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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.

Surfshark Review 2024: A Low-Price VPN, but Is It Any Good?

Our Score: 9.3/10
Worth Considering
Editor's Note: Surfshark and this site are in the same ownership group.
Keira Waddell Updated on 2nd October 2024 Fact-checked by Emma Browne Senior Writer

With VPNs, you tend to get what you pay for. So when I saw Surfshark’s low prices, I was skeptical about its rave reviews. To see if it could actually live up to these claims, the team and I tested every aspect of Surfshark, including its speeds, security features, streaming abilities, network reliability, and device compatibility.

I also took a closer look at Surfshark’s privacy policy to verify its validity and put its customer support team to the test. The results were impressive — Surfshark is incredibly privacy-focused and has a lot of unique security features. Plus, it can safely access lots of streaming platforms from anywhere, and it’s very user-friendly.

Overall, I would recommend Surfshark because it offers great value for what you get. For such a low price point (you can sign up for $2.19/month), you get unlimited device connections, top security, and good overall performance. And as an added assurance, you can always ask for a full refund within 30 days if you’re not totally sold on it.

Try Surfshark Risk-Free >>

Short on Time? Here Are My Key Findings

Pros

Cons

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Surfshark Features — 2024 Update

9.4
💸 Price 2.19 USD/month
📆 Money Back Guarantee 30 Days
📝 Does VPN keep logs? No
🖥 Number of servers 3200+
🛡 Kill switch Yes
🗺 Based in country Netherlands
🛠 Support 24/7 Live Chat Support
📥 Supports torrenting Yes

Streaming — HD Access to Tons of Global Streaming Platforms

9.6

Surfshark can safely access many global streaming platforms, allowing safe streaming from anywhere. Our team of global testers and I tested Surfshark and successfully watched over 30 services.

We only had to make a few tweaks to get some services working smoothly. For example, sometimes we had to try a few different servers, switch to Static IP servers, or try different browsers. Occasionally, we found better success by switching protocols. Its chatbot and live agents on its 24/7 support were also easily accessible when we needed some tips.

Our team was able to stream the following platforms:

Netflix Disney+ Hulu Max Sky Sports
Apple TV BBC iPlayer ITV Hub All 4 DAZN
ESPN+ Sling TV Paramount+ Peacock TV Kodi
YouTube TV Fubo TV Crunchyroll Vudu Discovery+
France TV Sky Go UKTV RTÉ Player Rai Play
Editor’s note. We only recommend VPNs with strict no-logs policies that prevent them from seeing or tracking what you do online. This means you’re responsible for how you use a VPN, so please be sure to follow all applicable regulations and T&Cs. My colleagues and I do not condone copyright infringement.

Works With: Netflix Japan, US, UK, Canada, and more

Surfshark successfully accesses multiple Netflix libraries in HD from anywhere. My global team and I streamed Netflix in 15 different countries. We were able to watch When Will Ayumu Make His Move on Netflix Japan using its Tokyo server without interruptions.

We also streamed Netflix in high quality across all 22 US locations. The numerous US servers make it easy to find a closer one for better speeds. Its UK servers also performed well during our tests.

Screenshot of Surfshark's Tokyo server streaming Netflix JapanSurfshark's Tokyo server delivered fast speeds for uninterrupted streaming

The streaming quality varied a little depending on what country our tester was in. In large countries, more distant servers sometimes resulted in slower speeds and poorer picture quality.

Surfshark Works in? Fast speeds for HD streaming? Lag?
US Yes No
UK Yes No
France Yes No
Germany Yes No
Canada Yes No
Mexico Average No
South Korea Average No
Japan Average No
Australia Average No

My team could also watch Netflix from the Netherlands, Italy, India, Hong Kong, Sweden, Turkey, and Spain.

In some countries, you may only be able to watch Netflix Originals. This is a version of the site that only offers the content Netflix owns, so you miss out on region-specific content. Testers in Malaysia, Hungary, Belgium, and the Czech Republic, could only watch Netflix Originals. However, I was impressed that everyone could at least watch a version of Netflix.

Works With: Disney+

We were able to stream Disney+ UK with zero issues using its Edinburgh server. We also confirmed it worked for them with 8 different US locations, including those in Boston, Detroit, Buffalo, New York, and Seattle. Sometimes, there were brief load times, but no issues once the videos started.

Screenshot of Surfshark working with Disney+ UKWe were able to stream Grey's Anatomy in Ultra HD on Disney+

Our international team could also watch Disney+ from Canada, Australia, Germany, and Japan. We confirmed that it works for Hotstar as well.

Works With: Max

Accessing Max in great quality from anywhere is also possible with Surfshark. Our Max tests with the New York server were successful. It also worked on 6 other locations, including San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Los Angeles, and Chicago.

Screenshot of Surfshark's San Francisco US server working to stream on MaxOur tester in the US binged watched hours of Hacks without lagging or buffering

Works with: BBC iPlayer

We could watch BBC iPlayer securely, but it took a couple of attempts. When we first tried using its regular servers, it only worked with 1 (there are 4 UK locations in total).

Screenshot of Surfshark's London server streaming BBC iPlayerWe were unable to watch it on servers in Edinburgh, Manchester, and London

I don’t like going online without a VPN, so I was concerned. We contacted Surfshark’s 24/7 live chat, and the rep suggested trying its Static IP servers. There are a few in London, though not all worked. However, using the London #2 and #3 servers, we could watch BBC iPlayer securely.

Also Works With: Apple TV, Hulu, Paramount+, and more

Surfshark accessed almost every streaming service we tested securely in HD each time. My international team could connect to a server and continue watching Hulu, Apple TV, ESPN+, Paramount+, All 4, and lots more. We could also watch Vimeo through a Kodi iPlayer add-on with the UK servers. We confirmed it also works with DAZN in the US, the UK, and Canada.

Doesn’t Work With: Amazon Prime Video

Amazon Prime Video took the most troubleshooting to work, and Surfshark couldn’t safely access it from anywhere. When we tried to access the UK, US, Canadian, and Japanese libraries, we were greeted with an error message.

We reached out to its chat support, and its chatbot provided lots of troubleshooting tips. Despite these tips, we still couldn’t access the platform. I eventually had success when I tried it with the Firefox browser, but my colleagues had no luck.

Screenshot of Surfshark's chat support giving troubleshooting tips on getting the VPN to work with Amazon Prime VideoSurshark's customer support bot provided some troubleshooting tips, but they didn't work

There are other more suitable and reliable options that work with Amazon Prime Video if Surfshark gives you the same results as ours.

Overall, I was really impressed with Surfshark’s streaming abilities. I have used VPNs that take less troubleshooting to get the best quality, like ExpressVPN. But, since Surfshark offers more affordable pricing, it’s still one of the top choices for streaming. On top of that, I also appreciated that support staff usually gave me easy fixes when I had trouble.

