Surfshark vs ExpressVPN (2026): Which Is Better?
Surfshark scores higher and costs less than half as much; ExpressVPN has the better apps and the better record on restrictive networks. In our tests Surfshark was faster and matched ExpressVPN on streaming (13 of 14 each), so the extra money buys polish and reliability rather than performance. For most people Surfshark is the smarter buy; for travellers and Apple households ExpressVPN earns its price.
Who wins each category
- Privacy & securitySurfsharkSurfshark 9.5 · ExpressVPN 9.4
- SpeedSurfsharkSurfshark 9.2 · ExpressVPN 9.0
- StreamingSurfsharkSurfshark 9.6 · ExpressVPN 9.3
- Apps & easeExpressVPNSurfshark 9.0 · ExpressVPN 9.8
- ValueSurfsharkSurfshark 9.7 · ExpressVPN 8.2
Sub-scores from this month's tests; weights are privacy & security 30%, speed 25%, streaming 15%, apps & ease 15%, value 15%. Methodology
Choose Surfshark if…
- You want more speed for less than half the price
- You need unlimited devices
- You want ad blocking and Alternative ID included
Choose ExpressVPN if…
- You want the best apps on iPhone, Mac and Apple TV
- You travel to countries that block VPNs
- You want the Aircove router for whole-home coverage
Surfshark vs ExpressVPN: the numbers
 Surfshark |  ExpressVPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Overall score | 9.4 | 9.1 |
| Rank · badge | #2 · Best value | #3 · Easiest apps |
| 2-year price / mo | $2.19 | $4.99 |
| 1-year price / mo | $3.19 | $6.67 |
| Monthly price | $15.45 | $12.95 |
| Renewal | renews at the 1-year rate | renews at the 1-year rate |
| Money-back | 30 days | 30 days |
| Simultaneous devices | Unlimited | 8 |
| Avg download speed | 655 Mbps | 598 Mbps |
| Jurisdiction | Netherlands | British Virgin Islands |
| Owner | Nord Security | Kape Technologies |
| No-logs audit | Deloitte no-logs audit, 2025 | KPMG no-logs audit, 2024 |
| Servers | 3,200+ in 100 countries | 3,000+ in 105 countries |
| Protocols | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec | Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Torrenting | P2P allowed on all servers | P2P allowed on all servers |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Support | 24/7 live chat, email, help centre | 24/7 live chat, email, help centre |
| Visit Surfshark | Visit ExpressVPN |
Full reviews: Surfshark · ExpressVPN
What each one actually costs
The advertised rate covers the first term only. These are the totals once the renewal is counted.
| Surfshark | ExpressVPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Plan priced | 24-month plan | 24-month plan |
| Intro rate / mo | $2.19 | $4.99 |
| Then renews at / mo | $3.19 (+46%) | $6.67 (+34%) |
| First term, up front | $52.56 | $119.76 |
| Total over 3 years | $90.84 | $199.80 |
| True cost / mo over 3 years | $2.52 | $5.55 |
| Money-back | 30 days — refunded in 3 days via live chat | 30 days — refunded in 2 days |
| Check Surfshark price | Check ExpressVPN price |
Surfshark is cheaper both ways — lower to start and $108.96 less across three years once the renewals are counted. Same arithmetic as our price calculator: the first term at the advertised rate, every month after it at the rate the provider publishes for renewals.
Speed by region
Download on a 940 Mbps line, 3 runs per server, median reported. Highlighted cell = fastest.
| Surfshark | ExpressVPN | |
|---|---|---|
| US East | 712 Mbps | 650 Mbps |
| UK | 690 Mbps | 622 Mbps |
| Singapore | 618 Mbps | 560 Mbps |
| Australia | 600 Mbps | 558 Mbps |
| Added latency | +6 ms | +7 ms |
Streaming, service by service
| Surfshark | ExpressVPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Unblocked | 13 of 14 | 13 of 14 |
| Netflix US | ||
| Netflix UK | ||
| Netflix JP | ||
| Netflix CA | ||
| Netflix AU | ||
| Prime Video | ||
| Disney+ | ||
| Hulu | ||
| Max | ||
| Paramount+ | ||
| Peacock | ||
| BBC iPlayer | ||
| ITVX | ||
| DAZN |
Security features
| Surfshark | ExpressVPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Kill switch | ||
| Split tunnelling | ||
| Obfuscation / stealth | ||
| Port forwarding | ||
| Dedicated IP | ||
| Ad & tracker blocking | ||
| Multi-hop (double VPN) | ||
| RAM-only servers | ||
| Platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Android TV, Fire TV, Apple TV, browser extensions, routers | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Fire TV, Apple TV, browser extensions, Aircove router |
Has the no-logs promise ever been tested?
Every VPN on this page says it keeps no logs. The claim only means something once someone has demanded the data — a police raid, a court order, a subpoena. Here is what happened to each of these two when that came up, and what it means if it never has.
- SurfsharkNever tested
No police raid, court order or subpoena against Surfshark has been made public. That is not a mark against it — most providers have never been asked — but it does mean the policy has never had to hold up under pressure.
Audit: Deloitte no-logs audit, 2025 · Netherlands
- ExpressVPNHeld
2017 server seizure in Turkey. The claim held — there was nothing useful to hand over. That is the one form of proof no audit can give you, because it happened under real pressure rather than on a scheduled visit.
Audit: KPMG no-logs audit, 2024 · British Virgin Islands
What each one is our top pick for
One of these scores higher overall, which does not make it the right buy for every job. These are the use cases where each one comes first on its own list.
- Surfshark3 categories
- ExpressVPN2 categories
The most reliable always-on behaviour on iOS, instant reconnects between Wi-Fi and cellular, and the same app on Apple TV.
Questions
Is Surfshark or ExpressVPN better?
Surfshark scored 9.4 to ExpressVPN's 9.1 and costs less than half as much on the 2-year plan. ExpressVPN has the more polished apps and is the more reliable choice on networks that block VPNs.
Which is faster, Surfshark or ExpressVPN?
Surfshark — 655 Mbps against 598 Mbps average in our tests.
Which is better for streaming, Surfshark or ExpressVPN?
A tie at 13 of 14 services this month: Surfshark missed DAZN, ExpressVPN missed Netflix Japan.
We may earn a commission when you buy through links on this page. Scores and the winner are decided by the tests before any commercial consideration. Disclosure