Shikha Kumari 
Surfshark vs ExpressVPN is really a choice between paying less and covering every device you own, or paying more for a VPN known for steady speeds and very simple apps. Both are premium services, both pass independent no-logs audits, and either one will handle streaming, travel, and public Wi-Fi well.
This comparison walks through what you’ll actually pay, including the renewal price most deal banners skip, plus speed, streaming, extra features, privacy, device limits, and what real users say, and it ends with a clear pick. Prices come from each company’s website, and test results come from CNET, vpnMentor, CyberInsider, EXPERTE, and The Independent.
Quick answer: Choose Surfshark if you want the lower price and unlimited devices on one account. Choose ExpressVPN if you want the most consistent speeds and the simplest apps, and don’t mind paying more. For most budget-minded households, Surfshark is the better value.
Let’s look at how the two compare on the points that decide most purchases (confirmed November 7, 2026):
| Feature | Surfshark | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|
| 2-year price | $2.49/mo ($67.23 for 27 months, Starter) | $2.99/mo ($83.72 for 28 months, Basic) |
| Monthly plan | $18.95 | $14.99 |
| Renewal price | $79/year (Starter) | $99.95/year (Basic) |
| Devices | Unlimited | 10 (Basic), 12 (Advanced), 14 (Pro) |
| Network | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries | Servers in 113 countries |
| Main protocol | WireGuard | Lightway (ExpressVPN’s own) |
| Based in | Netherlands | British Virgin Islands |
| Audited no-logs policy | Yes, Deloitte (June 2025) | Yes, KPMG (as of February 2025) |
| Money-back period | 30 days | 30 days for new users |
| Best for | Budget buyers and big households | Simplicity and consistent performance |
Surfshark vs ExpressVPN: Which Is Better Overall?
Is Surfshark better than ExpressVPN? For value and the number of devices you can cover, yes. For consistent speed and ease of use, most reviewers favour ExpressVPN, though not all of them.
Let’s see how the published reviews line up by category:
| Category | Ahead | Who said so |
|---|---|---|
| Value | Surfshark | CNET, The Independent, CyberInsider, EXPERTE |
| Speed | Mixed | ExpressVPN: CNET, vpnMentor. Surfshark: CyberInsider, EXPERTE |
| Streaming | ExpressVPN, narrowly | CNET, vpnMentor (CyberInsider picks Surfshark) |
| Privacy | ExpressVPN | CNET, vpnMentor (CyberInsider calls it a tie) |
| Extra features | Surfshark | CyberInsider, EXPERTE, The Independent |
| Ease of use | ExpressVPN | CNET, The Independent (CyberInsider prefers Surfshark’s apps) |
| Number of devices | Surfshark | Official sites: unlimited vs 10 to 14 |
The outlets disagree most on speed, so the speed section below shows each result side by side. One detail to keep in mind when reading vpnMentor’s results: vpnMentor is owned by Kape Technologies, the same company that owns ExpressVPN.
How Much Do Surfshark and ExpressVPN Cost in 2026?
Surfshark is cheaper on every long plan, while ExpressVPN is cheaper if you only want one month.
When you weigh Surfshark vs ExpressVPN cost, remember that both companies show a low monthly figure, but on yearly and 2-year plans you pay the whole first term up front. Both also add bonus months, so Surfshark’s “2-year” plan covers 27 months and ExpressVPN’s covers 28. These are the entry-level plans (Surfshark Starter and ExpressVPN Basic), checked November 7, 2026, during both companies’ Black Friday sales:
| Plan length | Surfshark Starter | ExpressVPN Basic |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | $18.95 | $14.99 |
| 1 year | $44.85 for the first 15 months ($2.99/mo), then $79/year | $74.85 for the first 15 months ($4.99/mo), then $99.95/year |
| 2 years | $67.23 for the first 27 months ($2.49/mo), then $79/year | $83.72 for the first 28 months ($2.99/mo), then $99.95/year |
Each company also sells bigger bundles. Surfshark One, which adds antivirus and data-leak alerts, costs the same $67.23 for 27 months during the sale and renews at $99 a year (Surfshark renewal prices). ExpressVPN Advanced, which adds the ExpressKeys password manager and two more devices, costs $117.32 for 28 months and renews at $119.95 a year (ExpressVPN pricing).
Which Is Cheaper After the First Term Renews?
Surfshark stays cheaper after renewal too, even though its price rises more sharply. Both 2-year plans switch to yearly billing once the first term ends:
- Surfshark Starter: $79 a year from renewal, about $6.58 a month.
