ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark: Which Should You Choose?

ExpressVPN vs. NordVPN vs. Surfshark: Which Should You Choose?Choosing a VPN can feel like picking a locked box from a shelf — each looks similar until you try the key. ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and Surfshark are three of the most popular consumer VPNs in 2025. They all aim to protect privacy, bypass geo-restrictions, and secure your connection, but they differ meaningfully in speed, privacy features, pricing, and user experience. This article compares them across the categories that matter most so you can pick the one that fits your needs.

At a glance — quick verdicts

• Best for overall speed and streaming: ExpressVPN
• Best for advanced privacy features and security: NordVPN
• Best for budget-conscious users and unlimited devices: Surfshark

Brief company background

• ExpressVPN: Founded in 2009, known for fast proprietary Lightway protocol and a long track record of audits and court-tested no-logs claims.
• NordVPN: Founded in 2012, emphasizes security innovations (Double VPN, NordLynx) and frequent independent audits.
• Surfshark: Founded in 2018, gained market share quickly by offering low prices, unlimited simultaneous connections, and strong feature parity with larger rivals.

Comparison categories

1) Security & privacy

• Protocols:
  • ExpressVPN uses Lightway (its lightweight protocol) plus OpenVPN and IKEv2.
  • NordVPN offers NordLynx (WireGuard-based), OpenVPN, and IKEv2.
  • Surfshark uses WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 and maintains its own optimizations.
• Encryption and key management: All three use AES-256 encryption and strong key exchange methods.
• No-logs policies & audits: Each provider publishes a no-logs policy and has undergone third-party audits at various times. Historically, ExpressVPN and NordVPN have had notable audits; Surfshark has also completed audits for parts of its infrastructure.
• Additional privacy features:
  • NordVPN: Double VPN (multi-hop), Onion over VPN, obfuscated servers, Threat Protection (malware/ad blocking).
  • Surfshark: MultiHop, CleanWeb (ad/malware blocker), Camouflage/Obfuscation modes.
  • ExpressVPN: TrustedServer RAM-only servers, split tunneling, obfuscated servers, and a privacy-focused browser extension.

2) Speed & performance

• Real-world speeds vary by server, region, and local ISP conditions.
• ExpressVPN typically ranks at or near the top for consistent high speeds due to Lightway and a large, well-distributed server network.
• NordVPN’s NordLynx (WireGuard-based) offers very high speeds and is often comparable to ExpressVPN in many regions.
• Surfshark with WireGuard is competitive, especially given its lower price point, though peak speeds can sometimes trail Nord or Express depending on route and server load.

3) Server network & infrastructure

• ExpressVPN: Large global footprint with many countries and locations; uses virtual server locations for certain countries to provide wider reach. Emphasizes “TrustedServer” RAM-only tech.
• NordVPN: Large network with many physical servers and specialized server types (P2P, Onion, Double VPN).
• Surfshark: Rapidly expanding network, often providing similar country coverage and increasing physical server presence.

4) Streaming & geo-unblocking

• ExpressVPN: Excellent for streaming — reliably unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and many regional services.
• NordVPN: Also excellent — strong track record unblocking major streaming platforms, with specialized servers to help where needed.
• Surfshark: Very good for streaming and often unblocks the same services; its lower cost makes it attractive for cord-cutters.

5) Ease of use & device support

• Apps: All three offer polished apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, and major routers.
• Simultaneous connections:
  • ExpressVPN: usually 8 simultaneous connections.
  • NordVPN: typically 6 simultaneous connections.
  • Surfshark: unlimited simultaneous connections, which is a major selling point for households with many devices.
• Extra apps & extensions: Browser extensions, smart DNS, and router guides are provided by each.

6) Features & extras

• Kill switch: Available in all three (critical for preventing leaks).
• Split tunneling: Supported by ExpressVPN and Surfshark; NordVPN offers split tunneling on most platforms as well.
• Ad/malware blocking: NordVPN (Threat Protection), Surfshark (CleanWeb), ExpressVPN (some filtering through its DNS/browser tools).
• Specialty servers: NordVPN leads with Double VPN and Onion-over-VPN; ExpressVPN focuses on obfuscation and trusted RAM servers; Surfshark offers MultiHop and static IP options in some locations.

7) Pricing & value

• ExpressVPN: Premium pricing — higher monthly cost but often includes frequent discounts. Considered top-tier price for performance and simplicity.
• NordVPN: Mid-to-premium pricing with frequent multi-year deals; good balance of features and cost.
• Surfshark: Lowest-cost leader, especially on multi-year plans; best value if you need many simultaneous connections.
• Refund policies: All three offer a money-back guarantee (typically 30 days).

Privacy & jurisdiction implications

• ExpressVPN: Based in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) — outside 5/9/14-Eyes jurisdictions, favorable for privacy.
• NordVPN: Based in Panama — also outside major surveillance alliances, privacy-friendly.
• Surfshark: Based in the Netherlands (company structure uses the UK/Netherlands/other entities over time); jurisdiction details can be nuanced — generally considered reasonably privacy-conscious but check current corporate domicile if this is a strict criterion.

When to choose which

• Choose ExpressVPN if: You want the simplest, consistently fastest experience for streaming, value a strong global server footprint, and don’t mind paying a premium. Best when speed and reliability are top priorities.
• Choose NordVPN if: You want strong, advanced privacy features (Double VPN, Onion over VPN), excellent speeds via NordLynx, and frequent audits — a good middle ground between features and price.
• Choose Surfshark if: You’re cost-sensitive, need unlimited device connections, and still want solid security and streaming performance. Great for large households or users who want the best value.

Short technical comparison table

Practical buying tips

• Trial the 30-day refund window with a short-term plan to test streaming, speed, and device compatibility.
• If you need many device connections (smart home, family), prefer Surfshark for unlimited connections.
• For maximum streaming reliability and simple setup, ExpressVPN is often the least hands-on choice.
• If you value layered privacy features (multi-hop, Tor routing), NordVPN is a top pick.

Final recommendation

• For overall best performance and streaming reliability: ExpressVPN.
• For a privacy-first, feature-rich option with excellent speeds: NordVPN.
• For the best value and unlimited devices: Surfshark.