NordVPN and Surfshark come from the same parent company (Surfshark and Nord Security merged in 2022), but they still run as separate VPNs with their own apps, networks and priorities. NordVPN is built as the premium, speed-first VPN with the bigger network. Surfshark is built for value, with unlimited devices and a security bundle on top of the VPN.
Short answer: pick NordVPN if speed, server coverage and a Panama jurisdiction matter most. Pick Surfshark if you want to cover every device in your house for less. Both are audited no-logs VPNs on RAM-only servers with a 30-day money-back guarantee, and code YTSTACK applies to both through our links.
NordVPN deal
Up to 76% off + 4 months free with code YTSTACK.
NordVPN vs Surfshark at a glance
| NordVPN | Surfshark | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Speed, the biggest network, Panama jurisdiction | Unlimited devices and a security bundle for less |
| Speed | First in West Coast Labs’ latest VPN speed ranking | Slightly behind in independent tests, close in ours |
| Servers | Over 7,000 servers in 100+ countries | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries |
| Devices at once | Up to 10 | Unlimited |
| Jurisdiction | Panama | Netherlands |
| No-logs audits | Deloitte, six independent assessments | Deloitte, 2023 and 2025 |
| Protocols | NordLynx, OpenVPN, NordWhisper | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Specialty servers | Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, obfuscated, P2P | Dynamic MultiHop, static IP |
| Security extras | Threat Protection Pro, Dark Web Monitor, Meshnet | Antivirus, Alert, Search, Alternative ID (Surfshark One) |
| 2-year price from | $3.37/month (Basic) | $2.39/month (Starter) |
| Our deal | Up to 76% off + 4 months free | Up to 87% off + 4 months free |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
Surfshark deal
Up to 87% off + 4 months free with code YTSTACK.
Privacy and security
Both use modern encryption and both have added post-quantum protection: Surfshark builds it into WireGuard by default, and NordVPN offers it through NordLynx. NordVPN gives you NordLynx, OpenVPN and NordWhisper, a protocol built to get through restrictive networks. Surfshark gives you WireGuard, OpenVPN and IKEv2.
Both run every server on RAM only, so data is wiped on each reboot, and both have had their no-logs policies verified by Deloitte. NordVPN is on its sixth independent no-logs assessment; Surfshark was verified in 2023 and again in 2025. Both have a kill switch, and NordVPN’s can also close specific apps if the VPN drops.
The real difference is jurisdiction. NordVPN is based in Panama, which has no mandatory data retention laws. Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, part of the Nine Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance. An audited no-logs VPN on RAM-only servers has little to hand over either way, but if jurisdiction is your top concern, NordVPN takes this round.
Speed
NordVPN is the faster VPN in most independent testing right now. West Coast Labs ranked it first in its latest VPN evaluation, at an 817 Mbps average across the tested routes, and another independent test this year also put it ahead of Surfshark. Most of that edge comes from NordLynx, NordVPN’s own protocol built on WireGuard.
In our own tests the gap was small. On a nearby server Surfshark came in faster than the normal connection in that test, and NordVPN held almost the full download speed on a server in Berlin. Distance is what slows things down: connected to Mumbai, NordVPN’s speed dropped and ping went up, which happens with every VPN. Pick the closest server that does the job, and both are fast enough for Ultra HD streaming and video calls.
Servers and specialty features
NordVPN has the bigger network, with over 7,000 servers in more than 100 countries, including dozens of US cities. Surfshark covers 100 countries with 4,500+ servers, which is plenty for most people, and has upgraded its servers to 10 Gbps ports.
Both have specialty options. NordVPN has Double VPN, Onion Over VPN, obfuscated servers and P2P servers.
Surfshark has dynamic MultiHop, where you choose both servers in the chain yourself, plus static IP locations so you stop getting endless CAPTCHA checks. Both sell a dedicated IP as an add-on.
Devices
This is the biggest practical difference. NordVPN covers up to 10 devices at once. Surfshark has no limit, so one subscription covers every phone, laptop, tablet and TV in the house. For families, or anyone sharing an account with a partner, that matters more than a few Mbps.
Streaming and torrenting
Both connected in seconds in our tests and loaded Netflix with no buffering, and both work with the big streaming platforms. Streaming services block VPN servers from time to time, so if one location fails, switch to another. For the US library from abroad, see how to watch American Netflix abroad.
For torrenting, NordVPN now supports P2P traffic on all its standard servers, so you no longer have to hunt for a special server. Surfshark allows P2P across its network too.
Security extras
NordVPN’s suite is led by Threat Protection Pro, now called its next-generation antivirus. It blocks malicious downloads, phishing sites, ads and trackers, and has passed AV-Comparatives’ anti-phishing certification three years in a row. The full version sits on the higher plans, and file scanning runs on desktop. Every plan includes Dark Web Monitor, and Meshnet links your own devices into a private network for free.
Surfshark One adds a real antivirus with real-time protection and scheduled scans on Windows, Mac and Android, certified by AV-Test. In our test it ran a quick scan and quarantined two infected files from a theme download. You also get Surfshark Alert (breach monitoring for your email), private Search, and Alternative ID, which generates a masked email and a full alternative persona so you never hand your real details to a sketchy site.
