← Back to Blog

NordVPN and Surfshark are the two most popular VPNs in 2026. Both are affordable, both are fast, and both claim to be the best. So which one should you actually get?

I've been using both VPNs simultaneously from Melbourne, Australia for the past 3 months. Here's what I found.

Quick Comparison

• NordVPN: Faster speeds, more security features, slightly more expensive
• Surfshark: Unlimited devices, cheaper long-term, simpler interface

Speed Tests (Melbourne, Australia)

I ran speed tests from my home connection (100 Mbps NBN) connecting to servers in Sydney, US, UK, and Japan:

NordVPN Speeds

• Sydney server: 92 Mbps (8% drop)
• US server (LA): 78 Mbps
• UK server: 71 Mbps
• Japan server: 83 Mbps

Surfshark Speeds

• Sydney server: 87 Mbps (13% drop)
• US server (LA): 72 Mbps
• UK server: 65 Mbps
• Japan server: 79 Mbps

Winner: NordVPN — Consistently 5-10 Mbps faster across all servers. Both are more than fast enough for streaming and gaming though.

Streaming

The #1 reason Australians use VPNs — accessing overseas streaming libraries.

NordVPN

• ✅ Netflix US, UK, Japan — works perfectly
• ✅ Disney+ US hotstar content
• ✅ BBC iPlayer — consistent access
• ✅ Hulu, HBO Max — no issues

Surfshark

• ✅ Netflix US, UK — works most of the time
• ✅ Disney+ — reliable
• ⚠️ BBC iPlayer — occasional blocks
• ✅ Hulu — works fine

Winner: NordVPN — More consistent at unblocking streaming services, especially BBC iPlayer which Surfshark sometimes struggles with.

Pricing (Australian Dollars)

• NordVPN: $5.39/month (2-year plan) | $17.99/month (monthly)
• Surfshark: $3.49/month (2-year plan) | $16.99/month (monthly)

Winner: Surfshark — About $2/month cheaper on the long-term plan, and you can use it on unlimited devices (NordVPN limits you to 10).

Security & Privacy

NordVPN

• AES-256 encryption + NordLynx protocol (WireGuard-based)
• Double VPN (routes through 2 servers)
• Threat Protection Pro (blocks ads, malware, trackers)
• Dark Web Monitor (alerts if your email leaks)
• Based in Panama — outside 14 Eyes surveillance

Surfshark

• AES-256 encryption + WireGuard protocol
• MultiHop (double VPN)
• CleanWeb (blocks ads and malware)
• Alert feature (data breach monitoring)
• Based in Netherlands — inside EU jurisdiction

Winner: NordVPN — More security features and Panama jurisdiction is better for privacy than the Netherlands.

Device Support

• NordVPN: 10 simultaneous connections — Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, routers, Smart TVs
• Surfshark: Unlimited simultaneous connections — same platform support

Winner: Surfshark — Unlimited devices is a massive advantage if you have a family or lots of gadgets.

The Verdict: Which Should You Get?

Get NordVPN if:

• You want the fastest speeds from Australia
• Streaming US/UK content is a priority
• You care about maximum security features
• You need a VPN for work or travel

Get Surfshark if:

• Budget is your main concern
• You need unlimited device connections
• You want a simpler, easier-to-use VPN
• You're sharing with family members

My pick: NordVPN. The extra speed and better streaming reliability are worth the $2/month premium for me. But Surfshark is genuinely great, and I'd recommend it without hesitation for anyone on a budget.