ExpressVPN vs. Surfshark — Which VPN Is Better in 2024?

Tim Mocan
Updated on: April 23, 2024

ExpressVPN and Surfshark are some of the best VPNs on the market. They’re really secure, provide excellent privacy, come with tons of great extras, are really good for torrenting, and provide very good customer support. They both also have large server networks — ExpressVPN has 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, and Surfshark has 3,200+ servers in 100 countries.

Both providers come with essential VPN security features, including 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and a no-logs policy — and each provider’s no-log policy has been independently audited. In addition, they both also have:

• RAM-only servers.
• Perfect forward secrecy.
• Obfuscation.
• A malicious site-blocking feature.
• Tor (The Onion Router) support.
• Split-tunneling.
• A smart DNS.

That said, there are some noticeable differences between the two VPNs. ExpressVPN has much faster speeds for all online activities, is compatible with 100+ streaming services, has cloud gaming support, works in restrictive countries without issues, and has apps for more platforms (including routers). On the other hand, Surfshark’s speeds are good but still noticeably slower on all servers, works with 50+ streaming platforms (it doesn’t work with Disney+), lacks cloud gaming support, doesn’t work in restrictive regions, and requires a manual router setup. On the plus side, it has super cheap plans, its malicious site blocker can also block ads, and it also allows unlimited connections — ExpressVPN, however, only allows 8 connections.

I compared both VPNs using different metrics, such as security, additional features, privacy, server networks, speeds, streaming support, torrenting, gaming, bypassing censorship, ease of use and cross-platform compatibility, plans and pricing, and customer support. My tests show that ExpressVPN is a much better option, but I still recommend reading through the whole comparison guide to see which VPN would best suit your needs.

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ExpressVPN vs. Surfshark — Quick Overview

Security — Both VPNs Are Very Secure

ExpressVPN and Surfshark both provide really strong security, as they come with the following industry-standard security features:

• 256-bit AES encryption. Makes all web traffic 100% unreadable, so that nobody can spy on it.
• No-logs policy. Stops the VPN provider from collecting sensitive data, like your IP address and browsing traffic.
• Kill switch. Disables all internet access if the VPN connection drops to prevent traffic leaks.

That said, only ExpressVPN has full leak protection against IPv6, DNS, and WebRTC leaks. Surfshark only comes with DNS leak protection. Even so, I didn’t experience any leaks with either provider in leak tests.

But I do like how both of them come with other advanced security features — they have RAM-only servers (every server reset deletes all data) and perfect forward secrecy, which changes the encryption key for each VPN connection to stop hackers from using compromised past or future encryption keys to spy on your traffic.

What’s more, both VPNs have secure protocols, including OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec. ExpressVPN also has its proprietary protocol (Lightway) that provides lightning-fast speeds and very strong security, and Surfshark also comes with WireGuard, which is very secure and very fast.

It’s also great how Surfshark supports two-factor authentication, which lets you better secure your account by having to verify each login attempt with a time-sensitive code generated by an app or security key.

Extra Features — Either VPN Is a Great Pick

I think both VPNs are good options, as they both provide access to tons of great additional features.

For starters, both of them come with split-tunneling, which allows you to choose which apps or websites use the VPN, and which apps or sites use your local network. I really like this feature, as I often use it to only route P2P traffic through the VPN while torrenting — this usually increases my speeds a little bit.

Both providers also have a feature that blocks connections to malicious websites — ExpressVPN has Threat Manager, while Surfshark has CleanWeb. But I like CleanWeb more because it can also block ads, which helps web pages load faster.

In addition, ExpressVPN and Surfshark both provide access to obfuscation. This feature hides your VPN traffic, making it look like regular internet traffic — this is helpful if you need additional privacy. Surfshark also has NoBorders, which allows you to connect to servers that are optimized to work on restrictive networks.

Plus, it’s great that they both also allow Tor traffic across all of their servers. This way, if you want to access the dark web, you can first secure your data with either VPN.

What’s more, each VPN also comes with a smart DNS. This is a helpful tool that lets you use a VPN on devices that don’t work with VPN apps, like certain smart TVs or gaming consoles.

