Head-to-head · VPN
ExpressVPN vs Surfshark
Which one to pick in 2026 — comparing 🇺🇸 ExpressVPN with the European alternative 🇪🇺 Surfshark on the things that actually decide who can read your data.
Verdict
Who has stronger privacy guarantees by law?
Surfshark — GDPR-native and outside the US CLOUD Act / FISA 702 reach.
Which one encrypts your data end-to-end by default?
Neither ships full E2E by default — check the table for nuance.
Which one tracks you for ads?
Neither monetises through ad tracking.
Which one is open source?
Surfshark is not fully open source — check details.
Side-by-side
ExpressVPN vs Surfshark — full comparison
Make the switch
Try Surfshark instead of ExpressVPN
The most affordable VPN for unlimited devices.
Other European alternatives to ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN vs Mullvad VPN
Privacy-focused VPN service with anonymous account numbers and a strict no-activity-logs policy.
ExpressVPN vs Proton VPN
The only free VPN with no data limits.
ExpressVPN vs CyberGhost VPN
Your online privacy is our mission.
ExpressVPN vs IVPN
A privacy-focused VPN service with a transparent approach.