--- title: "NordVPN vs Surfshark: Choose the Right VPN" description: "NordVPN vs Surfshark comparison of price, renewal, devices, streaming, privacy evidence, setup, and the best fit for your VPN needs." url: "https://tunnelverdict.com/blog/nordvpn-vs-surfshark/" lang: "en" published: "2026-03-26" modified: "2026-10-29" tags: ["pricing","privacy","gaming","nordvpn","surfshark","comparison"] image: "https://tunnelverdict.com/blog/nordvpn-vs-surfshark/featured.jpg" alternates: es: "https://tunnelverdict.com/es/blog/nordvpn-vs-surfshark.md" --- Comparison # NordVPN vs Surfshark NordVPN vs Surfshark comparison of price, renewal, devices, streaming, privacy evidence, setup, and the best fit for your VPN needs. Tunnel Verdict Published March 26, 2026 Prices checked October 28, 2026 ![A laptop and a tablet on opposite sides of a dining table with a green notebook between them](https://tunnelverdict.com/blog/nordvpn-vs-surfshark/featured.jpg) Choose Surfshark if you need more than 10 devices on one paid subscription or want the lower introductory price. Choose NordVPN if 10 devices are enough and its larger listed server network, bundled plans, or stronger published performance result matter more to you. For a US two-year offer checked October 28, 2026, Surfshark Starter costs $67.23 upfront for 27 months, including three bonus months. NordVPN Basic costs $94.23 upfront for the same paid term plus bonus time. The renewal prices change the longer-term decision, so record the amount shown at checkout before paying. First, list the devices that need protection, including phones, laptops, Fire TV, smart TVs, consoles, and routers. Then check whether your streaming service uses an ad-supported plan or live events, because Netflix says VPNs are unsupported for those uses. Key takeaways - Pick Surfshark for unlimited paid-plan connections and a lower two-year introductory charge. - Pick NordVPN when up to 10 devices are enough and its listed server coverage or bundled features fit better. - Compare the same plan tier, US region, billing term, currency, upfront charge, bonus time, and renewal price. - Confirm kill-switch behavior for the exact device, especially Fire TV, phones, consoles, and split-tunneled apps. - A VPN changes the IP address websites see and encrypts the device-to-server connection, but it does not provide anonymity. ## NordVPN vs Surfshark: Which One Fits Your Use? The practical choice is between household capacity and the feature tradeoff that matters most. Surfshark's paid VPN plans support unlimited simultaneous connections, which suits a household with phones, computers, televisions, and other devices. NordVPN supports up to 10 devices, although one router counts as one device slot while protecting devices connected through that router. Surfshark is the clearer pick when more than 10 devices must connect separately and the lower introductory cost matters. Its two-year Starter and One offers are both $67.23 upfront for 27 months in the US. The tradeoff is that you must confirm the renewal price shown at checkout, and its VPN service may behave differently from its separate antivirus limits. Prices checked October 28, 2026. NordVPN fits you better when 10 devices are enough and you prefer its listed 8,400-plus servers in 167-plus countries, compared with Surfshark's 4,500-plus servers in 100 countries. NordVPN also has Basic, Complete, and Prime plans with different bundled products. Those extras only make sense if you will use them, because they raise the renewal price. Both providers support major desktop and mobile platforms, television platforms, kill switches, split tunneling, and several VPN protocols. Neither can promise that every streaming service will work at every location. The deciding questions are the same for every buyer: price after renewal, device count, platform support, streaming restrictions, privacy evidence, and the feature tradeoff that fits your use. If you are still deciding whether a VPN belongs on your phone, read [Do You Need a VPN on Your Phone](https://tunnelverdict.com/blog/do-i-need-a-vpn-on-my-phone/) before you pay. ## What NordVPN and Surfshark Cost Upfront and at Renewal The prices below are US offers read on October 28, 2026. The 27-month offers contain 24 paid months plus three bonus months. The bonus time is separate from the paid term, so do not treat 27 months as 27 paid months. | Service and plan | Term and region | Upfront charge | Effective monthly figure | Renewal | Refund | | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | | NordVPN Basic | US, two-year offer | $94.23 for 27 months | $3.49 displayed, $3.93 over paid term | $139.08/year | 30 days | | NordVPN Complete | US, two-year offer | $107.73 for 27 months | $3.99 displayed, $4.49 over paid term | $219.48/year | 30 days | | NordVPN Prime | US, two-year offer | $188.73 for 27 months | $6.99 displayed, $7.86 over paid term | $296.28/year | 30 days | | Surfshark Starter | US, two-year offer | $67.23 for 27 months | $2.49 displayed, $2.80 over paid term | Confirm at checkout | 30 days | | Surfshark One | US, two-year offer | $67.23 for 27 months | $2.49 displayed, $2.80 over paid term | Confirm at checkout | 30 days | | Surfshark