NordVPN vs Surfshark VPN in France – Choose the Best One in 2023

Winner in Pricing and Discounts

2. NordVPN vs Surfshark in France – Speed Comparison

OpenVPN (UDP)
Avg. Download Speed	91 Mbps	94 Mbps
Avg. Upload Speed	89 Mbps	91 Mbps

Focusing more on stability and security than speed, the OpenVPN TCP variant is preferred more for activities like file transfers, web browsing, or emails.

OpenVPN (TCP)
Avg. Download Speed	81 Mbps	84 Mbps
Avg. Upload Speed	74 Mbps	70 Mbps

Both providers performed exceptionally well. However, if I had to choose a winner between the two, I’d choose Surfshark any day as it has slightly better numbers than the latter.

Winner in Speed Comparison

Simultaneous Connections	6	Unlimited
Operating System Apps	Windows, MacOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Amazon Fire TV	Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, Linux, Kodi, and Fire TV
Manual Install Devices	Set-Top Boxes and Routers, Linux	Routers, Set Top Boxes, and Linux
Split Tunneling	Yes (Windows, Android, and Android TV apps)	Yes (All Apps)
Smart DNS	Yes	Yes
Specialty Servers	Onion over VPN, P2P, Dedicated IPs, Double VPN	Static IPs
Kill Switch	Yes (iOS, macOS, Linux)	Yes (Routers, Windows, Mac, and Linux)
Free Extras	Browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, Threat Protection, Meshnet	NoBorders Mode, Surfshark One, Camouflage Mode, MultiHop

For features, both NordVPN and Surfshark in France tend to be quite innovative, introducing their own set of tools and technologies for providing users with maximum online protection and privacy.

Both VPNs offer native apps for Windows, Mac in France, Linux in France, Android in France, iOS in France, Apple TVs in France, and a pre-configured router app. Although there is no list of dedicated add-ons for Kodi, you can get their VPN on Fire TVs in France as well.

NordVPN and Surfshark also offer browser extensions for Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox. If we compare them both in the list of top VPN comparison chart, I’d say Surfshark offers better security and instant connectivity on either platform.

With NordVPN, you get access to tools like CyberSec Threat Protection (blocks suspicious websites instantaneously), DoubleVPN (connects to two different VPN servers), and SmartPlay (instant unblocking and streaming on VoDs). Also, you can Set up and use NordVPN on Apple TV in France to avoid content restriction issues in your location.

Surfshark, on the other hand, offers more incentives, including Surfshark One, which offers an antivirus, a search tool, and an alert tool. NoBorders Mode allows you to use a VPN in heavily restricted areas, a Camouflage Mode to make your VPN traffic look like regular traffic to your ISP, and MultiHop to encrypt your traffic through multiple locations.

Winner in Features Comparison

4. NordVPN vs Surfshark Netflix & Unblocking Other Streaming Capabilities in France

Netflix	Yes	Yes
Hulu	Yes	Yes
Sky Go	Yes	Yes
Amazon Prime	Yes	Yes
BBC iPlayer	Yes	Yes
ABS	Yes	Yes
CBS	Yes	Yes
NBC	Yes	Yes
ITV	Yes	Yes
Channel 4	Yes	Yes

In terms of unblocking, NordVPN and Surfshark in France are both quite proactive and reliable. They successfully manage to bypass content limitations, VPN bans, and geo-restrictions on various Video-on-Demand services (VoDs).

The NordVPN vs Surfshark Netflix comparison was very tough as both providers were successful in unblocking more than 15 Netflix libraries with no jerks or buffering issues.

Not only Netflix but there are other major sites too, with this Best VPN you can unblock streaming platforms like BBC iPlayer in France, Amazon Prime, Hulu in France, and even Disney Plus in France. The process on either VPN is quite simple too and does not require any rocket science.

For instance, if you want to unblock the US version of Netflix, simply connect to a server in the US on either VPN clients to access the complete content library with your favorite movies/TV shows. Moreover, if you are a non-UK resident you can access BBC iPlayer shows using NordVPN in France.

