Surfshark offers all the features you want from a top-notch VPN. It has watertight security, uncompromising anonymity, and very fast speeds – you’ll get Top value for an incredibly affordable price.
Surfshark offers all the features you want from a top-notch VPN. It has watertight security, uncompromising anonymity, and very fast speeds – you’ll get Top value for an incredibly affordable price.
Since its launch in 2018, Surfshark has earned the consumer’s trust and has become one of the top overall VPNs. This wasn’t just about excellent speed or top-notch security and privacy. The biggest argument for Surfshark VPN was getting all that for a low price.
Operating from the Netherlands, this provider has set a high standard for itself. It has an independently-audited no-logs policy and stays away from the impact of the Nine Eyes surveillance alliance. Additionally, Surfshark uses industry-leading encryption and the latest tunneling protocols to protect its users.
With Surfshark VPN, you’ll be able to torrent safely and watch multiple streaming platforms. There are more than 3200+ servers in 100+ countries, so if one won’t unblock Netflix, the other will.
I wanted to learn whether that user trust was warranted, so I set out to answer the key questions in this review:
It turns out Surfshark VPN ticks all the boxes, including speed, unlimited simultaneous connections, easy-to-use apps, and even prices, which are better than most competitors can possibly offer.
Read my in-depth Surfshark review to see all the test results. And if you think the provider fits your needs, get Surfshark with 83% off.
🏆 Rating: | ⭐9.4/10 |
🖥️ Servers: | 3200+ servers in 100 countries |
📺 Streaming: | Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video |
🔛 Torrenting: | Yes |
❔ Support: | 24/7 live chat, FAQ |
🛡️ Logs: | Independently-audited no-logs policy |
💵 Price: | From $2.30/month |
🏷️ Coupons: | Surfshark VPN coupon 83% OFF |
🆓 Free version or trial: | 7-day free trial |
The service has three different pricing plans, all offering the full set of functions, including AES-256 encryption, leak protection, a kill switch, and unlimited devices. So, let’s see how much Surfshark costs:
However, you may also stumble upon limited-time offers during the year with better subscription prices than usual. We have all of them on our Surfshark discounts and coupons page, which includes better deals and bonus subscription months.
Optionally, you can also unlock the Surfshark One bundle. This package includes Antivirus, Alert, Search, and Alternative ID. The upgrade costs just $1.49/month and incorporates all of the following perks straight out of the box:
Additionally, you can get a third-party tool Incogni for identity protection and deleting yourself from brokered databases. The price is set at $3.99/month.
There are plenty of payment methods you can choose from to pay that fee as well. That includes anonymous options, like crypto.
There are also credit cards, PayPal, Sofort, Direct Debit, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, Giropay, and Webmoney for those interested. Some of the best VPN service providers have overlooked the type of privacy given by a crypto payment option, and it’s a great shame.
Unfortunately, Surfshark VPN does not have a free version. But it is one of the few providers to offer a lengthy 7-day free trial on Google Play and the Apple App Store. This means that you’ll need an Android, macOS, or iOS device to get it. After creating the account, you’ll be able to install Windows and other clients as well.
One thing to point out – Surfshark still asks for payment info before unlocking the service. The good thing is that if you miss the free trial deadline, you will still be able to cancel during the 30-day money-back guarantee period. The cherry on top is that the trial has no limitations, meaning you can use all features of the service.
Surfshark’s refund policy grants a 30-day money-back guarantee to all plans and all devices, so you’re not losing anything if you don’t want to. Getting your money back involves contacting customer support. But since it has a 24/7 live chat, this shouldn’t be a problem.
In fact, you can also schedule the cancellation in advance and use the VPN right until the last day. As always, accounts paid in cryptocurrencies aren’t refundable.
Surfshark is one of the fastest VPN services in 2023, as our in-house VPN speed testing tool has shown. No matter which country you connect from, this provider will compete with the best of the best.
We regularly run speed tests from servers in the US, the UK, and other countries.
USA server | |
---|---|
Download Speed | 242 Mbps |
Upload Speed | 221 Mbps |
UK server | |
Download Speed | 558 Mbps |
Upload Speed | 486 Mbps |
Germany server | |
Download Speed | 612 Mbps |
Upload Speed | 580 Mbps |
As you can see from the results, the connection speeds with the WireGuard tunneling protocol are fast, especially if we compare it with competitors that still use OpenVPN. The upload is also way above most VPNs, no matter which country you choose. So what do these numbers mean, really?