Speeds — Fast Speeds at Any Distance

9.8

Surfshark has fast speeds on every server. When testing speeds, we examine 3 different things:

  • Download speed is how fast you receive data from the server you’re connected to. It affects loading web pages, streaming, etc. It’s measured in megabits per second (Mbps).
  • Upload speed is how fast you send data to the server. It’s important when you’re posting on social media, video calling, sending emails, etc. It’s measured in megabits per second (Mbps).
  • Ping is the time it takes for the data to travel. It is measured in milliseconds (ms). The lower your ping, the more responsive your connection will be, which is important for online gaming.

We have a dedicated speed tester who regularly tests the top-ranked VPNs from the same location in the UK. Several tests are done on each location at different times of day to create averages. This creates fairer representations of how the VPNs perform overall.

See how Surfshark's speeds compare to the competition

No VPN
Download Speed
Upload Speed
Ping
UK UK
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Ping
USA (Los Angeles) USA (Los Angeles)
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Ping
USA (New York) USA (New York)
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Ping
Canada Canada
Download Speed
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Ping
France France
Download Speed
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Ping
Germany Germany
Download Speed
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Ping
Poland Poland
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Ping
Australia Australia
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Ping
Japan Japan
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Singapore Singapore
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Brazil Brazil
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Ping
278.75 Mbps
25.43 Mbps
23 ms
243.80 Mbps (-12.5%)
24.68 Mbps (-2.9%)
31 ms
192.96 Mbps (-30.8%)
20.82 Mbps (-18.1%)
163 ms
232.16 Mbps (-16.7%)
8.39 Mbps (-67%)
99 ms
220.83 Mbps (-20.8%)
17.56 Mbps (-30.9%)
120 ms
251.00 Mbps (-10%)
25.18 Mbps (-1%)
31 ms
248.97 Mbps (-10.7%)
21.48 Mbps (-15.5%)
39 ms
256.05 Mbps (-8.1%)
24.86 Mbps (-2.2%)
52 ms
154.02 Mbps (-44.7%)
16.37 Mbps (-35.6%)
303 ms
155.21 Mbps (-44.3%)
12.72 Mbps (-50%)
291 ms
131.25 Mbps (-52.9%)
7.75 Mbps (-69.5%)
329 ms
178.43 Mbps (-36%)
11.23 Mbps (-55.8%)
205 ms
263.63 Mbps
26.25 Mbps
24 ms
261.98 Mbps (-0.6%)
24.90 Mbps (-5.1%)
22 ms
237.17 Mbps (-10%)
21.13 Mbps (-19.5%)
163 ms
251.45 Mbps (-4.6%)
23.25 Mbps (-11.4%)
98 ms
241.53 Mbps (-8.4%)
23.12 Mbps (-11.9%)
117 ms
256.73 Mbps (-2.6%)
24.35 Mbps (-7.2%)
38 ms
254.58 Mbps (-3.4%)
23.47 Mbps (-10.6%)
38 ms
258.10 Mbps (-2.1%)
24.98 Mbps (-4.8%)
54 ms
189.95 Mbps (-27.9%)
20.64 Mbps (-21.4%)
209 ms
179.31 Mbps (-32%)
22.94 Mbps (-12.6%)
257 ms
176.25 Mbps (-33.1%)
23.45 Mbps (-10.7%)
219 ms
185.87 Mbps (-29.5%)
23.66 Mbps (-9.9%)
229 ms
275.96 Mbps
25.73 Mbps
25 ms
255.61 Mbps (-7.4%)
24.69 Mbps (-4%)
28 ms
195.41 Mbps (-29.2%)
23.86 Mbps (-7.3%)
172 ms
214.62 Mbps (-22.2%)
19.32 Mbps (-24.9%)
98 ms
196.23 Mbps (-28.9%)
15.56 Mbps (-39.5%)
146 ms
246.21 Mbps (-10.8%)
23.36 Mbps (-9.2%)
39 ms
241.11 Mbps (-12.6%)
24.64 Mbps (-4.2%)
40 ms
219.48 Mbps (-20.5%)
24.50 Mbps (-4.8%)
51 ms
168.53 Mbps (-38.9%)
18.31 Mbps (-28.8%)
268 ms
174.74 Mbps (-36.7%)
22.49 Mbps (-12.6%)
263 ms
159.39 Mbps (-42.2%)
24.52 Mbps (-4.7%)
270 ms
152.65 Mbps (-44.7%)
11.78 Mbps (-54.2%)
234 ms
Our speed tool tester is based in the UK

We tested 25+ server locations from the UK and had similar results. On local servers (3,000 km or less away), we rarely experience more than a 15% drop in speed. Bigger drops in speed normally don’t begin until testing servers over 5,000 km away, but even on a server nearly 17,000 km away, we typically only lose 45% of download speed or less.

This is impressive, as I've seen VPNs that perform nearly as well as Surfshark on local servers lose 80% or more on distant servers.

Local Speed

Using Surfshark’s Fastest server option, we often get a speed drop so small it’s hardly noticeable. Overall, the locations in Europe generally give us an average nearby speed reduction of only around 12%. Many VPNs hover closer to an average of 20% in speed losses at this distance, so this is impressive.

Screenshot of speed test results when connected to Surfshark's Paris, France serverThe speeds barely dropped when connected to the Paris server from the UK

Long-Distance Speed

Surfshark’s long-distance servers are a little slower than local ones. I expected some speed loss, but it drops much less than I expected. Our speed tester started by testing a few servers in the US on both the East and West Coasts.

Screenshot of Surfshark's speed test results on long-distance US serversThe speeds only dropped an average of 25% on Surfshark's US servers

Even at great distances, the connection was still fast enough for high-bandwidth activities. Our speed tester normally records the biggest drop on its Sydney server, which often loses 40+% of their download speeds. However, being almost 17,000 km away, this is to be expected. They only lost an average of 34% connected to Brazil and Singapore and barely noticed a difference when browsing.

ExpressVPN is the only VPN we’ve tested that’s consistently faster, but it only wins by a hair. So, if speed is a main concern, Surfshark is a top option.

Gaming — Fast Enough for Lag-Free Gaming on Local Servers

9.0

Surfshark is fast enough for gaming on local servers, but distant servers rendered most games unplayable. When I used the Fastest server feature, I could game with great speeds as if I were using my base internet connection. Unfortunately, it was impossible to play with far-off servers (like in Australia).

It’s best to have download speeds of 15+ Mbps, upload speeds of at least 1 Mbps, and the lowest ping possible for a smooth online gaming experience. Anything over 100 ms will cause so much lag, fast-paced gameplay will become almost impossible.

I began my tests by using the Fastest server feature (it connected me to the UK) and loaded Team Fortress 2 on Steam. It only took a few seconds to find a match, and I was able to game with Surfshark without any interruptions or slowdowns. I then connected to a server in the Netherlands, which gave me pretty much identical results.

