This Surfshark review highlights its features, pros, and cons, so before splurging your money, we advise staying for the ride. This is quite an interesting VPN provider with strong privacy, a wealth of security features, and good-looking apps for all devices. Above all, it’s affordable. Its start was quite rough, let’s be honest.
With a smaller network and subpar performance, Surfshark couldn’t compete with NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and other giants before. However, a surge of improvements flooded the VPN, skyrocketing it almost to the top of the best VPN charts. In our Surfshark VPN test, we’ll see why this provider is good even for demanding users.
As with any other VPN we tested, we used Surfshark from its inception in 2018, so we’re acquainted with how it works, what it offers, and where it stumbles. This is a first-hand, in-depth review of Surfshark, so read further for more information.
Surfshark
Surfshark displayed excellent overall performance, strong security and privacy, inexpensive 24-month plans, and dazzling streaming abilities. It's not perfect, though, as it can be a bit slower, with pricier-than-usual monthly plans.
Pros
- MultiHop servers for more privacy
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Certified no-logging policy
- Works with 30+ Netflix libraries
- Antivirus works on all devices
- Affordable 2-year plans (min. $1.99/mo)
Cons
- Slow upload speeds
- High 1-month prices (up to $21/mo)
Surfshark VPN Pricing: How Much Does It Cost?
Our Surfshark analysis begins with the price review. We love how generous this provider is, despite the recent costly improvements. The service has an almost fixed price that never fluctuates dramatically. At the time of this review, Surfshark offers a Starter deal at $1.99 per month with three extra months.
However, there’s also the Starter+ plan at $2.29 per month, with an email scam checker, ad blocker, and personal data protection. The Surfshark One plan is the best value in our book, as it offers advanced features that include antivirus protection and a few other features we’ll discuss later in the review. Its price isn’t too high.
The Surfshark One plan is $2.49 per month in this case. We finally have the One+ plan, also with three free months, that includes features from Incogni (just like NordVPN). For more info, refer to our NordVPN test or keep reading this review. Even short-term plans are discounted in Surfshark.
If you want to commit to a year, the Starter plan is $3.19 per month with 3 extra months, easily the cheapest annual VPN deal we’ve ever seen. Unfortunately, Surfshark’s monthly plans are overwhelmingly expensive. The Starter plan is nearly $16, while the One+ plan is under $18—far more than NordVPN’s equivalents.
To not miss out on the latest promotions, check out our list of the most recent coupons and deals for Surfshark VPN for added discounts.
Money-Back Guarantee and Free Trial
Generosity starts with a risk-free purchase and a 30-day money-back guarantee. The VPN provider guarantees that you’ll get a refund in the first 30 days if you want it. For whatever reason, as well. You can test the service, and if you don’t like its speed, for instance, be reimbursed the same day.
Surfshark VPN is easygoing and issues a refund the same day—again, props to that. Do you get a free plan for testing? Unfortunately, no, but it would be silly, considering the two-dollar price. However, a free trial can be obtained through your iOS or Android device. It’s a 7-day trial, obtainable when you provide credit card info.
Payment Methods
Surfshark has an array of popular payment vendors, catering to anyone interested in trying this service risk-free. As you can see, there are credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, and crypto payments for those seeking total privacy.
The provider uses CoinGate for cryptocurrency payments, which, from our experience, is a safe vendor through which you can also get a refund in this case. Some providers lack a refund policy for crypto payments.
Ease of Use & Compatibility
Aesthetics and ease of use are Surfshark’s strengths. As you see, its apps look beautiful and resemble the same feel on all supported platforms. Additionally, the provider is simple to set up and offers a heap of native apps for different devices.
Speaking of that, Surfshark VPN doesn’t bring anything new to the table, but in a good way. It’s the same as our number-one VPN, NordVPN, or fan-favorite, ExpressVPN.