Winner in Netflix & Unblocking Other Streaming Capabilities in France

5. NordVPN vs Surfshark in France – China & Internet Restricted Countries

NordVPN has obfuscated servers for heavily restricted countries like China. You’ll be easily able to use NordVPN by enabling the option from the settings.

On the other hand, Surfshark too is a powerful and responsive VPN when it comes to offering services for China. There are no major issues with this VPN when it comes to bypassing the Great Firewall and unblocking services in China.

Both VPNs have performed exceptionally well and they both are suitable VPNs for China since their servers are able to unblock many websites inside China, which means that they respond very well and do not give problems related to downtime.

Users in China can download Surfshark from their dedicated Chinese page here: https://shark-cn.com/

Users in China can download NordVPN from their dedicated Chinese page here: http://nord-for-zh.com/

Winner in Working for China & Internet Restricted Countries

6. NordVPN vs Surfshark in France – Torrenting

P2P Servers	4,200+	3,000+
Avg. Download Speed with Torrenting	88 Mbps	80 Mbps

NordVPN does not suffer from crowding due to a higher number of servers with NordVPN speed test in France we did not face any server-related issue due to a much better guarantee of server proximity. The provider offers dedicated P2P servers in the Specialty Servers section of its app. It is also leak-free and supremely Torrenting friendly.

NordVPN worked seamlessly well while when I downloaded a music album via uTorrent

Surfshark allows P2P activities on its servers and it does not suffer from leaks. The only problem is that due to the limited number of servers, some users may encounter poor speeds on some networks.

Surfshark VPN required switching between 2 to 3 servers but once connected to a P2P compatible server, everything went smooth

Winner in Torrenting

7. NordVPN vs Surfshark in France – Gaming

The best VPN for gaming in France will give you an ideal ping or sometimes referred to as “latency.” This is the time it takes for your device to send information to the gaming server and back again. The lower the number, the better.

For example, a ping of 50 milliseconds means that it takes only 50 milliseconds for your device to communicate with the gaming server. A higher number like 150 milliseconds would mean that it takes 150 milliseconds for the same task.

This might not sound like a lot, but when you’re playing an online game, every millisecond counts. That’s why a low ping is so important for gaming.

Here is a comparison of the two VPNs with one of the most demanding games.

	Ping without a VPN
Overwatch	37ms	69ms	38ms
PUBG	39ms	57ms	50ms
Fortnite	32ms	45ms	36ms
Average	36ms	57ms	41.3ms

While both VPNs are great for gaming in France, Surfshark beats NordVPN in this category with a clear margin as evident from the above tests.

Winner in Gaming

8. NordVPN vs Surfshark in France – Device Compatibility

Windows	Yes	Yes
Linux	Yes	Yes
Mac	Yes	Yes
Android	Yes	Yes
iOS	Yes	Yes
Blackberry	Yes	Yes
Windows Phone	Yes	No
Firefox	Yes	Yes
Chrome	Yes	Yes
Opera	No	Yes
Fire TV	Yes	Yes
Chromecast	No	No
Roku	No	No
Kodi	No	Yes
Xbox	Yes	Yes
PlayStation	No	Yes
Nintendo Switch	Yes	Yes
Routers	Yes	Yes
Raspberry Pi	Yes	Yes
Android TV	Yes	Yes
LG TV	No	Yes
Samsung TV	No	Yes

The above-mentioned chart proves that both providers have support for major platforms. However, I will go with Surfshark as the winner. The provider supports 19 out of 22 devices, while NordVPN has support for 15.

Winner in Device Compatibility

9. NordVPN vs Surfshark in France – Setup and User Interface

Automatic Setup Wizard	Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Linux	Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV
Main Location Selection	Map-based	List-based
Extra Settings Pages	Yes	Yes
Mobile Friendly	Yes	Yes

With NordVPN, you will have apps to secure all of your devices like Windows, Macs, and iPhones. The provider even extends innate support for routers through dedicated setup guides.

A .apk file is also available for those who want to set up VPN on Android manually. The NordVPN with Firestick in France app is also there for streaming aficionados. All in all, the compatibility offered by NordVPN is incredible.

Best part of all: NordVPN’s apps are stable and they don’t crash at all but their interface is a bit clunky. The connection times are good but not great. Its apps have a good UI/UX but takes some time getting used to.

