We review VPNs independently, but we may earn commissions if you buy a VPN via our links.

Surfshark VPN Review

Simon Migliano is a recognized world expert in VPNs. He's tested hundreds of VPN services and his research has featured on the BBC, The New York Times and more.

Fact-checked by JP JonesAdditional Testing by David Hughes

Our Verdict

9.2/10
How is this calculated?

We calculate the VPN service’s Overall Rating by combining the ratings of several testing categories. Each category is weighted as follows:

  • Privacy & Logging Policy: 20%
  • Speed: 20%
  • Security & Technical Features: 15%
  • Streaming: 15%
  • Ease of Use: 10%
  • Torrenting: 5%
  • Server Locations: 5%
  • Bypassing Web Censorship: 5%
  • Customer Support: 5%

Learn more by reading our VPN testing and review methodology.

Overall, Surfshark is a great VPN that’s rated 9.2 based on our criteria. Its most notable feature is its value: despite its cheap price, the VPN has excellent security standards, an audited privacy policy, and lots of extra features. It even unblocks 9 Netflix regions. However, its speeds were slower than similar VPNs in our tests, and it doesn’t work for bypassing strict censorship.

Ranked #4 out of 61 VPNs

Surfshark VPN Category Ratings

  • 9.7/10
  • 8.6/10
  • 8.7/10
  • 9.1/10
  • 9.9/10
  • 7.5/10
  • 9.7/10
  • 9.7/10
  • 8.5/10
  • 9.4/10

Surfshark VPN Pros & Cons

  • Unblocks 9 Netflix libraries
  • Budget price of $2.29
  • Audited logging policy & diskless servers
  • Lots of advanced security features
  • Torrenting allowed
  • User-friendly apps & unlimited simultaneous connections

  • Disappointing anti-censorship mode
  • Based in the Netherlands (EU)
  • No port forwarding
  • Kill switch not enabled by default
  • Kill switch leaks on macOS
  • Occasional IPv6 leaks

Why Trust Us?

We’re fully independent and have been reviewing VPNs since 2016. Our ratings are based on our own testing results and are unaffected by financial incentives. Learn who we are and how we test VPNs.

Surfshark VPN has been around since 2018. Based in the Netherlands, it has quickly become one of the most popular VPNs on the market.

In 2022, Surfshark merged with Nord Security — the company behind NordVPN. Though they now exist under one holding company, the two VPN services still operate independently.

In this Surfshark review, we test its performance in 10 different categories to find out how well it performs, whether it’s safe to use, and if it’s worth using compared to other top-rated VPN services.

Before reading our in-depth analysis of Surfshark VPN, see our short 60 second review:

Surfshark VPN Key Data

Data CapUnlimited
Download Speed95Mbps
Logging PolicyNo Identifying Data
Data LeaksNo
JurisdictionNetherlands (EU Member)
Servers3,200
IP Addresses3,200+
Countries with Servers100
US NetflixYes
TorrentingUnlimited
Simultaneous ConnectionsUnlimited
Works In ChinaUnreliable
Support24/7 Live Chat
Cheapest Price$2.29/mo over 26 months
Free Trial7 Days (Payment Info Required)
Money-Back Guarantee30-day Money-Back Guarantee
Official WebsiteSurfshark.com

Price & Value

Excellent Value for Money

9.4/10
How is this calculated?

While we do assign a ‘Price & Value’ rating, it doesn’t contribute to the Overall Rating. We believe the reader should decide what is or isn’t a reasonable price.

A good rating isn’t just based on how cheap the VPN is, but for the overall value it offers.

Surfshark costs $2.29 on its cheapest subscription plan. For such a high-quality VPN, this low price tag makes it one of the best value-for-money VPNs on the market. It offers a seven-day free trial on mobile devices and two money-back guarantees, which means you can technically use Surfshark for free for up to 67 days.

Ranked #4 out of 61 VPNs for Price & Value

You can see all of Surfshark’s the pricing plans below:

  1. Monthly

    $15.45/mo

    Billed $15.45 every month
  2. 14 Month(s)

    $2.99/mo

    Billed $41.86 the first 14 months, $41.86 annually thereafter
    Save 81%
  3. 26 Month(s)

    $2.29/mo

    Billed $59.54 the first 26 months, $59.54 annually thereafter
    Save 85%

Surfshark’s best price is $2.29 per month for 26 months. For such a top-rated VPN, this is well worth the money and is much cheaper than some competing VPN services.

