NordVPN vs Surfshark: The Gaming Proposition
NordVPN and Surfshark are now both owned by the same parent company (Nord Security) but remain competing products with meaningfully different positioning. NordVPN is the premium option — larger server network, more advanced features, slightly higher prices. Surfshark is the value play — unlimited simultaneous connections, competitive performance, and pricing that undercuts every major competitor.
For gaming, the question is whether NordVPN's performance advantages justify its cost premium over Surfshark.
Performance: Closer Than You'd Expect
Both providers use WireGuard-based protocols as their primary performance option:
- NordVPN: NordLynx (WireGuard-based) — consistently delivers sub-100ms latency on regional servers
- Surfshark: WireGuard — comparable protocol performance, slightly higher latency on some cross-continental routes
Speed comparison (US-to-US game servers):
- NordVPN: ~97ms avg latency, 720 Mbps download, 0.1% packet loss
- Surfshark: ~104ms avg latency, 680 Mbps download, 0.12% packet loss
The 7ms average latency difference is real but practically inconsequential for gaming. Any game that requires sub-20ms precision (competitive FPS at the highest level) should not use a VPN at all — VPN overhead, however small, adds latency. For casual to serious gaming (under 120ms being acceptable for most genres), both providers are fully sufficient.
Key Differentiators for Gaming
Surfshark's Unlimited Devices Advantage
Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections on a single subscription. NordVPN limits to 6 devices. For households where multiple people game — family members on different consoles or PCs, or a single user across PC, PS5, and mobile — Surfshark's unlimited devices policy eliminates "which device gets the VPN today" decisions. At similar pricing, this is a real practical advantage.
Newsletter
Get the latest SaaS reviews in your inbox
By subscribing, you agree to receive email updates. Unsubscribe any time. Privacy policy.
NordVPN's Meshnet
NordVPN's Meshnet feature (free with subscription) creates a virtual LAN network between devices — enabling gaming friends in different physical locations to connect as if on the same local network. For LAN party games, local-multiplayer-only titles played remotely, or low-latency file sharing between gaming rigs, Meshnet is a genuinely unique feature that Surfshark doesn't offer.
Server Count and Coverage
- NordVPN: 5,500+ servers across 60 countries
- Surfshark: 3,200+ servers across 100 countries
NordVPN has more servers in core regions (US, EU) — meaning less congestion per server during peak gaming hours. Surfshark covers more countries, useful for accessing regional game servers in less common locations.
Pricing: Surfshark Wins Decisively
| Plan | NordVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly | $12.99 | $15.45 |
| 1-year | $4.59/month | $2.79/month |
| 2-year | $3.09/month | $2.19/month |
| Simultaneous devices | 6 | Unlimited |
Surfshark's 2-year plan at $2.19/month versus NordVPN's $3.09/month represents a $21.60/year saving — while also providing unlimited devices instead of NordVPN's 6. For budget-conscious gamers, Surfshark delivers approximately 85–90% of NordVPN's performance at 70% of the cost.
Which Should Gamers Choose?
Choose NordVPN if:
- You want Meshnet for virtual LAN gaming
- You need the most server coverage in primary gaming regions (US, EU)
- Slightly lower latency matters to you (the 7ms average gap)
Choose Surfshark if:
- Multiple devices or household members need VPN simultaneously
- Budget is a primary consideration
- You don't need Meshnet or want to spend less for comparable gaming performance
For most gaming households, Surfshark is the better value. The performance gap isn't meaningful for gaming, the price advantage is significant, and unlimited devices coverage is practically useful. NordVPN justifies its premium if Meshnet or server density in specific regions matters to your gaming setup. Compare with our ExpressVPN vs NordVPN comparison for the premium tier full picture.
