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.
Learn more
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.
Advertising Disclosure

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 vs FastestVPN 2024

Table of Contents
    Our Score: 9.3/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Our Score: 6.2/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Editors' Note: Intego, Private Internet Access, Cyberghost and Expressvpn are owned by Kape Technologies, our parent company.

    Which VPN is better?

    Author Image Anneke van Aswegen
    Anneke van Aswegen

    Managing Editor

    Both FastestVPN and Surfshark offer very affordable subscription plans. But in my opinion, one service gives you much more value for money than the other.

    I found each of these VPNs very easy to use, too. Surfshark has simple, intuitive apps that you can start using in seconds. FastestVPN doesn't offer many additional features, so it's pretty simple to use too (though I had a lot of connection problems when I tried to set it up on macOS).

    The similarities end there, however. Surfshark is far better at unblocking geo-restricted content. It helped me unblock most streaming platforms such as Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. FastestVPN, on the other hand, could only unblock a handful of Netflix libraries and HBO Max.

    FastestVPN doesn't quite live up to its name either. I actually got pretty inconsistent speeds during testing, with long-distance servers too slow even for browsing. Surfshark is slower on faraway servers too, but overall much more reliable for speed.

    This is likely due to the fact that Surfshark has a huge server network, spanning 100 countries with 3,200 server locations. FastestVPN's network is well-distributed but far smaller, with just 41 locations.

    As you can see, Surfshark performed much better overall. FastestVPN isn't a terrible service, but I don't think it gives you great value for money.

    Our Score

    Features 9.3/10
    Pricing 8.7/10
    Ease of Use 9.4/10
    Reliability & Support 9.8/10
    Features 6.2/10
    Pricing 8.2/10
    Ease of Use 6.0/10
    Reliability & Support 6.3/10

    Reviews

    Review by our expert
    Author Image Keira Waddell
    Keira Waddell

    Senior Writer

    Our Score: 9.3/10

    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, 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 v...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    L
    Lucas Pinto Ricardo
    10.0/10
    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 un... limited 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.More

    Latest negative user review
    T
    Tim S.
    2.0/10
    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.More

    Read the full review
    Review by our expert
    Author Image Kristina Perunicic
    Kristina Perunicic

    Managing Editor

    Our Score: 6.2/10

    When I tested FastestVPN's first iteration, I wasn't impressed. It wasn't great for streaming, and its security features were lacking.  So can its latest overhaul change my mind? Yes. FastestVPN has undoubtedly improved, including better streaming capabilities, security options, and increased protocol support. However, the VPN still has a few issues that need attention. It’s a good service,...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    C
    Cory Inglis
    10.0/10
    Good and Easy-to-Use VPN

    FastestVPN's updated apps with an easy to use interface have made a positive impact on my VPN experien... ce. Its improved connectivity, enhanced privacy features and overall user friendly design have solidified its place as one of my best VPN choices.More

    Latest negative user review
    L
    Leonid
    2.0/10
    Very bad

    I bought a lifetime license over a year ago, but they blocked it and make me pay again! When I bought ... the license they had two or three servers per country, but now they have one server per country and the number of servers has decreased! Don't believe them - they are scammers!More

    Read the full review

    Pricing

    Starting price $2.89/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license Unlimited devices
    Starting price $1.66/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 15 Days
    Number of devices per license 10 devices

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    Surfshark is better because it has a huge network of fast servers for all of your online needs. Both providers offer decent security features and good customer support. However, Surfshark pulls ahead with more reliable speeds and better unblocking abilities. Overall, I think it gives you better value for money than FastestVPN.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    Surfshark is better because its entire network is P2P friendly. It has 3200 servers in 60 countries, so you can torrent files anywhere. FastestVPN is more limited with its torrent-friendly servers, excluding use in Australia, Hong Kong, India, South Korea, and Singapore.

    Best VPN for Windows

    Surfshark is better because its Windows app is easy to use, is feature-packed, and comes in 15 different languages. FastestVPN also has a simple interface, is quick to install, and offers 10 device connections. However, Surfshark also offers split tunneling and malware protection for Windows.

    Best VPN for Android

    Surfshark is better because it has an easy-to-use app for all of your Android devices. FastestVPN’s Android app has split tunneling capabilities and great security protocols. But Surfshark’s Android app is a little easier to navigate, and has Android-specialized features like GPS Override.

    Best VPN for Mac

    Surfshark is better but mostly because I could barely get FastestVPN to work on macOS — the installer kept showing me popup ads. Surfshark was the winner in this category due to its simple installation and superior server performance.

    Best VPN for iOS

    Surfshark is better because it has native iOS widget support, works with nearly every version of iOS, and also lets you have unlimited devices connections. That means you can use it on your iPad, iPhone, and every other Apple device you own — all at the same time.

    Best VPN for USA

    Surfshark is better because it unblocks many more US sites and services than FastestVPN, thanks to 600+ US servers. I was able to access my accounts on Netflix US, HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, ESPN, and Hulu with Surfshark. FastestVPN only worked with Netflix and HBO Max.

    The Bottom Line

    See Plans & Pricing

    Both Surfshark and FastestVPN are pretty affordable, but Surfshark offers better value in my opinion. It unblocks more streaming sites, has more reliable speeds, and its apps are jam-packed with useful additional features. FastestVPN just can't keep up.

    That said, Surfshark couldn't access every streaming site I tried — it failed to unblock Sky TV and Sling TV during my tests. For more reliable service, I recommend ExpressVPN instead. It unblocks every streaming platform and is also much faster than Surfshark, giving you the best speeds for UHD streaming. ExpressVPN even comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee so you can get a full refund in that time if you dislike it for any reason.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

    Go with Surfshark
    Go with FastestVPN
    Or click here to check best VPNs, rated by {{review_count}} users

    FAQ

    Is Surfshark better than FastestVPN?

    Yes, Surfshark is better overall than FastestVPN. It has 3200 servers in 100 countries, fast speeds, and impressive security features.

    Best of all, you can take advantage of its latest discount and get it for only $2.89 a month.

    What should I keep in mind when choosing between Surfshark and FastestVPN?

    When choosing a VPN, you want to pay close attention to its number of servers, overall speed score, pricing, and the number of simultaneous device connections it offers. While some VPNs provide a flawless online experience, others will really slow you down.

    If you’re ready to commit, then Surfshark may be perfect for you due to its performance during the tests .

    Is Surfshark faster than FastestVPN?

    Yes, Surfshark is faster than FastestVPN. Since your VPN is your computer’s main connection to the internet, you need to use a service that won’t slow you down by more than 20%.

    If speeds are important to you, then I recommend you take a look at ExpressVPN. It’s the fastest service out there, provides unlimited bandwidth, and you won’t experience any slowdowns even when you connect to the other side of the planet. You can try it out risk-free. It’s backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can get a full refund if you don’t like it.

    Do Surfshark or FastestVPN offer any deals?

    Both Surfshark and FastestVPN offer deals on occasion. You can check out the current coupons and discounts here. However, ExpressVPN has the best deals. Right now, you can get a 49% discount and up to 3 months for free with a new subscription.

    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.
    Learn more
    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.

    About the Author

    As a Managing Editor at vpnMentor, Anneke van Aswegen helps readers quickly master VPNs. She aims to solve problems, whether accessing streaming platforms or protecting your data, without needing a computer tech.