PureVPN vs. NordVPN: Which One is the Best?
We put these VPNs to the test to find out which is the best!
The way SurfShark has evolved, grew, or whatever you’d like to call it, in a short span, deserves applause. The simple fact that it started in 2018 and two years later, we are comparing it to perhaps the best VPN of all time — NordVPN — speaks volumes.
Now the sad part (for some). SurfShark sure is on its way to becoming among the best VPNs in the commercial market. However, it’s no match to NordVPN, our #1 recommended VPN. In fact, it’s not even in our top five recommended VPNs. It sure is cheap. And great value for its price. But head-to-head, NordVPN is the clear winner!
In this article, we will compare SurfShark’s and NordVPN’s features, ease of use, security & privacy, servers & speeds, customer support, and pricing. Without further ado, let’s begin.
How do these compare?
Vendor |  |  |
|---|---|---|
Features | 10/10 | 9/10 |
Ease of use | 10/10 | 9/10 |
Security/Privacy | 10/10 | 9/10 |
Support | 9/10 | 6.5/10 |
Speed | 9/10 | 8/10 |
Pricing | 10/10 | 10/10 |
Cell |
NordVPN was founded in 2008, and SurfShark in 2018. Meaning, NordVPN has approximately 5x more experience and has had 5x more time to grow itself in-depth, in-width, and in business.
Of course, it’s not necessary that ‘the older, the better.’ However, when a company has been long enough in the market, actively invested in its products, and evolved constantly, it’s highly possible that- that company will have an edge. And that’s the case with NordVPN.
NordVPN has the edge over SurfShark. On what fronts? Let’s find out.
SurfShark vs. NordVPN: Features
The simplest possible implementation of a VPN includes connecting your device to a server and routing all your traffic through it. That’s the most basic thing a VPN does. On top of that, a quality VPN comes with some much-needed features like kill switch, DNS & IP leak protection, a no-logs policy, double VPN, etc.
Comparing such features can help you make an informed decision. Thus, here goes our SurfShark & NordVPN’s features comparison.
SurfShark has the following features:
- Kill switch: To kill the internet traffic if the VPN turns off unexpectedly.
- Private DNS & leak protection- we’ve tested it for leaks. All good.
- Camouflage mode: To keep your ISP unaware of your VPN usage.
- MultiHop- it’s double VPN basically.
- NoBorders mode: To access the internet in restrictive regions like China.
- Whitelister- SurfShark’s branding for split tunneling. With this feature, you can access some apps (like torrenting apps) via VPN and some (like YouTube) without VPN, simultaneously.
- CleanWeb: This features blocks ads & trackers, and keeps you from phishing attempts.
NordVPN, too, has all the mentioned features (with its own branding. E.g., CleanWeb becomes Cybersec) except Whitelister. It makes up for it, though, with the following additional features.
- Kill switch: Indeed, SurfShark has it. There’s nothing “additional” about that fact. The additional part is NordVPN’s way of implementing it. It has two kill switch versions:
1) Internet kill switch: It’s the normal kill switch that turns off all the internet activities when the VPN auto-disables.
2) Apps-only kill switch: In here, apps are specified for the functionality. Apps like torrenting ones can be cut off from the internet in case of VPN outage, and at the same time, other apps like YouTube can keep working. It’s kind of like SurfSharks Whitelister.
- Smartplay: For streaming.
- Onion over VPN: It’s used to communicate anonymously across the computer/server network.
- Dedicated IP: For a bit premium, you can get access to a personal server.
All in all, both NordVPN and SurfShark comes with needed features. Yet, when it comes to additional features, NordVPN wins with its extra Onion over VPN & Dedicated IP.
Winner: NordVPN
SurfShark vs. NordVPN: Ease of use
Vendor | | |
|---|---|---|
Payment options - Cryptocurrencies? | Yes | No |
Interface | Map-based & list-based | list-based |
Apps (Android, iOS, etc.) | All devices | All |
Cell |
Registering with either service is straightforward, so let’s start this directly with the interface.
Firstly, both SurfShark & NordVPN have apps for all major OSs, including Android, iOS, macOS, Windows, Linux, Fire TV/ Firestick, and more. Also, extensions for Chrome & Firefox are available.
For the best comparison, let’s look at both’s desktop apps.
SurfShark goes with the “less is more” or minimalistic approach. On the dashboard, you have a quick connect button that connects you to the fastest server. Besides, there’s a list of all countries & servers — search for your desired one and join.
As for settings, it’s much more categorized than needed. E.g., it has three menus; plus, there are submenus. It’s not a huge problem, obviously, but a point worth mentioning for sure.
On the other hand, NordVPN uses a minimalistic, “more is more” approach. On top of the way SurfShark implements it, i.e., quick connect & list of servers, NordVPN has a map marked with its servers/server locations. This way, you can simply click on any of the areas and connect to the server. In our opinion, NordVPN’s way of doing it is better.
As for settings and menus, everything is well categorized. You can find your desired setting based on intuition. Meaning, a lot of thought has been given to UX.
All things considered, NordVPN’s UI & UX are better, we feel.
Winner: NordVPN
SurfShark vs. NordVPN: Servers & Speed
Vendor | | |
|---|---|---|
Server locations | 59 countries | 63 countries |
Number of servers | ~5400 | 1700+ |
Unblocks streaming platform | Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, etc. | Netflix, Hulu, HBO Go, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime, etc. |
P2P/Torrenting | Yes | Yes |
Avg. Download speed reduction | ~20% | ~ 40% |
Avg. Upload speed reduction | ~15% | ~ 50% |
Avg. Ping | ~100 ms | ~ 90 ms |
SurfShark has 1700+ servers across 63 countries. All of its servers are P2P-friendly. Moreover, most of SurfShark’s server can bypass geo-blocks set by major streaming platforms such as Amazon Prime, Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, etc.
