Surfshark vs ExpressVPN: Which VPN Should You Choose in 2026?
Torn between Surfshark vs ExpressVPN? Here we compare these 2 VPNs in terms of privacy & security. Visit us to know which is better!
ExpressVPN wins this Surfshark vs ExpressVPN comparison overall. Its apps are easier to live with, Lightway works across its main platforms, its public assurance record is deeper, and an April 2026 independent comparison gave it the edge for speed and streaming. Surfshark is the smarter buy if you want unlimited connections and strong core VPN features at a lower household cost.
Quick verdict
ExpressVPN is our overall winner with a fixed score of 9.5/10, ahead of Surfshark at 9.3/10. Choose it if you want a polished app, consistent protocol support across devices, straightforward TV and router coverage, and the stronger all-around result.
Surfshark is the better value choice. Its Starter plan supports unlimited simultaneous connections, while ExpressVPN Basic supports 10; ExpressVPN raises that limit to 12 on Advanced and 14 on Pro. Surfshark therefore makes more sense for a large household, even when the two providers run similarly priced introductory offers.
Surfshark vs ExpressVPN at a glance
| Category | Surfshark | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 9.3/10 | 9.5/10 |
| Long-plan price | About $2.49/mo for a current 24-month offer with 3 extra months; bundle and promotion vary | $69.72 for the first 28 months on the current 2-year Basic offer, or about $2.49/mo |
| Renewal | Renews at the applicable price disclosed for the selected plan; confirm the annual amount at checkout | $99.95/year after the current Basic introductory term |
| Simultaneous connections | Unlimited on a paid subscription | 10 on Basic, 12 on Advanced, 14 on Pro |
| Money-back policy | 30 days after a first website purchase, subject to the refund terms | 30 days on eligible new subscriptions; purchases during the July 11-August 11, 2026 sweepstakes promotion are excluded |
| Jurisdiction | Netherlands | British Virgin Islands |
| Best for | Value, large households, flexible protocol choice | Simple apps, streaming, routers, consistent cross-platform use |
Both companies use introductory pricing, and the checkout total matters more than the headline monthly equivalent. Confirm the upfront charge, renewal rate, refund eligibility, taxes, and included months before paying.
Category-by-category comparison
Pricing and value
Category winner: Surfshark.
Surfshark’s July 2026 deal page lists a 24-month subscription with 3 extra months from about $2.49 per month. ExpressVPN’s live pricing page lists its 2-year Basic offer at $69.72 for the first 28 months, also about $2.49 per month. Those figures are monthly equivalents: you pay for the introductory term upfront.
Surfshark says renewal uses the applicable price for the selected plan, so confirm the annual amount at checkout. ExpressVPN’s current Basic offer is more explicit: after the first 28 months, it renews at $99.95 per year. Location, campaign, tier, and tax can still change the total.
Surfshark wins value because its entry VPN plan covers unlimited connections. ExpressVPN Basic’s 10-device cap is reasonable, but larger limits require Advanced or Pro. If 10 connections are enough and the live ExpressVPN promotion is cheaper, compare the full first-term and renewal totals rather than assuming Surfshark always costs less.
Speed and protocols
Category winner: ExpressVPN.
We do not publish invented lab numbers. In Gizmodo’s April 2026 head-to-head, ExpressVPN was 3% faster for downloads and 23% faster for uploads than Surfshark in that test setup. A single test cannot predict your route, device, or local congestion, but it gives ExpressVPN the stronger verified result for this comparison.
ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol includes post-quantum protection by default and is available in its Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, Linux, and router apps. Lightway Turbo adds multi-lane tunneling, although ExpressVPN currently limits Turbo to its Windows app.
Surfshark offers WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, and its proprietary Dausos protocol. Cure53 audited Dausos in 2026, but Surfshark currently restricts it to the macOS App Store app. WireGuard remains the practical fast default on its other platforms. ExpressVPN wins because its flagship protocol is deployed more consistently, not because Surfshark is slow.
Privacy, ownership, and audits
Category winner: ExpressVPN, narrowly.
Surfshark is based in the Netherlands and says it does not process information about customers’ online activity. Deloitte assessed its no-logs implementation in 2023 and again in 2025, while Cure53 audited its infrastructure and Dausos work in 2026. Surfshark merged with Nord Security under one holding group in 2022, but the brands say they continue to operate independently.
ExpressVPN operates under British Virgin Islands jurisdiction. Its TrustedServer design runs VPN servers in memory, and KPMG has examined the controls behind its privacy and no-logs claims. ExpressVPN also maintains a public trust center covering audits of its infrastructure, apps, browser extension, and Lightway. It has been part of Kape Technologies since 2021.
Both ownership relationships deserve disclosure, but neither cancels the technical evidence. ExpressVPN gets the narrow win for the breadth and continuity of its published assurance work. Surfshark remains a credible privacy choice with current Deloitte and Cure53 evidence.
Streaming
Category winner: ExpressVPN.
