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NordVPN and Surfshark are two of the most popular virtual private networks (VPNs) on the market, and they both share the same parent company. The two platforms offer reliable and encrypted internet access and both ranked in our best VPN list. Read on to learn more about how these two VPNs compare from a price, security and features perspective, so you can decide which is best for your needs.
NordVPN vs. Surfshark: At a Glance
NordVPN and Surfshark are two solid options when it comes to a reliable VPN that won’t slow down your internet connection. For the annual plan, Surfshark is currently cheaper, but NordVPN does offer an extra three months of service. However, there are a few differences to be aware of when choosing between the two. While Surfshark allows you to connect to an unlimited number of devices, NordVPN caps the number of devices at six. Both VPNs are compatible with Android, iOS, Windows, Mac and Linux, but NordVPN is compatible with Android TV, while Surfshark is compatible with Fire TV.
NordVPN
3.9
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Annual cost
$68.85
(renews at $89.88 per year)
Compatibility
Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, Android TV
Maximum number of devices
6
On NordVPN's Website
$68.85
(renews at $89.88 per year)
Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, Android TV
6
Editor's Take
NordVPN is easy to install and available both to businesses and individuals. The company makes use of thousands of servers internationally to ensure high-speed encrypted internet access. NordVPN offers month-by-month plans as well as annual and two-year plans with steep discounts.
Pros & Cons
- A high number of servers (5,000-plus)
- Dedicated IP (DIP) add-on available
- 24/7 support
- More expensive than other VPNs
- Fewer server connections than competitors
- Cost for dedicated IP is higher than some competitors
Surfshark
3.2
Our ratings take into account a product's cost, features, ease of use, customer service and other category-specific attributes. All ratings are determined solely by our editorial team.
Annual cost
$41.88
(renews at $59.76 per year)
Compatibility
Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, FireTV
Maximum number of devices
Unlimited
On Surfshark's Website
$41.88
(renews at $59.76 per year)
Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, FireTV
Unlimited
Editor's Take
Surfshark is a popular VPN. It has over 3,200 servers in over 65 locations. Surfshark allows you to connect the VPN to an unlimited number of devices. Surfshark offers a month-by-month plan, a one-year plan and a two-year plan. The company also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pros & Cons
- Offers split tunneling and multi-hop features
- Unlimited simultaneously connected devices
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Month-to-month plan is pricier than competitors
How NordVPN and Surfshark Stack Up
| NordVPN | Surfshark | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $68.85 (renews at $89.88 per year) | $41.88 (renews at $59.76 per year) |
| Encryption | AES with 256-bit keys | AES with 256-bit keys |
| Free trial period | 30 days | 30 days |
| OS compatibility | Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, Android TV | Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, FireTV |
| Dedicated IP add-on | $4.69/month | $3.75/month |
| Max no. of devices | 6 | Unlimited |
| Server locations | 55+ | 60+ |
| 24/7 support | Yes | Yes |
| Read NordVPN review | Read Surfshark review |
Currently, Surfshark offers a better rate on the one-year plan. Its two-year plan comes out to $2.49 per month (billed at $59.76), while NordVPN charges $3.09 per month for the two-year plan (an initial charge of $83.43). NordVPN’s monthly rate ($12.99) is cheaper than Surfshark ($15.45).
Both companies offer the same encryption, a 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 support. If you want the option to use a dedicated IP, both offer this feature with Surfshark’s being cheaper ($3.75 per month with the one-year plan vs. $4.69 per month with the one-year plan at NordVPN). Surfshark is more compatible with users with many devices, as the service enables an unlimited number of devices to use the VPN. NordVPN, on the other hand, is capped at six devices, still a considerable amount depending on your specific needs.
NordVPN and Surfshark both have a similar number of server locations: around 60. However, NordVPN has more servers (5,000+) compared with Surfshark’s 3,200-plus. If you’re planning to connect your VPN to specific locations, you can look up which location each company’s servers are connected to online.
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1
NordVPN
Monthly Pricing (2 Year Plan)
$3.49 per month
# of Devices
6
Encryption
AES-256
2
Surfshark
Monthly Pricing (2 Year Plan)
$2.29
# of Devices
Unlimited
Encryption
AES-256
3
Private Internet Access
Monthly Pricing (2 Year Plan)
$2.03
# of Devices
Unlimited
Encryption
AES-256
Additional Features
NordVPN dedicated IP allows you to access IP-restricted networks while still maintaining your privacy. The dedicated IP costs $4.69 extra per month with the one-year plan. Surfshark’s dedicated IP costs $3.75 per month with the one-year plan.
NordVPN also offers NordLayer, which provides internet privacy for companies and businesses. NordLayer makes it easy to manage and maintain the privacy of all the account members of your team. For an additional cost, NordVPN also offers a password manager called NordPass and NordLocker, a feature that gives you the ability to encrypt your files on your computer or cloud.
Both NordVPN and Surfshark come with a bypasser feature that makes it easy to whitelist the websites you need to access and are not able to with a VPN (an online bank, for example). This feature means you don’t have to keep connecting and disconnecting your VPN every time you want to check your bank account’s balance.
NordVPN and Surfshark both come with a kill switch, which automatically disconnects your internet connection when your device is not connected to the VPN, ensuring your privacy is not compromised. For an extra layer of security, and to ensure there is truly no way for your internet IP address to be exposed, NordVPN and Surfshark also come with the option of configuring your VPN directly onto your router. This will ensure an automatic connection to your VPN when you use your router so that you do not have to connect to your VPN every time you go online. To set this up, you’ll want to first ensure your router is compatible with either company or install a third-party firmware to allow for the setup. You can follow the instructions for Surfshark here or NordVPN here.
Bottom Line
Both NordVPN and Surfshark are great options that ranked on our list of top 10 VPNs in 2024. Currently, Surfshark will save you about $27 for an annual plan and about $23 on a two-year plan, but remember that NordVPN gives you an extra three months of service.
If you want a VPN you can use on unlimited devices, choose Surfshark. If you’re interested in using a VPN for your company or team, choose NordVPN, as NordLayers will allow you to protect the privacy of each team member’s account and internet access.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Are there any VPNs that are less expensive than NordVPN and Surfshark?
There are some free VPNs available, such as Hotspot Shield, although we recommend choosing a paid option as free VPNs are less secure and come with many advertisem*nts. If budget is an issue, you can find many cheap VPNs from which to choose.
How secure are VPNs?
Both NordVPN and Surfshark provide military-gradeAES 256-bit encryption. This is the same security that governments and armed forces around the world use to protect sensitive information. They both come with a kill switch that automatically disconnects your internet connection when your device isn’t connected to the VPN. Surfshark’s CleanWeb feature blocks ads and malware, preventing any phishing attempts. NordVPN offers NordLayer, which provides internet privacy for businesses.
Is Surfshark a good VPN?
Surfshark is a great middle-of-the-road solution, especially for personal use. There are plenty of features that make it stand out, including multihop connections and split tunneling and a dedicated IP address add-on. For all these reasons, it ranked in our assessment of the best VPN services.
Can I be tracked while using a VPN?
Yes, but it depends on your activity and your awareness. A VPN protects active data transfers while you’re online. If you’ve enabled cookies on websites you visit, advertisers can track your activity (but with a VPN they won’t be able to connect your activity to your IP). Malware is another risk, but a VPN can’t protect you from installing malware.