For starters, you should be able to stream 4K (UHD) videos and play online games with optimal ping. You shouldn’t experience lag during video and VOIP calls, which put the ping limit at 200 ms, but contacting someone on the other side of the globe might take its toll. Finally, downloading a 10 GB torrent file might take less than 3 minutes.
The speeds seem to increase each time I update this Surfshark VPN review. There’s obviously a lot of investment going into this VPN. While it is on the TOP of the fastest VPN list in 2023, I believe its speed will continue to improve.
Surfshark VPN has some of the fastest servers. The list consists of 3200+ servers in 100+ countries, and the app has the option to connect to the best one for you automatically. Besides standard hardware, users can also pick from specialty servers:
All servers are physical and RAM-only, so you can expect better performance and more security. Surfshark doesn’t own all of its servers, and few providers do, but I believe it’s only a matter of time. It also uses virtual locations for a few countries, but those are clearly marked in the app.
Currently, the provider boasts the biggest network country-wise in the industry. Let’s see how many countries are covered by Surfshark:
Location | Number of countries | Countries |
The Americas | 17+ | Argentina, Bahamas, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, United States, Uruguay, Venezuela |
Europe | 44+ | Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Greenland, Hungary, Ireland, Isle of Man, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom |
Africa, the Middle East, and India | 8+ | Algeria, Egypt, Ghana, Israel, Marocco, Nigeria, South Africa, United Arab Emirates |
Asia Pacific | 25+ | Australia, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, Combodia, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Macau, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Vietnam |
As always, North America and Europe have the best coverage. However, I was pleasantly surprised by the number of countries in Africa and Asia Pacific. Usually, these providers get overlooked by VPN providers, but Surfshark doesn’t follow this trend and has several suitable options.
There are plenty of good things to say about the privacy and anonymity credentials of Surfshark VPN. Here’s a short list of the main features that will keep you safe online:
So, is Surfshark safe? Surfshark is one of the safest VPN services. It utilizes industry-leading encryption, offers the latest secure tunneling protocols available, and, importantly, doesn’t leak any data. Plenty of other perks (we cover below) make it perfect to use in internet-restrictive countries like China, where surveillance is abound.
However, that’s just the tip of the iceberg. The provider had its browser extensions audited by Cure53, a well-known and respected cybersecurity company. Also, since July 2020, all Surfshark servers are RAM-only. Finally, in May 2021, Cure53 did an independent server infrastructure audit. Finally, in May 2021, Cure53 did an independent server infrastructure audit.
At the start of 2023, Surfshark’s no-logs policy was audited by the industry-leading audit, consulting, tax, and advisory company Deloitte. This provider finally proved it walks the walk when it comes to keeping their hands off of private subscriber data.
Additionally, you’ll get a malware blocker (CleanWeb), split tunneling (Whitelister), multi-hop, and “stealth protocol” (Camouflage and NoBorders). This VPN also offers ID protection (Alert), GPS spoofing, and incognito search (Search).
Most importantly, with Surfshark VPN you get cutting-edge technology called Nexus. Based on SDN (Software-Defined Networking), it first connects you to the whole server network and then picks one in your desired location. This way, Nexus enhances privacy, allows IP rotation, and speeds up your connection.
Combined, these advanced features take Surfshark VPN very close to other security-focused VPN providers, like NordVPN or Proton VPN.
Surfshark VPN implements AES-256 encryption, which is used by financial institutions and militaries around the world. It means there’s virtually no way to break this cipher, and trying to brute force it would take thousands of years. The provider takes it a step further, though, by offering an enhanced version of this encryption method – AES-256-GCM.
Furthermore, authentication is protected by the SHA-512 hash function. It’s a more complex version of SHA-256, and very few providers use it. The data that passes through it gets encrypted with 64-bit words, making everything that much harder to crack.
Surfshark currently offers the following tunneling protocols:
In October 2020, this VPN implemented the next-gen tunneling protocol in WireGuard. It’s faster and more secure than any other protocol available. One can clearly see the speed advantage by checking our VPN speed testing tool results. Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS users can now select WireGuard, which also uses a new ChaCha20 symmetric encryption.
