If your household has more than 10 devices online at once, Surfshark is the practical pick because its Starter plan supports unlimited simultaneous connections. If 10 devices are enough, ExpressVPN Basic costs more upfront but may fit better if its Lightway protocol, router setup, or platform support matches your devices.
For US pricing read on October 28, 2026, both services use a 24-month paid term. Surfshark costs less upfront, while ExpressVPN gives four bonus months instead of Surfshark’s three. Count the devices first, then compare the exact renewal price, streaming service, and device you actually plan to use.
Key takeaways
- Count simultaneous devices before comparing monthly prices.
- Surfshark Starter costs $67.23 upfront for 24 paid months and supports unlimited connections.
- ExpressVPN Basic costs $83.72 upfront for 24 paid months and supports 10 connections.
- Treat bonus months as bonus time, not paid commitment.
- Test the exact streaming account, device, and location during the applicable refund period.
- A VPN changes your route and IP address, but it does not replace account security or protect every activity.
How many household devices need the VPN at the same time?
Start with phones, computers, tablets, televisions, streaming sticks, game consoles, browsers, and any router connection that needs coverage. Count devices that may be connected simultaneously, not every device you own. A household with several phones, laptops, a TV, a Fire TV device, and a router can reach 10 connections faster than expected.
Surfshark Starter supports unlimited simultaneous device connections. Its documented apps cover Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Apple TV, Android TV, Fire TV, browsers, and routers. Surfshark says very large numbers of devices or abusive use can affect service quality, so “unlimited” does not mean unlimited commercial-scale use.
ExpressVPN Basic supports 10 simultaneous connections. Its Advanced and Express Pro tiers raise that limit to 12 and 14. ExpressVPN provides apps or manual configurations for Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook, Android, iOS, Fire tablets, routers, and selected smart-TV platforms.
The device count favors Surfshark when several people share one subscription or when a router and individual apps will run together. ExpressVPN Basic fits a smaller household if 10 connections cover the actual devices. If a TV, Fire Stick, PS5, or router cannot use the native app you need, check that device’s operating system and the provider’s supported setup before paying. A router connection may cover devices that cannot run a VPN app, but it also changes how local devices share the connection.
What do Surfshark and ExpressVPN cost upfront?
The fairest comparison is Surfshark Starter against ExpressVPN Basic, using US pricing, the same 24-month paid term, and the amount charged at checkout. The prices below were read on October 28, 2026.
Surfshark’s displayed promotional figure is $2.49 per month across 27 total months, because the package includes three extra months. The paid commitment remains 24 months, so $67.23 divided by 24 paid months is $2.80 per paid month. ExpressVPN displays $2.99 per month across 28 total months, including four bonus months. Its paid-term equivalent is $83.72 divided by 24 months, or $3.49 per paid month.
Surfshark is $16.49 cheaper upfront than ExpressVPN Basic for the same 24-month paid term. That difference buys a lower entry price and unlimited simultaneous connections. ExpressVPN Basic costs more, supports 10 devices, and lists a $99.95 annual renewal price.
Surfshark’s US pricing page states that renewal uses the applicable renewal price. Confirm the renewal amount displayed at checkout and in the purchase receipt before paying. Keep the receipt, note the billing channel, and compare the 24 paid months separately from any bonus time.
Neither service has a free tier. Each has a 30-day money-back policy for qualifying purchases. A money-back guarantee is a conditional refund policy, not a free plan.
What renews, and what does each guarantee cover?
Both subscriptions renew automatically unless you cancel under the provider’s rules. For Surfshark Starter, confirm the renewal amount at checkout and keep the purchase receipt, which records the renewal terms. Surfshark says direct purchases can have automatic renewal turned off from the account, and support can also cancel automatic payments.
Surfshark’s 30-day money-back policy applies to the initial purchase, with limits including one refund per service. Recurring payments, some reseller purchases, prepaid or gift cards, anonymous Dedicated IP, Alternative ID purchases, and certain extended free trials are excluded.
ExpressVPN Basic renews at $99.95 annually after the initial 24-month term. Its 30-day guarantee applies to new users, but not renewal purchases or redemption codes. Purchases through the Apple App Store or Google Play follow the platform’s refund rules rather than the direct-purchase process. Prices checked October 28, 2026.
