Compare VPNs
We compare the VPNs of ExpressVPN, NordVPN and Surfshark. As you can see in the comparision below the VPN providers have alot of similarities. Sometimes there are differences based on the platform (i.e. Windows, Linux, MacOS, Android or iOS) so be aware of that. If you want more detailed information on a specific platform, visit our reviews, detailed articles or the VPN providers website. An example of a difference in platform is split tunnel functionality. On iOS this is not support, but it is on Windows, Linux, MacOS and Android. If you have very specific needs, please also check out the website of the VPN provider for specific requirements.
Here you can find a detailed comparison of the 3 top VPN providers in the market.
Not good, money back guarantee first month | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Payment methods | Credit card, crypto, Paypal, Google and Amazon Pay, iDeal other | Credit card, crypto, Paypal, Google and Amazon Pay, prepaid card, other | Credit Card, Debit card, Paypal, crypto, iDeal, online transfers, other |
Payment with bitcoin and etherium | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Payment with other crypto | A few coins supported | A few coins supported | Almost all coins supported |
Servers | 3200+ | 5300+ | 3000+ |
Available countries | 65+ | 60+ | 94+ |
Works in China | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Max devices | Unlimited | Unlimited (max 6 connections at once) | Unlimited (max 5 connections at once) |
Top class encryption (AES-256) | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Activity log | No | No | No |
Unlimited bandwith | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Windows & MacOS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Linux | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Android & iOS | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Chrome plugin | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Firefox plugin | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Edge plugin | No | No | Yes |
Router support | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Android TV | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Kindle Fire | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Microsoft Surface | Yes via router | Yes, via router or Windows PC | Yes via router or mediastreamer* |
Amazon Fire TV | Yes via router | Yes via router | Yes via router or mediastreamer* |
Apple TV | Yes via router | Yes via router | Yes via router or mediastreamer* |
Samsung Smart TV | Yes via router | Yes via router | Yes via router or mediastreamer* |
Playstation 5 | Yes via router | Yes via router | Yes via router or mediastreamer* |
Xbox | Yes via router | Yes via router | Yes via router or mediastreamer* |
Nintendo Switch | Yes via router | Yes via router | Yes via router or mediastreamer* |
Jurisdiction | British Virign Islands (Privacy haven) | Panama (privacy haven) | British Virign Islands (Privacy haven) |
Netflix | Yes (13+ libraries) | Yes (15+ libraries) | Yes (22+ libraries) |
BBC iPlayer | Yes | Yes | Yes |
AWS Prime | Yes | Yes | Yes |
HBO Go | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Torrents | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Splittunnel | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Kill switch | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Block advertisements | Yes | Yes | No |
Block Malware | Yes | Yes | No |
DNS protection | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Multihop support | Yes | Yes | No |
Multi Factor authentication | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Support | Chat 24x7 | Chat 24x7 | Chat 24x7 |
Official website |
- ExpressVPN uses Mediastreamer for the platforms which gives you access to content that would otherwise not be available, but it doesn't offer all the security and privacy benefits of a VPN. For full VPN protection on these devices, whether on Roku or Chromecast, connect them to the internet with ExpressVPN for routers.
Last updated August 2022
9.7
Best VPN provider with distinctive character
ExpressVPN is a leader in the VPN market. ExpressVPN has the most locations worldwide and the best support of streaming libraries. ExpressVPN takes privacy very serious and was a leader to change their server park to RAM only servers and develop a tool for leak-testing. Overall the cost of ExpressVPN is more, but we think it is justified considering the stability and reliability.
ExpressVPN pros and cons
- Best VPN in terms of stability and reliability
- Best reviewed on iOS and Windows on this website
- Best VPN for streaming services like Netflix, HBO, Prime, Channel4, etc
- Most server locations worldwide
- Reliable service in high-censorship places like China and countries in the Middle East.
- Most options if you want to pay with crypto.
- Streaming services using Mediastreamer (DNS based) on devices such as Apple TV, PlayStation, Xbox, and smart TVs that cannot run any VPN.
- PwC audited ExpressVPN servers to confirm essential privacy protections.
- Open-source leak-testing tools available in ExpressVPN’s Digital Security Lab.
- VPN servers run only on volatile memory (RAM). All software and data on a server is wiped every time it is powered off and on again.
- ExpressVPN is price wise more expensive
- No dedicated IP address support
- No advertisement and anti-malware blocking
- No Linux Graphical User Interface (GUI)
ExpressVPN speeds
The closest you are to a location the faster the VPNs speeds will be. The speedtests below are performed from the Netherlands with a 100 Mbit down- and upload speed. So the speeds can be much higher depending on your internet speed.
Server locations | Download speed | Upload speed | Ping |
Netherlands (nearest) | 98,2 | 98,0 | 9 |
Belgium | 91,1 | 89,5 | 28 |
Singapore | 86,4 | 84,0 | 103 |
Australia | 85,0 | 84,8 | 132 |
USA - NYC | 85,3 | 84,4 | 114 |
UK | 91,8 | 91,2 | 82 |
Italy | 96,8 | 89,8 | 69 |
Canada | 93,1 | 92,2 | 140 |
Argentina | 91,4 | 90,5 | 160 |
Brazil | 89,5 | 88,2 | 150 |
Japan | 93,9 | 91,7 | 142 |
India | 90,8 | 90,1 | 111 |
Pricing and types of subscriptions
The prices below are an indication. Prices may differ because of i.e. discount promotions. ExpressVPN is the most expensive VPN we have tested but we can see why. ExpressVPN offers a very stable and reliable VPN around the world. With great support for streaming services and high speeds is ExpressVPN a very good choice for every usecase.
