Choosing the right VPN can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options promising fast speeds, privacy, and streaming access. Norton Secure VPN and Surfshark are two names that often appear in user comparisons — Norton’s VPN comes bundled with a trusted cybersecurity suite, while Surfshark is known for its budget-friendly pricing and feature-rich platform.

But is either of them the perfect fit for you? Or is there a better alternative like BearVPN, which offers free, lightning-fast VPN protection with no sign-ups or hidden charges?

This guide dives deep into Norton VPN vs Surfshark in 2025. We’ll compare their pricing, server networks, speed, security, streaming capabilities, and device compatibility. We’ll also introduce BearVPN as a free, reliable option for users who want top-notch privacy without paying a subscription fee.

What is Norton VPN?

Norton Secure VPN is part of Norton’s well-known cybersecurity ecosystem. It is a beginner-friendly VPN solution designed to integrate seamlessly with Norton’s antivirus and security products.

Key Highlights of Norton VPN:

Simplicity: The app focuses on one-click protection with minimal configuration, making it suitable for casual users.
Encryption: It uses AES-256 encryption, a military-grade standard for securing data.
Bundles: Often packaged with Norton 360, giving users antivirus, password management, and VPN under one subscription.
Limitations: Norton VPN has a relatively small server network (around 30 countries) and lacks advanced features like split tunneling or multi-hop routing. It’s also less reliable for streaming platforms like Netflix.

Norton VPN is best suited for users who want basic Wi-Fi protection and brand trust but don’t need advanced VPN features.

What is Surfshark?

Surfshark is a dedicated VPN provider known for its affordable pricing, high-speed performance, and advanced privacy tools. Unlike Norton’s VPN, Surfshark’s entire business is focused on VPN technology, making it a preferred choice for tech-savvy users.

Key Highlights of Surfshark:

Server Network: Over 3,200 servers in 100+ countries, providing excellent global coverage.
Speed: Uses WireGuard protocol, delivering fast and stable connections ideal for 4K streaming and gaming.
Privacy: Offers a strict no-logs policy, independent audits, and RAM-only servers to ensure data security.
Advanced Features: Includes MultiHop (double VPN), CleanWeb ad-blocker, split tunneling, and camouflage mode to bypass censorship.
Unlimited Devices: One subscription can protect all your devices simultaneously — something Norton VPN does not offer.

Surfshark is often recommended for users who want fast speeds, strong privacy features, and reliable access to streaming platforms.

Why Compare Norton VPN and Surfshark?

When you search for “Norton VPN vs Surfshark,” you are usually in the consideration stage of choosing a better VPN. They want to know:

Which VPN offers better value for money.
Which VPN is faster for streaming and gaming.
Which service provides stronger privacy and security.
If there are free or cheaper alternatives.

Based on multiple expert reviews, Surfshark often comes out ahead of Norton VPN, especially in terms of streaming support, speed, and advanced features. Norton Secure VPN is a simple, beginner-friendly option, but it lacks the advanced configurations that more experienced users demand.

However, BearVPN is changing the conversation. It offers a free, unlimited plan with WireGuard technology, making it one of the fastest and most accessible VPNs available — a key advantage not found in Norton or Surfshark.

Pricing and Plans: Which VPN Is Worth It?

When choosing a VPN, pricing isn’t just about the cheapest monthly rate. It’s about long-term value, device flexibility, refund policies, and — for some users — the availability of a free plan. Norton VPN, and Surfshark take very different approaches to pricing, which makes it crucial to compare both upfront costs and hidden factors like renewal pricing and device limitations. Let’s break down each VPN’s offering:

Norton Secure VPN Pricing

Norton Secure VPN is typically sold as part of the Norton 360 security suite, but standalone VPN plans are also available. Its pricing is tiered by device count, which can be restrictive.

Devices	Price (First Year)	Monthly Equivalent	Renewal Price
1 Device	$29.99/year	$2.49/month	~$49.99/year
5 Devices	$39.99/year	$3.33/month	~$79.99/year
10 Devices	$59.99/year	$4.99/month	~$99.99/year

Other considerations:

No monthly payment option (yearly plans only).
7-day free trial (credit card required).
60-day money-back guarantee on annual plans.
Price increases significantly upon renewal, which may surprise users if they miss the fine print.

While Norton VPN’s pricing might seem reasonable at first glance, the fact that it scales with device count and jumps at renewal makes it less cost-effective over time, especially for households or multi-device users.

