Buying a VPN is all about discovering a supplier that provides the options you want with out breaking the financial institution. It’s all about worth for cash. In our Surfshark vs ExpressVPN comparability, we’ll put the suppliers by means of the wringer to find out which one ticks the fitting containers.
Key Takeaways:
- ExpressVPN boasts higher efficiency than Surfshark in pace and streaming. Not to say, its geographical range is unmatched.
- The two titans are an equal match on safety, privateness, user-friendliness and buyer assist.
- Surfshark one ups ExpressVPN on pricing and torrenting — a shock victory, given ExpressVPN’s glorious obtain speeds.
ExpressVPN is undoubtedly one of the best VPN supplier. It gives a formidable suite of VPN options, glorious speeds and unmatched capability to entry streaming companies. Sadly, it’s some of the costly VPNs on the market, as you’ll be able to learn in our ExpressVPN review.
As one of many extra inexpensive VPNs, Surfshark shines the place ExpressVPN stumbles: pricing. Besides that, options corresponding to limitless simultaneous connections, quick speeds and stable safety cement its place in the higher VPN echelon, as you’ll be able to learn in our Surfshark review.
Read on to find how the 2 titans evaluate.
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Yes, ExpressVPN is healthier than Surfshark. It has higher speeds and is the higher decide for streaming. However, Surfshark continues to be a stable alternative in case you’re on a finances.
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Even although Surfshark finally loses the fray, it manages to equal ExpressVPN’s options, safety, privateness, user-friendliness and buyer assist efficiency.
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ExpressVPN is the quicker of the 2, with quicker obtain and add speeds.
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|---|---|---|
| $2.49 / month (All Plans)30-day money-back guarantee | $6.66 / month (All Plans)30-day money-back guarantee | |
| Surfshark Review | ExpressVPN Review | |
| General | ||
| Payment strategies | PayPal, Credit card, Google Pay, Amazon Pay | PayPal, Credit card, Bitcoin, regional cost programs, WebMoney |
| Accepts cryptocurrency | ||
| Simultaneous connections | Unlimited | 5 |
| Supports break up tunneling | ||
| Unlimited bandwidth | ||
| Free trial obtainable | ||
| Refund interval | ||
| Worldwide server quantity | 3200+ servers in 65 nations | 3,000+ servers in 94 nations |
| Desktop OSes | Windows, MacOS, Linux, Xbox, Playstation | Windows, MacOS, Linux, ChromeOS, Kindle Fire, Smart TVs, Gaming Consoles |
| Mobile OSes | Android, iOS, FireTV, AppleTV | Android, iOS, BlackBerry |
| Browser extensions | Chrome, Firefox | Chrome, Safari, Edge, Opera |
| Can be put in on routers | ||
| Streaming | ||
| Can entry Netflix US | ||
| Can entry BBC iPlayer | ||
| Can entry Hulu | ||
| Can entry Amazon Prime Video | ||
| Security | ||
| Encryption varieties | 256-AES | 256-AES |
| VPN protocols obtainable | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | IPSec, OpenVPN, PPTP, L2TP, IKEv2, Lightway |
| Enabled at system startup | ||
| Allows torrenting | ||
| No-logging coverage | ||
| Passed DNS leak check | ||
| Killswitch obtainable | ||
| Malware/advert blocker included | ||
| Support | ||
| Live Chat | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Email assist | 24/7 | 24/7 |
| Phone assist | ||
| User discussion board | ||
| Knowledgebase |
Surfshark vs ExpressVPN Compared & Tested
This is a nine-round matchup, with every spherical representing a key side of VPN efficiency. We’ll pit the 2 VPNs towards one another on varied fronts corresponding to pace, safety, streaming and extra.
The VPN that comes out on prime on every entrance will get some extent, and in case a tie happens, each suppliers will get some extent. We’ll then tally the general factors for every supplier on the finish of the ninth spherical and the VPN with essentially the most factors will probably be our total winner. Let the competitors start.