Surfshark’s apps are built in a minimalist manner which makes them extremely user-friendly. The app’s GUI are especially great and so is the architecture, so you won’t have major problems navigating.

The apps are stable as well. Response time to a server is about 10 seconds right now, which is considerably better than NordVPN. It does not take you long to connect to different servers.

We could have assumed that Surfshark is NordVPN’s equal, but that’s not the case. The former proves to be better in terms of powering compatibility and user ease on most of a number of platforms.

NordVPN vs Surfshark in France – Desktop App

NordVPN has both options available; map-based and list-based servers

NordVPN’s desktop app has a map-based interface with a map list on the left side. You can connect to a server location from both, map or the list.

A list of Specialty Servers is also available above the list of servers on the left tab including Dedicated IPs, Double VPN, Onion over VPN, and P2P servers. You can also add devices to the Meshnet.

All NordVPN features are in one window which makes navigating convenient

Upon clicking on Settings, you’ll find more features organized in a clean fashion on the left panel including Auto Connect (Protocols information), Kill Switch, and Split Tunneling. To use Obfuscated servers or Custom DNS, you can navigate to the Advanced tab.

Surfshark interface with the list-based server locations and options for Static IP and MultiHop at the top

The Surfshark desktop app is user-friendly with a quick-connect option on the right panel and a list of locations on the left panel. The virtual servers are marked with a ‘V’. And if you navigate slightly a little above, you’ll see the Static IP and MultiHop features.

All features are in one screen but you need to scroll down to access all

Upon clicking the Settings tab, you’ll find more features but you’ll need to scroll down to see all the tools. These include Quick Connect settings, Auto-Connect option, CleanWeb, Kill Switch, Protocol Control, Bypasser, Speed Test, Rotating IP, and NoBorders Mode.

NordVPN vs Surfshark in France – Mobile App

The NordVPN and Surfshark in France mobile apps are identical to their desktop apps, there are no differences. Upon testing, I found it easy to navigate through both apps.

Both apps were exceptional and easy to navigate. However, I found NordVPN more convenient as everything was in my viewing frame and I didn’t have to scroll or go back and forth to use different features.

Winner in Setup and User Interface

10. NordVPN vs Surfshark in France – Servers and Performance

Server Countries	61	100
Total Number of Servers	6000	3200
Speed Loss	15.2%	8.6%

NordVPN currently has a server network comprising of 61 servers in 6000 countries worldwide. This single-handedly allows NordVPN to offer a much better experience to users globally than other VPNs, including Surfshark.

A high number of servers means less crowding, as the user load is distributed evenly. Since servers are available in 59 countries, most can also find one near their location, thereby reducing the chances of experiencing lag considerably.

Surfshark previously had 800+ servers in 50+ countries. However, by the end of 2019, they have expanded this list to 100 servers in 3200 countries worldwide, all of which deliver great speeds and unblocking capabilities.

Surfshark has crossed NordVPN just with a little margin in the “country” domain, while NordVPN is dominant in the “server count” area.

Nonetheless, NordVPN is only behind 6 countries, while there is a major difference between Surfshark and NordVPN in the server count competition with NordVPN beating Surfshark with a handsome number.

However, if we talk about speed loss, then we can see Surfshark climbing into the league again, surpassing the competitor. So to me, this is a tie score.

Winner in Severs and Performance

11. NordVPN vs Surfshark in France – Security and Encryption

VPN Protocols	IKEv2, OpenVPN, NordLynx	IKEv2, OpenVPN, WireGuard
OpenVPN Data Encryption	AES-256	AES-256
OpenVPN Control Channel Encryption	RSA-2048	RSA-2048
Cloaking Technology	Obfsproxy	Shadowsocks
Extra Protection	Double-Hop Routes and Onion over VPN	CleanWeb, Multihop, Whitelister
App Security	Kill Switch, Wi-Fi, DNS/WebRTC/ IP Leak Protection	Kill Switch and DNS/WebRTC/ IP Leak Protection
DNS Status	PrivateDNS	TrustDNS

NordVPN offers support for all updated protocols, including IKEV2, NordLynx, and the industry-standard OpenVPN. It uses AES-256-CBC ciphers with HMAc SHA256 on the data channel.