- ExpressVPN Basic: $99.95 a year from renewal, about $8.33 a month.
- First term plus one renewal: Surfshark comes to $146.23 for 39 months. ExpressVPN comes to $183.67 for 40 months.
CNET flags Surfshark’s renewal price hike, and the jump is steep: from about $2.49 a month to about $6.58. If you’d rather not pay the renewal rate, set a reminder before your term ends and compare new-customer deals.
Free Trials and Money-Back Guarantees
Both VPNs offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on their own websites. Surfshark also runs a 7-day free trial that covers up to three devices. ExpressVPN doesn’t advertise a free trial on its site, so its 30-day guarantee for new users is the main way to try it.
To claim a refund, contact each company’s 24/7 live chat or support team within 30 days of buying. If you subscribed through the App Store or Google Play, the refund goes through that store’s process instead.
Is Surfshark Faster Than ExpressVPN?
Both are fast enough for 4K streaming, video calls, and gaming, and most tests give ExpressVPN a small edge in consistency. On raw speed, Surfshark vs ExpressVPN speed results depend on who ran the test.
Take a look at what each outlet published:
- CNET (September 2025): ExpressVPN lost an average of 18% of its speed and Surfshark 21%. CNET counts anything under 25% as fast, so both passed comfortably.
- vpnMentor (June 2026): ExpressVPN was ahead on US servers (88.76 vs 85.35 Mbps) and well ahead on Tokyo servers (72.43 vs 52.54 Mbps), according to its comparison.
- CyberInsider (August 2026): Surfshark was faster in all four locations it tested, including Los Angeles at 653 Mbps vs 444 Mbps, on a 1,000 Mbps line, per its head-to-head.
- EXPERTE: Surfshark edged ahead on a Frankfurt server, 191.7 vs 175.0 Mbit/s, which it called a win “by the smallest of margins” in its comparison.
Results differ because each outlet tests from a different home connection, picks different servers, tests at different times of day, and may use different protocols. Your own speeds depend most on how far you are from the server you pick.
The technology behind the speed is simple to explain. ExpressVPN uses Lightway, a protocol it built itself, and added Lightway Turbo in 2025 to run traffic through several tunnels at once (on Windows first). Surfshark uses WireGuard, an open-source protocol known for being lean and fast. CNET recommends using exactly those two settings for the best results with each app.
Which Is Better for Gaming?
For gaming, Surfshark vs ExpressVPN is close to a draw. vpnMentor measured an average ping of 17 ms for ExpressVPN and 19 ms for Surfshark on nearby servers, and both played Team Fortress 2 without lag.
A VPN usually adds a little ping because your traffic takes a longer route. It only helps in specific cases, like protecting you from targeted attacks or reaching a game server in another region, so connect to the closest server unless you need a different one. Low ping, a nearby server and a fast protocol are what to look for in the best VPN for gaming.
Which Is Better for Streaming Netflix?
No, Surfshark isn’t blocked by Netflix, according to current reviews: vpnMentor found 16 working Netflix libraries, and CyberInsider says Surfshark supports 15. ExpressVPN reached 23 libraries in vpnMentor’s tests, which is why most reviewers give ExpressVPN a narrow edge when they compare Surfshark vs ExpressVPN for streaming.
Here’s how the other big services compare in published tests:
- Disney+, Hulu and Prime Video: CNET found ExpressVPN unblocked everything it tried on every platform. Surfshark also performed well, but Hulu detected it on CNET’s Fire TV Stick (Hulu worked on Surfshark’s other apps).
- BBC iPlayer: CyberInsider got Surfshark working without blocks. vpnMentor got both working but needed some troubleshooting with Surfshark.
- Other services: CyberInsider found both work with Prime Video and HBO Max, and that Surfshark also works with Apple TV and Peacock.
Since most streaming happens on a TV, both apps run on Fire TV, Android TV, and Apple TV. ExpressVPN also has a router app that can cover devices without a VPN app, like Roku players. Streaming services set their own terms about VPN use, so check them for your account. ExpressVPN is also the top overall pick, and Surfshark the best budget option among the best VPNs for streaming.
What Extra Features Do You Get With Each VPN?