This translates to extensive compatibility that makes Surfshark usable on:
- Mac, Linux, and Windows laptops and computers
- Android and iOS smartphones and tablets
- Streaming devices: Smart TV, Android TV, Nvidia Shield TV, Fire TV Stick, Apple TV, and Chromecast
- Gaming consoles, routers, Raspberry Pi, Oculus Quest 2
- Web browsers: Chrome, Brave, Edge, and Firefox
Even better, Surfshark supports unlimited simultaneous connections. This isn’t dictated by the plan you choose. Even monthly or 1-year plans allow you to protect as many devices as you want. We always appreciate this feature because you can split the price of the subscription with a few friends or family members.
The price of $2 or so a month quickly becomes $0.5 or so a month for each. Compatibility-wise, we’re sure you won’t have any issues. In fact, we’d say it’s one of the best VPN picks for multi-device protection.
Security Features of Surfshark: Is It Safe to Use?
In this Surfshark review for 2026, we must answer an important question: Is the provider secure enough? Based on our few years of experience, we can confidently nod our heads in approval, but still, let us tell you more about it.
Basic VPN Features
We’ll start with basic features, the backbone of almost every VPN service. Surfshark offers all and even goes a step above. Here’s what to expect:
- Military-Grade Encryption. Surfshark employs 256-bit AES encryption to keep your online identity and activities untraceable. It’s a basic but cutting-edge feature, as we’re talking about the highest encryption level possible.
- VPN Kill Switch. Some time ago, this was Surfshark’s Achilles heel. In 2026, Surfshark’s kill switch works better than ever. Drawing from our experience with deliberately killing our VPN connection, the kill switch immediately springs into action, 100% of the time.
- Bypasser. An alternative name for split tunneling. One of our favorite features because it lets you determine which apps and/or websites to route through or bypass the VPN tunnel. NordVPN and ExpressVPN offer App Split Tunneling only, but Surfshark goes a step further with Domain (Website) Split Tunneling.
- CleanWeb. It works only when the VPN is connected and blocks trackers, malware, and ads. Sadly, blocked threats aren’t listed for further identification, as is the case with NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro.
- WireGuard/OpenVPN Protocols. The VPN offers WireGuard as the faster option and OpenVPN as a slower protocol. After trying both, we referred to the former. There’s nothing special here, as neither is customizable like with PIA. By the way, you can read our PIA review here if you’re interested in another affordable VPN.
Advanced Security Features
You wouldn’t expect such a large number of advanced security features from a cheap VPN like Surfshark. We’re all wrong sometimes, except when we’re right. Here’s a comprehensive review of all advanced security features from our Surfshark test.
NoBorders Mode (Obfuscation)
Let’s start with NoBorders, one of the trademark features. It’s easy to use and requires you to toggle a switch in the app to make it work. NoBorders is an obfuscation that allows the provider to work in censored regions. You’ll see our test of it later in the Surfshark review. It masks your VPN traffic, making it look regular.
As a result, the service bypasses firewalls and allows you to use the internet freely. Spoiler alert—it works in China. But as said, you’ll find a more in-depth analysis of this feature later on.
MultiHop + Rotating IP
Like NordVPN, PIA, and countless other providers, Surfshark offers MultiHop. This is one of our most beloved features because it doubles your encryption by routing your traffic through two servers in different countries. This makes it impossible to track you. In our Surfshark test, this feature was better than expected.
We expected speed drops, but we ended up with stellar performance. It’s customizable, so you can choose the entry and exit server. You can’t do this in NordVPN and its pre-determined server location pairs. Surfshark has these pairs too, but if you click Create Connection, you can pick two countries to pair.
Another feature worth mentioning is the Rotating IP. It’s, at first, similar to MultiHop because it rotates your IP periodically. However, Surfshark’s technology lets you periodically rotate your IP and keep your online location, without losing the connection. This is impossible with a traditional IP change.
Become Untraceable With Surfshark
Surfshark Alert
We move on to the features available in the One plan, our recommended option. The Starter plan includes all of the features from above, but not this and the next three features from the Surfshark review. For us, this was always a handy feature to keep up with potential email breaches.
It’s the same as the Dark Web Monitor from NordVPN. Alert scans your email, finds breaches, and informs you in your account dashboard on the website. The service also monitors your credit cards and IDs to prevent unauthorized access.
