NordVPN vs Surfshark vs ExpressVPN: comparison

When comparing leading VPN providers – NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN – several key points stand out. All three VPNs are top choices known for their robust security features, reliable performance, and ability to unblock popular streaming services. But which one is better? It depends on whether you prioritize streaming, gaming, or overall security.

All three providers offer strong security features, such as no-logs policies and ad blockers, along with extensive server networks in numerous countries. However, NordVPN stands out for its double VPN and CyberSec ad blocker. Surfshark excels with unlimited simultaneous connections and its MultiHop feature. ExpressVPN is distinguished by its high speed and reliability, thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol and TrustedServer technology.

Therefore, to find out which is the best VPN for your particular needs, let’s break down the essential features of NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN to see what makes them so appealing. I’ve thoroughly tested all three, so I’ll pit them in many aspects, such as connection speed, geo-restriction unblocking, security features, and much more.

NordVPN vs Surfshark vs ExpressVPN overview

NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN each excel in different areas, making them suitable for various needs. If you’re looking for the best overall performance, NordVPN is your top choice. It offers the most servers, robust protocols including NordLynx, OpenVPN, and IKEv2, and excellent streaming support for services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video. However, if you have multiple devices to protect, Surfshark is perfect for you. It shines with unlimited simultaneous connections, making it ideal for families or users with many devices. Whether privacy is your main concern, ExpressVPN is your best bet. It excels with a no-logs policy that is court-proven and independently audited. All three VPNs offer a 30-day money-back guarantee and excellent streaming support.

Price comparison

Subscription costs are where the three VPNs diverge. Surfshark is the cheapest option, with the minimum monthly price of $15.49. For those considering longer plans, NordVPN is the most cost-effective with its two-year plan.

ExpressVPN, on the other hand, only offers a maximum one-year plan, costing $12.95 per month, making it the most expensive. Below is a comparison table for clarity:

All three VPNs offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. If you’re looking for a week-long free trial, Surfshark is your best option, available on all devices. ExpressVPN provides a free trial for iOS and Android, while NordVPN only offers a free trial for Android users. Despite this, each VPN excels in different areas, making them suitable for various needs:

• NordVPN is ideal for the best overall performance, with the most servers, robust security protocols, and excellent streaming support for services like Netflix and Amazon Prime Video.
• Surfshark VPN is perfect for those with multiple devices, offering unlimited simultaneous connections, making it ideal for families or users with many devices.
• ExpressVPN is the best choice for privacy, with a no-logs policy that is court-proven and independently audited, and diverse device support including routers.

Payment Methods

When it comes to payment options, NordVPN and Surfshark cater to security and crypto enthusiasts by embracing the latest payment methods, including cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple. This can be crucial for users who value privacy and prefer not to disclose their banking information.

Here’s a summary table of the available payment methods:

Discounts and Special Offers

All three providers offer significant discounts on their longest subscription plans. Additionally, you can use coupon codes to get even better deals:

• NordVPN offers a 74% discount on its two-year plan.
• Surfshark VPN provides a 86% discount on its two-year plan.
• ExpressVPN gives a 48% discount on its annual plan.

Using available coupons and discounts can further reduce the cost of your subscription, making these premium services more affordable.

NordVPN vs Surfshark vs ExpressVPN speed results

Let’s kick things off with a NordVPN vs Surfshark vs ExpressVPN connectivity comparison. And the results of my speed tests are pretty impressive. Each provider is using a different method to achieve top speeds:

• NordVPN uses the proprietary NordLynx tunneling protocol, which is based on the open-source WireGuard.
• ExpressVPN has also developed its protocol called Lightway.
• Surfshark is utilizing WireGuard alongside Software Defined Networking for better connection stability and speed.

To determine which proprietary protocols perform the fastest, I conducted speed tests of these VPNs in different locations. Here are the results:

NordVPN showed the best results during my speed tests, achieving download speeds of 95 Mbps and upload speeds of 90 Mbps. On average, NordVPN retained 94% of the original internet speed, followed by ExpressVPN at 92%, and Surfshark at 90%.

Security & privacy features

In the fiercely competitive landscape of VPN services, security toolkit of paramount importance. All three major players, NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN, have fortified their offerings with robust security measures to ensure user privacy and data integrity. Utilizing state-of-the-art encryption protocols, stringent no-logs policies, and advanced features, these VPN providers stand as bastions of digital security in an increasingly interconnected world.

Here’s how they do it:

Infrastructure and Encryption

AES-256 and ChaCha20 Encryption: NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN implement top-tier encryption standards, including AES-256 and ChaCha20. This level of encryption mirrors that used by the U.S. government to safeguard classified data, ensuring that user information remains secure from prying eyes.

