ExpressVPN Vs SurfsharkVPN : The Battle For The Best VPN.

When I first started diving into the world of VPNs, I had no idea how overwhelming it could get. Between the flashy features, bold claims, and endless options, narrowing it down felt like choosing between coffee and sleep—both essential in their way. That’s when I found myself stuck in the classic debate: ExpressVPN vs SurfsharkVPN. I wanted something that was fast, secure, and didn’t feel like I needed a tech degree to use it. So, I decided to test both myself and what I discovered might surprise you.

Table of Contents

Why do you Trust This Comparison?

Unlike many comparison articles, this guide combines extensive research with testing and user experiences. I’ve personally evaluated both VPNs across multiple devices and operating systems, assessing everything from connection times to streaming capabilities. The information is current as of April 2025, incorporating the latest features, pricing structures, and performance metrics.

ExpressVPN vs SurfsharkVPN: at a Glance

Before diving into the details, here’s a quick snapshot of how these two VPN giants stack up against each other:

Feature	ExpressVPN	Surfshark
Speed Performance	Excellent (25% avg. speed loss)	Very Good (17% avg. speed loss)
Monthly Price	$13	$11
Annual Price	$100/year	$60/year (after promo)
Server Network	3,000+ servers in 105 countries	3,200+ servers in 100 countries
Simultaneous Connections	8 devices	Unlimited
VPN Protocols	Lightway, OpenVPN, IKEv2	WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2
Jurisdiction	British Virgin Islands	Netherlands

ExpressVPN Vs SurfsharkVPN: The Premium Contender

What Makes ExpressVPN Stand Out

ExpressVPN Vs SurfsharkVPN has become a common comparison as ExpressVPN has long been regarded as the gold standard in the VPN industry, known for its polished experience and forward-thinking privacy features. Based in the British Virgin Islands—a privacy-friendly jurisdiction outside of intelligence-sharing alliances—this provider focuses on delivering a robust, reliable service rather than flashy marketing gimmicks.

ExpressVPN Key Strengths

TrustedServer Technology – RAM-only servers that wipe all data with each reboot
Lightway Protocol – Proprietary protocol balancing speed and security
Post-quantum Protection – Future-proofed against quantum computing threats
Extensive Independent Audits – 12 audits in 2022 alone
Private DNS on Every Server – Enhanced privacy protection

The ExpressVPN Experience

ExpressVPN excels with its intuitive interface when it comes to user experience. The one-click connect feature is perfect for beginners, while advanced users will appreciate the depth of options available in the settings menu. The apps are remarkably consistent across platforms—whether you’re using Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, or even their dedicated Apple TV app.

In my testing, ExpressVPN’s connection reliability stood out. Unlike some competitors, which struggle to establish a connection on the first try, ExpressVPN consistently connects immediately to servers, providing a seamless experience when you need protection quickly.

Surfshark: The Value-Packed Challenger

What Sets Surfshark Apart

Surfshark has rapidly evolved from an affordable newcomer to a serious contender in the VPN space. While based in the Netherlands (part of the 14-Eyes intelligence alliance), this provider compensates with an impressive feature set and competitive pricing that makes it especially attractive for budget-conscious users and families.

Surfshark Key Strengths

Unlimited Device Connections – Perfect for households with multiple devices
Dynamic MultiHop – Customizable double VPN connections
IP Rotator – Periodically changes your IP without disconnecting
CleanWeb – Built-in ad and malware blocker
Linux GUI – Full graphical interface for Linux users

The Surfshark Experience

Surfshark provides a feature-rich interface that displays more information upfront than ExpressVPN. You’ll see your connection protocol, time connected, and IP address right on the main screen. This information-forward approach appeals to users who prefer having technical details readily available.

Where Surfshark truly shines is its unlimited simultaneous connections policy—a game-changer for households with numerous devices or for sharing with family members. Rather than juggling which devices have VPN protection or paying for additional licenses, you can secure everything at once.

Speed Comparison: The Numbers Don’t Tell the Full Story

When it comes to raw speed, the data shows Surfshark leading with a 17% average speed loss compared to ExpressVPN’s 25%. However, this simplified metric doesn’t capture the nuanced performance differences across protocols and devices.

Protocol-Specific Performance

Protocol	ExpressVPN	Surfshark
Lightway/WireGuard (MacOS)	7% speed loss	9% speed loss
Lightway/WireGuard (Windows)	Higher speed loss	Lower speed loss
OpenVPN (MacOS)	29% speed loss	19% speed loss
OpenVPN (Windows)	48% speed loss	28% speed loss

Key Speed Insights:

Mac users may achieve better performance with ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol
Windows users typically see better results with Surfshark’s WireGuard implementation
For OpenVPN users (often required for maximum security), Surfshark offers significantly better performance
ExpressVPN shows more consistent speeds during a single testing session, while Surfshark’s speeds can be more variable

Speed Winner: Surfshark edges out ExpressVPN in overall performance, particularly for Windows users and those using OpenVPN. However, Mac users might find ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol delivers marginally better results.