For its control channel, NordVPN uses the same encryption and authentication above, with the inclusion of RSA-2048. Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS) is setup using the strong DHE-4096 key exchange.

Their mobile apps, conversely, particularly iOS use IKEv2 with AES-256-GCM cipher and HMAC SHA2-384 data authentication. PFE is provided by a DHE-3075 exchange.

Note: furthermore if you’re looking to enhance your online security on your Android device, NordVPN Android in France offers robust protection. Learn how to set up NordVPN on your Android device in our comprehensive guide.

Surfshark, on the other hand, is a big fan of the OpenVPN protocol and uses it as “default” across all of its devices. Users, nevertheless, do have the option of configuring WireGuard on all platforms.

It utilizes AES-256-GCM ciphers so no additional authentication is provided on the data channel. For the control channel, Surfshark uses an AES-256-GCM cipher with the TLS key exchange secured using RSA-2048.

Perfect forward secrecy is provided by an ECDH-(384?) key exchange. If we talk about security overall though, Surfshark definitely tends to be stronger. Unlike NordVPN, which was hacked in March 2018, Surf is still secure from such vulnerabilities.

Winner in Security and Encryption

12. NordVPN vs Surfshark in France – Logging and Privacy

Headquarters	Panama	Netherlands
Connection Logs	None	None
Activity Logs	None	None
Sign Up Information	Email Address	Email Address
Anonymous Payment Methods	CoinGate	CoinGate, CoinPayments

NordVPN is located in Panama, a country that has no data retention laws. Panama is not even a part of any data sharing alliance as well. So NordVPN’s headquarters is located in a secure region.

NordVPN also doesn’t keep logs of any sort of sensitive user information. No IP is stored, your browsing isn’t logged and your data isn’t shared with any 3^rd parties. NordVPN has also been audited by PwC.

Surfshark is located in the Netherlands, which is not as safe as Panama as it is in the 14 Eyes Alliance Group. However, the VPN uses RAM-only infrastructure so your data will never be logged or tracked.

There is no major issue in Surfshark’s logging policy either. The provider has managed to keep its privacy policy clean and by that, it has ensured that users can trust it blindly as a zero-logs service, as evidenced by Cure53’s transparency audit.

Surfshark was previously located in the British Virgin Islands which was a super-safe location for a VPN. And the provider would have won in this category if it was still registered there. But since that’s not the case anymore, NordVPN takes the win.

Winner in Logging and Privacy

13. NordVPN vs Surfshark – Configuration

Address Allocation	Shared/Static	Shared/Static
Static IPs	Unknown	Unknown
DDoS Protection	Yes	Yes
NAT Firewall	Yes	Yes

For configurations, NordVPN and Surfshark in France both support dynamic and static IP addresses. Where Nord offers more in the way of servers, Surfshark adds extra security features.

For instance, NordVPN supports dedicated IPs in many locations around the world. Surfshark is currently only offering static IPs in varied cities.

Dedicated IPs are available as an add-on, meaning you will have to pay extra for them. However, they are incredibly handy tools, especially for travelers, streamers, torrents, etc.

Winner in Configuration

14. NordVPN vs Surfshark in France – Customer Service

Video Guides	Yes	Yes
Searchable Knowledge Base	Yes	Yes
Phone Support	No	No
Email Support	Yes	Yes
Average Email Response Time	30 Minutes	25 Minutes
Ticket Support	Yes	Yes
Live Chat Support	Yes	Yes

NordVPN’s live chat support is okay. The response time varies from a minute to five minutes, which is quite slow. But since there is a queue system in place, these times are expected. You can even contact their support team if you want to cancel the NordVPN recurring payments in France feature.

My biggest problem with it chat team is that they were a bit cold in their responses and sometimes even blunt, making me feel unwelcome.

Surfshark’s customer support is much better than that of NordVPN. Responses are lightning fast, with the time for a chat support exec to respond to a question being less than 30 seconds.

Every technical query is handled by them in detail and they look for every possible solution to help you out. On top of this, the chat support execs are courteous and welcoming.

