Short answer: Surfshark is generally the cheaper choice on the cited long-term introductory plans and permits unlimited simultaneous connections. NordVPN has a lower cited UK month-to-month price, a 10-device limit, and strong speed results in several tests. There is no universal speed winner: protocol, distance, device, baseline connection and test method materially change the result.
At a glance
| Decision factor | Surfshark | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Long-term UK example | £45.63 upfront for 24 months (about £1.69/month) in The Independent’s 30 March 2026 comparison; promotional and renewal pricing can change | £62.16 upfront for two years (about £2.59/month) in the same dated comparison |
| UK one-month example | £12.29 | £10.09 |
| Simultaneous devices | Unlimited, subject to current terms | Up to 10, subject to current terms |
| WireGuard-style testing | Above 950 Mbps in TechRadar’s 2025 test | Above 950 Mbps in TechRadar’s 2025 test |
| OpenVPN peak in TechRadar’s test | 640 Mbps | 110 Mbps |
| Privacy options described by The Independent | WireGuard, OpenVPN, kill switch, split tunnelling and multi-hop | WireGuard, OpenVPN, kill switch, split tunnelling, multi-hop, Double VPN and Onion over VPN |
These figures are dated examples, not live quotes. Check the checkout page for your country, currency, term, tier and renewal amount before paying.
Which VPN is cheaper?
UK introductory examples
The Independent’s Alex Lee listed Surfshark Starter at £45.63 upfront for 24 months (approximately £1.69 per month) and NordVPN Basic at £62.16 upfront for two years (approximately £2.59 per month). The lower Surfshark equivalent does not mean a £1.69 monthly bill: the full 24-month amount is charged for the initial term. Lee also listed one-year totals of £38.85 for Surfshark (about £2.59 per month) and £45.48 for NordVPN (about £3.79 per month).
Monthly billing
In that same 30 March 2026 UK comparison, NordVPN was £10.09 per month and Surfshark was £12.29. Monthly billing therefore reverses the long-term price advantage shown above.
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Renewal and regional differences
The Independent warns that Surfshark promotions fluctuate and that renewal prices may be substantially higher. A Surfshark comparison page dated 23 September 2026 listed provider-reported two-year equivalents of $2.49 per month for Surfshark and $3.49 for NordVPN, while one-month prices were $16.45 and $14.99 respectively. Those US-dollar figures are not interchangeable with the UK examples; prices vary by market, tax, currency, plan and promotion.
- Record the total charged today, not only the displayed monthly equivalent.
- Check the first-term length and the renewal price on the checkout screen.
- Confirm whether tax, add-ons or a different tier changes the total.
- Set a calendar reminder before renewal if you intend to renegotiate or cancel.
Which VPN is faster?
“Fastest” depends on the protocol, server route, distance, baseline internet line, operating system, device and whether the result is a peak or a median. The available tests point in different directions, so a single universal winner would be misleading.
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TechRadar’s January 2025 comparison
TechRadar’s head-to-head, last updated 17 January 2025, recorded speeds above 950 Mbps for both providers in WireGuard-based testing. In its OpenVPN measurements, Surfshark reached a 640 Mbps peak while NordVPN reached 110 Mbps. These are test-specific peaks, not guaranteed speeds for every household or server.
The Independent’s March 2026 review
Alex Lee tested Android, iPhone, Mac and Windows devices, including long-distance connections. Lee reported Surfshark losses of approximately 5% on UK servers and 11% on international servers. NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol was described as near-identical to the reviewer’s usual speeds on long-distance routes. These observations came from one reviewer’s setup rather than a controlled universal benchmark.
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Artifact Security results as reported by NordVPN
NordVPN’s 10 August 2026 report summarized Artifact Security’s June 2026 round-one, five-provider test. According to NordVPN’s account, the test followed AMTSO guidelines, measured throughput, stability, latency and connection time across 55 routes from Frankfurt, London, Singapore, New York and San Francisco, and used commercially acquired products in isolated, repeatable environments. NordVPN scored 91 overall and Surfshark 81; NordVPN won three origin regions and Surfshark won two.
The same vendor-published report gave Windows median download speeds of 568.4 Mbps for NordVPN and 508.9 Mbps for Surfshark. It cautioned that peak results are best-case runs and that medians better represent ordinary performance. Because these results are presented on NordVPN’s own site, treat them as NordVPN’s account of an independent test, not as a direct Artifact Security publication.
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Device limits and household fit
Surfshark for many devices
Surfshark’s unlimited simultaneous-connection allowance is useful for households covering phones, computers, tablets, televisions and other supported devices without counting to ten. Confirm the current definition of “unlimited,” supported platforms and any account restrictions in the plan terms.
NordVPN for smaller device counts
NordVPN allows up to 10 simultaneous devices. That is sufficient for many individuals and smaller households, but a larger household should count active devices before choosing it.
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Features and privacy differences
The Independent describes both services as offering WireGuard and OpenVPN, a kill switch, split tunnelling and multi-hop. It additionally identifies NordVPN’s Double VPN and Onion over VPN options. Availability can vary by operating system and subscription tier, so verify the exact feature list for the apps you use.
A VPN encrypts traffic between your device and the VPN server and changes the route your traffic takes. Feature comparisons alone do not prove that either provider is categorically more private. The evidence here does not establish a current, direct audit comparison, so privacy claims should remain limited to documented functions and the providers’ current terms.
Streaming and everyday use
TechRadar reported that both providers achieved a 100% unblocking score in the streaming services it tested. That was a test-date result, not a guarantee: streaming platforms change detection systems, catalogs and licensing. Choose a server near your intended location, and expect that a previously working service may later require another server or stop working.
How to choose
Choose Surfshark when
- Your priority is the lowest cited long-term introductory total.
- Your household needs more than 10 simultaneous connections.
- You accept that promotional and renewal prices require careful checking.
Choose NordVPN when
- You want the lower cited UK monthly price.
- Ten simultaneous devices cover your needs.
- You value options such as Double VPN and Onion over VPN, where your plan and platform support them.
- Your priority is performance in the specific NordLynx or long-distance conditions described by the available tests.
Run your own fair speed check
- Measure your ordinary connection without a VPN at the same time of day.
- Install both providers on the same device and use the same protocol, preferably the provider’s WireGuard-based option when available.
- Test a nearby server and a distant server, recording download, upload, latency and connection time.
- Repeat each measurement several times and compare medians rather than one best run.
- Test the services you actually use, because streaming access and stability can vary by server and date.
Verdict
For most price-sensitive households, Surfshark is the stronger value on the cited two-year introductory examples and its unlimited device policy is a practical advantage. NordVPN is compelling for users who prefer its feature set, need only up to 10 devices, or obtain better results on their routes and protocol. The dated evidence does not justify calling either service universally fastest; compare total billed cost, renewal terms and performance on your own connection.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
