Surfshark only comes with DNS leak protection.
Even so, I didnt experience any leaks with either provider in leak tests.
Whats more, both VPNs have secure protocols, including OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec.
But I like CleanWeb more because it can also block ads, which helps web pages load faster.
In addition, ExpressVPN and Surfshark both provide access to obfuscation.
Plus, its great that they both also allow Tor traffic across all of their servers.
Whats more, each VPN also comes with a smart DNS.
Plus, ExpressVPNs no-logs policy has also been proven true in a server seizure.
Whats more, ExpressVPN has undergone other security audits.
But only ExpressVPN is located in a privacy-friendly country.
Servers ExpressVPN and Surfshark Both Have Great Server Networks
Both providers come with very large server networks.
ExpressVPN has servers in 105 countries, and Surfshark has servers in 100 countries.
Only ExpressVPN allows torrenting across all of its servers, which is convenient.
Surfshark allows torrenting on about half of its connection.
In addition, they support obfuscation, streaming, and Tor traffic on each server.
Surfshark offers dedicated IPs in 10+ countries, including the US, UK, and Japan.
Both VPNs have servers in at least 100 countries.
And Surfshark also comes with Dynamic MultiHop servers.
On the other hand, Surfsharks speeds were noticeably slower on all servers.
Winner (Speeds):ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is simply the fastest option.
Surfsharks speeds were good, but still noticeably slower compared to ExpressVPN.
On the plus side, both VPNs work with Netflix without any issues and can access 10+ Netflix libraries.
In addition, both providers work with popular P2P clients.
On the plus side, both VPNs provide strong privacy and security for torrenting.
I also confirmed that neither VPN leaks your IP address while torrenting.
I ran several leak tests and never experienced any leaks.
Gaming ExpressVPN Comes Out on Top
ExpressVPN is the superior VPN here when it comes to gaming.
When I playedDota 2using both VPNs, I maintained good ping on local servers.
Also, on distant servers, I experienced lag while gaming with Surfshark thankfully, it wasnt game-breaking.
you’re free to use both VPNs on your router, but only ExpressVPN has a router app.
Surfshark, on the other hand, only supports manual router setups.
Finally, only ExpressVPN has cloud gaming support.
Unfortunately, Surfshark cant guarantee it works with cloud gaming services.
Winner (Gaming):ExpressVPN
Surfshark cant keep pace with ExpressVPN when it comes to gaming.
Meanwhile, Surfshark doesnt work in such countries.
Plus, I think its really great that ExpressVPN has servers in 105 countries.
This way, people in restrictive countries can easily connect to nearby servers to get fast speeds.
ExpressVPN may experience some interruptions to its service in China, due to ever-evolving restrictions in the country.
Each VPNs desktop apps are really good as well.
But when it comes to router support, ExpressVPN handles it better.
Thats because it has an intuitive router app thats really simple to install and use.
You get the best savings with the longest plan, though its still pretty pricey compared to Surfshark.
Both VPNs accept multiple payment methods, such as credit/debit cards, PayPal, and cryptocurrencies.
Surfshark also accepts Google Pay and Amazon Pay.
Winner (Plans & Pricing):Surfshark
Surfshark is easier on your budget than ExpressVPN.
In addition, Surfshark also allows unlimited connections, while ExpressVPN only supports 8 connections.
Both VPNs accept multiple payment methods and have a 30-day money-back guarantee.
I especially like that both VPNs have screenshots and video guides in their support articles.
Winner (Customer Support): Its a tie
I cant pick a winner.
ExpressVPN and Surfshark provide an extensive support library and responsive and knowledgeable 24/7 live chat and email support.
Overall Winner: ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is the best VPN in 2025.
Surfshark is secure, allows unlimited connections and works with 50+ streaming apps.
Among both options, ExpressVPN takes the lead as the winner.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ExpressVPN better than Surfshark?
Which is faster ExpressVPN or Surfshark?
To be honest, though, I expected this result, asExpressVPN is the fastest VPN on the market.
Are ExpressVPN and Surfshark good for streaming?
Yes, but ExpressVPN is better.
Thats because it works with 100+ streaming platforms, whereas Surfshark only works with 50+ streaming services.
Is ExpressVPN better for torrenting than Surfshark?
ExpressVPN is definitely better for torrentingin my opinion.
It allows P2P traffic across all servers while Surfshark only allows it on about half its servers.
ExpressVPN also has port forwarding (which lets you connect to more peers for faster speeds).
But both work with popular torrenting clients like Vuze and uTorrent and provide very strong security and privacy.
Read more about the best VPNs in 2025