ExpressVPN also provides access to the following extras, which Surfshark lacks:

• ExpressVPN Keys. This is a password manager that secures all of your logins and also allows you to generate strong passwords. The feature is included with each subscription.
• Shortcuts. Allows you to set up 1-click shortcuts for specific apps and websites, which appear on ExpressVPN’s main window.
• Port forwarding. Lets you connect to more peers while torrenting to get faster speeds. In my tests, this feature boosted my download speeds by around 10%.
• App Screenshots. Lets you disable in-app screenshots and prevent in-app content from showing up in the multitasking pane on Android so that nobody can spy on your in-app activity.

Surfshark comes with these additional features, which ExpressVPN doesn’t have:

• Dynamic MultiHop. Provides better security by sending your data through 2 VPN servers instead of just 1 VPN server. It also lets you choose your entry and exit servers.
• IP Rotator. Regularly changes your VPN IP address without disconnecting you from the VPN server. This makes it harder for cybercriminals to track your online activities and location.
• Built-in speed test. Runs speed tests to determine which servers would provide you with the fastest speeds. Sadly, this feature is not 100% accurate.
• Override GPS Location. An Android feature that matches your GPS data to your VPN IP address. This makes it much harder for mobile streaming apps to detect and block your VPN connections.

Privacy — Both VPNs Are Great for Privacy

You can’t go wrong with either ExpressVPN or Surfshark when it comes to privacy. Both of them have strict no-logs policies that don’t log your IP address (which reveals your location) and your traffic, such as the sites you access and what files you download.

In addition, each provider’s no-logs policy has been independently audited — ExpressVPN conducted audits in 2019 and 2022, and Surfsharkb audited its policy in 2022.

Plus, ExpressVPN’s no-logs policy has also been proven true in a server seizure. One of its servers was seized by Turkish authorities in 2017, but government officials were unable to find any user data on it.

What’s more, ExpressVPN has undergone other security audits. It had its TrustedServer technology audited in 2019 and 2022, and its Lightway protocol underwent an audit in 2021. Also, its Chrome extension was audited in 2018, its Windows app underwent a security audit in 2021 and 2022, and its iOS, Android, macOS, and Linux apps were audited in 2022.

Similarly, Surfshark has also undergone a few security audits — its browser extensions were audited in 2018, and its server infrastructure underwent an independent audit in 2021.

But only ExpressVPN is located in a privacy-friendly country. It’s based in the British Virgin Islands, which is outside the jurisdiction of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances (a group of countries that share surveillance data). Surfshark is located in the Netherlands, which is a 5/9/14 Eyes country — but even if the authorities ask the provider for user data, it wouldn’t have anything to hand over.

Finally, I’m happy that both providers accept cryptocurrency payments, which provides better privacy than standard payment methods, like credit/debit cards and PayPal.

Servers — ExpressVPN and Surfshark Both Have Great Server Networks

Both providers come with very large server networks. ExpressVPN has 3,200+ servers in 105 countries, and Surfshark has 3,200+ servers in 100 countries. So, it’s easy to connect to nearby servers for fast speeds, and you’re less likely to use overcrowded servers, which slow down your speeds.

In addition to physical servers, both VPNs also have virtual locations — these servers provide you with an IP address from the country you connect to but are located in a different country. I like how both VPNs are transparent about their use of virtual locations, as they tell you which servers are virtual servers (but only ExpressVPN provides you with the actual location of each virtual server). Plus, I ran leak tests on 5+ virtual locations from each provider, and they always assigned me the correct IP address.

I also like how both VPNs allow torrenting across all of their servers, which is really convenient. In addition, they support obfuscation, streaming, and Tor traffic on each server.

Surfshark also has Dynamic MultiHop servers, which allow you to set up custom double VPN connections, meaning you get to pick the entry and exit servers.

Speeds — ExpressVPN Is the Fastest Option

Surfshark has fast speeds, but it just can’t keep up with ExpressVPN, which is the fastest VPN in 2024. In my tests, websites, HD videos, and 4K videos loaded instantly on nearby and even very distant servers with ExpressVPN. Also, a 20 GB file took just 9–10 minutes to download on nearby servers, and around 14–15 minutes to download on distant servers.

On the other hand, Surfshark’s speeds were noticeably slower on all servers. On nearby servers, sites loaded instantly, HD videos loaded in 1–2 seconds, 4K videos took 3 seconds to load, and a 20 GB file downloaded in 16–17 minutes. And on distant servers, websites took 2–3 seconds to load, HD videos loaded in 3 seconds, 4K videos loaded in 5 seconds and there was minor buffering at the start, and the same 20 GB file took 24–26 minutes to download.

