ExpressVPN vs Surfshark Affiliate Program
Surfshark pays a higher commission at 40% recurring vs ExpressVPN's $36 per sale. Both offer a 30 days cookie window. Community affiliates rate ExpressVPN 4.5/5 from 2 reviews and Surfshark 5.0/5 from 1 review.
Verdict
Surfshark wins on higher commission (40% recurring), better community rating (5.0/5). If your audience is a strong fit, it's the better program to apply for first. That said, both programs are worth testing: promote whichever you can write about authentically.
ExpressVPN 4.5 | Surfshark 5.0 | |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Saas | Saas |
| Network | impact | impact |
| Commission Type | CPA (per sale) | Recurring |
| Commission Rate | $36 per sale | 40% recurringBetter |
| Cookie Duration | 30 days | 30 days |
| Community Rating | 4.5 / 5 (2 reviews) | 5.0 / 5 (1 reviews)Better |
| Tags | techprivacyvpnhigh-converting | recurringtechprivacyvpn |
Frequently Asked Questions
Which pays more: ExpressVPN or Surfshark affiliate program?
Surfshark pays a higher commission at 40% recurring compared to ExpressVPN at $36 per sale.
What is the cookie duration for ExpressVPN vs Surfshark?
ExpressVPN offers a 30 days cookie window, while Surfshark offers 30 days.
Which is better for affiliates: ExpressVPN or Surfshark?
Based on community reviews, Surfshark is rated higher at 5.0/5 vs ExpressVPN at 4.5.
Is a CPA (per sale) or Recurring commission better for affiliates?
Recurring commissions like Surfshark's compound over time — a single referral pays every month the customer stays subscribed. ExpressVPN's CPA (per sale) pays once but can be larger upfront. Recurring wins for affiliates with sticky software audiences; flat CPA wins for high-traffic funnels where volume matters more than lifetime value.
Can you promote both ExpressVPN and Surfshark at the same time?
Yes — most affiliate programs allow you to promote competing programs simultaneously, unless their terms explicitly prohibit it. Promoting both lets you test which converts better for your specific audience. A common approach is to feature the higher-commission program as your primary recommendation and include the alternative for readers with different needs.
ExpressVPN: Best for
- Content targeting buyers with clear purchase intent
- Evergreen content with a 30-day attribution window
- Software comparison blogs, tool roundups, and productivity content
Surfshark: Best for
- Affiliates building recurring income from an engaged software or SaaS audience
- Evergreen content with a 30-day attribution window
- Software comparison blogs, tool roundups, and productivity content
ExpressVPN Affiliate Program
ExpressVPN is a premium VPN service known for speed, reliability, and a strong no-logs policy. Their affiliate program pays flat commissions per sale: $13 for monthly plans, $22 for 6-month, and $36 for annual subscriptions. Managed via Impact with reliable payouts and strong affiliate support mater…
Read full details →Surfshark Affiliate Program
Surfshark is a fast-growing VPN with aggressive pricing: often under $2.50/month on long-term plans, which drives high conversion rates on value-focused content. Their affiliate program pays 40% recurring commission via Impact, one of the stronger recurring rates in the VPN category.
Read full details →More comparisons
Compare any programs side by side
This page compares ExpressVPN and Surfshark. With Affiliate Pro you can compare any combination of up to 4 programs — commissions, cookie windows, ratings, and more — using the full interactive compare tool.