ExpressVPN vs Surfshark vs NordVPN vs Proton VPN: 2026 Comparison
Navigating the VPN landscape requires sifting through aggressive marketing claims and complex pricing structures. This meta-comparison synthesizes real-world testing, independent technical audits, and performance measurements for four top providers: NordVPN, ExpressVPN, Surfshark, and Proton VPN.
ExpressVPN vs Surfshark vs NordVPN vs Proton VPN Pricing Comparison (USD)
NordVPN
NordVPN offers four tiered plans across three billing terms. All tiers include the core VPN with 10 simultaneous connections.
| Plan | 1 Month | 1 Year | 2 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $12.99/mo | $4.59/mo | $2.99/mo |
| Plus (VPN + NordPass) | $13.99/mo | $5.49/mo | $3.89/mo |
| Complete (VPN + NordPass + 1TB NordLocker) | $14.99/mo | $6.49/mo | $4.89/mo |
| Prime (All features + Threat Protection Pro) | $16.59/mo | $8.09/mo | $6.89/mo |
Sources: NordVPN official pricing, Gizmodo, Tom’s Guide
ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN restructured into three tiers (Basic, Advanced, Pro) in 2026, replacing its older single-plan model.
| Plan | 1 Month | 1 Year | 2 Years (28 months w/ bonus) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Basic | $12.99/mo | $3.99/mo | $2.49/mo |
| Advanced | $13.99/mo | $4.99/mo | $2.99/mo |
| Pro (Express Pro) | $19.99/mo | $6.99/mo | $5.49/mo |
Sources: Comparitech, Costbench, ExpressVPN official
Proton VPN
Proton VPN is the only provider with a genuinely free tier (1 device, unlimited data, 10 countries). Paid plans include VPN Plus and the full Proton Unlimited bundle.
| Plan | 1 Month | 1 Year | 2 Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | — | — |
| VPN Plus | $9.99/mo | $4.99/mo | $2.99/mo |
| Proton Unlimited (VPN + Mail + Drive + Calendar + Pass) | $12.99/mo | $9.99/mo | $7.99/mo |
Sources: Costbench, Cybernews, Gizmodo
Surfshark
Surfshark offers three tiers with unlimited simultaneous connections — the most generous device policy of the four.
| Plan | 1 Month | 1 Year (+3 free) | 2 Years (+3 free) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starter (VPN only) | $15.45/mo | $3.19/mo | $1.99/mo |
| One (VPN + Antivirus + Search* + Alt ID) | $17.95/mo | $3.39/mo | $2.49/mo |
| One+ (One + Data removal) | $20.65/mo | $6.09/mo | $3.99/mo |
Surfshark Search is being discontinued (see Recent News).
Sources: VPN Alert, Costbench, Security.org
Speed Test Results (2026)
NordVPN — Fastest Overall
NordVPN consistently ranks as the fastest VPN in 2026 independent testing. CNET’s latest lab tests recorded an average speed loss of only ~3%, the best of any VPN tested. On a 1 Gbps fiber connection, NordLynx (WireGuard-based) retained 95.3% of base speed on nearby servers.
| Server Location | Download Speed | Speed Retention |
|---|---|---|
| New York, US | 951 Mbps | 95.1% |
| London, UK | 944 Mbps | 94.4% |
| Frankfurt, DE | 958 Mbps | 95.8% |
| Tokyo, JP | 721 Mbps | 72.1% |
| Sydney, AU | 612 Mbps | 61.2% |
Sources: VPNHotDeals, CyberInsider, StationX, TechRadar
ExpressVPN — Close Second
ExpressVPN uses its proprietary Lightway protocol and recorded download speeds of 938 Mbps in StreamFix tests, and 1177 Mbps in TechRadar’s Dublin lab. Speed loss averaged ~8%, rarely exceeding 40% even on distant servers.
