These three VPNs have dominated the market for years. They’re all solid. The question isn’t ‘which one is the
best’ in absolute terms — it’s which one fits your situation.
The Differences That Matter
Speed
The WireGuard protocol (NordLynx at NordVPN, Lightway at ExpressVPN) changed the game. On tests run by
TechRadar and PCMag on European servers:
• NordVPN retains ~88% of base speed
• ExpressVPN runs at ~83%
• Surfshark reaches ~79%
The gap is marginal for standard streaming. You might feel it on slower connections or competitive gaming.
Pricing
VPN Monthly (no commitment) 2-Year Plan
NordVPN ~$12.00/mo ~$3.50/mo
ExpressVPN ~$12.95/mo ~$5.50/mo
Surfshark ~$12.95/mo ~$2.20/mo
ExpressVPN is the most expensive across all plans. Surfshark is clearly cheapest.
Simultaneous Devices
• NordVPN: 10
• ExpressVPN: 8
• Surfshark: Unlimited
If you have more than 6–7 devices in your household, Surfshark wins without argument.
Streaming
For unblocking Netflix (US, UK, JP libraries), all three work. ExpressVPN is historically the most reliable for
hard-to-crack services like BBC iPlayer. NordVPN has closed that gap since 2024.
Privacy
All three have published no-logs audits. Surfshark and NordVPN have belonged to the same parent group
(Nordsec) since 2022 — a detail both companies downplay. Proton VPN remains the reference if privacy is your
absolute priority.
procyguard.com — Confidential SEO/GEO Strategy Document — May 2026 Page 12
Who Should Choose What?
• You want maximum performance ® NordVPN. Speed, interface, extra features (Threat Protection,
obfuscated servers). Best all-rounder.
• You do a lot of international streaming ® ExpressVPN. Most reliable for unblocking geo-restricted
services. Simplest app on the market.
• You have a tight budget or many devices ® Surfshark. Unbeatable value. Unlimited devices, honest
features, rock-bottom price.
Bottom Line
There’s no bad choice here. If forced to rank for 2026: NordVPN first for general use, Surfshark for budget
constraints, ExpressVPN for pure streaming. All three offer 30-day money-back guarantees — try the one that
looks best, risk-free.