NordVPN, on the other hand, has 5100+ servers in 59 countries. Most of its servers are P2P-friendly. With its Smartplay feature, it can securely bypass geo-blocks from major streaming platforms — in fact, from a couple more if you consider small players like Eleven sports as well.
Streaming & torrenting needs internet speed/bandwidth. So let’s discuss how both fare from that standpoint.
We tested nearby & far-away servers of both SurfShark & NordVPN. On our 100Mbps plan (upload & download), NordVPN’s effect was a near 20% reduction in download speed & about a 15% reduction in upload speed. The same tests on SurfShark averaged a 40% reduction in download speed and 50% in upload speed. The average ping with SurfShark was slightly better than with NordVPN, though.
Clearly, NordVPN has more and, judging from the speed data, better quality servers.
Winner: NordVPN
SurfShark vs. NordVPN: Security & Privacy
Vendor | | |
|---|---|---|
VPN protocols | OpenVPN, IPSec/IKEv2, WireGuard’s NordLynx | OpenVPN, IPSec/IKEv2 |
Encryption | AES-256 | AES-256 |
Key size | 4096-bit | 2048-bit |
Logs | No logs | No Logs |
Location | Panama | British Virgin Islands |
Other features | Kill switch, DoubleVPN, Onion over VPN | Kill switch |
Cell |
It’s impossible not to talk about Security & Privacy when discussing VPN. After all, that’s its primary function.
Let’s dive into privacy first.
NordVPN is headquartered in Panama, and it operates from there. Panama has among the best privacy laws, making NordVPN a great VPN for privacy. Plus, NordVPN has a no-logs policy.
Absolutely no-logs! Meaning, once you connect to the VPN, you are a nobody to NordVPN and, of course, the internet. Independent audits have verified it.
SurfShark is headquartered in the British Virgin Islands — another place where there are strict privacy laws. SurfShark also claims to keep zero logs, and we believe them, but they have never gone through a full independent audit.
It’s kind of a tie between both from a privacy standpoint. Meaning, both providers do what a VPN is supposed to do, well — keeping your private information secure from the government, ISP, and third parties.
Let’s see if “Security” can break the tie.
NordVPN uses OpenVPN & IPSec/IKEv2 protocols. Both are top of the line protocols available in the market. For encryption, it uses the AES 256-bit algorithm — this means it’s basically impossible to decrypt it without the proper key.
SurfShark uses the same protocols & encryption algorithm. In addition, both have double VPN functionality for extra security. However, one thing that NordVPN has and SurfShark doesn’t is Tor servers — the onion over the VPN feature we discussed earlier. That one thing gave NordVPN the edge here. Otherwise, both are pretty similar as far as security & privacy are concerned.
Winner: NordVPN
SurfShark vs NordVPN: Support
Vendor | | |
|---|---|---|
Communication option | Live chat & Email; Knowledgebase & tutorials | Live chat & Email |
Response time | Live chat: < 1 minute Email: ~3 hours | Phone support < 2 minute Email ~ 4 hours |
Quality of response | 9/10 | 8/10 |
On the support front, both are pretty similar. Both offer 24/7 live chat and email support.
In our experience with their support agents, both SurfShark’s and NordVPN’s turned to be super professional and prompt in their response. As for email support, on average, the NordVPN support team replied in approx. 3 hrs compared to SurfShark’s 4 hrs. We’d consider that to be pretty similar.
Another way to get the needed answers is from their knowledge base. Both providers offer well-organized & in-depth guides & tutorials on FAQs. Though NordVPN used to have an edge because of its additional video tutorials, SurfShark has caught up.
In short, both are almost even.
Winner: Both or NordVPN(by the tiniest of margins)
SurfShark vs NordVPN: Pricing
|
|---|
Starting Price Per Month: $11.95 |
Best price: $3.71/month (2 years) |
Number of connections per plan: 6 |
Money-back guarantee 30 days |
VS
|
|---|
Starting Price Per Month: $12.95 |
Best price: $2.49/month (2 years) |
Number of connections per plan: Unlimited |
Money-back guarantee 30 days |
As we mentioned earlier, SurfShark is cheaper than NordVPN. The results of the comparisons we did until now proves why. But what’s the difference in pricing? Let’s check out.
The two-year plan for SurfShark costs USD 2.49/month. You can connect as many devices as you want with this plan. The one-month plan costs $12.95/month, though.
As for NordVPN, the two-year plan is priced at USD 3.49/month. In other words, it’s more than 50% extra compared to SurfShark. This plan comes with the ability to connect with six devices concurrently. The one-month plan costs the same as the SurfShark’s one-month plan, apparently.
All in all, not only does SurfShark cost significantly lesser than NordVPN, but it also supports more devices at the same time.
Winner: SurfShark
NordVPN vs SurfShark VPN: Conclusion
The Winner Is - NordVPN
Both SurfShark & NordVPN are value for money options, in our opinion. However, we’d go with NordVPN any given day because of it’s extra features, blazing-fast servers, good customer support, and excellent security & privacy.
Of course, we have to pay premium prices for NordVPN, but it’s a comparatively premium product. If you are on a strict budget and know what you are losing, you can obviously go with SurfShark.
Our suggestion, overall? Purchase NordVPN.
Total Score: 10/10
NordVPN Pros
Starts at
$2.95
per month
• Uptime 99.99%
• Free SSL certificate
• WordPress official recommendations