Surfshark Pricing

Surfshark uses a duration-based pricing model with unlimited devices, making it more appealing for families and power users.

Plan Duration	Price (Total)	Monthly Equivalent	Refund Policy
1 Month	$15.45/month	$15.45	30-day money-back
12 Months	~$47.88/year	~$3.99/month	30-day money-back
24 Months + 2 Free	~$59.76 (2 years)	~$2.00–$2.49/month	30-day money-back

Key benefits:

Unlimited simultaneous connections on a single subscription.
Transparent and flat pricing with no device-based tiers.
Refunds available via live chat — quick and hassle-free.
Often includes bundled extras like antivirus and identity protection for a small upsell.

Surfshark’s low long-term pricing and rich feature set make it one of the best-value paid VPNs in the market, especially for users who connect from multiple devices.

Verdict: Surfshark is cheaper than Norton for long-term use on multiple devices, but BearVPN is unbeatable if you want a free, secure VPN.

Server Network and Coverage

For a VPN, server coverage is more than just a number — it affects how fast your connection is, how consistently you can unblock content, and whether your privacy is protected in different regions. In the case of Norton Secure VPN vs Surfshark, the difference in server infrastructure and global presence is significant.

Surfshark: Wide-Reaching, High-Capacity Server Network

Surfshark offers one of the most extensive server networks among consumer VPNs. As of 2025:

Server count: Over 3,200 servers
Countries covered: 100+ countries
Specialty servers: RAM-only, P2P optimized, MultiHop (double VPN), Static IP options
Infrastructure: 10 Gbps ports on high-load servers for faster throughput

Norton Secure VPN: Basic Server Distribution with Limited Transparency

Norton Secure VPN takes a more simplified approach to server infrastructure, reflecting its positioning as a lightweight add-on rather than a fully featured VPN solution. As of 2025:

Server count: Estimated between 1,000 to 1,200 servers
Countries covered: Approximately 28–30
Specialty servers: Not publicly disclosed; lacks advanced features like MultiHop or static IPs
Infrastructure: Unclear; no mention of RAM-only or high-throughput servers

In summary, while Norton VPN provides basic VPN functionality for mainstream locations, it falls short in terms of geographic diversity and performance optimization, particularly for global users or those with more demanding use cases.

Head-to-Head: Server Comparison Overview

Feature	Surfshark	Norton VPN
Server Count	3,200+	~1,000–1,200
Countries Covered	100+	~28–30
Specialty Servers	MultiHop, P2P, Static IP	Not specified
RAM-Only Infrastructure	✅ Yes	❌ Not disclosed
Streaming Optimization	✅ Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer	❌ Limited support
P2P Support	✅ On most servers	⚠️ Limited / unclear
Speed-Optimized Infrastructure	✅ 10 Gbps ports, WireGuard	❌ Legacy protocols only
Server Transparency	✅ Full list available	❌ Limited or vague info

Speed and Performance: How Fast Are These VPNs?

Speed is one of the most critical VPN factors, especially for gamers and streamers.

Surfshark: Optimized for Speed with Modern Protocols

Surfshark is consistently ranked as one of the fastest VPNs in the industry, largely due to its use of cutting-edge technology and robust infrastructure.

Under-the-Hood Advantages:

WireGuard Protocol: Surfshark supports the ultra-modern WireGuard protocol, known for its lightweight code and superior performance. It’s faster than older protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2, especially on mobile and high-speed broadband connections.
10 Gbps Servers: Many Surfshark servers are built on 10-gigabit-per-second infrastructure, reducing congestion during peak times.

Norton Secure VPN: Reliable but Outdated in Speed Tech

Norton Secure VPN performs adequately for light browsing, online shopping, and email, but it doesn’t compete with modern VPNs like Surfshark in terms of speed — especially under load.

Technical Limitations:

No WireGuard support: Norton VPN still relies on OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols, which are secure but comparatively slower and more resource-intensive.
Smaller Server Network: Fewer servers (~1,000 in 28–30 countries) increases the likelihood of overcrowding during peak hours, especially in popular regions like the US and UK.
No server optimization tools: Norton does not include options like “fastest server” selection, protocol switching, or region-based tuning.

Security and Privacy Features: How Safe Are These VPNs?

