Surfshark vs. ExpressVPN 2024: Two of the Best Duke It Out

Our Surfshark vs. ExpressVPN review shows that Surfshark is the better choice for most people. It’s more affordable and generally matches ExpressVPN for its features, including unblocking streaming content and providing loads of server options.

But ExpressVPN performed a bit better than Surfshark in our speed tests, and you can’t count out how reliable ExpressVPN has been for people over the years. 

Let’s explore our comparison of Surfshark and ExpressVPN to see more details about pricing, features, customer service, and more.

Surfshark vs. ExpressVPN at a glance

Depending on your virtual private network (VPN) needs, you typically want to compare pricing, features, speed, and reliability between multiple services.

From our testing and research, we found that Surfshark and ExpressVPN are generally reliable, secure, and private. Both services provide plenty of compatibility with their available apps, including for different operating systems and mobile devices. You can also use either VPN to unblock streaming content on Netflix, HBO Max, Disney+, and more.

But you’ll notice that Surfshark is much less expensive than ExpressVPN while staying competitive in most other categories, including features, internet speeds, and customer service.

• Surfshark: Best value
• ExpressVPN: Best for reliability and speed

How do Surfshark and ExpressVPN compare?

Price	From $1.99/mo (billed every two years)	From $6.25/mo (billed annually)
Max # of connected devices	Unlimited	8
24/7 customer support
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more
# of servers	3,200+ servers in 100 countries	Unlisted in 105 countries
VPN protocol	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2	Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?
	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

Surfshark pros and cons

Surfshark is a newer service, but it has proven its as powerful as VPN titans like ExpressVPN. First, you'll be able to secure a subscription for only $1.99/mo (billed every two years). And despite the low cost, you'll still get standard VPN features like a kill switch, split tunneling, and a widespread server network. 

Another aspect that validates Surfshark's value is its unlimited simultaneous connections. This would allow you to secure every device for every family member in your home on the same subscription.

Plus, Surfshark comes with bonus features, even with its most basic plans. Surfshark Starter has CleanWeb, an ad and tracker blocker, and Alt ID, which helps with email masking. The higher tiers have additional tools like antivirus, data removal, and more.

ExpressVPN pros and cons

ExpressVPN has a premium price tag, but that's because it provides premium service. It has a strict no-logs policy to keep your data private, extensive streaming support to unblock geo-restrictions, and bonus features like a password manager and content blockers.

ExpressVPN is also known for its speed. One reason for that might be its in-house protocol, Lightway. It was created to establish faster, more secure, and more reliable VPN connections.

During our speed tests, ExpressVPN actually increased our download speed with every server location. Even with servers halfway across the world, it still delivered blazing-fast speeds.

Which VPN is the better value?

Surfshark is significantly more affordable with its starting price compared to ExpressVPN. 

	Our Pick
Price range	$1.99–$17.95/mo	$4.99–$12.95/mo
Best value plan	24-month plan for $1.99/mo (billed every two years)	12-month plan for $6.25/mo (billed annually)
Money-back guarantee	Yes — 30 days	Yes — 30 days
	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

Surfshark costs between $1.99–$17.95/mo, with its lowest-priced plan coming in at $1.99/mo (billed every two years) for 24 months.

ExpressVPN costs between $4.99–$12.95/mo, with its lowest-priced plan coming in at $6.25/mo (billed annually) for 12 months.

In terms of price, Surfshark blows ExpressVPN out of the water. It can be half the price of ExpressVPN or even more depending on the current promotion. ExpressVPN is known for being expensive, and it shows. 

But keep in mind that Surfshark has higher month-to-month prices. A monthly Surfshark Starter plan costs $15.45/mo, while ExpressVPN's monthly plan costs $12.95/mo. So if you want to save money on a VPN, choosing a multi-month or multi-year plan is typically your best bet.

Note that both Surfshark and ExpressVPN provide 30-day money-back guarantees, where you can request a full refund within 30 days.

But with Surfshark you’ll be automatically enrolled in an auto-renew subscription after signing up. We had no option to turn auto-renew off in our account and had to contact customer service to turn it off for us. It was a bit of an annoying situation, but Surfshark customer service was very quick and helpful in resolving the issue.

Which VPN is faster?

We test internet speeds before and after using a VPN to see if the secure connection significantly reduces our speed. We expect our speed to go down somewhat while using a VPN because it uses bandwidth. But we want to see whether a VPN affects everyday internet usage, such as streaming content or playing games.

