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Surfshark vs NordVPN Review

Surfshark vs NordVPN

Choosing a virtual private network (VPN) can be difficult. Despite the abundance of information available about each VPN provider, it can be challenging to fully comprehend the implications of their technical specifications and determine how one platform compares to the other. 

If you want to subscribe to a VPN service today, Surfshark and NordVPN are undoubtedly two of the providers you will consider, respectively. 

NordVPN is a well-established VPN service provider that has been in operation for several years. Surfshark is a relatively new player on the scene, but it has quickly established itself as one of the leading virtual private network (VPN) providers on the market today. 

There are some similarities and differences between these two VPN platforms. This article is dedicated to examining the advantages and disadvantages of Surfshark and NordVPN to provide you with an understanding of how they perform in practice.

Surfshark vs NordVPN – A Detailed Comparison

Surfshark is one of the fastest-growing VPN providers in the world. The company was established in 2018 and is based in the British Virgin Islands. This VPN is now regarded as one of the best on the planet. Surfshark has over 3200 servers located all over the world. 

iOS, macOS, Windows, Android, and Linux are all supported. In addition, it can be downloaded as a Chrome or Firefox extension. 

Smart TVs, routers, and gaming consoles are all compatible with this VPN. In addition, Surfshark, unlike other VPNs, lets you connect an unlimited number of devices to a single account. Most VPNs have a device limit of 5-12. 

Surfshark is a multi-award-winning VPN that features strong encryption, anti-malware, and anti-phishing protection, as well as an ad blocker. 

Surfshark employs AES-256 encryption and provides a variety of protocols. As a result, Surfshark claims to be ahead of the curve. Is that true, though? That's partly what we hope to discover in this Surfshark VPN review.

NordVPN is a popular VPN service. This VPN has been around since 2012 and has been at the forefront of VPN development. Four childhood friends banded together to create a solution to the problems of surveillance, censorship, and content control. 

NordVPN has a global user base of 14 million people. In addition, NordVPN has 5000+ servers spread across 59 different countries. 

This VPN application is compatible with Windows, Linux, Android, iOS, and Mac OS X. It can be downloaded as a Chrome or Firefox extension. Smart TVs, consoles, and routers can all benefit from this VPN. Up to 6 devices can be connected to NordVPN. 

NordVPN is a VPN service provider that has won numerous awards. NordVPN is widely regarded as one of the most effective VPN services available today. Is it, however, up to the hype? That's what we hope to answer in this NordVPN review.

Speed Test

One of the most important factors to consider when choosing a VPN service is speed. Nothing is more annoying than a sluggish connection when you're streaming or gaming online. A variety of factors determines the speed of a VPN service. 

This includes information about your device, the level of server congestion, and more. In addition, Split-tunneling is supported by both Surfshark and NordVPN, allowing you to choose which apps to use VPN for. 

Both Surfshark and NordVPN have no bandwidth restrictions and provide above-average speeds. However, when using these VPNs, the protocol you desire can impact the speed you get. For example, if you use NordLynx instead of OpenVPN, you'll probably get faster browsing speeds. 

NordVPN had an average download speed of over 180Mbps and an upload speed of around 160Mbps in our speed tests. Surfshark, on the other hand, had an average download and upload speeds of 175Mbps and 160Mbps, respectively. 

For most of the other servers we tried, the results were essentially the same. There's no guarantee that NordVPN will always be faster than Surfshark. 

NordVPN, on the other hand, has always been slightly faster in our tests. This could be because they have far more servers and a much larger network. So in this category, NordVPN is the clear winner.

Features

Surfshark and NordVPN come with numerous features that will ensure you are satisfied no matter why you need a VPN.

