Pros & Cons
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- Excellent server coverage and performance
- Well-defined privacy policy
- Regularly published transparency reports
- Innovative Dausos security protocol
- Affordable long-term plans
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- High monthly cost (unless you opt for an annual plan)
Surfshark VPN Specs
| 500+ Servers | |
| Blocks Ads | |
| Free Version Data Limit | No Free Version |
| Geographically Diverse Servers | |
| Server Locations | 100 Countries |
| Simultaneous VPN Connections | Unlimited |
| Supported Protocols on Android | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Supported Protocols on iOS | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Supported Protocols on macOS | WireGuard, IKEv2 |
Surfshark delivers a polished premium VPN experience backed by an impressive suite of security and privacy tools, offering unlimited simultaneous device connections, a large network of high-speed servers, and advanced features such as customizable multi-hop connections for enhanced protection. It also includes modern privacy-focused technologies designed to strengthen anonymity without compromising performance. The service's commitment to privacy is supported by regular transparency reports and independent third-party security audits that help reinforce trust and accountability. Combined with the introduction of its privacy-centric Dausos protocol, Surfshark stands out for both innovation and security, earning it an Editors' Choice award.
Pricing: High Monthly Costs Offset by Affordable Annual Plans
Surfshark Starter includes the VPN, an ad blocker, and a masked email generator for $15.45 per month. The next tier up is Surfshark One for $17.95 per month, which includes an antivirus, data leak alerts, and a private search engine that blocks ads. The highest-priced plan is Surfshark One+ at $20.85 per month, which includes everything in the prior tiers, as well as data removal via Incogni. Surfshark's monthly subscription prices are expensive, especially considering that the average monthly cost among the VPNs I have reviewed is $10.34.
I spoke to a company representative regarding the monthly subscription cost, who said, "...We feel that our product is most beneficial when used long-term, and that’s why we offer the cheapest two-year plan in the market. For those users who would like to test out the product and see how it works when committing to a longer subscription period, we offer a 30-day money-back guarantee."
(Credit: PCMag/Surfshark)As the rep stated, prices drop significantly when you choose a 12- or 24-month subscription. The long-term plans also include three months of free service with purchase. For example, Surfshark Starter drops to $3.19 per month ($47.85 for 15 months) if you choose the annual plan. The two-year plan cuts the cost down to $1.99 per month ($53.73 for 27 months).
(Credit: PCMag/Surfshark)The other tiers offer similarly competitive discounts. However, keep in mind that promotional rates change frequently. That’s why I tend to focus on the monthly cost. I prefer flat-rate pricing models, like Mullvad offers. These separate plans with different tiers can get confusing and lead you to spend more than you need on features you may never use.
You can also make use of a seven-day free trial on any plan. You’ll need to provide payment details to access it, and you will be charged after the trial period ends if you don’t cancel. It’s a good option, though I’d prefer to see a free trial with no payment information required. When it is time to pay, Surfshark accepts most major credit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay, bitcoin, Ethereum, and Ripple. It’s nice to see more than just bitcoin as a cryptocurrency option.
If you want to pay less, there are several cheap VPNs and even a few worthy free VPNs to consider. Proton is one of the only free VPNs that doesn't impose a data limit on user traffic. Also, keep in mind that other services, such as IVPN and Mullvad, even accept cash payments. You can see how Surfshark's price stacks up against the competition in the chart below:
Proton lands the top spot with a high-performance server network and a suite of excellent privacy tools for $9.99 per month. NordVPN also offers compelling value, with a host of bundled security tools and support for advanced configuration options, for $12.99 per month. If you plan to subscribe for 12 months or longer, however, Surfshark becomes much more competitive.
Features: A Comprehensive and Expanding Security Ecosystem
The VPN is only one component of Surfshark’s ever-growing security suite. Surfshark’s bundled antivirus doesn’t quite stack up to standalone applications like Bitdefender, but it’s still one of the better add-on services that we’ve tested. The antivirus, called Surfshark One, goes beyond just detecting malicious sites and malware. It offers a more bespoke antivirus experience, with real-time protection and on-demand scans.
Surfshark One subscribers get access to Surfshark Search and Surfshark Alert. Search is a standalone browser with ad-blocking capabilities and a built-in proxy feature that lets you mask your location. Alert functions as a data breach detector. It frequently scans your email, credit cards, and identity for signs of compromise or exposure on the dark web, and alerts you if it finds anything. All subscribers get access to Alternative ID, which quickly generates disposable, one-time-use email addresses and identities for sites that require your personal information. It can also be used to create virtual phone numbers.