If you don’t want to commit long-term, Surfshark offers two more deals: a monthly option for $15.45, and a yearly option for $3.49 per month. The monthly plan is more expensive than average, so we suggest a longer-term deal for savings.

Although VPNs like FastestVPN and PureVPN are objectively cheaper than Surfshark, they’re not rated as highly which means they do not represent better value.

Only PIA offers better value for money than Surfshark. It’s placed just above Surfshark in our cheap VPN recommendations, and it’s slightly cheaper at $2.03 per month.

Payment Methods

Surfshark provides a range of payment and refund options, including:

  1. Alipay
  2. American Express
  3. Bitcoin
  4. Mastercard
  5. PayPal
  6. Visa

Privacy-conscious users can use cryptocurrency, but unfortunately it’s not possible for users to pay with cash.

Can You Get Surfshark For Free?

You can get Surfshark for free for a limited time by taking advantage of its free trial. This includes a seven-day free trial that you sign up for via mobile devices and two 30-day money-back guarantees. In total, you can use Surfshark for free for up to 67 days.

You can use the money-back guarantee option twice, but there has to be a period of six months between each request.

However, you are not eligible for any money-back guarantee if you purchase Surfshark via a storefront like iTunes and Amazon, or with a prepaid gift card.

Streaming

Unblocks Every Major Global Streaming Site

9.7/10
How is this calculated?

This rating is calculated by how many different streaming services and regional content libraries the VPN can unblock, and how consistently it can access them.

We test access to Netflix, Disney+, Max, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and many more platforms on a weekly basis.

Surfshark is an excellent VPN for streaming. It consistently unblocks every major international streaming site including 9 international Netflix regions, UK TV channels, and geo-restricted services like HBO Max and Hulu. You can also use Surfshark’s Smart DNS to stream on devices that are not compatible with VPN apps.

Ranked #4 out of 61 VPNs for Streaming

Here’s a list of popular streaming platforms that Surfshark VPN currently unblocks:

Streaming PlatformWorks with Surfshark VPN
Amazon Prime VideoYes
BBC iPlayerYes
Channel 4Yes
Disney+Yes
Hotstar IndiaYes
HuluYes
ITVXYes
MaxYes
Netflix USYes

Access to 9 Netflix Libraries

Surfshark works very well with Netflix. Our test results show that it works to unblock 9 Netflix regions with ease, and streams without buffering.

As well as US Netflix, Surfshark reliably bypasses geo-blocks for:

  • Netflix Brazil
  • Netflix Canada
  • Netflix France
  • Netflix India
  • Netflix Italy
  • Netflix Mexico
  • Netflix Singapore
  • Netflix UK
  • Netflix US

Our tests found that most of Surfshark’s city servers worked to unblock the country’s Netflix library. On rare occasions, though, you may need to connect to a different server to get Netflix working.

Surfshark with Netflix on macOS

We’d like to see Surfshark labeling its servers for streaming needs specifically, as it would make the process of finding a working server much quicker.

Streams Every British & US Streaming Site

Surfshark unblocks HBO Max and Amazon Prime Video. It used to struggle with Hulu, but our recent tests have shown a massive improvement and we can now confidently recommend Surfshark as a VPN for watching Hulu outside the US.

Surfshark Hulu Test

Surfshark unblocks Hulu outside the US.

The first UK Surfshark server we tested unblocked BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, ITVX, My5, Now, and Sky Go without issue, making it one of the best VPNs for connecting into the UK, too.

Surfshark remains the best VPN for bypassing Disney+ blocks and lets you stream Europe-exclusive Star content from the US.

Surfshark is also good for watching the Roku Channel and most other free streaming sites, including Peacock and SBS On Demand.

In our testing, all of these platforms streamed at maximum video quality without any buffering required.