ExpressVPN Vs SurfsharkVPN Privacy and Security: Strength Beyond Encryption

Both VPNs offer industry-standard AES-256 encryption, kill switches, and DNS leak protection. However, their approaches to privacy and security differ in important ways.

ExpressVPN’s Privacy Advantages

✅ British Virgin Islands jurisdiction (outside 14-Eyes alliance)
✅ TrustedServer technology (reinstalls entire software stack on reboot)
✅ Regular independent audits (12 in 2022 alone)
✅ Transparent handling of incidents (quick response to DNS leak issues)
✅ Biannual transparency reports
✅ Post-quantum protection for future-proofing security

Surfshark’s Privacy Advantages

✅ Dynamic MultiHop (customizable double VPN routes)
✅ IP Rotator (changes IP without breaking connection)
✅ CleanWeb (ad and malware blocking)
✅ RAM-only servers
✅ Independent security audits (three since 2018)

Privacy Winner: ExpressVPN takes the lead with its jurisdiction advantage, extensive audit history, and transparent operation. However, Surfshark offers innovative privacy features that ExpressVPN lacks, making it an excellent alternative for users seeking specific privacy enhancements.

Streaming and Geo-Unblocking Capabilities

Both VPNs excel at unblocking streaming platforms, but there are subtle differences in their performance across services.

Streaming Platform Compatibility

Streaming Service	ExpressVPN	Surfshark
Netflix	✅ Excellent (occasional issues on Apple TV)	✅ Excellent
Disney+	✅ Excellent	✅ Excellent
Hulu	✅ Excellent	⚠️ Good (issues on iOS/MacOS)
Amazon Prime Video	✅ Excellent	✅ Excellent
BBC iPlayer	✅ Excellent	✅ Excellent

Streaming Winner: ExpressVPN slightly edges out Surfshark with more consistent performance across all platforms and services, though both are excellent choices for streaming enthusiasts.

Pricing: Value vs. Premium

The price difference between these VPNs is substantial, with Surfshark offering significantly better value for money, especially for long-term subscriptions.

ExpressVPN Pricing Structure

Monthly: $13 per month
6-Month Plan: $60 ($10/month)
Annual Plan: $100 per year ($8.32/month)

ExpressVPN Pricing Benefits:

Transparent pricing with no hidden renewal increases
Consistent pricing across renewal periods
30-day money-back guarantee

Surfshark Pricing Structure

Monthly: $11 per month
Annual Plan: $48 for first year, then $60 annually ($5/month average)
Two-Year Plan: $60 for the first two years combined, then $60 annually

Surfshark Pricing Benefits:

Significantly lower entry cost
Better long-term value even after promotional pricing ends
Unlimited simultaneous connections
30-day money-back guarantee

Pricing Winner: Surfshark offers substantially better value, especially for budget-conscious users and households with numerous devices. However, ExpressVPN’s straightforward pricing approach without promotional bait-and-switch tactics is refreshing.

Platform Support and Compatibility

Both VPNs offer excellent cross-platform support, but there are key differences worth highlighting:

Platform	ExpressVPN	Surfshark
Windows/MacOS/Android/iOS	✅ Full support	✅ Full support
Linux	⚠️ CLI only	✅ Full GUI
Apple TV	✅ Native app	❌ Not available
Fire TV	✅ Native app	✅ Native app
Router Compatibility	✅ Extensive support	✅ Good support
Browser Extensions	✅ Chrome, Firefox, Edge	✅ Chrome, Firefox, Edge

Platform Support Winner: Tie, with advantages depending on your specific needs. Linux users will prefer Surfshark’s GUI, while Apple TV users will appreciate ExpressVPN’s native support.

User Experience and Interface Design

The user interface philosophy between these two providers differs significantly:

ExpressVPN Interface Highlights

Minimalist design with a prominent connect button
Streamlined experience focused on simplicity
Quick connect feature prominently displayed
Settings neatly tucked away but easily accessible
Consistent connection reliability across platforms

Surfshark Interface Highlights

Information-rich main screen showing protocol, connection time, and IP
More prominent advanced features like MultiHop and static IPs
Modern, sleek design with intuitive navigation
Occasionally slower connection times compared to ExpressVPN
Feature-forward approach rather than minimalism

User Experience Winner: ExpressVPN for its consistently reliable connections and streamlined interface, though users who prefer more detailed information and direct access to advanced features may prefer Surfshark.

Who Should Choose ExpressVPN?