| Server Location | Download Speed | Speed Loss |
|---|---|---|
| New York, US | ~495 Mbps | ~8% |
| London, UK | ~165-425 Mbps | ~8% |
| Tokyo, JP | ~407 Mbps | moderate |
| Global average | 152 Mbps | — |
Sources: Comparitech, TechRadar, StreamFix, note.com
Proton VPN — Good but Slower
Proton VPN uses WireGuard and maintains ~85-90% of base speed on nearby servers, but drops more significantly on long-distance routes. In one direct comparison, NordVPN was 2.7x faster than Proton on Japanese servers.
| Server Location | Download Speed | Speed Loss |
|---|---|---|
| Local (UK/EU) | 468-660 Mbps | 6-12% |
| New York, US | 280-421 Mbps | 15-30% |
| Tokyo, JP | 95 Mbps | 44% |
| Australia | — | 53.4% |
Sources: 01net, ReviewedByFred, dev.to, byebyebigtech.com
Surfshark — Solid Mid-Range
Surfshark delivers good speeds with ~84% download retention overall. On nearby servers, speed loss is 10-22%; on distant servers it can reach 45-47%.
| Server Location | Download Speed | Speed Loss |
|---|---|---|
| Local (UK) | — | 21.9% |
| US | 546 Mbps | 6-33% |
| Tokyo, JP | 470 Mbps | — |
| Australia | 380 Mbps | 25-45% |
Sources: 01net, Cybernews, AllAboutCookies, app-tatsujin
Streaming Platform Unblocking
| Platform | NordVPN | ExpressVPN | Proton VPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Netflix (US/UK/JP/DE/AU/CA) | 17-25+ libraries | 18+ libraries | 10+ libraries | 15-30+ libraries |
| Disney+ | Yes | Yes | Yes (macOS) | Yes |
| Hulu | Yes | Yes | No (unreliable) | Yes |
| Amazon Prime Video | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| BBC iPlayer | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| HBO Max | Yes | Yes | — | Yes |
| Smart DNS | SmartPlay | MediaStreamer | No | Yes |
| Overall streaming rank | #1 | #2 | #4 | #3 |
NordVPN and ExpressVPN are the most reliable for streaming, with Surfshark close behind as the best value option. Proton VPN works for Netflix and BBC iPlayer but struggles with Hulu and Disney+ on some platforms.
Sources: Gizmodo, CleanVPNs, VPN-for-streaming.com, AnonymFlow, CyberBasics
Logging Policies & Jurisdiction
| Provider | Jurisdiction | Eyes Alliance | No-Logs Audits | Last Audit | RAM-Only Servers |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NordVPN | Panama | Outside 5/9/14 Eyes | 6 audits (PwC 2018/2020, Deloitte 2022-2025) | Dec 2025 (announced Feb 2026) | Yes (diskless) |
| ExpressVPN | British Virgin Islands | Outside 5/9/14 Eyes | 27+ total (KPMG, Cure53) | Feb 2025 (KPMG ISAE 3000) | Yes (wiped on reboot) |
| Proton VPN | Switzerland | Outside 5/9/14 Eyes | 5 audits (Securitum) | 2026 (5th consecutive) | Yes |
| Surfshark | Netherlands | Nine Eyes member | Security audit (SecuRing Jan 2026), no-logs (Cure53 2021) | Jan 2026 | Yes |
Key distinctions:
- NordVPN has the most no-logs audit repetitions (6) and sits in Panama with no data retention laws.
- ExpressVPN is in the BVI, also outside intelligence-sharing alliances, with TrustedServer technology that wipes all data on reboot.
- Proton VPN is in Switzerland, rejected all 47 government data requests in H1 2026 because it had no data to provide. Its no-logs policy is verified annually.
- Surfshark is the only provider based in a Nine Eyes jurisdiction (Netherlands). While the Netherlands has no mandatory VPN logging laws as of 2026, its position within the intelligence-sharing alliance is a noted privacy consideration. Its last dedicated no-logs audit was in 2021 (Cure53); the January 2026 SecuRing audit was a security audit, not a dedicated no-logs verification.