Of course, if you want to minimize your exposure and don’t want the provider to keep an eye on your sensitive data, all of it can be instantly deleted forever.
Antivirus
We also liked the Antivirus that this provider offers. It’s an in-app add-on and works like any other antivirus. The tool scans your computer for threats and informs you if any will endanger your device. A huge advantage is a frequent database update. Surfshark updates its threat database every few hours.
This is typical only for top-tier antivirus software. As you can see in the screenshot, we tested the Antivirus and found no threats—thank God. This Antivirus offers a few additional options we found helpful.
For one, there’s real-time protection that instantly eliminates viruses upon detection. Web protection is a nifty little tool that prevents malicious downloads. The Antivirus can perform a full or quick scan of your device to find even the most stubborn threats. Our experience with this VPN and antivirus combo was pleasant.
Search (Private Browser)
People who often watch porn switch to the Incognito mode without knowing that it’s still traceable by their ISP (Internet Service Provider). Well, Surfshark came up with its Search browser that offers untraceable, completely anonymous browsing, allowing you to enjoy full privacy when watching porn or gambling.
You can use it from the app by typing in the search query. The new tab will then open in your browser, where you can start using the internet in complete privacy. This, with the VPN ON, will make you a ghost on the internet.
Alternative ID
After trying out Alternative ID, we couldn’t help but notice this feature’s greatness. It lets you create a fake identity and go online as a different person. Users can manually create their credentials or let Surfshark craft their Alt Persona to fend off data brokers and advertisers. We tried this feature multiple times.
Honestly, we had a good laugh on more than a few occasions. Below, you can see what the provider created for us. We became Luciano Danilo Santos in a second, with a new birth date, gender, country, and state.
With this Alt Persona, Surfshark also supplied us with the corresponding email that we could use on different sites that require this kind of information. Instead of our email address, we could use this one, pretty handy in many scenarios.
Incogni
Incogni can also be found in NordVPN, which we clarified at the start of our Surfshark review. It lets you request the deletion of your private data by forcing data brokers to remove it from their databases. The feature works in the UK, the US, Switzerland, Canada, and the EU, at least at the time of reviewing the service.
It’s part of the Surfshark One+ subscription, so it might not fit your budget. However, it works with dozens of popular data brokers and is effective at wiping traces of your online presence, essential for privacy.
RAM Servers
All of the provider’s servers are based on RAM, or Random Access Memory. RAM is volatile memory that loses all data upon power loss. This guarantees that each server restart wipes all information and prevents unwanted logging that, either way, isn’t happening. RAM-based servers are also about performance.
They’re usually faster and easier to update, requiring less maintenance. It’s a plus for large VPNs that need to keep everything under control at any moment.
IP and DNS Leak Test: No Leaks Detected
Our IP and DNS leak test was pretty successful. We tested almost all of Surfshark’s server locations with incredible results. However, for the sake of simplicity, we’ll show you our test results while using the American VPN server.
The first testing ground was ipleak.net.
This website inspected our connection for IP and DNS leaks, only to find none. Below are our test results from browserleaks.com—another popular leak tester.
Again, you see no leaks of our IP/DNS from Belgrade (our location at the time of writing the review). As expected, the provider’s security is strong enough for top-to-bottom privacy without compromises. We expected nothing less.
Does Surfshark VPN Keep Logs?
We’ll answer this question right away—no, it doesn’t. Surfshark’s jurisdiction was the British Virgin Islands. However, a few years ago, the provider shifted to the Netherlands, right into the very heart of the 14 Eyes region. Many users were dismayed, as the Dutch jurisdiction isn’t exactly screaming privacy.
Yet, shortly after moving to the Netherlands, the VPN received an independent audit on its no-log policy, which cemented its place as one of the safest providers around. An interesting fact is that Surfshark joined forces with NordVPN.
NordVPN isn’t its owner. These are still different companies, but they work together to make improvements on both services. This is why they offer some similar or even identical features (Incogni, for example). Of course, NordVPN is better, but this collaboration brought Surfshark to a much higher level, too.
