NordVPN vs. Surfshark: Which should freelancers choose in 2025?

NordVPN and Surfshark are two of the most popular VPNs available, and for good reason. In our article “Freelancer Software Top Tools,” we took an in-depth look at software and SaaS services from various categories. Virtual Private Network services play a particularly prominent role these days, given the multitude of cyber threats.

And that's where many freelancers and digital artists ask themselves: Which of the two leading VPN providers should be chosen? If you're also currently deciding between these services, please take a look at our direct comparison.

When it comes to VPN (Virtual Private Network) services , there are countless options. In a market flooded with discounts , offers, feature lists, multiple encryption standards, and varying device compatibility, it's easy to overlook the main purpose of using a VPN: you need a service that enhances your online security and privacy.

Furthermore, the best VPN services are constantly tested and reviewed by numerous experts, for example at Cybernews : Surfshark vs. NordVPN .

It's usually a good idea to start with a VPN based on its reputation, especially one that's been thoroughly tested. These VPNs are generally both trustworthy and offer excellent customer service. We would recommend both without hesitation. However, this doesn't mean they're identical; one might be a better choice for you than the other.

NordVPN and Surfshark – are n't they the same company?

Before we delve into the details, let's briefly discuss the merger of Nord and Surfshark. Nord Security and Surfshark announced a merger in 2022 ( as reported by ZDNet ), with Nord Security acquiring a majority stake in both companies. However, according to Surfshark's merger blog post, the companies will continue to operate as separate entities with distinct VPN infrastructures.

Merging vast infrastructures takes time, and neither party wants to lose performance or position vis-à-vis their competitors due to a failed operational merger.

However, we don't expect this to remain the case indefinitely. In the meantime, you still have the choice between two different VPN providers.

NordVPN vs. Surfshark – a direct comparison

Pricing

NordVPN and Surfshark each offer three subscription tiers with different additional features.

NordVPN's plans (Basic, Plus, and Ultimate) cost between $12.99 and $15.99 per month for a monthly membership, while annual prices drop to $4.99 to $7.99, and with a two-year commitment, they are reduced to $3.39 to $5.99 per month. NordVPN also offers a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee. Additional options such as a dedicated IP address or the Incogni service cost $3.69 per month each.

Surfshark offers similar tiers (Starter, One, and One+). Monthly fees range from $15.45 to $17.95; long-term savings only become apparent with one- or two-year subscriptions, which cost between $2.19 and $6.09 per month – including three additional months free. In addition to a comparable money-back guarantee, Surfshark also offers optional add-ons such as an alternate phone number to protect your primary number.

Both providers also offer free seven-day trials; NordVPN is only available for Android, while Surfshark's trial also works for iOS and macOS. Overall, NordVPN offers excellent value for money, but Surfshark proves to be a cost-effective VPN service with an impressive range of features.

Security

A VPN (Virtual Private Network) protects your online activities from third parties such as ISPs, hackers, or governments by routing and encrypting your internet traffic through a secure server. This hides your actual IP address, allowing you to browse the internet without worry.

NordVPN and Surfshark both use WireGuard as their primary protocol, combining speed and security. Both providers also offer OpenVPN , while NordVPN additionally features its proprietary NordLynx protocol .

To ensure a high level of privacy, these VPNs protect against DNS leaks by routing DNS queries through an encrypted tunnel. Tests have shown that both NordVPN and Surfshark perform reliably in this regard. An important security feature is the kill switch , which interrupts internet traffic if the connection drops.

While NordVPN impresses with two kill switches – one for the entire internet and one for selected apps – Surfshark also offers such a switch, but its stability occasionally had problems that have since been resolved.

Overall, both providers offer comparable security features, although NordVPN is slightly superior in terms of its kill switch.

Privacy

While strong encryption significantly contributes to protecting your privacy, it doesn't guarantee it. Some VPNs store logs that can be linked to your identity – including your IP address. This poses a significant risk, as sensitive information could be compromised in a data breach or disclosed to authorities upon request.