Streaming — ExpressVPN Wins This Round

ExpressVPN offers better variety because it works with 100+ streaming services, while Surfshark only works with 50+ streaming platforms. Honestly, it’s difficult for any VPN on the market to match ExpressVPN’s streaming support — it’s the best VPN for streaming in the industry.

On the plus side, both VPNs work with Netflix without any issues. My colleagues in the US and UK confirmed that they had no trouble streaming their home libraries with either VPN.

In addition, both VPNs also work with other popular streaming platforms, including Max, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime — that said, only ExpressVPN works with Disney+.

Finally, I think it’s great that each provider comes with a smart DNS — this tool lets you use a VPN on devices that don’t support VPN apps. The smart DNS tools require manual setups, but both VPNs have helpful tutorials, so it won’t take more than 5–6 minutes to handle the setup.

Torrenting — Both VPNs Are Great Picks

Both VPNs have really good P2P support. They allow torrenting across all of their servers, which is really convenient — ExpressVPN has 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, and Surfshark has 3,200+ servers in 100 countries.

In addition, both providers work with popular P2P clients. I ran tests while connected to both VPNs using Vuze, Deluge, and qBittorrent, and I never experienced any issues. However, only ExpressVPN comes with port forwarding, which is useful for torrenting because it lets you connect to more peers to get faster downloads.

On the plus side, both VPNs provide strong privacy and security for torrenting. Each one comes with a kill switch, a no-logs policy that has been independently audited, and a feature that blocks connections to shady sites (Surfshark can also block ads on P2P sites).

I also confirmed that neither VPN leaks your IP address while torrenting. I ran several leak tests and never experienced any leaks. On top of that, I ran torrent IP leak tests as well to make sure the P2P clients I’m using don’t reveal my real IP address.

Gaming — ExpressVPN Comes Out on Top

ExpressVPN is the superior VPN here when it comes to gaming. When I played Dota 2 using both VPNs, I maintained good ping on local servers. When I switched to distant servers, ExpressVPN provided me with a stable, average ping, while Surfshark had a higher ping. Also, on distant servers, I experienced lag while gaming with Surfshark — thankfully, it wasn’t game-breaking.

You can use both VPNs on your router, but only ExpressVPN has a router app. It’s very easy to install, even for non-tech-savvy users, and ExpressVPN includes detailed step-by-step instructions to help you install it. Surfshark, on the other hand, only supports manual router setups.

Plus, both VPNs protect you from Distributed-Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks, which can force you offline for a few hours or more. In addition, both providers have anti-DDoS protection across all of their servers, preventing a hacker from targeting your connection with DDoS attack.

Finally, only ExpressVPN has cloud gaming support. So, you can use it to access platforms like GeForce Now, which stream video games to portable devices like laptops and smartphones. Unfortunately, Surfshark can’t guarantee it works with cloud gaming services.

Bypassing Censorship — ExpressVPN Is the Best Option

	Obfuscation	Works in China	Works in Russia	Works in Iran	Works in Indonesia	Works in Saudi Arabia
ExpressVPN	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅	✅
Surfshark	✅	❌	❌	❌	❌	❌

ExpressVPN consistently works in restrictive regions like China and Iran without issues. Meanwhile, Surfshark doesn’t work in such countries. Plus, I think it’s really great that ExpressVPN has servers in 105 countries. This way, people in restrictive countries can easily connect to nearby servers to get fast speeds.

Apps & Ease of Use — ExpressVPN Is the Better Option

ExpressVPN gets the nod here due to having slightly better cross-platform support. Both providers have an app for iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android TV, Fire TV, and Chromebook, but ExpressVPN also has an app for Kindle Fire and routers (Surfshark requires you to perform a manual router setup).

On the plus side, I like both providers’ mobile apps — they’re simple to navigate, provide access to quick-connect tools that automatically connect you to the fastest servers, and come with great features.

Each VPN’s desktop apps are really good as well. They’re really easy to install (it didn’t take me more than 1–2 minutes to do it), the interface is simple to navigate, and all features and settings have helpful explanations.

