NordVPN vs Surfshark: Which Is Better for Gifting?

NordVPN: The Established Leader

NordVPN has been in the VPN business since 2012 and has grown to become one of the most recognized names in the industry. With 8,000+ servers across 178 countries, it offers the largest network among consumer VPNs.

What Sets NordVPN Apart

• Largest server network: With 8,000+ servers in 178 countries, NordVPN offers more server options than virtually any competitor. This means better speeds and more location options.
• Specialized servers: NordVPN offers dedicated servers for specific use cases—Double VPN (routing through two servers), Onion Over VPN (Tor integration), and obfuscated servers for restrictive networks.
• NordWhisper protocol: Launched in 2025, this protocol disguises VPN traffic as regular web traffic, helping bypass network restrictions that block traditional VPN connections.
• Threat Protection Pro: NordVPN's integrated security suite blocks malware, trackers, and ads even when you're not connected to the VPN.
• Brand recognition: As a gift, NordVPN is instantly recognizable—the recipient will likely have heard of it, which adds to the perceived value.

NordVPN Considerations

• Higher price: At ~$3.09/month for the 2-year plan, NordVPN costs about 55% more than Surfshark's Starter plan.
• Device limit: 10 devices is generous but finite. Families with many devices might hit the cap.

Surfshark: The Value Champion

Surfshark launched in 2018 but has quickly established itself as the value leader in the VPN market. Its combination of unlimited devices, competitive features, and aggressive pricing makes it a compelling choice.

What Sets Surfshark Apart

• Unlimited device connections: This is Surfshark's killer feature. One subscription can protect every device in a household—phones, tablets, laptops, TVs, gaming consoles, everything. No other major VPN offers this.
• RAM-only servers: All 4,500+ Surfshark servers run on RAM (volatile memory), meaning data is physically wiped on every reboot. This provides an extra layer of privacy assurance.
• Lowest price point: Starting at $1.99/month for the 2-year Starter plan, Surfshark is significantly cheaper than competitors with similar features.
• Clean, modern interface: Surfshark's apps are notably well-designed and intuitive, making setup easy for recipients who aren't tech-savvy.
• Dynamic MultiHop: Unlike traditional double VPN that uses fixed server pairs, Surfshark lets you choose any two servers to route through.

Surfshark Considerations

• Smaller server network: 4,500+ servers in 100+ countries is still substantial but noticeably smaller than NordVPN's 8,000+ in 178 countries.
• Newer brand: Founded in 2018, Surfshark doesn't have the same brand recognition as NordVPN. The recipient might not have heard of it.
• Fewer specialty servers: Surfshark doesn't offer the same variety of specialized server types as NordVPN.

Winner by Use Case

Streaming Performance

Both VPNs perform well for streaming, but with slight differences:

• NordVPN has dedicated optimized servers for streaming and works reliably with Netflix (multiple regions), Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and other major services.
• Surfshark doesn't have dedicated streaming servers but still unblocks most major services effectively. Some users report it's slightly less consistent with niche streaming services.

Verdict: For streaming-focused recipients, NordVPN has a slight edge due to dedicated streaming servers and a larger network. But Surfshark handles mainstream services just fine.

Security & Privacy

Both VPNs take security seriously:

• Both use AES-256-GCM encryption (industry standard)
• Both have independently audited no-logs policies
• Both include kill switches to prevent data leaks
• Both are based in privacy-friendly jurisdictions (Panama for NordVPN, Netherlands for Surfshark)

Surfshark's advantage: RAM-only servers physically cannot store data long-term—every reboot wipes everything.

NordVPN's advantage: More specialized security features like Onion Over VPN (Tor integration) and obfuscated servers.

Ease of Gifting

Both services offer instant email delivery, making them perfect for last-minute gifts:

1. Purchase the subscription through their website
2. Enter the recipient's email address
3. They receive activation instructions immediately
4. 30-day money-back guarantee if they're not satisfied

The gifting process is essentially identical for both services.

Our Final Recommendation

If budget isn't a concern and you want maximum brand recognition and features: Go with NordVPN. The larger server network, specialized servers, and established brand name make it a safe choice that impresses.

If you want the best value or you're gifting to a family: Go with Surfshark. Unlimited devices and a significantly lower price point make it hard to beat for practical gift-giving.

Either choice is excellent—you're giving a genuinely useful gift that provides daily value. The recipient will appreciate having their online privacy protected, regardless of which VPN you choose.