NordVPN and Surfshark, however, adhere to a no-logs policy . NordVPN has had its policies audited multiple times, most recently in December 2023, and operates from Panama, where there are no mandatory data retention laws. Furthermore, Threat Protection Pro suite malware-blocking tool by AV-TEST – proof that it is far more than just a simple VPN.

While Surfshark also underwent an independent audit by Deloitte in December 2022, it is based in the Netherlands, a member of the Nine Eyes intelligence alliance. Both providers share similarities and store your user ID and connection time stamp for up to 15 minutes after each session; ideally, this data should not be stored.

Overall, NordVPN conducted more audits and responded faster to a security breach in 2018 than Surfshark, impressively demonstrating that it has learned from its mistakes.

Performance / Power

If you're looking for a VPN for bandwidth-intensive activities like streaming or online gaming , NordVPN is a solid choice. With its proprietary NordLynx protocol, it achieves speeds of over 950 Mbps and offers consistently reliable connections without any performance degradation.

Surfshark, on the other hand, proved to be the fastest VPN tested, with a peak performance of 950 Mbps on WireGuard, which is more than sufficient for 4K streaming and online multiplayer gaming. Its OpenVPN speeds were also remarkable, reaching 640 Mbps – significantly faster than NordVPN, whose maximum OpenVPN speed was only 110 Mbps.

Although NordVPN is a worthy runner-up, the victory clearly goes to Surfshark.

Streaming

While some VPNs offer the necessary speed for HD streaming, they fail to effectively unblock streaming platforms. available streaming content varies between countries, meaning users in the US and Europe have access to different Netflix libraries.

In tests, both providers achieved a 100% success rate in unlocking geo-restricted content.

Both VPN services were also able to access Netflix libraries from the US, UK, Australia, Canada, and Japan without any problems. The same applies to Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, ITVX, 9Now, and 10Play.

Both providers deliver convincing results here.

Apps and extras

User preferences have a fundamental influence on the evaluation of VPN programs. While first-time users appreciate a clear user interface, experienced users look for configurable settings.

Even without server and sorting options, NordVPN offers a modern look and feel with intuitive navigation. The kill switch is enabled by default.

Surfshark also scores points with its clear user interface, easily accessible kill switch, and practical connection details. It also allows users to filter and prioritize server locations. However, sorting by server load or ping is missing. While there are sufficient settings for experienced users, Surfshark appears to be more user-friendly.

Every NordVPN package includes an ad blocker . If you choose a higher tier than "Basic ," you gain access to Threat Protection Pro tool , which, in addition to blocking ads and trackers, also anti-malware protection NordVPN's Privacy scanner will notify you

NordVPN is distinguished primarily by NordPass , one of the best password managers on the market. Upgrading to NordVPN's top-tier plan gives you access to a NordPass plan with 1 TB of encrypted cloud storage and access to Incogi , a personal data erasure tool available to users in the US, Canada, the UK, the EU, and Switzerland.

Each Surfshark tier includes the VPN, an ad blocker, and access to Alternative ID , which allows you to create an alternative home address or email address to protect your personal data.

Surfshark's two top tiers consist of antivirus protection , a private search tool , and violation alerts . AV-TEST awarded Surfshark's antivirus program the "Top Product" . Surfshark's top tier, One+ , distinguishes itself by offering access to Incogni, which allows you to remove your data from corporate databases and people search engines.

Surfshark's antivirus program is award-winning and rock-solid. NordVPN, however, goes a step further, offering malware protection in addition to an excellent password manager. For Privacy purists, this could be the deciding factor.

NordVPN vs Surfshark | Which VPN will be better in 2025?

This question cannot be answered definitively and certainly depends somewhat on individual needs and the use case. Nevertheless, the experts at Cybernews have attempted to find an answer:

The detailed professional comparison with commentary by security expert Akvilė Tamašiūnienė can be found here .

Joachim Rodriguez y Romero

Owner and Managing Director of Kunstplaza . Publicist, editor, and passionate blogger in the fields of art, design, and creativity since 2011. Graduated with a degree in web design from university (2008). Further developed creative techniques through courses in freehand drawing, expressive painting, and theatre/acting. Profound knowledge of the art market gained through years of journalistic research and numerous collaborations with key players and institutions in the arts and culture sector.

www.kunstplaza.de