NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and Surfshark are the three most searched VPNs on the market. Between them, they cover almost every use case. The problem is they are often compared at the headline level, which obscures real differences. Here is a full breakdown.
Pricing: Surfshark Wins by a Wide Margin
| Plan | NordVPN | ExpressVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $12.99 | $12.99 | $15.45 |
| Annual (2-year, per month) | ~$3.47 | ~$3.49 | ~$1.99 |
| 2-year total | $83.43 | $83.76 | $47.76 |
Over two years, Surfshark costs about $36 less than NordVPN or ExpressVPN. For equivalent core functionality, that gap is hard to justify unless you have specific needs that only the others meet.
NordVPN and ExpressVPN are priced identically on annual plans.
Speed: All Three Score 5/5
| VPN | Speed Score | Primary Protocol |
|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | 5/5 | NordLynx (WireGuard-based) |
| ExpressVPN | 5/5 | Lightway Turbo |
| Surfshark | 5/5 | WireGuard + Dausos |
In independent tests, NordVPN and ExpressVPN trade places depending on region. Surfshark achieves 485-750 Mbps in tests. All three are fast enough for 4K streaming and large downloads without noticeable slowdown.
Speed is not a meaningful differentiator among these three.
Security and Leak Protection
| Security Metric | NordVPN | ExpressVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Encryption default | AES-256 | AES-256 | AES-256 |
| Max encryption | ChaCha20 | D/TLS 1.2 | ChaCha20 |
| Leak protection | 5/5 | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| RAM-only servers | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| No-logs audit | 5/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 |
This is where ExpressVPN falls behind. The documented data leak history and incomplete DNS protection score 1/5 on leak protection. NordVPN and Surfshark both score 5/5 across all leak protection metrics.
If security is your primary reason for using a VPN, ExpressVPN is the weakest of the three on this specific dimension.
No-Logs Policy
| VPN | Audit | Auditor | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Yes | PwC | 5/5 |
| ExpressVPN | Yes | PwC, others | 3/5 |
| Surfshark | Yes | Cure53 (x2) | 5/5 |
NordVPN and Surfshark both score 5/5. ExpressVPN scores 3/5, affected by Kape Technologies ownership and the documented security history.
Jurisdiction
| VPN | Country | Surveillance Alliance | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Panama | None | 5/5 |
| ExpressVPN | British Virgin Islands | None | 5/5 |
| Surfshark | Netherlands | Nine Eyes | 4/5 |
NordVPN and ExpressVPN are tied here. Both use privacy-friendly jurisdictions entirely outside surveillance alliances. Surfshark’s Netherlands location is still good but sits within Nine Eyes.
Streaming Performance
| Platform | NordVPN | ExpressVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix | Excellent | Excellent | Very good |
| Disney+ | Excellent | Excellent | Very good |
| Hulu | Very good | Excellent | Good |
| BBC iPlayer | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Prime Video | Excellent | Excellent | Very good |
| Peacock | Excellent | Excellent | Very good |
| Score | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
NordVPN and ExpressVPN are the gold standard for streaming. Surfshark covers major platforms reliably but has more variability on BBC iPlayer and niche services.
Ownership
| VPN | Owner | Score |
|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | NordSec | 5/5 |
| ExpressVPN | Kape Technologies | 1/5 |
| Surfshark | Nord Security (since 2022) | 5/5 |
This is a significant differentiator. Kape Technologies also owns CyberGhost and PIA, creating a VPN conglomerate with a complicated history. NordSec (NordVPN’s parent) is independent and transparent. Surfshark was acquired by Nord Security in 2022 but operates independently.
Device Connections
- NordVPN: 10 simultaneous devices
- ExpressVPN: 10-14 depending on plan
- Surfshark: Unlimited
For households with many devices, Surfshark has a clear practical advantage.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | NordVPN | ExpressVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ad blocker | Yes | No | Yes |
| Split tunneling | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-hop | Yes | No | Yes |
| Dedicated IP | Yes | No | No |
| Obfuscation | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Max devices | 10 | 10-14 | Unlimited |
ExpressVPN lacks an ad blocker and multi-hop, both of which NordVPN and Surfshark include. NordVPN has dedicated IP options that neither competitor offers.
Overall Scores
| Metric | NordVPN | ExpressVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | 5/5 | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Leak protection | 5/5 | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| No-logs | 5/5 | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Streaming | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4.5/5 |
| Jurisdiction | 5/5 | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Ownership | 5/5 | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Price (2yr) | $83.43 | $83.76 | $47.76 |
Which One Should You Choose?
NordVPN is the best all-rounder: top-tier streaming, excellent security, independent ownership, and strong no-logs record. The main downside is price ($83.43 over two years).
Surfshark is the best value: equivalent speed, strong security, unlimited devices, and an ad blocker at roughly half the price. The Netherlands jurisdiction and slightly weaker BBC iPlayer performance are the only real gaps.
ExpressVPN has the weakest case of the three. It matches NordVPN on streaming and speed but costs the same while having worse leak protection, lower no-logs score, and Kape Technologies ownership. The only scenario where it wins is if you specifically need the BVI jurisdiction and the Lightway protocol.
Our verdict: NordVPN and Surfshark are the two best options from this group. Surfshark wins on price and devices. NordVPN wins on server network and streaming breadth. ExpressVPN is hard to recommend at current pricing when NordVPN exists at the same price point with better security credentials. See the full data on our comparison page.
FAQ
Is NordVPN better than ExpressVPN? For most users, yes. NordVPN matches ExpressVPN on speed and streaming while having better leak protection, a stronger no-logs record, and independent ownership. They cost the same on annual plans.
Is Surfshark as good as NordVPN? On most technical metrics, yes. The main gaps are NordVPN’s wider server network (104 vs 65 countries) and slightly more consistent streaming on BBC iPlayer. Surfshark costs significantly less.
Which of the three has the best privacy? NordVPN and Surfshark are tied on most privacy metrics. ExpressVPN is weaker due to Kape ownership and documented leak issues.
Which VPN has the most servers? NordVPN (6,274 servers, 104 countries) has the most among the three.
The three-way’s closing geometry: Nord is the default, Surfshark is the default with a budget, Express is the default with a polish preference and indifference to price. All three refund within 30 days, and the differences, while real, are the kind a week of ownership settles better than a fourth read-through.
Keep reading: NordVPN Review 2026: Still the Best After Six Audits? and Best VPN in 2026: Our Full Ranking After Testing 48 Providers.