The verdict
NordVPN takes it, 4–3 on rounds.
On the published figures and the independent review sites, NordVPN takes 4 of 8 rounds. Treat that as a starting point and check the current figures on both pages, because prices and plans move.
Choose NordVPN if…
- • You want NordVPN's edge on how reviewers rate its support and what it costs to start
Choose Surfshark if…
- • You want Surfshark's edge on what the long plan costs and how many devices at once
Round by round
- Round 1What the long plan costsSurfshark wins
Surfshark wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 2How many devices at onceSurfshark wins
Surfshark wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 3How reviewers rate its supportNordVPN winsSurfshark5/10
4.2 out of 5
customer-service rating from Capterra reviewers
- 4.2 out of 5, against 4.3 out of 5
Source: capterra.com ↗
NordVPN wins this round on independent review-site data, not on its own claims.
- Round 4Trying it before you payTie
Nothing to separate them here.
- Round 5What it costs to startNordVPN winsNordVPN8/10
$14.69/mo, billed monthly
Basic, 1-month plan (select "1-month plans")
- Basic; 1-month plan (open the '2-year plans' menu, pick '1-month plans') vs 2-year plan + 3 extra months (first term)
Source: nordvpn.com ↗
Surfshark5/10$18.95/mo billed monthly (not $16.45)
1 month billing tab
- $16.45/mo, billed monthly, against $14.99/mo, billed monthly
Source: surfshark.com ↗
NordVPN wins this round on what the published sources say.
- Round 6How many countries it coversNordVPN winsNordVPN8/10
150 countries
Basic; 1-month plan (open the '2-year plans' menu, pick '1-month plans') vs 2-year plan + 3 extra months (first term)
Source: nordvpn.com ↗
Surfshark5/10100 countries
Surfshark Starter; '1 month' tab vs '24 months' tab (+3 extra months, first term)
- 100 countries, against 150 countries
Source: surfshark.com ↗
NordVPN wins this round on what the published sources say.
- Round 7How many servers it runsNordVPN winsNordVPN8/10
7,100+ servers
Basic; 1-month plan (open the '2-year plans' menu, pick '1-month plans') vs 2-year plan + 3 extra months (first term)
Source: nordvpn.com ↗
Surfshark5/104,500+ servers
Surfshark Starter; '1 month' tab vs '24 months' tab (+3 extra months, first term)
- 4,500+ servers, against 7,100+ servers
Source: surfshark.com ↗
NordVPN wins this round on what the published sources say.
- Round 8Ad and malware blocker includedSurfshark winsNordVPN5/10
Not in Basic (Complete and up)
Basic; 1-month plan (open the '2-year plans' menu, pick '1-month plans') vs 2-year plan + 3 extra months (first term)
- Not in Basic (Complete and up), against Ad blocker (Starter)
Source: nordvpn.com ↗
Surfshark8/10Ad blocker (Starter)
Surfshark Starter; '1 month' tab vs '24 months' tab (+3 extra months, first term)
Source: surfshark.com ↗
Surfshark wins this round on what the published sources say.
Side by side
- paid only
- Basic; 1-month plan (open the '2-year plans' menu, pick '1-month plans') vs 2-year plan + 3 extra months (first term)
- paid only
- $3.49, against $2.99
- 4.2 out of 5, against 4.4 out of 5
- Not in Basic (Complete and up), against Blocks ads (Basic)
- $3.49, against $2.49
- 4.2 out of 5, against 4.3 out of 5
- $16.45/mo, billed monthly, against $14.99/mo, billed monthly
- 100 countries, against 150 countries
- 4,500+ servers, against 7,100+ servers