Surfshark vs NordVPN

Two of the most popular VPN services compared. Find out which offers the best value, features, and performance for UK users in 2025.

Expert Comparison Last updated: January 2025
Surfshark logo

Surfshark

4.6/5
Price:
£1.99/month
£10.49/month
Devices: Unlimited
Servers: 3,200+ in 100 countries

Best For:

Families and users with multiple devices who want premium features at budget pricing

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NordVPN logo

NordVPN

4.7/5
Price:
£2.97/month
£9.56/month
Devices: 6 simultaneous
Servers: 5,400+ in 60 countries

Best For:

Users who want advanced security features and don't mind paying slightly more

Get NordVPN Deal

🏆 Winner: It Depends!

Both are excellent choices with different strengths. NordVPN leads in overall features and reliability, while Surfshark excels in value and family use cases.

Choose Based on Your Needs:

NordVPN: Advanced features, proven reliability
Surfshark: Unlimited devices, budget pricing
Both: Excellent UK streaming performance
Both: Strong security and privacy

Feature-by-Feature Comparison

Pricing & Value

🏆 Surfshark - Winner

Monthly Plan: £10.49/month
2-Year Plan: £1.99/month (81% off)
Cost per device: £0 (unlimited)
Money-back guarantee: 30 days

💡 For a family of 4 with 10+ devices, you save over £200/year vs NordVPN

NordVPN

Monthly Plan: £9.56/month
2-Year Plan: £2.97/month (69% off)
Cost per device: £0.50/month (6 devices max)
Money-back guarantee: 30 days

Device Connections

🏆 Surfshark - Clear Winner

Simultaneous connections: Unlimited

Perfect for families, small businesses, or tech enthusiasts. Protect every device you own with a single subscription.

Real-world example:

2 smartphones + 2 tablets + 2 laptops + smart TV + router + gaming console + partner's devices = All covered ✅

NordVPN - Limited

Simultaneous connections: 6 devices

Adequate for individuals or small families, but you'll need to manage which devices are connected.

Limitation example:

With a family of 4, you'll quickly hit the 6-device limit and need to disconnect devices to connect new ones ⚠️

Performance & Speed

Surfshark

Average speed retention: 75-80%
UK server performance: Excellent
Peak hours stability: Very Good
4K streaming: Smooth

NordVPN

Average speed retention: 70-85%
UK server performance: Excellent
Peak hours stability: Good
4K streaming: Smooth

Verdict: Both offer excellent speeds for UK users. NordVPN has a slight edge in peak performance, but Surfshark's consistency makes it better for families with multiple simultaneous users.

UK Streaming Performance

Streaming Service Surfshark NordVPN
BBC iPlayer Reliable Reliable
Netflix UK 4K Ready Some servers blocked
Channel 4 (All 4) Works well Works well
ITV Hub Consistent Good
Sky Go Excellent Often blocked

🏆 Surfshark wins on streaming: Better Netflix compatibility and reliable Sky Go access make it the superior choice for UK streaming enthusiasts.

Security & Privacy

Surfshark

AES-256 encryption
No-logs policy (audited)
Kill switch
DNS leak protection
MultiHop (Double VPN)
CleanWeb (ad & malware blocker)
GPS spoofing (Android)
RAM-only servers

NordVPN

AES-256 encryption
No-logs policy (audited)
Kill switch
DNS leak protection
Double VPN
CyberSec (ad & malware blocker)
Onion over VPN
Threat Protection Pro

Verdict: Both offer enterprise-grade security. NordVPN has more advanced features, but Surfshark's essentials are equally robust for most users.

Our Recommendation

Choose NordVPN If:

  • You want the most established VPN provider
  • Advanced security features are important
  • You need 6 or fewer device connections
  • Brand reputation matters to you
  • You want proven track record
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Choose Surfshark If:

  • You have multiple devices to protect
  • Budget is a primary concern
  • You're a family with kids
  • Unlimited connections appeal to you
  • You want maximum value for money
Get Surfshark - Save 81%

💡 Bottom Line

Both are excellent choices for UK users. NordVPN is the safer bet with proven reliability, while Surfshark offers incredible value for families. You really can't go wrong with either.

Both services offer 30-day money-back guarantees, so you can try either risk-free.