshark: Check current Starter long-term offer
A current price was not confirmed for every plan. Check each provider for your currency, upfront payment, included months, renewal price and tax.
Upfront costs and renewal notes →Device allowance
NordVPN: 10 devices. Surfshark: Unlimited devices.
Refund terms
NordVPN: 30 days for the initial subscription purchase; renewal exclusions apply
Surfshark: 30 days from the initial purchase; exclusions apply and renewals are not refundable
Eligibility, payment method and subscription length can affect the guarantee.
The details side by side
| Head to head | NordVPN Editorial edge | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly plan | Basic monthly: $14.99/mo | Check current Starter monthly price |
| Advertised long-term offer | Basic 2-year offer: $3.49/mo | Check current Starter long-term offer |
| Devices on compared plan | 10 | Unlimited |
| Countries | 149 | 100 |
| Network | NordVPN lists 8,096 servers · 149 countries · 224 locations | 4,500+ servers · 100 countries |
| Refund window | 30 days for the initial subscription purchase; renewal exclusions apply | 30 days from the initial purchase; exclusions apply and renewals are not refundable |
| Jurisdiction | Panama | Netherlands |
| Protocol | NordLynx (WireGuard-based), OpenVPN and NordWhisper | WireGuard; other protocols vary by platform |
| Anti-blocking | Obfuscated servers and NordWhisper | OpenVPN obfuscation |
| Audit / privacy | Sixth no-logs assurance by Deloitte Lithuania; December 2025 point-in-time report | Deloitte no-logs assurance reports in 2023 and 2025; full reports require a Surfshark account |
| WireGuard | ||
| Kill switch | ||
| Split tunneling | ||
| Audited no-logs | ||
| Score for overall | 9/10 | 8/10 |
Equal editorial scores do not produce a winner. Device limits correspond to the advertised entry plan; paid upgrades may differ.
Editorial scores by use case
Overall: NordVPN
NordVPN has the higher editorial overall score. NordVPN: 9/10; Surfshark: 8/10. Scores summarize published features and our assessment, not measured performance or a guarantee of results.
Streaming: Equal scores
Both have the same editorial streaming score (9/10). There is no score-based winner. Compare the features, plan terms and privacy documents that matter to you.
Gaming: NordVPN
NordVPN has the higher editorial gaming score. NordVPN: 9/10; Surfshark: 8/10. Scores summarize published features and our assessment, not measured performance or a guarantee of results.
Privacy: NordVPN
NordVPN has the higher editorial privacy score. NordVPN: 9/10; Surfshark: 8/10. Scores summarize published features and our assessment, not measured performance or a guarantee of results.
What differs
Offer terms
NordVPN: Basic 2-year offer: $3.49/mo. Surfshark: Check current Starter long-term offer. A current price was not confirmed for every plan. Check each provider for your currency, upfront payment, included months, renewal price and tax.
Simultaneous devices
Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections, while NordVPN allows 10 on the plan compared here.
Server network
NordVPN lists 8,096 servers; Surfshark lists 4,500+. Advertised counts can use different definitions and do not establish speed or reliability.
Where each is based
NordVPN is based in Panama, while Surfshark operates from Netherlands. Jurisdiction is worth weighing if data-retention rules are part of your decision.
Main protocol
NordVPN documents NordLynx (WireGuard-based), OpenVPN and NordWhisper; Surfshark documents WireGuard; other protocols vary by platform. Availability and defaults vary by app and platform.
Questions about NordVPN vs Surfshark
Which is better, NordVPN or Surfshark?
NordVPN has the higher editorial overall score. NordVPN: 9/10; Surfshark: 8/10. Scores summarize published features and our assessment, not measured performance or a guarantee of results.
Which offer costs less?
NordVPN: Basic 2-year offer: $3.49/mo. Surfshark: Check current Starter long-term offer. A current price was not confirmed for every plan. Check each provider for your currency, upfront payment, included months, renewal price and tax.
Which one supports more devices?
NordVPN: 10 devices. Surfshark: Unlimited devices.
Which is better for streaming?
Both have the same editorial streaming score (9/10). There is no score-based winner. Compare the features, plan terms and privacy documents that matter to you.
Which has the stronger privacy score?
NordVPN has the higher editorial privacy score. NordVPN: 9/10; Surfshark: 8/10. Scores summarize published features and our assessment, not measured performance or a guarantee of results.
Are both links affiliate links?
Some provider links may earn us a commission; others are ordinary links. This does not determine our scores. Prices, regional offers and eligibility must be confirmed on the provider website.
Sources and offer notes
NordVPN
Provider fact check: 2026-09-05
USD Basic offer checked September 5, 2026: $14.99 billed monthly, or $94.23 for the first 27 months ($3.49/mo equivalent), then $139.08/year. Tax may apply. Prices and promotions vary by market; confirm your final checkout total.
- Server locations and count FAQ (nordvpn.com)
- Displayed USD pricing and tier-specific device coverage (nordvpn.com)
- Initial-purchase refund eligibility (support.nordvpn.com)
- Sixth no-logs assurance and report access limits (nordvpn.com)
- No-logs policy and vendor-stated Panama base (nordvpn.com)
- Supported NordVPN protocols (support.nordvpn.com)
- Specialty servers and protocol limits (support.nordvpn.com)
- NordWhisper use cases and limitations (nordvpn.com)
- Kill switch support (nordvpn.com)
- Split tunneling platform support (nordvpn.com)
Surfshark
Provider fact check: 2026-09-05
See Surfshark for current Starter pricing in your currency. Long-term offers are billed up front and renew at the applicable standard rate. Prices depend on currency, tax and promotion; check the total and renewal amount before subscribing.
- Paid devices, plan structure and regional pricing (surfshark.com)
- Server count, countries and network hardware (surfshark.com)
- Refund eligibility and contracting entity (surfshark.com)
- Renewal and currency policy (surfshark.com)
- No-logs assurance and security audit history (surfshark.com)
- Kill switch and split tunneling (surfshark.com)
- OpenVPN obfuscation and platform availability (surfshark.com)
- Dausos platform limitation (support.surfshark.com)
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