Overall, Surfshark is an excellent streaming VPN, especially considering its price. However, it can’t quite compete with ExpressVPN when it comes to speeds or reliability, particularly with Netflix. Windscribe VPN, meanwhile, unblocks far more Netflix regions in total.

Security & Technical Features

Highly Secure, with Lots of Advanced Features

9.7/10
How is this calculated?

A secure VPN must offer OpenVPN or WireGuard protocols, AES-256 encryption, and a working kill switch.

To calculate this rating, we also factor in additional security settings and features.

Surfshark has all the requirements of a safe VPN: AES-256 encryption, diskless servers, options for OpenVPN and WireGuard, and a kill switch on every platform. It also includes a huge number of additional features, including rotating IP addresses and GPS spoofing. However, it’s still not compatible with IPv6, and we experienced some leaks when changing servers on macOS.

Ranked #2 out of 61 VPNs for Security & Technical Features

In the table below, you can see which encryption ciphers, connection protocols, and additional security features Surfshark uses:

ProtocolsAvailable in Surfshark VPN
IKEv2/IPSecYes
OpenVPN (TCP/UDP)Yes
WireGuardYes
EncryptionAvailable in Surfshark VPN
AES-128No
AES-192No
AES-256Yes
BlowfishNo
ChaCha20Yes
SecurityAvailable in Surfshark VPN
Diskless ServersYes
DNS Leak BlockingYes
First-party DNSYes
IPv6 Leak BlockingYes
Supports TCP Port 443No
VPN Kill SwitchYes
WebRTC Leak BlockingYes
Advanced FeaturesAvailable in Surfshark VPN
Ad BlockerYes
Dedicated IPYes
Double VPNYes
SOCKSNo
Split TunnelingYes
Static IPYes
Tor over VPN ServerNo
Tracker BlockerYes

The security protocols Surfshark offers include WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. These are the best options available. Surfshark has taken the right decision to abandon outdated protocols like PPTP.

Surfshark also uses the best encryption cipher, called AES-256. This is what conceals your data and it’s considered unbreakable.

We can confirm this is the case, as we tested Surfshark’s encryption with the packet-sniffing tool, Wireshark. Our analysis showed that our web traffic was completely unreadable and fully encrypted.

Does Surfshark’s Kill Switch Work?

Surfshark’s kill switch is not on by default, which is an oversight in our opinion. We recommend that you go into Surfshark’s settings and toggle it on.

We tested whether Surfshark’s kill switch actually works by using our in-house kill switch test tool. If the kill switch works, our real IP address should never be detected — even when we switch servers or our internet connection drops.

Our results show that Surfshark’s kill switch worked to prevent our IP address leaking, except when changing servers on macOS devices. This is a problem common to many VPNs on Mac. However, VPNs like Mullvad and PIA have come up with a solution, so we expect the same from Surfshark.

Surfshark Kill Switch Test

Surfshark’s kill switch does not stop IP address leaks when changing servers on macOS.

Impressively, Surfshark’s Android TV VPN app is the only one that comes with a built-in kill switch. With other VPNs, including ExpressVPN and NordVPN, our IP address would leak whenever the connection dropped.

First-Party DNS Servers to Prevent Leaks

We tested Surfshark for IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks using our own leak test tool. It passed on all fronts and no sensitive data was ever exposed.

This is thanks to the fact that Surfshark uses its own private DNS servers. This means Surfshark handles your DNS requests itself, which is an impressive security feature that should be rewarded.

However, Surfshark has no IPv6 support. Instead, it re-routes IPv6 connections to IPv4. That’s fine as it prevents leaks, but we’d like to see full IPv6 support.
This also needs to be considered if you own a new IPv6-exclusive router, as Surfshark will not work at all.

Double VPN, Rotating IP & Diskless Servers

Surfshark has excellent security standards, but it also offers an array of advanced security features that most VPN services can’t match.

The first additional feature is Multi-Hop, which routes your traffic through two VPN servers. Though it’s not always necessary, that means double protection.

There’s also a Rotating IP option, which is unusual. This feature changes your public IP address every 5-10 minutes without you ever having to switch servers.

IP rotation isn’t necessary for online protection, and some other VPNs like HMA and AtlasVPN offer similar features. However, it might appeal to the most privacy-conscious users.

