ExpressVPN vs Surfshark: Which is Better in 2026?
Surfshark and ExpressVPN are direct competitors selling the same core product: a consumer VPN. The real difference is priorities. Surfshark competes on unlimited devices and a bundled security suite at an aggressive long-term price. ExpressVPN competes on connection speed, a stronger privacy jurisdiction, and polish. Read this if you are choosing one VPN subscription and want to know which tradeoff fits your household.
Bottom line: ExpressVPN is our overall pick for security workflows. Pick Surfshark if you need its specific feature set.
Short on time? Here's the quick answer
We've tested both tools. Here's who should pick what:
ExpressVPN
Secure your connection, access global content, and enjoy fast speeds
Best for you if:
- • Premium VPN with 3,000+ servers, Lightway protocol, and post-quantum encryption.
- • Features split tunneling, kill switch, and reliable streaming service unblocking.
Surfshark
Unlimited devices, all-in-one online security and privacy
Best for you if:
- • Comprehensive VPN and cybersecurity suite for online privacy and security.
- • Protects unlimited devices with features like ad blocking, antivirus, and identity protection.
| At a Glance |  ExpressVPN |  Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
Starts at | Custom | $2.49/moSurfshark Starter |
Best For | Security | Security |
Rating | 4.6/5 | 4.3/5 |
Free plan | No | No |
Choose ExpressVPN or Surfshark?
Choose ExpressVPN if
Secure your connection, access global content, and enjoy fast speeds
- Fast VPN
- Good privacy
- Wide server network
Choose Surfshark if
Unlimited devices, all-in-one online security and privacy
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- Comprehensive suite including VPN, Antivirus, and identity protection tools
- Strong privacy with a strict no-logs policy and advanced encryption
| Feature | ExpressVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Pricing Model | Paid | Paid |
| User Rating | ★4.6/5 286 reviews | ★4.3/5 923 reviews |
| Categories | SecurityVPN | SecurityVPN |
In-Depth Analysis
ExpressVPN
Strengths
- +Lightway protocol is purpose-built for speed and reliability and consistently tests among the fastest VPN protocols available
- +British Virgin Islands jurisdiction, outside most major international data-sharing agreements, is one of the strongest privacy jurisdictions among mainstream VPN providers
- +7-day free trial lets new users test the service before committing, something Surfshark does not offer
- +Newer Advanced and Pro tiers now bundle a password manager, identity monitoring, and credit monitoring, closing the gap with Surfshark's all-in-one approach
Weaknesses
- -Even the entry Basic tier costs 3.49 dollars a month on the multi-year plan, and the Pro tier at 7.49 dollars a month is expensive next to Surfshark's equivalent bundle
- -Device limit tops out at 14 simultaneous connections on the Pro tier, hard capped, versus Surfshark's unlimited devices on every plan
- -No free tier and no discount as steep as Surfshark's 2-year plan
Best For
Users who prioritize proven connection speed, streaming reliability, and a stronger privacy jurisdiction over the lowest possible price.
ExpressVPN is the premium pick: pay more per month for a faster, more consistent connection and a jurisdiction built for privacy, with device limits that will not bother most individual users.
Surfshark
Strengths
- +Unlimited simultaneous device connections on every plan, versus the hard device caps most competitors enforce
- +Surfshark One and One plus bundle antivirus, Alternative ID, Incogni data removal, and identity theft coverage into the VPN subscription rather than charging for them separately
- +Network of more than 4,500 servers across 100 countries gives broad geographic coverage for streaming and location switching
- +Long-term pricing is aggressive: the 2-year plan brings the effective monthly cost down to 2.49 dollars, among the lowest of any mainstream VPN
Weaknesses
- -The 2.49 dollar headline price only applies to the 2-year commitment; shorter terms cost meaningfully more per month
- -Independent speed tests generally still put Surfshark a step behind ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol on raw throughput and connection consistency
- -Netherlands-based jurisdiction draws more scrutiny from privacy-focused buyers than ExpressVPN's British Virgin Islands base
Best For
Households and power users who want unlimited device connections and a bundled security suite (antivirus, identity protection, data removal) for close to the price of a VPN alone.
Surfshark is the value pick: a full security bundle at roughly a third of ExpressVPN's price once you commit to the 2-year plan.