SHA-512 Hash: Employing SHA-512 hash functions, these VPNs offer an additional layer of protection against cyber threats. This robust hashing algorithm can effectively shield user data from a wide array of potential attacks, bolstering overall security.

Kill Switch: In the event of a VPN service disruption, the kill switch feature acts as a failsafe mechanism, promptly severing internet connections to prevent data leakage. NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN all integrate this vital feature, providing users with added peace of mind.

Cloaking Technology

No-Logs Policy: NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN uphold stringent no-logs policies, ensuring that user browsing history, bandwidth usage, and network traffic remain undisclosed. This commitment to privacy safeguards user anonymity and mitigates the risk of data exposure, reaffirming the integrity of these VPN services.

Jurisdiction

NordVPN and ExpressVPN operate under privacy-friendly jurisdictions, with NordVPN based in Panama and ExpressVPN in the British Virgin Islands. These locations are renowned for strong privacy protections, enhancing the trustworthiness of these services. Both providers have undergone independent audits to confirm their commitment to transparency and user trust.

Surfshark, headquartered in the Netherlands, navigates the complexities of being within the Fourteen Eyes alliance through rigorous third-party audits. Despite its location, Surfshark adheres to a strict no-logs policy, ensuring that no data about your online activities is collected, thus maintaining a high level of user privacy.

Despite differing jurisdictions —Panama for NordVPN, Netherlands for Surfshark, and British Virgin Islands (BVI) for ExpressVPN — all undergo independent audits to ensure transparency. These measures, coupled with their commitment to user privacy, establish them as trusted guardians of online security, empowering users to navigate the digital realm with confidence.

NordVPN vs Surfshark vs ExpressVPN servers

When comparing the server offerings of NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN, several key distinctions emerge.

NordVPN boasts the largest number of servers, with over 7000 servers across 118 countries. This extensive network is particularly strong in North America and Europe, providing robust performance and high speeds, especially with the WireGuard protocol, which clocks impressive speeds in various locations.

Surfshark has a slightly smaller network with 3200 servers in 100 countries, but it compensates with unique features like unlimited simultaneous connections and Double VPN servers.

ExpressVPN offers around 3000 servers in 105 countries, focusing on a broad geographic spread rather than sheer numbers. While its speeds are generally high, especially with its proprietary Lightway protocol, it lags behind Surfshark and NordVPN in some speed tests. It also lacks Double VPN servers and offers fewer simultaneous connections compared to Surfshark.

In summary, NordVPN provides the broadest server base with strong speeds, Surfshark offers versatile features and excellent value, and ExpressVPN excels in privacy and streaming but at a higher price point and with fewer simultaneous connections​

Using in China and other restricted countries

Not all countries provide the digital freedom that most of us expect. For example, China and Russia are notorious for online surveillance and censorship. They frequently block VPN traffic, and providers need to develop specialized Stealth VPN features to fight against DPI and other ways of curbing free speech.

NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN offer solutions tailored to bypassing restrictions in these and other heavily regulated regions. Utilizing advanced technologies, these services ensure anonymity and security for users, safeguarding their online activities and enabling them to browse without fear of surveillance or censorship.

• With NordVPN, you have the choice between Obfuscated Servers and Onion over VPN. The first feature masks that you’re using a VPN and allows you to enjoy the internet without restrictions. Meanwhile, Onion over VPN utilizes the Tor network to reroute your traffic through volunteer-operated servers across the globe.
• ExpressVPN uses Stealth Servers, which are so sneaky you’ll have trouble finding any mention of them. They are enabled automatically if anti-VPN measures are detected on the network.
• Surfshark gives you two options – Camouflage Mode and NoBorders Mode. The first mode is enabled automatically when using the OpenVPN tunneling protocol. Meanwhile, NoBorders needs to be enabled in the settings menu and should work in censorship-heavy locations.

It’s difficult to measure the efficacy of these features since the situation in China is constantly changing. However, we can rank these VPNs for China by judging the number and variety of features against online censorship.

As such, NordVPN takes the first place for offering two features with different underlying technologies (obfuscation and the Tor network). Second place goes to Surfshark for offering two similar-looking modes of circumvention. Naturally, ExpressVPN is left in third with its one auto-enabled feature.

Other features overview

In addition to their core functionalities, each VPN subscription package comes with a plethora of additional features aimed at enhancing user experience and security. Below is a comprehensive overview of these features, along with information on which VPN offers them.

Ad blocker

NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN all offer ad blocker features that enhance the browsing experience by eliminating intrusive ads. These advanced ad blockers not only prevents ads from disrupting your browsing but also improves page loading times, contributing to a more efficient online experience.

Obfuscated servers

Whether you choose NordVPN, Surfshark, or ExpressVPN, they all provide obfuscated servers designed to enhance privacy by masking VPN traffic as regular internet traffic. This is especially useful in countries with strict internet censorship.

