NordVPN vs Surfshark: Which Budget VPN Wins in 2026?

NordVPN vs Surfshark: The Ultimate 2026 Comparison

NordVPN and Surfshark are consistently the two most recommended budget VPNs, and for good reason. Both offer premium features at prices that significantly undercut competitors like ExpressVPN, yet they each take slightly different approaches to privacy, performance, and features. In this head-to-head comparison, we test both VPNs from the UK across every category that matters to help you decide which one deserves your money in 2026.

Pricing and Plans

Both NordVPN and Surfshark are known for their aggressive pricing, particularly on longer-term plans. As of February 2026, here is how they compare:

• NordVPN: Monthly plan at 12.99 pounds, one-year plan at 4.59 pounds per month, two-year plan at 3.09 pounds per month.
• Surfshark: Monthly plan at 12.95 pounds, one-year plan at 3.99 pounds per month, two-year plan at 2.29 pounds per month.

Surfshark wins on price at every tier, with the two-year plan coming in at nearly a pound less per month than NordVPN. Over two years, that adds up to a savings of roughly 19 pounds. Both providers offer 30-day money-back guarantees, so you can try either one risk-free.

Speed and Performance

In our February 2026 speed tests conducted from London on a 500 Mbps connection, NordVPN held a consistent edge over Surfshark, though the gap was not enormous.

On UK servers, NordVPN averaged 462 Mbps compared to Surfshark's 438 Mbps. On US servers, the gap widened slightly: 389 Mbps for NordVPN versus 361 Mbps for Surfshark. Both are using WireGuard-based protocols as their default. NordVPN uses its proprietary NordLynx implementation, while Surfshark uses standard WireGuard.

For everyday use including streaming, browsing, and even gaming, both VPNs deliver more than enough speed. You would be hard-pressed to notice the difference between 462 and 438 Mbps in real-world usage. NordVPN wins this category on paper, but in practice it is essentially a draw.

Security and Privacy

Both VPNs use AES-256 encryption and support WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols. Both have independently audited no-logs policies, kill switches on all platforms, and DNS leak protection. However, there are some differences worth noting.

NordVPN is based in Panama, which has no mandatory data retention laws and is outside the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and Fourteen Eyes intelligence-sharing alliances. Surfshark is incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, which offers similar privacy protections. Both jurisdictions are excellent for VPN companies.

NordVPN offers several advanced features that Surfshark does not match. Double VPN routes your traffic through two servers for an extra layer of encryption. Onion Over VPN combines VPN encryption with the Tor network. Dark Web Monitor alerts you if your credentials appear in data breaches. Threat Protection Pro blocks malware, trackers, and ads at the network level, even when you are not connected to a VPN server.

Surfshark counters with its own unique features. CleanWeb blocks ads, trackers, and malware. MultiHop routes traffic through two servers, similar to NordVPN's Double VPN. Surfshark also offers a unique feature called Rotating IP, which changes your IP address periodically without disconnecting, adding an extra layer of anonymity.

Streaming and Geo-Unblocking

This is often the deciding factor for UK users, and both VPNs perform excellently. In our testing, both NordVPN and Surfshark reliably unblocked the following services from the UK:

• BBC iPlayer (using UK servers from abroad)
• Netflix US, UK, and multiple other regional libraries
• Disney Plus
• Amazon Prime Video
• Channel 4 and ITV Hub
• DAZN for sports streaming

NordVPN's SmartPlay technology, which combines VPN and smart DNS features, makes it particularly reliable for streaming. Surfshark also performs well but occasionally requires switching between servers to find one that works with a specific platform. Overall, NordVPN has a slight edge in streaming reliability, but Surfshark is close behind.

Simultaneous Connections

This is where Surfshark has a massive advantage. Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections on a single account. You can install it on every device in your household, your phone, your laptop, your tablet, your smart TV, your router, and your gaming console, all at the same time.

NordVPN allows ten simultaneous connections, which was increased from six in 2024. Ten devices is generous and more than enough for most individuals, but for families or those with many devices, Surfshark's unlimited policy is hard to beat.

Server Network

NordVPN operates over 6,400 servers in 111 countries. Surfshark has over 3,200 servers in 100 countries. NordVPN's larger network means less congestion during peak times and more options when a particular server is not performing well. Both offer extensive UK server coverage, with servers in London, Manchester, Edinburgh, and other major cities.

Apps and User Experience

Both VPNs offer polished, user-friendly apps across all major platforms. NordVPN's interface features a world map for server selection, which is intuitive and visually appealing. Surfshark opts for a clean, list-based interface that is perhaps even simpler to navigate. Both apps connect quickly, offer split tunnelling, and include favourites lists for frequently used servers.

The Verdict

If price is your primary concern and you need to cover many devices, Surfshark is the winner. It is cheaper at every pricing tier and offers unlimited connections. If speed, advanced security features, and a larger server network are more important to you, NordVPN justifies its slightly higher price. Both are excellent VPNs that will serve UK users well in 2026.

Still undecided? Take our VPN Quiz for a personalised recommendation based on your priorities, or use the VPN Comparison Tool to see how both stack up against other providers.