The features that you can expect from Surfshark include:

  • Auto-Connect
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections
  • No bandwidth limit
  • AES 256-GCM encryption
  • Three different encryption protocols available (OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and Shadowsocks)
  • Ad blocker
  • CleanWeb (malware and phishing blocker)
  • No-logs
  • Split-tunneling
  • DNS and leak protection when you use IPv4 stack
  • Kill Switch
  • Multihop servers
  • Camouflage mode
  • NoBorders mode
  • Override GPS location
  • Support for Torrenting and File Sharing
  • Access to 15 different Netflix libraries from different regions around the world
  • Whitelister (Bypass VPN)
  • You can make your device invisible to other devices on the same network
  • Static Servers
  • Small Packets (currently available for only Android devices)
  • Surfshark Alert (this feature notifies you if your information on any website is compromised)
  • 24/7 Customer Support
Surfshark logo in white color
Overall Rating: 4.8 / 5.0
Visit Surfshark

NordVPN also has a long list of impressive features, including the following:

  • AES 256-bit encryption
  • Three different encryption protocols (OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and NordLynx)
  • No bandwidth limit
  • Supports 6 simultaneous connections
  • No-logs
  • DNS and
  • Support for Torrenting and P2P File Sharing
  • Ad Blocker
  • CyberSec (provides malware and phishing protection)
  • Hide IP Address
  • Dedicated IP
  • Automatic Kill Switch
  • Onion over VPN
  • Uninterrupted streaming
  • Access to all streaming platforms
  • Double IP Protection
  • 24/7 Customer Support

Many of the features of Surfshark and NordVPN are similar. As a result, both of these VPNs are excellent all-around choices. However, NordVPN is the winner in this category because it can unblock more streaming platforms than Surfshark.

Reliability

The most important criterion for determining whether or not a VPN service is good is its reliability. The term "reliability" refers to the ability to provide an uninterrupted, fast connection as well as complete data protection at all times. 

Surfshark advertises its platform as highly dependable, and it is. We had no problems with performance while testing Surfshark or any other time we used it. 

NordVPN is a VPN that deserves to be labeled as trustworthy. It's been around for a while and continues to receive high praise from critics. When we used NordVPN, we had no problems with performance. However, it's worth noting that in 2018, NordVPN was the victim of a data breach. 

However, the company has worked hard to restore its reputation and prove to internet users that it is a trustworthy VPN service. As a result, this category has no clear winner because Surfshark and NordVPN are equally reliable VPN platforms.

Security

Surfshark and NordVPN, like other VPN providers, place a premium on security. As a result, both platforms include numerous features that ensure your online anonymity and data security. The following are some of Surfshark's security features:

  • AES 256-Bit Encryption: This is an advanced encryption standard that is used by most VPN platforms in the world today.
  • VPN Protocols: Surfshark supports OpenVPN (UDP and TCP), IKEv2, and Shadowsocks protocol. These are all trusted protocols.
  • Kill Switch: This is a safety mechanism that cuts your connection and keeps you protected if there is a disruption in your VPN service.
  • Leak Protection: This VPN comes with both DNS leak protection and IPV6 leak protection: This makes it impossible for anyone to take advantage of security flaws in your browser and the websites you visit to hack you.
  • MultiHop: This feature allows your connection to be routed through NordVPN servers in different countries worldwide.
  • Hide Your IP: This feature ensures that your real IP address always stays hidden.
  • CleanWeb: Malware and ad blocker, as well as protection against phishing.

The security provisions of NordVPN include the following;

  • AES 256-Bit Encryption: NordVPN also uses 256-bit encryption, making it virtually impossible for your data to be compromised in transit.
  • VPN Protocols: Nord VPN supports OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPSec, and NordLynx protocol. NordLynx is a relatively new and exclusive protocol built on WireGuard.
  • Kill Switch: This ensures your data is never compromised, even for one second.
  • Mask Your IP: This feature protects your IP address and makes it impossible for anyone to track you based on your online activities.
  • Double Protection: Like Surfshark's Multihop, this feature routes your connection through NordVPN servers in different countries.
  • Onion over VPN: This is a unique feature that gives you the advantage of using the Onion network (Tor) network in addition to NordVPN for maximum security.
  • CyberSec: This feature protects malicious websites and phishing attempts. It also includes an ad blocker.

As you can see, both Surfshark and NordVPN have strong security provisions. However, NordVPN comes with unique features that make it a marginally better option than Surfshark. For that reason, NordVPN is the winner in this category.

