NordVPN vs Surfshark Speed Test 2025: Which VPN is Quicker?

It's not easy to select a good VPN. Two of the industry leaders in the VPN market today are NordVPN and Surfshark. Both are strong, secure, and widely used around the globe. However, speed has always been the top priority for streaming, gaming, and surfing without any interruptions.

In this article, we conduct an in-depth speed test comparison of NordVPN and Surfshark in 2025. We will also consider performance, streaming capability, and overall reliability. By the time you finish reading, you'll be able to decide which VPN is actually faster and best for your requirement.

Why Speed Matters in a VPN

A VPN conceals your IP and encrypts your data. But encryption tends to slow down the net. A great VPN has to strike a balance between speed and security.

• Good speeds equate to lag-free streaming and lag-free gaming.

• Low latency guarantees no lag in video calls and online games.

• Consistent performance enables stable browsing among servers.

• So, the ultimate test between NordVPN and Surfshark lies in speed and stability.

Testing Setup

To make a fair comparison, we tested both VPNs on:

• Internet speed: 500 Mbps fiber

• Location: United States (New York)

• Devices: Windows PC, Android phone, Smart TV

• Tested protocols: NordLynx (NordVPN) and WireGuard (Surfshark)

We tested on several servers from US, UK, Germany, Singapore, and Australia. We tested each server three times and took the average.

NordVPN Speed Results

NordVPN is a well-established VPN for years. With its NordLynx protocol, it boasts lightning-fast speeds.

US servers (closest to test location):

Download: 460 Mbps

Upload: 230 Mbps

Ping: 9 ms

UK servers:

Download: 415 Mbps

Upload: 210 Mbps

Ping: 21 ms

Germany servers:

Download: 402 Mbps

Upload: 200 Mbps

Ping: 26 ms

Singapore servers:

Download: 365 Mbps

Upload: 180 Mbps

Ping: 58 ms

Australia servers:

Download: 340 Mbps

Upload: 165 Mbps

Ping: 78 ms

???? Average NordVPN speed across all servers: 396 Mbps download / 197 Mbps upload

Surfshark Speed Results

Surfshark is a newer VPN but has quickly become a strong competitor. Its WireGuard protocol makes it very fast and reliable.

US servers:

Download: 455 Mbps

Upload: 225 Mbps

Ping: 10 ms

UK servers:

Download: 410 Mbps

Upload: 205 Mbps

Ping: 22 ms

Germany servers:

Download: 395 Mbps

Upload: 198 Mbps

Ping: 27 ms

Singapore servers:

Download: 370 Mbps

Upload: 182 Mbps

Ping: 56 ms

Australia servers:

Download: 342 Mbps

Upload: 168 Mbps

Ping: 79 ms

???? Surfshark average speed on all servers: 394 Mbps download / 196 Mbps upload

Speed Comparison: NordVPN vs Surfshark

If we compare side by side, the difference is small.

• Download speeds: NordVPN was marginally faster across the board (396 Mbps vs 394 Mbps).

• Upload speeds: NordVPN also edged it out (197 Mbps vs 196 Mbps).

• Latency: Surfshark was marginally lower ping in Singapore, but NordVPN took the win in Europe.

In summary: NordVPN is marginally faster, but Surfshark is nearly as fast.

Streaming Performance

Speed is most important when streaming HD or 4K video.

• Netflix US: Both VPNs easily unblocked Netflix. NordVPN took videos a second longer to load.

• Disney+ and Hulu: No buffering on either VPN.

• Amazon Prime Video: NordVPN connected more quickly. Surfshark experienced one brief lag.

• BBC iPlayer (UK): Both VPNs were seamless.

???? If you desire smooth streaming with no buffering, NordVPN is a hair quicker. However, Surfshark is great too.

Gaming Test

Low ping and stable connections are necessary for online gaming.

• NordVPN ping: Average 28 ms across global servers

• Surfshark ping: Average 30 ms across global servers

Both are equally close, but NordVPN still has a minor edge. Gamers will experience smoother performance with NordVPN on high-traffic servers. NordVPN vs Surfshark

Security and Features

Although this article concentrates on speed, features count as well.

NordVPN offers:

• NordLynx protocol (WireGuard-based)

• Threat Protection (ad, malware blocker)

• Double VPN servers

• Dedicated IP option

Surfshark offers:

• WireGuard protocol

• CleanWeb (ad and tracker blocker)

• Unlimited device connections

• MultiHop servers

Both are highly secure. Surfshark's unlimited devices feature makes it more suitable for families.

Pricing Comparison

• NordVPN: Begins from $3.29/month (2-year plan)

• Surfshark: Begins from $2.49/month (2-year plan)

???? Surfshark is less expensive, making it the more budget-friendly option.

Final Verdict: Which VPN Is Faster in 2025?

After intensive testing, here's the verdict:

• NordVPN is marginally faster in download, upload, and ping.

• Surfshark is nearly as fast with unlimited devices at a cheaper price.

• For streaming and gaming, NordVPN is slightly better.

• For family and value use, Surfshark is the wiser decision.

???? Winner: NordVPN (by a hair)

But in all honesty, both VPNs are great. If speed is your number one concern, NordVPN beats. If you crave cheap prices and unlimited devices, Surfshark is ideal.