Screenshot of Surfshark gaming on nearby Netherlands server from the UKI could game smoothly on European servers but the ping was too high on US servers

Testing the New York server for long distances, I recorded a ping of 121 ms, which was too high for fast-paced games. I experienced a lot of lag, and I constantly died because I couldn’t avoid enemy fire. West Coast servers (Los Angeles and San Francisco) were even worse, with over 5 minutes to load and excessive lag.

I wasn’t too disappointed by this because these are better results than I get with the majority of VPNs. In fact, most only let you play games on the closest server to you.

Server Network — Decent-Sized Network With Reliable Connections

9.0

Surfshark doesn’t have the largest network, but it offers reliable connections with impressive global coverage. There are 3,200 servers in 100 locations. Compared to other top VPNs like CyberGhost (11,690 servers in 100 countries), this isn’t a ton of servers. That being said, it has servers in more countries than most other VPNs I’ve used.

Most of Surfshark’s servers are located in the US, spread out over 22 locations. Surfshark also has a big server presence in Europe (especially the UK, France, Germany, and Spain), Canada, and Australia.

Virtual Locations

Surfshark uses virtual servers in around 25 locations around the world, which accounts for 25% of its total server network. When you use one of these locations, you’re actually connected to a physical server located outside that region.

For example, all IPs in Pakistan come from outside the country. This offers more connection options and helps you get faster speeds if the physical server happens to be closer to your true location. On the downside, it can also give you a higher ping and take longer to connect if it’s farther away.

Screenshot of Surfshark's Windows app highlighting the virtual serversVirtual locations aren’t necessarily less safe, but they can sometimes have unreliable connections

Static IP Servers

These servers offer the same IP address every time you connect instead of being assigned a random one. This is useful if you don’t want to complete a million CAPTCHA checks or constantly verify your identity when signing into secure sites like PayPal or banking apps.

I tested this feature by logging into my banking app 3 times after reconnecting to the same static server and was only asked to confirm my identity the first time. I get annoyed by how many CAPTCHA checks I have to do when using my VPN, so I really like that this feature stops that.

Surfshark’s live chat agent also recommended using these servers when I couldn’t watch some of my country’s streaming platforms. For example, I couldn’t use my Sky Go app on the regular UK server, but the London UK Static IP let me watch it securely with Surfshark connected.

Surfshark offers static IP servers in 6 locations: Japan, Singapore, Germany, the US, the Netherlands, and the UK.

Dedicated IPs

For a more private, reliable connection, Surfshark offers a dedicated IP address upgrade for a small additional monthly fee. It offers IPs for:

The US Canada Australia Hong Kong Japan
South Africa Germany France The Netherlands The UK

Similar to Surfshark’s static IP addresses, a dedicated IP gives you the same IP address every time you use it. The key difference is that you’re the only one who can use it — it’s not shared with other users. This helps you avoid annoying CAPTCHA requests.

It’s also ideal for using services that are sensitive to IP changes, like streaming platforms, online banking, and crypto trading websites. For security purposes, sites like these block you out if your IP address is constantly changing. Surfshark’s dedicated IP overcomes this issue by giving you the same IP address you can use anytime you access these accounts.

RAM-Only Servers

Surfshark has a 100% diskless server network that automatically wipes all data when you switch off your VPN. This is to prevent breaches from malicious third parties. Many other top VPNs use hard drives, which are manually wiped clean, so there’s a small chance that data could be breached before the manual wipe occurs.

This also gives you an added layer of privacy because there truly isn’t any data that could possibly be shared (in case of court orders, for example). I really like that Surfshark offers this extra level of security.

Security — Top-Tier Security With Customizable Advanced Features

10.0

Surfshark is as secure as it gets. It offers the highest level of encryption, RAM-only servers, a strict no-logs policy, and more than just the standard advanced security options.

Military-Grade Encryption and Secure Protocols

It uses industry-standard 256-bit keys to encrypt your data, which are virtually impenetrable. This is either through AES-256 (IKEv2 and OpenVPN) or ChaCha20 (WireGuard).

This is the same level of encryption used by governments and militaries to protect their private data, so your ISP and third parties won’t be able to see any of your online activity.

You can choose from 3 protocols to encrypt and secure your online activity. While IKEv2 and OpenVPN are pretty standard for most VPNs, I was happy to see that Surfshark is WireGuard compatible on all major operating systems. Surfshark no longer supports IKEv2 on Windows, but it’s not a big deal since WireGuard works better for desktop devices anyway.

  • OpenVPN: Constantly improved by security experts, OpenVPN is highly secure. It has two versions: UDP, which is faster for video calls, streaming, and gaming, and TCP, which is slower but more stable. OpenVPN worked well for me on both local and distant servers and is available on Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, Linux, and FireTV.
  • WireGuard: This protocol was the fastest in my tests, especially over long distances, enhancing security without sacrificing speed. It’s ideal for streaming, video calls, and browsing on both nearby and distant servers. Available on Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS.
  • IKEv2: Ideal for mobile devices due to its auto-connect feature, which protects you when switching between mobile data and WiFi. It works best on nearby servers but is slow over long distances. Available on Surfshark’s iOS, Android, macOS, and FireTV apps, and as a manual configuration for routers.

I compared the different protocols during my speed tests to see whether there was a noticeable difference.

Image of graph comparing Surfshark's three protocol optionsIKEv2 gave me the fastest speeds on local servers, but the slowest on farway servers

WireGuard was the most consistent during my tests on local and long-distance servers. Even though IKEv2 delivered the fastest results on a nearby server, my speeds dropped dramatically when connected to faraway locations.

Kill Switch and Leak Test Results

I tested 10 servers, including ones in the UK, US, and Germany, and no IP, WebRTC, or DNS leaks were detected. Any leaks are a threat to your security and privacy while using a VPN. A DNS leak is a security flaw that allows your ISP to see your internet activity. IP and WebRTC leaks reveal your real IP address (and your real location) to third parties, like hackers or online snoopers.

Screenshot of leak test results on Surfshark's German serverUsing IPleak.net, my actual location in the UK was fully masked by Surfshark’s servers in Germany

Surfshark offers private DNS on every server and IP leak protection when using IPv4 stack. IPv4 is the most common type of IP, while IPv6 is a newer format. The version of IP used by your device depends on what your network supports.

This means if your network supports IPv6, you could experience leaks while using Surfshark. Since IPv6 is newer, it’s not widely used, so this shouldn’t be an issue for most people. When I contacted support to ask about it, they informed me that they’re working on adding this in the future and offered some solutions to prevent your IP from being exposed.

You can easily disable IPv6 in your device’s network settings to prevent these leaks, but this could cause some apps to stop working properly. Support also said OpenVPN is the best protocol to use to cover your IPv6 connections (although not a guarantee).