One+ | US, two-year offer | $107.73 for 27 months | $3.99 displayed, $4.49 over paid term | Confirm at checkout | 30 days | NordVPN's monthly plans are $14.99 for Basic, $19.99 for Complete, and $29.99 for Prime. For a monthly purchase, the first month's upfront charge and effective monthly figure are the listed monthly price. Confirm the recurring price shown at checkout because NordVPN says renewal is charged in advance at the then-current price. Surfshark's two-year listing shows the upfront price; confirm the recurring price and billing interval on the final checkout page. Surfshark says prices may change with advance notice and recurring payments are non-refundable. Both services renew automatically unless you cancel. Record the renewal amount shown at checkout and in the first receipt. Compare the final total for monthly, one-year, and two-year billing when those options are offered, using the same currency and region. Disable automatic renewal if you do not want another charge. A money-back guarantee is different from a free trial. NordVPN and Surfshark each provide a 30-day money-back window for the initial purchase, subject to their terms. Surfshark also lists a separate seven-day free trial for up to three devices, and that trial converts to a paid subscription unless canceled. A free tier is different again, and neither paid service has one. App-store purchases may follow the store's refund process. Surfshark's 30-day guarantee applies to the initial purchase only, one refund per service, and excludes several categories including recurring payments, certain reseller purchases, prepaid or gift-card purchases, anonymous Dedicated IP, and Alternative Number purchases. ## Which Devices, Platforms, Protocols, and Features Do You Need? NordVPN and Surfshark both support Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. NordVPN lists Android TV, tvOS, and Amazon Fire devices, while Surfshark lists Android TV, Apple TV, and Fire TV. For an unsupported smart TV, both providers point toward router or manual setup. ![A shelf holding a TV remote, a tablet on a stand and a closed laptop](https://tunnelverdict.com/blog/nordvpn-vs-surfshark/household-devices.jpg) Neither provider supplies a native console app for every gaming platform. PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch users may need a router, Windows connection sharing, or manual configuration. Check the exact console and router instructions before paying. A router can protect several connected devices, but it can also make device-level controls harder to manage. NordVPN supports NordLynx, NordWhisper, OpenVPN UDP and TCP, and IKEv2/IPsec in supported configurations. Surfshark supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and documents Dausos. WireGuard and NordLynx are protocol choices designed for modern connections, while OpenVPN can provide a familiar alternative when compatibility matters. A kill switch cuts or restricts internet access when the VPN connection drops. Its behavior depends on the platform. NordVPN documents internet and app-level behavior on Windows, while Fire TV Stick lacks the feature. NordVPN also documents a case where its kill switch can block split-tunneled apps after a disconnect. Surfshark's Bypasser is its split-tunneling feature. It lets selected apps or websites use the normal connection while other traffic uses the VPN. Those selections do not receive VPN routing, so confirm the setting before relying on it for a particular app. Paid-plan extras differ. NordVPN Basic is the VPN plan, Complete adds security and identity products, and Prime adds further identity-protection features. Surfshark Starter includes VPN features, One adds antivirus, Alert, and identity features, and One+ adds Incogni and more protection. Check the exact plan contents on the checkout page before purchasing. NordVPN and Surfshark at a glance | Feature | NordVPN | Surfshark | | --- | --- | --- | | Simultaneous devices | Up to 10; one router counts as one device slot | Unlimited on paid plans | | Listed servers | 8,400-plus servers in 167-plus countries | 4,500-plus servers in 100 countries | | Protocols | NordLynx, NordWhisper, OpenVPN UDP and TCP, IKEv2/IPsec | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Dausos | | Split tunneling | Documented on Windows, Android, and Android TV | Bypasser: selected apps or websites use the normal connection | | TV platforms | Android TV, tvOS, Amazon Fire devices | Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV | ## What Do Privacy Audits, Ownership, and Performance Evidence Show? NordVPN's 2025 Deloitte assurance engagement used ISAE 3000 and covered IT-system configuration, supporting operations, and its no-logs statement. NordVPN says the assessment covered regular VPN, Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, obfuscated, and P2P services, with procedures involving personnel interviews, configuration review, and live-system-log inspection during November 10 to December 12, 2025. ![A laptop beside a closed report with a plain green cover on a tidy desk](https://tunnelverdict.com/blog/nordvpn-vs-surfshark/report-on-desk.jpg) Surfshark's Deloitte assurance work concluded June 10, 2025, after