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.
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 VPN.ac 2024

Table of Contents
    Our Score: 9.3/10
    %s User Reviews
    More Info
    Our Score: 6.9/10
    %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 Surfshark and VPN.ac market themselves as fast, affordable, and secure VPNs that suit beginners and experts alike. But do they both live up to their claims? Here are some important factors to take into account when choosing between the two.

    Both VPNs really are fast. Despite having comparatively smaller networks than other services, both Surfshark and VPN.ac are fast enough for gaming, torrenting, and streaming TV and movies in UHD.

    Talking of TV and movies, both services can also unblock big streaming sites like HBO Max, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer. That being said, they both have some platforms they struggle accessing too.

    Surfshark and VPN.ac are comparable when it comes to security as well. They both use military-grade 256-bit AES encryption, a range of security protocols, and DNS/IP/WebRTC leak protection.

    I tested both services at length and, overall, Surfshark comes out as the main winner for me. It can unblock most major streaming sites with connections fast enough for UHD viewing. It's also slightly more reliable on privacy and offers a whole range of unique features.

    Our Score

    Features 9.3/10
    Pricing 8.7/10
    Ease of Use 9.4/10
    Reliability & Support 9.8/10
    Features 6.9/10
    Pricing 6.0/10
    Ease of Use 8.0/10
    Reliability & Support 4.8/10

    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 Doris Muthuri
    Doris Muthuri

    Senior Writer

    Our Score: 6.9/10

    VPN.ac claims to be fast, safe, and one of the most affordable VPNs available. It even casts doubts on some of the top VPNs in the market in its advertising. That grabbed my attention and made me wonder if it can compete with them. To take the guesswork out of the equation, I tested it myself to see if it was as good as it claimed. I examined its speeds, gaming capabilities, and all its securi...

    Read all
    Latest positive user review
    A
    Aman
    10.0/10
    It works perfectly with Netflix and Hotstar

    Using VPN.ac since 2017, their service has been top-notch, it's like a boutique hotel, very private an... d exclusive service, Works perfectly with Netflix US, FR, and Hotstar/disney+ on all their servers. WireGurard connections super fast. Servers never overcrowded constant speed. Recently I tried All beautiful Nordvpn, very well polished, good client service but all copy-paste response, Fast connection but the most speed drops and it doesn't work with Hotstar/disney+ I ask them why they said their tech didn't figure out yet. so I had to ask for a refund.More

    Latest negative user review
    S
    Sam
    2.0/10
    Trash VPN

    Showing bandwidth in use 2-3% for node I choose, but sites loading ~5 min. I use it almost every year ... and this happens all the time. Spend your money on something different which actually works, don't waste your time with this vpn.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 $3.75/month
    Money Back Guarantee (Days) 7 Days
    Number of devices per license 12 devices

    Best VPN by Category

    Best VPN Overall

    Surfshark is better overall because of its consistently fast speeds, easy-to-use apps, and high-end security measures. It also offers unlimited device connections and a range of useful features including split tunneling, Camouflage mode, NoBorders mode, and a built-in blocker for ads, trackers, and malicious sites.

    Best VPN for Torrents

    Surfshark is better because it has P2P-optimized servers that are designed for torrenting. It even connects you to these servers automatically when it detects that you've opened a torrent client. Surfshark also offers good download and upload speeds, plus great privacy features for torrenting securely.

    Best VPN for Windows

    Surfshark is better because it offers easy-to-use native apps for Windows 7, 8, and 10. Its Windows apps also include bonus features like Whitelister (split tunneling) and Device Invisibility (for hiding your device on a network).

    Best VPN for Android

    Surfshark is better because its Android app includes features configured specifically for the platform. These include a native kill switch designed for Android software, and a GPS spoofing feature that allows you to match your VPN location to the GPS location on your Android device.

    Best VPN for Mac

    Surfshark is better because it is compatible with all the latest macOS releases including Big Sur, Catalina, and Mojave. It also offers an additional plug-in for Safari. Its Mac apps are easy to use and come with a split tunneling feature and a built-in ad and tracking blocker.

    Best VPN for iOS

    Surfshark is better because its iOS apps are well-suited to both VPN beginners and pros. It's compatible with all iPhones and iPads on iOS 10.3.3 and up, plus it offers native iOS widget support.

    Best VPN for USA

    Surfshark is better because it has 600+ US servers covering 25+ US cities. It easily unblocks US streaming services including Netflix US, HBO Max, Hulu, and more.

    The Bottom Line

    See Plans & Pricing

    Considering its relatively small network, VPN.ac provides some impressive speeds and unblocking abilities. However, Surfshark has the edge with its well-designed apps and abundance of useful features. It's also a true no-logs VPN, while VPN.ac does keep some connection logs (albeit for a brief period).

    That being said, if you want the fastest VPN speeds and the best security, I recommend ExpressVPN with its worldwide network of lightning-fast servers. Plus, you can try ExpressVPN risk-free, as it's backed by a reliable 30-day money-back guarantee.

    Time to decide which one is best for you

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

    FAQ

    Is Surfshark better than VPN.ac?

    Yes, Surfshark is better overall than VPN.ac. 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 VPN.ac?

    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 VPN.ac?

    Yes, Surfshark is faster than VPN.ac. 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 VPN.ac offer any deals?

    Both Surfshark and VPN.ac 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.