James Martin/CNET
NordVPN and Surfshark are two of the best virtual private network providers on the market, and while they share some similarities -- including the same parent company -- each packs unique offerings. NordVPN is our pick for the fastest VPN, based on our hands-on testing, while Surfshark earns our vote for the best value VPN.
Both VPNs deliver fast speeds, user-friendly apps, handy privacy features and excellent streaming service content unblocking. Overall, I’d recommend Surfshark for most folks who want to browse privately, stream from apps like Netflix or Disney Plus and use the company’s practical privacy tools. It’s also the choice if budget is a primary concern. But NordVPN is better for power users with critical privacy needs, international travelers and anyone with high-bandwidth needs, like competitive online gamers or streaming enthusiasts. While Surfshark isn’t slow, NordVPN is noticeably faster and boasts a significantly larger server network -- particularly in Africa and the Middle East -- which may be beneficial for travel and streaming.
NordVPN vs. Surfshark at a glance
NordVPN Surfshark Starting price $13 a month, $60 a year or $83 total for the first two years (one- and two-year plans renew at $140 annually) $10 a month, $48 a year or $54 total for the first two years (one- and two-year plans renew at $79 annually) Average internet download speed loss 3% 21% Server network 8,000-plus servers in 126 countries 3,200-plus servers in 100 countries Available VPN protocols NordLynx (WireGuard-based), NordWhisper (obfuscation-focused), OpenVPN WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 Encryption AES-256-GCM, ChaCha20 AES-256-GCM, ChaCha20 Post-quantum encryption Yes Yes Specialtiy servers Onion over VPN, Double VPN, Obfuscated, P2P Dynamic Multi-hop, Camouflage Mode (obfuscated servers) Unique privacy features Post-quantum protection Post-quantum protection, EverLink, FastTrack, Alternative ID Jurisdiction Panama Netherlands Streaming support Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, CBC Gem and more Netflix, Disney Plus, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, CBC Gem and more App compatibility Windows, MacOS, Linux (with GUI), Android, iOS/iPadOS, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, web browsers, routers Windows, MacOS, Linux (with GUI), Android, iOS/iPadOS, Android TV, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, web browsers, routers Simultaneous connections 10 Unlimited
NordVPN NordVPN Price $13 per month, $60 for the first year or $83 total for the first two years (one- and two-year plans renew at $140 per year) Latest tests No leaks detected, 3% average internet download speed loss in 2025 tests Network 7,400-plus servers in 118 countries Jurisdiction Panama NordVPN is ideal for power users because it’s the fastest VPN we tested, excellent for privacy and terrific for streaming as well as travel. Its Tor Over VPN and double VPN servers, which add additional layers of encryption, coupled with jurisdiction outside of the Five, Nine and 14 Eyes data-sharing alliances give Nord a privacy boost over Surfshark. Likewise, NordVPN’s larger international server roster, with a more comprehensive presence in Africa and the Middle East, may help with streaming and travel. But Surfshark is considerably cheaper, especially over the long term, and has more practical privacy amenities compared with Nord’s niche offerings. See at NordVPN
Surfshark Surfshark Price $15.45 a month, $48 for the first 15 months (then $79 a year) or $60 for the first 27 months (then $79 a year) Latest tests No leaks detected, 21% speed loss in 2025 tests Network 3,200-plus servers in 100 countries Jurisdiction Netherlands Surfshark has consistently been one of the best value VPNs on the market. You can pay less upfront and upon renewal compared to its closest rivals and still get plenty of privacy features, like Alternative ID. You can use Alternative ID to create a fake email address as well as personal details, like a name, street address and birth date, to enter for accounts where you’re worried about a data breach or having your data sold to disreputable third parties. Additionally, Surfshark is one of the few VPN providers that offer split tunneling on MacOS and iOS, making it one of the best VPNs for Macs and iPhones. However, NordVPN is faster, has more robust privacy on specialty servers and a more privacy-friendly jurisdiction, making it a better choice for anyone with critical privacy concerns, demanding bandwidth habits or the need to connect to Africa and Middle East servers. $45 at Surfshark VPN
Speed winner: NordVPN is the fastest we tested, but Surfshark is still plenty speedy
NordVPN was faster than Surfshark -- and all other VPNs we tested. Screenshot/CNET
Most people looking for a VPN for privacy while browsing the web, streaming videos or traveling should be fine with either NordVPN or Surfshark. But NordVPN’s breakneck speeds make it a better choice for bandwidth-intensive tasks like streaming 4K videos, competitive online gaming and torrenting.
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