procedures from May 14 through June 10. It covered standard, static, and multiport VPN servers, system configuration, supporting operations, personnel interviews, and evidence related to Surfshark's no-logs statement. Surfshark also lists a 2025 SecuRing infrastructure audit and a 2026 Cure53 audit covering infrastructure and the Dausos protocol. An audit covers defined systems, procedures, and claims. It does not prove anonymity or eliminate the need to read the provider's current privacy policy. Before relying on a no-logs claim for a high-risk use, read the policy, consider the provider's jurisdiction, and understand what operational data may exist. An October 2025 AV-TEST report measured both providers from locations in Asia, Europe, and the United States. It reported NordVPN's overseas average upload at about 701 Mb/s and Surfshark's at about 326 Mb/s. The measurements covered selected locations and protocols, so they do not predict the speed of your home connection. VPNSpeedData's comparison, checked October 28, 2026, reported 128 directly compared WireGuard locations. NordVPN had the faster average download in 88, while Surfshark had the faster result in 40. The site describes those numbers as server-side speed-ceiling measurements, not home-broadband guarantees. Surfshark and Nord Security say they merged under one holding company in 2022 while operating independently. Surfshark B.V. is registered in Amsterdam, Netherlands, and NordVPN is a Nord Security product. NordVPN is not owned by Surfshark. Locations where each VPN had the faster average download, out of 128 WireGuard locations compared (VPNSpeedData) NordVPN faster88 locations Surfshark faster40 locations Overseas average upload, October 2025 AV-TEST report, in Mb/s NordVPN701 Mb/s Surfshark326 Mb/s ## Which VPN Fits Streaming, Gaming, Travel, Privacy, and Many Devices? For streaming, choose by service, device, region, and plan rather than by brand name alone. Netflix can identify VPN or proxy traffic and may show only titles it licenses worldwide. Netflix also says VPNs are unsupported for live events and ad-supported viewing. Check the exact Netflix plan and device before purchase. ![A traveler at an airport gate with a carry-on bag and a laptop on their knees](https://tunnelverdict.com/blog/nordvpn-vs-surfshark/airport-gate-laptop.jpg) NordVPN is the conditional streaming pick when 10 devices are enough and its listed server coverage or documented accessibility work matters to you. Surfshark is the better household pick when many devices need separate connections. Either service can encounter a proxy message because streaming platforms change how they identify VPN traffic. For gaming, latency matters more than a low advertised monthly price. A nearby server and a suitable protocol may reduce the added delay, but a VPN can still increase latency. Consoles usually require router configuration, manual setup, or connection sharing. For a PS5, see [How to Use a VPN on a PS5](https://tunnelverdict.com/blog/vpn-on-ps5/). For travel and everyday privacy, either service can encrypt the connection between your device and the VPN server and change the IP address websites see. This can reduce what a local network or ISP sees. It does not stop cookies, account-based identification, GPS tracking, browser fingerprinting, malware, or every form of tracking. Surfshark fits a large household because of unlimited paid-plan connections. NordVPN fits a smaller device group that wants up to 10 connections and may prefer its listed server count or bundled plan features. For Fire TV, confirm the Fire OS version and kill-switch behavior under the device's current settings. See [How to Use a VPN on a Fire Stick](https://tunnelverdict.com/blog/vpn-on-fire-stick/) for that setup. ## What Are the VPN Limits, Netflix Errors, and Kill-Switch Tradeoffs? A VPN is not an anonymity service. The VPN provider becomes another party you must trust, and accounts, cookies, pixels, fingerprints, and device signals can still connect activity to you. A VPN works alongside software updates, account security, phishing protection, and careful browsing. VPN use can reduce speed, add latency, consume battery, interfere with local-network services, and cause websites or apps to block access. DNS-based ad and malware blocking can also affect sites or apps. Surfshark's Bypasser can help by routing selected traffic outside the VPN, but that traffic then uses the normal connection. A kill switch can protect against an accidental direct connection, but it may interrupt all internet access when the VPN drops. NordVPN's documented interaction with split tunneling means selected apps may also lose access during a disconnect. Confirm the exact behavior on your device before purchase. If Netflix displays a VPN or proxy message, Netflix recommends disabling the VPN, checking the connection location through Fast.com, and restoring default VPN, proxy, or DNS settings. Its rules do not mean that every VPN connection will fail, but they do mean access can change without notice. For the troubleshooting steps, see [Netflix Says You Seem to Be Using an Unblocker or Proxy: What to Do](https://tunnelverdict.com/blog/netflix-vpn-proxy-error/). ## What