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 UltraVPN 2024

Table of Contents
    Our Score: 9.3/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Our Score: 6.5/10
    %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

    Surfshark and UltraVPN have a lot in common. If you're trying to choose between the two, here are the key facts you need to know.

    Both VPNs offer respectable speeds, although neither of them ranks as the fastest VPN I have tested. However, I consistently experienced reliable and swift connections with both services, albeit with some minor deceleration when connected to servers located farther from my actual location.

    When it comes to streaming and torrenting, each VPN offers good performance too. Surfshark and UltraVPN both support P2P traffic, though the former also has optimized servers for torrenting. The two work with a good range of streaming platforms as well, and both services provide a seamless Netflix experience (though UltraVPN struggles with a few smaller, regional streaming sites).

    This is probably because Surfshark has a much bigger server network than UltraVPN. Surfshark gives you access to 3,200 servers in 100 countries, while UltraVPN has 830 servers in 125 countries.

    Both VPNs use military-grade encryption and an automatic kill switch, though UltraVPN does keep some connection logs and is based in the US. Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy with a privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands HQ.

    And they're comparable when it comes to cost. They offer similarly affordable plans and each comes with reliable money-back guarantees.

    So how do you pick between the two? Read on to find out why I think Surfshark's superior additional features give it an edge.

    Our Score

    Features 9.3/10
    Pricing 8.7/10
    Ease of Use 9.4/10
    Reliability & Support 9.8/10
    Features 6.5/10
    Pricing 9.0/10
    Ease of Use 6.0/10
    Reliability & Support 7.0/10

    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 Matthew Amos
    Matthew Amos

    Senior Editor

    Our Score: 6.5/10

    UltraVPN is one of the cheapest VPNs available, but can you trust this low-cost option to match the security and privacy features of the top VPNs? To find out, I tested out all of its features. That meant performing extensive tests on its speeds, security, and more. I also learned everything there is to know about its privacy policy. After my tests, I found that it can't compare to the best VPN...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    D
    David Bowman
    10.0/10
    The Only VPN that Could Handle My Big 3 Streaming Needs

    I tried about four or five other VPNs but none of them could handle the combination of eMule, Battle.n... et and Tixati. Ultra had no problem with any program I ran through it. I spent some time trying to reconfigure / tune the other VPNs and it's possible that I missed one or more steps in that process but I didn't need to go through that process with Ultra. Seamless and easy plus a selection of virtual locations that allowed me to stay in my time zone. While I realize that might not be a big deal for some, it made things that much easier for me.More

    Latest negative user review
    A
    Allen Garber
    2.0/10
    Lousy service

    Locked from an account and was directed to change the password which has failed to respond. Attempted ... to email support as directed and after four emails still haven't received a response. Lousy customer service do not recommendMore

    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 $2.99/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 30 Days
    Number of devices per license 10 devices

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    Surfshark is better. UltraVPN doesn't have any unique features outside of the usual offerings, whereas Surfshark's apps come with split tunneling, a range of different privacy and unblocking modes, and a built-in blocker for ads, malware, and trackers. Surfshark is also a truly no-logs service, but the same can't be said for UltraVPN.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    Surfshark is better because it offers dedicated servers optimized for torrenting. These servers give you the best speeds for fast uploads and downloads, as well as strong security measures to protect your privacy as you torrent.

    Best VPN for Windows

    Surfshark is better because its native Windows app has the most additional features. That includes CleanWeb, a built-in ad blocker, Bypasser, a split tunneling feature, and MultiHop servers, that make you nearly impossible to track online. Plus, the VPN is compatible with nearly every Windows device.

    Best VPN for Android

    Surfshark is better because its app has been specially adapted to work with Android. It has a native kill switch built for Android software, and is compatible with Android GPS. That means you can use the VPN to spoof your GPS location as well as your IP address.

    Best VPN for Mac

    Surfshark is better when it comes to Mac users, Surfshark takes the lead by offering enhanced features such as split tunneling, an ad blocker, and MultiHop servers. The inclusion of these additional functionalities makes Surfshark the superior choice. Furthermore, Surfshark provides a user-friendly native Mac app that seamlessly operates on almost all iMac and MacBook devices.

    Best VPN for iOS

    Surfshark is better because its iOS app is extremely intuitive and easy to download and install from the App Store. The app is compatible with nearly every iOS and Apple device (including iPhones and iPads) and even offers a 7-day free trial.

    Best VPN for USA

    Surfshark is better because it simply has more servers in the States (22+, to be precise). It also works seamlessly with US streaming platforms. From Washington, I was able to stream content from my local platforms, including Netflix US, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video US, Max, and Hulu.

    The Bottom Line

    See Plans & Pricing

    At first glance, Surfshark and UltraVPN may appear comparable, but Surfshark has the edge due to its broader and distinct features. It also surpasses UltraVPN in terms of safety; Surfshark is based in a jurisdiction that respects privacy and maintains a no-logs policy, whereas UltraVPN, located in the US, does retain certain user data. While both VPNs are decent options for streaming, Surfshark offers faster speeds and more reliable connections.

    If you want a service that can actually unblock every streaming site, I'd recommend ExpressVPN instead. It's also the fastest VPN I've tested, and since it offers a 30-day money-back guarantee, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

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

    FAQ

    Is Surfshark better than UltraVPN?

    Yes, Surfshark is better overall than UltraVPN. 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 UltraVPN?

    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 UltraVPN?

    Yes, Surfshark is faster than UltraVPN. 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 UltraVPN offer any deals?

    Both Surfshark and UltraVPN 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.