1. Speed
ExpressVPN is a pace maven that has perennially ranked because the fastest VPN. However, as VPN expertise evolves, Surfshark has adopted quicker protocols to enhance pace. We did a batch of pace assessments to find out if the supplier has finished sufficient to shut in on ExpressVPN.
| VPN Service: | Download Speed Reached | Upload Speed Reached | Increase in Ping |
|---|---|---|---|
| Surfshark | 88% | 97% | 53% |
| ExpressVPN | 95% | 98% | 14.4% |
Our pace check outcomes counsel Surfshark is on the fitting trajectory, however isn’t fairly on the identical degree as ExpressVPN.
ExpressVPN reaches 95% of unprotected obtain pace, whereas Surfshark manages 88%. If your web connection has a obtain pace of 100 Mbps, ExpressVPN will trigger an insignificant dip, leaving you to get pleasure from speeds of as much as 95 Mbps.
Though Surfshark data slower obtain speeds, its add pace is spectacular. It reaches 97% of our unprotected add pace however nonetheless lags behind ExpressVPN, which hits 98%. While ExpressVPN has a slight edge right here, each VPNs ship quick efficiency when importing giant recordsdata on-line.
ExpressVPN elevated its ping charge by 14.4%, which is nice information for avid on-line avid gamers. If you’re taking part in a first-person shooter (FPS) recreation, ExpressVPN ensures you get near-instant suggestions from the gaming server for correct and efficient gameplay. Surfshark didn’t handle the identical spectacular outcomes.
ExpressVPN is the winner right here as a result of it pulls off the higher efficiency in all metrics: latency, obtain pace and add pace. As a outcome, ExpressVPN claims some extent to take an early lead in our matchup.
2. Features
Both Surfshark and ExpressVPN are top-quality VPNs, and as you’d anticipate, they arrive full of all of the commonplace VPN features. However, their primary options corresponding to kill switches and break up tunneling supply completely different configuration choices. Plus, the 2 suppliers are uniquely decked out on the subject of superior options.
ExpressVPN and Surfshark VPN OS Support
When it involves system compatibility, Surfshark and ExpressVPN assist main desktop and cell working programs: Android, iOS, Windows, macOS and Linux. You may also set up them on gaming consoles, routers and sensible TVs corresponding to Android TV and Apple TV.
Both Surfshark and ExpressVPN present native shoppers for varied gadgets: Windows, Mac, Linux, cell, sensible TVs and routers.
If you want your VPN on an internet browser, you’ll be glad to know ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Safari, Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, Firefox and Opera. Surfshark, against this, helps Firefox, Edge and Chrome solely.
ExpressVPN kill swap provides your VPN site visitors an additional layer of safety to forestall knowledge or IP leaks that might blow your cowl.
Split Tunneling Feature
Both ExpressVPN and Surfshark assist app-based break up tunneling. You can select which apps can entry the web instantly, and which of them will probably be routed by means of the VPN.
However, Surfshark’s break up tunneling just isn’t obtainable on Mac, Linux and iOS. The drawbacks apart, Surfshark has an edge over ExpressVPN in that it helps URL-based break up tunneling.
Simultaneous Connections
Surfshark helps limitless connections and is arguably one of the best VPN for a number of gadgets, alongside Windscribe (learn our Surfshark vs Windscribe information to see how they evaluate). You can join a vast variety of gadgets, and since it helps limitless bandwidth, your web pace received’t dip. By distinction, you’ll be able to’t join greater than 5 gadgets concurrently with ExpressVPN.
Advanced VPN Features
Surfshark has a transparent benefit over ExpressVPN on the subject of superior options. It gives the ClearWeb — a dependable device that blocks pesky pop-up advertisements, third-party trackers and malicious web sites, and Surfshark One — a paid antivirus add-on.
With Surfshark, you’ll be able to arrange app- or URL-based break up tunneling.
Both VPN companies exchanged equal blows in phrases of primary options. Surfshark has a bonus in phrases of superior options; nevertheless, its break up tunneling isn’t obtainable for all customers. In the tip, the suppliers couldn’t get one up on one another.
No clear winner, factors for each
3. Pricing
As you will have seen, each Surfshak and ExpressVPN are stuffed with nice options. Let’s put cash into the equation that will help you decide which service has one of the best bang to your buck.
Both suppliers have a pricing mannequin with three plans. On a month-to-month scale, Surfshark and ExpressVPN set you again $12.95, which is on the upper aspect of the VPN pricing graph.