Should You Set Up and Confirm Before Paying? Start by listing every device that needs protection and marking which ones have a native app. Phones, laptops, Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, and some smart TVs can use provider apps. Consoles and unsupported televisions may need a router or another supported sharing method. ![A laptop on a lap desk on a sofa beside a floor lamp](https://tunnelverdict.com/blog/nordvpn-vs-surfshark/sofa-lap-desk.jpg) Install the app for the exact operating system, sign in, select a nearby server, and choose a protocol. Test the services you use before changing advanced settings. If you enable split tunneling, write down which apps bypass the VPN. If you enable a kill switch, confirm what happens when the VPN disconnects. Before payment, compare the final checkout totals for monthly, one-year, and two-year billing in the US region. Record the upfront charge, bonus months, refund window, renewal amount, and billing interval. Confirm whether the purchase is direct or through an app store, then disable automatic renewal if you do not want it. Read the current privacy policy and transparency material before relying on a no-logs claim for a high-risk use. Check the law where you will use the VPN and the current terms of the platform, workplace, school, or network you access. A VPN does not override copyright law, account rules, licensing limits, or network policies. What to set up and confirm before paying 1. List your devicesWrite down every device that needs protection and mark which ones have a native app. 2. Install and connectInstall the app for the exact operating system, sign in, select a nearby server, and choose a protocol. 3. Test your servicesTry the services you use before changing advanced settings. If you enable split tunneling, write down which apps bypass the VPN. If you enable a kill switch, confirm what happens when the VPN disconnects. 4. Compare the final totalsCompare checkout totals for monthly, one-year, and two-year billing in the US region. 5. Record the termsNote the upfront charge, bonus months, refund window, renewal amount, and billing interval. 6. Check the channel and renewalConfirm whether the purchase is direct or through an app store, then disable automatic renewal if you do not want it. **Quiz: Comprueba lo aprendido** 1. ¿Cuántas conexiones simultáneas admiten los planes de pago de Surfshark? - Hasta 10 - Ilimitadas **(correct answer)** - Hasta 3 2. ¿De qué se componen las ofertas de 27 meses? - De 27 meses pagados - De 24 meses pagados más tres meses de regalo **(correct answer)** - De 12 meses pagados más una prueba gratuita 3. ¿Qué recomienda Netflix cuando muestra un mensaje de VPN o proxy? - Desactivar la VPN, comprobar la ubicación de la conexión en Fast.com y restaurar los ajustes predeterminados de VPN, proxy o DNS **(correct answer)** - Seguir cambiando de servidor hasta que el mensaje desaparezca - Cancelar la cuenta de Netflix y abrir una nueva ## Frequently asked questions ### What are the top 3 best VPNs? There is no universal top three for every use. NordVPN and Surfshark are paid services with published pricing, platform, feature, and audit information, so choose based on renewal price, device count, required platforms, and your main use. ### Is NordVPN or Surfshark better for Netflix? Neither has a permanent advantage because Netflix can detect either service and show a proxy or VPN error. Pick NordVPN when its server coverage and current accessibility evidence fit your device, or Surfshark when unlimited connections matter, then check your Netflix plan and current server behavior. ### Why is Surfshark blocking Netflix? Netflix may detect Surfshark's IP address or see a location mismatch. Netflix recommends turning off the VPN and checking the connection location through Fast.com, and it does not support VPN use for live events or ad-supported viewing. ### Is NordVPN owned by Surfshark? No. Surfshark and Nord Security say they operate independently under one holding company after a 2022 merger. Surfshark B.V. is registered in the Netherlands, while NordVPN is a Nord Security product. ### What is the most trusted VPN in the world? Trust depends on jurisdiction, privacy policy, independent assurance, transparency, security practices, and your use. EFF explains that a VPN can hide traffic from a local network or ISP but does not make you anonymous, and both providers' audits cover defined systems and claims rather than every form of tracking. ### Can the FBI track NordVPN? A VPN can reduce what an ISP sees, but it does not make you untraceable. A provider may be subject to lawful demands for information it holds, and NordVPN's audits address specified systems and no-logs claims rather than every possible source of identification. ### What are the downsides of Surfshark? Surfshark can require troubleshooting when services block VPN traffic, and DNS-based blocking can affect apps or websites. Its applicable renewal price must be confirmed at checkout, its seven-day trial supports up to three devices, and its terms state that recurring payments are non-refundable. ### Will Netflix ban me if I use a VPN? Netflix's help pages describe VPN