ExpressVPN and Surfshark are two companies that provide internet users online privacy. Whether you frequently use public Wi-Fi, are concerned about protecting sensitive data online or need another layer of security for your small business or company, a virtual private network (VPN) helps ensure your online browsing information is encrypted and secure. While both VPNs are reliable and well-known, they vary in terms of features and cost. In this comparison, we evaluate these two companies based on price, number of servers, quality of customer service and device compatibility. Read on to find out which platform is a better fit for you.
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NordVPN
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ExpressVPN
$6.67
3,000+
AES with 256
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Private Internet Access
$2.03
Unlimited
Yes (add-on)
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Proton VPN
$4.99
servers to 4462+
protected by Swiss law
ExpressVPN vs. Surfshark: At a Glance
ExpressVPN and Surfshark are both rated one of our best VPNs of 2024. While ExpressVPN is more expensive and limits the number of devices you can use to five, it offers a higher-speed internet connection and more than double the number of server locations as Surfshark. On the other hand, Surfshark is one of the more affordable VPNs on the market and offers a dedicated IP add-on. It’s fast and reliable and a great option for an everyday VPN.
ExpressVPN
Annual cost
$99.95
Compatibility
Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Linux
Maximum number of devices
5
$99.95
Android, iOS, Mac, Windows, Linux
5
ExpressVPN is a popular choice for a high-speed VPN. With servers privately held on the British Virgin Islands (a country not required to share its data with other countries), it is considered extra secure. ExpressVPN’s more than 3,000 servers in over 160 locations ensure you will be able to connect to a location with fast internet speed.
- Positive user reviews
- A high number of server locations
- Includes router app that protects all connected devices
- More expensive than other VPNs
- Limited business usage
- No dedicated IP option
Surfshark
Annual cost
$41.88
Compatibility
Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, Fire TV
Maximum number of devices
Unlimited
$41.88
Android, iOS, Windows, Mac, Linux, Fire TV
Unlimited
Surfshark is a popular VPN with a competitive price. Surfshark allows you to connect the VPN to an unlimited number of devices, a feature not every VPN offers. With Surfshark, you can sign up for a month-by-month plan, a one-year plan or a two-year plan. The company also provides a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Offers split tunneling and multi-hop features
- Unlimited simultaneously connected devices
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Month-to-month plan is pricier than competitors
How ExpressVPN and Surfshark Stack Up
When it comes to cost, Surfshark is less than half the price of ExpressVPN, at $41.88 per year compared with $99.95. Surfshark also has a competitive advantage by allowing users to connect to an unlimited number of devices, while ExpressVPN is capped at five.
Both VPNs have about the same number of servers, with ExpressVPN at more than 3,000 and Surfshark at over 3,200. However, ExpressVPN has more than double the amount of server locations, at 160 compared to Surfshark’s over 60. You can find out more about Surfshark’s server locations on their website. ExpressVPN also lists its server locations online so you can assess whether they align with the countries you plan to connect to your VPN.
Surfshark offers a dedicated IP (DIP), which grants you the ability to access IP-restricted networks while maintaining your anonymity. If a DIP is something you’re interested in, Surfshark will suit your needs.
Both VPNs come with 24/7 access to customer support as well as a 30-day money-back guarantee period. Both are compatible with Android, iOS, Mac, Windows and Linux, while Surfshark is also compatible with Fire TV.
If you prefer to pay by the month, ExpressVPN charges a monthly subscription fee of $12.95. That rate drops to $9.99 per month if you sign up for six months and $8.32 per month when you pay for the full year. Surfshark’s rates are $15.45 for the monthly subscription, $3.49 per month for the one-year plan and $2.49 per month for the two-year plan.
Featured Partners
1
NordVPN
74% off + 3 months extra, starting at $2.90
6
Yes (add-on)
2
ExpressVPN
$6.67
3,000+
AES with 256
3
Private Internet Access
$2.03
Unlimited
Yes (add-on)
4
Proton VPN
$4.99
servers to 4462+
protected by Swiss law
Additional Features
Both ExpressVPN and Surfshark offer split tunneling, which enables you to choose which content is accessed through your VPN and which isn’t. This is particularly helpful when a website will block access through a VPN, such as a mobile banking website, and ensures you do not have to keep disconnecting and reconnecting your VPN.
Both VPNs also come with a kill switch, which means that if your VPN connection drops, you’ll be disconnected from the internet automatically and your activities and data will not be exposed.
Additionally, for yet another level of browsing privacy, ExpressVPN and Surfshark offer the option to configure your VPN directly onto your router. This extra safety measure ensures you are automatically connected to your VPN whenever you are using your router and never have to worry about connecting before browsing the internet, or the connection dropping.
Bottom Line
Both ExpressVPN and Surfshark are competitive options that ranked on our list of top 10 VPNs in 2024. If you plan to connect your VPN to more than five devices, consider Surfshark (or another VPN), which allows you to use an unlimited number of devices.
If the locations of the servers are a priority to you, it is worth finding out the locations before subscribing, which you can do on ExpressVPN and Surfshark’s websites.
If price is your top concern, Surfshark is less than half the cost of ExpressVPN. However, ExpressVPN may offer higher speeds, and if this is a priority, it may be worth the extra cost per year.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How secure are VPNs?
Both ExpressVPN and Surfshark provide military-grade AES 256-bit encryption. This is the same security that governments and armed forces around the world use to protect sensitive information. With servers privately held on the British Virgin Islands (a country not required to share its data with other countries), ExpressVPN is considered extra secure.
Are VPNs legal?
VPNs are legal in most countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom and Canada. Certain countries, such as China and Russia, have laws against using a VPN to bypass banned websites.
Regardless of the country you’re in, doing anything illegal while you’re connected to a VPN is still illegal.
Are there any VPNs that are available for free?
There are free VPNs available, such as Hotspot Shield. However, we recommend choosing a paid option as free VPNs are less secure and come with many advertisements. If budget is an issue, you can find many cheap VPNs to choose from.