If you buy through a third party, cancel through that billing channel. Set a cancellation date before renewal and check the account status after turning off automatic renewal. The relevant next step is How to Cancel Surfshark and Get a Refund, especially if the renewal price affects your decision. For a wider comparison of exclusions, see VPN Money-Back Guarantees Compared: Windows and Catches.
Which apps, protocols, kill switches, and split-tunnel tools do you need?
A protocol controls how the VPN connection is created. Surfshark lists OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2. WireGuard is available in its Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android apps. Surfshark also documents Dausos for its macOS App Store version.
ExpressVPN recommends Lightway, and also provides OpenVPN and IKEv2. Lightway is its main protocol choice when the app supports it. The useful difference is not a promise that one protocol will always be faster. Your device, network, location, and server route can change the result.
A kill switch blocks internet traffic if the VPN connection unexpectedly drops. That can prevent traffic from leaving through the ordinary connection, but it can also make an app appear offline. Surfshark documents its kill switch for Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux. ExpressVPN documents Internet Kill Switch for Windows, Mac, Linux, routers, Android, and iOS.
Split tunneling sends selected apps or websites outside the VPN. Surfshark calls this Bypasser. It can help when banking, local services, games, or a website rejects a VPN address. ExpressVPN documents split tunneling for Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, and iOS, with platform-specific limitations. On ExpressVPN for Android, the “Block connections without VPN” system setting can override split-tunneling rules.
Install the app for the exact operating system you use, then check the kill switch and split-tunnel settings before connecting. On a Fire Stick, TV, or router, confirm the supported model and setup method. On a PS5 or another device without the app workflow you need, a compatible router may be the relevant option. For iPhone setup, use How to Set Up and Use a VPN on an iPhone. For router decisions, see VPN on Your Router or Your Devices: Which Is Better.
Which one fits streaming, travel, and everyday use?
For everyday household use, Surfshark is the stronger value choice when more than 10 simultaneous connections matter. ExpressVPN Basic fits when the household stays within 10 devices and its app or router workflow is the better match. Both can encrypt the connection between your device and the VPN server and change the IP address websites see.
Streaming requires a narrower verdict. Surfshark’s support documentation says Netflix can display a proxy or unblocker error when it detects VPN traffic. Its suggested actions include changing servers, clearing the cache, checking DNS leaks, reinstalling the app where appropriate, or using the Netflix website instead of the app.
ExpressVPN lists Netflix and other streaming services as compatible, while its streaming guidance tells users to follow the platform’s terms and connect to a location matching where they currently are. That does not make either provider a guaranteed way to access every catalog. A platform can detect and block VPN or proxy traffic.
For travel and public Wi-Fi, either service can encrypt the device-to-server connection. Choose by the device you will carry, the local network, the kill switch behavior, and whether split tunneling is needed for banking or local services. Before paying, test the exact Netflix account, device, and location during the applicable refund period. If Netflix displays a proxy message, use Netflix Says You Seem to Be Using an Unblocker or Proxy: What to Do.
What tradeoffs sit behind Surfshark’s lower price?
The lower Surfshark price comes with details to check rather than a simple promise of the same experience for less. Its renewal amount needs confirmation at checkout. Feature availability varies by platform, and Surfshark’s Windows support documentation says IPv6 is currently unsupported and may interfere with connections when enabled.
Unlimited connections are useful for a household, but they do not make every device a native-app device. A router can help cover devices that lack an app, while split tunneling may be needed when a bank, local service, or game does not work through the VPN.
ExpressVPN’s higher upfront price buys a lower device allowance on Basic, but its published plan structure reaches 12 or 14 connections on higher tiers. ExpressVPN also publishes Lightway, router support, and a broader audit history that includes KPMG no-logs audits, Cure53 app and Lightway audits, and Praetorian Lightway assessments. Surfshark’s 2025 Deloitte assurance report covers its VPN no-logs policy and describes its VPN architecture.
These documents have defined scopes. Deloitte’s report, KPMG audits, Cure53 audits, and Praetorian assessments do not prove that every privacy or performance claim is true in every situation. Read each audit according to its named systems, controls, scope, and period.
How should you test the device and service before paying?
Install only when you are ready to compare the platform feature that matters. Check that the app installs, the connection works, the kill switch behaves as expected, and the device still reaches services you need. If you use split tunneling, confirm which apps go through the VPN and which use the normal connection.