Logging Policies

Because Surfshark is based in the British Virgin Islands, it is not required to keep or share user activity logs. As a result, the company does not save any information about your browsing history, IP address, bandwidth usage, or other similar information. 

In 2018, Cure53, a German cybersecurity firm, audited Surfshark to confirm its no-logs policy. NordVPN also adheres to a strict no-logging policy. NordVPN's headquarters are in Panama, where online companies are not required to keep or share logs of user activity. 

As a result, NordVPN does not store any information about your browsing history or habits. This year, NordVPN announced that it would be switching to diskless RAM servers, ensuring that none of your data is stored. 

In addition, PricewaterhouseCoopers audited NordVPN in 2019 and 2020, reaffirming its no-logs policy. Surfshark and NordVPN both claim to keep no logs of their users. 

NordVPN, on the other hand, appears to be more committed to this and is more open about its efforts to do so. As a result, NordVPN comes out on top in this category.

NordVPN logo in white color
Overall Rating: 5.0 / 5.0
Visit NordVPN

Jurisdiction

The British Virgin Islands are home to Surfshark. Even though the British Virgin Islands is a British overseas territory, the EU's General Data Protection Regulation does not apply to them. Therefore, the 5 Eyes, 9 Eyes, and 14 Eyes alliances do not include the British Virgin Islands. 

There are no data retention laws in the British Virgin Islands. Instead, the country is governed by English Common Law, which makes no provisions for data retention. 

In the British Virgin Islands, internet companies are not required to store any information about user activity or similar data. As a result, Surfshark can continue to protect your data while maintaining its no-logs policy. There have been discussions about the government of the British Virgin Islands developing data protection laws in the future, in line with international standards. 

This, however, has yet to happen. NordVPN's headquarters are in Panama. The 5 Eyes, 9 Eyes, and 14 Eyes alliances do not include the country. 

There are no data retention laws in Panama. As a result, NordVPN is not obligated to store or share user information. However, pundits have frequently expressed concern about the impact of Panama's close political ties with the United States on VPN companies based there. 

On the other hand, the Panamanian government has remained unconcerned about business activities. As a result, there is no clear winner in this category, as both the British Virgin Islands and Panama are excellent locations for VPN companies.

Streaming Capabilities (Netflix, Hulu, etc.)

Surfshark and NordVPN are excellent options for bypassing geo-restrictions on streaming websites. Furthermore, neither VPN provider has bandwidth restrictions, so there will be no lags or buffering. Surfshark has been optimized for high-definition streaming. 

You can use this VPN to access Netflix libraries from 15 countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Italy, Germany, France, Australia, Singapore, South Korea, and Japan. 

Surfshark works with various streaming services, including HBO Now, Disney+, Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Sky Go, DAZN, etc. When you use Surfshark, you're unlikely to have any problems with streaming. If you run into any problems, simply changing your settings usually solves the problem. 

Netflix, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Now, Showtime, Sky, ESPN, and other streaming services are all available through NordVPN. 

In addition, many of the same Netflix libraries as Surfshark are available through NordVPN and a few new ones from the Netherlands, Finland, and Spain. 

As previously stated, Surfshark and NordVPN can assist you in bypassing geo-restrictions on streaming sites. However, in this category, NordVPN wins because it supports some streaming platforms that Surfshark does not.

Torrenting & File Sharing

Both Surfshark and NordVPN support torrenting and peer-to-peer file sharing. On both platforms, you can expect reasonably fast speeds. Torrenting is supported on all Surfshark servers, and the company also has some dedicated P2P servers. 

Surfshark works with uTorrent, BitTorrent, Deluge, Vuze, and other peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms. Thanks to its dedicated servers, Surfshark has one of the fastest download speeds of any VPN provider. 

Your data is also encrypted, and Surfshark includes a kill switch to ensure that you remain anonymous even if your VPN connection is lost. However, NordVPN has many more servers than Surfshark, and it has a lot more P2P servers than Surfshark. 

