Surfshark vs ExpressVPN

Surfshark sits inside Nord Security; ExpressVPN is owned by Kape Technologies. Different corporate lineages, a significant long-term value gap, and a fundamental split on the device model — unlimited connections against a hard limit of eight.

What you get that ExpressVPN doesn't offer

Unlimited simultaneous connections — no per-device ceiling. Long-term value position is more accommodating — the pricing gap compounds over multi-year commitments. Security feature scope is more developed. Speed-sensitive routing is more developed on demanding routes. Nord Security ownership without Kape's corporate history. Netherlands registration with published audit coverage. CleanWeb ad and tracker blocking included.

What you give up

ExpressVPN's Lightway is an independently engineered protocol with its own dedicated audit scope covering the implementation itself — Surfshark's Dausos protocol is newer (April 2026) and, as of this check, available only in the macOS App Store app, so it lacks Lightway's cross-platform maturity and track record, though it is Surfshark's own custom protocol, not an absence of one. Both providers run 100% RAM-only server fleets confirmed by independent audit — TrustedServer for ExpressVPN, Deloitte-referenced RAM-only infrastructure for Surfshark — so this isn't a point of differentiation. Cross-platform app refinement leads at ExpressVPN. Netherlands is a Nine Eyes member with no mandatory data-retention law currently in force; ExpressVPN's BVI registration sits outside Eyes-alliance structures entirely.

What you get that Surfshark doesn't offer

Lightway protocol with an independent audit covering the implementation specifically — more mature and cross-platform than Surfshark's newer, macOS-only Dausos. TrustedServer: every reboot wipes the disk, enforced at the hardware layer — Surfshark's fleet is also 100% RAM-only, so this is a parity point rather than an ExpressVPN-only advantage. App experience is designed around lower-friction connection across all platforms. BVI registration sits outside all Eyes-alliance structures. Track record in restrictive network environments where obfuscation has been tested at scale.

What you give up

Kape Technologies acquired ExpressVPN — the parent previously operated under a different name with documented adware distribution before the corporate rebrand. Connection cap of eight vs Surfshark's unlimited. Long-term value gap is significant at scale. Security feature depth and speed consistency trail Surfshark's.