Head to head · Updated August 13, 2026
NordVPN vs Surfshark
NordVPN takes it by 8.5 points, 84.0 against 75.5. That margin is worth reading past — Surfshark wins 2 of the seven criteria outright.
NordVPN
84.0The most complete all-round package here, provided you accept closed-source clients and a renewal price well above the introductory rate.
- From
- $3.39/mo
- Based in
- Panama
- Devices
- 10
- Audits
- 2
We earn a commission if you subscribe through this link. It does not change NordVPN’s score.
Surfshark
75.5The cheapest credible option per device, weakened by a Nine Eyes jurisdiction and common ownership with NordVPN.
- From
- $2.49/mo
- Based in
- Netherlands
- Devices
- Unlimited
- Audits
- 2
We earn nothing from Surfshark. This link is included because the ranking says it belongs here.
Criterion by criterion
NordVPN wins 4, Surfshark wins 2, 1 tied. Each row shows the raw score out of ten and the weighted contribution to the total.
| Criterion | Weight | NordVPN | Surfshark | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independent audit | 20 | 9/10 (18.0) | 8/10 (16.0) | NordVPN |
| Jurisdiction and ownership | 15 | 9/10 (13.5) | 5/10 (7.5) | NordVPN |
| Protocol and crypto stack | 15 | 8/10 (12.0) | 9/10 (13.5) | Surfshark |
| Leak protection | 15 | 9/10 (13.5) | 8/10 (12.0) | NordVPN |
| Transparency | 15 | 6/10 (9.0) | 5/10 (7.5) | NordVPN |
| Price and refund terms | 10 | 8/10 (8.0) | 9/10 (9.0) | Surfshark |
| Platform coverage | 10 | 10/10 (10.0) | 10/10 (10.0) | Tied |
| Total | 100 | 84.0 | 75.5 | NordVPN |
Where each one actually wins
NordVPN is ahead on
- Independent audit. Deloitte re-audited the no-logs claim in 2023 and Cure53 audited the applications; both reports are public.
- Jurisdiction and ownership. Incorporated in Panama, outside the Fourteen Eyes agreement, with disclosed parent ownership under Nord Security.
- Leak protection. Kill switch on all desktop and mobile apps, with DNS resolved inside the tunnel and RAM-only server infrastructure.
- Transparency. Clients are closed source and signup requires an email, offset by a published transparency report and warrant canary.
Surfshark is ahead on
- Protocol and crypto stack. WireGuard and OpenVPN both shipped with modern defaults.
- Price and refund terms. Lowest effective monthly rate here at $2.49 on a 2-year term, with unlimited devices and a 30-day refund.
Choose NordVPN if
Readers who want one subscription to cover a household of mixed devices.
Choose Surfshark if
Households or shared accounts covering many devices on one subscription.
Reasons to pick neither
Skip NordVPN if: You need open-source clients or want to pay month to month. At $12.99 monthly it is one of the most expensive short-term options here.
Skip Surfshark if: Jurisdiction matters to your threat model, or you want a provider independent of Nord Security.
Questions
- Is NordVPN or Surfshark better?
- NordVPN scores higher overall, 84.0 against 75.5, a gap of 8.5 points out of 100. The most complete all-round package here, provided you accept closed-source clients and a renewal price well above the introductory rate.
- Which is cheaper, NordVPN or Surfshark?
- Surfshark, at $2.49/mo against $3.39/mo. Both rates require committing to the provider’s longest term; the monthly rates are considerably higher.
- Which one has been audited more recently?
- Both published audits in 2023.
- Does jurisdiction differ between them?
- Yes. NordVPN operates from Panama and Surfshark from Netherlands. NordVPN is outside the Fourteen Eyes agreement; the other is not.
Related comparisons
Comparison generated from the same dataset as the ranking. Emphasis criterion definitions are on the rubric page. Criterion labels: Independent audit, Jurisdiction and ownership, Protocol and crypto stack, Leak protection, Transparency, Price and refund terms, Platform coverage.