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SurfsharkVPN
- Our Score 9.4
- User Rating
Surfshark VPN Review
As a relative newcomer to the VPN scene, Surfshark has hit the ground running, quickly
capturing the attention of the masses and securing a top spot among the market’s elite.
In fact, as of 2022, Surfshark is considered the best VPN choice for value, offering
plenty of features for a great price. The provider boasts all the essentials for a
worthy VPN with watertight security, fast servers, seamless streaming and torrenting,
and round-the-clock customer service.
But what makes Surfshark stand out? And what could the company
improve? Find out in our in-depth article and discover why more and more customers are
signing up with Surfshark.
Surfshark VPN Figures
- 3,200+ servers, 65 countries
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- 24/7 live chat support
- 30-day money-back guarantee
- Prices start at €2.19 per month
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Introducing Surfshark
Founded in 2018 by current CEO Vytautas Kaziukonis, Surfshark’s
primary goal was to humanize security and make digital privacy accessible to everyone.
Alongside its VPN, the company launched three other products, Surfshark Alert,
Antivirus, and Search. The Lithuanian start-up was an instant success. One million
paying customers registered with Surfshark in just 30 months, surpassing the likes of
Netflix.
Initially headquartered in the privacy haven of
the British Virgin Islands, the company moved to the Netherlands in 2021. This
surprising relocation raised a few eyebrows in terms of data security, which will be
discussed in more detail later. And then, in 2022, Surfshark announced a merger with yet
another market leader, Nord Security, parent of NordVPN. Despite the partnership, each
company has retained its own products and remains independent of one another.
Is Surfshark Easy to Use Even for Beginners, and What Platforms Does It Support?
As internet usage continues to soar, even the least tech-savvy
users are becoming more and more aware of the need to protect their information. This
demand has brought VPNs to the mainstream. And user-friendliness is more essential now
than ever before. Surfshark lives up to expectations in the usability stakes. Every app
is smartly designed to combine simplicity for novices with advanced features for
experts. Navigation is smooth, interfaces are uncluttered, and users should have no
problems downloading the apps, connecting with servers, and customizing their settings.
Let’s take a look at the platforms that support Surfshark’s VPN:
- Apps: Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, routers
- Browser extensions: Chrome, Edge, Firefox
- Streaming devices and games consoles: Android TV, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV,
Chromecast, Roku, PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo
Although Surfshark may not cover as many platforms as some rivals, ExpressVPN, for
instance, it does connect to the most popular options and can be installed on routers.
On the plus side, and perhaps one of the most significant advantages over competitors,
one subscription can be used on an unlimited number of devices. Compared with the
industry standard of around five simultaneous connections, Surfshark’s no limit policy
makes the VPN a superior choice for customers seeking to secure multiple devices.
How Fast is Surfshark?
The average user will be more than happy with Surfshark’s speeds, providing minimal
speed loss even when streaming, gaming, and torrenting. Naturally, local connections are
faster, although long-distance speeds remain high and reliable. A recent expansion of
servers and locations, plus the addition of the WireGuard protocol, have boosted the
VPN’s speeds significantly, with only a handful of competitors, such as NordVPN,
CyberGhost, and PIA capable of challenging on the speed front.
Can Surfshark Guarantee Privacy?
Many customers were asking this question when
the company unexpectedly moved its headquarters from the British Virgin Islands to the
Netherlands. The latter is part of the Nine Eyes alliance that shares information with
the other eight participating members: the UK, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand,
Denmark, France, and Norway. This intelligence exchange scheme makes Surfshark’s new
home a much less favorable location than its predecessor. However, the company adheres
to a strict no-logs policy, meaning no online activities are ever monitored or stored.