Android users can also use Surfshark’s GPS Spoofing feature, which matches your GPS geolocation to your chosen server. This is a very rare feature that helps to bypass geo-blocks set by mobile apps, and something we’d like to see rolled out across all of Surfshark’s apps. It is a particularly useful feature if you want to stream blackout NHL games on Android.

Surfshark VPN Settings on iOS

The most substantial security feature is Surfshark’s diskless server network, or RAM-only network. This means that your user data is never stored on physical servers that can be seized and extracted.

For such a low asking price, the extent of Surfshark’s security offering is truly impressive. VPNs with the same advanced features usually cost two or three times more, like Astrill.

Does Surfshark Block Ads?

Surfshark has an ad blocker called CleanWeb. Our tests show that CleanWeb works to block 77% of all ads and trackers on the web. This ranks it 10th in our list of the best VPN ad blockers.

We used CleanWeb to block ads on popular sites like Spotify and Twitch, but it didn’t work for websites like Google and YouTube.

Privacy & Logging Policy

Diskless VPN Servers & No Identifying Logs

8.7/10
How is this calculated?

We analyze and dissect the VPN service’s logging and privacy policy. A VPN should never log and store:

  • Your real IP address
  • Connection timestamps
  • DNS requests

Headquarters outside of 14 Eyes or EU jurisdictions are also preferable.

Surfshark’s privacy standards are excellent. It logs almost nothing about its users, uses diskless servers, and it comes from a trustworthy company that has commissioned independent audits into its logging policy and server security. The one problem is Surfshark’s EU jurisdiction, which has forceful data retention laws.

Ranked #17 out of 61 VPNs for Privacy & Logging Policy

Here’s a table summarizing the information that Surfshark logs:

Data TypeLogged by Surfshark VPN
Account InformationYes
Browsing ActivityNo
Date of Last ConnectionNo
Device InformationNo
DNS QueriesNo
Individual Bandwidth UsageNo
Individual Connection TimestampsYes
ISPNo
Number of Simultaneous ConnectionsNo
Originating IP AddressNo
VPN Server IPNo
VPN Server LocationYes

You can read Surfshark’s full privacy policy on its website.

Surfsharks does not keep identifying logs. We’ve examined its logging policy in detail and can confirm that sensitive data — like your IP address — is not kept. This has also been confirmed by an independent audit from Deloitte.

Surfshark temporarily stores information about which VPN server you connect to, which includes your user ID and connection time stamps. But this is deleted within 15 minutes of disconnecting your VPN, and poses no threat.

The only thing Surfshark stores is your account information, including:

  • Email address
  • Account registration date
  • Encrypted password
  • When you use the Smart DNS
  • WiFi name if the Auto-connect feature is enabled

Although this means that Surfshark is not technically a no-logs VPN, this is a minor amount of information that’s only used to maintain the service. If you’re particularly concerned about your privacy, you can sign up with cryptocurrency to avoid handing over any personal information.

Surfshark also operates diskless RAM servers that prevent your data from being written to a hard drive. This is an excellent privacy measure that ensures no identifying information will be available in the event of a server seizure.

Based in The Netherlands (EU Jurisdiction)

Surfshark changed its company headquarters from the British Virgin Islands — which is a privacy haven with no data retention laws — to the Netherlands, which is in the EU and has more aggressive data retention laws.

Surfshark has reassured users that being based in the Netherlands allows it to continue its no-logs policy. However, the country is still a part of EU intelligence sharing networks and we’d like to see Surfshark operate from a more private jurisdiction.

Who Owns Surfshark?

Surfshark is owned by Cyberspace, a company incorporated in the Netherlands. The founder of Surfshark is a Lithuanian national called Vytautas Kaziukonis and most of Cyberspace’s employees are from Lithuania, where it has an office.

Cyberspace is the result of a merger between Surfshark (Surfshark B.V.) and Nord Security, which runs NordVPN. Surfshark and NordVPN now work together to improve their separate services.

While the services are very similar, NordVPN performs better in most of our tests and still operates out of a privacy haven – Panama. However, NordVPN has experienced a data breach, whereas Surfshark has never had any controversies.