However, Surfshark ties a bigger low cost to its prolonged plans, making it cheaper than ExpressVPN. For instance, Surfshark’s six-month plan prices $6.49 per thirty days, which is $3.50 cheaper than the similar plan for ExpressVPN.
Beyond that, Surfshark offers a two-year plan at $2.30 per thirty days (in case you embrace the 2 free months), which is the most affordable after Private Internet Access. ExpressVPN’s yearly plan units you again $8.32, which continues to be some of the costly one-year plans we’ve seen.
Though ExpressVPN is the most costly VPN, it gives a 30-day money-back assure simply in case you alter your thoughts.
Free Trial and Money-Back Guarantee
As far as free trials go, Surfshark has extra to supply. Besides the seven-day trial on cell — which ExpressVPN additionally gives — Surfshark permits Mac customers to check the service without cost for seven days (sorry, Windows customers). ExpressVPN has no free trials on desktop apps.
In phrases of the money-back assure, each Surfshark and ExpressVPN supply a 30-day money-back assure. Surfshark has an insurmountable benefit in this class and takes the purpose for this spherical.
4. Security & Privacy
The VPN’s capability to maintain you safe on-line, unblock streaming companies and bypass geo-restrictions comes right down to its safety features. In this part, we’ll consider the VPN protocols and encryption, each of which play an enormous position in safety. We’ll additionally look at the VPNs’ privateness coverage to see if they provide a assure to mud your digital trails.
VPN Protocols and Encryption
Out of the field, Surfshark and ExpressVPN robotically select one of the best VPN and encryption based mostly in your web connection and system. However, you’ll be able to nonetheless regulate the protocol choice manually.
With Surfshark you’ll be able to change the protocols to OpenVPN TCP, OpenVPN UDP, WireGuard or IKEv2. The protocols use AES-256 encryption — a tried-and-tested choice with optimum safety and efficiency. Read our encryption guide to be taught extra.
Surfshark gives quick and safe VPN protocols, together with the fashionable WireGuard protocol.
ExpressVPN has extra choices, beginning with its proprietary Lightway protocol, which helps each TCP and UDP ciphers. Beyond that, you’ll be able to select OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP, IKEv2 and L2TP/IPsec — a low-security choice finest for anonymization and altering areas. ExpressVPN pairs these protocols with AES-256 encryption.
ExpressVPN allows you to select from an inventory of seven VPN protocol choices.
Additional Security Features
Surfshark has a multi-hop VPN, which sends your web site visitors through two completely different VPN servers, making it harder for malicious snoopers to decipher. It additionally comes with a NoBorders mode, a function that allows you to get pleasure from limitless web entry in restrictive nations like China.
Surfshark gives shared, static IP addresses without cost.
Rather than add extra safety features to ship prime safety efficiency, ExpressVPN selected to strengthen the present suite and gives obfuscation on all its servers — a function that hides the actual fact you’re utilizing a VPN. As a outcome, it nonetheless packs a punch to surpass Surfshark’s safety efficiency, regardless of missing extra instruments like double VPN. It’s our best VPN for China and different restrictive regimes.
ExpressVPN vs Surfshark No-Logs Policy
Both ExpressVPN and Surfshark have a no-logs coverage, that means they don’t acquire, retailer or share connection logs and private info. However, Surfshark claims to gather and retailer the person ID and connection timestamps associated to the VPN server you connect with for quarter-hour, earlier than expunging them.
Lately, ExpressVPN has needed to cope with considerations over its acquisition by Kape Technologies. Before that mud settled, studies emerged that its chief technical officer, Daniel Gericke, helped the United Arab Emirates ((UAE) develop espionage software program.
The silver lining amid these controversies is that ExpressVPN’s privateness fame got here out unhurt. The British Virgin Islands–based mostly supplier nonetheless abides by its no-logs privateness coverage. Plus, with the right ahead secrecy and RAM-based servers — which delete knowledge with each reboot, there’s a assure it can uphold your privateness.
Lastly, ExpressVPN and Surfshark are based mostly in the British Virgin Island and the Netherlands, respectively. The two nations have a number of the most privacy-friendly legal guidelines with no necessary knowledge retention legal guidelines, which allow VPN corporations to take care of top-notch privateness.
