Let’s jump straight into this SurfShark vs ExpressVPN comparison. ExpressVPN has some miles under its name while Surfshark is newer. But when it comes to pricing, Surfshark is the clear winner. Both VPN services have amassed huge popularity, so it makes sense you’re looking for a comparison between them.
We decided to put both VPNs against each other and see which one came out on top. The fact of the matter is that there’s no clear winner. Surfshark won in some categories while ExpressVPN remained the king in others.
But if we have to describe the tools in a single line, we would do so by:
ExpressVPN is the winner for security, speed, and accessibility
Surfshark wins for low cost excellent performance and additional features.
Surfshark vs ExpressVPN Overview 2026
| Categories | Surfshark | ExpressVPN |
| Devices | Unlimited | 8 |
| Server countries | 100 | 105 |
| VPN Protocols | OpenVPN, IKEv2, WireGuard | OpenVPN, IKEv2, L2TP/IPsec, Lightway |
| Ad Blocker | Yes | Yes |
| 24/7 Customer Support | Yes | Yes |
| Price | $15.45/mo | $12.95/mo |
| Money-Back Guarantee | 30 Days | 30 Days |
Surfshark vs ExpressVPN – Pricing Comparison
Pricing is the first thing that matters most to users. So we decided to start our Surfshark vs ExpressVPN comparison with pricing.
| Categories | Surfshark | ExpressVPN |
| Subscriptions | – 1 Month – 12 Months – 2 Years | – 1 Month – 12 Months – 2 Years |
| Special offers | 87% discount available on a 2-year plan | 4 months extra free and 61% off on a 2-years plan |
| Highest price per month | $20.65 | $12.95 |
| Lowest price | $1.99 | $4.49 |
| One-year price | $47.84 – $95.84 | $99.95 |
If we’re just talking about one-month coverage, then Surfshark costs $15.45 (the cheapest one-month plan) and ExpressVPN costs $12.95. We suggest going for the 12 or 24-month plan to get it for cheaper.
The yearly cost breakdown will give you a better idea. For this comparison, we’ll choose the cheapest plans available:
- Surfshark 12-month price – $47.84 (In this plan, you get 4 months extra)
- ExpressVPN 12-month price – $99.95 (In this plan, you get 3 months extra)
If you want to slash the costs even further, let’s take a look at 2-year plans from both providers:
- Surfshark 24-month price – $55.72 (In this plan, you get 4 months extra)
- ExpressVPN 24-month price – $139.72 (In this plan, you get 4 months extra)
Overall, in the pricing comparison of Surfshark and ExpressVPN, Surfshark wins clearly.
Surfshark vs ExpressVPN: Streaming Service Access
| Streaming Services | Surfshark | ExpressVPN |
| Netflix | 10+ Servers including the US, UK, Japan, France, and Australia | 10+ Servers including US, UK, Japan, France, and Australia |
| Hulu | US, Japan | US, Japan |
| Sky Go | Yes | Yes |
| BBC iPlayer | Yes | Sometimes |
| ABC | Yes | Yes |
| Amazon Prime Video | US, UK | US, UK |
| CBS | Yes | Yes |
| NBC | Yes | Yes |
| ITV | Yes | Yes |
| Channel 4 | Yes | Yes |
| Eleven Sports | Yes | Yes |
During all of our testing, we found out that both of these services offer amazing performance on most streaming services. Although we couldn’t test some other streaming platforms, most services we did try, both Surfshark and ExpressVPN performed well.
Surfshark vs Express VPN: Access to China
Every country has its fair share of websites that they restrict. When it comes to China, that list increases significantly. China’s internet filtering tool commonly known as the Great Firewall is the most advanced in the whole world. As a result, most VPN services are blocked in China and can’t operate there.
When it comes to ExpressVPN and Surfshark, both of them can go beyond firewall access. ExpressVPN can do this without needing any tweaking. Surfshark VPN users on the other hand need to enable the NoBorders Mode. Doing so is very easy, here are the steps:
- Go to Settings
- Head over to Advanced
- Scroll down for NoBorders and activate it
Do keep in mind that the Surfshark and ExpressVPN websites are blocked in China. All the users will have to download the app on smartphones and laptops before visiting China.
Surfshark vs Express VPN: Performance
| Categories | Surfshark | ExpressVPN |
| Server Countries | 100 | 105 |
| Number of Servers | 3,200+ | 3,000+ |
Right away, we can see that there’s a huge difference between the seven countries. ExpressVPN has servers in more countries than any other VPN service in the market. Unfortunately, neither service provides a detailed breakdown of servers, so there’s not much information to be added here.
FAQs
It depends on what you’re looking for. Surfshark is often considered better for budget users and families because it allows unlimited device connections under one subscription. On the other hand, ExpressVPN is known for its consistent speeds, strong privacy track record, and premium performance. If price and multiple devices matter most, Surfshark may win. If you want top-tier reliability and performance, ExpressVPN could be the better choice.
Both VPNs offer excellent speeds, but ExpressVPN typically delivers more stable performance on long-distance servers thanks to its proprietary Lightway protocol. Surfshark’s WireGuard protocol also provides impressive speeds, especially for streaming and gaming. In real-world use, most users won’t notice a major difference unless they are using high-bandwidth activities like 4K streaming or competitive gaming.
Both providers use AES-256 encryption, have strict no-logs policies, and include features like kill switches and DNS leak protection. ExpressVPN has undergone multiple independent audits and has a longer track record in the privacy industry. Surfshark has also completed third-party security audits and continues improving transparency. From a security standpoint, both are highly reliable for everyday privacy needs.
Both VPNs work well with popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer. ExpressVPN is often praised for its consistent ability to bypass geo-restrictions. Surfshark, however, is a more cost-effective option and also performs well with multiple streaming libraries worldwide. If you want the most stable streaming experience, ExpressVPN may have a slight edge, but Surfshark offers excellent value.
Yes, in terms of pricing, Surfshark is generally more affordable, especially on long-term plans. It also includes unlimited simultaneous connections, which makes it ideal for households with many devices. ExpressVPN is more expensive but positions itself as a premium service with optimized servers, advanced protocol technology, and strong global coverage.
For long-term use, the decision depends on your priorities. If you want a budget-friendly VPN with solid features and unlimited devices, Surfshark is a smart choice. If you prioritize brand reputation, performance consistency, and a longer track record in the VPN industry, ExpressVPN may justify its higher price.
Conclusion: Surfshark vs ExpressVPN
We had a lot of fun testing both the services for our Surfshark vs ExpressVPN comparison. ExpressVPN offers great speeds and a huge range of networks, and it manages to unblock almost every possible service.
Surfshark on the other hand is an affordable service. It does almost all the same thing as ExpressVPN but is cheaper. So, if you’re on a budget, and need unlimited device connectivity then Surfshark wins easily.