Server Locations

Where Are Surfshark’s Servers Located?

9.9/10
How is this calculated?

The key factor for calculating this rating is the global spread and coverage of the VPN’s server network.

We also consider the total number of servers, the number of city-level servers, and the number of IP addresses available.

Surfshark has servers in 100 countries, which is far more than most other VPN services. Congestion is impossible because Surfshark caps servers at 40% capacity, and the US is very well represented with 25 city servers. However, despite the number of countries covered, it has just 3,200 individual servers — far fewer than VPNs like PIA and CyberGhost.

Ranked #1 out of 61 VPNs for Server Locations

Globe with a blue flag
100 Countries
Image of a city landscape
142 Cities
Image of a pink marker
3,200+ IP Addresses

Surfshark’s server locations are spread across 100 countries. This is one of the biggest and most diverse server networks available from any VPN.

With Surfshark you can connect to servers in these regions:

Continent Number of Countries
Europe 46
Asia 25
South America 10
North America 7
Africa 6
Oceania 2

Most of these servers are based in a single city. 11 countries have city-level options, which is an above-average amount. We’d like to see more outside of Europe, but they include:

  • Australia
  • Belgium
  • France
  • Germany
  • India
  • Italy
  • Poland
  • Portugal
  • Spain
  • UK
  • US

The US has the most city choices — 25 in total, which is very useful if you want to get a US IP address in a specific city to watch out-of-market NFL games or avoid MLB blackouts.

Although it has IP addresses in 100 countries, Surfshark only has 3,200 individual servers. This is significantly less than the 18,651 offered by Private Internet Access, or the 12,000 offered by CyberGhost.

Surfshark VPN Server List on IOS

The server locations list in the Surfshark iOS client.

In March and June 2022 respectively, Surfshark closed down its servers in Russia and India following government demands that VPNs log user data. However, you can still use virtual Indian servers to get an Indian IP address.

Static IP Addresses & MultiHop Servers

Surfshark has two additional server types available:

Static IP: This option assigns you an IP address that remains the same whenever you use that server. This results in faster speeds and easier access to geo-restricted streaming sites, but there is a greater privacy risk.

Multi-Hop: Sometimes called Double VPN, Multi-Hop servers ‘bounce’ your traffic from one encrypted server to another before reaching your intended website. This can negatively impact your speeds, but it adds a degree of additional privacy and security.

A Mix of Virtual & Physical Servers

Surfshark uses both virtual and physical servers. It marks its virtual servers with a small ‘v’, which is a helpful touch that allows you to choose between the two.

Surfshark Virtual Servers

Surfshark distinguishes between physical and virtual servers with a ‘v’.

Virtual servers assign an IP address from your selected country even if the actual hardware is located elsewhere. This allows you to connect to more locations around the world.

The downside of virtual servers is that if the actual server is a lot further from your physical location than expected, you might experience a drop in performance.

Overall, Surfshark has a large server network and a variety of server types. Casual users can quickly establish a connection through the ‘Quick Connect’ button. But Surfshark also offers an impressive level of control, enabling users to choose between virtual and physical servers, static IP or dynamic IP, and a single server or double VPN connection.

Speed

A Reliable, Super-Fast VPN

9.1/10
How is this calculated?

We calculate the VPN’s speed rating using our download speeds, upload speeds, and ping (latency) measurements.

We regularly test the VPN’s local and international speeds using a dedicated 100Mbps internet connection in New York, USA.

Our test results show that Surfshark is a dependably fast VPN. When connected to a nearby server, our download speeds dropped by just 5%, which is more than fast enough for streaming, gaming, and almost anything else. With an average speed loss of 17% across all our long-distance test connections Surfshark still impresses, although is outclassed by rival VPNs like Hotspot Shield and IPVanish.

Ranked #23 out of 61 VPNs for Speed

To test its performance, we connected to Surfshark servers in six different continents and measured our internet speeds before and after. We use a 100Mbps internet connection, similar to your baseline speed at home.

Here’s a table showing how Surfshark performed in our speed tests:

Just like any VPN, using Surfshark will slow down your internet — but not by much. When we connected to a Surfshark server in the same country, we experienced a speed loss of only 15% compared to our speeds without a VPN.