The kill switch feature is easy to access and keeps you protected even if Surfshark disconnects unexpectedly. It will temporarily deactivate your internet connection and then reactivate it automatically when you’re connected again so none of your traffic is leaked while the VPN reconnects.

This is an important feature that has become standard with most VPNs, so I expect it from a top VPN like Surfshark. I also really like that Surfshark makes this feature easily accessible from its base connection screen. On Windows and Android, you can simply click on Kill Switch on the connection panel and activate it without navigating through the settings menu. It’s not activated automatically, so you need to switch it on manually the first time you connect to Surfshark.

You even get customizable options for the kill switch on Surfshark’s Windows app. You can choose between a soft or strict setting. The strict setting works like any other VPN kill switch and will stop your internet connection if the VPN disconnects; the soft option will only do so if the connection is interrupted by accident. The automatic kill switch is available on all of Surfshark’s apps, including FireTV.

Screenshot of Surfshark's Windows app showing the kill switch soft or strict optionsYou can choose between a soft and a strict kill switch on Surfshark's Windows app

Dynamic MultiHop Servers

Surfshark lets you double up your VPN encryption by sending your traffic through 2 servers instead 1 (also called Double VPN). This feature isn’t really necessary for day-to-day internet activities. You might use it if you’re hyper-vigilant about privacy or need to send sensitive information in a country with internet surveillance.

Quite a few VPNs offer double VPN connections, but what sets Surfshark apart is its Dynamic MultiHop selection. This lets you manually choose the locations you want to connect through, which could improve your double VPN speeds.

I increased a slower server’s speeds by 4% when I connected to the Fastest server option first. That really impressed me because using 2 servers almost always slows you down. On the other hand, using a long-distance server as my entry location dropped my speeds by around 50%, which is what I expected.

Screenshot of Surfshark's Windows app showing the MultiHop server set up and connectionIt recommends connecting to “Fastest country” or “Nearest country” for the best performance

Even though most people won’t need to use the added security MultiHop provides, I was impressed at how dynamic and customizable it is compared to other VPNs’ multi-hop features.

Camouflage Mode and NoBorders

Camouflage hides the fact that you’re using a VPN to encrypt your traffic (also known as obfuscation). It does this with technology that makes your connection seem like normal traffic.

You can also use Camouflage mode to help you get around firewalls on public WiFi. I tested this by blocking a website on my local network. With this feature, I was able to load it with no problems. Camouflage mode is automatically enabled when connecting using the OpenVPN protocol, which is available on Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and Linux devices.

NoBorders mode was designed to give the VPN a more reliable performance on restricted networks, like at school, work, or public WiFi, which often block VPN use.

You can activate NoBorders mode on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android by navigating to Settings > Advanced in the Surfshark app. I had some trouble finding it on my Android and contacted customer support for help. I found out the feature is actually hidden — I had to tap and hold Protocol in the advanced settings menu to access the NoBorders function.

CleanWeb

This is Surfshark’s built-in ad and malware blocker. I tested out CleanWeb on Forbes.com, and all the ads I saw with CleanWeb toggled off were gone once I turned it on.

The CleanWeb feature works well on the browser extension and blocks ads even when not connected.

Screenshot of Surfshark's CleanWeb working to block ads on ForbesYou can easily find this feature in the settings menu

It also detects and blocks malicious websites, protecting your device from malware and phishing scams.

Nexus

Surfshark’s Nexus technology uses Software Defined Networking (SDN). Nexus connects you to a network of VPN servers before routing you to your chosen server.

This is different from traditional VPN connections, which connect to a server through a single tunnel. Surfshark claims that using a single server can lead to security and privacy issues (since you’re only using 1 IP address) and has created Nexus technology to combat this. In addition, Surfshark claims it will obscure your traffic, stabilize performance, and improve your VPN connection speed.

Surfshark’s Nexus technology will only be utilized when you use one of the following features:

  • IP Rotator. This feature periodically changes your IP address without cutting you off from the VPN connection. It makes it even harder for your ISP or unwanted third parties to track you.
  • Dynamic MultiHop. This lets you manually choose to connect to any 2 servers available on Surfshark’s server network, providing double the encryption.
  • IP Randomizer. This feature works by giving you a new IP address each time you connect to a different website, completely masking your browsing habits.

Other Features

Bypasser

This feature, also known as split tunneling, lets you choose specific websites or apps to bypass the VPN. It's useful for accessing safe sites like banking sites and connecting to network devices without VPN interference.

This feature is only available for Windows and Android and it worked perfectly on my Windows laptop and Android tablet. I bypassed the VPN for my banking app, using it without issues. It also worked for websites; I set BBC iPlayer to use my normal connection, allowing me to watch while connected to a US server for other online activities.

Device Invisibility

You can make your VPN-enabled device invisible to other devices on your local network for another layer of privacy. This is especially useful if you’re using public WiFi and don’t want other users to see you. While most operating systems already support this function, I like how easy it is to enable with Surfshark — it only took a couple of clicks. I just went to Settings > Advanced and turned it on. This feature is only available on Windows and Android.

Alternative ID

Alternative ID lets you generate an online alias (name, gender, birth date, country). Upon generating this persona, it creates a new email address based on the given details.

To ensure utmost privacy, all incoming emails to this proxy address are securely forwarded to your actual email. However, Surfshark emphasizes ethical usage and advises users to be aware of legal constraints, making it clear that the Alternative ID shouldn't be used to violate laws or the Terms of Service of other platforms.

Surfshark One and One+

Surfshark’s all-in-one security bundles include the full VPN and various personal security tools. They start at a slightly higher price than the VPN alone but offer bigger discounts for longer plans.

The Surfshark One and One+ bundles offer the VPN, Antivirus, Alert, and Search. One+ also includes the Incogni data removal service. Alert and Search work on all major OS, but Antivirus is currently available only on Windows, macOS, and Android.

  • Surfshark Alert notifies you if your personal information appears in leaked databases (emails, passwords, or credit card info) and provides regular security reports. Unlike free apps, it gives real-time breach notifications, requiring 2FA.
  • Surfshark Search is a private, ad-free search engine that returns only organic results without trackers, similar to DuckDuckGo or StartPage.
  • Surfshark Antivirus protects devices from viruses and malware, regularly scans for harmful files, and restricts unauthorized app camera access. It's currently available on Windows, macOS, and Android, with hopes for iOS support soon.
  • Incogni is a data removal service that contacts data brokers to request data takedowns, reducing unwanted marketing emails and enhancing privacy, potentially preventing scam targeting.

Privacy — Safe, Trustworthy, and Transparent

9.0

Surfshark has a strict and audited no-logs policy. It took some time to get to the first audit, but it was finally done in 2022. The VPN doesn't store identifiable data, but it's based in the Netherlands, which is a part of the 9 Eyes Alliance. This is not ideal for privacy, but since Surfshark doesn't keep logs, it won't have anything identifiable to share, even if requested.

