VPNs (Virtual Private Network) allow you to hide your IP address and connect to the internet via a remote configured server elsewhere in the world.
On one hand, you’re travelling and don’t have enough data. On the other hand, you are really really bored and have quite a bit of time to kill.
Should you connect to a sketchy but free WiFi network?
Using a VPN means that no one can hack into a poorly secured network and steal your data. It also means your internet service provider won’t know what you’re doing.
With so many different VPN options out there, we decided to do a deep dive and find the best of the best.
In this showdown, we’ll asses three of the most popular VPNs:
ExpressVPN, NordVPN, and SurfShark
We’ll be looking at:
Price
Features
Speed
Security
Customer Support
Read until the end so you can understand each of these products and figure out which VPN is your best bet.
Company Overviews
When it comes down to it, most of the basic offerings from these services are almost identical.
There are only minor differences here and there.
ExpressVPN is one of the largest companies offering a VPN service. They serve as many as 3 million people (as of September 2021). The company behind the product is registered in the British Virgin Islands under the name Express Technology Ltd.
NordVPN is another large VPN company which operates under the jurisdiction of Panama.
SurfShark, like ExpressVPN, is located in the British Virgin Islands and is a relative newcomer.
Top VPNs —Head-to-Head Comparisons
Which VPN Costs Less?
Let’s start off broadly looking at the price before diving into what you get out of it.
As you can see, SurfShark comes out ahead by a large margin.
| ExpressVPN | NordVPN | SurfShark | |
| 1 month | $12.95 | $11.99 | $12.95 |
| 6 months | $9.99/month ($59.95 total) | — | — |
| 12 months | $8.32/month ($99.95 total) | $4.99/month ($59.88 total) | $3.99/month ($47.88 total) |
| 24 months | — | $3.29/month ($78.96) | $2.49/month ($59.76) |
| Refund Policy | 30-day money-back guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee | 30-day money-back guarantee |
Note that at this point, the majority of VPN companies will accept Bitcoin as payment.
Also — double check the prices if you want the latest.
Which VPN has the Best Features?
SurfShark allows you to connect as many devices as you want. SurfShark has fewer servers than NordVPN. However it is compatible with any platform and even works on Smart TVs. This also allows streaming across many popular services, letting you watch shows and movies that aren’t available in your country.
The clear winner once again is SurfShark.
| ExpressVPN | NordVPN | SurfShark | |
| Maximum Simultaneous Connections | 5 | 6 | Unlimited |
| Number of Servers | >3000 in 94 countries | >5500 in 60 countries | >3200 in 65 countries |
| Is Your Data Logged? | None | None | None |
| Compatibility | Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Edge | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox | Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Chrome, Firefox, Linux, Edge, FireTV |
| Streaming Services | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Youtube | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+ | Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+ |
| Torrenting | Yes | Yes | No |
Which VPN is the Fastest?
In a Speed Test conducted by ZDnet, the site tested the speed performance of these VPNs across different metrics.
NordVPN edged out on top with ExpressVPN as a close second with SurfShark a little ways behind. While all of these VPNs are speedy, NordVPN was the fastest.
Which VPN Is the Most Secure?
All three of these VPNs share key security features including:
- AES-256 encryption
- WebRTC, DNS and IPV6 leak protection
- VPN kill switch
- Split tunnelling
- Blocking online trackers
- Double VPN or multi-hop
- Anti-Censorship Measures
ExpressVPN has additional features including port forwarding and zero-knowledge DNS to add extra security to your online surfing. Port forwarding also increases torrenting abilities.
Express VPN is owned by Kape Technologies which has distributed adware in the past and the CIO of the company previously conducted cyber espionage operations for the United Arab Emirates, breaking US hacking laws.
Which VPN Has the Best Customer Support?
All three VPN services offer 24/7 help through online chat, email or their online self-help database.
With easy-to-use apps, you should have no problem getting set up quickly.
Conclusion
After doing our research, we were surprised that SurfShark, a relative newcomer, comes out on top.
SurfShark
SurfShark offers every single secure feature you would want (except torrenting). Maybe it’s a bit slower than NordVPN and ExpressVPN, but it more than makes up for it in price and other features.
It’s also the only VPN that lets you connect to an unlimited amount of devices with one subscription.
Use this referral code to get free months. If you want.
NordVPN comes in second, in part due to its higher cost and because it only allows each user to connect with six devices at once.
Due to the history of the company and executives involved in ExpressVPN, heed Edward Snowden’s warning and look at other VPNs instead.