OpenVPN is a trusted, popular tunneling protocol that comes in two forms – TCP and UDP. The former offers better security, while the latter nets better speeds. Surfshark’s implementation of OpenVPN comes with built-in obfuscation, meaning you can easily bypass restrictive firewalls.
IKEv2 is a common tunneling protocol that works best if you have a weak internet connection. It is a bit outdated in terms of speed and security, though, so use it as a last resort.
Surfshark has a great kill switch that will automatically deactivate your internet connection if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly. This allows the Virtual Private Network to protect your privacy by ensuring your online traffic is always encrypted and is a critical feature for any secure VPN to have.
My tests have shown the kill switch to work reliably each time I deliberately disabled my VPN connection.
The only caveat here is that the Linux app doesn’t have the kill switch turned on by default, and there’s no article on their website telling how to do it. However, the always helpful Surfshark customer support team provided me with the instructions.
My basic leak tests indicate that Surfshark has no leak issues. I connected to a server in Denmark at got the IP address 95.174.65.70. Then I ran the test and got the following results: no DNS, WebRTC, or IPv6 leaks, as the image below indicates.
The IP and DNS addresses shown here are the same as the ones I got assigned by Surfshark. If I saw my actual IP address, that would mean there’s a leak somewhere.
This service has in-built DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 leak protection, as well as a private zero-knowledge DNS network. Simply put, unlike many tools on the market, Surfshark VPN keeps your personally identifiable information hidden.
Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, a privacy-friendly country that abides by GDPR requirements. However, it belongs to the Nine Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance. Previously, Surfshark’s jurisdiction was the British Virgin Islands.
Surfshark has a robust Privacy Policy that should put users at ease regarding any potential overreach from government agencies or copyright protection firms. Therefore, if one of them decided to approach a subpoena to get information about you, it would be rejected. Even if Surfshark was forced to give access to its servers by law enforcement, they would find nothing of value.
A real-time warrant canary on the provider’s website informs users about data information requests from law enforcement. It covers how many national security letters, gag orders, and government warrants Surfshark has received as of date. Currently, everything sits at 0.
Since February 2022, Surfshark VPN has been part of the Nord Security group. Together with NordVPN and Atlas VPN, they form a formidable trio, ready to compete for a major share of the market.
Surfshark’s privacy policy is pretty extensive, covering cookies, information security, what data is collected and why, etc. It’s nice to see that each section has a plain English summary so that you don’t have to suffer through legal jargon.
The policy states that Surfshark “does not collect IP addresses, browsing history, session information, used bandwidth, connection timestamps, network traffic, and other similar data.”
As a matter of fact, if their Help center is to be believed, Surfshark doesn’t log anything at all, except your email address and billing information. This means that the provider is one of the few actual no-logs VPNs out there. That’s extremely rare and impressive.
And as of 2023, Surfshark proved that they don’t collect data by undergoing an independent privacy audit. Done by the prestigious Deloitte company, it proves that the service respects every users right to privacy, even while using a VPN.
In 2018, Surfshark did an independent audit of its Chrome and Firefox browser extensions. Submitting your VPN apps for an independent audit is commendable, regardless of the results.
The audit was carried out by a respected German cybersecurity company, Cure53, which also performed the very first independent VPN audit in 2017 (kudos to TunnelBear).
In short, Cure53 found only two vulnerabilities, only one of which had the potential to cause problems for users. This is an outstanding result and gives a lot of credence to this VPN service provider. You can read the full report on Surfshark’s website.
Since the introduction of the Camouflage and NoBorders modes, this service is capable of disguising VPN traffic. These features switch from the default tunneling protocol to OpenVPN with the XOR patch, scrambling your traffic and confusing the censors. As a result, Surfshark VPN is great for China.
You will be able to unblock restricted websites, such as Facebook, and keep your identity protected at all times. Therefore, if you’re a journalist or a whistleblower, you can trust that this VPN will protect you.
CleanWeb is another great extra feature from Surfshark. It works as an ad and tracking blocker but can also detect malware. Even more, CleanWeb might detect phishing attempts and protect your personal information.
