NordVPN vs Surfshark: devices, Linux support and total cost

If you need more than ten devices connected at once, we’d put Surfshark first. Below that threshold, device limits won’t decide much: compare support for your devices and the full subscription cost.

Simultaneous devices: NordVPN limits versus Surfshark

NordVPN’s support documentation specifies up to ten devices connected at the same time. Count what connects together: a phone, laptop, and TV use three slots. Devices sitting disconnected don’t need a slot.

Surfshark’s device documentation describes unlimited simultaneous connections. Its terms of service still apply, including restrictions on abusive use. Unlimited VPN connections also doesn’t mean every bundled product has unlimited device coverage.

Price: compare the amount due today

We’d compare the entry-level VPN plans first. Add bundled products only if you already know why you want them.

Keep these four details from each checkout in a note:

• The exact plan and included products.
• The total charge today, in the same currency, including applicable taxes.
• The full initial subscription period, including any bonus months.
• The renewal amount and renewal period.

Get those figures from the NordVPN offer and Surfshark checkout for your location. A low monthly equivalent can conceal a much bigger payment today.

Refunds: read the eligibility details

Surfshark states that eligible first purchases made through its website can be refunded within 30 days. See its refund policy for the conditions. Don’t assume a renewal or a purchase through a third party has the same refund process.

For either provider, check the terms shown for your purchase before paying. A money-back guarantee requires payment first; it isn’t the same as a free trial.

Let your setup break the tie

For more than ten simultaneous connections, we’d choose Surfshark if its apps support the devices involved. Unlimited connections solve a concrete limit here.

For a Linux machine, app support deserves more attention than the connection count. NordVPN offers a provider CLI and documented token login; Surfshark documents manual WireGuard connections for distributions including Manjaro. Our OS and Linux compatibility guide separates native apps from manual setups.

For a handful of supported desktop and mobile devices, the facts above don’t justify paying extra for either name. We’d compare total cost, then evaluate everyday use during an applicable refund window. A feature table can’t tell you how a service will behave on your network.

Save the purchase terms and set a renewal reminder. If the commitment is the sticking point, read our monthly versus long-term plan guide; for the arithmetic, see what a monthly VPN price really means.

Linux support: compare the workflow, not just the logo

On a supported Ubuntu desktop, both providers offer a graphical app. A headless machine needs a different plan: NordVPN documents its own CLI and token login, while Surfshark documents manual connections using standard tools. On Manjaro, our Surfshark WireGuard walkthrough explains the manual route; on Ubuntu, the NordVPN desktop guide covers its native app.

A manual WireGuard profile does not automatically include an app's kill switch, DNS handling or location selector. Include the time you will spend configuring and maintaining it in your decision. Check exact release requirements in our Linux compatibility guide.

Which is the better fit for a household?

Count devices connected at the same time and check each platform. Three supported devices do not benefit from an unlimited allowance in the same way as twelve. For either provider, verify the connection method and the full bill before purchasing.