Does Surfshark Keep Logs? No

Surfshark doesn’t collect your IP address, browsing history, session information, or any other identifiable data. I was impressed by how accessible its privacy policy is. For each article, a highlighted summary of the most important information (in layman’s terms) is provided — I respect this commitment to transparency and making sure users understand everything they’re committing to.

Its privacy policy explains that its servers do store some details about your connection, such as your user ID, IP address, and connection timestamps, but that this information is deleted after 15 minutes.

Screenshot of Surfshark's privacy policy highlighting their data collectionSurfshark's privacy policy was easy to read — it wasn't hard to find the information I wanted

Surfshark collects and stores your email, encrypted password, and basic billing information to create your account. If you're uncomfortable providing this info, you can create a separate email for Surfshark and use an anonymous payment method like cryptocurrency to subscribe without identifying yourself.

Surfshark also collects diagnostic reports and anonymous analytics information in the app, which you can opt out of easily in the settings menu. Your location data is collected when using the Auto-Connect feature, but this data is never shared with any third parties.

Other data is also collected when using Surfshark’s website, including traffic data (or anonymous analytics) information, cookies, and web beacons. However, I was impressed that the policy also explains how to disable these functions if you don’t want this information stored.

The VPN also publishes a warrant canary, which is a web page you can visit to find out whether Surfshark has received any court orders to share user data. The more transparent a company is, the more I feel like I can trust it, so I really like that it makes this information so easy to access.

Surfshark updates this page daily, so you’re always up-to-date about whether it’s received any warrants or gag orders for your data. But considering it has a strict no-logs policy, it wouldn’t have any data to hand over anyway.

Screenshot of Surfshark's Warrant Canary showing no requests for user dataIt's really easy to find the warrant canary on the website, at the bottom of the homepage

Was Surfshark Audited? Yes

In December 2022, Deloitte audited Surfshark’s no-logs policy, examining IT systems and interviewing employees. Deloitte confirmed that Surfshark adheres to its privacy claims, passing the audit.

It is concerning that Surfshark took 4 years to audit its logging policy, lagging behind competitors in this area. While I never doubted its integrity, it was odd that such a successful company hadn’t proven its privacy policy sooner.

However, Deloitte’s endorsement reassures me, providing relief and confidence in Surfshark's privacy claims.

In December 2023, Surfshark’s Android app passed the MASA audit, confirming its safety and compliance with global data handling standards.

In the past, Surfshark had 2 other audits done by Cure53, but only of its Chrome and Firefox extensions (in 2018). There were no major issues found with the extensions, neither in the privacy or security realms. In 2021, Cure53 also analyzed the server infrastructure and found only minor issues, which were promptly fixed. Hopefully, Surfshark will conduct audits more consistently in the future.

Based in the Netherlands — Within 9-Eyes Jurisdiction

One thing that concerned me about Surfshark is that it’s based in the Netherlands, which is part of the 9-Eyes data-sharing alliance. It used to be headquartered in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands until it underwent some corporate restructuring in 2021.

At the time, Surfshark claimed it moved to the Netherlands for “its favorable business, economic, and political environment.” It even let existing subscriptions continue to operate under the BVI’s jurisdiction. Of course, all new subscriptions are under the Netherlands’ jurisdiction.

Despite it being a part of the 9 Eyes Alliance, Surfshark said the Netherlands’ local laws would not force them to retain data. It also claimed it would move again if the laws changed.

All that being said, Surfshark’s audited privacy policy and warrant canary are sure signs that it can be trusted. Even if Surfshark were ordered to hand over user data (which it is fully transparent about), there wouldn’t be anything to give since it doesn’t store anything that could identify you anyway.

It's possible Surfshark had its privacy policy audited to put everyone’s mind at ease about this move. I’m glad it did because otherwise this would have me more concerned.

In 2022, Surfshark merged with Nord Security, the company behind the reputable NordVPN, to form one holding company. However, Surfshark still operates separately.

Does Surfshark Work in China? It Might, but It’s Not Guaranteed

Unfortunately, Surfshark has a hard time working in China due to the country's Great Firewall — a system of internet censorship and regulation. The Great Firewall blocks access to many websites and services, including many popular VPNs.

I contacted Surfshark's chat support to ask if their service works in China. Its chatbot directed me to some guides about setting up manual configurations. When I spoke to a live agent, they couldn't guarantee it would work in China and referred me back to the same guides.

Screenshot of conversation with Surfshark's chatbot directing me to guides on connecting to the app in ChinaSurfshark's how-to guides are simple and easy to follow for people of all levels of tech knowledge

The Chinese authorities have taken extensive measures to block non-government-approved VPN services and their IP addresses, including Surfshark. This means that if you attempt to access Surfshark in China, you’ll likely find that the service is slow, unreliable, or completely inaccessible.

Surfshark’s customer support also confirmed that it can’t guarantee the VPN will work in other restrictive countries like Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the UAE. However, there are other VPNs that work in China and similar countries.

Editor’s note: Non-government-approved VPNs are illegal in China. However, there have been no publicly reported cases of tourists being penalized for using one there — the government typically blocks VPNs instead of punishing individuals. The team and I don’t condone using a VPN illegally and we advise you to always check the local laws before using a VPN.

Torrenting — Fast and Safe, but a Little Inconvenient

9.0

Surfshark performed well during my torrenting tests, but it’s not clear how to find the servers optimized for it. Not all servers work with torrenting (there are only around 80 that do). However, if you’re not connected to a P2P-optimized server, you’re automatically connected to one when you open a torrent client.

Many VPNs make it much easier to find their P2P-optimized servers. Customer support informed me that you can type “p2p” into the search bar, and all torrenting servers will appear. But it’s kind of weird that it’s not more intuitive. For example, CyberGhost has a separate tab in its server list for “downloading” servers, which makes it really easy to find.

It was somewhat disheartening that customer support was unable to provide a definite explanation of how the VPN determines the P2P server allocated to you. However, I did conduct an evaluation of this "automatic transition" feature to confirm its functionality.

First, I chose the Czech Republic server (which isn’t P2P-optimized) and connected. Using IPleak.net, I saw that my IP and DNS locations were set to Prague. After opening Bittorrent, I ran IPleak again and saw that my IP and DNS had changed to the Netherlands, which is one of the P2P-optimized server locations.

Screenshot of Surfshark automatically connecting to P2P server when opened BitTorrent appYou can also manually connect to a server by typing “P2P” in the app's location search bar

I had great speeds on BitTorrent with Surfshark, but it offers torrenting servers close to my actual location. If there isn’t one close by, you could face some bigger speed drops (luckily, even distant Surfshark servers are pretty fast).