ExpressVPN is ideal for:

Users with critical privacy needs who value jurisdiction and transparency
Mac users seeking maximum speed through the Lightway protocol
Those who prioritize connection reliability and consistent performance
Users who prefer a streamlined, minimalist interface
Apple TV users seeking native VPN support
Those willing to pay premium prices for a polished, reliable experience

Who Should Choose Surfshark?

Surfshark is ideal for:

Budget-conscious users seeking maximum value for money
Households with multiple devices needing simultaneous protection
Windows users seeking maximum speed
Privacy enthusiasts who want advanced features like Dynamic MultiHop and IP Rotator
Linux users who prefer a full graphical interface
Those who prioritize feature breadth over ultimate reliability

Similarities Between ExpressVPN and Surfshark

Despite their differences, both VPNs share several important strengths:

Strong encryption (AES-256) and secure tunneling protocols
No-logs policies verified by independent audits
Kill switch protection to prevent data leaks if the connection drops
Split tunneling support to route specific apps outside the VPN
Excellent streaming capabilities for major platforms
Multi-platform support across major operating systems
30-day money-back guarantees for risk-free trials

Understanding the Real-World Impact

While specifications and features matter, the practical impact on your daily internet use is what truly counts. Here’s how these differences might affect your experience:

Speed Impact: For casual browsing and HD streaming, either VPN is more than sufficient. You’ll only notice the difference during bandwidth-intensive activities like 4K streaming or large file downloads, where Surfshark might perform better on Windows devices and ExpressVPN on Macs.

Price Impact: With Surfshark, a family of four can protect all their devices (potentially 20+ devices) for $60/year after promotional pricing ends. With ExpressVPN, the same family would be limited to 8 devices total for $100/year.

Privacy Impact: For most users, both VPNs provide more than adequate privacy. However, if you’re in a high-risk situation (journalist, activist, etc.), ExpressVPN’s jurisdiction and transparency may provide crucial additional protections.

FAQs: ExpressVPN Vs SurfsharkVPN

Is Surfshark cheaper than ExpressVPN?

Yes, Surfshark is significantly cheaper than ExpressVPN. Surfshark’s regular annual price of $60 is 40% less than ExpressVPN’s $100 annual plan. Additionally, Surfshark often offers promotional pricing that makes the initial subscription even more affordable.

Which VPN is better for streaming?

Both VPNs excel at streaming, but ExpressVPN has a slight edge with more consistent performance across all major platforms. Surfshark occasionally struggles with Hulu on iOS and macOS devices, while ExpressVPN may have occasional issues with Netflix on its Apple TV app.

How many devices can I connect simultaneously?

Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, while ExpressVPN limits you to 8 devices. This makes Surfshark particularly valuable for households with numerous devices or for sharing with family members.

Which VPN is faster in 2025?

Overall, Surfshark demonstrates better average speeds with a 17% speed loss compared to ExpressVPN’s 25%. However, Mac users may get better performance from ExpressVPN’s Lightway protocol, which showed only a 7% speed loss in testing.

Are these VPNs good for privacy and security?

Both VPNs offer excellent privacy and security with AES-256 encryption and verified no-logs policies. ExpressVPN has an edge with its British Virgin Islands jurisdiction (outside 14-Eyes alliance) and more extensive audit history, while Surfshark offers unique privacy features like Dynamic MultiHop and IP Rotator.

The Final Verdict: Which VPN Should You Choose in 2025?

After thorough analysis and hands-on testing, the choice between ExpressVPN and Surfshark comes down to your specific priorities:

Choose ExpressVPN if:

You value a premium, polished experience above all else
You have critical privacy requirements and value jurisdiction and transparency
You’re a Mac user seeking maximum performance
You want the most consistently reliable connections
You’re an Apple TV user needing native VPN support
You’re willing to pay more for a slightly more refined experience

Choose Surfshark if:

You want maximum value for money without sacrificing quality
You need to protect unlimited devices simultaneously
You’re a Windows user seeking maximum speed
You want innovative privacy features like Dynamic MultiHop and IP Rotator
You’re a Linux user who prefers a graphical interface
You’re looking for the best balance of features, performance, and price

Both VPNs offer 30-day money-back guarantees, so you can try either (or both) risk-free to determine which better suits your specific needs.

The Bottom Line

In the ExpressVPN vs SurfsharkVPN battle, there’s no absolute winner—only the best choice for your specific situation. ExpressVPN delivers a premium, refined experience with unmatched reliability and transparency. Surfshark offers exceptional value with unlimited connections and innovative features at a significantly lower price point.

For most users in 2025, Surfshark represents the better overall value, particularly for households with multiple devices. However, if money is no object and you value the utmost in reliability and privacy, ExpressVPN remains the gold standard in the VPN industry.