ExpressVPN vs Surfshark: Carefully Picked Best VPN for Streaming & Privacy

Added: 2026-05-26

[00:00:00]Hey everyone, welcome back. In today's video, I'll be comparing two of the most popular VPNs out there, ExpressVPN and Surf Shark. I'll be reviewing them across different categories, and we'll eventually give you my overall verdict on which one I think is best. So, if you want to know more about these two VPN services and see which one is more suitable, then this video is for you.

[00:00:20]But if at any point you'd like to give any of these VPN a try, you'll find discounts and links available in the description down below to help save you some extra money. So, first off, let's talk about privacy policies. When it comes to using a VPN, it's really important to check out the privacy policy, cuz a lot of VPN providers claim to have a no logs policy, meaning that they don't store your data, but you can't always trust what they say. Like, it's important to look for evidence that they actually follow through with their claims. But the good news is Express and Surf Shark are two VPN providers that have actually been audited by reputable companies like Cure 53 and Price Waterhouse Coopers. So these audits confirm that these VPNs are secure and transparent in how they handle user data. They've even made the reports public so you can check them out for yourself. Both ExpressVPN and Surf Shark offer DNS and IP leak protection and run their servers on RAM discs instead of hard disks. So this means that there's no physical storage for any information to be stored and any minimal information stored by the RAM is erased every time the machine reboots. So overall, both of these VPN providers are great choices for protecting your privacy while browsing and downloading files. But if an audit isn't enough to trust that they mean what they say, then maybe you'll be impressed by the fact that Express passed the test in real life when the Turkish government investigated Express and seized their servers and found nothing there. Now, in regards to their servers and security features, both Express and Surf Shark offer a wide selection of countries to find servers in. Express has over 3,000 servers in 105 countries, while Surf Shark provides over 3,200 servers in 100 countries. So, pretty similar there. And they both offer similar security features, including AES 256-bit encryption and a kill switch to prevent data leaks and split tunneling to choose which applications go through the VPN tunnel.

[00:02:13]ExpressVPN is clearly designed to be userfriendly and streamlined. So it has limited features beyond the essentials really. Now Surf Shark goes beyond the standard security features by offering additional features like an ad blocker or specialty servers like static or dedicated IP servers giving you like a reusable IP address that differs from your own as well as multihop or doubleVPN servers that encrypt your traffic twice for added security. Surf Shark also has something called rotating IP, which is the opposite of static IP, changing your IP address every 5 to 10 minutes while maintaining the same VPN location, making it useful for users in countries with heavy censorship, for example, like China. When you combine this feature with no borders mode, it helps bypass that great firewall of China and hides users digital footprints. But just be aware that using Surf Shark in China might require some manual configurations, whereas Express works like pretty seamlessly without any manual setup. So Express is the recommended choice for those traveling to China or for Chinese citizens regarding protocols. But both Express and Surf Shark have various options to suit your needs. Express supports OpenVPN and its high-speed proprietary protocol lightweight UDP which is highly recommended. Surf Shark has OpenVPN and the faster protocol WireGuard. However, some of the protocols may not be available for Mac users. So, overall, both Express and Surf Shark offer excellent security features with Surf Shark having an edge over Express in terms of feature options. Now, when it comes to compatibility, most of the time both ExpressVPN and Surf Shark offer support for the most popular platforms.

[00:03:55]So, iOS, Android, Mac, and Windows, Linux. They're also compatible with routers, gaming consoles like PlayStations and Xbox, streaming services like Fire TV and Apple TV, as well as Chrome and Firefox browsers.

[00:04:11]Basically, most modern devices. Express will let you use it on up to eight different devices with one subscription, but Surf Shark doesn't actually limit you, meaning that you can use one subscription on however many devices you want. So, Surf Shark is kind of winning in that regard. As for user interface, both VPNs have their unique designs and layouts that are userfriendly and easy to understand, but ExpressVPN really went for a simple and straightforward design that many users appreciate, like myself. Surf Shark went for a more modern, slightly stylized interface that is well presented and still easy to navigate. Moving on to streaming and torrenting. Both VPNs here offer impressive capabilities by allowing torrenting without bandwidth restrictions. So, this means users can download as many files as they want without their internet service provider or anyone else detecting their activity.

[00:05:00]Additionally, both VPNs excel at accessing popular streaming services like North American or European or Japanese libraries of Netflix, for example. But I would say Express is the preferred option for those with slower internet connections who still want to enjoy like high quality streaming without buffering. On the other hand, Surf Shark is suitable for those with fast internet connections who want to stream content in like 4K. So, the choice between the two VPNs will just depend on your specific needs. Now, regarding performance, it's typical for some VPNs to reduce speed a little bit due to the encryption process. However, a quality VPN should minimize those speed drops. Both Express and Surf Shark performed well in our tests with Express being the faster of the two. Although Surf Shark still performed admirably, just slightly slower than ExpressVPN.

[00:05:50]Most servers usually have solid drops ranging between 10 and 30% and impressively. ExpressVPN surpassed Surf Shark by keeping speed drops between 10 and 25%. But even though Surf Shark might be a little bit behind, it's still close behind. Like their speed drops range between 12 and 30% depending on the servers. So overall, both VPNs are speedy, but Express just comes out on top in this category. And finally, when it comes to pricing, Express and Surf Shark both offer cost-effective subscriptions for long-term use, which you can check out in the description below if you want an extra discount on that. ExpressVPN is slightly more expensive than Surf Shark. I would say the most affordable price for ExpressVPN is $4.99 per month for a 2-year subscription. On the other hand though, Surf Shark is the less expensive option at just 209 per month for a two-year subscription. So, be sure to check out the links in the description for additional discounts on both VPNs.

[00:06:48]Additionally, both VPNs provide a 30-day money back guarantee on all their plans, as well as 24/7 live chat support if you need assistance. So, in summary, I would say both ExpressVPN and Surf Shark offer a great value for their respective price points. And your decision will depend on your budget and like the features that you require. So in the end, which VPN is right for you? Yeah. Again, the answer depends on several factors. If you're seeking a VPN that offers premium features at a low cost, an unlimited number of devices with just one subscription, Surf Shark is a great choice. But if you're looking for the best in terms of reliability, consistency, ease of use, and a proven privacy policy, especially if anonymity is a concern or if you're in a restrictive country, ExpressVPN is the clear winner here. Express is widely regarded as the most dependable and consistent VPN service provider in the industry. For me, simplicity and ease of use are more important than extra features, which is why I typically prefer Express. However, the decision ultimately depends on your specific needs and circumstances, but both are VPNs that I regularly recommend to family and friends. So, that's it for this video. Again, if you're interested in either of these VPNs, you'll find links to pricing and discounts, as well as in-depth reviews in the description down below. And feel free to comment below if you have any questions, as I love getting to interact with you guys.

[00:08:15]Like and subscribe if you found this video helpful or want to stay up to date with future videos. And thanks so much for watching. I'll see you in the next one.