Surfshark VPN makes a compelling argument as a bang-for-buck VPN in 2024. It gives spectacular VPN speeds and a number of safety features — all at somewhat inexpensive costs with its long-term plans.

It additionally helps limitless simultaneous tool connections, including much more price for customers with a couple of gadgets. Even with out a devoted loose model, there’s no denying Surfshark’s spectacular price-to-performance ratio.

Is Surfshark loose?

No, Surfshark isn’t loose and doesn’t have a loose model. There is a seven-day loose trial, however it’s only to be had for Android, iOS, and macOS customers. Unfortunately, this leaves Windows customers with out get entry to to the loose trial — which I’m hoping is resolved within the close to long term.

SEE: Surfshark vs Norton Secure VPN (2024): Which VPN Is Better? (roosho)

Take word that Surfshark’s seven-day loose trial calls for fee data to get entry to. So, you’ll have to supply credit score/debit card, PayPal, or different fee knowledge to check out out Surfshark VPN.

If you’re no longer willing at the loose trial, Surfshark supplies a 30-day money-back ensure for all its subscription plans, on all platforms. This permits you to refund your preliminary subscription inside a 30-day length. If this selection is to be had to you, I feel this can be a just right option to take a look at Surfshark’s provider since you’ll all the time refund your acquire if it doesn’t suit your wishes.

Surfshark VPN pricing

Surfshark has 3 subscription tiers: Starter, One, and One+. Each tier has a per 30 days, one-year, and two-year contract choice. Below is a rundown of pricing and have variations for every plan:

In phrases of which subscription to head for, I like to recommend Surfshark One’s annual subscription. At $4.09 per thirty days, it gives a just right stability between having additional options whilst no longer going overboard with an extended contract.

SEE: AVG Secure VPN vs Surfshark (2024): Which VPN Is Better? (roosho)

It’s additionally very inexpensive in comparison to the contest. For instance, NordVPN’s 1-year Plus plan is priced at $5.99 per thirty days, whilst ExpressVPN’s annual subscription fluctuates between $6.67 and $8.33, relying for your location.

If you’re in particular in search of a per 30 days subscription, I counsel taking a look in different places. At $15.45 to $20.65 per thirty days, Surfshark’s per 30 days plans are at the dear aspect in the marketplace. My recommendation can be to imagine both Proton VPN’s one-month Plus plan at $9.99 per thirty days or CyberGhost VPN’s per 30 days subscription at $12.99, particularly for those who’re on a tighter price range.

One factor to seem out for is Surfshark’s tough renewal pricing. In the main points underneath its subscription costs, Surfshark states that costs will range after the preliminary subscription length.

I’d have most well-liked if Surfshark had strong pricing, even after the renewal length. This would make the buying choice much less complicated and make its inexpensive plans much more attractive.

To be honest, Surfshark isn’t the one VPN soliciting for a distinct payment upon renewal. However, it’s value having a look at for the needs of this assessment.

Security: Is Surfshark VPN protected?

Yes, Surfshark VPN is a protected and protected VPN. It makes use of top-tier AES-256 encryption — widely known as some of the protected encryption algorithms to be had.

For its VPN protocols, Surfshark carries WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN. I commend Surfshark for giving customers flexibility in having the choice between a security-focused tunneling protocol like OpenVPN and extra speed-oriented ones like WireGuard.

SEE: Surfshark vs IPVanish (2024): Which VPN Should You Choose? (roosho)

In addition, Surfshark has a no-logs coverage, which states that it doesn’t log any person’s on-line task similar to surfing historical past or knowledge transfers. While it’s simple to make guarantees, Surfshark’s no-logs coverage has been independently audited through Deloitte in December 2022.

According to Deloitte, Surfshark’s “configuration of IT systems and management of the supporting IT operations is properly prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with Surfshark’s description of its no-logs policy.”

Surfshark additionally makes use of RAM-only servers for its server fleet, because of this that every one knowledge is wiped each and every time certainly one of their VPN servers is rebooted. This additional secures person knowledge, decreasing the danger of knowledge breaches and unauthorized get entry to.

SEE: Why Your Business Needs Cybersecurity Awareness Training (roosho Premium)

One small nitpick I’ve is how Surfshark’s most up-to-date audit used to be printed again in 2022 — which is already two years previous. It can be perfect if Surfshark adopted go well with with different distributors, like NordVPN or ExpressVPN, whose most up-to-date audits are from 2023. However, I don’t fault them an excessive amount of, particularly taking into consideration how different VPNs outright don’t have a third-party audit to talk of.

Key options of Surfshark VPN

On peak of having the ability to encrypt your web visitors, Surfshark supplies a wholesome quantity of options that cater to more than a few wishes and instances.

Dynamic MultiHop

A spotlight function from Surfshark is Dynamic MultiHop. This is Surfshark’s double VPN function that permits customers to attach by the use of two VPN server places, including an additional layer of safety for your knowledge. In essence, this hides your knowledge and on-line task in the back of two servers — providing double the security you’d differently get from a unmarried VPN server.

