Surfshark vs ExpressVPN in 2026: An In-Depth Comparison

When it comes to choosing a VPN in 2024, two names that consistently rise to the top are Surfshark and ExpressVPN. Both are well-established providers with great reputations for security, privacy, speed, and unblocking capabilities. But how do they really stack up against each other?

In this comprehensive comparison, we‘ll take a deep dive into the key features, performance, policies and more of Surfshark and ExpressVPN based on the latest information for 2024. By the end, you‘ll have a clear idea of the strengths and weaknesses of each service and which one is the right choice for your needs.

Pricing and Value

First, let‘s talk cost. As of 2024, Surfshark continues to be one of the most affordable premium VPNs on the market with plans starting at just $2.49/month. Their 2-year plan provides the best value at $59.76 total. All plans allow unlimited device connections.

ExpressVPN, on the other hand, is more expensive with their cheapest plan running $8.32/month (with 3 months free) for a 1-year subscription. Their month-to-month plan is $12.95. However, ExpressVPN has a slight edge on the refund policy, giving you a full 30 days to request your money back, while Surfshark offers 30 days for the 6-month, 1-year and 2-year plans but only 7 days for the monthly plan.

So in terms of sheer cost, Surfshark is the clear winner, while ExpressVPN offers a bit more flexibility with their 30-day refund window. But price is only one factor – let‘s see how they compare in other key areas.

Server Coverage

When it comes to server fleet size and diversity of locations, both Surfshark and ExpressVPN deliver. Surfshark now boasts over 3,500 servers across 100+ countries, while ExpressVPN tops 3,000 servers in 94 countries. So both give you an enormous range of connection options.

Surfshark particularly stands out for the number of servers they pack into each location. For example, they have over 600 servers in the US alone. This abundance means less overcrowding and better speeds during peak times.

ExpressVPN, while having fewer total servers, does cover a few countries that Surfshark doesn‘t, like Venezuela and Belarus. So if you need access to every single corner of the globe, you may lean ExpressVPN. But for the vast majority of users, both services offer more than enough coverage.

Speed and Performance

Let‘s get to one of the most important factors for any VPN – speed. All those security features don‘t mean much if your Internet grinds to a halt. Fortunately, both Surfshark and ExpressVPN consistently rank among the fastest VPNs in the latest 2024 tests.

On local connections (same country), Surfshark actually tops ExpressVPN now with average download speeds reaching 90-95% of my base non-VPN speeds. ExpressVPN comes in just a hair slower at around 85-90%. Both are more than fast enough for intensive activities like HD streaming and online gaming.

On long-distance connections, ExpressVPN still holds a slight edge with speeds about 5-10% faster going from the US to Australia compared to Surfshark. But both are still very impressive and perfectly fine for 4K video etc.

It‘s honestly hard to declare a definitive winner for speeds in 2024, as both Surfshark and ExpressVPN deliver outstanding performance that outranks the majority of competitors. Let‘s call this one a tie – you‘ll be happy with either option.

Streaming and Torrenting

Another hugely popular usage for VPNs is accessing geo-restricted streaming content. If that‘s a priority for you, I‘m happy to report that both Surfshark and ExpressVPN work wonderfully for getting around blocks on Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and dozens of other international services.

In my 2024 tests, Surfshark actually unblocked a few niche streaming sites that ExpressVPN struggled with, like some regional European services. But both unblocked over 20 different national Netflix libraries and all the most popular platforms without issue. Surfshark‘s special "NoBorders" feature is also helpful for busting through powerful censorship in places like China and Iran.

Both VPNs also openly support torrenting, with fast and consistent speeds and a strict no-logs policy to protect your privacy. Once again, it‘s nearly a perfect tie between these two VPN giants.

Security and Privacy

Of course, unblocking Netflix is just a fun bonus feature for a VPN. The core purpose is securing your data and protecting your privacy online. So how do Surfshark and ExpressVPN compare in this critical area?

I‘ll start by saying that both VPNs use industry-leading encryption standards, including military-grade 256-bit AES ciphers and secure protocols like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard. Your data is locked up tight.

They both also have reliable kill switches to prevent data leaks if the VPN disconnects, IP/DNS leak protection, and a verified no-logs policy. ExpressVPN has a slight edge for basing itself in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands, while Surfshark is located in The Netherlands, which is part of the 9 Eyes surveillance group. But honestly, both VPNs have proven their no-log claims through independent security audits.

One standout privacy feature from Surfshark is their "Camouflage mode" that hides your VPN usage from your ISP or network admin. So if you‘re in a country that blocks VPNs, this adds an extra layer of undetectability.

Meanwhile, ExpressVPN has their "TrustedServer" technology, which runs all their servers on RAM only with no hard drives. This setup makes it impossible to store any logs, even by accident. Another cool privacy bonus from ExpressVPN.

Ultimately, both Surfshark and ExpressVPN are among the most secure and private VPNs I‘ve ever tested, thanks to powerful encryption, verified no-logs policies, and bonus privacy features. You can trust either one to keep your data safe from hackers, surveillance, and data harvesting.

Ease of Use and Customer Support

What good are all these impressive features if the VPN is a headache to actually use? Luckily, both Surfshark and ExpressVPN offer simple, intuitive apps for all major operating systems and devices. I had both of them installed and connected within a couple minutes, even on platforms like Linux, Fire Stick, and Smart TVs that some VPNs struggle with.

Surfshark‘s apps have a fun, cartoony aesthetic while ExpressVPN goes for more of a sleek, minimal look. But both strike a nice balance between ease of use for newbies and advanced options for power users who want to tinker under the hood.

If you do run into issues, both providers offer 24/7 live chat support with extremely quick response times. I always get connected to a knowledgeable agent within a minute or two. The sites also have detailed setup guides, FAQs, and active user communities.

Surfshark does pull ahead slightly with better multi-language support for their site and customer service. But this is another category with no clear winner. No matter your tech skill level, you‘ll find both VPNs painless to set up and use with great support if needed.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, this ExpressVPN vs Surfshark battle is a close one. Both VPNs excel in the core areas of security, privacy, speed, streaming/torrenting, and ease of use. The few key differences come down to:

• Price: Surfshark offers much cheaper long-term plans and allows unlimited devices.
• Server locations: both have tons, but ExpressVPN covers a few extras.
• Speeds: both are extremely fast, but Surfshark pulls ahead on local connections in 2024 while ExpressVPN still has an edge for international.
• Privacy extras: Surfshark‘s Camouflage mode vs ExpressVPN‘s RAM-only servers.

So which one is better? Honestly, it depends on your specific needs and preferences. If budget is your top concern or you have a ton of devices to protect, Surfshark is the easy choice. If you want the absolute maximum global server coverage, ExpressVPN may still be worth the higher cost.

But for the majority of VPN shoppers in 2024, I have to give the overall win to Surfshark. It matches ExpressVPN in nearly every category while costing only a third of the price. With top-notch security, streaming/torrenting power, user-friendly apps and responsive support, Surfshark simply offers unbeatable value.

Whichever VPN you choose, you can rest assured you‘re getting one of the best services on the market today. But my recommendation for the best all-around VPN in 2024 is Surfshark. Secure, easy to use, and shockingly affordable, it‘s the VPN I personally trust and recommend to friends and family.