Split tunneling

All three VPNs, NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN, offer split tunneling – a feature that allows users to control which internet traffic goes through the VPN. Users can choose specific apps or websites to route through the VPN, customizing their online experience for efficiency.

Dedicated IP

Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN each offer dedicated IP addresses for enhanced security and access to geo-restricted content. Additionally, they provide a unique and stable internet connection, so users don’t share IP addresses with others.

SmartDNS

Additionally, Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN offer SmartDNS features that allow you to access geo-blocked content and websites.

Web filters

NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN offer web filtering features. The web filtering protects users from harmful internet threats and enhances browsing security. This ensures safer browsing, protection against malicious websites, and phishing attempts.

Extra features of each VPN provide

• NordVPN distinguishes itself with NordPass for secure password management and NordLocker for encrypted file storage and sharing.
• Surfshark offers Surfshark antivirus to protect against malware and viruses, ensuring device and data security.
• ExpressVPN lacks exclusive additional features. Instead, it prioritizes speed, security, and reliability, making it a preferred choice for many seeking premium VPN services.

Streaming performance

Surfshark, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN all excel when it comes to streaming. All three are top-tier options, effortlessly maintaining the necessary connection speeds for seamless online content consumption while seamlessly working with major streaming platforms.

I put each provider through its paces across a range of streaming services including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, HBO Max, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, YouTube TV, and more. The results were impressive across the board. Not only did they grant access to different Netflix libraries from around the globe, including Australian, Japanese, and US versions, but they also showcased exceptional unblocking capabilities.

However, it’s important to note that not all of them stream unblocked sites smoothly without buffering. ExpressVPN, while highly reliable, was the slowest of the three, which may result in occasional buffering or slower loading times during streaming. In contrast, Surfshark and NordVPN consistently delivered smooth playback even in UHD and 4K resolutions. Each service also offers the option of a dedicated IP, ensuring exclusive access to unblocked streaming IP addresses for an uninterrupted viewing experience.

Torrenting and P2P

All three providers are equipped for smooth torrenting, each in their own way:

• Surfshark supports torrenting on all its servers without throttling speeds, allowing users to enjoy fast and secure P2P connections. Although it lacks specialized torrenting, its reliable performance and security still make it a solid choice for P2P activities.
• NordVPN goes a step further by offering dedicated P2P servers optimized for torrenting, along with a SOCKS5 proxy to secure your torrent client even without a VPN connection.
• ExpressVPN caters to hardcore torrenters with its port forwarding feature, which enhances performance for downloading less popular torrents with minimal peers.

To sum it up all the three providers offer smooth playback, global access to Netflix libraries, and options for dedicated IPs. Surfshark supports torrenting on all servers, NordVPN has specialized P2P servers and a SOCKS5 proxy, while ExpressVPN offers port forwarding.

Device compatibility

Device compatibility and simultaneous connections are among key features, when comparing VPN providers. Obviously, connection limitations matter less if you’re manually configuring VPNs on routers.

The three services support popular platforms like Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, and streaming devices such as Android TV and Amazon Fire Stick. Additionally, they offer browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.

• Express VPN is the only one from the compared providers to offer a dedicated router app. It also comes with a broader device app selection and allows up to 8 simultaneous connections.
• NordVPN permits 10 simultaneous connections at a reasonable price.
• Surfshark allows unlimited connections and offers Smart DNS for bypassing geo-blocks. Overall, Surfshark’s affordability and unlimited connections make it my top choice.

While Surfshark covers the largest number of devices (since it doesn’t restrict the number), it doesn’t give this VPN that much edge when you can set up NordVPN (that supports up to 10 devices) and ExpressVPN (that supports up to 8 on a router and cover any device connected to your Wi-Fi.

Desktop App Experience

NordVPN‘s desktop app provides a user-friendly interface across both Mac and Windows platforms, allowing users to easily navigate through server options and settings. On the other hand, Surfshark‘s desktop app also offers intuitive navigation but may lack some advanced features compared to NordVPN. ExpressVPN‘s desktop app, while robust, may be perceived as expensive by some users.

Mobile App Experience

When it comes to mobile apps, NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN each offer applications for both iOS and Android devices.

• NordVPN‘s mobile app is well-designed and provides seamless server switching on both platforms.
• Surfshark‘s iOS app, however, may lack certain features like a configurable kill switch and split tunneling, which are available on its Android counterpart.
• ExpressVPN‘s iOS version also lacks split tunneling and shortcut features available on Android, but it still provides a smooth and reliable experience overall.

In summary, while Surfshark may excel in affordability and unlimited connections, NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer robust desktop and mobile applications with varying degrees of feature richness across different platforms. Ultimately, the choice between these VPN services depends on individual preferences and specific needs.