Because NordVPN has hundreds of dedicated P2P servers, you're more likely to run into server congestion or other issues. NordVPN also has a kill switch and uses encryption to protect your data. In addition, NordVPN is compatible with all of the most popular peer-to-peer (P2P) platforms. 

It's ideal for transferring large files. Although Surfshark and NordVPN are suitable for P2P file-sharing, Surfshark's dedicated servers usually provide faster download and upload speeds. Surfshark comes out on top in this category, but the margin isn't huge.

Pricing & Plans

Surfshark offers a variety of pricing packages from which you can select the one that best suits your needs and budget. Of course, when you choose a longer subscription plan, you save more money. In addition, Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test the service before paying for it.

Surfshark pricing:

  • 1 month plan - $12.95 monthly
  • 6 months plan - $6.49 monthly ($38.94 total)
  • 2 years plan - $2.21 monthly ($53.04 total)

All Surfshark plans include all of the VPN's features, except Surfshark Alert and Surfshark Search, which are available for $0.99 more. In addition, all major payment methods, including credit/debit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and cryptocurrencies, are accepted by Surfshark.

NordVPN also offers a variety of pricing plans, so there's something for everyone. When you choose a longer NordVPN subscription, you save more money, just like a longer Surfshark subscription. 

In addition, NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test the service before committing.

NordVPN pricing:

  • 1 month plan - $11.95 monthly
  • 1 year plan - $4.92 monthly ($59.04 total)
  • 2 year plan - $3.71 monthly ($89.04 total)

All NordVPN subscription packages include access to all of the VPN's features. However, additional features such as NordPass and NordLocker cost $1.49 each. In addition, credit/debit cards, Google Pay, and cryptocurrencies are all accepted by NordVPN. 

Therefore, it isn't easy to choose a clear winner in this category. However, if you choose a monthly or yearly subscription plan, NordVPN is less expensive than Surfshark. 

Surfshark, on the other hand, is a more cost-effective option if you sign up for a two-year subscription. In this category, however, there is no clear winner.

Refunds Policy

If you decide to stop using Surfshark within the first 30 days, you are entitled to a 30-day money-back guarantee, as stated above. As a result, if you are dissatisfied with the service, you can request a refund. 

Otherwise, payment is automatically deducted at the start of each billing cycle. Subscriptions purchased through third-party platforms such as iTunes, Apple's App Store, or Amazon are not eligible for refunds. 

Payments made with prepaid cards and gift cards are also not eligible for refunds. Surfshark can be reached at [email protected] for more information. 

In addition, NordVPN offers a 30-day money-back guarantee. You are entitled to a full refund if you decide to stop using the service within the first 30 days, regardless of the plan you choose. Billing is done automatically at the beginning of each cycle if you do not cancel your subscription. 

NordVPN's refund policy does not cover purchases made through third-party stores like Apple's App Store. You must contact the third-party store where you purchased your subscription for a refund. Contact the NordVPN customer support team via their website for information on refunds. This category has no winner because both VPNs have the same refund policy.

Value for Money

The VPN market is highly competitive, and providers constantly strive to outperform one another to pursue better value for money. 

Surfshark is one of the best VPNs on the market today, with many great features. NordVPN also has several unique features and offers a high-quality service worth the money. 

After giving it some thought, I believe NordVPN offers better value for money because it offers more features. If you choose NordVPN for a monthly or yearly plan, you will save money.

Even though NordVPN's two-year plan appears to be more expensive than Surfshark's, the additional features make it worthwhile.

Conclusion (Overall Winner)

Surfshark and NordVPN are two of the most well-known virtual private network (VPN) service providers on the market today, and they're both extremely effective at providing secure connections as well as protecting your online identity and privacy. 

Considering that NordVPN received more awards in this article than Surfshark in each of the categories evaluated, if we had to choose between the two, we would go with NordVPN. 

Compared to Surfshark, NordVPN has more features (though not as many) and is well worth the money.

The Future of Online Security
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By: Michael Miller
Michael is the CEO of VPN Online, one of the fastest-growing media companies in the cyber-security space. VPN Online was started in 2019 after Michael consulted with many Fortune 500 companies and saw the lack of understanding about cybersecurity many of their employees had.