Overview
Surfshark and NordVPN are owned by the same company (Nord Security) since 2022, which means the underlying infrastructure and policies overlap heavily. The differences that matter: Surfshark is cheaper on long plans, allows unlimited simultaneous devices, and is headquartered in the Netherlands rather than Panama. For most people, that combination — same quality, lower price, more device slots — makes it the better default. The Netherlands jurisdiction is the trade-off worth understanding.
Privacy & Security
Surfshark is incorporated in the Netherlands. The Netherlands isn't Five Eyes but it is part of 14 Eyes (the broader intelligence-sharing alliance). EU jurisdiction means GDPR applies, but it also means Dutch courts can compel disclosure under specific circumstances. The no-logs policy has been audited (Deloitte, 2023). RAM-only servers, kill switch, and CleanWeb ad/tracker blocking are all standard. If jurisdiction is your top concern, Mullvad (Sweden) or NordVPN (Panama) are stronger picks.
Speed & Performance
Speeds are solid but slightly behind NordVPN on the same plan. WireGuard is the default protocol. Expect 70-85% of your unprotected speed on European servers. For 99% of use cases — streaming, browsing, occasional torrenting — this is fast enough that you won't notice.
Streaming & Torrenting
Streaming works on Netflix US/UK/EU, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, NPO, and most major services. P2P is supported on dedicated servers. No port forwarding (a recurring NordSec limitation). The unlimited device count is genuinely useful — install on phones, laptops, smart TVs, and a router without juggling licenses.
Pricing
The 2-year plan is the only one worth considering — under $2.50/month upfront. Like NordVPN, the renewal price jumps significantly. The Surfshark One bundle (adds antivirus, search, alert) is overpriced compared to dedicated tools — skip it.
Prices may have changed since last verified. Always check the provider's current pricing page.
Who it's for
Households with many devices (phones, laptops, TVs, routers — all simultaneously). Budget-conscious users who want streaming and basic privacy. People who don't care that the parent is the same as NordVPN.
Who it's not for
Privacy-first users — the Netherlands jurisdiction is a step down from Panama. Anyone who needs port forwarding for torrenting. People who want open-source clients.