Software · head to head
ExpressVPN vs Surfshark
ExpressVPN
Software
High-speed, secure, and anonymous VPN service
- From
- $6.67/month
- Rated
- -
The short version
- Each has a real cost: ExpressVPN the App Store listing (seller Expressco Services, LLC) states subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the billing period, and that any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited on purchase; Surfshark smaller server network (4,500+ servers) compared to larger competitors like NordVPN
- They diverge on capability: ExpressVPN covers Lightway protocol, Surfshark covers Unlimited devices.
Where they differ
Only the attributes on which ExpressVPN and Surfshark actually diverge.
| Attribute | ExpressVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $6.67/month | $1.78/month |
| Pricing model | subscription | Unknown |
| Platforms | Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux |
| Founded | 2009 | 2018 |
Identical on both: free tier (No), user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).
What each one covers
Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.
Only in ExpressVPN
- Lightway protocol
- TrustedServer technology
- Network Lock kill switch
- Split tunneling
- No activity logs
- Private DNS
- Speed test
- MediaStreamer
Only in Surfshark
- Unlimited devices
- CleanWeb ad blocker
- MultiHop
- Camouflage Mode
- NoBorders mode
- Kill Switch
- Bypasser split tunneling
- Rotating IP
Both cover
- Chrome extension
- Firefox extension
- Edge extension
- Gaming consoles
- RAM-only servers
- Audited no-logs
- Cloud deployment
- Web support
What people use each for
The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.
ExpressVPN
- Vpn
- Privacy
- Streamingnot Surfshark
Surfshark
- Vpn
- Privacy
- Security Suitenot ExpressVPN
Both are used for vpn, privacy, on those jobs the choice comes down to price and fit rather than capability.
Where each one falls short
Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.
ExpressVPN
- The App Store listing (seller Expressco Services, LLC) states subscriptions renew automatically unless canceled at least 24 hours before the end of the billing period, and that any unused portion of a free trial is forfeited on purchase
- The same listing caps a single ExpressVPN subscription at 14 simultaneous device connections
Surfshark
- Smaller server network (4,500+ servers) compared to larger competitors like NordVPN
- Lower brand recognition compared to established VPN providers
- Limited customer service availability in some time zones
Pricing, plan by plan
ExpressVPN
$6.67/month- 1 Month$12.95/month
- 8 devices
- 94 countries
- Unlimited bandwidth
- 12 Months$6.67/month
- All features
- 3 months free
- Best value
- 6 Months$9.99/month
- All features
- 30-day guarantee
Surfshark
$1.78/month- Starter$1.78/month
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- 4,500+ servers
- Basic VPN
- One$3.59/month
- VPN
- Antivirus
- Personal data leak alert
- One+$4/month
- All One features
- Incogi included
Which should you pick?
Choose ExpressVPN if
- You need lightway protocol.
- You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api.
- You also want trustedserver technology.
Choose Surfshark if
- You need unlimited devices.
- You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux.
- You also want cleanweb ad blocker.
Questions people ask
- Is ExpressVPN or Surfshark better?
- Neither clearly leads. ExpressVPN starts at $6.67/month and Surfshark at $1.78/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
- Which is cheaper, ExpressVPN or Surfshark?
- ExpressVPN starts at $6.67/month and Surfshark at $1.78/month.
- Does ExpressVPN or Surfshark run on more platforms?
- ExpressVPN runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api. Surfshark runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux.
- What is ExpressVPN best used for?
- ExpressVPN is most often used for vpn, privacy, streaming. Of those, streaming is not what Surfshark is typically brought in for.
- What can ExpressVPN do that Surfshark cannot?
- ExpressVPN covers Lightway protocol, TrustedServer technology, Network Lock kill switch, Split tunneling. Surfshark covers Unlimited devices, CleanWeb ad blocker, MultiHop, Camouflage Mode. Both handle Chrome extension, Firefox extension, Edge extension, Gaming consoles.
Answered from the vendors’ own pages
Surfshark: Does Surfshark maintain a no-logs policy?
Yes. Surfshark does not log browsing history, visited IP addresses, bandwidth usage, or network traffic. This policy was independently verified by Deloitte in 2025.
SourceSurfshark: How many simultaneous device connections does Surfshark allow?
Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections on all subscription plans, enabling protection of every device in a household with a single subscription.
Source