Surfshark CleanWeb vs NordVPN Threat Protection: What Each One Blocks

Surfshark CleanWeb is a VPN-based ad, tracker, and malware blocker included in every Surfshark plan. NordVPN's equivalent started as Threat Protection and is now sold as a next-gen antivirus, which Nord says is built on Threat Protection Pro. The core difference: CleanWeb in the app works only while the VPN is on, while Nord's desktop antivirus keeps running with the VPN off, but costs more because it's only in the Complete and Prime tiers.

Everything below comes from each company's own documentation as of October 29, 2026. We haven't run our own blocking tests, and we don't report numbers we didn't measure.

The short comparison

How Surfshark CleanWeb works

CleanWeb runs at two levels, and they behave differently.

In the VPN app

When you're connected, CleanWeb blocks ads, trackers, and malware. Because it filters traffic passing through the VPN tunnel, it covers every app on the device, not just the browser. Surfshark's CleanWeb page is explicit that in the app, CleanWeb runs only when you're connected to the VPN.

The app version is available on iOS, macOS, Android, Windows, Linux, Fire TV, and Apple TV, per Surfshark's CleanWeb page. That TV coverage is something Nord's desktop-only antivirus doesn't match.

In the browser extension

The Surfshark extension for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge blocks ads (including video ads), trackers, cookie consent pop-ups, and malware. It also flags malicious websites and shows alerts for sites with past data breaches. Surfshark says the extension works whether or not the VPN is connected.

Phishing isn't listed as a separate blocked category on the CleanWeb page. Surfshark says its tools make users less likely to be harmed by phishing, but that's framed as reduced risk, not a dedicated phishing filter. For scam emails and texts, Surfshark sells separate scam protection in One and One+.

See CleanWeb on Surfshark

How NordVPN Threat Protection works now

NordVPN's Threat Protection page now describes a "next-gen antivirus" that it says is built on Threat Protection Pro and goes further. In the app, Nord labels it scam, phishing, and malware protection. The protection splits into two layers.

DNS-based blocking (every plan)

Every NordVPN plan, including Basic, filters your traffic through Nord's DNS servers to block ads and malicious domains. NordVPN says this works on all major platforms, but only when you're connected to a VPN server. That's roughly comparable to CleanWeb in the Surfshark app.

Next-gen antivirus (Complete and Prime, desktop)

Nord's pricing page marks the anti-malware and browsing protection, and the ad and tracker blocker, as desktop only and not included in Basic. On a Windows, Mac, or Linux computer with Complete or Prime, Nord lists:

• An ad blocker and tracker blocker
• A malicious website blocker for malware and phishing sites
• A malware scanner that checks downloaded files and deletes dangerous ones
• Anti-phishing protection, including checking URLs in emails
• Scam and fraud alerts for sites known for scams
• URL cleaning, cookie banner hiding, hijacked session alerts, crypto wallet address checking, and vulnerability scanning

Nord says the antivirus keeps running even without a VPN connection. Its feature page says mobile users get only limited features, and that an adult site blocker is included only in the mobile apps.

See NordVPN's threat protection

Independent testing: what each company publishes

We don't have our own blocking results to share. Here's what each company points to on its official pages.

NordVPN lists third-party results for the feature it previously called Threat Protection Pro:

• AV-Comparatives anti-phishing certification (2025)
• An AV-Comparatives fake-shop detection test (2024), where Nord says it had one of the best detection rates
• An AV-Test anti-malware evaluation (2024) comparing it with other VPNs offering similar features
• West Coast Labs certification against its antivirus standards

Surfshark's CleanWeb page lists audits of the broader product rather than blocking tests: a Deloitte no-logs assurance report (2025), SecuRing security assessments of its apps and browser extension (2025), and Cure53 work on its servers. Those speak to security and privacy claims, not to how many ads or malicious sites CleanWeb stops.

Which one blocks more?

We can't give you a fair percentage without testing, and the two companies don't publish comparable numbers. What we can say from the documentation:

• On a phone or TV, the tools are closer than they look. Both rely on network-level filtering that works while the VPN is connected. Surfshark's CleanWeb covers more TV platforms.
• On a computer, Nord's Complete and Prime tiers go further: file scanning, email link checks, and blocking that keeps running when the VPN is off. Surfshark's equivalent there is Surfshark Antivirus, which comes with One and One+.
• In the browser, Surfshark's extension adds cookie pop-up blocking and works without the VPN. Nord's features page describes its browser extensions as lightweight proxy extensions and doesn't list the antivirus features for them.

Neither tool replaces careful clicking. Malicious sites that are brand new may not be on any blocklist yet.

Costs: what you pay for the blocking

On October 29, 2026 Black Friday pricing (24 months plus 3 extra):

• Surfshark Starter, $67.23, includes CleanWeb. Surfshark One, also $67.23 right now, adds Surfshark Antivirus.
• NordVPN Basic, $94.23, includes DNS-based scam and phishing blocking. NordVPN Complete, $107.73, adds the desktop antivirus and ad blocker. Complete renews at $219.48 a year, versus $139.08 for Basic.

Surfshark's pricing page doesn't show renewal prices. See our renewal price tracker before committing.

What neither tool covers

DNS and domain blocklists are good at stopping known bad sites. They have clear limits:

• Brand-new scam sites. A domain registered this morning may not be on any list yet.
• Scams on legitimate platforms. A fake seller on a real marketplace or a scam message on a real social network uses a trusted domain, so there's nothing to block.
• Phone calls. NordVPN's Complete tier adds call protection and Surfshark One adds scam text protection, but neither can stop someone who talks you into sending money.
• Your passwords. If you reuse a password and it leaks, blocking ads won't help. Breach monitoring (Nord's Dark Web Monitor, Surfshark Alert) tells you when to change it.

Treat these blockers as a seatbelt, not a driver. Our common VPN mistakes guide covers more of what a VPN can and can't do.

Setting them up

1. Surfshark: open the app's settings, find CleanWeb, and switch it on. For browser-level blocking that works without the VPN, add the Surfshark extension to Chrome, Firefox, or Edge.
2. NordVPN: open the app and turn on scam, phishing, and malware protection. On a desktop with Complete or Prime, turn on the antivirus features you want, including the ad and tracker blocker.
3. Test your usual sites. Aggressive ad blocking can break some checkout pages or video players. Both apps let you pause or allowlist.
4. Keep the VPN on. CleanWeb in the app and Nord's DNS filter both stop when you disconnect.

Which to choose

Choose Surfshark CleanWeb if you want blocking on every device in the house, including TVs, at the lowest price, and you'll keep the VPN connected. Add Surfshark One if you also want antivirus on your computers; it's the same price as Starter right now.

Choose NordVPN Complete if most of your risk is on a Windows or Mac computer: email links, downloads, and browsing with the VPN off. The desktop antivirus does more there, at a higher renewal price.

Choose NordVPN Basic if you mainly want scam-site blocking while connected and don't need file scanning. It's the closest Nord match to CleanWeb.

For the bigger picture on whether a VPN's extras can stand in for a real antivirus, read our VPN vs antivirus guide.