I specifically like how Surfshark supplies concrete cases the place MultiHop could be a great tool. According to the VPN supplier, MultiHop can also be helpful for other folks like political activists or reporters who need higher on-line anonymity as they live in additional restrictive areas of the sector.

While those are extra area of interest use circumstances, I applaud Surfshark for bringing distinctive options like this along its major VPN.

Surfshark Search

As a author who does a ton of on-line analysis, Surfshark Search is my private favourite amongst Surfshark’s options. It supplies a custom designed seek engine that mechanically blocks all centered advertisements and trackers for your seek effects.

SEE: Surfshark vs CyberGhost (2024): Which VPN Is Better? (roosho)

Normally, for those who seek one thing like “best password manager” on a seek engine, you’re greeted with a ton of subsidized posts, like within the symbol underneath.

With Surfshark Search, the entire subsidized posts and advertisements are got rid of from the quest effects totally. This supplies a far cleaner and not more intrusive surfing enjoy. Below is a glimpse of me taking a look up the similar “best password manager” — however now the usage of Surfshark Search.

Once I clicked seek, I used to be redirected to a Surfshark Search web page with a cleaner set of queries, all stuffed with extra natural posts and internet pages.

I envision this to be helpful to folks that do numerous analysis and are bored with sifting thru heaps of advertisements to get to a top quality webpage.

Unlimited tool connections

With Surfshark, you get limitless simultaneous tool connections that let customers to attach a limiteless choice of gadgets to a VPN server on the identical time.

This lets in households or small companies to attach as many gadgets as they wish to a VPN server with no need to buy an extra subscription.

While no longer the flashiest function, I to find limitless gadgets to be a vital value-add. This is particularly true for those who use various laptops, computer systems, and smartphones and need to attach they all to a protected VPN server.

Performance: How quick is Surfshark VPN?

I used to be completely inspired with Surfshark’s VPN speeds, as they have been each quick and dependable throughout my trying out. This concerned doing my same old workflow as a author: having a couple of tabs open for analysis, doing paintings on Google Workspace apps like Drive and Docs, and attending the occasional on-line video assembly.

While attached to Surfshark servers, I skilled nearly 0 lower in real-world velocity. Sites and webpages loaded briefly and perusing on-line felt snappy. I additionally didn’t come upon any drops in connectivity, as my VPN connection remained strong from begin to end.

The tale used to be the similar when it got here to hurry trying out. For downloads, Surfshark solely recorded a lower of about 12.5% in comparison to my web provider supplier — which is superb since round a 20-30% drop is regarded as just right. For uploads, Surfshark if truth be told supplied sooner speeds, having a 49.6% building up when in comparison to my ISP.

With this, if you wish to have a fast-performing VPN that gives peak velocity and reliability, I’m assured Surfshark will do the process properly.

Surfshark VPN servers and places

When it involves VPN servers, Surfshark is available in with a cast 100-country server fleet of three,200+ servers. In phrases of the choice of servers, Surfshark’s 3,200-server community is above reasonable in comparison to the contest.

What’s extra attention-grabbing to me is the choice of VPN server places or nations. At 100 nations, Surfshark stands on par with different peak VPN suppliers in 2024. Just to match, CyberGhost VPN additionally gives a 100-country server fleet, whilst NordVPN has servers throughout 111 nations.

In 2024, having round 100 nations in a VPN server community is taking a look to be the usual. Personally, I fortify this development because it provides customers extra selection in the case of unblocking geo-restricted content material. It additionally gives advantages in the case of velocity, because it will increase the chance of getting VPN servers closer our location — decreasing latency and lengthening total velocity.

Fortunately, Surfshark supplies a publicly to be had abstract of all its energetic VPN server places. This permits you to test if their VPN has the server places you intend to make use of.

Surfshark on-line server community evaluate. Image: Surfshark

You can consult with the server listing right here.

Surfshark VPN app enjoy

For in-app enjoy, I had a most commonly certain enjoy with Surfshark’s utility. For this assessment, I examined Surfshark’s desktop app for Windows. Overall, I discovered the Surfshark app to be well-designed and simple to make use of.

The app itself felt trendy, and I admire the fashionable means it took in the case of design. I additionally idea the entirety used to be properly arranged, as I had no problems in search of options or vital settings whilst trying out.

One space of growth I’ve for Surfshark is that a few of its options have been somewhat clunky in the beginning use. In explicit, I had some hassle getting Surfshark’s Bypasser cut up tunneling function to paintings for the primary time.

Bypasser permits you to make a choice particular apps or web pages to course by the use of the VPN or to avoid the VPN altogether.