and proxy errors and recommend disabling the VPN when one appears. Netflix also says VPNs are unsupported for live events and ad-supported viewing, so access may fail even when the account itself remains usable. ### What is the NordVPN controversy? The 2018 incident involved unauthorized access to a third-party data-center server in Finland. NordVPN said no user activity logs were exposed, and it later published security and no-logs assurance material. ### What is the best VPN to use for streaming? Choose based on the exact streaming service, device, region, current server availability, and plan type. Neither provider can guarantee every service or library because platforms can identify VPN traffic. ### Is Surfshark based in the USA? No. Surfshark says its VPN service is provided by Surfshark B.V., registered in Amsterdam, Netherlands. ### Should I get Nord or Surfshark? Choose Surfshark for unlimited paid-plan connections and a lower introductory charge. Choose NordVPN when 10 devices are sufficient and its listed server coverage, bundled features, or published performance evidence matter more, then compare the renewal price. ### Why won't Netflix work with NordVPN? Netflix may identify NordVPN's address or detect a location mismatch. Netflix recommends turning off the VPN, checking the location shown by Fast.com, and restoring default VPN, proxy, or DNS settings. ### What is the 1 best VPN? There is no single best choice for every reader. The right service depends on whether you prioritize unlimited devices, introductory cost, renewal price, server coverage, streaming troubleshooting, or bundled security products. ### Is Surfshark just as good as NordVPN? Surfshark matches NordVPN on core VPN functions, audited no-logs claims, major desktop and mobile platforms, kill-switch support, split tunneling, and common streaming uses. Surfshark supports unlimited paid-plan connections, while NordVPN supports up to 10 and lists more servers and countries. ### What are the drawbacks of using a VPN? A VPN can reduce speed, add latency, consume battery, interfere with local services, and cause websites or apps to block access. It does not stop cookies, fingerprinting, GPS tracking, malware, phishing, account identification, or every form of law-enforcement access. ### How trustworthy is Surfshark? Surfshark publishes a privacy policy, a 2025 Deloitte no-logs assurance report, infrastructure assessments, and a Netherlands business address. Trust still depends on reading the policy, considering jurisdiction, understanding operational data, and recognizing that an audit covers defined systems and procedures. ## Glossary **Bonus months:** Extra service time added to an offer. It is separate from the paid term, so 27 months is not 27 paid months. **Effective monthly figure:** The upfront charge divided by the months it covers, used to compare plans. Dividing by paid months only gives a higher figure than the displayed one. **Kill switch:** A feature that cuts or restricts internet access when the VPN connection drops. Its behavior depends on the platform. **Split tunneling:** A feature that lets selected apps use the normal connection. Surfshark calls its version Bypasser. **Protocol:** The set of rules a VPN uses to build the connection. WireGuard and NordLynx are designed for modern connections, and OpenVPN is a familiar alternative. **Assurance engagement:** An outside review of defined systems, procedures, and claims, such as Deloitte's work on a no-logs statement. It does not prove anonymity. **Router setup:** Connecting the VPN on the router so devices without a native app are covered. It can make device-level controls harder to manage. **Free trial:** A temporary period to try a paid plan that converts to a paid subscription unless canceled. It is different from a money-back window. Find more VPN guides on [Tunnel Verdict](https://tunnelverdict.com/). Have a question about your own setup? [Contact us](https://tunnelverdict.com/contact/) and include your device and the VPN you use. - Pricing and renewals - Privacy - Gaming - NordVPN - Surfshark - Comparison Keep reading ## More VPN guides and reviews Comparison ### [ExpressVPN vs NordVPN: Which One Fits You](https://tunnelverdict.com/blog/expressvpn-vs-nordvpn/) ExpressVPN vs NordVPN pricing, devices, streaming, gaming, privacy, renewals, refunds, and the practical pick for your needs. [Read ExpressVPN vs NordVPN: Which One Fits You](https://tunnelverdict.com/blog/expressvpn-vs-nordvpn/) Comparison ### [VPN Money-Back Guarantees Compared: Windows and Catches](https://tunnelverdict.com/blog/vpn-money-back-guarantees/) CyberGhost gives 45 days, most big VPNs give 30 and Mullvad gives 14. Compare VPN refund windows, app store catches and how to ask for a refund. [Read VPN Money-Back Guarantees Compared: Windows and Catches](https://tunnelverdict.com/blog/vpn-money-back-guarantees/) Comparison ### [NordVPN vs Proton VPN](https://tunnelverdict.com/blog/nordvpn-vs-proton-vpn/) NordVPN vs Proton VPN explained with current US prices, renewal costs, free-plan limits, privacy evidence, devices, streaming, and which to choose. [Read NordVPN vs Proton VPN](https://tunnelverdict.com/blog/nordvpn-vs-proton-vpn/)