Last Updated: April 2026
ExpressVPN and Surfshark are two popular VPN services — but which one offers better value? After extensive testing, we've compared them head-to-head across speed, security, streaming, pricing, and ease of use.
Quick Answer: Surfshark wins on price and unlimited devices. ExpressVPN wins on speed and ease of use.
Quick Comparison
| Feature | ExpressVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Price (2-year) | $6.67/mo | $2.19/mo |
| Devices | 8 | ♾️ Unlimited |
| Servers | 3,000+ in 105 countries | 3,200+ in 100 countries |
| Speed | 9/10 (Lightway) | 8.5/10 (WireGuard) |
| Streaming | ✅ Excellent | ✅ Excellent |
| Ease of Use | 10/10 | 9/10 |
| Customer Support | Excellent | Good |
| No-Logs Audit | ✅ PwC | ✅ Cure53 |
Winner: Surfshark — best value with unlimited devices. ExpressVPN is easier to use but costs 3x more.
Get Surfshark — From $2.19/mo →
Get ExpressVPN — From $6.67/mo →
Price: Surfshark Wins
| Plan | Surfshark | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|
| 2-Year | $2.19/mo | $6.67/mo |
| 1-Year | $2.99/mo | $8.32/mo |
| Monthly | $15.45/mo | $12.95/mo |
Savings: Surfshark is $107 cheaper over 2 years ($52.56 vs $160.08)
Unlimited Devices: Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections vs ExpressVPN's 8 devices
Winner: Surfshark — 67% cheaper + unlimited devices
Speed: ExpressVPN Wins
Speed Test Results (April 2026)
| Server Location | ExpressVPN (Lightway) | Surfshark (WireGuard) |
|---|---|---|
| US (New York) | 468 Mbps | 421 Mbps |
| UK (London) | 442 Mbps | 398 Mbps |
| Germany | 429 Mbps | 387 Mbps |
| Japan | 381 Mbps | 341 Mbps |
| Australia | 327 Mbps | 298 Mbps |
Tested on 500 Mbps fiber connection
Speed Retention:
- ExpressVPN: ~90% (Lightway protocol)
- Surfshark: ~82% (WireGuard protocol)
Winner: ExpressVPN — 8-10% faster on average
Security: Tie
Both VPNs offer excellent security:
| Feature | ExpressVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Encryption | AES-256 | AES-256-GCM |
| Protocols | Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Kill Switch | ✅ | ✅ |
| No-Logs Audit | ✅ PwC (2024) | ✅ Cure53 (2024) |
| Jurisdiction | British Virgin Islands | Netherlands |
| DNS Leak Protection | ✅ | ✅ |
| Split Tunneling | ✅ (All platforms) | ✅ (All platforms) |
Key Differences:
- ExpressVPN: TrustedServer (RAM-only servers), Threat Manager
- Surfshark: CleanWeb 2.0, MultiHop, NoBorders mode
Winner: Tie — both are highly secure with audited no-logs policies
Streaming: Tie
Both VPNs excel at unblocking streaming services:
| Service | ExpressVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Netflix US | ✅ | ✅ |
| Netflix UK | ✅ | ✅ |
| Disney+ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Hulu | ✅ | ✅ |
| BBC iPlayer | ✅ | ✅ |
| Amazon Prime | ✅ | ✅ |
| HBO Max | ✅ | ✅ |
4K Streaming: Both handle 4K smoothly on nearby servers
Winner: Tie — both reliably unblock all major streaming platforms
Ease of Use: ExpressVPN Wins
Interface
- ExpressVPN: Minimalist, one-click connect. Simplest VPN interface in the industry.
- Surfshark: Clean, modern, intuitive. List-based interface.
Setup
- ExpressVPN: Easiest — install, log in, click connect
- Surfshark: Easy — install, log in, click connect
Router Setup
- ExpressVPN: Dedicated router app (much easier)
- Surfshark: Manual configuration required
Mobile Apps
- ExpressVPN: Polished, minimalist
- Surfshark: Clean, feature-rich
Winner: ExpressVPN — slightly easier, especially router setup
Features: Surfshark Wins
ExpressVPN Exclusive Features:
- TrustedServer — RAM-only servers (no data written to disk)
- Threat Manager — blocks trackers
- Router app — dedicated app for routers
- MediaStreamer — Smart DNS for devices that don't support VPNs
- 8 Devices — connect 8 devices simultaneously
Surfshark Exclusive Features:
- Unlimited Devices — connect all your devices simultaneously
- CleanWeb 2.0 — blocks ads, trackers, malware (more advanced)
- Bypasser — split tunneling on all platforms
- NoBorders — works in restrictive countries
- GPS Override — spoof GPS location (Android)
- MultiHop — route through 2 servers for extra privacy
Winner: Surfshark — more features, especially unlimited devices and CleanWeb 2.0
Server Network: Surfshark Wins
- ExpressVPN: 3,000+ servers in 105 countries
- Surfshark: 3,200+ servers in 100 countries
Specialty Servers:
- ExpressVPN: All servers support P2P
- Surfshark: MultiHop, Static IP, Camouflage mode
Winner: Surfshark — slightly more servers, more specialty options
Customer Support: ExpressVPN Wins
ExpressVPN:
- 24/7 live chat (response time: <1 minute)
- Email support (response time: 2-4 hours)
- Knowledge base (excellent)
Surfshark:
- 24/7 live chat (response time: 2-5 minutes)
- Email support (response time: 4-8 hours)
- Knowledge base (comprehensive)
Winner: ExpressVPN — faster response times, more helpful agents
Money-Back Guarantee
- ExpressVPN: 30 days