Besides, privacy-wise, it’s reassuring to know that the company works with a VPN giant like NordVPN. At least in our eyes, this makes it more trustworthy.
Surfshark’s Privacy Policy Review
You don’t have to dig deep to gain information about the provider’s logging practices. In this Surfshark review, we’ll mention that the service stores no logs of your:
- IP address
- Browsing history
- Consumed bandwidth
- Network traffic
- DNS queries
As this information isn’t stored on its servers, we can immediately conclude this is a true no-log policy. However, every provider requires some data to work, and this one is no different. Two bits are crucial—email and basic billing info.
The VPN can’t work without these two. On the technical front, the provider collects a small batch of information, such as:
- Aggregated anonymous performance data
- The frequency of use of the service
- App crash reports
- Unsuccessful connection attempts
As you see, it’s basic information that can lead Surfshark or any other entity back to you. Technical data like this is a MUST for server maintenance and future improvements, plus, it’s in an anonymized form and is wiped with each server restart, thanks to RAM servers. Alert and Antivirus require more information.
Don’t fret. If you want to stop using them, you can do so, and all collected information will be deleted forever. This, for instance, applies to Alert, which monitors your email address. Once you stop using it, your email is deleted and lost to oblivion.
Third-Party Audits
As an acclaimed cheap VPN, Surfshark underwent a few independent security audits. The first was in 2021, just three years after the official first release. Cure53 inspected and audited its server infrastructure, a major confidence boost for the company. At the start of 2023, Surfshark underwent an evaluation from Deloitte.
Deloitte confirmed its no-log statements for the second time. At the end of 2023, the VPN received a MASA certificate. MASA stands for Mobile App Security Assessment. It’s a test performed on mobile apps to determine if they’re safe enough. iOS and Android apps passed the analysis with flying colors this time.
In 2025, Surfshark received another audit on its no-log policy from Deloitte, one of the Big Four auditing firms. With so many audits under its belt, it would be ignorant not to trust this outstanding VPN in 2026.
Surfshark Review: Server Locations
Back in the day, the provider worked with around 1,000+ servers in less than 50-60 locations. In 2026, the company takes itself more seriously, improving and expanding its network to 4,500+ servers in 100 countries. The server network is, as said, hosted on RAM and contains 10 Gbps ports for the best performance.
Interestingly, Surfshark also introduced 40 Gbps servers in some locations, for even better and more reliable performance. All server locations are WireGuard-friendly, plus all can be used within Surfshark’s capable browser extension (read more about the most reliable VPNs for Chrome).
Its server distribution is excellent, with servers on all continents, except for Antarctica. For added variety, the provider includes Static IP addresses in the Netherlands, the UK, Singapore, Japan, the US, and Germany. Plus, Surfshark offers Dedicated IP addresses in 19 locations, an improvement over 12 in the past.
While this is on par with Private Internet Access, NordVPN, and CyberGhost, the prices of dedicated IPs are on the higher side. Surfshark charges you $3.75 per month per IP, while Private Internet Access charges you $2.50 per month. Overall, we’re satisfied with the server network, based on our long experience with Surfshark.
Speed Tests: Surfshark’s Performance Evaluation
It’s interesting to see the speed test results of such an affordable provider. It has all the prerequisites to be fast, including WireGuard and 10/40 Gbps servers. We tested the provider thoroughly, but before explaining our procedure, here are our native speeds tested without using a VPN, in Belgrade.
Shortly after, we tested Surfshark three times a day for three days in a row, using three server locations: the UK, the USA, and Japan. The protocol was set to Automatic. The results you see below are the best we could achieve. Let’s examine them:
UK Speed Test Results:
US Speed Test Results:
Japan Speed Test Results:
The provider displayed impressive download speeds with low latency. However, it took a punch to the belly in upload speeds, whose reduction was pretty noticeable. If you prioritize uploads, NordVPN is the fastest VPN you can get in 2026. We must notice one thing in our speed test results.
| UK Server | US Server | Japan Server | |
| DL Speed Loss ⬇️ | 7.6% | 26% | 41.3% |
| UL Speed Loss ⬆️ | 23.8% | 51% | 85.2% |
Surfshark ended up being slightly faster than ExpressVPN in the same locations—at least in download speeds. This tells us volumes about Surfshark’s improvements highlighted in this review. If you want an overview at this level, read the Surfshark vs NordVPN vs ExpressVPN comparison we did recently.
