Surfshark VPN Review 2025: A Top Contender for Privacy and Value

In the crowded VPN market, Surfshark has emerged as one of the leading providers thanks to its robust security, expansive server network, and wallet-friendly prices. But does it live up to the hype in 2024? We put Surfshark through its paces to find out.

Quick Look: Surfshark VPN Pros and Cons

Pros:

• Strict no-logs policy independently audited by Deloitte
• Over 3,200 servers in 100 countries
• Unlimited simultaneous connections
• Unblocks 30+ Netflix libraries and other streaming services
• Fast speeds with WireGuard and OpenVPN protocols
• Loaded with advanced features like Bypasser split-tunneling and MultiHop

Cons:

• Based in Netherlands (Nine Eyes jurisdiction)
• No third-party audit of server security
• Support could be more responsive

In-Depth Look at Surfshark VPN

Security & Privacy

Surfshark scores high marks for its privacy and security practices. It boasts a strict no-logs policy that was independently audited by Deloitte in 2024, confirming that Surfshark does not collect or store any user activity logs or connection logs. Your internet traffic remains private.

For encryption, Surfshark uses the virtually uncrackable AES-256-GCM cipher with a 4096-bit RSA key exchange and SHA-512 authentication. Your data is secured with leading VPN protocols including WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2.

Other security features include:

• Automatic kill switch to block internet if the VPN disconnects
• Protection against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks
• NoBorders mode to bypass VPN blocking
• MultiHop to route your traffic through two VPN servers for extra anonymity
• Camouflage mode to hide your VPN usage from your ISP

One concerning point is that Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, a country that cooperates with the Nine Eyes intelligence sharing alliance. However, the Netherlands has no mandatory data retention laws, and Surfshark‘s no-logs policy means it wouldn‘t have any user data to hand over if compelled.

Speed & Performance

To gauge Surfshark‘s speeds, we ran tests on servers in North America, Europe, and Asia. Connecting to nearby servers, we consistently maxed out our baseline 100 Mbps connection with download speeds around 95 Mbps. Even on distant servers, speeds remained fast enough for smooth HD streaming and quick torrenting.

Using the WireGuard protocol yielded the fastest speeds in our tests. OpenVPN was no slouch either, and IKEv2 is a good option for mobile devices. Surfshark‘s server network has more than doubled in the past two years to over 3200 servers across 100 countries, reducing overcrowding and improving performance.

Streaming & Torrenting

Surfshark is one of the best VPNs for streaming, capable of unblocking over 30 Netflix regions including the US, UK, Canada, Japan, and Germany. It also works reliably with Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and more. Dedicated streaming servers are clearly labeled for each service.

Torrenting is allowed on all Surfshark servers. The VPN is a good choice for P2P file sharing, with fast and consistent download speeds, a SOCKS5 proxy, and a kill switch to prevent accidental exposure of your real IP address. No bandwidth limits or data caps to worry about.

Device Compatibility

A single Surfshark subscription gets you unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can protect every device you own. The VPN offers user-friendly apps for:

• Windows, macOS, Linux
• Android and iOS
• Fire TV and Android TV
• Chrome, Firefox, and Edge browser extensions
• Xbox and PlayStation

You can also install Surfshark on your router to automatically protect every device on your network. Step-by-step setup guides are available for all major router firmware.

Extra Features

Surfshark is packed with additional privacy and security features that many other VPNs charge extra for or lack entirely:

• CleanWeb: Blocks ads, trackers, and malware
• Bypasser: Split tunneling to exclude specific apps and websites from the VPN
• Whitelister: The inverse of Bypasser, routes only specified apps/sites through the VPN
• Cookie pop-up blocker: Automatically rejects website cookie consent pop-ups
• Rotating IP addresses: Regularly changes your IP address for greater anonymity
• Static servers: Get the same IP address every time you connect
• GPS spoofing: Matches your device GPS location to the VPN server location

Unfortunately, many of these features are limited to the Windows and Android apps. Surfshark is also missing some extras like custom DNS settings and LAN access.

Price & Value

Surfshark offers three subscription options:

• Monthly plan: $12.95 per month
• 12-month plan: $3.99 per month ($47.88 upfront)
• 24-month plan: $2.49 per month ($59.76 upfront)

Even at full price, Surfshark is less expensive than most of its premium rivals. The 2-year plan is one of the cheapest you‘ll find for a top-tier VPN, working out to just 8 cents per day. All plans are fully refundable for 30 days.

Payment options include credit card, PayPal, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and several cryptocurrencies. Every plan includes the same premium features. Our only complaint is that Surfshark raised prices on its longer-term plans by about 30% in 2024.

Customer Support

Surfshark offers 24/7 customer support through live chat and email. You can expect a response within minutes on live chat and a few hours by email, based on our tests. The support agents are generally knowledgeable and friendly.

Other support resources include an extensive knowledge base with setup guides and FAQs, plus diagnostics within the apps. What‘s missing is phone support, which some competitors like ExpressVPN offer.

How Surfshark VPN Compares

Surfshark goes toe-to-toe with any VPN on the market in terms of security, privacy, speed, unblocking, and features. It undercuts many rivals on price while throwing in unlimited connections. However, it still has room for improvement in a few areas:

• No public third-party audits of its server, app, and web browser extension security
• WireGuard protocol not available on iOS and Linux apps
• Slower-than-average OpenVPN speeds
• Limited IPv6 support

Surfshark‘s closest competitors are NordVPN and ExpressVPN. Surfshark has more servers than NordVPN and is less expensive. ExpressVPN beats Surfshark in speed and customer support but costs twice as much. Overall, Surfshark matches or exceeds these premium VPNs in most respects.

Final Word: Is Surfshark VPN Worth It?

After in-depth testing and analysis, our verdict is a resounding yes. We highly recommend Surfshark for its superb privacy, useful features, top-notch streaming ability, and bargain long-term prices. While a few minor shortcomings hold it back from perfection, you‘d be hard pressed to find a VPN that delivers better value.

Surfshark has all the core features most VPN users need, plus tons of extras, with very few downsides. It‘s an excellent choice for heavy streamers, torrenters, frequent travelers, privacy advocates, and bargain hunters. Give Surfshark a shot with the 30-day money-back guarantee to see for yourself.