Sources: StationX, ExpressVPN Trust Center, CyberInsider, Proton VPN, VPN-Picker, ToolsRanks, Surfshark Trust Center
Key Features
NordVPN
- NordLynx protocol (WireGuard-based), NordWhisper protocol for obfuscation
- SmartPlay streaming optimization technology
- 7,400+ servers in 118 countries
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Threat Protection Pro (ad/malware/tracker blocking, now branded as “next-gen antivirus”)
- Dark Web Monitor with credit card, national ID, SSN, and phone number monitoring
- Global scam call protection (Android + iOS)
- AI voice detection for Chrome (deepfake/scam call defense)
- Dedicated servers with port forwarding
- Meta Quest VR headset support
- NordPass password manager (Plus tier and above)
- NordLocker cloud storage (1TB on Complete/Prime tiers)
ExpressVPN
- Lightway protocol (proprietary, optimized for speed)
- MediaStreamer Smart DNS for devices that can’t run VPN apps
- 3,000+ servers in 105 countries, 214 server locations
- 8-10 simultaneous connections
- TrustedServer technology (RAM-only, wiped on reboot)
- ExpressKeys password manager with passkey support (audited by Cure53)
- ExpressAI end-to-end encrypted AI assistant
- ExpressVPN+ unified privacy management hub
- Aircove router integration
- Split tunneling
- Network Lock (kill switch)
- No third-party router lock-in (non-Aircove routers still supported)
Proton VPN
- WireGuard, OpenVPN, and Stealth protocol support
- 20,000+ servers in 145 countries (largest network of the four)
- 10 simultaneous connections
- Genuinely free tier (1 device, unlimited data, 10 countries)
- Secure Core multi-hop routing (routes through privacy-friendly countries)
- NetShield ad/tracker/malware blocker
- Kill switch and split tunneling (now works together on Windows)
- Proton Unlimited bundles VPN with Proton Mail, Drive, Calendar, and Pass
- Open-source apps and infrastructure
- Proton VPN for Business with admin groups and SSO
- Post-quantum cryptography groundwork in development
- Fully Swiss-encrypted servers (Switzerland, Germany, Norway)
Surfshark
- Dausos proprietary VPN protocol (launched April 2026)
- WireGuard and OpenVPN support
- Post-quantum protection on WireGuard (launched January 2026)
- 4,500+ servers in 100 countries
- Unlimited simultaneous connections (best for households)
- Smart DNS
- CleanWeb (ad/tracker/malware blocker)
- Alternative ID (identity masking)
- Surfshark Antivirus (One tier and above)
- Data removal tool (One+ tier)
- Available on Vega OS
- Split tunneling (Bypasser)
- Kill switch
- Rotating IP addresses
Sources: NordVPN blog, ExpressVPN blog, Proton VPN roadmap, Surfshark news, VPNBook
Recent News & Changes (2026)
NordVPN
- May 2026: Rebranded as an “all-in-one digital security app” with three pillars: Connect (VPN), Protect (next-gen antivirus + anti-phishing), and Monitor (Dark Web Monitor + breach alerts). Pricing and VPN technology unchanged.
- Q2 2026: Global scam call protection launched on Android and iOS; AI voice detection tool for Chrome; native Meta Quest VR support; dedicated VPN servers with port forwarding launched mid-June.
- July 2026: Began a network-wide server overhaul — every server gets a newer Linux distribution, kernel, optimized software stack, and new IP address. Rolling through end of 2026.
- August 2026: Linux app v5.3.0 released with automatic GUI installation alongside CLI; dropped support for Ubuntu 20.04, Debian 11, Fedora 32-42.
- August 2026: Transaction monitoring feature added; cookie banner hider added to next-gen antivirus; obfuscated servers migrated from OpenVPN to NordWhisper.
- February 2026: Sixth no-logs audit completed by Deloitte (covering Nov-Dec 2025 period).
ExpressVPN
- March 2026: Launched ExpressAI, an end-to-end encrypted AI tool, completing its five-app privacy suite announced in February.
- March 31, 2026: Deadline to update legacy apps — older versions stopped working after this date.
