Areas Where NordVPN Outperforms Norton

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Pricing and Value for Money

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NordVPN typically offers a higher price point than Norton’s VPN plans. NordVPN’s two-year plan often ranges from $81-$97 for the initial term (renewing at $140/year), while Norton’s VPN, bundled with its antivirus suites, starts around $50/year for the basic tier but can climb to $100-$150/year with higher-tier plans like Norton 360 Deluxe. NordVPN sweetens the deal with extras like a password manager and 1TB of cloud storage in its premium tiers, whereas Norton’s VPN lacks standalone value, leaning heavily on its antivirus ecosystem for appeal.

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Server Network Size

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NordVPN’s server network is a powerhouse, with over 7,400 servers across 118 countries, dwarfing Norton’s more modest 2,000+ servers in 30+ countries. This expansive coverage reduces congestion and provides more location options, particularly in North America and Europe, where NordVPN dominates. Norton’s smaller network can struggle with reliability in high-traffic regions, giving NordVPN a clear advantage for global users.

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Speed Consistency

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NordVPN shines in speed tests, especially with its NordLynx protocol (built on WireGuard), posting download speed losses as low as 3%-11%. Norton’s VPN, while decent, averages higher losses (around 20%-30%) and lacks a comparable high-speed protocol. NordVPN’s edge in consistency—across OpenVPN and even double-VPN setups—makes it a better pick for speed-critical tasks like gaming or 4K streaming.

Specialty Features

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NordVPN brings advanced tools to the table that Norton’s VPN can’t match, such as Double VPN (dual-server encryption) and Onion Over VPN (Tor integration). These cater to privacy enthusiasts or users in restrictive regions. Additionally, NordVPN’s Threat Protection scans downloads for malware even when disconnected from the VPN, outpacing Norton’s VPN-specific security, which relies more on its antivirus backbone.

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Streaming Versatility

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NordVPN excels at unblocking streaming platforms like Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, and BBC iPlayer, thanks to its vast server pool and dedicated optimizations. Norton’s VPN, while functional for some services, struggles with consistency—frequently failing to bypass geo-restrictions on platforms like BBC iPlayer or Hulu. NordVPN’s reliability gives it the upper hand for streamers.

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Simultaneous Connections

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NordVPN supports up to 10 simultaneous connections, outstripping Norton’s limit of 5 (or 10 with pricier 360 plans). While neither rivals Surfshark’s unlimited connections, NordVPN’s higher cap suits small households or users juggling multiple devices better than Norton’s more restrictive offering.

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Areas Where Surfshark Outperforms Norton

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Pricing and Affordability

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Surfshark is a budget champion, with plans as low as $48-$60 for the first year or $60-$72 for two years (renewing at $60/year), compared to Norton’s VPN pricing, which starts at $50/year but often requires bundling with antivirus for full value (up to $150/year for premium tiers). Surfshark delivers premium VPN features at a fraction of the cost, making it a standout for cost-conscious users.

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Unlimited Simultaneous Connections

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Surfshark’s unlimited device connections blow Norton’s cap of 5-10 out of the water. This is a game-changer for families, roommates, or anyone with a slew of gadgets, eliminating the need to prioritize devices or upgrade plans—something Norton users must contend with.

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Speed on WireGuard

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Surfshark’s WireGuard implementation delivers impressive speeds, with losses as low as 17%-19%, often outperforming Norton’s 20%-30% average. In some OpenVPN tests, Surfshark even hits speeds up to 640 Mbps, leaving Norton’s less optimized performance in the dust. This makes Surfshark a top pick for bandwidth-intensive activities.

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Server Coverage in Emerging Regions

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While Surfshark’s 3,200+ servers across 100 countries don’t match NordVPN’s scale, they outshine Norton’s 2,000+ servers in 30+ countries, especially in regions like South America, Africa, and Asia. Norton’s limited geographic reach makes Surfshark the better choice for travelers or users needing servers in less common locales.

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Additional Features for the Price

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Surfshark packs value with extras like a cookie pop-up blocker, antivirus (via Surfshark One+), and data breach alerts—all at a lower price than Norton’s VPN-plus-antivirus bundles. Features like Rotating IP and Bypasser (split tunneling for websites) add versatility that Norton’s straightforward VPN lacks, boosting Surfshark’s appeal.

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Ease of Use and Budget-Friendly Streaming

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Surfshark’s user-friendly app and unlimited connections make it a streaming steal, reliably unblocking Netflix, Amazon Prime, and Disney+ at a lower cost than Norton’s offerings. Norton’s VPN, while bundled with strong antivirus, often stumbles with streaming consistency, giving Surfshark the edge for budget-conscious binge-watchers.

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Critical Considerations

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Privacy Jurisdiction

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NordVPN’s Panama base and Norton’s U.S. location (subject to 5-Eyes oversight) give NordVPN a privacy edge, while Surfshark’s Netherlands HQ (14-Eyes alliance) falls in the middle. Norton’s U.S. jurisdiction may concern privacy hawks, despite its no-logs policy, making NordVPN a safer bet for the ultra-cautious.

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Antivirus Integration

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Norton’s VPN shines when paired with its top-tier antivirus, a perk neither NordVPN nor Surfshark can natively match (though Surfshark One+ offers antivirus as an add-on). If malware protection is a priority alongside VPN use, Norton’s ecosystem might tip the scales.

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China Performance

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None of these VPNs consistently bypass China’s Great Firewall as of March 2025, so Norton’s lack of specialized obfuscation tools puts it on par with NordVPN and Surfshark here—none excel in this niche.

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Conclusion

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NordVPN outclasses Norton in speed, server scale, affordability, and specialized features, making it ideal for power users, streamers, and privacy buffs. Surfshark dominates with its unbeatable price, unlimited connections, and strong regional coverage, perfect for budget users and multi-device households. Norton’s VPN leans on its antivirus integration and simplicity but falls short in standalone value, speed, and scalability compared to NordVPN and Surfshark as of March 2025. Choose NordVPN for performance and security, Surfshark for cost and flexibility, or Norton if antivirus bundling is your priority.

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