At its core, a VPN’s job is to protect your online activity from surveillance, tracking, and interference. Whether you’re on public Wi-Fi, accessing geo-restricted content, or just want to keep your browsing private, a VPN should offer strong encryption, robust privacy policies, and trustworthy infrastructure.

Encryption Standards: Both Use AES-256

Both Norton and Surfshark use AES-256 encryption, which is the gold standard in the cybersecurity world. It’s the same level of encryption used by banks, militaries, and governments around the world.

Feature	Norton VPN	Surfshark
AES-256 Encryption	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
SHA-512 Authentication	❌ No info	✅ Yes
RSA-2048 Handshake	❌ RSA-1024 (weaker)	✅ RSA-2048

VPN Protocols: Surfshark is More Flexible and Modern

The choice of VPN protocols directly affects speed, security, and compatibility.

Protocol	Norton VPN	Surfshark
OpenVPN	✅ Yes	✅ Yes (UDP & TCP)
IKEv2/IPSec	✅ Yes	✅ Yes
WireGuard	❌ No	✅ Yes (default)
Shadowsocks	❌ No	✅ Yes (for censorship)
Protocol Switching	❌ Not available	✅ Manual or automatic

No-Logs Policy: One Claims It, the Other Proves It

A no-logs policy means the VPN provider doesn’t store identifiable information about your browsing, connection history, or activity.

Surfshark operates under a strict no-logs policy and backs this with:

Independent audits by Deloitte (2023) confirming zero data retention.
RAM-only server architecture, which physically cannot retain logs after reboot.
A transparent privacy policy that explains what’s collected (diagnostics only, if consented).

Norton VPN claims to not log user activity but:

Does not disclose independent audits of its no-logs claim.
Retains some metadata (such as device identifiers and general connection info) for operational or diagnostic purposes.
Operates under Gen Digital, a U.S.-based company (formerly Symantec), which is subject to Five Eyes intelligence sharing agreements.

Streaming and Torrenting

Streaming and torrenting support is often a dealbreaker for VPN users.

Surfshark: Works with Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, and more. Excellent for torrenting with unlimited devices and fast servers.
Norton VPN: Struggles to unblock Netflix and other popular streaming platforms. Limited torrenting support.

Device Compatibility and Ease of Use

VPN	Platforms	Device Limit
Norton	Windows, Mac, iOS, Android	Up to 10 devices
Surfshark	Windows, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android, Browser Extensions	Unlimited

Try a Norton VPN and Surfshark Alternative – BearVPN

BearVPN is a free and reliable VPN tool that allows you to switch IP addresses with just one click, enabling seamless global internet access. With a vast network of servers spanning 50+ regions, Bear VPN is your ideal choice for accessing restricted websites or enhancing online privacy and security.

Key Features:

Global Server Coverage: Enjoy high-speed connections across a wide range of servers worldwide, with the freedom to switch anytime.
Advanced Encryption: Industry-leading encryption protocols ensure secure and worry-free data transmission.
High-Speed Connection: Smart routing technology guarantees smooth streaming, downloading, and gaming without lag.
Unlimited Bandwidth: No data restrictions—browse the internet freely.
One-Click Connection: User-friendly interface makes it easy to use, even for beginners.
Privacy Protection: No logging of user activity—complete online privacy guaranteed.

How to Use BearVPN:

Step 1. Download BearVPN from the official website.

Step 2. Open the app. Tap Connect for instant VPN protection. Choose a server from 50+ locations.

Step 3. Start browsing or streaming securely.

FAQs

1. Is Norton VPN good for Netflix?

No, Norton VPN struggles with Netflix and other streaming platforms. Surfshark is better for streaming.

2. Which VPN is faster, Norton or Surfshark?

Surfshark is faster due to WireGuard and a larger server network.

3. Is there a free alternative to Norton and Surfshark?

Yes, BearVPN offers a free, unlimited plan with fast servers and strong security.

4. Can BearVPN be used for gaming?

Yes, BearVPN’s WireGuard protocol provides low-latency connections for mobile gaming.

Conclusion

In 2025, Surfshark is the clear winner over Norton VPN for speed, streaming, and advanced features. Norton Secure VPN is fine for casual users who already subscribe to Norton’s security suite, but it lacks the versatility and performance of Surfshark.

For those looking for a free and reliable VPN, BearVPN stands out. With its WireGuard protocol, no-logs policy, and easy one-tap connection, BearVPN provides premium-like performance at zero cost — a rare find in the VPN market.