Connecting to countries further away, our speed loss was marginal. A VPN connection to the US from the UK resulted in a speed loss of 42% despite over 3,000 miles of distance.

Overall, our unbiased speed tests show that both short and long distance speeds are relatively unaffected when using Surfshark.

These fast speeds are the result of Surfshark capping its server load at 40% to avoid congestion and upgrading many of its servers to 10Gbps. This also makes Surfshark nicer to use, as speeds remain stable and you are less likely to encounter CAPTCHAs due to too many people using the same IP address.

Long-distance connections to Australia and South Africa compared when using Surfshark, Private Internet Access, NordVPN, and ExpressVPN.

However, despite recent improvement Surfshark is still a bit behind the very fastest VPNs – mostly down to its connections to super remote locations like South Africa and Australia. You can see how it fares in the chart above when compared to some of its top VPN rivals – although they all struggle to some degree. Surfshark could go a step further by adding even more 10Gbps servers to address this.

Torrenting

Safe Torrenting, but No Port Forwarding

8.6/10
How is this calculated?

This rating is determined by the VPN’s torrenting speeds, the percentage of servers that allow P2P file sharing, the service’s privacy and trustworthiness, and useful settings like port forwarding.

For speed specifically, we calculate the VPN’s average download bitrate using our bespoke torrenting setup.

Surfshark is reasonably good for torrenting overall: P2P activity is allowed on every server, its download speeds are fast, and it has a private logging policy and kill switch that keeps your activity hidden from your ISP. However, port forwarding is not available, there are VPNs with faster torrenting speeds, and its kill switch needs to be activated manually.

Ranked #11 out of 61 VPNs for Torrenting

Here is the most important data about how Surfshark performed in our torrenting tests:

Torrenting Attribute Result
Average Download Bitrate 8.7MiB/s
No. of P2P Servers 3,200
Logging Policy No Identifying Data
Kill Switch Yes
Port Forwarding No

All of Surfshark’s servers permit P2P activity. We tested it on torrent clients qBittorrent, uTorrent, and Deluge.

Our torrenting speed tests recorded an average download bitrate of 8.7MiB/s. This is fast enough to download P2P files quickly, but there are faster VPNs for torrenting, including PIA and ExpressVPN, which have a respective download bitrate of 9.6MiB/s and 9.4MiB/s.

Surfshark Torrenting Tests

We tested Surfshark on torrent clients like qBitorrent.

Though it might not be the fastest P2P VPN, Surfshark is definitely safe to use. Thanks to its private logging policy, AES-256 encryption, and first-party DNS servers, your torrenting activity will be safely shielded from monitoring by your ISP or copyright holders.

That is as long as you toggle on Surfshark’s kill switch via its settings menu. Surfshark does not turn its kill switch on by default. In order to be safe when torrenting with Surfshark, we strongly recommend you turn it on before torrenting.

Surfshark Kill Switch

Surfshark’s kill switch has to be toggled on manually.

Overall, Surfshark is safe to use for P2P file-sharing. But if you’re a regular torrenter, you’ll find that PIA is faster and better optimized.

EXPERT ADVICE: Surfshark has servers optimized for P2P activity but they are not marked or listed. To find them, type ‘P2P’ into the search bar and a selection of P2P-optimized servers will appear.

Bypassing Web Censorship

Bad for Unblocking Websites in China, But Works In Russia

7.5/10
How is this calculated?

We routinely test if the VPN can bypass strict internet restrictions in China using our remote-access server in Shanghai.

Other important factors we consider include obfuscation technologies and the availability of servers in neighboring countries (for faster connections).

Overall, Surfshark is not a good choice for bypassing censorship. It has an obfuscation feature that is automatically enabled when connecting from China, but our internal tests show that it only works 35% of the time. However, it does still work to bypass blocks in Russia.

Ranked #13 out of 61 VPNs for Bypassing Web Censorship

Surfshark does not work well in China. We’ve been testing it using our Shanghai server every week for a year and can report that it works to bypass Chinese website blocks only 35% of the time.

