Surfshark vs ExpressVPN
Compare Surfshark's household coverage with ExpressVPN's Lightway and TrustedServer features.
Surfshark suits shared household connections; ExpressVPN offers Lightway and TrustedServer for those interested in its protocol and server design. On the plans compared here, Surfshark covers unlimited simultaneous devices; ExpressVPN covers 10 simultaneous devices. Choose an ExpressVPN tier that fits your device count. Network coverage: Surfshark (4,500+ servers · 100 countries); ExpressVPN (Servers in 113 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.
Surfshark
Choose Surfshark if unlimited simultaneous devices covers your household's needs.
Read the review →ExpressVPN
Choose ExpressVPN for Lightway and TrustedServer if the selected plan's 10 simultaneous devices fits your setup.
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
Surfshark: Starter 24 + 3 months: HUF 899/mo, before VAT
ExpressVPN: Basic: $2.99/mo for the first 28 months
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
Surfshark: Unlimited devices. ExpressVPN: 10 devices.
Refund terms
Surfshark: 30 days from the initial purchase; exclusions apply and renewals are not refundable
ExpressVPN: 30 days for eligible new users; app-store purchases excluded
Eligibility, payment method and subscription length can affect the guarantee.
The details side by side
| Head to head | Surfshark | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly plan | Starter monthly: HUF 6,839/mo, before VAT | Basic monthly: $14.99/mo (USD) |
| Advertised long-term offer | Starter 24 + 3 months: HUF 899/mo, before VAT | Basic: $2.99/mo for the first 28 months |
| Devices on compared plan | Unlimited | 10 |
| Countries | 100 | 113 |
| Network | 4,500+ servers · 100 countries | Servers in 113 countries |
| Refund window | 30 days from the initial purchase; exclusions apply and renewals are not refundable | 30 days for eligible new users; app-store purchases excluded |
| Jurisdiction | Netherlands | British Virgin Islands |
| Protocol | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 and Dausos; availability varies by platform | Lightway, WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2; platform support varies |
| Anti-blocking | OpenVPN obfuscation | Automatic obfuscation on supported platforms |
| Audit / privacy | Deloitte no-logs assurance reports in 2023 and 2025; full reports require a Surfshark account | KPMG assurance of privacy commitments and TrustedServer as of February 2025; additional product security audits |
| WireGuard | ||
| Kill switch | ||
| Split tunneling | ||
| Audited no-logs | ||
| Score for overall | 8/10 | 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: Equal scores
Both have the same editorial overall score (8/10). There is no score-based winner. Compare the features, plan terms and privacy documents that matter to you.
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: Equal scores
Both have the same editorial gaming score (8/10). There is no score-based winner. Compare the features, plan terms and privacy documents that matter to you.
Privacy: Equal scores
Both have the same editorial privacy score (8/10). There is no score-based winner. Compare the features, plan terms and privacy documents that matter to you.
What differs
Offer terms
Surfshark: Starter 24 + 3 months: HUF 899/mo, before VAT. ExpressVPN: Basic: $2.99/mo for the first 28 months. 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 ExpressVPN allows 10 on the plan compared here.
Country coverage
ExpressVPN lists 113 countries versus Surfshark's 100, which can matter for travel and regional access.
Where each is based
Surfshark is based in Netherlands, while ExpressVPN operates from British Virgin Islands. Jurisdiction is worth weighing if data-retention rules are part of your decision.
Main protocol
Surfshark documents WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 and Dausos; availability varies by platform; ExpressVPN documents Lightway, WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2; platform support varies. Availability and defaults vary by app and platform.
Questions about Surfshark vs ExpressVPN
Which is better, Surfshark or ExpressVPN?
Both have the same editorial overall score (8/10). There is no score-based winner. Compare the features, plan terms and privacy documents that matter to you.
Which offer costs less?
Surfshark: Starter 24 + 3 months: HUF 899/mo, before VAT. ExpressVPN: Basic: $2.99/mo for the first 28 months. 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?
Surfshark: Unlimited devices. ExpressVPN: 10 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?
Both have the same editorial privacy score (8/10). There is no score-based winner. Compare the features, plan terms and privacy documents that matter to you.
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
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)
ExpressVPN
Provider fact check: 2026-10-02
USD Basic offer checked October 2, 2026: $14.99 billed monthly, or $83.72 prepaid for 28 months ($2.99/mo equivalent), then $99.95/year. Applicable sales tax is added at checkout. Confirm your regional offer and total; device limits and extras depend on the tier.
- Server locations and platform-specific protocols (expressvpn.com)
- Current Basic, Advanced and Pro prices, billing terms and device limits (expressvpn.com)
- WireGuard availability and custom implementation (expressvpn.com)
- Obfuscation, kill switch, split tunneling and TrustedServer (expressvpn.com)
- Security audits and transparency reports (expressvpn.com)
- February 2025 privacy-policy and TrustedServer assurance (expressvpn.com)
- Operator, refund eligibility and purchase-channel exclusions (expressvpn.com)
- Device coverage and vendor-stated British Virgin Islands base (expressvpn.com)
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