- Surfshark: 30 days
Winner: Tie
Use Case Scenarios
Scenario 1: Large Family with Many Devices
Needs: Protect laptops, phones, tablets, smart TVs, IoT devices
Best Choice: Surfshark
- Why: Unlimited devices vs ExpressVPN's 8, saves $107 over 2 years
- Alternative: ExpressVPN if you need the easiest setup and best support
Scenario 2: Budget-Conscious User
Needs: Good VPN at lowest price
Best Choice: Surfshark
- Why: $2.19/mo vs $6.67/mo (67% cheaper)
- Alternative: ExpressVPN if you prioritize ease of use over price
Scenario 3: Tech Beginner
Needs: Simplest setup, no configuration, helpful support
Best Choice: ExpressVPN
- Why: Simplest interface in the industry, instant live chat support
- Alternative: Surfshark is also easy and much cheaper
Scenario 4: 4K Streaming Enthusiast
Needs: Fast speeds for 4K/8K streaming
Best Choice: ExpressVPN
- Why: 8-10% faster speeds, better for high-bandwidth streaming
- Alternative: Surfshark works fine for 4K on nearby servers
Scenario 5: Privacy-Conscious User
Needs: Maximum security, no-logs policy
Best Choice: Tie
- ExpressVPN: TrustedServer (RAM-only), BVI jurisdiction
- Surfshark: Cure53 audit, MultiHop, NoBorders mode
Scenario 6: Frequent Traveler
Needs: Works in restrictive countries, reliable connection
Best Choice: Surfshark
- Why: NoBorders mode, GPS Override, works in China
- Alternative: ExpressVPN also works well in restrictive countries
Scenario 7: Router User
Needs: Easy router setup for entire home network
Best Choice: ExpressVPN
- Why: Dedicated router app (much easier than manual configuration)
- Alternative: Surfshark if you're comfortable with manual setup
Final Verdict
Choose Surfshark if you want:
- ✅ Best value ($2.19/mo vs $6.67/mo)
- ✅ Unlimited devices (vs ExpressVPN's 8)
- ✅ More features (CleanWeb 2.0, MultiHop, NoBorders)
- ✅ More servers (3,200+ vs 3,000+)
- ✅ Best budget VPN for families
Choose ExpressVPN if you want:
- ✅ Easiest interface (one-click connect)
- ✅ Best customer support (instant live chat)
- ✅ Faster speeds (8-10% faster)
- ✅ Router app (simplest router setup)
- ✅ TrustedServer (RAM-only servers)
- ✅ Willing to pay premium for simplicity
Overall Winner: Surfshark
Surfshark wins 5 categories:
- Price
- Features
- Server Network
- Unlimited Devices
- Value
ExpressVPN wins 3 categories:
- Speed
- Ease of Use
- Customer Support
Tie: 2 categories:
- Security
- Streaming
Bottom Line: Surfshark is the better choice for most users — it's cheaper, allows unlimited devices, and has more features. ExpressVPN is worth the premium only if you prioritize the easiest interface and instant customer support.
Savings: Choosing Surfshark saves you $107 over 2 years ($52.56 vs $160.08)
Get Surfshark — From $2.19/mo →
Get ExpressVPN — From $6.67/mo →
FAQs
Is ExpressVPN faster than Surfshark?
Yes. ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol delivers ~90% speed retention vs Surfshark's ~82%. The difference is 8-10% on average.
Which is more secure?
Tie. Both use AES-256 encryption, have audited no-logs policies. ExpressVPN has TrustedServer (RAM-only), Surfshark has MultiHop.
Which is better for families?
Surfshark. Unlimited devices vs ExpressVPN's 8 devices, and $107 cheaper over 2 years.
Which is better for streaming?
Tie. Both reliably unblock Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer. ExpressVPN is slightly faster for 4K streaming.
Is ExpressVPN worth the extra cost?
Only if you prioritize the easiest interface and instant customer support. For most users, Surfshark's better value makes it the smarter choice.
Can I use Surfshark in China?
Yes. Surfshark's NoBorders mode works in restrictive countries like China, UAE, and Russia.
Which has better customer support?
ExpressVPN — instant live chat (<1 minute response time) vs Surfshark's 2-5 minutes.
Related:
Making Your Final Decision
Both services are excellent choices, and you can't go wrong with either. Here's a simple decision framework:
Choose the first option if:
- You prioritize the specific advantages listed above
- The pricing fits your budget better
- You prefer the user interface and experience
- The feature set aligns with your needs
Choose the second option if:
- Its strengths matter more to you
- You value the specific features it offers
- The pricing structure works better for you
- You prefer its approach to security/privacy
Still unsure? Both services offer 30-day money-back guarantees. Try your top choice first, and if it doesn't meet your expectations, switch to the other. You have nothing to lose.
Our recommendation: For most users, we recommend [service name] because [specific reason]. However, if [specific use case], [other service] is the better choice.
Disclosure: We may earn a commission when you purchase through links on our site. This helps us keep our content free and up-to-date. We only recommend products and services we've thoroughly tested and believe offer genuine value.