There’s nothing conspicuous to separate the 2 suppliers right here. They each supply safe protocols and encryptions, and though ExpressVPN doesn’t supply extra safety features, it nonetheless delivers glorious efficiency. Moreover, ExpressVPN’s boardroom points have had no impression on its privateness profile.
No clear winner, factors for each
5. Streaming
ExpressVPN is the best VPN for streaming as a result of it’s extremely quick and will get you into any streaming service. In our assessments, it unblocked a number of Netflix libraries, HBO Max, Disney Plus, Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer on the primary try. The supplier additionally delivers a clean streaming expertise freed from any lags or buffering.
Unlike Surfshark, ExpressVPN unblocks all well-liked streaming companies with ease.
Surfshark efficiency is a combined bag. While it obtained us into Disney Plus on the primary try, it took a number of makes an attempt to unblock HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer. Beyond that, Surfshark couldn’t discover a method round Netflix geo-restrictions, which is disappointing.
Although Surfshark is a quick VPN, it doesn’t ship good streaming efficiency.
This is the primary time Surfshark didn’t unblock Netflix. It appears the favored streaming service has blocklisted a few of Surfshark’s IP addresses. Hopefully, the supplier will refresh the pool of IPs to treatment that subject.
ExpressVPN is a streaming large that places up a efficiency Surfshark can solely dream to realize. For this motive, ExpressVPN takes the purpose to reclaim the lead in our ExpressVPN vs Surfshark fray.
6. Torrenting
In the torrenting class, the taking part in discipline is degree as a result of not one of the VPN suppliers supply torrenting-optimized servers. However, we anticipated ExpressVPN to outshine Surfshark due to its quick obtain speeds. To see how the 2 evaluate, we used the automated server choice to obtain a 1GB check file on 3 Mbps web.
Surfshark Vs ExpressVPN Torrenting Speeds
| VPN service: | Top obtain pace | Download time |
|---|---|---|
| ExpressVPN | 0.41 MB per second | 81 minutes |
| Surfshark | 0.40 MB per second | 75 minutes |
The outcomes didn’t pan out as we anticipated. Though Surfshark began slowly, it shortly gathered tempo to succeed in a most pace of 0.4 Mbps, in comparison with ExpressVPN’s 0.41 Mbps. Its slower obtain pace didn’t impression its efficiency because it accomplished the obtain in 75 minutes, beating ExpressVPN to the road by six minutes.
As a outcome, Surfshark will get the purpose in this spherical. Read our Surfshark vs NordVPN comparability to see how the previous compares to one of the best torrenting VPN.
7. Server Locations
In our ExpressVPN vs Surfshark comparability, we’re extra in server distribution than rely. A wider server distribution means you will have extra country-specific IP addresses to unblock companies. On the opposite hand, the next server rely makes positive you don’t face throttling in particular areas.
In addition to the common servers, Surfshark has static and multi-hop servers.
Even although Surfshark hasn’t been round for lengthy, it has amassed greater than 3,200 VPN servers throughout the globe. This quantity is barely greater than ExpressVPN’s tally of greater than 3,000 VPN servers. One factor to notice is that each VPNs use physical and virtual servers.
However, Surfshark has one benefit in the type of static IP servers. Unlike common servers that assign you a dynamic IP, these servers assign you an identical IP deal with each time you connect with them. Sadly, neither ExpressVPN nor Surfshark gives a devoted IP deal with. Read our shared vs dedicated IP address information to be taught extra.
Global VPN Server Coverage
ExpressVPN cancels out Surfshark’s slight benefit with arguably one of the best geographical server range you’ll see in the market. Its servers are unfold out throughout 94 nations in a whopping 150 VPN server areas (ExpressVPN claims there are 160 areas). Surfshark VPN servers are located in 112 VPN server areas throughout 65 nations.
| Server Locations: | ExpressVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Europe | 64 | 50 |
| Asia | 32 | 13 |
| North America | 29 | 29 |
| South America | 10 | 8 |
| Central America | 4 | 2 |
| Oceania | 6 | 6 |
| Africa | 4 | 2 |
| Middle East | 1 | 2 |
| Total | 150 | 112 |
ExpressVPN is the undisputed winner in this class. Surfshark has a barely larger server rely, however ExpressVPN has servers in 31 extra nations and 38 extra server areas. For these causes, ExpressVPN takes the purpose to cement its lead in our matchup.