- March 2026: Partnered with the Internet Watch Foundation (IWF) to block known CSAM websites across its network.
- June 2026: Named Official Supporter of the FIFA World Cup 2026.
- July 2026: ExpressKeys rolled out major upgrades: full passkey support, controlled item sharing, card scanning, and recovery tools; cleared a new Cure53 security audit.
- August 2026: Expanded to 214 VPN server locations. ExpressVPN+ launched with passkey sign-in for unified privacy management.
- H1 2026 Transparency Report: Zero VPN activity or connection logs disclosed in response to any request.
Proton VPN
- January 2026: Retired legacy manual OpenVPN configuration files (February 28 cutoff). OpenVPN still supported via the app; only manual configs were removed.
- January 2026: Expanded free tier to 10 countries (added Mexico, Canada, Switzerland, Norway, Singapore to existing Netherlands, Japan, Romania, Poland, US).
- April 2026: Published Spring/Summer 2026 roadmap: new client-side WireGuard codebase (beta on Android/Windows, expanding to macOS/iOS/Linux), redesigned Linux app GUI, Stealth protocol integration, enhanced server selection exclusions on Windows.
- June 2026: Passed 5th consecutive independent no-logs audit by Securitum — confirmed no user activity, DNS query, or connection metadata retention.
- July 2026: Transparency report revealed 47 legally binding data requests in H1 2026 — all denied because no data existed to provide.
- 2026: Ending IKEv2 protocol support on macOS.
Surfshark
- January 2026: Launched post-quantum protection on WireGuard. Published a study evaluating quantum-resistance of top apps (only 8% found resilient).
- January 2026: Passed independent security audit by SecuRing — no critical or high-risk vulnerabilities found; one minor SSL/TLS issue was identified and promptly resolved.
- April 2026: Launched Dausos, Surfshark’s own proprietary VPN protocol, described as “revolutionizing the consumer VPN industry.”
- August 2026: Announced discontinuation of Surfshark Search — already removed from iOS; Android removal with next update; full retirement by end of 2026. Company is refocusing on VPN and cybersecurity products.
- August 2026: Surfshark VPN became available on Vega OS.
Sources: NordVPN Q2 roundup, TechNadu, TechRadar, ExpressVPN news, Ground.news, ExpressVPN transparency report, CyberInsider, TechRadar Proton roadmap, Vice Surfshark audit, GlobeNewswire, TechRadar Surfshark Search
Summary at a Glance
| Feature | NordVPN | ExpressVPN | Proton VPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Best 2-yr price | $2.99/mo (Basic) | $2.49/mo (Basic) | $2.99/mo (VPN Plus) | $1.99/mo (Starter) |
| Free tier | No | No | Yes | No |
| Devices | 10 | 8-10 | 10 | Unlimited |
| Speed retention | ~95% | ~92% | ~85-90% | ~84% |
| Netflix libraries | 17-25+ | 18+ | 10+ | 15-30+ |
| Jurisdiction | Panama (outside 5/9/14 Eyes) | BVI (outside 5/9/14 Eyes) | Switzerland (outside 5/9/14 Eyes) | Netherlands (Nine Eyes) |
| No-logs audits | 6 (Deloitte/PwC) | 27+ (KPMG/Cure53) | 5 (Securitum) | Security audit 2026, no-logs 2021 |
| RAM-only servers | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Proprietary protocol | NordLynx / NordWhisper | Lightway | Stealth (in development) | Dausos |
| Servers | 7,400+ in 118 countries | 3,000+ in 105 countries | 20,000+ in 145 countries | 4,500+ in 100 countries |
Final Recommendation
- Choose Surfshark if you want the lowest long-term cost and need to protect an entire household of devices on a single subscription.
- Choose NordVPN if your main priorities are maximum raw connection speeds, built-in threat protection, and consistent geo-unblocking.
- Choose ExpressVPN if you want a streamlined user interface, high streaming reliability, and a verified RAM-only server architecture.
- Choose Proton VPN if you require a high-tier free option, open-source applications, or prefer Swiss privacy laws.