But when it comes to router support, ExpressVPN handles it better. That’s because it has an intuitive router app that’s really simple to install and use. On the other hand, Surfshark requires you to manually set up its VPN on your router — while helpful tutorials are available, the process still isn’t as straightforward as using ExpressVPN’s router app.

Plans & Pricing — Surfshark Is More Budget-Friendly

Surfshark is more affordable than ExpressVPN, and it also supports unlimited connections. One of the few drawbacks of ExpressVPN is that it only allows 8 connections, which is on the lower end of the industry average of 5–10 connections.

ExpressVPN has a 1-month, a 6-month, and a 12-month plan — and the 12-month plan also comes with extra months for free! You get the best savings with the longest plan, though it’s still pretty pricey compared to Surfshark. Fortunately, you can use our exclusive 49% discount to get the VPN for only $6.67 / month.

Surfshark comes with a 1-month, a 1-year, and a 2-year plan (it includes additional months for free). All of its plans are more affordable than ExpressVPN’s plans, and its longest plan provides the biggest discounts — plus, it starts at just $2.29 / month, which is super cheap.

Both VPNs accept multiple payment methods, such as credit/debit cards, PayPal, and cryptocurrencies. Surfshark also accepts Google Pay and Amazon Pay.

Finally, each VPN backs all plans with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which provides enough time to fully test their services.

Customer Support — Both VPNs Are Great Options

Frankly, you can’t go wrong with either provider’s customer support platforms. Each provider comes with a really helpful and in-depth support library, which includes frequently asked questions (FAQs), step-by-step tutorials, and troubleshooting guides. I especially like that both VPNs have screenshots and video guides in their support articles.

What’s more, ExpressVPN and Surfshark both have 24/7 live chat, which I think is the best way to contact a VPN provider’s support reps. I was generally connected with a live chat rep in 5–10 seconds with each VPN, which is really good — what’s more, the reps were always really friendly and able to answer all of my questions accurately.

Finally, I tested each VPN’s email support at random times throughout the week — ExpressVPN usually replied in a few hours, Surfshark got back to me in less than a day, and both VPNs’ email support reps were very helpful.

ExpressVPN vs. Surfshark: Overall Winner

ExpressVPN is the best VPN in 2024. It offers top-tier VPN security and privacy features, delivers lightning-fast speeds, and is compatible with over 100 streaming sites. It also has 3,000+ servers across 105 countries, allows torrenting on all servers, is great for gaming, and provides user-friendly apps for all platforms, including routers!

Surfshark is secure, allows unlimited connections and works with 50+ streaming apps. It also has 3,200+ servers in 100 countries, provides great P2P support, has a great ad blocker, has easy-to-use apps for most devices, and offers cheap plans.

Among both options, ExpressVPN takes the lead as the winner. It outperforms in terms of speed, compatibility with various streaming platforms, gaming features, functionality in restrictive countries, and availability of apps for multiple platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ExpressVPN better than Surfshark?

Based on my tests, yes — ExpressVPN has much faster speeds than Surfshark, provides better streaming support, is better for gaming, is able to overcome censorship in restrictive countries without issues, and has apps for more platforms. However, I wasn’t able to pick a winner when I compared security, additional features, privacy features, server networks, and customer support.

Which is faster — ExpressVPN or Surfshark?

ExpressVPN outperformed Surfshark in my speed tests — it provided me with lighting-fast connections for all online activities on both nearby and distant servers. With Surfshark, I had pretty fast speeds on all servers, but they were still noticeably slower than ExpressVPN’s speeds. To be honest, though, I expected this result, as ExpressVPN is the fastest VPN on the market.

Are ExpressVPN and Surfshark good for streaming?

Yes, but ExpressVPN is better. That’s because it works with 100+ streaming platforms, whereas Surfshark only works with 50+ streaming services. While both VPNs work with top sites like Netflix, Max, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime, only ExpressVPN is compatible with Disney+.

Is ExpressVPN better for torrenting than Surfshark?

Both VPNs are really good for torrenting in my opinion. They both allow P2P traffic across all of their servers, work with popular torrenting clients like Vuze and uTorrent, and provide very strong security and privacy. ExpressVPN also has port forwarding (which lets you connect to more peers for faster speeds), and Surfshark can also get rid of annoying ads on torrenting sites.

Read more about the best VPNs in 2024