8. User-Friendliness
Surfshark and ExpressVPN are the epitome of user-friendliness, due to their clear UI with clearly labeled features. Whether you’re a beginner or seasoned VPN person, you received’t wrestle to seek out and connect with your very best VPN server, change protocols or tinker with different connectivity choices.
Surfshark’s cell and desktop apps are straightforward to make use of.
Finding the server you wish to connect with is a cinch with Surfshark. You search the server by nation title utilizing the search device, which provides you an inventory of standard, multi-hop and static IP deal with servers. Alternatively, you’ll be able to scroll by means of the checklist of areas to seek out the perfect server.
Surfshark’s “settings” tab homes important configuration choices. It takes a contact of a button to activate auto-connect, Bypasser, kill swap and ClearWeb, in the “connectivity” tab. For extra safety, head over to the “superior” tab to alter protocol choices and activate the NoBorders extra.
ExpressVPN is equally straightforward to make use of. Click the three dots in the “chosen location” space to open the server checklist and use the search device to shortly discover the perfect server.
If you wish to tweak both VPN’s configurations to fit your preferences, all of the choices are clearly labeled and arranged in neat menus, and also you received’t need to guess your option to the settings of curiosity.
Like Surfshark, ExpressVPN apps are straightforward to make use of.
VPN Service Mobile Apps
Many VPN cell apps are trimmed-down variations of their desktop variations. ExpressVPN and Surfshark cell apps defy the percentages.
Surfshark’s Android app mirrors the intuitiveness and functionality of the Windows app, and it has all of the options of the desktop app. The exception is break up tunneling, which isn’t obtainable on iOS.
ExpressVPN gives full-featured apps for iOS and Android gadgets.
ExpressVPN cell apps function a extra intuitive interface than their desktop variations, so that they’re simpler to make use of. Not to say, they bundle all of the options you want from the kill swap and break up tunneling to auto-connect and different configuration choices.
The suppliers are an equal match for one another in this class. A tie is the right reflection of the VPNs’ user-friendly efficiency.
No clear winner, factors for each
9. Customer Support
When you encounter points utilizing ExpressVPN or Surfshark, there are numerous methods to seek out assist. If the problems are minor, you’ll be able to search by means of the knowledgebase articles for some fast self-service suggestions. Surfshark has hyperlinks to well-liked guides, to save lots of you the trouble of scrolling by means of knowledgebase classes.
Surfshark customer support is great, due to quick dwell chat, e mail and complete knowledgebase.
However, in case your subject is advanced and requires a human contact, yow will discover assist through dwell chat or e mail. Live chat is the quickest option to discover assist for each suppliers as a result of brokers reply in seconds. On the opposite hand, e mail stays the easiest way to interact assist brokers on a deeper degree, and you may connect a screenshot of the issue you’re dealing with.
ExpressVPN and Surfshark VPN supply glorious customer support and it’s exhausting to discover a fault, besides that they don’t have cellphone assist. You can contact assist across the clock with both service. There’s nothing to set them aside, so the spherical ends in a tie.
No clear winner, factors for each
The Verdict
The Surfshark vs ExpressVPN matchup performed out as we anticipated. ExpressVPN proved as soon as once more that it’s one of the best VPN in the trade with seven factors, in comparison with Surfshark’s tally of six. However, there’s extra to the story than rating alone, because the difference in price would possibly tip the scales in Surfshark’s favor for a lot of of you.
ExpressVPN dominated all categories, besides pricing and torrenting (misplaced by the slightest of margins). Surfshark, then again, couldn’t match ExpressVPN’s efficiency on pace, streaming and server areas. The two titans had been evenly matched on options, safety and privateness, user-friendliness and buyer assist.
To find out how the 2 suppliers evaluate with different prime VPNs, examine our Cyberghost vs Surfshark and ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost opinions.
What do you consider our ExpressVPN vs Surfshark comparability? Have you used both of those VPN suppliers? Which VPN do you suppose deserves some extent in a class they misplaced? We’d like to listen to about it. As all the time, thanks for studying.
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