I even conducted a test on the response times from each provider on email support. The process included sending both providers four questions via email. See the statics for each VPN below:

NordVPN Customer Service

Surfshark Customer Service

Other Comparisons to Check Out

1. Surfshark VPN vs. PIA in France
2. NordVPN vs. PIA in France
3. PureVPN vs. NordVPN in France
4. NordVPN vs. ExpressVPN in France
5. Surfshark vs. IPVanish in France

NordVPN vs Surfshark in France – FAQs

Is using a VPN legal in France?

Unless you’re doing anything illegal, using a VPN is perfectly legal in France. However, do check the rules for VPNs of the country you’re visiting before using one to keep yourself out of trouble as some regions like China, North Korea, and Belarus have bans on VPNs.

What is meant by logging in VPN in France?

VPN logs are the data that your provider can keep when you use their service. When it comes to what your VPN could store, all of your activity is accessible by your VPN provider in France. Your traffic might be hidden to your ISP but your VPN provider can see your internet activities.

What is meant by simultaneous connections and should I be caring about it?

Simultaneous connections refer to the number of devices that can be connected to a VPN server at the same time.

For example, if a VPN allows five simultaneous connections, that means you can connect five devices to the VPN server at the same time.

And yes, you should be caring about it because it allows you to protect all of your devices with a single VPN account.

Is Surfshark owned by Nord?

Yes, Surfshark is owned by the same company which runs NordVPN, namely Nord Security.

Is NordVPN and Surfshark the same?

No, NordVPN and Surfshark are not the same but they share the same parent company which is known as Nord Security. Both VPNs are in the top 10 ranks of all time.

Is Surfshark VPN better than NordVPN in France?

Both VPNs give tough competition to each other. While NordVPN is among the top-tier VPNs, Surfshark wins in most categories in our comparison test.

Why NordVPN is the best in France?

NordVPN is the best because of its robust encryption, fast connection speeds, user-friendly interface, and handy security features. It is the safest, most reliable option to hide your original identity while surfing the open web.

What VPN is better than Nord in France?

NordVPN is among the best VPNs in France, but ExpressVPN comes pretty close and gives tough competition to NordVPN. ExpressVPN offers blazing fast speed, Lightway protocol, and the company is registered in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands.

Is Surfshark a good VPN for gaming in France?

Yes, Surfshark is a good VPN for gaming in France offering blazing fast download and upload speeds with an ideal ping (latency) rate to enhance your gaming experience.

Does Surfshark prevent DDoS in France?

Yes, Surfshark is a great VPN for avoiding DDoS attacks in France. The provider encrypts your traffic with the NASA-grade AES 256-bit method and advanced protocols to divert hackers and deliver a smooth gaming experience.

Can I use NordVPN and Surfshark with Netflix in France?

NordVPN and Surfshark are closely matched since both these VPN giants work with Netflix. They can unblock almost 15+ Netflix libraries of major countries with their massive network of servers.

Is it easier to use Nord or Surfshark’s applications in France?

Yes, both VPNs have easy-to-navigate interfaces on desktops and mobiles. You can connect in a single click with the quick connect option and all of the options are neatly organized so you don’t have to dance through the apps while searching for a feature.

NordVPN and Surfshark are both popular VPN providers in France, but which one is faster?

While both VPNs are blazing fast in France. In our test, Surfshark’s speeds were slightly better than NordVPN’s, especially in the US region. However, there were no major differences and both VPNs should work fine for all kinds of operations, including streaming, gaming, or casual browsing.

NordVPN vs Surfshark in France – Conclusion

There is no doubt that NordVPN is equally as good as Surfshark.

However, in this NordVPN vs Surfshark in France comparison, Surfshark wins in more categories making a total of 7 wins out of 14, acing in the categories of Pricing, Speed, Features, Gaming, Compatibility, Security, and Customer Service, while NordVPN could only secure positions in 3 categories, namely, Torrenting, User-Interface, and Privacy.

This is why I recommend going for Surfshark, as it has never been hacked, nor does it store logs (verified and audited by Cure53). It is an all-rounder service that unblocks all popular VoDs, works in China, and offers ultimate torrenting and streaming speeds while being extremely cost-friendly!