This tool works on all major platforms, including browsers and Amazon Fire TV. Using it on your smartphone can save mobile data and even increase browsing speeds. After all, loading those ads and pop-ups takes a toll.
Most VPN providers call this feature “split tunneling.” Surfshark’s Bypasser allows users to choose apps that can function outside the VPN tunnel. It’s especially convenient when you want to protect only certain activities and run others at full speed.
For example, you may want to use a VPN to protect your torrenting and watch Netflix in 4K simultaneously on your smart TV. Also, some websites might not work if they detect you using a VPN. Finally, with Bypasser, you’ll be able to access your network devices, such as printers.
Also known as Double VPN, MultiHop is a feature that connects you to two VPN servers instead of one. This means much higher security, thanks to the double-encryption of your data. MultiHop is great for those who seek maximum protection online, including journalists and political activists.
Surfshark lists all possible Double VPN connections next to the regular server selection. One thing to note: your connection will be considerably slower, so this mode is not recommended for day-to-day use unless you don’t have a choice.
Surfshark launched dedicated IP address servers in the middle of 2023. These are similar to static IP servers, except they are exclusive to individual customers. That means you gain more control over what happens with the IP address and how you can use it.
The initial location options include four countries:
However, the provider promises to expand the selection with other coveted regions like Japan, Hong Kong, and Italy. Naturally, this benefit isn’t available by default and requires an additional investment starting at $3.75/month.
Camouflage mode, or “stealth VPN,” disguises your VPN traffic, so it looks like it’s coming from a regular connection. It’s a useful feature because some websites block VPNs and in some countries, using them is illegal.
NoBorders mode aims to unblock every possible online resource. This includes geo-blocked content on streaming sites, social media, or anything that your government bans. These modes switch your tunneling protocol to OpenVPN with the XOR patch. It scrambles your traffic and makes it more difficult to detect through Deep Packet Inspection (DPI).
Alert is an innovative security solution for protecting your ID. This ID leak protection is a privacy feature that has been integrated into all client apps.
It’s especially relevant in the age of data breaches because it warns users when their passwords, social security numbers, and other sensitive details get leaked. It comes as an additional feature with the Surfshark One package for $1.49/month.
This feature routinely scans leaked databases, looking for password and email matches. If it finds any, the user will receive a notification. Alert enables you to change your credentials on time, minimizing the damage caused by data leaks and breaches.
With Surfshark One, you also gain access to Search. It’s an alternative to the major search engines, such as Google or Bing, that are known for displaying ads and taking quite some of your data before giving away your search results.
This feature removes the ads and tracking from the organic search and ensures that your privacy remains intact and your patience untested.
Another that comes with Surfshark One is Antivirus. At the moment, it is available for Windows and Android devices, although macOS support is coming soon as well.
Antivirus protects you from malicious files that would harm your device or intrude on your privacy. The feature works in real time and provides immediate security from danger. That means that it will prevent you from opening infected files that have made their way onto your device. Plus, you can also scan your entire system and exclude certain files or folders if you’re certain they’re safe.
The final bonus that comes with Surfshark One is Alternative ID. It lets users create a different online identity along with an email to keep exposure of their actual identity very minimal. Using this you can enhance your privacy, avoid spam, and prevent your data from appearing in data breaches.
When creating an alternative ID, users can select their preferences regarding gender, age, birth date, and country. Then the system generates a unique persona and email address accordingly to the details. Now, whenever you sign up somewhere, you can use this proxy mail. Once you get an email there, it gets safely routed to your actual one. And if you get tired of one persona, you can delete it and generate a new one.
Also known as GPS spoofing, GPS override is a feature for Android users who want to add an extra layer of protection. While a regular Virtual Private Network connection changes your IP address, GPS override also hides your device’s physical GPS location.
It’s an optional feature that is not on by default and can be enabled from Android app settings.
When activated, any app that will request the user’s physical coordinates will be overridden with the VPN server coordinates. So when a web service wants to access a user’s GPS data, it will see him in the US while, in fact, that person is in the UK.
Nexus is a feature unique to Surfshark VPN. It radically changes the way a user interacts with the server network. As a result, the privacy, stability, and speed of your connection are lifted to another level.