It took me 4 minutes to download a 2.5 GB public domain file using the Netherlands server. I also tried a P2P server in the UK (where I'm currently located), and downloading the same file took 2 minutes — so there was only a marginal difference in speed.

Once you’ve connected to your preferred server, you can download torrents safely and anonymously. It’s just too bad it’s a hassle to find them. So, I recommend searching for them manually to find the one closest to you.

Surfshark’s strict no-logs policy and military-grade encryption, combined with its automatic kill switch feature, make it a VPN I feel safe using with torrents. However, it’s much easier to use a VPN that allows torrenting on every server, or at the very least has clearly marked P2P servers. If you’re looking for a good torrenting VPN, I recommend you check out this list to see the top VPNs for torrenting.

Editor’s note: The vpnMentor team stands firmly against copyright infringement. While torrenting is legal, downloading copyrighted material is illegal in almost all parts of the world. In addition, some torrenting sites are banned or blocked in certain countries. Please stay up to date with the law and ensure everything you download is within the public domain or copyright-free.

Installation & Apps

9.4

Easy Setups and Simple Apps

Surfshark is really easy to use — its app has a clean layout and it’s user-friendly, even if you’ve never used a VPN before. It functions nearly the same way on Windows, Mac, iOS, and Android, which makes it simple to use across platforms. You don’t have to waste time getting used to 4 completely different apps if you own multiple devices.

The app is available in 14 languages, including Spanish, German, Japanese, Korean, and Chinese.

I appreciate that the advanced settings and features menus included a description of what each feature/setting does. It’s also super handy to be able to save your favorite servers.

Screenshot of Surfshark's Windows app highlighting its ease of useClick the star icon next to the server to favorite a server for quick access

There are a few minor things I would like to see improved with Surfshark. The auto-connect feature could be better — I experienced slightly faster speeds manually selecting a server many times. It would also be helpful to include a P2P server list, like with MultiHop and Static IP servers.

I also wish it was possible to see the server load and ping time on its app. The server load data was previously automatic on its macOS app, but it’s now been removed. The Windows and Android apps show the ping time when you click on the small speedometer next to the search bar. However, you need to be disconnected for this information to load.

Setup & Installation

Getting Surfshark up and running is very straightforward. I set Surfshark up on my Windows and Mac laptops, Android tablet, and iPhone.

Screenshot showing all of Surfshark's available apps on its website's download pageIt never took me more than 5 minutes to download Surfshark’s app onto my devices

On any device, it was as simple as downloading and installing the software (like you would any other app) from Surfshark’s website and signing in.

Quick Guide: How to Set Up Surfshark in 3 Easy Steps

  1. Sign up for Surfshark on its website. Choose one of Surfshark’s subscription plans and checkout. It also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free.
  2. Download the app onto your device. Surfshark has easy-to-use native apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Simply sign in to your account and download the client.
  3. Connect to a server. Then, start browsing, streaming, gaming, or torrenting securely with Surfshark.

Device Compatibility

Surfshark has the device compatibility I would expect from a top VPN (native apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS). It also has a native app for Fire Stick and Fire TV, which most VPNs with Android apps offer. Plus, it’s one of the few VPNs that offers a native app for Apple TV.

You can set up routers manually, and it gives you a few options for connecting other devices without native apps like Roku or gaming consoles. Thankfully, Surfshark has detailed step-by-step guides on its site that can be a big help.

Desktop — Apps for Windows, macOS, and Linux

I signed up for my account on my Windows 11 laptop. It was only 3 steps: choosing the plan I wanted, entering my email address, and setting up a payment method. Once I had my login credentials, I just went to Surfshark’s website and downloaded the app on each of my devices.

Installing Surfshark was quick — just click Download Now, and then open the .exe setup file. The app installs automatically and is pre-configured. In about 20 seconds, the app prompted me to sign in. This process was similar on macOS. Surfshark is compatible with Windows 7 or newer and macOS 10.15 or newer.

Surfshark is also compatible with Linux’s Ubuntu and Debian systems. The Linux app is basic and lacks many advanced features of the Windows and Mac versions, but it allows switching between OpenVPN TCP and UDP. Some features, like the kill switch, can be set up manually. The full GUI for Linux is a plus, enabling mouse control instead of a command line.

Screenshots comparing Surfshark's Windows and macOS appsYou can enable CleanWeb, NoBorders, and the Kill Switch from the Windows app homepage but not from the macOS one

Windows has features not available on macOS, such as a customizable kill switch, Bypasser, and Device Invisibility. The Windows app also allows window resizing, which the Mac version does not.

Android and iPhone (iOS)

The setup process was easy on my iPhone and Android tablet as well. I had to tap a few more buttons than in Windows, but the installation process was automatic and only took about 15 seconds.

Before the .APK file was downloaded on my Android, I did receive a pop-up that asked me if I was sure I wanted to download the file. I clicked OK, then opened the Surfshark.apk file when it finished downloading. Then, I just had to click Install > Open, and the app loaded up. Surfshark is compatible with iOS 13 or newer and Android 5.0 or newer.

Screenshots comparing Surfshark's iOS and Android appsYou can enable the kill switch without having to navigate to the Settings on Android

The mobile apps are almost identical, but Android has a couple of exclusive features. It offers GPS Spoofing, which matches your GPS location to your VPN’s IP location. It also has an additional “native" Kill Switch, which customer service informed me is embedded deeper into Android’s software for added reliability. Android apps come with Bypasser, too, and lets you see the ping next to each server.

Browser Extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge

Surfshark has browser extensions for Chrome (Chrome 80+), Firefox (91.1+), and Edge (all versions). Installing the Chrome and Firefox extensions was simple: search for “Surfshark” in the Chrome Web Store or Firefox Add-On Store and click Add.

These extensions, though simplified versions of the app, offer great functionality. They hide your IP address, prevent WebRTC leaks, and include the CleanWeb feature (ad/pop-up blocker, data breach alert, malware alert). The Bypasser feature is also available. Remember to enable these functions to use them fully.

The extensions ran smoothly and had a sleek design, useful for quickly changing IP locations in the browser. However, they only encrypt the browser's traffic, unlike the full app, which protects your entire device. Even so, I still recommend using the full app to protect your entire device.

Apps for Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android Smart TVs

The app for FireTV and Fire Stick is most similar to the Android version, offering almost all the same advanced features as on major operating systems. It’s available for 2nd generation Fire devices or newer.

Surfshark is also natively compatible with Android Smart TVs. Installing it is just as simple as it is with any Android device. Just search for it in the Play Store and install.

It has also introduced an app for Apple TV, which is a rarity for VPNs. Most VPNs’ solutions for Apple TV compatibility is Smart DNS. However, this isn’t ideal since it doesn’t encrypt your data. Surfshark’s Apple TV app fully secures your data and lets you access streaming sites from anywhere in the best available quality. This means you can enjoy your favorite shows without worrying about being tracked or your data being collected for targeted ads.