(Credit:PCMag/Surfshark)On the VPN side, you can pay an additional $3.75 per month on any plan to unlock dedicated IP addresses; you have to add this feature to your subscription after your initial purchase. You can also access static servers for free, while other providers charge for the privilege. Anyone who uses a Surfshark static server shares an IP address with everyone else on the same server, but static servers are still a good option for applications where a dynamic IP address could cause issues, such as when using voice over IP (VoIP) chats.
Surfshark also includes its own split-tunneling feature, Bypasser, which lets you route apps and websites through or out of the VPN. It's a pretty robust implementation with various routing options.
(Credit: PCMag/Surfshark)I recommend setting the kill switch on as well, just in case of a rare connection error. Surfshark lets you layer protections even further with customizable multi-hop servers. You can create a route with two servers instead of just one to better obfuscate your traffic, but be mindful that these layered connections will significantly impact your performance. I'd only switch to a multi-hop connection if it's necessary for the task at hand. A few other bundled features include rotating IP addresses, NoBorders mode for content unblocking, and LAN invisibility, which makes your phone or PC invisible to other devices on your network.
While the emerging pack of VPN/security suite hybrids is powerful, they can't solve all your privacy problems. There are many ways to track you online. I recommend using the privacy tools built into most browsers and a standalone ad or tracker blocker. I highly recommend creating unique and complex passwords with a password manager, enabling multi-factor authentication wherever possible, and using standalone antivirus software.
VPN Protocols: Broad Support Plus Emerging Proprietary Technology
Surfshark offers the common selection of WireGuard and OpenVPN. WireGuard is the current industry standard. It’s lightweight, open-source, and doesn’t compromise on security. OpenVPN is another user-favorite that has been around and trusted since 2001. It is also open-source and is the go-to choice for many VPN’s basic infrastructure. Windows used to support IKEv2, but it was removed in 2025 due to low usage.
Surfshark offers WireGuard and OpenVPN in its Android, iOS, macOS, Linux, and Windows apps. IKEv2 is also available on Android, iOS, macOS, and Windows. You also get a browser extension that acts as a proxy, masking only your browser traffic.
Notably, Surfshark launched its own protocol, Dausos, in April 2026. It's currently only available on macOS, but the protocol differs significantly from traditional options. Normally, your traffic is obfuscated amongst other users when you use a VPN tunnel. Think of that traditional tunnel like a shared train line. Your traffic is all jumbled up in that train car along with everyone else. Dausos instead offers a private tunnel. This dedicated pathway is like having a train car all to yourself, and Surfshark claims it will lead to better performance because the tunnel can adapt to your specific network conditions. This process doesn't make you more identifiable, since your traffic still looks the same to attackers or external entities.
Further, Dausos is backed by AEGIS-256X2 encryption, designed to protect against potential quantum computer attacks. While the protocol is proprietary, it has been independently audited by Cure53. You can view the full report here. I'd prefer a fully open-source protocol, as audits are imperfect, but I look forward to seeing Dausos develop. It's a novel approach and one of the few proprietary protocols I've seen that actually offer something different from the tried-and-tested options like WireGuard and OpenVPN.
Server Network: A Large Global Footprint With Reliable Infrastructure
Surfshark’s expansive network is made up of more than 4,500 servers in 100 countries. You’re less likely to experience overcrowding if a service has a robust network, as it's more likely that you’ll have multiple connection options in your area. You’ll also have a better chance at spoofing your location and accessing location-specific content.
Surfshark says it relies on trusted third-party data centers to host its servers. The company also uses tamper-resistant RAM-only servers. When asked about the nature of Surfshark’s data centers, a company representative stated:
“Yes – we work with our trusted and carefully vetted third-party partners, although all server installations are handled exclusively by our in-house teams to maintain control and oversight. Overall, when talking about our infrastructure, it’s important to add that our top priority is the security and privacy of our users. We are running all servers on volatile (RAM) memory (diskless servers). This means that no data or configurations are ever stored locally on the servers, ensuring that information cannot be physically extracted and allowing for rapid, remote wiping as part of our ongoing security protocols. Additionally, we’ve implemented sophisticated intrusion detection systems to further enhance our infrastructure.”
The server list is informative and details which servers support multi-hop, P2P, static IP addresses, and dynamic IP addresses. Countries with multiple servers can be clicked to display city-level details for each server.
(Credit: PCMag/Surfshark)If you’ve used other VPN clients before, you might wonder where the specialized servers for torrenting, streaming, and gaming are. Surfshark takes a slightly different approach from these more traditional categories. All servers are meant to work with streaming services and deliver low latency. Additionally, all servers support peer-to-peer (P2P) servers, so you don't have to worry about clicking on the wrong server when torrenting.