Both providers publish setup or support material for major streaming platforms and offer apps for common TV devices. Gizmodo’s April 2026 comparison found both reliable for streaming, gave Surfshark the better Netflix result, but awarded ExpressVPN the broader streaming edge.
ExpressVPN is also easier to extend beyond a phone or laptop. It offers an Apple TV app, apps for Android TV and Fire TV, router software, and Aircove routers with ExpressVPN built in. Surfshark supports Apple TV, Fire TV, and other mainstream platforms, but router installation generally relies on a compatible router and a manual OpenVPN or WireGuard setup.
Streaming access is never permanent. Platforms change detection systems, results vary by region, and a VPN subscription does not include a streaming account. Choose ExpressVPN for the smoother multi-device setup; choose Surfshark if unlimited household connections matter more than router convenience.
Torrenting
Category winner: Surfshark.
Both VPNs support P2P use and provide a kill switch and split tunneling on supported apps. Neither supports port forwarding through its VPN servers, so users who need inbound port forwarding for seeding should choose a different service. Router-side port forwarding is a separate feature and does not forward traffic through the VPN tunnel.
ExpressVPN’s stronger verified speed result is useful for large downloads. Surfshark still wins this category on practical value: unlimited connections let you protect a desktop, seedbox-adjacent device, laptop, and the rest of a household without managing a device cap. See how it stacks up against another unlimited-friendly rival in our Surfshark vs NordVPN comparison.
A VPN improves connection privacy; it does not make copyright infringement legal. Download and share only files you have the right to use, and follow the laws that apply where you live.
Apps and ease of use
Category winner: ExpressVPN.
Both services cover Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, browsers, Apple TV, and Fire TV. Surfshark’s unlimited-device policy is the clear advantage if you install the app everywhere. It also exposes useful extras such as protocol selection and split tunneling without forcing an upgrade to a higher connection tier. Compare that flexibility against another value pick in our PureVPN vs Surfshark comparison.
ExpressVPN wins on consistency. Its main apps share a simple connect-first design, Lightway spans the core platform range, and its router ecosystem handles devices that cannot run a VPN app directly. That is valuable for game consoles, smart TVs, and a whole-home setup. See how that same consistency compares against a budget rival in our ExpressVPN vs VPN Unlimited comparison.
The drawback is tiering. Basic covers 10 simultaneous connections, Advanced covers 12, and Pro covers 14. Surfshark removes that calculation entirely. Pick ExpressVPN for the cleaner experience; pick Surfshark for the more generous device policy.
Pick Surfshark if
- You need unlimited simultaneous connections without buying a higher tier.
- You want the better household value on a long Starter subscription.
- You prefer WireGuard and OpenVPN choices, or want to try Dausos on a supported Mac.
- You want a 30-day refund window without ExpressVPN’s offer-specific promotional exception.
Read our full Surfshark review for the broader feature and privacy breakdown. If you are still comparing the market, our best VPN service guide puts both providers in context, or see our VyprVPN vs Surfshark comparison for another head-to-head.
Pick ExpressVPN if
- You want the higher-rated overall service and the stronger verified speed result.
- You stream across phones, computers, Apple TV, Fire TV, or a VPN router.
- You value a broad public audit trail and consistent Lightway availability.
- You prefer simple apps and are comfortable with a 10-device Basic limit.
Read our full ExpressVPN review before choosing a tier, or see our NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison for how it fares against another top-rated rival.
Our pick: ExpressVPN wins overall
ExpressVPN is the better choice for most buyers. It earns the higher fixed score because its apps, protocol deployment, streaming setup, and assurance record form the more complete package. Surfshark is the better-value alternative, especially for households that would outgrow ExpressVPN Basic’s connection limit.
FAQ
Is Surfshark cheaper than ExpressVPN in 2026?
Surfshark is the better household value, but it is not automatically cheaper at checkout. Both live long offers work out to about $2.49 per month in the July 2026 pages checked: Surfshark advertises 24 months plus 3 extra months, while ExpressVPN Basic costs $69.72 for its first 28 months and then renews at $99.95 per year. Check Surfshark’s selected-plan renewal amount before deciding.
Is ExpressVPN worth choosing over Surfshark?
Yes, if you prioritize simple apps, router coverage, current independent speed and streaming results, and a broader public assurance record. Surfshark is the better purchase if unlimited connections and value matter more than those advantages.
Which VPN supports more devices?
Surfshark supports unlimited simultaneous connections on a paid subscription. ExpressVPN supports 10 on Basic, 12 on Advanced, and 14 on Pro. A router can cover devices on its network, but ExpressVPN still applies its plan rules to simultaneous app connections.
Do Surfshark and ExpressVPN work with Netflix?
Both support Netflix use, and the April 2026 head-to-head cited above found both viable for streaming, with Surfshark ahead specifically for Netflix and ExpressVPN ahead overall. Results can change by catalog, server, and device, so test your own setup while your purchase remains eligible for a refund.
