NordVPN vs Surfshark
NordVPN scores 9.0 out of 10, Surfshark scores 8.5. Compared on price, jurisdiction, measured speed loss and logging policy — the same independent tests we run on every provider.
| NordVPN | Surfshark | |
|---|---|---|
| Kill switch | Yes, a full Internet Kill Switch plus an App Kill Switch for specific programs | |
| Split tunneling | Yes, Windows and Android only | |
| Tor support | Yes, Onion Over VPN servers, no separate Tor Browser needed | |
| Protocols | NordLynx (WireGuard based), OpenVPN, IKEv2 | |
| Encryption | AES-256 with SHA-512 hashing, perfect forward secrecy | |
| Ad and malware blocker | Threat Protection Pro, blocks ads, trackers, and malware downloads | |
| Leak protection | DNS leak protection through NordVPN's own DNS servers | |
| Full disk encryption | RAM only servers instead of disk encryption, all data wiped on every reboot | |
| Bug bounty program | Yes, public bug bounty via HackerOne, up to $50,000 for critical vulnerabilities | |
| Gaming latency impact | Minimal impact; NordLynx is the fastest measured protocol in this comparison | |
| Customer support | 24/7 live chat under 30 seconds; email replies within one business day | |
| Money back guarantee | 30 days on paid plans, first purchase only | |
| Server network | 9,500+ servers across 149 countries | |
| Simultaneous devices | 10 devices per subscription | |
| Router support | Config support for Asus, TP-Link, DD-WRT, Tomato, and Mikrotik routers | |
| Browser extensions | Chrome, Firefox, and Edge extensions, plus native apps for every major platform | |
| Works in restrictive countries | Not officially supported; obfuscated servers help but connectivity is not guaranteed | |
| Payment methods | Credit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, UnionPay, and cryptocurrency including Bitcoin | |
| Business plan | Yes, NordLayer is sold separately as network access for teams and businesses |
NordVPN
Fastest median speeds in our 2026 logs, though the marketing claims outrun the substance.
- Fastest measured speeds of any provider we compared
- Six independent no-logs audits since 2018 (PwC, then Deloitte)
- Threat Protection Pro blocks malware and trackers at the network level
- 9,500+ servers across 149 countries
Surfshark
Unlimited simultaneous connections and the lowest price on this list, with Deloitte-audited no-logs credentials to back it up.
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Deloitte-audited no-logs policy, reverified June 2025
- Dynamic MultiHop lets you pick entry and exit countries
- Lowest headline price of any provider we compared