Surfshark or ExpressVPN: What is the best VPN to choose in 2025?

We can never say it enough, online security should not be a simple detail, but an absolute priority. Too many users still underestimate the dangers, while the risks are however considerable: identity theft, hacking of accounts, scams and theft of sensitive information.

This is why it is essential to adopt good reflexes, but also crucial to invest in cybersecurity. A VPN is an essential brick, provided of course to select a service really adapted to its uses. This guide has been designed to accompany you in this choice.

Surfhark vs Expressvpn: Quick comparison

Let us compare the main characteristics of Surfhark and Proton:

Surfshark:

• The lowest monthly rate: from € 1.99/month
• Country covered with servers: around 100 countries
• Simultaneous connections: unlimited number
• Data encryption: AES-256-GCM, Wireguard, Ikev2
• Bonus features: pub and cookie blocker, killswitch, double VPN, data leak

Expressvpn:

• The lowest monthly rate: from € 3.00/month
• Country covered with servers: around 105 countries
• Simultaneous connections: 10 devices
• Data encryption: AES-256-GCM, OpenVPN, IKEV2
• Bonus features: advertising blocker, password manager, smart dns

The main differences between Surfshark and ExpressVPN

Budget

In terms of tariff, it is difficult to deny the advantage of surfhark. The supplier displays a particularly competitive entry price, less than € 2 per month for a two -year subscription, against $ 3.49 for the most basic formula of ExpressVPN, over the same duration. The two services therefore impose a long commitment to benefit from their best prices. That said, alternatives exist for those who prefer to avoid an prolonged contract: monthly or shorter periods are available. In this case, the roles are reversed slightly, since Surfshark starts at € 15.45 per month, while ExpressVPN is limited to € 12.99.

Simultaneous connections

Surfshark has made simultaneous connections one of its main arguments, and it must be recognized that it is a considerable asset.

The service makes it possible to connect an unlimited number of devices, with the promise to protect all of its digital ecosystem: smartphones, tablets, computers, connected objects, or even its router.

Opposite, ExpressVPN is more restrictive with a limit set at 10 simultaneous connections. If this is enough for conventional use, especially individual or in small households, intensive users may feel cramped quickly.

Performance

If some VPNs guarantee a satisfactory level of security, they, on the other hand, fish in terms of performance, with speeds that are too limited to offer a fluid experience. Users sometimes end up reducing their use, or even abandoning them. This is why the speed of connection constitutes a determining criterion in the choice of a VPN.

On this ground, Surfshark impresses thanks to its Wireguard protocol, which displays particularly high speeds (263 Mbit/s for download). ExpressVPN, for its part, is betting on the Lightway protocol, efficient, but a notch below (198.6 Mbit/s for download). A gap which is therefore around 30 %, which is not negligible, especially for gourmet activities such as video streaming, download of heavy files or gaming.

Security and confidentiality

Security, confidentiality and anonymity: these are the three pillars that push Internet users to a VPN. It is therefore essential that the service chosen holds its promises on these fundamental aspects.

First reassuring point: Surfshark as ExpressVPN apply a strict non-journalization policy. Concretely, this means that none of the two suppliers follows your activities online, keeps sensitive information and sells your data to third parties. A crucial commitment, which inspires confidence, reinforced by their geographic location: the British Virgin Islands for ExpressVPN and the Netherlands for Surfhark, two jurisdictions favorable to the protection of privacy. Added to this is the creation of independent audits intended to verify the solidity of their infrastructure and the reliability of their privacy policies.

On the technical side, the two services are impeccable. They incorporate AES-256 military level encryption, masking technologies to circumvent restrictions, as well as a Kill Switch intended to cut the Internet connection in the event of VPN failure. Surfshark goes even further by offering advanced features such as the double VPN (which transit the connection by two servers for reinforced protection) and tools for protecting identity such as “alternative ID” and “alternative number”, which are designed to limit the exposure of personal information online.

User experience

On the functionalities side, Surfshark stands out for its richness. Pubs blocker, deletion of cookies pop-up, browser extension, threat manager, advanced data protection: difficult to make more complete. Only shade on the board, the absence of a password manager, a tool that ExpressVPN integrates into its offer.

In addition, remember that Surfshark offers excellent compatibility by offering applications on most platforms: Windows, MacOS, Android, Linux, iOS, as well as Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox and Microsoft Edge, but also Apple TV and Firetv.

Which VPN to choose in 2025? Surfhark or ExpressVPN

• Surfhark: If you are looking for the best quality/price ratio, high speeds and advanced confidentiality features, all without connection limit.
• Expressvpn: If you want a more accessible monthly rate, practical for those who favor occasional use or a very short commitment.