Table of Contents

1. Quick verdict (TL;DR)
2. What you’re really buying
3. Privacy & logging
4. Security features & protocols
5. Speed & performance
6. Streaming in 2026
7. Torrenting & P2P
8. Apps & ease of use
9. Pricing & value
10. Which one should you choose?
11. Final verdict

Quick Verdict (TL;DR)

If you’re deciding in 60 seconds: choose Surfshark if you want the best combination of features and price (especially for families and multi-device users). Choose ExpressVPN if you want the smoothest, least complicated VPN experience and don’t mind paying extra for it.

What You’re Really Buying (Cheap vs Premium)

Most VPN buyers don’t actually want “a VPN.” They want an outcome: safer public Wi-Fi, more privacy at home, fewer trackers following them around, reliable streaming when traveling, or peace of mind that their internet provider isn’t building a profile of their activity. Surfshark and ExpressVPN can deliver those outcomes—but the experience of getting there feels different.

Surfshark is built to feel like a smart deal. It packs a lot of modern VPN basics (strong encryption, modern protocols, leak protection) plus a surprisingly robust set of extras (ad/tracker blocking, multi-hop modes, obfuscation options) while keeping the long-term price low. The headline feature that changes the math for many households is unlimited device connections. If you have a family, a stack of devices, or you’re managing VPN coverage for multiple people, Surfshark’s value proposition is hard to ignore.

ExpressVPN is built to feel frictionless. The apps are minimal, the defaults are strong, and it’s hard to “set it up wrong.” It tends to be exceptionally stable, especially when you’re moving between networks—hotel Wi-Fi, airport Wi-Fi, mobile hotspots, or switching from cellular to home internet. ExpressVPN’s premium price makes sense only if you personally value that smoothness enough to pay for it.

So the best question isn’t “Which is best?” It’s: Do you want the best deal that still feels premium, or do you want the most polished experience regardless of price?

Privacy & Logging

A VPN is a trust product. You’re routing your traffic through someone else’s servers. That doesn’t mean you need to be a privacy engineer to choose a good VPN—but it does mean you should care about the basics: logging policy, audit history, jurisdiction reality, and whether the provider has a track record of aligning marketing claims with actual practice.

Surfshark: strong privacy fundamentals with a “value” strategy

Surfshark markets a strict no-logs stance and has undergone independent audits supporting key security and privacy claims. In plain terms, the goal is simple: the VPN should not store your browsing history or activity in a way that can be linked back to you later. For most consumers, Surfshark’s privacy posture is more than adequate—especially if your main goal is preventing ISP tracking, securing public Wi-Fi, and reducing third-party profiling.

One practical thing Surfshark does well is making privacy protection easy to actually use. The apps make it simple to connect quickly, choose locations, and keep the VPN running in the background—because the strongest privacy policy in the world doesn’t help you if you don’t turn the VPN on.

ExpressVPN: privacy-by-design and infrastructure choices that matter

ExpressVPN’s privacy reputation is built on two pillars: a strong no-logs stance and a technical design that limits persistent storage. The most visible example is its RAM-only server approach, which reduces the chance of long-term data sitting on a disk. That doesn’t magically solve privacy on its own, but it’s a meaningful architectural decision.

ExpressVPN has also completed independent audits focused on infrastructure and security controls. In practical terms, ExpressVPN is designed to be a “safe default” VPN: you connect, you’re protected, and there are fewer features that could create complexity or confusion.

Security Features & Protocols

Security isn’t just “encryption.” It’s how well the VPN protects you in real life: does it prevent IP leaks when networks drop, does it help block malicious domains, can it handle restrictive networks, and does it give you tools that reduce everyday exposure to tracking and scams?

Protocols: WireGuard vs Lightway

Surfshark supports WireGuard, which is widely regarded as one of the fastest modern VPN protocols. ExpressVPN uses Lightway, its proprietary protocol designed for speed and stability, especially on mobile. In practical day-to-day use, both are fast. The bigger difference is often connection behavior—ExpressVPN can feel extremely smooth on network changes, while Surfshark can deliver excellent throughput when the network is stable.

Kill switch and leak protection

A kill switch is the feature that prevents a VPN from “failing open.” If your VPN disconnects for even a few seconds, your apps can revert to your normal connection and expose your IP address. Both Surfshark and ExpressVPN include kill switches, and both are suitable for everyday privacy and torrenting use. The key is to enable it and test that it behaves the way you expect on your devices.

Extras that matter (and extras that don’t)

Surfshark’s security toolkit is more extensive, particularly considering its price. Features like ad/tracker blocking and multi-hop routing can meaningfully improve privacy for some users. ExpressVPN takes the opposite approach: fewer toggles, fewer features, and fewer chances to misconfigure anything.

Here’s the practical takeaway: if you want a VPN that also helps reduce tracking and gives you more defensive tools, Surfshark tends to be more compelling. If you want fewer decisions and a cleaner “connect and forget” experience, ExpressVPN’s approach can feel better—especially for non-technical users.