When using a regular VPN, your device connects to a chosen server and gets a new IP address according to the location. With Nexus, you first connect to the whole Surfshark network. Only then do you get the right IP for use in your selected location.
This technology lets you change the IP without disconnecting. This allows Surfshark to offer the best server path, avoiding overpopulated servers and increasing performance. Furthermore, you no longer be susceptible to maintenance, outages, and similar problems.
Surfshark VPN will be working on Nexus for the foreseeable future. Later in 2022 and 2023, you’ll get an IP Randomizer for hiding browsing patterns and Dynamic MultiHop for picking your entry and exit locations. Additionally, you’ll be better protected from DNS and data packet leaks.
Another neat aspect of Surfshark is that the provider lets you purchase the VPN anonymously. You can pay using popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, or other available types via CoinGate or CoinPayments.
Crypto is the optimal way to pay for your subscription if you don’t want to leave any traces of the purchase. Usually, when you buy something with a credit card, the bank logs that info and ties the VPN to you. And this isn’t great if you reside in a country where VPNs aren’t exactly legal.
Besides Surfshark One, the company offers another product you can use to take back control of your personal data. Aptly called Incogni, this subscription-based tool contacts data brokers on your behalf to remove information about a person from their databases.
It’s no secret that thousands of companies collect user data (and without their consent) to later use for their own gains. And if you want to request the removal of such info yourself, you’re going to have to fill out various forms. The problem is that it’s not a straightforward process and may even take years to complete.
This is where Incogni comes in – it files such requests automatically and sends them to companies most likely aggregating info about you. And this doesn’t stop here; the tool continues doing regular sweeps to ensure they don’t add that data again.
Surfshark is one of the best VPNs for streaming. It’s fast, has an Amazon Fire TV app, unblocks multiple Netflix libraries, and offers plenty of other streaming services.
Streaming service | Status |
Netflix US | 🎬Available |
Netflix Canada | 🎬Available |
Netflix UK | 🎬Available |
Netflix Australia | 🎬Available |
Netflix Japan | 🎬Available |
BBC iPlayer | 🎬Available |
Hulu + Live TV | 🎬Available |
Amazon Prime Video | 🎬Available |
Disney+ | 🎬Available |
HBO Max | 🎬Available |
Thanks to the Smart DNS feature, you will be able to stream your favorite shows and movies on a bunch of devices that don’t have the client app. This includes game consoles, Apple TV, LG TV, Samsung TV, Roku, and other smart TVs.
Does Surfshark work with Netflix? According to its website, this VPN is great for Netflix and streaming other geo-blocked content. Well, it turns out to be true.
I’ve tested Surfshark for Netflix from Europe and found that it unblocks Netflix in every region I tried, including the US, the UK, Canada, and Japan libraries. I recommend choosing Surfshark servers in these countries as they offer a wide selection of content.
What’s more, Surfshark VPN can unblock Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime Video, and other streaming platforms. The speeds should be good enough to stream in 4K (UHD), thanks to the WireGuard tunneling protocol. Of course, the main factor will be your internet connection.
Besides, this VPN doesn’t have specialized streaming servers, so you can choose the one that works best for you.
You can stream Peacock outside the US with Surfshark VPN. Launched in 2020, this NBC Universal platform gives you Parks and Recreation, The Office, and other beloved series. To watch NBC’s Peacock, you simply have to launch the VPN and select any server in the US.
Getting HBO Max is not easy because you have to get a US credit card. After that is done, you just have to connect to a server in the US and start streaming.
We recommend using the nearest VPN server because the distance between New York and Los Angeles is not to be ignored. This way, you’ll get the best possible speed and lower buffering times.
Hotstar is the most popular streaming platform in India. In 2020, a great deal of Disney+ content was added, making Hotstar an even more attractive choice.
Even though it’s available in India, the UK, the US, Canada, and Singapore, you may still want to watch it from another country. This can be done easily with the help of Surfshark. All you have to do is connect to a VPN server in one of the mentioned countries and start watching.
I would also recommend Surfshark for Kodi any day of the week. Actually, it’s among the best VPNs for Kodi in 2023, even though you have to configure it manually. Another option is to use the Zomboided VPN manager add-on.
