Introduction
Surfshark and NordVPN represent two different philosophies in the VPN market. Surfshark focuses on value with unlimited connections and low pricing. NordVPN prioritizes features and the largest server network. Both are excellent for travel, but which one suits you better?
Pricing Comparison
Surfshark wins decisively on price. The Starter plan is $1.99/month on a 2-year plan compared to NordVPN Basic at $2.99/month. Over two years, that saves you about $24. However, NordVPN renewal at $140/year is more expensive than Surfshark at $79/year, making Surfshark even cheaper long-term.
Device Connections
Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections on all plans. NordVPN allows 10 devices. For solo travelers, 10 is plenty. For families or travel groups sharing one subscription, Surfshark unlimited connections are a major advantage.
Server Network
NordVPN has over 7,000 servers in 118 countries versus Surfshark 3,200+ servers in 100 countries. NordVPN also offers specialty servers including double VPN, Onion over VPN, and P2P-optimized options that Surfshark lacks.
Speed
Both use WireGuard-based protocols (NordLynx vs native WireGuard). In our testing, NordVPN is about 5% faster on average. Both are more than fast enough for HD streaming and video calls.
Streaming
Both reliably unblock Netflix, Disney+, and other major platforms. NordVPN includes Smart DNS, which Surfshark lacks. CyberGhost dedicated streaming servers give it an edge for this specific use case.
Security Features
NordVPN Threat Protection Pro is significantly more advanced than Surfshark CleanWeb. It works even when not connected to VPN and provides malware scanning. NordVPN also offers Meshnet for private networking.
Our Verdict
Choose Surfshark if budget is your priority and you need unlimited devices. Choose NordVPN if you want the most features, largest server network, and slightly better speeds. Both are excellent travel VPNs.
