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 (7,300+ servers · 150 countries · 225 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: $3.49/mo for the first 27 months (USD)
Surfshark: Starter 24 + 3 months: HUF 899/mo, before VAT
Different currencies: these offers are not directly ranked. Compare the upfront payment, included months, renewal price and tax at checkout.
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 (USD) | Starter monthly: HUF 6,839/mo, before VAT |
| Advertised long-term offer | Basic: $3.49/mo for the first 27 months (USD) | Starter 24 + 3 months: HUF 899/mo, before VAT |
| Devices on compared plan | 10 | Unlimited |
| Countries | 150 | 100 |
| Network | NordVPN lists 7,300+ servers · 150 countries · 225 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, OpenVPN, IKEv2 and Dausos; availability varies 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: $3.49/mo for the first 27 months (USD). Surfshark: Starter 24 + 3 months: HUF 899/mo, before VAT. Different currencies: these offers are not directly ranked. Compare the upfront payment, included months, renewal price and tax at checkout.
Simultaneous devices
Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections, while NordVPN allows 10 on the plan compared here.
Server network
NordVPN lists 7,300+ 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, OpenVPN, IKEv2 and Dausos; availability varies 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: $3.49/mo for the first 27 months (USD). Surfshark: Starter 24 + 3 months: HUF 899/mo, before VAT. Different currencies: these offers are not directly ranked. Compare the upfront payment, included months, renewal price and tax at checkout.
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: 2026-10-02
USD Basic pricing displayed on October 2, 2026: $14.99 billed monthly, or $94.23 prepaid for the first 27 months ($3.49/mo equivalent), then $139.08/year. Sales tax may apply. These are the vendor's advertised prices; your regional offer and final checkout total may differ.
- Homepage FAQ: advertised worldwide server and country totals (nordvpn.com)
- Server locations and specialty-server catalog (nordvpn.com)
- Displayed USD pricing, prepaid totals, renewals and tier device limits (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: 2026-10-02
Hungarian Starter offer checked October 2, 2026: HUF 6,839 billed monthly before VAT, or HUF 24,273 for the first 27 months (HUF 899/mo equivalent) before VAT. The long-term checkout with Hungary selected showed HUF 30,826.71 including 27% VAT. It renews every 12 months at the then-applicable rate; the exact renewal amount was not shown. Prices depend on region, promotion and payment currency.
- Paid devices, plan structure and regional pricing (surfshark.com)
- Localized Starter upfront total, VAT and annual renewal terms (order.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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