Surfshark includes more extras on its cheapest plan, while ExpressVPN keeps things simpler but adds a password manager from its Advanced plan up.
| Feature | Surfshark | ExpressVPN | Why you’d care |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ad and tracker blocking | CleanWeb, all plans | Advanced Protection, all plans (fuller on Advanced) | Fewer ads and malicious sites |
| Second identity | Alternative ID, all plans | Not offered | Sign up for sites without your real email or name |
| Double VPN | Dynamic MultiHop, all plans | Not offered | Routes traffic through two servers for extra privacy |
| App-by-app routing | Bypasser (split tunnelling) | Split tunnelling | Keep banking or local apps off the VPN |
| Kill switch | Yes | Yes | Cuts your internet if the VPN drops, so nothing leaks |
| Dedicated IP | Paid add-on (20 locations) | Add-on on Basic and Advanced, included in Pro | Fewer CAPTCHAs and blocks |
| Password manager | Not offered | ExpressKeys, Advanced and Pro | Stores and fills passwords |
| Router support | Manual setup | Router app and Aircove routers | Covers every device on your network |
| Antivirus | Surfshark One and up | Not offered | Malware scans on your devices |
Feature names and plan contents come from both pricing pages, checked November 7, 2026.
Which VPN Is Better for Privacy and Security?
Both have independently audited no-logs policies and strong encryption, and CNET rates ExpressVPN slightly higher on transparency.
A no-logs policy means the company doesn’t keep records of the sites you visit or what you do online. Accounting firms test that claim: Deloitte confirmed Surfshark’s no-logs policy in a report published in June 2025, its second, and KPMG confirmed ExpressVPN’s as of February 28, 2025. ExpressVPN has completed 27 independent audits in total, as of May 2026, and CNET likes that it publishes them openly instead of only to paying users.
The other protections line up closely:
- Servers: Both run on RAM-only servers, which wipe data every time they restart. ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer setup also reinstalls its software on each reboot.
- Encryption: Both use AES-256 and ChaCha20, two of the strongest standard ciphers available.
- Location: ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, outside the Five, Nine and 14 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliances. Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, which is part of that alliance. CNET notes this can be a concern for people with critical privacy needs, such as journalists, since member countries may share data when authorities ask. Even so, its audited no-logs policy and RAM-only servers are why most reviewers rate Surfshark safe for everyday use.
- Ownership: Kape Technologies bought ExpressVPN in 2021. Surfshark merged with Nord Security, NordVPN’s parent company, in 2022, and both brands still run separately.
For most people, either one is private enough for everyday browsing, streaming, and public Wi-Fi.
Which Works Better on Restrictive Networks and When Travelling?
ExpressVPN has the stronger record on restrictive networks. vpnMentor found that Surfshark doesn’t work in China and doesn’t guarantee access in the UAE, Iran, or Russia, while ExpressVPN was the more reliable option, though even its connections can be unstable there. VPN rules vary by country, and some countries ban VPN use, so check local laws before you travel.
How Many Devices Can You Use, and Which Is Easier to Use?
Surfshark lets you connect unlimited devices on one account, while ExpressVPN allows 10 on Basic, 12 on Advanced, and 14 on Pro.
For a family with phones, laptops, tablets, a smart TV, and a games console, 10 can run out faster than you’d expect, and Surfshark removes that worry entirely. ExpressVPN’s router app is the workaround, since a router counts as one device but covers everything connected to it.
Both have apps for iPhone, Android, Windows, Mac, Linux, Chromebook, Fire TV, Android TV and Apple TV, plus browser extensions. CNET calls ExpressVPN’s apps the easiest to use on virtually any platform and finds Surfshark’s a little busier, while The Independent rates ExpressVPN as the more beginner-friendly of the two. Surfshark’s apps do have one handy extra: you can pause the VPN instead of disconnecting, so you don’t forget to switch it back on. Both also rank among the best VPNs for iPhone, so either is a safe pick if your phone is the main device you’ll protect. Surfshark is also the top value pick for the best VPN for Android, with an app reviewers rate highly.
What Do Reddit Users Say About Surfshark vs ExpressVPN?
Most Reddit users in the threads that rank for this search pick Surfshark for value, while ExpressVPN’s fans point to speed and reliability. These are the common points users raise in the r/vpnreviews comparison thread (about two years old) and an r/VPNReviewHub thread (about a year old):
- Value wins most votes: The r/vpnreviews poster tried both through the 30-day money-back guarantees and picked Surfshark, calling it more than twice as cheap. Several r/VPNReviewHub users agree, one saying ExpressVPN was solid, but the price didn’t feel worth it.
- Unlimited devices: Users list Surfshark’s lack of a device limit as a deciding factor. The r/VPNReviewHub post quotes an 8-device limit for ExpressVPN, which is out of date now that its plans allow 10 to 14.
