ExpressVPN vs Surfshark
Premium against price-fighter. The most polished apps on the market versus the best deal on the market.
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ExpressVPN
Premium and dependable, with its own fast protocol.
Surfshark
Unlimited devices at a price that is hard to argue with.
Prices last checked on
| Feature | ExpressVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Our score | 4.4 / 5 | 4.6 / 5 |
| Price | From $3.49/mo | From $2.49/mo |
| Free plan | No | No |
| Best for | 8 devices at once | Unlimited devices |
| Category | Top picks | Top picks |
| Provider | ExpressVPN | Surfshark B.V. |
| Visit ExpressVPN | Visit Surfshark |
Our verdict
ExpressVPN has the most beautiful, simplest apps of the two and is thoroughly dependable. But the price gap is wide. Surfshark on a two-year plan costs a fraction of ExpressVPN and includes unlimited devices instead of eight. Since Surfshark gives up very little on speed and streaming, it is the logical winner for most people.
ExpressVPN remains the choice if maximum polish matters more than the extra cost.
“ExpressVPN has the most user-friendly apps in this line-up and the Lightway protocol is rock solid. You do pay noticeably more than the competition for fewer simultaneous devices.”Editorial team, on ExpressVPN
“Unlimited devices for a few dollars a month is a combination nobody else matches. Speeds hold up well and streaming works fine. The best value in this lineup.”Editorial team, on Surfshark
Frequently asked questions
Is ExpressVPN worth paying more than Surfshark?
Rarely. ExpressVPN has the most polished apps of the two and is thoroughly dependable, but Surfshark gives up very little on speed and streaming while costing a fraction on a two-year plan, and it covers unlimited devices instead of eight. Pick ExpressVPN only if maximum polish is genuinely worth the extra money to you.
How much cheaper is Surfshark than ExpressVPN?
On a two-year plan, Surfshark is $2.49 a month against $3.49 for ExpressVPN, so $29.88 versus $41.88 for a year (US dollars, prices last checked August 2026). Those are commitment prices, not what you pay by the month. Monthly, ExpressVPN is the cheaper of the two at $12.95 against Surfshark's $15.45.
Does ExpressVPN cover a whole household?
Up to eight devices at once, which is the tightest ceiling in our lineup. Surfshark has no limit, so one subscription reaches every phone, laptop, tablet and TV you own. For a single user or a couple, eight is not a real constraint. For a family with a lot of hardware, it is the reason to skip ExpressVPN here.