NordVPN vs Surfshark: Which VPN is Better in 2026?

Choosing the right VPN as an expat can be challenging — there are dozens of options, but only a handful truly deliver on speed, privacy, and streaming reliability. In this comparison, we cut through the noise and compare the three VPNs we recommend most to expats worldwide: NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and ProtonVPN. We’ve tested all three extensively so you can make an informed decision.

Quick Comparison Overview

• NordVPN — Best overall VPN for expats. Largest server network, obfuscation, excellent streaming
• ExpressVPN — Best for speed. Fastest VPN we’ve tested, ideal for 4K streaming
• ProtonVPN — Best for privacy. Swiss jurisdiction, open-source, Secure Core architecture

Pricing Comparison: NordVPN vs ExpressVPN vs ProtonVPN

Pricing varies significantly across our three recommended VPNs. Here’s a transparent breakdown of what you’ll pay:

• NordVPN: From $3.09/month on 2-year plan (currently 73% off). Best value of the three
• ExpressVPN: From $6.67/month on 12-month plan. Premium pricing for premium speed
• ProtonVPN Plus: From $4.99/month on annual plan. Free tier available with no data limits

All three offer 30-day money-back guarantees, so you can test risk-free before committing. NordVPN offers the best value for most expats. ExpressVPN is worth the premium if speed is your absolute priority. ProtonVPN’s free tier makes it uniquely accessible for budget-conscious users who need basic privacy.

Server Network and Performance

NordVPN operates 6,300+ servers across 111 countries — the largest network of the three. This extensive coverage means less congestion, more location options, and better access to region-specific content. Specialised servers include obfuscated, double VPN, P2P, and Onion over VPN.

ExpressVPN operates 3,000+ servers in 105 countries. While smaller than NordVPN, ExpressVPN’s servers are strategically placed and consistently fast. The Lightway protocol delivers industry-leading speeds that outperform NordVPN on raw throughput in most tests.

ProtonVPN operates 4,800+ servers in 91 countries on paid plans. The standout feature is Secure Core — a multi-hop architecture that routes traffic through privacy-friendly countries (Switzerland, Iceland, Sweden) before reaching your destination, adding a powerful extra layer of protection. According to PCMag’s VPN expert reviews, multi-hop architecture provides significantly stronger protection than standard single-hop VPNs.

Speed Comparison: Which VPN Is Fastest?

Speed is critical for expats who rely on VPNs for daily streaming, video calls, and work. We tested all three on 100 Mbps connections across multiple server locations:

• ExpressVPN (Lightway): 85–100 Mbps — consistently fastest in every test
• NordVPN (NordLynx): 78–92 Mbps — excellent performance, best value for speed
• ProtonVPN Plus (WireGuard): 65–80 Mbps — solid speeds with strongest privacy

All three exceed 25 Mbps easily (required for 4K streaming). ExpressVPN’s speed advantage becomes most apparent on slower base connections or long-distance server connections — like streaming UK content from Australia or Asia.

Streaming Performance: Netflix, BBC iPlayer & More

All three VPNs successfully unblock major streaming services, but with differences in reliability and regional coverage:

Netflix

• NordVPN: Unblocks 15+ Netflix regions consistently. SmartPlay technology auto-selects best server. Zero proxy errors in our testing
• ExpressVPN: Unblocks 20+ Netflix regions — widest coverage. Fastest streaming speeds with zero buffering
• ProtonVPN Plus: Reliably unblocks Netflix US and UK. Fewer regions than NordVPN or ExpressVPN but solid performance on covered libraries

BBC iPlayer

• NordVPN: Consistent BBC iPlayer access. Rarely encounters detection errors
• ExpressVPN: Most reliable BBC iPlayer access we tested. Zero blocks across multiple sessions
• ProtonVPN Plus: Works with BBC iPlayer on UK servers reliably on paid tier

Other Streaming Services

All three unblock Hulu, Disney+, and HBO Max successfully. NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer the widest platform coverage. See our complete streaming VPN guide for detailed platform-by-platform comparisons.

Security and Privacy Comparison

All three use AES-256 encryption and include kill switches, but their privacy jurisdictions and architectures differ significantly:

NordVPN Security

• Based in Panama — outside Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and Fourteen Eyes surveillance alliances
• Double VPN routes traffic through two servers for extra encryption
• Onion over VPN for Tor network integration
• Independently audited no-logs policy (multiple audits)
• Obfuscated servers bypass censorship in China, Turkey, and UAE

ExpressVPN Security

• Based in British Virgin Islands — outside major surveillance alliances
• TrustedServer technology — all servers run on RAM only, data wiped on reboot
• Independently audited no-logs policy
• Automatic obfuscation in restricted regions (China, UAE)
• Lightway protocol open-sourced for community security review

ProtonVPN Security

• Based in Switzerland — strongest privacy jurisdiction in the world, outside all surveillance alliances
• Secure Core multi-hop architecture routes through Iceland and Switzerland for maximum protection
• Fully open-source apps independently audited by security researchers
• Independently verified no-logs policy
• Part of Proton ecosystem — pairs with ProtonMail for complete privacy solution

For maximum privacy, ProtonVPN’s Swiss jurisdiction and open-source transparency make it the strongest choice. For censorship bypass in countries like China and UAE, NordVPN and ExpressVPN have the most proven track records. Read our VPN guide for China for censorship-specific recommendations.

