VPN Face-Off: My Real-World Test of ExpressVPN vs NordVPN vs Surfshark

Hey there! As someone who’s tested dozens of VPNs over the years, I know how overwhelming it can be to choose the right one.
That’s why I’m sharing my personal experience with these four popular VPNs—ExpressVPN, NordVPN, Surfshark, and AngelVPN—so you can pick the perfect fit for your needs.
Thank you for reading this post, don't forget to subscribe!No boring tech jargon here—just real talk about what works, what doesn’t, and which VPN actually lives up to the hype.
Plus, I’ve got exclusive discount links to help you save!
🔍 Quick Comparison Table (At a Glance)
Feature | ExpressVPN | NordVPN | Surfshark | AngelVPN |
---|---|---|---|---|
Speed | ⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡ (Blazing fast) | ⚡⚡⚡⚡ (Very fast) | ⚡⚡⚡ (Solid) | ⚡⚡ (Decent) |
Streaming | Flawless with Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer | Great for Netflix & Prime Video | Works well with most platforms | Struggles with major platforms |
Security | Rock-solid encryption & no logs | Double VPN & Onion Over VPN | CleanWeb for ad-blocking | Basic protection |
Devices | 5 devices | 6 devices | Unlimited | 3 devices |
Price | Premium ($6.67/mo) | Mid-range ($3.99/mo) | Budget ($2.49/mo) | Cheap ($4.99/mo) |
Best For | Speed demons & streamers | Privacy nerds & security buffs | Big families & bargain hunters | Casual users on a budget |
👉 Ready to pick one? Get ExpressVPN | Get NordVPN | Get Surfshark | Get AngelVPN
🚀 My Hands-On Experience with Each VPN
1. ExpressVPN – The Ferrari of VPNs
✅ Why I Love It:
- Speed: This thing is insanely fast. I stream 4K Netflix without a single buffer. Gaming? Zero lag.
- Reliability: Never had a single drop in connection. It just works, everywhere.
- Streaming: Unblocks everything—Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, you name it.
- Ease of Use: The app is so simple, my grandma could use it (no offense, grandma).
❌ The Catch:
- Pricey: Yeah, it’s the most expensive, but you get what you pay for.
- Only 5 devices: Not a dealbreaker, but I wish it had more.
💡 My Verdict: If you want the best of the best and don’t mind paying a little extra, this is it.
🔥 My Exclusive Deal: Get ExpressVPN (49% OFF + 3 FREE Months)
2. NordVPN – The Security Beast
✅ Why I Love It:
- Double VPN & Onion Over VPN: For when I’m feeling extra paranoid (which is often).
- CyberSec: Blocks ads and malware—bye-bye annoying pop-ups.
- Huge Server Network: Never had trouble finding a fast server.
- Great for Torrenting: P2P-friendly servers that actually work.
❌ The Catch:
- Slightly slower than ExpressVPN: Not by much, but noticeable if you’re picky.
- UI can be confusing: Took me a minute to figure out all the features.
💡 My Verdict: If privacy is your #1 priority, NordVPN is a beast.
🔥 My Exclusive Deal: Get NordVPN (68% OFF + FREE Threat Protection)
3. Surfshark – The Budget MVP
✅ Why I Love It:
- Unlimited Devices: I’ve got it running on my phone, laptop, tablet, and even my smart fridge (okay, maybe not the fridge).
- Dirt Cheap: At $2.49/month, it’s a steal.
- CleanWeb: Blocks ads and trackers—makes browsing so much cleaner.
- Works with Netflix: Not as consistently as ExpressVPN, but it gets the job done.
❌ The Catch:
- Speeds can be hit or miss: Sometimes it’s great, other times… meh.
- Smaller server network: Not a huge issue, but I’ve had to switch servers a few times.
💡 My Verdict: If you’re on a tight budget or have a ton of devices, Surfshark is a no-brainer.
🔥 My Exclusive Deal: Get Surfshark (82% OFF + 2 FREE Months)
4. AngelVPN – The Basic but Affordable Option
✅ Why I Love It:
- Cheap: At $4.99/month, it’s one of the most affordable options.
- Simple to Use: No fancy features, just a straightforward VPN.
- No Logs: At least they claim so, which is better than nothing.
❌ The Catch:
- Struggles with Streaming: Couldn’t unblock Netflix or Hulu consistently.
- Limited Features: No fancy extras like ad-blocking or double VPN.
💡 My Verdict: If you just need a basic VPN for browsing and don’t care about streaming, it’s okay.
🔥 My Exclusive Deal: Get AngelVPN (50% OFF)
🏆 Final Thoughts: Which One Should YOU Get?
- Want the fastest, most reliable VPN? → ExpressVPN (Get Discount)
- Need maximum security? → NordVPN (Get Discount)
- On a budget but need unlimited devices? → Surfshark (Get Discount)
- Just need a simple, cheap VPN? → AngelVPN (Get Discount)
Don’t overthink it—pick one and start browsing safely today! 🚀
📌 Note: I’ve personally used all these VPNs, and yes, these are affiliate links. If you buy through them, I may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Thanks for supporting my work! 🙏