Streaming & Torrenting With Surfshark
When we started using it, we discovered how capable it is of streaming. We performed many tests on Netflix and unblocked over 30 libraries, more than any other VPN. Apart from the popular ones, Surfshark worked with Netflix Turkey, Singapore, Hungary, and other less-expected-to-work libraries.
Other streaming portals are no match for this provider. In particular, BBC iPlayer worked without a hitch. Thanks to servers in India, Netflix India could be unblocked, along with Indian TV channels that many expats abroad want to access. Even sports channels like ESPN and Eurosport can be added to the list.
This makes Surfshark a perfect option for both Netflix and sports-streaming fans who want uninterrupted access to their favorite content. By the way, Surfshark is also one of the best picks for streaming Formula 1 races.
Access Exclusive Content With Surfshark
The provider also offers Smart DNS, which can be set up on non-VPN-supported devices for streaming. We noticed how well it worked on our PlayStation 5, where we could unblock Netflix US swiftly. Torrenting is another strength of this Dutch provider. As you see below, we used Surfshark with μTorrent to download Linux.
The performance is stable, and the only reduction is in upload speed, not that important anyway. Most impressively, the VPN has no dedicated or specialty servers for torrenting or streaming. You can do everything with regular servers by connecting to any location, super convenient for beginners.
Using Surfshark for Bypassing Censorship
A while ago, in our Surfshark review, we mentioned NoBorders. The feature masks your VPN connection and lets you bypass censorship. Well, after testing the provider first and foremost in China, we’ve discovered just how powerful NoBorders is. Enabling it makes Surfshark usable in China fairly reliably.
Granted, speeds will not be blazing-fast, but the performance is satisfactory. Furthermore, the VPN doesn’t lock you to specific Obfuscated servers, so you can choose any location. We noticed that even Netflix and torrenting sites work in China. In terms of reliability in this country, NordVPN is a bit better.
However, Surfshark is still a reliable VPN for China. As expected, the provider will also work in the UAE, Russia, Iran, and similar regions, so it’s good if you often travel abroad, both for fun and for business purposes.
Customer Support
Getting in touch with Surfshark couldn’t be simpler. Once you’re on the site, scroll down and find Contact Us. Click it, and you can visit the Help Center or contact Surfshark by submitting a request. The provider is surprisingly quick to respond to and tackle your question or issue. Is there live chat support? Yes.
However, it’s unavailable from the get-go. You must visit the Help Center first, scroll down, and then find Chat With Us. Click it, provide your name and address, and the support team agent will pick you up in a minute. We had a nice experience chatting with its agents. They’re knowledgeable and eager to help.
Surfshark’s on-site help is impressive. Things like FAQs and guides have their place. There’s also a search bar where you can type in your problem or question and find it in the huge knowledge base. Unlike PIA, it doesn’t have a community forum. This would be a welcome addition, but at this point, it’s really a nitpick.
Conclusion
With our in-depth review of Surfshark for 2026 at its end, we’ve ultimately fallen in love with what this affordable VPN service offers. The VPN displayed some high-quality traits non-typical for such an affordable service. It’s secure, keeps no logs, and is fast on all of the tested server locations.
We also like its applications, unlimited connections, and impeccable streaming capabilities. Surfshark doesn’t have many shortcomings, apart from underwhelming upload speeds that most people don’t care about much. Compared to NordVPN and ExpressVPN, Surfshark’s jurisdiction is much less privacy-friendly.
But this is basically a pointless complaint, as the VPN received more than a few third-party audits precisely on its no-log policy. At this price, Surfshark is a very good option. So, should you get it? We’d say yes, especially as a long-term VPN, where its price and value for money trump all other VPNs.