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Surfshark vs NordVPN

Surfshark logo

Surfshark

Software

Secure your digital life

From
$1.78/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
NordVPN logo

NordVPN

Software

The best online VPN service for speed and security

From
$3.99/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Each has a real cost: Surfshark smaller server network (4,500+ servers) compared to larger competitors like NordVPN; NordVPN the App Store listing states the app is free to download but is non-functional without purchasing a subscription first; no price figure appears anywhere in the listing itself, only the requirement to buy a plan before VPN access works.
  • They diverge on capability: Surfshark covers Unlimited devices, NordVPN covers Military-grade encryption.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Surfshark and NordVPN actually diverge.

Attributes where Surfshark and NordVPN differ
AttributeSurfsharkNordVPN
Starting price$1.78/month$3.99/month
Pricing modelUnknownsubscription
PlatformsWindows, macOS, iOS, Android, LinuxWeb, Desktop, Mobile, Api
Founded20182012

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 Surfshark

  • Unlimited devices
  • CleanWeb ad blocker
  • MultiHop
  • Camouflage Mode
  • NoBorders mode
  • Bypasser split tunneling
  • Rotating IP
  • Smart TV apps

Only in NordVPN

  • Military-grade encryption
  • No-logs policy
  • Split tunneling
  • Double VPN
  • Onion over VPN
  • Threat Protection
  • Meshnet
  • AES-256 encryption

Both cover

  • Kill Switch
  • Chrome extension
  • Firefox extension
  • Edge extension
  • RAM-only servers
  • Cloud deployment
  • Web support
  • Desktop support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Surfshark

  • Vpn
  • Privacy
  • Security Suitenot NordVPN

NordVPN

  • Vpn
  • Privacy
  • Online Securitynot Surfshark

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.

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

NordVPN

  • The App Store listing states the app is free to download but is non-functional without purchasing a subscription first; no price figure appears anywhere in the listing itself, only the requirement to buy a plan before VPN access works.

Pricing, plan by plan

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

NordVPN

$3.99/month
  • Standard$3.99/month
    • 6 devices
    • 5,500+ servers
    • Threat Protection Lite
  • Plus$4.99/month
    • All Standard features
    • Threat Protection Pro
    • NordPass password manager
  • Complete$5.99/month
    • All Plus features
    • NordLocker 1TB encrypted cloud
    • Identity theft protection

Which should you pick?

Choose Surfshark if

  • You need unlimited devices.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux.
  • You also want cleanweb ad blocker.
Surfshark review

Choose NordVPN if

  • You need military-grade encryption.
  • You work on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api.
  • You also want no-logs policy.
NordVPN review

Questions people ask

Is Surfshark or NordVPN better?
Neither clearly leads. Surfshark starts at $1.78/month and NordVPN at $3.99/month, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Surfshark or NordVPN?
Surfshark starts at $1.78/month and NordVPN at $3.99/month.
Does Surfshark or NordVPN run on more platforms?
Surfshark runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux. NordVPN runs on Web, Desktop, Mobile, Api.
What is Surfshark best used for?
Surfshark is most often used for vpn, privacy, security suite. Of those, security suite is not what NordVPN is typically brought in for.
What can Surfshark do that NordVPN cannot?
Surfshark covers Unlimited devices, CleanWeb ad blocker, MultiHop, Camouflage Mode. NordVPN covers Military-grade encryption, No-logs policy, Split tunneling, Double VPN. Both handle Kill Switch, Chrome extension, Firefox extension, Edge extension.

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.

Source
Surfshark: 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
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Related pages

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