Surfshark vs. ExpressVPN: Which VPN is best for you?

Maria Diaz/ZDNET

Better online security, privacy tools, and strong encryption protocols are just some of the promises made by today's top virtual private network (VPN) providers -- so how do you choose the right one?

At the heart of the service, you need robust encryption, backed up by a server network that offers locations suitable for how you want to use your VPN -- whether it is at home, while traveling, or to access particular streaming services. 

Also: The best VPN services: Expert tested and reviewed

Over the years, the ZDNET team has whittled down our recommendations to a fraction of the branded commercial options available today. We lean upon our experience, testing, and research to advise you on what we consider to be the best VPNs in the market -- but not all VPNs are created equal, or suitable for every use case. 

Consider ExpressVPN and Surfshark. These popular VPN providers consistently make it into our recommendation lists, but one may suit you more than the other. Here is how they compare. 

ExpressVPN and Surfshark, compared

You should choose ExpressVPN if...

June Wan/ZDNET

1. Speed is king

We have run hundreds of speed tests on VPNs, including over a dozen in 2024. ExpressVPN consistently performs as one of the fastest VPNs on the market today, and by fastest, we mean a VPN with minimal speed loss. 

VPNs encrypt and route your traffic through the VPN provider's server network. As a result, you should expect some speed loss to occur compared to your home broadband speed -- but the less, the better. 

Review: ExpressVPN

Surfshark performs reasonably as a mid-tier VPN in relation to speed, whereas ExpressVPN often achieves first or second place during our tests. Below, you will find a snapshot of speed tests conducted in December 2024, which outline the speed changes of downloads and uploads using different server locations. 

So, if speed is more important to you than cost, ExpressVPN is the better choice. 

Also: The fastest VPNs: Expert tested

2. You want a VPN for streaming purposes

Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

Is your main reason for signing up for a VPN service to access streaming services? Then ExpressVPN is your best bet.

To stream successfully and to reduce the risk of buffering issues, you need a VPN with two factors: high speeds and stable connectivity. While both Surfshark and ExpressVPN are stable networks, ExpressVPN has surpassed Surfshark in our speed tests. 

This isn't to say Surfshark isn't a good VPN for streaming. Indeed, it has made our top recommendations list for streaming VPNs -- but you need to be aware that its speed may not be quite as impressive. 

If you plan to use your VPN to access streaming services, including Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, or Amazon Prime, remember that this may go against company terms of service outside of your home region. You may also find that you are limited to content libraries of movies, TV shows, and games offered to consumers under a global license. 

Also: The best VPNs for streaming: Expert tested

3. You want to explore different protocols and technical settings

Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

One of the reasons ExpressVPN often tops our fastest VPN lists is due to its Lightway protocol. This custom protocol, of which the core codebase is open source, is offered alongside OpenVPN, L2TP, and IKEv2. Each protocol is listed within ExpressVPN settings with a description, although if you have advanced features enabled, you will be limited to Lightway. If you're keen on exploring different protocols including Lightway, which the VPN provider says offers "post-quantum" protections, this VPN is worth investigating.

4. You want broad server and country choice

When you use a VPN, you can let the VPN choose the best server option for you, normally decided by speed, latency, and server load -- or you can make the selection yourself. Your original IP is masked during the process, and you can choose to appear to come from a new IP in a nearby location, or even pick an entirely different country.

If you want the most options available, go for ExpressVPN. This VPN provides thousands of servers in 105 countries, whereas Surfshark provides around 3,200 servers in "over" 100 countries. They're both very close in this category, however, and we do appreciate Surfshark's virtual location options.

You should choose Surfshark if...

June Wan/ZDNET

1. You want a consistently affordable VPN

Surfshark is far less expensive than ExpressVPN. Prices change regularly, but at the time of writing, Surfshark costs about $84 less over two years. At the time of writing, Surfshark's cheapest deal is available for the equivalent of $1.99/month. It's rare for ExpressVPN to run promotions, although you often see a "sale" price of $6.67/month, but at the moment, $4.99/month is the set price on a two-year contract. 

2. You want to use more than eight simultaneous devices

It can be hard to keep track of just how many devices we actually use or connect to the Internet. Desktop PCs, laptops, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, smart TVs, and more can all require the protection that a VPN offers -- but some VPNs restrict how many simultaneous device connections you are allowed under one account. 

ExpressVPN is one of the more expensive VPN solutions available. So we would like to see its current restriction of eight simultaneous devices become unlimited in the future -- especially as some cheaper alternatives, including Surfshark, do not restrict their users in this way. 

If you need more connections, or you just don't want to deal with the hassle of removing allowed devices and adding others, opt for Surfshark. 

3. You want a VPN suitable for beginners

Charlie Osborne/ZDNET

Both Surfshark and ExpressVPN are suitable for beginners, it's true. But out of these two options, we find that the user interface of Surfshark is best suited for someone who wants all of the major features and information they need in one place. 

ExpressVPN has one of the cleanest and simplest interfaces of VPNs we've tested, with only three main tabs and an on/off button, but Surfshark displays everything a beginner needs without too much clutter. This includes whether or not you are connected and to what server, recommended server options based on speed and latency, and a handy pause function if you need to access a service online through your home VPN.

4. You want to deep dive into optional extras and settings

Surfshark is a recommended solution for anyone new to the world of VPNs. However, there are also plenty of additional features and services available if you want to dive more deeply into the technical side of VPN coverage. 

Depending on the plan you sign up for, Surfshark also provides users with email and personal information generators, a range of protocols, advert and tracker blocking, a Kill switch, rotating IPs, an antivirus solution, data breach alert system, search engine, a bypasser for whitelisting specific services outside of the VPN, Dynamic MultiHop, and a personal data removal service. There's plenty to explore beyond the basic VPN network.