Head-to-Head Comparison
Pricing
Surfshark winsSurfshark's 2-year plan runs 2.49 dollars a month for the One tier, which already bundles antivirus and identity protection. ExpressVPN's cheapest multi-year Basic tier costs 3.49 dollars a month, and its Pro tier reaches 7.49 dollars a month for a comparable set of extras.
Connection speed
ExpressVPN winsExpressVPN's Lightway protocol tests faster and more consistently than Surfshark's connections across independent reviews, particularly on long-distance server hops.
Ease of use
TieBoth offer polished, one-click apps across desktop, mobile, and browser extensions, with straightforward server switching for streaming or location changes.
Device support
Surfshark winsSurfshark allows unlimited simultaneous device connections on every plan. ExpressVPN caps out at 14 devices on its top Pro tier, which is generous but still a hard limit.
Family and multi-device households
Surfshark winsFor a household running phones, laptops, streaming boxes, and routers at once, Surfshark's unlimited connections avoid the juggling that ExpressVPN's device cap can force.
Privacy jurisdiction and trial
ExpressVPN winsExpressVPN's British Virgin Islands base sits outside most major international data-sharing agreements, a stronger position than Surfshark's Netherlands jurisdiction, and it backs that up with a 7-day free trial Surfshark does not match.
Bundled security extras
Surfshark winsSurfshark's One and One plus tiers bundle antivirus, Alternative ID, Incogni data removal, and dark web alerts into a single subscription. ExpressVPN's equivalent extras, a password manager and identity or credit monitoring, are newer additions concentrated in its pricier Advanced and Pro tiers.
Migration Considerations
Switching VPN providers carries no real migration cost since there is no account data to move: cancel the old subscription, install the new app, and reconnect on each device. The only thing worth doing first is exporting or noting any custom server or split-tunneling configurations, since those settings do not transfer between apps.
Pricing: ExpressVPN vs Surfshark
| Plan | ExpressVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | 3.49 Basic | $2.49/mo Surfshark Starter |
| Tier 2 | 4.49 Advanced | $2.49/mo Surfshark One |
| Tier 3 | 7.49 Pro | $4.49/mo Surfshark One+ |
Pricing verified from each vendor's public pricing page. Compare in detail on ExpressVPN pricing and Surfshark pricing.
Who Should Use What?
On a budget?
Both are paid. Compare plans on their websites.
Go with: ExpressVPN
Want the highest-rated option?
ExpressVPN: 4.6/5 (286 reviews). Surfshark: 4.3/5 (923 reviews).
Go with: ExpressVPN
Value user reviews?
ExpressVPN: 286 reviews (4.6/5). Surfshark: 923 reviews (4.3/5).
Go with: Surfshark
3 Questions to Help You Decide
What's your budget?
Both are paid. Pricing won't help you decide here.
What's your use case?
Both are security tools. Compare their specific features to decide.
How important are ratings?
ExpressVPN is rated higher: 4.6/5 vs 4.3/5.
Key Takeaways
ExpressVPN
- Higher user rating: 4.6/5 vs 4.3/5
- Our pick for this comparison
Surfshark
- Larger review base (923 reviews)
The Bottom Line
Budget-conscious households with many devices and no patience for stacking separate antivirus and identity-protection subscriptions should choose Surfshark: unlimited connections and the bundled security suite make the 2-year plan the strongest value in the VPN market. Streamers and users who prioritize raw connection speed and a stronger privacy jurisdiction should choose ExpressVPN, especially if the 14-device cap is not a limiting factor. Anyone unsure should take ExpressVPN's 7-day free trial first, since Surfshark does not offer one, then weigh that experience against Surfshark's lower long-term price.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which VPN is cheaper over a 2-year commitment?
Surfshark, at 2.49 dollars a month on its 2-year plan, which already includes antivirus and identity protection. ExpressVPN's cheapest comparable multi-year tier costs 3.49 dollars a month.
Does either VPN limit the number of devices I can connect?
ExpressVPN caps connections at 14 devices on its top tier. Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections on every plan, which matters most for larger households.
Which VPN is faster?
ExpressVPN generally tests faster and more consistently thanks to its Lightway protocol, particularly on longer-distance server connections.
Do both VPNs offer a free trial?
ExpressVPN offers a 7-day free trial. Surfshark does not offer a free trial but is commonly available with a money-back guarantee window instead.
Which one bundles more security extras into the price?
Surfshark, through its One and One plus tiers, which include antivirus, identity protection, and data removal alongside the VPN. ExpressVPN added similar extras more recently and concentrates them in its pricier Advanced and Pro tiers.