VPN comparison · 2026
ExpressVPN vs Surfshark (2026 Comparison)
Side-by-side: pricing, features, pros, cons, and our editorial winner for vpn.
Winner summary
ExpressVPN wins overall
Scoring 9.2/10 vs 9/10 in our 2026 review.
Cheaper
Surfshark
Higher rated
ExpressVPN
Better free tier
Tie
Feature comparison
| Dimension | ExpressVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| ProductsVerdict score | 9.2/10 | 9/10 |
| User rating | 4.7 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Starting price | $4.99/mo | $2.19/mo |
| Free trial | 30-day money-back | 30-day money-back |
| Best for | Streaming & ease of use | Families & multi-device |
| Badge | Premium | Best Value |
ExpressVPN key features
- Lightway protocol
- 3,000+ servers / 105 countries
- TrustedServer (RAM-only)
- 5 simultaneous devices
- 24/7 live chat
Surfshark key features
- Unlimited devices
- 3,200+ servers / 100 countries
- CleanWeb ad blocker
- Bypasser split-tunneling
- Audited no-logs
ExpressVPN — pros & cons
Pros
- Easiest VPN apps in the market
- Excellent for streaming
- Strong jurisdiction (BVI)
Cons
- More expensive than competitors
- Only 5 devices
Surfshark — pros & cons
Pros
- Cheapest premium VPN
- Unlimited simultaneous devices
- Solid speeds on WireGuard
Cons
- Renewal jumps to ~$60/yr
- Smaller server count vs Nord
When to pick which
Choose ExpressVPN if…
- Streaming Netflix/BBC
- Privacy
- Travel
Choose Surfshark if…
- Family sharing
- Multi-device households