Quick answer: Both are well-known, audited VPNs with servers in Hong Kong, Japan, Korea and the UK. Pick Surfshark if you want the lower price and unlimited devices for the whole family: its 2-year Starter plan was US$2.49 a month on 12 November 2026. Pick ExpressVPN if you want more server locations (113 countries) and its own Lightway protocol, and don’t mind paying more: Basic starts at US$2.99 a month but covers 10 devices. Both have a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try either one before committing. Prices below were checked on 12 November 2026, in US dollars, during the Black Friday sales.
Surfshark vs ExpressVPN at a Glance
| Surfshark | ExpressVPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Cheapest long plan | Starter, US$2.49/month (US$67.23 for the first 27 months) | Basic, US$2.99/month (US$83.72 for the first 28 months) |
| Devices at once | Unlimited | 10 (Basic), 12 (Advanced), 14 (Pro) |
| Server coverage | 100 countries, 4,500+ servers | 113 countries, 214 locations |
| Hong Kong servers | Yes | Yes, 2 locations |
| Taiwan | Yes | Virtual location |
| Main protocol | WireGuard | Lightway |
| No-logs audit | Deloitte (report released June 2025) | KPMG (as of 28 February 2025) |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days (new users) |
Why Hong Kong People Use a VPN
A VPN encrypts your connection and routes it through a server in another location. For Hong Kong users, the common reasons are:
- Public Wi-Fi: airports, hotels and cafés on holiday, where you don’t know who runs the network
- Travel: reaching your Hong Kong banking and work services from overseas, using a Hong Kong server
- Privacy at home: stopping your internet provider from seeing which sites you visit
- Streaming: both brands say their apps work with streaming services, but each platform’s own terms decide what you can watch where
Using a VPN is legal in Hong Kong. Other places have their own rules, so check the local law before you travel.
Surfshark: Best Value and Unlimited Devices
Surfshark is based in the Netherlands and is one of the cheapest big-name VPNs on long plans.
- Price: Starter (VPN only) and One were both US$2.49 a month for the first 27 months in the Black Friday sale. One+ was US$3.99 a month
- Unlimited devices: one subscription covers every phone, laptop and tablet in your home
- Servers: 100 countries and 4,500+ servers, including Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, South Korea and four UK cities
- Extras: CleanWeb blocks ads and trackers, and the kill switch cuts your internet if the VPN drops
- Privacy: Deloitte has reviewed its no-logs policy twice, in 2023 and in a report released in June 2025
- Renewal: after the first term, the plan renews at Surfshark’s normal renewal price, so set a reminder
Best for: families and anyone with many devices who wants the lowest price.
ExpressVPN: Most Locations and Lightway
ExpressVPN is based in the British Virgin Islands and is known for its simple apps and wide server network.
- Price: Basic US$2.99, Advanced US$4.49 and Pro US$7.49 a month for the first 28 months. After that, Basic renews at US$99.95 a year
- Devices: 10 at once on Basic, 12 on Advanced and 14 on Pro
- Servers: 113 countries and 214 locations, with 2 in Hong Kong and 4 in Japan (Tokyo, Shibuya, Yokohama and Osaka). Taiwan is a virtual location, which means the server is physically elsewhere
- Lightway: ExpressVPN’s own protocol, designed to connect quickly and reconnect when you switch networks
- Extras: Basic blocks ads, trackers and malicious sites. Advanced adds a password manager and a 3GB holiday.com travel eSIM
- Privacy: KPMG checked its no-logs policy as of 28 February 2025
Best for: frequent travellers who want the most server locations and are happy to pay more.
Which VPN Should You Choose?
- On a budget: Surfshark is cheaper on every comparable plan
- Whole family: Surfshark’s unlimited devices beat ExpressVPN’s 10 to 14
- You travel to many countries: ExpressVPN covers 113 countries against Surfshark’s 100
- You need a real Taiwan server: Surfshark lists Taiwan as a normal location, while ExpressVPN’s is virtual
- You also want an eSIM or password manager: ExpressVPN Advanced bundles both
Tips Before You Buy
- Buy the long plan in a sale: the 2-year plans are much cheaper per month than monthly billing
- Use the 30-day guarantee: test it on your own phone, on hotel Wi-Fi and with the apps you use most
- Note the renewal date: both plans renew at a higher price after the first term
- Get mobile data sorted too: see my travel eSIM guide and my hotel booking site comparison
FAQ
Is Surfshark or ExpressVPN cheaper?
Surfshark. On 12 November 2026 its 2-year Starter plan was US$2.49 a month, against US$2.99 for ExpressVPN Basic.
Can I use one account on all my devices?
Surfshark allows unlimited devices. ExpressVPN allows 10 on Basic, 12 on Advanced and 14 on Pro.
Is using a VPN legal in Hong Kong?
Yes. Other countries and regions have their own rules on VPNs, so check before you travel.
Can I get a refund if I don’t like it?
Both offer a 30-day money-back guarantee. ExpressVPN’s applies to new users.
Do both have Hong Kong servers?
Yes. ExpressVPN lists two Hong Kong locations, and Surfshark lists Hong Kong among its 100 countries.
Disclosure: Some links in this article are affiliate links. If you buy through them, SnowRoad may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. It never changes which service I recommend.