Surfshark expanded its server count in June 2025 and introduced a new technology, Everlink, as part of that expansion. It's a complex process, but in short, it is a "self-healing" mechanism that provides a more reliable connection to any given server and prevents the need to manually reconnect to a VPN server if you lose connection.
Privacy: Clear Policies Backed by Regular Independent Audits
I see plenty of approaches to privacy policies, and Surfshark’s privacy page is one of the easiest to understand out of the companies I have reviewed. The same is true for its terms of service section. In both cases, the information is accompanied by blurbs that summarize the more detailed information below in plain terms. Each section is presented in an FAQ style, with a question as the header and an answer below that covers the specifics. There’s no way around the fact that these pages are lengthy, but I recommend taking the time to read through them in their entirety.
Surfshark does not log IP addresses, data usage, session information, browsing history, or any other identifiable information. Time stamps are logged, but the data is retained for only 15 minutes after your session ends. This practice is fairly standard for VPNs that offer unlimited simultaneous connections to prevent abuse of the feature. Surfshark assures that this data is anonymized and cannot be accessed by anyone.
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I'm impressed with how Surfshark breaks down every interaction (social media, email, customer support, etc.) you can have with the company and how the service handles data in each instance. It’s clear that Surfshark respects user privacy and values transparency in its documentation. Additionally, the company confirmed that it generates revenue only from subscription sales, not from the sale of customer data.
In 2022, Surfshark merged with Nordsec, the company behind NordVPN. The VPN was previously incorporated in the British Virgin Islands, and a company representative explained that it continues to operate under BVI law for consistency. Both VPNs are owned by a Netherlands-based holding company called Cyberspace. Cyberspace was initially founded in Lithuania and now operates offices in Amsterdam, Berlin, Vilnius, and Warsaw. When I asked a representative if Surfshark shared any of its infrastructure with Nord, they reassured me that “Surfshark and Nord Security operate as autonomous companies relying on separate infrastructures, different product development plans, and separate customer bases.”
Surfshark’s Trust Center functions as a hub for key privacy and security details. You can view the company’s audit history, read through quarterly transparency reports, and review other related documents. The transparency reports detail the number of DMCA requests and government inquiries that VPN has received. As of this writing, no inquiries have resulted in the handover of user data.
Many VPN companies commission third-party audits to verify company statements about customer privacy and security. Surfshark was audited twice by Cure53, a German cybersecurity firm that has audited several other VPN service providers. The first audit, in 2018, focused on the Surfshark browser extension, while the second, in 2021, focused on Surfshark's infrastructure and VPN configuration. In January 2023, the company completed an audit by Deloitte that confirmed that Surfshark was complying with its stated policy not to retain user activity logs. Lastly, Surfshark underwent an audit by SecuRing in January 2026. The audit examined network infrastructure and looked for vulnerabilities. The summarized results can be read here.
I believe Surfshark takes adequate measures to protect user privacy, but I encourage you to review all of the details and form your own conclusion. Where you draw the line on trust may differ from how we test and evaluate VPNs.
Netflix: Consistent Access and Reliable Unblocking
Streaming services tend to restrict their content on a per-region basis due to licensing restrictions. Netflix may have the rights to broadcast a show in the United States but not in Japan, and vice versa.
I was impressed by Surfshark’s performance. It accessed Netflix without issue in the UK, US, Japan, Australia, and Canada, as shown in the chart above. You can read more about how we qualify these results in the chart above and in our guide to unblocking Netflix with a VPN.
Performance: Strong Speeds With Notable Latency Trade-Offs
It’s almost guaranteed that a VPN will lower your upload and download speeds while increasing your latency. However, your base speeds will vary as well. To understand how a VPN affects your performance, I calculate the percentage change between batches of tests run with and without a VPN using the Ookla Speedtest tool. (Note: Ookla is owned by Ziff Davis, PCMag.com's parent company. For more, see the ethics policy in our Editorial Mission Statement.)
Surfshark performed well in my latest batch of tests, earning a firm spot in my list of the fastest VPNs. My download speed decreased by only 7.73%. Upload speeds were just as good with a marginal decrease of 7.12%. However, latency increased significantly by 201.34%.
The chart below shows how Surfshark stacks up to the competition. I update these results throughout the year with new results and products, so what you see is the latest testing data:
Keep in mind that my results are from using this VPN at a particular time of day and in a particular location. Your results will likely differ from mine, which is part of the reason I don’t recommend you pick a VPN based on speed testing alone.