Device Support and Ease of Use

All three VPNs cover all major platforms — Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, Fire Stick, and Android TV — with browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.

• NordVPN: Up to 10 simultaneous devices. Polished map-based interface. Best for new VPN users
• ExpressVPN: Up to 8 simultaneous devices. Clean, simple interface. MediaStreamer Smart DNS for Apple TV and gaming consoles
• ProtonVPN: Up to 10 simultaneous devices on paid plans. Open-source apps on all platforms. Router configuration available

Which VPN Should You Choose?

Choose NordVPN if you:

• Want the best all-around VPN at the most competitive price
• Need obfuscated servers for censored regions (China, UAE, Turkey)
• Want the largest server network with streaming-optimised servers
• Stream Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu regularly

Choose ExpressVPN if you:

• Need the fastest possible speeds for 4K streaming and video calls
• Stream on devices without native VPN apps (Apple TV, gaming consoles)
• Want the widest Netflix regional library coverage
• Are willing to pay a premium for premium performance

Choose ProtonVPN if you:

• Prioritise privacy above all else — journalist, activist, or security professional
• Want Swiss jurisdiction completely outside surveillance alliances
• Value open-source transparency and independently audited security
• Would like a free tier to test before committing to a paid plan

VPN Performance in Restricted Countries

For expats living in countries with internet censorship — China, UAE, Turkey, Iran — VPN performance goes beyond speed and streaming. The VPN must actively bypass deep packet inspection and government-level blocking. Here’s how our three recommended VPNs compare in the most challenging environments:

China (Great Firewall)

China has the most sophisticated VPN detection system in the world. NordVPN’s obfuscated servers and ExpressVPN’s automatic obfuscation are both proven to work in China — we recommend either as your primary VPN if you’re moving there. ProtonVPN’s Secure Core provides maximum privacy but connection reliability in China can vary. Critical: Install your VPN before arriving in China — VPN websites are blocked once you’re inside the country.

UAE and Dubai

The UAE blocks VoIP services and restricts VPN use for personal purposes. NordVPN and ExpressVPN both reliably bypass UAE restrictions with their obfuscation features. ProtonVPN’s Secure Core provides strong privacy protection from UAE surveillance. All three should be installed before arriving in Dubai.

Turkey

Turkey regularly blocks social media, news sites, and VPN provider websites. NordVPN’s obfuscated servers work reliably in Turkey. ExpressVPN automatically enables obfuscation on Turkish connections. ProtonVPN’s Secure Core routes traffic through Switzerland before Turkey, providing maximum protection against Turkish surveillance. See our complete Turkey VPN guide for more detail.

Which VPN Is Best for Expat Banking?

One of the most important — and often overlooked — uses of a VPN for expats is online banking. Many UK, US, and European banks flag or block logins from foreign IP addresses, triggering security alerts and account freezes. A VPN with home country servers solves this immediately by making your login appear as normal domestic access.

According to Security.org’s independent VPN research, using a home country VPN server for banking is the most effective way to prevent account access issues when living abroad.

• NordVPN: 700+ UK servers and 1,900+ US servers — widest choice for home country banking access
• ExpressVPN: Strong UK and US server coverage with consistently fast speeds for smooth banking sessions
• ProtonVPN Plus: Reliable UK and US server access with Swiss privacy protection for maximum banking security

Customer Support Comparison

Reliable customer support matters when your VPN stops working in a restricted country or before an important video call. All three providers offer 24/7 live chat:

• NordVPN: 24/7 live chat with fast response times (under 2 minutes). Comprehensive online knowledge base and troubleshooting guides
• ExpressVPN: 24/7 live chat with expert agents specialised in country-specific connectivity issues. China-specific troubleshooting team
• ProtonVPN: Email support on free tier. Priority live chat on paid Plus plans. Excellent privacy-focused community forums

For expats in difficult regions who may need urgent support when a VPN stops working, NordVPN and ExpressVPN’s round-the-clock live chat is invaluable.

Final Verdict

For most expats, NordVPN is the best overall choice — delivering the best combination of speed, streaming reliability, censorship bypass, and value at 73% off. ExpressVPN is worth the premium if speed is your absolute top priority. ProtonVPN is the standout choice for privacy-first users who want the strongest legal protection and transparency.

All three offer 30-day money-back guarantees — test them risk-free and choose what works best for your situation.

Related Guides

• NordVPN Review for Expats
• Best VPN for Streaming Abroad
• Best VPN for Netflix
• Best VPN for Expats in China
• Best VPN for Expats in Dubai

Affiliate Disclosure: This article contains affiliate links. If you purchase a VPN through our links, we may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. We only recommend VPNs we have personally tested and trust.