We establish a baseline speed by first running a speed test before we connect to a VPN. This lets us know how fast our internet connection is without being connected to a VPN. We then run multiple speed tests while connected to VPN servers in different locations worldwide. 

The table below displays how much Surfshark and ExpressVPN impacted our baseline speed depending on the server location. 

Server location		Our Pick
US	4% slower	4% faster
Canada	9% slower	12% faster
UK	9% slower	10% faster
AU	34% slower	3% faster
	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

ExpressVPN had better download speeds across the board compared to Surfshark. ExpressVPN actually increased our 

ExpressVPN took the lead on Surfshark as we started testing servers that were farther away from our physical location. Specifically, ExpressVPN had faster speeds than Surfshark with its U.K. and Australia servers.

Which VPN is more secure?

		Our Pick
Number of servers	3,200+ servers in 100 countries	Unlisted in 105 countries
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs
VPN headquarters	The Netherlands	British Virgin Islands
Encryption	AES-256-GCM	AES-256
VPN protocol	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2	Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2
Kill switch
Split tunneling
DNS leak protection
Ad blocker
	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

Surfshark and ExpressVPN share many similarities when it comes to their available features. This includes a large number of servers, strict no-logs policies, and high levels of encryption. Both VPNs also provide basic VPN features like kill switches and split tunneling.

Both Surfshark and ExpressVPN are headquartered in locations with strong data privacy laws, which help back up their no-logs policies. But it must be noted that the Netherlands, where Surfshark is located, is part of the 14 Eyes alliance. The British Virgin Islands, where ExpressVPN is located, aren’t part of the Five, Nine, or 14 Eyes alliances.

Countries that are members of these alliances have been known to share private information about their citizens with other alliance members. And it could mean that living in one of these countries poses a risk to your online privacy and anonymity.

Digging further into the no-logs policies, we found that ExpressVPN had its policy audited by KPMG in 2024. Surfshark had its policy audited by Cure53 in 2023.

Surfshark provides servers in more countries than ExpressVPN, but the numbers are close enough to not matter for most users. ExpressVPN doesn’t advertise its exact number of servers. But from testing, we found that both Surfshark and ExpressVPN have plenty of available servers for the average VPN user.

One big difference between the two VPNs is found in their available protocols. ExpressVPN doesn't offer WireGuard, but it does offer its in-house Lightway protocol. Lightway is a next-generation protocol that provides fast speeds, which may have made the difference for ExpressVPN in some of our speed tests.

Surfshark vs. ExpressVPN: compatibility and customer service

Windows
macOS
Android
iOS
Linux
Router
Smart devices
24/7 support
Customer support options	Live chat, email, online guides	Live chat, email, online guides
	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review	Get ExpressVPN Read ExpressVPN Review

We had no issues setting up Surfshark and ExpressVPN on our desktop computer using Windows. The process was as simple as downloading the Windows apps from the applicable websites and using our info to log in. We expect you would have a similar experience, whether you want to set up a VPN on Windows or Mac.

Apart from Windows and macOS, Surfshark and ExpressVPN are also compatible with other operating systems, browser extensions, and mobile apps. This includes Linux, Apple iOS, Android, and even routers and some smart devices.

For example, you can set up Surfshark or ExpressVPN on a compatible router so that all Wi-Fi devices in your home have a secure connection, including smart locks, refrigerators, and more.

The interfaces of both Windows apps were intuitive and easy to use. We had no issues navigating the server lists or finding available features in the settings. And we barely had to wait at all when connecting to different servers.

Both Surfshark and ExpressVPN provide customer service options in the form of 24/7 live chat, email, and online guides. There’s no option to call a support number or participate in official community forums with either VPN, which is common for many popular VPN services.

It should be noted that not every major VPN provider offers 24/7 customer support, or you might have to be a paying subscriber to access this feature. But with Surfshark and ExpressVPN, you can access the live chat feature 24/7 from their websites, whether you have a subscription or not.

FAQs

Is Surfshark or ExpressVPN better?

ExpressVPN is a secure, fast, and private service that can unblock streaming services, has 24/7 customer support, and doesn’t tend to significantly reduce your internet speeds. But Surfshark generally matches ExpressVPN across the board and costs a lot less. Plus, you'll get unlimited simultaneous connections with every subscription.

Between the two options, we recommend Surfshark. We still think that ExpressVPN is a great option, but it’s not the most affordable.

Surfshark vs. ExpressVPN alternatives

Surfshark and ExpressVPN are among our picks for the best VPNs, but they're not the only ones. Review some of our other favorite services if you're still not sold on Surfshark or ExpressVPN.