- ExpressVPN fans focus on performance: Its supporters mention fast speeds with no jitter, praise Lightway Turbo, and say more of its servers work on sites that block VPNs.
- It depends on the device: One user likes Surfshark on Fire TV Sticks, and a few suggest NordVPN, Surfshark’s sister brand, as a third option.
Treat these as personal opinions rather than test results, since every user’s connection and location are different.
What Are the Downsides of Surfshark and ExpressVPN?
The biggest downside of Surfshark is the price jump at renewal, from $2.49 a month on the 2-year deal to about $6.58 a month after it. ExpressVPN’s biggest downside is that it costs more from day one and limits your devices.
Surfshark:
- Renewal costs $79 a year for Starter, after an intro price of $67.23 for 27 months.
- Its monthly plan ($18.95) costs more than ExpressVPN’s ($14.99).
- vpnMentor found it doesn’t work in China, and CNET notes its Dutch base is inside the 14 Eyes alliance.
ExpressVPN:
- It costs more on every long plan and renews at $99.95 a year or more.
- Basic covers 10 devices, so big households may need Advanced or Pro.
- Extras such as a dedicated IP cost more, as The Independent points out.
Neither drawback is a dealbreaker on its own. They mostly decide which buyer each VPN suits.
Surfshark vs ExpressVPN: Which One Should You Choose?
Surfshark is the better choice for most budget-minded households, and ExpressVPN is the better choice if you want the simplest, most consistent VPN and are happy to pay for it.
Choose Surfshark if:
- You’re on a budget and want the lowest long-term price.
- You want every device in the house covered on one account.
- You’d use extras like the CleanWeb ad blocker, Alternative ID or Dynamic MultiHop.
Choose ExpressVPN if:
- You want the most consistent speeds in most published tests.
- You want the simplest apps, with almost no learning curve.
- You travel to places with restrictive networks.
Our pick for most readers is Surfshark, because the savings and unlimited devices outweigh the small differences in speed. With affordable long-term pricing and unlimited connections, Surfshark VPN is also the top pick among the best cheap VPNs for 2026. If you’re weighing ExpressVPN vs Surfshark mainly for travel and simplicity, ExpressVPN earns its higher price with consistent speeds and simple apps.
Surfshark vs ExpressVPN FAQs
Q. Is Surfshark as Good as ExpressVPN?
For most people, they’re close. Surfshark wins on price and devices, with unlimited connections and a lower renewal rate. ExpressVPN wins on speed consistency and ease of use in most reviews. Either one is a strong choice for streaming, browsing, and public Wi-Fi.
Q. Is ExpressVPN Faster Than Surfshark?
Slightly, in most published tests. CNET measured an 18% speed loss for ExpressVPN vs. 21% for Surfshark, and vpnMentor also found ExpressVPN faster. CyberInsider and EXPERTE found Surfshark faster, so the difference is small and depends on your location. Either one handles 4K streaming and video calls.
Q. Which Is Cheaper, Surfshark or ExpressVPN?
Surfshark is cheaper on long plans. On November 7, 2026, its 2-year Starter plan cost $67.23 for 27 months, against $83.72 for 28 months for ExpressVPN Basic. After renewal, Surfshark costs $79 a year and ExpressVPN $99.95. ExpressVPN is cheaper only on the monthly plan.
Q. Is Surfshark Blocked by Netflix?
No. Current reviews show Surfshark working with Netflix: vpnMentor found 16 Netflix libraries and CyberInsider lists 15. ExpressVPN reached more libraries in vpnMentor’s tests, so it has a narrow streaming edge, but both handle Netflix well. Results can change as Netflix updates its blocks.
Q. What Is the Downside of Surfshark?
Its renewal price is the main downside: Starter jumps to $79 a year after the intro term. Its monthly plan also costs more than ExpressVPN’s, and vpnMentor found it doesn’t work in China. CNET also notes its Netherlands base is inside the 14 Eyes alliance.
Q. Are Surfshark and ExpressVPN Better Than NordVPN?
Not clearly. NordVPN competes in the same top tier, and it shares a parent company, Nord Security, with Surfshark, though the brands run separately. The choice between Surfshark vs NordVPN mostly turns on price, extras, and how many devices you need.
Prices and plan details come from Surfshark’s and ExpressVPN’s official pricing pages, confirmed on November 7, 2026, during their Black Friday sales. Test results come from CNET, vpnMentor, CyberInsider, EXPERTE, and The Independent, as credited above. TechZeeno did not test either VPN hands-on.