In addition, the VPN employs the following features to help ensure a watertight digital
experience:
- 1. Encryption: Industry-standard AES-256-GCM protection
- 2. Protocols: IKEv2/IPSec, OpenVPN, WireGuard
- 3. Kill switch: Available on every application to disconnect from the internet
if the VPN connection drops - 4. Leak blocking: DNS, IP, and WebRTC leak blocking to keep data safe at all
times - 5. 100% diskless server network: RAM-only servers offer much more security than
hard drives - 6. CleanWeb: Blocks adverts and minimizes malware risks
- 7. Bypasser: Surfshark’s split tunneling tool allows specific traffic to bypass
the VPN. Currently only available on Windows and Android apps - 8. Camouflage and no borders modes: Two separate settings that work to disguise VPN usage and elude censorship
- 9. Multihop (double VPN): Connect to two VPN networks at the same time to double protection
- 10. Rotating IP: IP address changes without disconnecting from the VPN to
enhance anonymity
As well as the VPN security features listed
above, the company also offers a complete digital privacy package.
Surfshark One
includes the VPN, plus:
- 11. Alert: Real-time alerts for data breaches
- 12. Antivirus: Scans viruses and removes harmful files
- 13. Search: Hides from search engines to generate organic results
And on top of all that, Surfshark also commissioned an independent audit in 2021 by a
German-based security firm, something very few peers have been willing to do.
This
desire to go above and beyond competitors in the company’s quest for privacy helped gain
the trust of scores of global internet users.
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Streaming, Torrenting and Round-the-Clock Support
Can Customers Rely on Surfshark for Streaming?
Those looking to unblock restricted regions and
enjoy high-quality streaming can count on Surfshark. In fact, the provider fares better
than many other VPNs, especially when it comes to Netflix, with access to 10
international Netflix libraries. The company was the first to unblock Disney+ and
remains a reliable option for streaming BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, HBO Max, ITV
Player, and more. Strangely enough, Surfshark has struggled to unblock Hulu of late,
making it a poor VPN choice for subscribers of the US-based streaming service.
Does Surfshark Allow Torrenting?
Of course! A VPN without the ability to download
and upload files would undoubtedly struggle in such a competitive market. P2P activity
with Surfshark is boosted by its no-logs policy and unlimited bandwidth. Specialized
servers are even on hand for this particular purpose. However, disappointingly, there is
no port forwarding function, which means speeds for seeding are considerably lower than
VPN alternatives that do allow it.
How Committed are Surfshark to Their Customers?
The website provides a range of materials, from
FAQs to step-by-step guides and video tutorials, to help customers resolve any minor
queries. Alternatively, users can contact the support team via email or through a 24/7
live chat. While prompt and helpful, Surfshark’s live chat response falls short of
competitors when it comes to more complex inquiries.
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Is Surfshark the Cheapest VPN Available?
While there are less expensive VPNs out there, Surfshark is
arguably the cheapest provider to offer such quality and so many features. Let’s take a
look at the current pricing plans:
- One month: €11.39 per month
- 12 months: €3.49 per month
- Two years: €2.19 per month
If opting for a two-year package upfront, new
users can take advantage of Surfshark’s incredible value. And the 30-day money-back
guarantee allows a no-strings-attached trial. Payments can be made through a variety of
methods, including credit and debit cards, Amazon and Google Pay, PayPal, and
cryptocurrencies.
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Surfshark Pros & Cons
Pros
- Affordable VPN with great value on the two-year plan
- High speeds, an extensive network of diskless servers
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- No-logs policy and enhanced security features
- Easy to use apps perfect for beginners
- Unblocks 10 Netflix regions and the majority of streaming platforms
Cons
- Struggles to unblock Hulu
- No port forwarding function
- Headquartered in the Netherlands (Nine Eyes alliance member)
Our Verdict
Reliable, fast, and secure, Surfshark has everything a VPN needs
to make customers happy. With added extras, such as split tunneling, multihop, and
rotating IPs thrown in for good measure, those with heightened security concerns are
certain to be satisfied. Add to that the capability of using the VPN on an unlimited
number of devices, and all that for a relatively low fee, and Surfshark makes for a
worthy contender for the VPN crown.