This is a big improvement from the 18% success rate in 2023, but it’s still not effective enough for us to recommend.

Surfshark Unblocking YouTube in China

We accessed YouTube from China using Surfshark 35% of the time.

These tests were performed using Surfshark’s NoBorders mode, which is an obfuscation tool that is automatically enabled when connecting from China.

However, Surfshark is one of the few top-tier VPNs that has not yet been banned in Russia, so you can use it to bypass Russian censorship. Likewise, it can also be used in Turkey, Iran, and the UAE.

EXPERT ADVICE: If you need a VPN for China, we recommend using Astrill VPN. Our tests show that it gets around The Great Firewall 100% of the time.

Device & OS Compatibility

Custom Apps, Smart DNS & Browser Extensions

How is this rated?

A high-quality VPN should maintain functional, fully-featured applications and browser extensions for as many platforms and devices as possible.

Our ‘Device & OS Compatibility’ assessment contributes to the Ease of Use rating.

Surfshark is compatible with every major device and platform, and there is no limit on the amount of devices you can use it on simultaneously. It has custom apps for desktop and mobile devices, alongside apps for Apple TV, Fire TV Stick, and a Smart DNS feature for devices that aren’t compatible with VPNs. It doesn’t have a router app though, which makes network-level protection more difficult.

Apps

Surfshark has custom apps for the following devices:

  1. Windows
  2. Mac
  3. iOS
  4. Android
  5. Linux
  6. Router

Surfshark imposes no limit on the number of devices you can install its apps on.

We were able to install it on all of our test devices and connect to a Surfshark server at the same time. It doesn’t threaten to terminate your account if you share your Surfshark account, either.

This is great for Surfshark users, and quite rare, as most VPNs impose a limit on the number of devices you can use the service on – a five device-limit is the average.

Surfshark is very similar across all of its apps, but some features are only available on certain platforms. Here is a table that shows the differences:

Games Consoles & Streaming Devices

Not all devices allow VPN apps. For those that don’t, you can use Surfshark’s Smart DNS feature or manually install it on your router. After doing this, Surfshark can be used on the following devices:

  1. Amazon Fire TV
  2. Android TV
  3. Chromecast
  4. Nintendo
  5. PlayStation
  6. Roku
  7. Smart TV
  8. Xbox

Smart DNS is not the same as a VPN. It’s an unencrypted proxy that changes your DNS address to another location, and therefore allows you access geo-restricted streaming and gaming content without changing your IP.

This way you can use Surfshark on your games consoles, too.

You can also access blocked content without using a VPN by installing Surfshark on your router manually. However, it does not have a dedicated app for routers like some competing VPN services, which makes installation much more difficult.

Browser Extensions

Surfshark has extensions available for the following browsers:

  1. Chrome
  2. Microsoft Edge
  3. Firefox

Surfshark’s Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browser extensions change your IP address and encrypt your browser traffic, but not your whole web traffic.

Some useful extra settings include an ad and pop-up blocker, a website safety warning, and a data breach alert. There is also a bypass option that allows you to select websites that avoid the VPN tunnel and the ad blocker, which is a nice touch.

Surfshark Browser Extensions

Surfshark’s browser extensions include additional features, like an ad blocker.

These extensions are not free to install like CyberGhost’s browser extensions are — you have to be a paid subscriber to use them. But they are fully encrypted VPN extensions and have been independently audited by Cure53.

Ease of Use

User-Friendly & Intuitive Apps

9.7/10
How is this calculated?

This rating mainly consists of the user-friendliness and intuitiveness of setting up and regularly using the VPN.

We also factor in customization settings, as well as device and OS compatibility (see section above).

Despite being full of technical features, Surfshark is very easy to use. Its apps are ideal for VPN newcomers and experienced users alike thanks to its intuitive interface, fast response times, and clearly labeled settings. Choosing a server, changing your protocol, and customizing your app is all made extremely simple.

Ranked #2 out of 61 VPNs for Ease of Use

Surfshark is easy to install, set up, and use. You just need to sign up and download the appropriate software, and then sign in with your account.

The experience of using its applications couldn’t be more user-friendly. The apps are well designed and self-explanatory, and there are useful descriptions next to every technical feature.