Speed & Performance

Speed is where the “cheap vs premium” story can get interesting. In 2026, both Surfshark and ExpressVPN are fast enough for streaming, browsing, and video calls. The difference shows up in consistency: how often the VPN slows down on certain routes, how it behaves on long-distance servers, and how stable it is when your network changes.

ExpressVPN’s premium reputation is tied to the idea that it “just feels smooth.” That’s especially noticeable on mobile and travel scenarios—switching Wi-Fi networks, dropping into cellular, or moving between hotel networks. Surfshark is also strong, but you may occasionally notice more variation when connecting to far-away regions, depending on time of day and server load.

What “speed” actually means

People often think speed is just download throughput, but latency matters too. If you game, do Zoom calls, remote work, or cloud apps, latency spikes can matter more than raw download numbers. A VPN can be “fast” for downloads but annoying for real-time apps if latency gets jumpy. ExpressVPN tends to do well in stability and low-jitter behavior. Surfshark often delivers excellent throughput with WireGuard, especially on nearby or mid-distance servers.

The honest result: ExpressVPN often wins on “feel” and stability. Surfshark is still fast enough for almost everyone, and for many people the speed difference isn’t worth the price difference—especially if you’re mostly using nearby servers and common streaming services.

Streaming in 2026

Streaming is where many VPNs look great on paper and disappoint in real life. Platforms constantly block VPN IP ranges, which means “works today” can become “doesn’t work tomorrow.” The best streaming VPNs are the ones that recover quickly when a service tightens restrictions.

In 2026, both Surfshark and ExpressVPN are strong streaming performers. Most users can watch Netflix, Disney+, Prime Video, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer with minimal fuss. When something fails, the typical fix is switching servers or reconnecting—both VPNs make that easy.

Surfshark for streaming

Surfshark is especially attractive for streaming households because unlimited devices means everyone can stay protected without juggling logins. If you’re traveling or managing multiple screens at home, this becomes a real quality-of-life win. Surfshark also tends to support a wide range of regions, which matters if you’re trying to access content while abroad.

ExpressVPN for streaming

ExpressVPN’s advantage is its “lowest friction” approach. Many users choose it because they want streaming to work without thinking about servers. While no VPN can guarantee 100% access forever, ExpressVPN’s reliability reputation remains strong in 2026.

Torrenting & P2P

For torrenting, the requirements are straightforward: strong privacy fundamentals, a reliable kill switch, and stable connections. Both Surfshark and ExpressVPN meet those requirements. Neither is “unsafe” for torrenting when configured correctly.

The main difference is workflow. Surfshark includes features that some torrent users appreciate—like extra privacy modes and broader device coverage. ExpressVPN keeps torrenting simple: connect and go, with strong defaults and minimal toggles.

What actually matters for P2P

In real life, torrenting safety often comes down to one feature: the kill switch. If your VPN drops and reconnects without protection, your IP can leak. Both VPNs include kill switches, but you should verify it’s enabled and behaves correctly on your operating system.

Apps & Ease of Use

If you’ve ever tried a VPN that felt clunky, you know why app experience matters. A VPN that’s annoying to use becomes a VPN you forget to turn on. And a VPN you forget to turn on isn’t protecting you.

ExpressVPN: the simplest premium experience

ExpressVPN’s biggest differentiator is its user experience. The interface is clean, consistent, and designed for “one button and done.” It’s particularly good for users who don’t want to manage settings, choose protocols, or think about server details. That simplicity is also why ExpressVPN can be an excellent recommendation for parents, non-technical spouses, or anyone who just wants privacy without learning anything.

Surfshark: easy enough for beginners, deeper for power users

Surfshark is still very approachable, but it exposes more features. That means more toggles, more modes, and more power-user options. For many people, this is a net benefit: you can keep it simple most days, but you have additional tools when needed—like special routing modes, tracker blocking, or stealth settings on restrictive Wi-Fi.

Pricing & Value

This is the section where Surfshark usually wins the entire debate. ExpressVPN is one of the most expensive consumer VPNs available. Surfshark is commonly priced far lower on long-term plans—while offering a feature set that most everyday users will find more than sufficient.

The biggest value multiplier is unlimited device connections. If you have a household of phones, laptops, tablets, streaming sticks, and smart TVs, Surfshark can cover everything without forcing you to ration connections. With ExpressVPN, you’re typically working within a limited connection count, which is fine for many users—but it changes the math for families.

To be fair, ExpressVPN’s premium price is partly paying for “less friction.” If a VPN is something you use daily and you value a smoother experience more than saving money, the premium can be rational. But for most buyers, Surfshark offers the better return on investment: strong privacy, strong streaming, and a very competitive feature set at a much lower cost.

Which One Should You Choose?

If you’re still torn, don’t overthink it. Choose based on your real life: how many devices you have, whether you travel, whether you hate settings, and whether you’re buying for yourself or for someone else.