Inside the Surfshark app there is also Bypasser for split tunneling, Rotating IP, NoBorders and a web content blocker for parental controls. One change to know: Surfshark retired its Smart DNS feature this year, so on smart TVs you use the TV app or set it up on your router.
Apps and everyday use
Apps are a draw. Both run on Windows, Mac, Linux, iPhone, Android, Apple TV and Android TV, plus browser extensions. Older comparisons say NordVPN has no Linux interface; it now has a full graphical Linux app.
NordVPN opens on a map where you tap a country; Surfshark uses a clean, searchable list. Both have one-tap quick connect, let you pause the VPN for a few minutes, auto-connect on networks you don’t trust and hide your device on the local network. Surfshark adds MultiIP, which gives different websites different IP addresses.
Pricing and plans
NordVPN has three plans: Basic (the VPN), Complete (adds the full security suite) and Prime. Surfshark has Starter, One (adds the antivirus, Alert and Search) and One+. Tier for tier, Surfshark is cheaper, and it covers unlimited devices for that lower price.
| Plan | Per month | First 28 months | Renews at |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN Basic | $3.37 | $94.23 | $139.08/year |
| NordVPN Complete | $4.33 | $121.23 | $219.48/year |
| NordVPN Prime | $7.22 | $202.23 | $296.28/year |
| Surfshark Starter | $2.39 | $66.92 | Shown at checkout |
| Surfshark One | $2.69 | $75.32 | Shown at checkout |
| Surfshark One+ | $4.29 | $120.12 | Shown at checkout |
2-year plans with the 4 extra months, as shown on the US pricing pages in October 2026, before tax. The big discount applies to your first term, so pick the longest term you are comfortable with and check the renewal price before you pay.
How to get the YTSTACK deal
- Open our NordVPN link or Surfshark link. Code YTSTACK is applied automatically.
- Pick a plan. The 2-year plan gets the biggest discount plus 4 extra months.
- At checkout, check that YTSTACK shows as applied, then pay. Both come with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
What I found testing both
I ran both apps side by side on the same connection for the video. The headline numbers favour NordVPN, but on nearby servers I couldn’t feel a difference in everyday browsing, streaming or calls. The only real drop came on long-distance servers, and that hit both.
Where they felt different was the setup around the VPN. NordVPN’s map, Double VPN and Panama base suit someone who wants the strongest privacy posture and the most locations. Surfshark’s unlimited devices and the antivirus in Surfshark One suit a household that wants one bill for everything. Neither is a bad pick: I’d choose by device count and how much the extras matter to you.
Pros and cons
| Pros | Cons | |
|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Fastest in independent tests; biggest network; Panama jurisdiction; Double VPN and Onion Over VPN; Dark Web Monitor on every plan | Costs more; 10-device cap; best security tools on the higher plans |
| Surfshark | Unlimited devices; cheaper tier for tier; AV-Test certified antivirus in Surfshark One; MultiHop and static IP | Slightly slower in independent tests; fewer countries; Netherlands base; Smart DNS retired |
Who should pick NordVPN
- You want the fastest speeds in independent tests
- You want the biggest network and the most US cities
- Jurisdiction matters to you: NordVPN is based in Panama
- You want Double VPN, Onion Over VPN or obfuscated servers
- Up to 10 devices is enough
Get Basic if you only need the VPN, or Complete if you want the full security suite.
Up to 76% off NordVPN + 4 months free
Code YTSTACK is applied automatically through our link. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Who should pick Surfshark
- You need more than 10 devices, or want to cover a whole family
- You want the lower price, tier for tier
- You want an AV-Test certified antivirus and breach alerts bundled in (Surfshark One)
- You want MultiHop with your own server pair, or static IP locations
Surfshark One on the 2-year plan is the best value of its plans.
Up to 87% off Surfshark + 4 months free
Code YTSTACK is applied automatically through our link. 30-day money-back guarantee.
Frequently asked questions
Is NordVPN better than Surfshark?
Neither wins for everyone. NordVPN is faster in independent tests, has the bigger network and is based in Panama. Surfshark is cheaper, covers unlimited devices and bundles an antivirus with Surfshark One. Pick by what you need most.
Are NordVPN and Surfshark owned by the same company?
Yes. Surfshark and Nord Security merged in 2022, but the two VPNs still run as separate products with separate apps and networks.
Which is faster, NordVPN or Surfshark?
NordVPN. West Coast Labs ranked it first in its latest VPN speed evaluation, largely thanks to its NordLynx protocol. On nearby servers the difference in our tests was small.
Which is cheaper, NordVPN or Surfshark?
Surfshark, tier for tier. On 2-year plans in October 2026, Surfshark started at $2.39 a month and NordVPN at $3.37 a month, both with 4 extra months.
How many devices can I use with NordVPN and Surfshark?
NordVPN covers up to 10 devices at once. Surfshark has no device limit.
Is there a NordVPN or Surfshark coupon code?
Yes: YTSTACK. Through our links it is applied automatically, for up to 76% off NordVPN plus 4 months free and up to 87% off Surfshark plus 4 months free. Check that it shows at checkout.
Do NordVPN and Surfshark have a money-back guarantee?
Both have a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test either one on your own connection and devices.
Related next step
Comparing more VPNs? Read Surfshark vs ProtonVPN and is NordVPN good for gaming, or see every current VPN deal on the deals page and the VPN hub.