Here’s a more detailed overview of our experience using Surfshark on every device:

Desktop & Laptop (Windows & macOS)

Surfshark’s apps for desktop are a pleasure to use thanks to the VPN’s easy navigation, clean design, and simple interface.

Surfshark's apps for Windows and macOS

The server list is organized as a scroll down list descending in alphabetical order, with a search bar attached for direct access to a specific server. There are also buttons for quick connection to the ‘Fastest Server’ or ‘Nearest Country’.

The settings menu is simple. Connection Settings and Advanced Settings work as on and off toggles with helpful explainers, making everything easily accessible.

In terms of customization, we appreciate the addition of a dark mode option and the inclusion of 16 languages in addition to English. On macOS, you can choose where the Surfshark icon is located: either in the dock or on the status bar.

However, we don’t like that the Surfshark Alert, Antivirus, and Search add-ons have been integrated into the main menu as a way to encourage users to buy. It clutters the sidebar menu when the only two options you need are ‘VPN’ and ‘Settings’.

We also don’t like that you cannot manually resize the macOS window. It takes up a lot of screen space. You can manually resize the Windows app, but only by so much.

Mobile (iPhone & Android)

Surfshark’s mobile apps are very similar to its desktop counterparts, which is great as it allows for consistency across apps.

Surfshark's app for Android and iOS

The interface and usability is the same, and you’ll find many of the same features that are on desktop, including CleanWeb, Multi-Hop servers, and a VPN kill switch.

There are only two differences between the mobile apps: the iOS version has a ‘Pause’ button that halts VPN connections without fully disconnecting while the Android app has a distinctive kill switch that cuts the internet for all apps on the device.

Included on Android and Windows only is a feature called Bypasser, a tool that lets you select which apps do and don’t go through the VPN tunnel.

However, like on desktop, we wish the Surfshark One promotion didn’t feature so prominently.

Linux

Surfshark supports Linux on Ubuntu, Debian, and Mint distros.

Once installed, you can use Surfshark’s Linux graphical user interface (GUI). This allows you to easily change servers and switch between protocols without using a command line. It also has a kill switch.

Surfshark's app for Linux

Not that many VPNs offer a Linux GUI. Surfshark used to only operate a command line, so we’re pleased that it’s become one of the few VPNs that now offer a user-friendly GUI for Linux.

Customer Support

Fast Customer Support, but Chatbot Is Unhelpful

8.5/10
How is this calculated?

This rating is based on our assessment of the VPN’s:

  • Live chat support
  • Email support
  • Online resources

Not every VPN offers all these support options, and they often vary in quality and response times.

Surfshark has reasonably helpful customer support thanks to its accessible website and 24/7 live chat. Support agents are always fast to respond, polite, and helpful. But agents sometimes lack in-depth technical knowledge, and we don’t like that Surfshark has introduced a chatbot – which is rarely helpful.

Ranked #13 out of 61 VPNs for Customer Support

You can get in touch with Surfshark customer support through the following ways:

Customer SupportAvailable in Surfshark VPN
24/7 Email SupportYes
24/7 Live Chat SupportYes
ChatbotYes
Email Support via Online FormYes
Online ResourcesYes
Tutorial VideosYes

Unlike VPNs such as ExpressVPN, Atlas VPN, and Proton VPN, you don’t need a Surfshark account to contact the live chat support. We like that it’s accessible to everyone.

However, we aren’t pleased that Surfshark has introduced a chatbot for its 24/7 live chat. Chatbots can give basic information, but they often feel more like a deterrent than a genuinely useful tool. It also communicates in English only.

However, you can get a human support agent quickly by asking the bot to ‘get me a human’, and they can respond in multiple languages.

Surfshark Live Chat

Surfshark offers quick live chat support.

We’ve been contacting the Surfshark support team for years, and the agents have always been polite and very quick to reply. They are particularly useful for recommending servers for unblocking streaming sites.

However, we find they sometimes lack technical knowledge. For more complex questions, we suggest using the Surfshark support email.

The Surfshark website contains a lot of useful information in a well organized manner, including visual installation guides, FAQs, and a ticket support system.