Which VPN service comes out on top? We want to know and let the newcomer Surfshark compete against the CHIP security champion NordVPN in a direct comparison and check the current offers.
Secure VPN: protects your identity, your data and bypasses web blocks
VPN service (Virtual Private Network) is already part of the basic equipment for us when travelling, and such a service also offers many advantages for normal PC and smartphone use. Today we want to compare the rising star of the VPN scene Surfshark with the VPN heavyweight NordVPN. Surfshark was only founded in 2017, NordVPN has been very successful since 2012 and our current number CHIP VPN test when it comes to security. Can Surfshark keep up here?
The most important reasons for using a VPN service:
- Encrypts connections in insecure WLANs (and LANs).
- Allows anonymous web surfing, enables secure banking and prevents tracking. Providers and advertisers in particular do not see what you are doing on the Internet.
- Can partially block ads completely.
- Allows anonymous downloading of torrents etc. -> A throttling by the provider cannot happen because the data packets cannot be viewed.
- Unlocks content blocked in a country by hiding your real location. For example, you can unlock the US Netflix offer with an American IP address or use HBO NOW, for example, to watch the new Game of Thrones episodes. Useful also in countries where the internet is censored.
Conclusion: duel at eye level
The VPN comparison between NordVPN and Surfshark is much tighter than one might assume in advance. The newcomer Surfshark does a lot of things right and, compared to NordVPN, mainly has the slightly weaker infrastructure as the main brake. However, both services are strongly represented in the countries that are mainly relevant for German users, the USA, Austria, Switzerland, Turkey, Germany and the United Kingdom.
Security Winner: NordVPN
NordVPN is secure, fast, and configurable on almost any device. What sets it apart from Surfshark for us is the near-perfect server infrastructure. It doesn’t matter where you want to tunnel – with over 5,100 servers in over 60 countries, you will hardly ever run into performance bottlenecks. If you are a normal user looking for the perfect VPN all-rounder, you cannot avoid NordVPN.
Price tip: Surfshark
In case of Surfshark we prefer to speak of comparison runners-up than of comparison losers. Why? Surfshark does an excellent job in the VPN market, offers all the essential features and has developed at breakneck speed in the market. Apart from the somewhat less well developed server infrastructure and coverage, we really can’t make any criticism that carries any weight. In terms of price and German clients for Windows and Mac, Surfshark is even a bit ahead. This also applies to the payment options – Surfshark also offers Giropay in addition to payment via PayPal or Amazon Pay.
A feature comparison: Surfshark VS NordVPN
A VPN service is a matter of trust. Finally, all traffic is sent over the provider’s encrypted connection. What is important here is the fact that none of the providers can look into the data of the users themselves. Both Surfshark and NordVPN also have the security of the connection checked by independent security companies in so-called “security audits”. Both companies keep their promises and offer an absolutely secure connection over which no logs of user activities are recorded.
We reviewed the key VPN features for Surfshark and NordVPN.
Feature monsters with differences in details
It turns out that Surfshark does not show any weaknesses in any major VPN category and can keep up with the industry giant NordVPN in terms of features. Both offer strong AES-256 encryption, also using the fairly new IKEv2/IPsec protocol, the connection is secured against IPv6 leaks and the clients offer a “kill switch” that takes effect in the event of a connection failure. Here, all data connections are immediately cut so that the anonymity of the users is maintained. If you want to take it to the extreme, you can encrypt with both services via two VPN nodes (known as double VPN and multihop).
With both services you can use torrents and other P2P sharing services, mind you, each with unlimited bandwidth and unlimited volume. With the benefits of corporate offices in Panama and the British Virgin Islands, your activities are safe from surveillance. Later more.
Server and country coverage
An important factor for a VPN service is the availability of servers in many countries worldwide. Surfshark comes here on servers in around 65 countries, NordVPN covers around 60 countries. In almost every country there are several servers that share the surfing load and absorb traffic peaks. With around 5,100 servers worldwide, NordVPN is enthroned above Surfshark, whose more than 3,200 servers definitely do not have to hide from the other competition. Surfshark also allows an unlimited number of clients under one license. So you can secure all your devices in the family with it.
