# Surge 5 vs NextVPN

The clearest difference is rating: NextVPN at 4.7 against Surge 5's 4.1. NextVPN also leads on update cadence (weekly vs monthly) and ratings volume (45K vs 1K). Surge 5's advantage is ads (none vs shown) and chart position (#6 vs #18). On price, in-app purchases, monetization model and device support there is nothing between them.

Both are free to download. Surge 5 sells 2 in-app purchases, starting at $14.99 per year and NextVPN sells 4 in-app purchases, starting at $4.49 per 7 days. Whichever you choose, the download price is not the number that matters.

NextVPN holds the better App Store score, 4.7 against 4.1. That said, the two scores are not equally well evidenced: NextVPN has 45K ratings behind it against 1K, so its average is the more settled of the two. Written reviews point the same way: 52% of Surge 5's written reviews are positive against 67% of NextVPN's.

Surge 5 ships an update monthly, NextVPN weekly. The most recent releases landed on October 29, 2026 and October 30, 2026 respectively.

## The numbers

| Metric | Surge 5 | NextVPN |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Price | Free | Free |
| Rating | [4.1 (1K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/surge-5/id1442620678/reviews) | **[4.7 (45K ratings)](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nextvpn-fast-and-secure-proxy/id1610773520/reviews)** |
| Number of ratings | 1K | **45K** |
| Positive reviews | 51.7% of reviews | **66.6% of reviews** |
| In-app purchases | Yes | Yes |
| Ads | **No** | Yes |
| Update frequency | Monthly | **Weekly** |
| Monetization | Free with in-app purchases | Free with in-app purchases |
| Best chart rank | **#6** | #18 |
| Size | 73 MB | 212 MB |
| Requires iOS | 17.0 | **15.0** |
| Devices | **iPhone, iPad, Apple TV** | iPhone, iPod |
| Age rating | 4+ | 4+ |
| Developer | [Surge Networks Inc.](https://appshunter.io/developer/1442620677) | [Surf Safe Network Ltd](https://appshunter.io/developer/1655491433) |

## What reviewers say

### Surge 5

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/surge-5/id1442620678)

**Currently charting:** #6 Top Grossing · Developer Tools, #22 Top Free · Developer Tools (US App Store)

This advanced network utility allows developers to intercept, process, and forward network traffic. It offers deep control over connections, including URL redirection, local file mapping, and HTTPS decryption. Ideal for debugging and network analysis.

**Highlights:** Network connection takeover, Modify network requests/responses, Forward traffic to other proxies, Intercept and save network data, Decrypt HTTPS traffic, Rule-based forwarding, Ad blocking by domain

**Features:** macOS Compatibility, Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (2)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Feature Subscription | $14.99 | per year |
| Surge Pro | $49.99 | one-time |


### NextVPN

[App page](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/nextvpn-fast-and-secure-proxy/id1610773520)

**Currently charting:** #18 Top Free · Developer Tools, #35 Top Grossing · Developer Tools (US App Store)

Experience ultra-fast, secure internet access with military-grade encryption. This app offers optimized servers for streaming and gaming, with a strict no-logs policy and one-tap simplicity. Protect your data on public Wi-Fi and enjoy unlimited bandwidth.

**Highlights:** Ultra-fast global servers, Military-grade encrypted connection, Streaming optimized, Gaming grade performance, No registration required, Bank-grade security on public Wi-Fi

**Features:** Vision Pro support

**In-app purchases (4)**

| Purchase | Price | Billing |
| --- | --- | --- |
| NextVPN Premium(1 Week) | $4.49 | per 7 days |
| NextVPN Premium(1 Month) | $6.99 | per month |
| NextVPN Premium 1 Week | $6.99 | per 7 days |
| NextVPN Premium 1 Month | $12.99 | per month |

**What reviewers like**

- 🚀 Fast and stable connection
- 🔒 Reliable security
- 👍 Easy to use
- 💡 Works well in censored regions

**What reviewers complain about**

- 🐛 Connection issues after updates
- ⚠️ Unavailable in certain regions (China, Iran)
- 🔍 Confusing server options
- 💰 Expensive premium plan

**Reported bugs**

- Frequent disconnections
- Ads causing connection issues
- Startup failures requiring reinstallation

**Requested features**

- Ability to manually select servers
- More server locations
- Lower-cost subscription options
- Improved compatibility with older devices


## Frequently asked questions

### Is Surge 5 free?

Surge 5 is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Is NextVPN free?

NextVPN is free to download, with in-app purchases available.

### Which has better reviews, Surge 5 or NextVPN?

NextVPN is rated higher. Surge 5 averages 4.1 out of 5 from 1K ratings, while NextVPN averages 4.7 from 45K ratings.

### Do Surge 5 or NextVPN have ads?

NextVPN shows ads; Surge 5 does not.

### Which is updated more often, Surge 5 or NextVPN?

Surge 5 ships an update monthly, and NextVPN weekly. Most recently, Surge 5 was updated on October 29, 2026 and NextVPN on October 30, 2026.

### Which is more popular, Surge 5 or NextVPN?

Surge 5 currently peaks at #6 in the App Store charts, and NextVPN at #18. Chart position reflects recent download velocity rather than total install base.

---

*Compared by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/) from daily US App Store data. Review summaries are generated from verbatim App Store reviews.*