# Surfshark

Application: Nord Security

Also called surf shark, surfshark vpn

Nord Security, Security

A consumer VPN brand Nord Security also owns. The window is Surfshark.exe. It is not NordVPN.exe.

## What you need to know

Surfshark.exe is one Nord Security VPN. NordVPN.exe is the other.

Surfshark is a consumer VPN owned by Nord Security. It is not NordVPN, not NordPass, and not Tailscale. Running both Surfshark and NordVPN live is a route fight.

- **What is it?**: VPN brand Nord Security also owns

  **Same as NordVPN?**: No. Different exe and account

  **Run both?**: No. One tunnel

Feex says

If Surfshark.exe and NordVPN.exe are both connected, I would disconnect one. Same parent, two tunnels. I would not treat Surfshark as NordPass.

## What is Surfshark?

Surfshark is a consumer VPN now under Nord Security. Surfshark.exe is the Windows client. NordVPN.exe is a different product.

## If you have never used it

If you paid Surfshark, this is that VPN, not NordVPN. Download it from surfshark.com/download. Surfshark.exe is the client. Nord Security owns both brands. They remain different apps. Do not run both tunnels at once. This is not NordPass and not Tailscale.

## What is it used for?

**Consumer VPN tunnel**

Country servers in Surfshark.exe. That is not NordVPN.exe and not a Tailscale mesh.

**Unlimited-device pitch**

Surfshark markets many devices on one plan. NordVPN's plan math is a different storefront.

**CleanWeb extras**

Optional blocking in Surfshark. That is not Windows Security and not NordPass.

## Who is it for?

- People who bought Surfshark before or after the Nord deal
- Users who also have NordVPN and now have two Nord Security VPNs
- Anyone who should not open NordPass looking for Connect

## Current status

Actively sold under Nord Security. This article is Surfshark on Windows, not NordVPN.

## How old is it?

Surfshark launched in 2018 and later joined Nord Security. Current Windows builds still say Surfshark. A 2019 independent-startup screenshot is history. NordVPN is the older sibling brand (2012).

## Versions

Major channels first. Exact build numbers are not all verified here.

Windows app

One / bundle SKUs

## System requirements

Values follow the publisher's public guidance. Workload still changes the real need.

### Minimum

| Operating system | Windows 10 or Windows 11, per Surfshark download |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| RAM              | Light client                                     |

## Resource profile

- **CPU demand**: Tunnel encryption

  **Network demand**: All traffic while connected

## Installed processes

These executables belong to this product when it is installed.

| Surfshark.exe | Surfshark VPN client. Not NordVPN.exe |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------- |

## Startup components

Surfshark.exe can connect at logon from its settings.

## File locations

| Typical install | C:\Program Files\Surfshark\\ |
| --------------- | ---------------------------- |

## Common problems

### Surfshark plus NordVPN both live

Two Nord Security VPN clients. Pick one tunnel.

### CleanWeb blamed on Defender

That extra is inside Surfshark. Windows Security is a different product.

## Getting unstuck

### Install from surfshark.com/download

nordvpn.com is the sibling VPN. nordpass.com is the vault.

### Disconnect NordVPN before you test Surfshark

Two default routes will look like "the VPN is broken."

### Sign in with the Surfshark account

A NordVPN token does not unlock Surfshark.exe.

## Alternatives

NordVPN if you already pay that sibling. ExpressVPN or Mullvad for another vendor. Tailscale if you wanted a mesh.

## Official help and downloads

Start with the vendor. Random exe sites are not a support channel.

| Download      | [surfshark.com/download ](https://surfshark.com/download)Official installer or vendor page |
| ------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| Help          | [support.surfshark.com/ ](https://support.surfshark.com/)Vendor support                    |
| Official site | [surfshark.com/ ](https://surfshark.com/)Start here, not a random exe host                 |

## Related hardware

The client is light. Encryption uses CPU while connected.

## Technical details

Technical details

Vendor version numbers change. This article does not pin a build.

## Related

These entities connect to this article. Type is shown on every link.

[NordPass: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/nordpass)[NordVPN: Application](https://feex.it/wiki/software/nordvpn)[How to read Task Manager: Guide](https://feex.it/wiki/software/system/how-to-read-task-manager)

## Sources and verification

Reviewed by Feex editorial. Last verified August 2026 Status: Feex Reviewed. [How we research](https://feex.it/wiki/research).

- [Surfshark official site ](https://surfshark.com/)· Vendor product page
- [Surfshark help ](https://support.surfshark.com/)· Vendor support
- [Foxhole process map ](https://foxhole.feex.it/)· First-party samples on Windows PCs. Not a lab benchmark.

## Was this article useful?

A yes or no is enough. Pick a reason if you want, or add a short note.

Quick facts

The short identity of this page. Specs, sources, and the full story stay in the article.

- **Developer**: Nord Security

  **Category**: Consumer VPN

  **Process**: Surfshark.exe

  **License**: Paid subscription. Unlimited-device story is their pitch

  **First released**: 2018

  **Official site**: [surfshark.com](https://surfshark.com/)

  **Mapped by Feex**: Seen on Windows PCs in Foxhole

Feex Reviewed: Last verified August 2026

---

Source: [Canonical Feex Wiki page](https://feex.it/wiki/software/surfshark/)

[Developer guide](https://feex.it/wiki/developers/) | [API policy](https://feex.it/developers/api-policy/) | [Agent guidance](https://feex.it/wiki/llms.txt)