NordVPN vs Surfshark
Head-to-head comparison based on real testing data — February 2026
Winner: NordVPN wins in 5 out of 7 categories
Category-by-Category
| Category | NordVPN | Surfshark | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | 9.5 | vs | 9.4 |
| Privacy | 9.5 | vs | 9.0 |
| Streaming | 9.6 | vs | 9.3 |
| Security | 9.7 | vs | 9.1 |
| Price | $3.09/mo | vs | $1.99/mo |
| Servers | 8,800+ | vs | 3,200+ |
| Devices | 10 | vs | Unlimited |
Speed Comparison
NordVPN has a -5% speed drop while Surfshark shows -6%. NordVPN takes this category with faster real-world performance. Speed data is based on independent benchmarks across multiple protocols and server locations.
Privacy Comparison
NordVPN is based in Panama while Surfshark operates from Netherlands. NordVPN edges ahead in privacy with a stronger overall privacy profile. Scores are based on no-logs policies, audit history, jurisdiction, encryption standards, and leak protection.
Streaming Comparison
NordVPN unblocks 6 streaming services while Surfshark unblocks 5. NordVPN wins this category with more reliable streaming access across platforms. Streaming compatibility is evaluated across multiple platforms and server locations.
Security Comparison
Both NordVPN and Surfshark offer AES-256 encryption and kill switch protection. NordVPN scores higher in security due to additional features and infrastructure hardening. Security scores are based on encryption, protocol implementation, DNS/IP leak protection, kill switch reliability, and server infrastructure.
Full Specification Comparison
| Feature | NordVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Protocols | NordLynx, WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Encryption | AES-256 | AES-256 |
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Split Tunneling | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-hop | Yes | Yes |
| Ad Blocker | Yes | Yes |
| Jurisdiction | Panama | Netherlands |
| Simultaneous Connections | 10 | Unlimited |
| Server Count | 8,800+ | 3,200+ |
| Country Count | 127 | 100 |
| Speed Drop | -5% | -6% |
| Lowest Price | $3.09/mo | $1.99/mo |
| Plan Length | 2yr plan | 27mo plan |
| Streaming Services | Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, HBO Max | Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime |