Two Top VPNs, One Company: NordVPN vs. Surfshark VPN

pcmag.com:

Choosing between VPNs is tricky, as so many companies offer only slight variations on the same theme. But NordVPN and Surfshark are particularly difficult to choose between, not least because they're owned by the same company. We break down the differences here to help you decide which one is right for you.

One dollar is all that separates these two juggernauts. NordVPN clocks in at $11.95 per month while Surfshark VPN ups the cost to $12.95 per month. These prices are both way above average. Among the 37 VPNs we track, we've found the average price to be $9.73 per month.

Looking at the annual plans, there's more of a discernible difference. Surfshark VPN costs just $59.76 and NordVPN is $99.48. Among the services we track, an annual subscription costs an average of $66.12 per year. Note that both VPNs offer steeper discounts for even longer duration subscriptions, as well as introductory discounts, but regardless, you'll pay what you see above for the rest of your time as a subscriber.

Although long-term subscriptions will save you money, we don't recommend starting with them. If you sign up for a VPN's super-cheap 12-year plan and discover it doesn't work well, you're out of a hefty chunk of change. Instead, pick the shortest subscription available to test out the service, and then upgrade if you really like it.

If you're looking to save money, you shouldn't go with either of these VPNs. There are several excellent cheap VPNs and some free VPNs that are worth your time. But even the average VPN will beat NordVPN and Surfshark VPN's pricing. 

Winner: NordVPNYou can save a dollar per month with NordVPN's monthly plan. It's worth pointing out, however, that Surfshark VPN has an annual plan that beats the industry average