For the best Kodi experience, you need a fast and secure VPN connection. Surfshark delivers in both categories, providing some of the industry’s best speeds together with military-grade encryption, a no-logs policy, and a reliable kill switch.
Installing Surfshark on Fire Stick is an excellent choice. It will unblock virtually all streaming options while also securing your connection. This VPN has an app for Fire TV, which means setting it up will be a breeze.
Thanks to its extensive server list and exceptional performance, you should have no problem watching your favorite movies and TV shows in 4K video quality without buffering. Finally, Surfshark is great for Kodi, so you’ll be able to use both with your Fire device.
Unfortunately, Roku doesn’t support VPNs or Smart DNS feature. However, there’s still a way to use it with Surfshark.
Here you have two main options. One is setting up Surfshark on a router where Roku is also connected. The second is to create a virtual router using a VPN.
Since both options require manual tinkering, we advise reading the step-by-step guides on the provider’s website.
Surfshark is very good for torrents. Thanks to its WireGuard tunneling protocol, the speeds are very fast, and the security credentials almost faultless. You can also choose to protect only your P2P activities with the Bypasser (split tunneling).
This provider is not shy to invite torrenting fans to try their service, and it doesn’t discriminate against P2P traffic. Even more, they say that they are compatible with all P2P clients. Also, Surfshark is on the best VPN for torrenting list.
I liked that torrenting is allowed on all Surfshark servers, and there are no bandwidth limits. What’s more, a Virtual Private Network located in a privacy-friendly jurisdiction and keeps no logs is always a good choice for P2P activities. There are also anonymous payment options for those who want extra safety.
Learn more about Surfshark VPN – check out our video review below!
Surfshark has apps for all the major desktop and mobile devices, including Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. There are also dedicated apps for Android TV and Amazon Fire Stick & Fire TV. Finally, you can download browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.
And here comes the best part: Surfshark VPN allows unlimited connections. This means that you can protect all devices with one account. You don’t even have to manually configure it on your router, which would otherwise be the way to connect as many devices as you want.
All apps are pretty similar across the platforms and also easy to use. The settings are well explained, so you can instantly decide if you want it turned on or off. And if you want to learn more, I recommend our article on how to use Surfshark.
Regarding ease of use, the Surfshark desktop application for Windows is as simple as A-B-C. The interface is clean and intuitive, and most settings can be found with a button click.
Connecting to Surfshark servers is just as easy – just click on Locations on the left sidebar menu and choose your preferred location from the list of cities and countries. Physical servers are sorted by region, while virtual ones are marked with the letter V.
You can also put the VPN connection on hold by pressing the Pause button. This way, you don’t have to disconnect from the chosen server for a quick visit to your online bank or other local services.
Pressing the white Settings gear lets you tinker with the features, protocols, and advanced settings. You can also toggle the startup and auto-connection options.
Version | Changes |
4.3.6 | New dashboard design. Antivirus now lets you quarantine infected files until you decide what to do with them. |
4.1.0 | IKEv2 protocol was removed. The old kill switch has returned. |
3.5.1 | Revamped the VPN location list. The quick connect option was moved to the settings menu. |
3.4.2 | Antivirus scans faster. VPN Bypasser works faster. |
3.0.0 | Surfshark Antivirus and Surfshark One added. Improved WireGuard connectivity. |
Thankfully, the Mac app is just as secure as the Windows version. Both use AES-256 encryption, a kill switch, and other features. This is relatively rare – most VPNs release limited macOS apps, which is not the case with Surfshark.
What’s notable about this provider is that it offers two versions of the macOS application. One can be downloaded straight from Surfshark’s website, the other from the Apple App Store.
Visually, the apps are identical, but there are some differences in terms of settings. The App Store version includes several tunneling protocols (WireGuard, OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), and IKEv2), while the website version just has WireGuard and IKEv2. On the other hand, the former doesn’t have NoBorders modes. And unfortunately, both don’t include split tunneling.
Version | Changes |
4.4.0 | Improved WireGuard stability. Implemented the Pause VPN feature. |
3.4.1 | Support for Apple’s M1 chip. |
3.2.0 | Redesigned app. Improved performance. Added Help menu. |
3.0.0 | App moved to the status bar. The connection page now has a status bar. Connections to VPN are now smoother and faster. Bug fixes. |
2.8.0 | Introduced WireGuard. |
Surfshark is one of the few VPNs to offer a Linux app with a graphical user interface (GUI). Available on Ubuntu, it comes with WireGuard, DNS leak protection, and MultiHop, among other features. The kill switch and auto-connect are planned for the near future.