Customer support

No matter how good your service is, some customers may come across issues while using it. Therefore, it’s a good idea to have high-quality customer service available.

Unsurprisingly, these three VPN musketeers have all the necessary pillars to support the needs of their customers. Users can get help via 24/7 live chat, email, or by perusing the online self-help sections. Plus, the apps of each provider are easy to use and shouldn’t cause much trouble for customers of any tech-savviness level.

All three VPN providers, NordVPN, Surfshark, and ExpressVPN, offer comprehensive customer support options, including 24/7 live chat, email support, phone lines (in the case of NordVPN and ExpressVPN), guides/articles, and FAQs.

In terms of response times, ExpressVPN stands out with its lightning-fast live chat response time, typically answering inquiries within 30 seconds. NordVPN and Surfshark also offer quick live chat support, with responses within 1 minute and 2 minutes, respectively. Email responses are generally prompt across all providers, with NordVPN and ExpressVPN replying within 24 hours and Surfshark within 12 hours.

When it comes to handling technical, complex questions, all three providers demonstrate competence, particularly through their live chat support channels. Additionally, the availability of phone support with NordVPN and ExpressVPN might offer an extra layer of assistance for users with intricate issues.

The presence of comprehensive guides/articles and FAQs indicates a commitment to helping users self-serve. These resources are essential for providing users with accessible information and troubleshooting tips. All three providers seem to excel in this aspect, ensuring that important information is both available and understandable for users of varying tech-savviness levels.

NordVPN vs ExpressVPN vs Surfshark: video review

So, which is better out of these top 3 VPNs – NordVPN, Surfshark, or ExpressVPN? Find out by watching our video:

Best VPN 2023: ExpressVPN vs NordVPN vs Surfshark Face-Off!

NordVPN vs Shurfshark vs ExpressVPN: Reddit ratings

Reddit is a hub of opinions and insights, making it a valuable resource for understanding how users perceive different VPN providers like NordVPN, Surfshark VPN, and ExpressVPN. Here, we delve into the Reddit community’s discussions to uncover how each VPN is described, what makes them stand out, and which users they are best suited for.

Each VPN provider has its strengths and unique features, as described by Reddit users. By analyzing these discussions, prospective users can gain valuable insights into which VPN aligns best with their needs and preferences.

Best VPN by category

Here are the final results of our three-way comparison. To clarify, more trophies mean a better score. And we can see that NordVPN accumulated the biggest stash of prizes.

NordVPN vs Surfshark vs ExpressVPN 2024 results

Finally, it’s time to tally the results of this epic VPN rumble. Hopefully, our Surfshark vs NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison showed you the strengths and weaknesses of each provider.

NordVPN stands out as the undisputed champion, maintaining its title as the best VPN overall. While it may not be the most budget-friendly option, NordVPN compensates with robust security measures, impeccable privacy protocols, and outstanding performance across various scenarios. Its versatility makes it an optimal choice for users seeking unparalleled effectiveness and reliability.

Surfshark emerges as a commendable second-best, characterized by its affordability without compromising quality. While it may lack some advanced privacy features and exhibit room for improvement in torrenting capabilities, Surfshark excels in areas such as streaming and speed. With its budget-friendly pricing and robust performance, it proves to be an excellent choice for daily online activities.

ExpressVPN, despite offering commendable data protection and broad device compatibility, finds itself in third place due to its higher price point and relatively smaller feature package compared to its counterparts. While it ensures excellent security for users, its premium pricing makes it a less attractive option, especially when NordVPN and Surfshark deliver comparable performance at a more affordable cost.

Which of these VPNs is your favorite? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment!

FAQ

Which VPN is the best: NordVPN, Surfshark, or ExpressVPN?

Our research indicates that NordVPN emerges as the best overall VPN. Here's why: It offers a winning combination of affordability, blazing-fast speeds, and exceptional performance across various scenarios. It stands out for its robust security measures, ensuring excellent privacy for users. With NordVPN, you can expect reliable protection without compromising on speed or usability.

Which VPN is the cheapest: NordVPN, Surfshark, or ExpressVPN?

Surfshark typically offers the most budget-friendly option with unlimited simultaneous connections. NordVPN, though slightly pricier, provides extra features like an audited no-logs policy and faster speeds. ExpressVPN tends to be the costliest but offers comprehensive security and broad device compatibility for users prioritizing premium service.

Which VPN is better for streaming: NordVPN, Surfshark, or ExpressVPN?

NordVPN and Surfshark are top choices for seamless streaming experiences. NordVPN's specialized servers ensure consistent access to geo-restricted content, while Surfshark's unlimited device connections enhance flexibility. ExpressVPN also performs well, but its higher price may deter some users.