Special features: Open exchange of blows
Average users will not notice any significant differences in the main functions. However, there are a few subtle differences that may well be relevant for power users.
If desired, NordVPN provides a permanent dedicated IP address that does not change even after a new connection. This is useful, for example, to be able to access a home server or the company network more easily, or to always encounter web services such as banking with the same IP address. So you don’t have to constantly re-verify yourself. Surfshark only knows a static IP address that changes again after each session. A small but nice advantage for NordVPN.
Excursions into the deep or dark web are particularly safe with NordVPN with the VPN-protected onion (tor) browser. According to NordVPN, for example, an Internet provider or authority can only see that the onion browser is being used – but by no means what for.
Surfshark, on the other hand, scores with a configurable bypasser that can explicitly exclude programs from encryption via VPN. This can be, for example, online games that rely on low latency. The rest of the web traffic remains encrypted.
Platform Comparison: Which Clients Do NordVPN and Surfshark Offer?
A VPN connection was previously only known in the business sector and was usually set up on Windows or Mac computers in order to tunnel into the secure company network. Private users can now use a VPN tunnel on all sorts of devices. Smartphones, tablets, smart TVs and streaming sticks, browser integrations and even entire routers can now be secured with it. What exactly do NordVPN and Surfshark offer users?
The short version: Both services have their own easy-to-install client for all major platforms. There are many instructions for configuring a VPN or Smart DNS server for special devices.
Surfshark – Overview of all clients and possible devices
- Surfshark – Windows client (from Windows 7)
- Surfshark – macOS client (from macOS Sierra)
- Surfshark – Android app (from Android 5.0)
- Surfshark – iOS app (from iOS 10.3.3)
- Surfshark – Linux Client (Ubuntu, Debian, Custom via OpenVPN with instructions)
- Surfshark – Chrome browser extension
- Surfshark – Firefox browser extension
- Surfshark – Amazon FireTV App
- Surfshark – Smart DNS on Apple TV, Smart TVs & PS4 + XBox One
- Surfshark – Guide for Routers (AsusWRT, DD-WRT, Tomato, Netgear, TP-Link, Linksys)
With its Smart DNS service, Surfshark offers a way to quickly and easily configure devices such as televisions to break web blocks. For example, you can receive the American Netflix program directly on the television with a Smart DNS proxy from the USA.
NordVPN – Overview of all clients and possible devices
- NordVPN – Windows Client (from Windows 7)
- NordVPN – macOS Client (from macOS 10.10)
- NordVPN – Android App
- NordVPN – iOS App (from iOS 9.0)
- Surfshark – Linux (Debian), additional custom connection via OpenVPN
- NordVPN – Chrome browser extension
- NordVPN – Firefox browser extension
- NordVPN – Guides for routers, NAS systems, Raspberri Pi and many more
Additionally, SmartPlay is built into NordVPN’s main apps. This bypasses geo-blockades for video streaming, among other things, without sacrificing strong VPN encryption.
costs and support
How much will NordVPN or Surfshark cost me?
NordVPN Pricing:
- 1-month package: 10.49 euros
- 1-year package: 4.39 / month
- 2-year package: 3.49 euros / month (83.76 euros for 2 years) – 52 percent discount
To the offers at NordVPN
Prices Surfshark (voucher: surfshark deal):
- 1-month package: 12.27 euros
- 1-year package: 3.78 / month
- 2-year package: 2.18 euros / month (56.62 euros for 2 years) – 82 percent discount + 2 free months
To the offers at Surfshark
Status: 05/11/2022 Actual prices may differ if the providers change the offers.
VPN services become significantly cheaper when users sign up for 12 or 24 months. Price-conscious users drive significantly cheaper with the longer offers.
What support do NordVPN and Surfshark offer?
If you have any problems or questions about the service, both providers will help you in a similar way. In addition to an extensive help portal, the providers offer a live chat. Surfshark also offers a support form and NordVPN offers help directly via email.