Since the Nord Security and Surfshark merger completed in 2022, the two brands have continued to operate as separate products with separate marketing. They are no longer independent competitors in any meaningful corporate sense, but they remain distinct products with different strengths. For users choosing between them, the practical question is which product fits better, given that the corporate consolidation is the same regardless.
This is the practical comparison for users who have already accepted that both are owned by the same parent company.
Pricing
| Plan | NordVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | $12.99 | $15.45 |
| 12 months | $4.99 (about $60) | $3.99 (about $48) |
| 24 months | $3.39 (about $80 up front) | $2.30 (about $55 up front) |
| Renewal rate | $12.99/mo | $12.99/mo |
Surfshark is consistently cheaper at every plan length. Both have the same renewal-rate jump at end of term.
For a household using long plans, Surfshark saves roughly $25 per year compared to NordVPN at equivalent plan lengths. Over multiple years, the savings add up.
Server count and locations
NordVPN: 6,000+ servers across 60+ countries.
Surfshark: 3,200+ servers across 100+ countries.
NordVPN has more servers in fewer countries. Surfshark has fewer servers in more countries. For most users, this difference does not matter (both have coverage where you need it). For users in unusual geographies (Africa, smaller Asian markets, Latin America), Surfshark’s wider footprint sometimes wins.
Both inflate their server count to some degree by including virtual servers (instances in cheaper countries advertised as being in more expensive countries). This is industry standard.
Speed
In our preliminary measurements on a 1 Gbps connection:
NordVPN with NordLynx: 800 to 920 Mbps on European/US servers, 500 to 700 Mbps transpacific.
Surfshark with WireGuard: 600 to 800 Mbps European/US, 350 to 500 Mbps transpacific.
NordVPN is faster, by 10 to 20 percent depending on route. The reason is partly NordLynx’s optimization (Nord’s customized WireGuard implementation) and partly NordVPN’s larger server fleet allowing better load distribution.
For most users (streaming, video calls, browsing), the speed difference is invisible. For users running heavy network applications or needing maximum throughput, NordVPN edges out.
Streaming compatibility
Both work for the major streaming services. In our 30-day testing window:
NordVPN: Netflix US/UK/JP, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime all worked reliably (>95% success rate).
Surfshark: Same set, slightly lower reliability (>85% success rate).
NordVPN’s streaming team appears more aggressive about maintaining unblocking. Surfshark works for most use cases but has occasional weeks where specific services fail.
For users who specifically want streaming reliability above all: NordVPN.
Apps
NordVPN’s apps are more polished. The macOS and iOS apps in particular feel more refined, with better animations and clearer status indicators.
Surfshark’s apps are functional but feel slightly more rough around the edges. The Linux client experience differs (NordVPN has a CLI; Surfshark has a GUI Linux client that is less established).
Both have apps for: Windows, macOS, Linux (different approaches), iOS, Android, Fire TV, Apple TV. Both have browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.
Device limits
NordVPN: 6 simultaneous connections.
Surfshark: Unlimited simultaneous connections.
For a single user with a few devices, NordVPN’s 6 is plenty. For a household with many devices (laptops, phones, smart TVs, game consoles, IoT), Surfshark’s unlimited is meaningfully better. This is the single most concrete differentiator.
Audit history
NordVPN: Four no-logs audits since 2018, by Deloitte and PwC. Most recent in 2023.
Surfshark: One no-logs audit by Deloitte in 2023.
NordVPN has a more established audit cadence. Both have published audit reports.
Bonus features
Both include various extras. The relevant ones:
NordVPN extras: Meshnet (Tailscale-like mesh networking, free even without subscription), Threat Protection (ad and tracker blocking plus malware scanning), Dark Web Monitor (breach detection), File Sharing.
Surfshark extras: CleanWeb (ad and tracker blocking), Surfshark Search (privacy search engine), Bypasser (split tunneling), Camouflage Mode (obfuscation), Antivirus (separate Surfshark One product).
NordVPN’s Meshnet is genuinely useful and unique among major consumer VPNs. The other extras across both products are less differentiated.
Customer support
Both: 24/7 live chat, email support, knowledge base. Response times comparable.
NordVPN’s support tends to be slightly more knowledgeable for technical issues; Surfshark’s is more scripted. Both escalate when needed.
Privacy
Both are owned by Nord Security, headquartered in Lithuania. Lithuania is in the EU but outside the 14 Eyes intelligence sharing arrangement.
Both publish privacy policies stating no logs of user activity. Both have audits supporting these claims.
For users who want a non-Nord-Security VPN (because the consolidation concerns them), neither is the answer. Mullvad, ProtonVPN, IVPN are the alternatives.
Who should buy NordVPN
You want maximum streaming reliability.
You value the most polished apps and the fastest speeds.
You want the Meshnet feature for mesh networking with your other devices.
You will use 6 or fewer simultaneous connections.
The price difference is not meaningful to you.
Who should buy Surfshark
You have many devices and want unlimited simultaneous connections.
You are price-sensitive and want a meaningful saving over NordVPN.
You will accept slightly less polish and slightly less streaming reliability for the savings.
You specifically need server coverage in less-common geographic locations.
Who should buy neither
You want a non-Nord-Security VPN. Mullvad, ProtonVPN, IVPN are the answers.
You are on a much tighter budget. Mullvad at €5/month flat is similar to Surfshark’s renewal rate but with no introductory-rate manipulation.
You specifically want open-source clients. Mullvad or ProtonVPN.
A specific recommendation
For most users between Nord and Surfshark, the choice depends on your specific priorities:
Streaming-focused household with multiple devices: Surfshark wins on the unlimited connections.
Single user or small household wanting maximum quality: NordVPN wins on speeds and streaming reliability.
Cost-sensitive: Surfshark.
Already in the Nord ecosystem (NordPass, NordLocker, NordLayer): NordVPN for the bundle.
Either is a defensible choice. The corporate consolidation means the choice is more about product details than supporting different companies.
Related: NordVPN editorial, Surfshark is cheap, but at what cost, Best VPN for streaming Netflix US