Apps and Usability: A Polished Cross-Platform Experience
I tested Surfshark on an Intel NUC 12 “Serpent Canyon” running the latest version of Windows 11. On Windows, Surfshark offers a stylish app with flat shades of blue and a smart design that expands and contracts to show more or less information. I especially like that it has a clear, obvious way to get online. When you first download the app, you’ll be asked how familiar you are with VPNs. Picking Beginner will give you a quick tutorial and show you around the app. I liked this approach because you can skip it if you’re an experienced user.
(Credit: PCMag/Surfshark)A red icon in the top-right corner indicates when you’re disconnected from the service. A Quick Connect button will route you to the best local server based on your location. You can fine-tune your selection with a handy server menu that lists countries alphabetized. Each country will also show the city-level location. You can then sort by static IP options, multi-hop servers, and dedicated IP addresses. There will be tabs on the left-hand side of the app for switching between services, such as antivirus and ID alert.
The gear icon in that same tab list will take you to the advanced settings page. Here, you can configure VPN protocols, change what the quick-connect button does, and decide how you want the kill switch to behave. Surfshark offers split-tunneling, labeled as Bypasser in the app, if you have applications you’d rather not be slowed down by the VPN’s encryption. Also notable is the option to block or allow local network traffic, which is handy for streaming to other devices or accessing network printers.
All in all, the Windows experience with Surfshark is straightforward. New users will find it pretty easy to understand, and experienced users will have plenty of extra features to configure.
Next up was macOS. I tested Surfshark on an M4 Mac Mini running Tahoe 26. You can download the macOS version directly from Surfshark’s site or from the App Store.
(Credit: PCMag/Surfshark)The macOS client is largely the same as on Windows. All of the same features are present, including split-tunneling, multi-hop, and dedicated IP addresses. I checked whether Netflix access remained completely open, and it did. I also did not experience any DNS leaks or performance issues.
I then tested Surfshark on an iPhone 14 running iOS 26.4, and the cross-platform consistency remained excellent. Installation was easy with a direct download available in the App Store. Once you login, you’ll be greeted by a somewhat busy interface. It’s not quite as sleek and spaced out as the desktop client, but I still found it streamlined and easy to use. The connection button is tucked away at the bottom of the app and moves with you as you scroll through the server list.
(Credit: PCMag/Surfshark)All of the core functions are present. You can change protocols, enable split tunneling, and configure your auto-connect settings. Aside from the interface itself, there's very little difference between the iOS and macOS versions of the VPN. Other desktop features present include auto-connect, a kill switch, IP rotator, and NoBorders mode. In terms of performance and Netflix access, the iOS version was consistent with my tests on Windows and macOS. iOS, macOS, and Android versions of the app can also use the IKEv2 protocol, in addition to the standard options.
Last up was Android, and I tested Surfshark using a Samsung Galaxy S23 FE running Android 14. Much like the iOS version, the Android interface is a little busy.
(Credit: PCMag/Surfshark)All protocols and advanced settings are available on Android, and no features are absent compared with the Windows version of Surfshark. I tested a variety of servers and connected without problems using every protocol. Access to Netflix was just as seamless as it was on desktop versions.
Support: Fast Live Chat and Thorough Self-Help Resources
Even the best VPN services can have issues, so I evaluate the support options and the responses I get from support staff. Surfshark’s help center is a good place to start. The search bar sifts through FAQs, guides, and posts on the site to see if the answer to your query is already out there. You can also sort through a few predetermined sections below the search bar based on the nature of the problem you’re facing. I found the content of said guides to be pretty informative and straightforward to use.
(Credit: PCMag/Surfshark)If your problem isn’t noted somewhere or you just want to speak to a person about something related to the VPN, you can chat directly with a live agent or submit a help ticket. You’ll have to complete a form with your email, name, and question for both. The bot will try to answer your questions first. If it fails, you’ll be directed to a live agent. I didn’t wait long. It only took a few seconds to get transferred.
(Credit: PCMag/Surfshark)I presented the agent with a fabricated issue of my VPN not connecting. While I didn’t run into any problems with the service, I wanted to see how an agent would handle it if I did. The representative I spoke to was knowledgeable and walked me through the steps to reinstall the application and troubleshoot my connection issue.
The agent recommended I install the App Store version of the app, as the one I installed directly from Surfshark’s site did not include OpenVPN protocols on macOS. After I had a good idea of the troubleshooting steps, I let the agent know my issue was resolved.
Final Thoughts
(Credit: Surfshark)
Surfshark VPN
Surfshark is a top-tier VPN with strong data protection and innovative security tools that make it a standout choice for anyone seeking a premium all-in-one privacy solution.