- You guys, when two services are leaders in the industry,
it takes extra time and research
to figure out which one really is the best.
This is so true for NordVPN versus Surfshark.
They have extensive sets of security features.
How do these compare, which one should you pick.
In this in depth NordVPN versus Surfshark 2021 comparison.
I'll focus on the privacy and security of these services.
Look at their main differences and ultimately,
see if it's possible to pick a winner.
For more expert VPN content, check out my channel.
And if you find this video helpful,
please hit these buttons.
(dramatic music)
(upbeat music)
Looking at Surfshark VPN versus NordVPN security.
It's clear that both services offer way more features
than the average VPN.
However, they aren't identical.
For encryption, both NordVPN and Surfshark
use the military grade AES-256 bit method,
which is unbreakable and employed around the globe
for cyber security.
But that's only true when they use the open VPN protocol,
With NordLynx or Wireguard the situation is different.
With those protocols, they both use CHACHA20,
a very secure cipher,
that's a bit more future-proof than AES.
When it comes to tunneling protocols,
both services have all the solid basics.
The fast and stealthy Shadowsocks protocol
can also still be found in the Surfshark apps
but it's in the process of being fazed out.
Surfshark has the new, fast and extra secure
Wireguard protocol too,
while NordVPN has used the Wireguard
to build their exceptional proprietary protocol, Nordlynx.
both services have moved to RAM-only servers.
These are highly secured because nobody can
physically tamper with or remove information from them.
Considering their high-end security,
it comes to no surprise that these services
have no data leaks.
Both VPN have reliable kill switches on all the main apps.
However, Surfshark is lacking a kill switch for Linux
while NordVPN's kill switch is more advanced.
In the Windows app, you can use either
the usual system-wide kill switch,
or opt to terminate specific apps.
There's an unusually large range of extra security features
to look at in this VPN comparison.
Which service has more to offer?
Both services let you connect to two servers at once.
This adds a whole extra layer of security
to your online sessions.
NordVPN also has the Onion Over feature,
which seamlessly integrates the VPN with Tor,
While Surfshark lacks Tor integration.
Both services are reliable for use in China
and other countries where the net is heavily censored.
They have selected servers with obfuscation,
which keeps the VPN traffic hidden.
Surfshark also the NoBorders mode,
which helps to bypass any type of firewall.
NordVPN has the CyberSec feature,
which blocks annoying ads and prevents you
from visiting malicious websites.
Surfshark has CleanWeb, a nearly identical feature.
NordVPN also has a dark web monitoring
currently available for Mac, Android and iOS.
Once activated, the tool scans the dark web
for any data leaks associated with your email address
and alerts you for breaches in real time.
This lets you instantly get on top of the situation
and helps to prevent identity theft and other crimes.
Surfshark has the alert feature, which does the same thing.
However, you have to pay extra for Surfshark's alert
as it's part of the Surfshark One security add on.
This also provides you with antivirus software
that removes malicious files
and blocks malware and hackers,
and a fully incognito browser.
If you wanna find out more about Surfshark One,
check out this video.
Surfshark has a GPS spoofing feature,
which NordVPN is lacking.
It's a super handy tool
because it's although a VPN
can change your internet traffic location,
it can't change your device's GPS location.
But of course a third-party GPS spoofer can do this.
Finally, both services have split tunneling
for Windows and Android.
This lets you pick which apps gets routed via the VPN.
So Surfshark versus NordVPN,
do we have a clear winner?
NordVPN can be used with Tor.
So this could be a valuable way to boost security
at the cost of your speed.
And if you use Linux,
you'll appreciate the Linux kill switch.
Surfshark has an incognito browser
and antivirus software for a small extra fee.
So if you don't already have solution for these,
Surfshark maybe just what you're looking for.
Also, if you often change your location, virtually,
the GPS spoofer will come in handy,
if you're an Android user, though.
It's clear that when it comes to security,
neither is significantly better than the other.
Instead they have different strengths.
(upbeat music continues)
To earn the title of best VPN,
these services need to be ultra private
and handle our data with respect.
A VPNs jurisdiction is crucial
because the privacy loss in that location
will help to determine a VPN privacy policy.
NordVPN is based in Panama,
which has no data retention laws,
and isn't a part of any major intelligence alliances.
Surfshark has recently moved one of their legal entities
to the Netherlands and now has too.
Traditionally, the Netherlands is a great location
per privacy and many privacy-focused enterprises
are based there.
However, despite the fact
that the Netherlands is a part of
the Fourteen Eyes Intelligence Sharing Alliance,
it's not a privacy issue.
Simply because their terms and services
are governed by the loss of the British Virgin Islands.
I'm happy report though,
that both services have solid privacy policies.
The data that Surfshark collects depends on
which features do you use,
but it's always the minimal amount necessary
for providing the service.
If you're using the VPN's basic feature,
Surfshark collects your email address,
subscription info, date you registered
and your password in encrypted form.
When the VPN is connected,
it collects your user ID and connection timestamps.
But this info is deleted 15 minutes after you disconnect.
There's never any info collected about your online activity.
The data that NordVPN collects is just as minimal.
When you sign up Nord stores your email address
and payment data, including country of payment.
Then it collects your username and timestamps,
which are also deleted after online sessions end.
Finally, NordVPN does collect some device information
such as your OS and device model.
Once again, it doesn't retain data
about your online activity.
It's easy to make big claims though.
Can we trust these privacy policies?
Well, NordVPN's privacy policy
was independently audited in 2018
by a world-renowned Swiss firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers.
This was done again in 2020,
both times, NordVPN passed with flying colors.
Surfshark's browser extensions underwent
an independent audit in 2018
with a major German cybersecurity firm, Cure53.
Then earlier this year Cure53 examined and audited
Surfshark's server infrastructure.
Both times, the results were great,
but Surfsharks privacy policy
has never been audited to date.
NordVPN also has a bug bounty program.
Where independent testers can earn rewards
for finding issues within NordVPN's infrastructure.
It's a really good way to make sure
that any problems are ironed out.
Surfshark has no program like that at the moment.
Both services offer anonymous cryptocurrency
payment methods, so just Bitcoin.
Both these services have strong privacy.
So once again, this VPN comparison is a close call.
But at the end of the day,
NordVPN's privacy policy has been audited twice.
It's in a slightly better jurisdiction
and it has a bug bounty program.
I'd say it has the edge when it comes to privacy.
If you wanna find out more about these services,
you could read the full reviews
plus my exhaustive NordVPN versus Surfshark
VPN comparison 2021,
the links to these, down in the description.
There's also some exclusive discount links
waiting for you down there, right now,
if you can get these services at a fraction of the price.
If you have any questions about NordVPN
versus Surfshark VPN,
please post them in the comments.
I love hearing from you.
And if you enjoyed this best VPN comparison,
hit these buttons right here
for more awesome VPN content every week.
Thanks for watching.
(upbeat music continues)