ExpressVPN vs Surfshark:Which is more popular by branded search?
In August 2026, ExpressVPN and Surfshark were level on Share of Search among VPN services worldwide, with an estimated 550K branded searches each, at 18.2% estimated Share of Search each. These are worldwide searches for English-language branded terms.
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Which is more popular in search, ExpressVPN or Surfshark?
Compare the VPN services people subscribe to. Branded searches tell you how often people look for a brand by name or related terms. Comparing these searches across competitors helps you see how popular each brand is over time.
Share of Search by month for ExpressVPN, Surfshark. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of search table
| Month | NordVPN | ExpressVPN | Surfshark | CyberGhost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 55.3% | 20.3% | 20.3% | 4.1% |
| Nov 2025 | 57.4% | 17.3% | 21.1% | 4.2% |
| Dec 2025 | 55.3% | 20.3% | 20.3% | 4.1% |
| Jan 2026 | 55.3% | 20.3% | 20.3% | 4.1% |
| Feb 2026 | 60.2% | 18.1% | 18.1% | 3.6% |
| Mar 2026 | 55.7% | 20.5% | 20.5% | 3.4% |
| Apr 2026 | 55.7% | 20.5% | 20.5% | 3.3% |
| May 2026 | 57.9% | 17.4% | 21.3% | 3.5% |
| Jun 2026 | 55.3% | 20.3% | 20.3% | 4.1% |
| Jul 2026 | 60.2% | 18.1% | 18.1% | 3.6% |
| Aug 2026 | 60.6% | 18.2% | 18.2% | 3% |
| Sep 2026 | — | — | — | — |
How has the ExpressVPN and Surfshark comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- ExpressVPN was ahead of Surfshark in every measured month of the 11 months ending August 2026.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, ExpressVPN’s estimated Share of Search among VPN services worldwide moved from 20.3% to 18.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 823K to 550K.
- Across the 11 months ending August 2026, Surfshark’s estimated Share of Search among VPN services worldwide moved from 20.3% to 18.2%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 823K to 550K.
How did search popularity change for VPN services worldwide in August 2026?
2 changes
Estimated monthly branded searches for ExpressVPN worldwide fell 33.2% over 11 measured months, from 823K to 550K in August 2026.
Estimated monthly branded searches for Surfshark worldwide fell 33.2% over 11 measured months, from 823K to 550K in August 2026.
How each brand is measured
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using ExpressVPN’s and Surfshark’s names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
ExpressVPN
1 branded search term
- expressvpn
Surfshark
1 branded search term
- surfshark
Put your own brand in this comparison
Brandwave tracks your branded demand next to the rival you actually watch, with your campaigns, spend and outcomes on the same timeline.