When it comes to investing in a long-term Virtual Private Network (VPN) subscription, picking between two popular options can be difficult. Between Surfshark and NordVPN, both offer excellent user experience and customer service.
So how do you chose the best VPN for you based on the plans and features it offers?
Where Are Surfshark and NordVPN Servers Based?
Using a VPN that offers servers in locations of interest is essential, whether it’s for privacy reasons or to get around geo-restricted content.
Surfshark offers more than 3,200 servers spread out in 65 countries. As a company, Surfshark operates out of the British Virgin Islands. But note that despite being an overseas UK territory, the British Virgin Island is an autonomous state and not a member of the five- nine- or 14-eyes surveillance alliances like the UK.
NordVPN has servers in 60 countries but offers over 5,000 servers to its users. NordVPN's headquarters is based in Panama, a country with no internet content restrictions or mandatory data retention laws.
Surfshark vs. NordVPN: Which Is More Secure?
Both Surfshark and NordVPN use AES-256 bit encryption to secure your web traffic, but only NordVPN uses end-to-end encryption for data in transit.
Another difference is the VPN protocol. Surfshark uses OpenVPN and IKEv2 by default, both of which are incredibly strong and fast tunneling protocols. NordVPN uses Next Generation Encryption (NGE) in IKEv2/IPsec protocols.
Surfshark vs. NordVPN: Additional Features
In addition to being excellent VPN providers, both Surfshark and NordVPN offer additional features and services to make your internet browsing experience safer and more pleasant.
Shared Features
- Split Tunneling: With split tunneling, you can have two different internet connections; one with a VPN and one without. For instance, you can use a VPN to watch Netflix and simultaneously scroll through your local social media feed.
- Kill Switch: A kill switch is a safety procedure that keeps your data safe and your IP address hidden. When enabled, your connection cuts off as soon as your VPN connection fails or gets interrupted.
Additional Features Offered by Surfshark
- CleanWeb: CleanWeb automatically blocks trackers and malware, and intercepts phishing attempts for a safer browsing experience.
- MultiHop: With MultiHop, you get to reroute your traffic through an additional VPN server to add a layer of security and digital footprint masking while you're browsing.
- Camouflage Mode: Camouflage Mode prevents your Internet Service Provider (ISP) from knowing you’re using a VPN in the first place.
Additional Features Offered by NordVPN
- CyberSec: CyberSec is a feature that automatically blocks websites carrying malware and suspected phishing scams.
- Double VPN: With Double VPN, you can reroute your traffic through two NordVPN servers and have your data encrypted twice for increased security and privacy.
- Onion Over VPN: NordVPN allows you to reroute your traffic from one of its VPN servers through the Onion network without having to install The Onion Router (Tor) browser.
How Easy Are Surfshark and NordVPN to Use?
Surfshark and NordVPN aren’t technical tools that require any previous knowledge or skills. They were designed to be used by average people.
Both VPNs have official apps on Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, and Linux devices, in addition to select browser extensions on Chrome, Firefox, and Opera. Installation is straightforward and follows standard procedures with easy-to-follow and intuitive instructions.
But depending on the number of devices you need to protect, one service might better suit your needs. NordVPN lets you log in on up to six devices per subscription. Surfshark, however, works on an unlimited number of devices, which makes it suitable for families and users with multiple gadgets.
How to Use the Surfshark Desktop App
As soon as you launch the Surfshark desktop app and log in, you get presented with a list of locations. There's also a “Favorites” tab where you can keep your preferred servers for quick access.
You also get the option to “Quick Connect,” which you can adjust to either mean “Fastest server” or “Nearest country” by clicking on the three lines on the right corner of the button.
How to Use the NordVPN Desktop App
As soon as you launch the NordVPN desktop app, you’ll be welcomed by a simplified map of the globe with all the available NordVPN servers marked. On the right, you have the list of countries and locations offered by NordVPN, as well as recently used servers.
While you have a “Quick Connect” button at the bottom of the screen you can pick a server location from the list or by clicking on it directly from the map.
Can You Stream Using NordVPN and Surfshark?
In order to watch something online that isn’t available in your country, you need a VPN to mask your IP address. Fortunately, both Surfshark and NordVPN are able to bypass geo-restrictions on Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, YouTube, Spotify, Paramount+, and Amazon Prime.
The open streaming feature is available on all of Surfshark and NordVPN’s servers, so you don’t have to change your server location to stream.
Surfshark vs. NordVPN: Torrenting
Both NordVPN and Surfshark allow you to torrent files at high speeds without exposing your IP address. You can torrent on all Surfshark servers except for ones in countries where torrenting is illegal.
With NordVPN, however, you can only torrent using select servers. But there’s no need to worry as over 3,000 out of their 5,200 servers are open for torrenting.
Surfshark vs. NordVPN: Pricing Plans
You can get a 2-year Surfshark subscription for as little as $2.49 billed at $59.76. They also offer options for six-month subscription plans at $6.49 and single-month subscriptions at $12.95.
NordVPN’s cheapest plan starts at $3.67 for a 27-months plan, billed at $99.00. You can also get NordVPN for one year at $4.92 and for a single month at $11.95.
Payment Options and Refund Policies
Both services accept payment in credit cards, cryptocurrency, PayPal, and GooglePay.
Surfshark offers a seven-day free trial, as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee in addition to the free week. NordVPN, however, doesn’t offer a free trial but ensures a 30-day money-back, no questions asked.
Still Not Sure? Try Both!
Making a decision between two exceptional VPN providers comes with a lot of doubt and second-guessing your decision. So, why not try Surfshark’s free trial, and NordVPN's money-back guarantee to test out which one you prefer?
In fact, you can take advantage of MUO's exclusive deals and get three months free on NordVPN today.