Smart DNS For PlayStation, Xbox, and other Smart TVs

The Smart DNS feature lets you use Surfshark on devices that don’t support VPNs, like Xbox Series X/S, PS4/5, Nintendo Switch, Apple TV, and various smart TVs.

Setting up Smart DNS on my Xbox Series S took 2 minutes. I logged into Surfshark, selected VPN > Manual Setup > TV or console, and my IP address was automatically registered. I copied the provided DNS codes into my Xbox’s network settings. This easy setup only offers US locations.

Note that Smart DNS doesn't encrypt your internet traffic, change your IP address, or provide VPN security features. For better security, connect Surfshark to your router or share your VPN-enabled connection from your PC. Its website has step-by-step guides for each method.

Router Compatible, but No Native App

You can set Surfshark up on your router, but it’s recommended to use its apps for the best performance. It must be installed manually on a router with firmware that has WireGuard, OpenVPN, or IKEv2 client pre-installed. You can also install new firmware (and there are guides on its website that show you how), but this can be a very complicated process and can damage your router, so proceed with caution!

Router setups lack many advanced app features. Some routers support split tunneling and different security protocols, but others don't. You must manually configure each VPN server, making switching locations less convenient than with the app.

Surfshark falls short compared to rivals like ExpressVPN, which offers native router apps and pre-installed firmware routers for easy setup.

However, Surfshark's website provides detailed router-specific guides and a list of compatible routers. The tutorials are thorough and easy to follow, and 24/7 live chat support is available for any issues.

Simultaneous Device Connections — Unlimited

You can connect as many devices as you want under a single Surfshark subscription, which gives you amazing value for your money. Most VPNs restrict your simultaneous device connections to between 5–10, which can be limiting for families with multiple devices.

I examined if connecting multiple devices simultaneously would adversely affect performance. Even with my laptop, iPad, Android phone, and desktop computer all connected to Surfshark, there was no discernible decline in performance — streaming Netflix in Ultra HD continued without any lag.

Pricing

8.7
Surfshark Starter 24 Months + 3 Extra Months
$ 2.19 / month per month
Surfshark One 24 Months + 3 Extra Months
$ 2.69 / month per month
Surfshark One 1 Month
$ 15.95 / month per month
Editor's Note: Surfshark and this site are in the same ownership group.

An Affordable VPN With a Tried-and-Tested Money-Back Guarantee

Surfshark offers three pricing packages: Surfshark Starter, Surfshark One, and Surfshark One+. Starter is the standard VPN package, while One and One+ are personal security bundles with additional features.

No matter which option you choose, you get a bigger discount if you choose a longer subscription period. Plus, you can also often get a month or two for free.

However, there’s fine print — prices just about double once your subscription renews. On the 24-month plan, you’ll pay almost $5/month upon renewal.

If you would like to avoid these price increases, you’ll need to cancel auto-renewal by logging into your Surfshark account, navigating to Subscriptions, then Payments > Manage subscription, and clicking on one of the options to explain your reason for canceling. You can also cancel via its 24/7 live chat or email.

Surfshark One and One+ include its Antivirus, Search, and Alert features (plus, Incogni services for One+ customers), so you’ll pay a slightly higher cost compared to the Starter plan. The lowest price you can get is $2.69/month for the longest Surfshark One plan. As with the Starter package, you’ll often get some free time thrown in on the longest plan that comes at $2.19/month.

Still, I think Surfshark’s prices are totally worth it considering all the advanced features it comes with. One and One+ are only a few extra dollars a month (on the longest plans) for a ton of extra features that’ll help you protect your online privacy. On top of that, you can use every plan on an unlimited number of devices, giving you even more value for your money.

All of the plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, too. I tested Surfshark’s guarantee, and it was easy to get my money back. Using the live 24/7 chat, I requested a refund (giving a reason why Surfshark wasn’t the right VPN for me). My refund was approved right away, and I had my money back 4 days later.

It also offers a 7-day free trial on Android, iOS, and macOS devices that you can get from the Apple Store or Google Play. Students can also get exclusive discounts on its plans.

Surfshark has the following payment methods:

  • Major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, Amex, Discover)
  • PayPal
  • Debit cards (Europe only)
  • Google Pay
  • Amazon Pay
  • Cryptocurrencies
  • Other popular regional payment methods like AliPay and Sofort

If you want to sign up for Surfshark anonymously, your best bet is to create another email account and pay with cryptocurrency.

Reliability & Support

9.8

Friendly and Knowledgeable Customer Service

Surfshark’s online Help Center is loaded with helpful information, including feature explanations, tutorials, setup and installation guides, and a decent FAQ section. I was super impressed by the number of guides available and used multiple tutorials during this review with success. They were all detailed enough without being overly complicated.

If you can’t find the answers you need on its website (which I could for the most part), Surfshark offers 24/7 live chat support as well as a ticketing system and email support options.

I tested the ticketing and live chat platforms and received quick, friendly, and informative help each time. I got responses over live chat in a few seconds and it only took between 3–5 hours to get a response through the ticketing system in my email.

Screenshot showing conversation with Surfshark's customer support chatbot and agentSometimes I would have preferred to be transferred to a live agent sooner

When I ran into issues getting Sky Go to work with Surfshark when I was testing it from the UK, the chatbot and the live agent provided me with detailed steps to follow. The agent was patient while I followed these steps and remained available in the chat until we found a suitable solution for the problem.

The Bottom Line

Final Verdict — A User-Friendly and All-Round Safe, Reliable VPN

I 100% recommend Surfshark. It offers really good value and provides you with everything a top VPN should: multiple advanced security features, reliable network and speeds, consistent streaming quality, and a strong commitment to user privacy and security.

I was really impressed with Surfshark’s speeds over long distances and its customer support. In addition, one of its greatest selling points is that you can connect an unlimited number of devices simultaneously, making its comparably lower price point even more worth it. Though, keep an eye on the renewal prices.

The biggest issues for me were its clunky torrenting functionality and the fact that it’s headquartered within the 9-Eyes Alliance — concerning from a privacy perspective. But overall, Surfshark is a high-quality VPN in almost every way.

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  • Can access top streaming platforms safely from anywhere
  • Great speeds on nearby and distant servers
  • 3,200 servers in 100 countries
  • Easy-to-use apps
  • An audited no-logs policy and military-grade encryption
  • Unlimited simultaneous device connections

FAQs on Surfshark

Are the owners of Surfshark trustworthy?

Yes, Surfshark is a safe VPN service owned by a trustworthy company. Surfshark is owned by Nord Security, the same company behind NordVPN, one of the most reputable names in the VPN industry.

Nord Security has a strong reputation for prioritizing user privacy and security. Surfshark itself is headquartered in a 9 Eyes Alliance country, the Netherlands. This is an agreement between governments to share their citizens’ data. Luckily, Surfshark has a great no-logging policy, so it has nothing to share.

