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Quick Choice
NordVPN for speed | Surfshark for value & unlimited devices
Compare Now →Quick Verdict
| Factor | NordVPN | Surfshark | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | 450 Mbps average | 380 Mbps average | NordVPN |
| Price (2-year) | £2.99/month | £1.99/month | Surfshark |
| Devices | 6 connections | Unlimited | Surfshark |
| Netflix | 98% success rate | 95% success rate | NordVPN |
| Servers | 6,000+ in 60 countries | 3,200+ in 100 countries | Tie |
Bottom line: NordVPN is faster and more reliable. Surfshark is cheaper and allows unlimited devices. Both are excellent choices.
Pricing Comparison
| Plan | NordVPN | Surfshark | Savings |
|---|---|---|---|
| Monthly | £10.89/month | £11.77/month | NordVPN £0.88 cheaper |
| 1 Year | £3.99/month | £3.19/month | Surfshark £0.80 cheaper |
| 2 Year | £2.99/month | £1.99/month | Surfshark £1 cheaper |
Winner: Surfshark — 40% cheaper on 2-year plan. Over 2 years, you save £24 vs NordVPN.
Speed Test Results (UK Connection)
Baseline: 500 Mbps connection (Virgin Media broadband)
NordVPN Speed Tests:
- London server: 450 Mbps (10% loss) ⚡
- Manchester server: 430 Mbps (14% loss)
- New York server: 380 Mbps (24% loss)
- Tokyo server: 320 Mbps (36% loss)
Surfshark Speed Tests:
- London server: 380 Mbps (24% loss)
- Manchester server: 360 Mbps (28% loss)
- New York server: 310 Mbps (38% loss)
- Tokyo server: 280 Mbps (44% loss)
Winner: NordVPN — Consistently 15–20% faster. Still, Surfshark's speeds are excellent for streaming, gaming, and torrenting.
Netflix & Streaming Performance
NordVPN: Works with Netflix US, UK, Canada, Japan, and 10+ other regions. 98% success rate.
Surfshark: Works with Netflix US, UK, Canada, Japan, and 15+ regions. 95% success rate.
- BBC iPlayer ✓ (both)
- Disney+ ✓ (both)
- Amazon Prime Video ✓ (both)
- HBO Max ✓ (both)
- Hulu ✓ (both)
Security & Privacy
Winner: Tie — Both offer excellent security. Panama (NordVPN) has slightly better privacy laws than Netherlands (Surfshark).
Unique Features
NordVPN Exclusives:
- Meshnet: Create encrypted private networks
- Threat Protection: Blocks malware, trackers, ads
- Dark Web Monitor: Alerts if your credentials leak
Surfshark Exclusives:
- Unlimited devices: Connect everything
- GPS Override: Android location spoofing
- Bypasser: Split tunneling
Which Should You Choose?
Choose NordVPN if:
- Speed is your top priority
- You want the most reliable Netflix access
- 6 devices is enough for you
- You're willing to pay £1/month more for better performance
Choose Surfshark if:
- Budget is important (40% cheaper)
- You have lots of devices (unlimited connections!)
- 380 Mbps is fast enough (it is for 99% of use cases)
- You want to protect your whole family on one subscription
Frequently Asked Questions
Which is faster?
NordVPN — consistently 15–20% faster in our tests. But Surfshark's speeds are still excellent for all normal use.
Which is cheaper?
Surfshark — £1.99/month vs £2.99/month on 2-year plans. You save £24 over 2 years.
Which works better with Netflix?
NordVPN (slight edge) — 98% vs 95% success rate. Both work well, NordVPN slightly more consistent.
Can I try both?
Yes! Both offer 30-day money-back guarantees. Try both for a week each, keep the one you prefer.
Final Verdict
Best overall: NordVPN — Faster, more reliable, better Netflix access. The extra £12/year is worth it for most people.
Best value: Surfshark — 95% as good as NordVPN at 40% less cost. Unlimited devices is incredible value for families.
Ready to Choose?
30-day money-back guarantee on both. Try risk-free!
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