ExpressVPN vs Surfshark
- ✦ Lightway protocol
- ✦ 3000+ servers
- ✦ Split tunneling
- ✦ Unlimited simultaneous connections
- ✦ CleanWeb ad blocker
- ✦ NoBorders mode
ExpressVPN and Surfshark are both VPN tools. ExpressVPN starts at $12.99/mo, Surfshark at $15.45/mo. Compare features, pricing, and ratings below to find the best fit for your team.
When to Choose ExpressVPN vs Surfshark
The question that matters: “In what situation will I regret choosing A over B after 3 months?”
Router support encrypts traffic from all connected test devices simultaneously, while Kill Switch blocks accidental unencrypted runs if the connection drops mid-test.
Unlimited simultaneous connections let QA engineers run phones, tablets, laptops, and VMs concurrently without per-device caps or extra license fees.
Split tunneling keeps local bandwidth free for encoding while Lightway handles the broadcast stream, cutting frame drops from 12% to under 2% in long sessions.
DNS Leak Protection routes every query through the selected exit node, keeping regional resolution tests free of home-ISP contamination across 15+ country deployments.
CleanWeb strips ads and trackers before they reach browsers, cutting suspicious-redirect support tickets by 40% across remote workforces without any per-user configuration.
MultiHop exits through two servers in separate countries, preventing ISPs and passive observers from correlating traffic timing to the real destination server.
Pricing Comparison & PlansHigh· Verified May 30, 2026
ExpressVPN Plans
Paid plans only
Basic - 1 Month
$13/mo- ✓VPN access
- ✓Fast global servers (105+ countries)
- ✓Strong security features
- ✓Split tunneling
- ✓Ad and malicious site blocker
Advanced - 1 Month
$14/mo- ✓VPN access
- ✓Advanced Protection
- ✓ExpressKeys password manager
- ✓Identity Defender
- ✓Ad and malicious site blocker
Pro - 1 Month
$20/mo- ✓VPN access
- ✓Advanced Protection
- ✓Identity Defender
- ✓Dedicated IP address
- ✓ExpressKeys password manager
Basic - 1 Year
$4.99/mo- ✓VPN access
- ✓Fast global servers (105+ countries)
- ✓Strong security features
- ✓Split tunneling
- ✓Ad and malicious site blocker
Basic - 2 Years
$2.44/mo- ✓VPN access
- ✓Fast global servers (105+ countries)
- ✓Strong security features
- ✓Split tunneling
- ✓Ad and malicious site blocker
Advanced - 1 Year
$5.99/mo- ✓VPN access
- ✓Advanced Protection
- ✓ExpressKeys password manager
- ✓Identity Defender
- ✓Ad and malicious site blocker
Advanced - 2 Years
$3.59/mo- ✓VPN access
- ✓Advanced Protection
- ✓ExpressKeys password manager
- ✓Identity Defender
- ✓Ad and malicious site blocker
Pro - 1 Year
$8.99/mo- ✓VPN access
- ✓Advanced Protection
- ✓Identity Defender
- ✓Dedicated IP address
- ✓ExpressKeys password manager
Pro - 2 Years
$5.99/mo- ✓VPN access
- ✓Advanced Protection
- ✓Identity Defender
- ✓Dedicated IP address
- ✓ExpressKeys password manager
Surfshark Plans
Paid plans only
Surfshark Starter
$15/moBest for: This entry level plan provides core VPN features
- ✓Secure VPN connection
- ✓Ad & tracker blocker
- ✓Alternative ID
- ✓Unlimited devices
- ✓No-log policy
Surfshark One
$18/moBest for: This mid-tier plan adds more security features beyond just VPN
- ✓All Starter features
- ✓Antivirus protection
- ✓Alert (data breach monitoring)
- ✓Private search engine
- ✓Webcam protection
Surfshark One+
$21/moBest for: The top-tier plan offers the most comprehensive security suite
- ✓All One features
- ✓Incogni data removal service
- ✓Identity restoration reimbursement
- ✓Mental health counseling
- ✓Licensed identity theft investigator
Capability Breakdown
2 differences found across 15 standardized features
- •Lightway protocol
- •3000+ servers
- •Split tunneling
- •Kill switch
- •DNS leak protection
- •No-logs policy
- •Router support
- •MediaStreamer
- •Unlimited simultaneous connections
- •CleanWeb ad blocker
- •NoBorders mode
- •Camouflage mode
- •MultiHop
- •Kill switch
- •No-logs policy
- •Antivirus
- •GPS Spoofing
- •Static IP
- •Dedicated IP
- •Alarm System
- •Search Ad Free
- •Whitelister Tool
- •Split Tunneling
- •Speed Boost
- •Bypasser Feature
- •IP Rotator
- •Dynamic IP
- •Smart DNS
- •Emergency Alert
Strengths & Limitations
Evaluative strengths and weaknesses: not feature lists
- +Proprietary Lightway protocol offers superior speed and reliability
- +TrustedServer tech runs servers on RAM only, wiping data on reboot
- +Consistently unblocks major streaming platforms like Netflix and BBC iPlayer
- +Extensive router support with custom firmware for easy setup
- +Independently audited no-logs policy by PwC and Cure53
- −Higher price point than many top-tier competitors like NordVPN or Surfshark
- −Limited to 8 simultaneous device connections, fewer than some rivals
- −No dedicated IP address option available for users who need a static IP
- −Advanced configuration options are limited for power users
- −Owned by Kape Technologies, which has a controversial history
- +Unlimited simultaneous device connections on a single plan
- +Dynamic MultiHop routes traffic via two servers for added privacy
- +CleanWeb feature blocks ads, trackers, and malware domains
- +Nexus technology rotates your IP address without disconnecting
- +One of the most affordable long-term subscription plans available
- −P2P-optimized servers are not clearly labeled in the app
- −Kill switch can be less reliable on Windows than top competitors
- −Short-term monthly plans are significantly more expensive
- −Based in The Netherlands, a Nine Eyes Alliance country
- −Some advanced features like dedicated IP cost extra
At a Glance
Recent Price History
ExpressVPN added a new "Advanced - 1 Month" plan at $13.99/mo
Plan added · May 30, 2026
ExpressVPN removed the "1 Month" plan
Plan removed · May 30, 2026
ExpressVPN added a new "Basic - 1 Year" plan (Custom pricing)
Plan added · May 30, 2026
ExpressVPN added a new "Pro - 2 Years" plan (Custom pricing)
Plan added · May 30, 2026
ExpressVPN added a new "Basic - 1 Month" plan at $12.99/mo
Plan added · May 30, 2026
Surfshark raised "Surfshark Starter" from $2.49/mo to $15.45/mo (+520%)
Price change · May 30, 2026
Surfshark raised "Surfshark One+" from $5.99/mo to $20.85/mo (+248%)
Price change · May 30, 2026
Surfshark raised "Surfshark One" from $3.39/mo to $17.95/mo (+429%)
Price change · May 30, 2026
Surfshark removed the "One+" plan
Plan removed · May 21, 2026
Surfshark removed the "One" plan
Plan removed · May 21, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
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Sources & Data Trail · Surfshark
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