- 1 month plan € 11,40 / $ 12,99 per month
- 6 month plan € 8,87 per month = € 53,22 per 6 months / $ 9,99 per month = $ 59,94 per 6 months
- 1 year plan € 7,29 per month = 87,48 per year / $ 8,30 per month = $ 99,60 per year
9.5
Very fast VPN with great privacy features
NordVPN has made themselfs a name over the last decade as a very trustworthy and reliable VPN provider. NordVPN has the most compatible solution when it comes to phones, tablets, PCs, TVs and routers. We also liked the fact that the iOs and Android app gives you tips on how to improve your setup. Overall we think that NordVPN delivers a very good VPN service with very fast bandwidth speeds.
NordVPN pros and cons
- Very reliable and fast
- Overall the fastest VPN
- Very userfriendly interface with tips and tricks for non-technical people
- Best reviewed Android application
- Specialty servers tailored to specific needs, such as P2P or extra security.
- CleanWeb - no ads, trackers, malware and phishing attempts
- Diskless servers, which store no data or configurations on-site.
- Blocks advertisements and malicious websites.
- Optional: buy additional product NordPass password manager to safely store your online accounts.
- Torrenting and TOR only supported on specific servers
- OpenVPN config is not userfriendly on Windows 10
NordVPN speeds
NordVPN offers the fastest speeds with very constent speeds worldwide. The speedtests below are performed from the Netherlands with a 100 Mbit down- and upload speed. So the speeds can be much higher depending on your internet speed. Here you can find the results:
Server locations | Download speed | Upload speed | Ping |
Netherlands (nearest) | 98,4 | 98,2 | 8 |
Belgium | 92,1 | 90,5 | 28 |
Singapore | 88,4 | 88,0 | 90 |
Australia | 83,0 | 81,8 | 132 |
USA - NYC | 87,3 | 86,4 | 121 |
UK | 92,8 | 91,2 | 67 |
Italy | 94,8 | 89,8 | 62 |
Canada | 94,1 | 92 | 140 |
Argentina | 91,7 | 90,8 | 160 |
Brazil | 89,6 | 88,2 | 156 |
Japan | 93,7 | 92,7 | 172 |
India | 92 | 90,7 | 112 |
Pricing and types of subscriptions
The prices below are an indication. Prices may differ because of i.e. discount promotions:
- 1 month plan subscription € 10,16 / $ 11,56 per month
- 1 year plan € 4,18 per month = € 50,16 per year / $4,76 per month = $ 57,12 per year
- 2 year plan € 2,80 per month = € 67,20 per 2 years / $ 3,19 per month = $ 76,56 per 2 years
9.2
Most value for money
When we analyse Surfshark, we see a very good VPN service. The speeds are very good and steady even on peak hours. Surfshark provides good apps on iOS and Android devices with lots of feature which work without any problems. Surfshark is also working very hard on upgrading their worldwide network and coverage. The steps Surfshark has made in the last few years are fenomenal. We think that you will get the most value out of your money with Surfshark.
Surfshark pros and cons
- Most value for money
- Most feature rich on all the different platforms (Windows, Android and iOS)
- Every user can connect an unlimited number of devices to their account at once.
- Camouflage Mode (a.k.a. obfuscation) hides VPN traffic by making it look like regular traffic.
- Diskless servers based on RAM only, so no logging of activities.
- Fire TV app, an Android TV app, as well as smart DNS for devices that do not support VPN apps.
- CleanWeb ad blocker helps save mobile data & reduce roaming fees by preventing ads from loading.
- Unique inbuilt GPS spoofing feature to change device’s GPS location to chosen server’s location.
- Other VPNs are faster and more stable
- We have seen some hiccups with streaming services like Hayu and Channel4.
Surfshark speeds
Surfshark offers good speeds worldwide. The speedtests below are performed from the Netherlands with a 100 Mbit down- and upload speed. So the speeds can be much higher depending on your internet speed. However if you compare Surfshark with ExpressVPN and NordVPN you can see that these providers are faster. Overall if you look at the price/quality ratio then Surfshark is still performing very well. However keep in mind the further you connect from your nearest location the less it will perform. Watch out for the multihop functionality, this may impact your speed.
Server locations | Download speed | Upload speed | Ping |
Netherlands (nearest) | 93,4 | 93,2 | 12 |
Belgium | 89,7 | 89,5 | 42 |
Singapore | 83,2 | 80,1 | 104 |
Australia | 76,0 | 75,8 | 178 |
USA - NYC | 84,3 | 79,6 | 149 |
UK | 87,8 | 84,2 | 83 |
Italy | 88,8 | 85,8 | 90 |
Canada | 87,1 | 85,2 | 144 |
Argentina | 85,5 | 81,9 | 194 |
Brazil | 81,6 | 80,2 | 217 |
Japan | 85,4 | 77,3 | 182 |
India | 88,2 | 84,7 | 156 |
Pricing and types of subscriptions
The prices below are an indication. Prices may differ because of i.e. discount promotions. Surfshark is the cheapest VPN we have tested. The price/quality ratio is very good. With Surfshark you get alot of features for a very reasonable price.
- 1 month plan € 10,95 / $ 12,46 per month
- 6 month plan € 5,49 per month = € 32,94 per 6 months / $ 6,25 per month = $ 37,50 per 6 months
- 2 year plan € 2,49 per month = € 59,76 per 2 years / $ 2,83 per month = $ 67,92 per 2 years