When I first attempted Bypasser, it to begin with didn’t have Microsoft Edge bypass the VPN server as I meant. However, a handy guide a rough restart of the app and Bypasser did the trick. I additionally had the similar enjoy after I first used Surfshark’s Dynamic MultiHop function, the place it gave the impression somewhat clunky to make use of firstly.

Surfshark does tell the person {that a} restart of the relationship or the app itself is needed. However, I selected to notice it right here because it kind of breaks the differently seamless app enjoy I had with Surfshark for many of my trying out.

Surfshark VPN buyer fortify

Surfshark VPN has a just right quantity of shopper fortify choices. It supplies e-mail fortify, a ticketing machine, reside chat, an AI chatbot, and an information base with in depth guides and tutorials.

When I attempted Surfshark’s AI chatbot, it supplied respectable solutions to easy questions somewhat briefly. However, it did battle with extra difficult queries, so you must set expectancies when the usage of it to get to the bottom of a topic.

In different information, I discovered their fortify articles to be legitimately useful. The content material and guides have been in-depth, and so they even presented articles for particular running techniques and gadgets.

I in my view admire how the fortify articles, just like the above referring to setup, had screenshots for every step — no longer assuming the technical wisdom of the reader. It even has a video educational along the thing, offering an impressively complete information.

Surfshark VPN professionals

• Unlimited tool connections.
• Very inexpensive long-term plans.
• Intuitive and well-designed interface.
• Fast and dependable VPN speeds.
• Dynamic MultiHop double VPN.
• Servers throughout 100 nations.
• Ad-free seek engine software.

Surfshark VPN cons

• Some options is also clunky firstly.
• Renewal pricing is somewhat complicated.
• No Windows loose trial.
• Monthly plans are dear.

Who is Surfshark VPN for?

Surfshark is for customers who need a value-laden VPN that gives nice functionality and a number of considerate safety features — at inexpensive costs.

To me, Surfshark’s spectacular VPN speeds are its maximum noteworthy function. Throughout trying out, it supplied quick speeds and a strong connection throughout a couple of VPN servers and places. If you’re in particular in search of a fast-performing VPN, Surfshark is a smart pick out.

In addition, Surfshark is a superb selection for small groups that want a VPN that may accommodate a couple of gadgets. With its limitless simultaneous tool connections, Surfshark can take care of various computer systems, smartphones, and different gadgets with out requiring an extra subscription for they all.

Alternatives to Surfshark VPN

While Surfshark is a smart VPN, there are different choices that supply other options you might wish to imagine. I’ve indexed 3 VPN possible choices you’ll discover:

NordVPN

For safety fans, I counsel taking a look at NordVPN. NordVPN has constructed a name for providing quite a lot of safety features with its VPN. It contains integrated internet coverage in opposition to trackers, advertisements, and malware; a novel encrypted file-sharing machine; and a devoted darkish internet observe to stay monitor of leaked credentials.

To be informed extra, learn our complete NordVPN assessment.

CyberGhost VPN

If you’re in search of optimized servers, I like to recommend CyberGhost VPN. CyberGhost VPN well categorizes its servers relying on what you’ll use them for — whether or not it’s for streaming, torrenting, or gaming. With its huge server fleet that spans 100 nations, it’s a cast pick out in case your number one use for a VPN is unblocking geo-restricted content material on-line.

To be informed extra, learn our complete CyberGhost VPN assessment.

ExpressVPN

When it involves having a easy person enjoy, I to find ExpressVPN to be one of the vital best possible. It makes use of a blank UI that’s well-designed and simple to navigate. ExpressVPN additionally boasts an excellent quantity of third-party safety audits, appearing its dedication to providing top quality safety to its customers.

To be informed extra, learn our complete ExpressVPN assessment.

Review technique

My assessment of Surfshark VPN concerned a complete analysis of its options, value, and real-world functionality. I had hands-on time with Surfshark VPN thru a one-year Surfshark Starter subscription.

To assess Surfshark VPN, I scored it on the entirety from its server community to pricing. In explicit, I took under consideration 5 major pillars, every having corresponding weights:

• Pricing (20%).
• Core VPN options (30%).
• Ease of use (15%).
• Customer fortify (30%).
• Expert research (5%).

From this rubric, Surfshark VPN won a score of four.6 out of five stars. I additionally appeared into person testimonials and different respected opinions to spherical out my ultimate suggestions for this assessment.

For velocity and function, I used Ookla’s public Speedtest to measure obtain and add speeds. I additionally ran Surfshark VPN thru DNSLeakTest a couple of occasions to test for any DNS leaks. Finally, I took under consideration which sorts of companies or particular person customers would best possible take pleasure in the usage of Surfshark VPN.

To be informed extra about how we assessment VPNs, learn our complete VPN Review Methodology.

roosho Senior Engineer (Technical Services)

I am Rakib Raihan RooSho, Jack of all IT Trades. You got it right. Good for nothing. I try a lot of things and fail more than that. That's how I learn. Whenever I succeed, I note that in my cookbook. Eventually, that became my blog. 

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