Plus, independent audits found that it adheres to its privacy policy, so it's been proven that it sticks to its claims. It also offers tons of great security features, such as AES 256-bit encryption, an automatic kill switch, and IP/DNS leak protection.

Can I be tracked while using Surfshark?

It’s very unlikely. Surfshark’s robust security and privacy features make you practically impossible to track. For example, it encrypts your internet traffic and masks your real IP address by routing it through one of its servers. This encryption ensures that your Internet Service Provider (ISP) and other third parties cannot see your online activities.

However, there are certain scenarios where tracking might be possible. Advanced methods like Deep Packet Inspection (DPI) can sometimes detect VPN traffic, but Surfshark mitigates this risk with features like Camouflage mode (obfuscation), which makes VPN traffic appear as regular internet traffic​. Also, if your VPN connection drops and you do not have the kill switch enabled, your real IP address and data could be exposed temporarily.

Does Surfshark work with Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and other streaming platforms?

Yes, you can watch Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer with Surfshark. Its reliable, global server network makes it possible to access many popular streaming platforms in HD from anywhere. I worked with an international team of testers to see how it performed, and it always let us stream in the highest quality without buffering. It was successful with Netflix from 16 different countries and worked with Max, Disney+, and more.

Will Surfshark work in India or China?

Surfshark works well in India, but it’s not currently guaranteed to work in China (and other restrictive countries like Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, and the UAE). This is very common since the Chinese authorities have taken extensive measures to block non-government-approved VPN services.

While Surfshark customer support informed me that there is a manual connection method that may get Surfshark up and running in China, it’s not guaranteed. I’ve also read multiple reports online confirming that it doesn’t work in the country.

It’s important to bear in mind that VPNs that aren’t approved by the Chinese government are technically banned. While this is usually enforced by blocking VPN connections (rather than going after VPN users), my team and I don’t condone any illegal activities. So please read up on the most recent local laws to avoid any negative repercussions.

How many devices can I install Surfshark on?

As many as you want. One of the best parts about Surfshark is that it offers unlimited simultaneous device connections under a single subscription. It’s perfect for families or for sharing the account within your household.

Are there any Surfshark apps for routers, Fire TV Stick, or Apple TV?

Surfshark has native apps for Fire TV, Fire Stick, and Apple TV, but it doesn’t have a router app. It can be configured on various VPN-compatible routers, though, and it provides detailed setup guides on its website.

Its Fire TV and Fire Stick apps can be downloaded from the Amazon Appstore. It’s also one of the very few apps that offers a native app for Apple TV to let you stream on your big screen without your data being tracked. You can use its Smart DNS feature to easily connect to some US-based Surfshark DNS addresses on some smart TVs.

Does Surfshark offer a free trial?

Yes, Surfshark offers a 7-day free trial on Android, iOS, and macOS devices. Although you need to provide payment details, you will not be charged if you cancel the trial within the 7-day period​.

In addition to the free trial, Surfshark provides a 30-day money-back guarantee for all its subscription plans. This allows you to test the service on any device with the option to request a full refund if you are not satisfied. This approach offers a longer period to evaluate the VPN’s features and performance without any financial risk​.

Is Surfshark VPN legal?

Yes, Surfshark and other VPNs are completely legal in most countries, including the US, most of Europe, and other Western nations. However, some countries, such as China, Turkey, Russia, and Iran, have bans or restrictions on VPN usage.

My team and I at vpnMentor don't condone using a VPN to take part in illegal activities, and you should always check the local laws and regulations in your region before using one.

Can you use Surfshark for torrenting?

Yes, you can use Surfshark for torrenting. Not all servers work for torrenting, but you don’t really notice this since it will automatically connect you to a torrenting server when any Bittorrent client is opened. It’s a bit annoying, but you can choose a torrenting server manually by typing “P2P” into the search bar.

It comes with a proven no-logs policy and RAM-based servers, so your connection is well-protected, too.

Money Back Guarantee (Days): 30
Mobile app:
Number of devices per license: Unlimited
VPN Plans: surfshark.com
We review vendors based on rigorous testing and research but also take into account your feedback and our affiliate commission with providers. Some providers are owned by our parent company.
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vpnMentor was established in 2014 to review VPN services and cover privacy-related stories. Today, our team of hundreds of cybersecurity researchers, writers, and editors continues to help readers fight for their online freedom in partnership with Kape Technologies PLC, which also owns the following products: ExpressVPN, CyberGhost, and Private Internet Access which may be ranked and reviewed on this website. The reviews published on vpnMentor are believed to be accurate as of the date of each article, and written according to our strict reviewing standards that prioritize professional and honest examination of the reviewer, taking into account the technical capabilities and qualities of the product together with its commercial value for users. The rankings and reviews we publish may also take into consideration the common ownership mentioned above, and affiliate commissions we earn for purchases through links on our website. We do not review all VPN providers and information is believed to be accurate as of the date of each article.
Surfshark User Reviews (User reviews are not verified)
7.5
Based on 799 reviews in 27 languages

Write a Review on Surfshark

Please rate VPN.

All Speed Streaming Security Сustomer service
Tim S.
Tim S.
2/10
Don't waste your money on dedicated IP

While the generic Surfshark servers work well, the dedicated IP is worse than useless. With it, I get constant captchas and some websites refuse to connect at all. All is fine once I reconnect to a generic or even free VPN. Support is friendly but hopelessly incompetent at getting the problem fixed. So the dedicated IP works exactly opposite as what is advertised, all while vacuuming money out of your wallet. Stay away.

Lucas Pinto Ricardo
Lucas Pinto Ricardo
10/10
Fast, reliable and unlimited

This VPN is fast and reliable. It has a lot of servers in different countries and can be used in an unlimited amount of devices (it supports Linux, which is something very important for me). The software and app get updated regularly: note that I experienced some bugs with the auto-connect feature on Android that have been solved since then. With this competitive pricing, I would definitely recommend it. IMPORTANT NOTE: I am not including the customer support in this review, because I never had to use it. If I use it in the future, I will update this review with my experience. I recommend you to see other reviews that include it if it is important for you.

Jason
Jason
10/10
The best VPN!

Great service! everything works smoothly, price is great compared to some other providers, initially I was wary about paying out for a 2 year subscription, but glad I did, the monthly cost is lot less than my previous cost, I will definitely be renewing my subscription when it's due A+++

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    Editor's Note: Transparency and impartiality are important to us when bringing you our best selection of VPNs. Some of the industry-leading products on our list, including Intego, Private Internet Access, CyberGhost, and ExpressVPN are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company. The VPNs we choose are derived from a thorough testing process.

    About the Author

    Keira is an experienced cybersecurity and tech writer dedicated to providing comprehensive insights on VPNs, online privacy, and internet censorship.

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