Both are among the most-recommended VPNs online, which makes the actual differences easy to lose in the noise. We ran both for two weeks on the same connection to see where they genuinely diverge.
Speed
NordVPN was faster on nearby servers in our testing — noticeable on video calls and large file transfers. On long-distance server connections, the gap mostly closed; both stayed usable for streaming and browsing.
Price & devices
| Plan | NordVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $12.99 | $12.95 |
| 2-year | $3.19/mo | $1.99/mo |
| Simultaneous devices | 10 | Unlimited |
Privacy & server network
Both operate under no-logs policies that have been through independent audits. NordVPN's larger server network (60+ countries vs. Surfshark's 100+ locations with fewer physical servers per country) gives it a slight edge for accessing less common regional content libraries.
Pros and cons
NordVPN
- Faster on nearby servers
- Larger physical server footprint
- 10-device cap
- Pricier long-term
Surfshark
- Cheapest long-term plan
- Unlimited simultaneous devices
- Slightly slower on distant servers
- Newer audit history
Final recommendation
Choose NordVPN if speed on nearby servers matters most and you're under the 10-device cap. Choose Surfshark if you're covering a whole household or want the lower long-term price — for most readers asking us this question, that's the more common situation, which is why we lean Surfshark as the default pick.
FAQ
Is NordVPN or Surfshark faster?
NordVPN tested marginally faster on nearby servers in our runs; the gap narrows on long-distance connections where both perform similarly.
Which is cheaper, NordVPN or Surfshark?
Surfshark is consistently the lower-priced option on multi-year plans and allows unlimited simultaneous devices, versus NordVPN's device cap.
Which VPN should I choose for streaming?
Both unblock major streaming platforms reliably in our testing; NordVPN's larger server count gives it a slight edge for less common regional libraries.
Aimbigtech may earn a commission if you sign up through links on this page, at no extra cost to you — see our affiliate disclosure.