For streaming, use the exact account, device, and location you plan to keep using. A Netflix result is a dated and limited observation because the platform can change detection behavior, and a different server or app can produce a different result.
Do not treat a refund period as unlimited free use. Surfshark and ExpressVPN describe 30-day policies with eligibility rules, exclusions, and channel-specific conditions. Confirm the renewal amount shown at checkout, save the receipt, and record whether the purchase was direct or through an app store.
AV-TEST’s 2025 comparative report found Surfshark strong in several local and overseas download categories, while ExpressVPN performed strongly in overseas upload results. The report also said ExpressVPN was slower than Kaspersky in the tested download and torrent categories. Those measurements do not predict every route, device, protocol, or time of day.
What legal and platform rules still apply?
Use a VPN for lawful activity and follow the provider’s terms, the platform’s rules, and the law where you are located. A VPN does not grant permission to bypass copyright restrictions, account rules, geographic controls, or access controls.
ExpressVPN’s terms prohibit spam, unlawful content, unauthorized access, copyright infringement, and conduct that harms or restricts other users. Its streaming guidance says to follow the streaming platform’s terms and applicable copyright laws. Surfshark’s terms also require compliance with applicable laws and provide for automatic renewal unless canceled.
A VPN changes the route and apparent source IP of traffic. Accounts, cookies, device fingerprints, and apps can still identify you. EFF describes VPNs as a way to route traffic through another network and mask an IP address, not as complete protection from malware, tracking, surveillance, or every privacy threat. Keep updates, secure passwords, HTTPS, and phishing protection in place.
Frequently asked questions
The right answer depends on your device count, plan term, renewal amount, platform needs, and intended use.
Should I get Surfshark or ExpressVPN?
Choose Surfshark when unlimited simultaneous connections and the lower upfront price matter most. Choose ExpressVPN when 10 devices are enough and Lightway, router support, or its platform features better match your setup.
Is there a better VPN than Surfshark?
There is no single better choice for every use. Surfshark has the stronger device-count and upfront-price position here, while another provider may fit better for a particular protocol, router workflow, privacy policy, or performance requirement.
What are the downsides of Surfshark?
The main tradeoffs are the renewal price that must be confirmed at checkout, platform-specific feature differences, and possible VPN detection by streaming services. Surfshark’s Windows documentation also says IPv6 is currently unsupported and may interfere with connections when enabled.
Why is Surfshark blocking Netflix?
Netflix may show a proxy or unblocker message when it detects VPN traffic. Surfshark recommends changing servers, clearing the cache, checking DNS leaks, reinstalling the app where appropriate, or using the Netflix website instead of the app.
Why is Surfshark blocking everything?
A kill switch can block traffic when the VPN connection drops. A problematic server, protocol, antivirus conflict, IPv6 setting, DNS behavior, or another network feature can also cause connection problems.
Which VPN is better than ExpressVPN?
Surfshark is the stronger documented value choice when you need unlimited household connections and a lower initial price. Another VPN may fit better if your priority is a particular device, protocol, jurisdiction, or measured performance result.
Is ExpressVPN still a good VPN?
ExpressVPN remains a documented option with apps and configurations across major desktop, mobile, router, and selected streaming platforms. Its higher price and Basic plan’s 10-device limit are the main practical tradeoffs against Surfshark.
What are some good alternatives to ExpressVPN?
Surfshark is the direct alternative for a lower-cost plan with unlimited simultaneous connections. Compare any other option using the same criteria, including US price, renewal, device limit, platform support, split tunneling, kill switch, audit scope, and measured performance.
Is Surfshark worth getting?
Surfshark is a reasonable fit when the household needs unlimited simultaneous connections and the initial price is the priority. Check the renewal price, platform support, streaming requirements, and refund eligibility before paying.
Is Surfshark hard to cancel?
Direct Surfshark purchases can have automatic renewal turned off from the account, and support can also cancel automatic payments. Third-party purchases follow the third party’s rules, while the 30-day refund applies to the initial qualifying purchase and recurring payments are non-refundable.
If your next decision is renewal or refund eligibility, use How to Cancel Surfshark and Get a Refund. If your main issue is a streaming error, use Netflix Says You Seem to Be Using an Unblocker or Proxy: What to Do.
Glossary
Find more VPN guides on Tunnel Verdict. Have a question about your own setup? Contact us and include your device and the VPN you use.