There’s also a command-line version for other Debian distributions. However, it will be phased out after the GUI app goes beyond Ubuntu.
Surfshark mobile apps, both on Android and iOS, are lightweight and simplified versions of their desktop counterparts. The security is almost as good as what you’d get on PC or Mac, with several minor caveats.
Most importantly, the Android version has its kill switch, so you no longer have to use the native Android version or a third-party app to complement the Virtual Private Network. It also offers to turn on the Override GPS location feature, which hides your phone’s physical location.
The iOS version is as sleek as its Android counterpart, though there are some differences in terms of features. I note the divergences I noticed below.
Features | Android | iOS |
Kill switch | Regular and Android native kill switch | Regular VPN kill switch |
Bypasser (split tunneling) | Yes | No |
Override GPS location | Yes | No |
Invisible on LAN | Yes | No |
Use small packets | Yes | No |
NoBorders | No | Yes |
Surfshark Antivirus | Yes | No |
You can get the Surfshark Android app from Google Play or just download it directly as an APK file from their website. The Surfshark iOS app is available from the App Store.
Version | Changes |
2.7.7.5 | Antivirus now more stable. App uses less battery life. |
2.7.2.6 | Fixed widget sizing issue. Search Locations now more user-friendly. Android TV facelifted. |
2.7.1.5 | Added Widgets. |
2.7.0 | In-app Live chat. Latency and load next to server locations. Bug fixes. |
2.6.7 | QR codes instead of standard codes. New sharing options for Refer-a-friend program. Run diagnostics on Android TV without logging in. |
2.6.5 | Improved connectivity in restrictive countries. Shadowsocks work better on Android TV. Bug fixes. |
Version | Changes |
3.0.0 | Surfshark One can be purchased on iOS. Quick-connect moved to VPN settings. |
2.23.0 | Introduced Preferred location. More shark emoji stickers. |
2.22.0 | Log in with code. Switch between Light and Dark modes. |
2.20.0 | Log in to your TV app from the Surfshark app. |
2.18.0 | Notification Center added. WireGuard now more stable. Hindi support. |
2.17.0 | Surfshark stickers in Messages. Some pop-ups removed. Bug fixes. |
Surfshark has browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. They are essentially proxy services – you can use them to secure your browser traffic and nothing else. In other words, if you want to use torrents, try one of the regular clients or run the VPN some other way.
However, these browser extensions are not only about hiding your IP and encrypting your traffic. They also include the CleanWeb feature, which takes care of ads, tracking, malware, and phishing attempts. What’s more, both add-ons have been independently audited by Cure53 security testers.
Notably, the Surfshark browser add-on looks the same as the VPN client. It also includes Surfshark One features, and you can choose from regular, Static IP, and MultiHop servers. Besides the aforementioned CleanWeb, you also get:
In addition to the apps for major platforms, Surfshark VPN also has dedicated apps for Android TV and Amazon Fire Stick & Fire TV.
Additionally, its website has instructions for manually configuring your router, so you could use it to protect your entire home network. This provider supports a bunch of different models and makes, including DD-WRT, AsusWRT, OpenWRT, and Tomato, among others. You can also manually set up the VPN on Chromebook, pfSense, and Raspberry Pi.
Last but not least is the Smart DNS feature. It allows you to unblock websites and streaming platforms on your Apple TV, other smart TVs, and game consoles. In short, devices that don’t support VPN software natively. And with your PlayStation or Xbox, you will also be able to play online games in other regions.
The process of downloading and installing Surfshark is pretty straightforward. You can get it from their website or, in case you’re using a smartphone, from Google Play Store or Apple Store. In any case, you should start by purchasing the subscription.
Here’s what you need to do:
Surfshark VPN has great customer service. Here are your options when you need help:
Their 24/7 live chat is excellent. The waiting times are short, if any, while the customer support agents are helpful and polite. And I’m basing this assumption on more than a few instances.
Next, I tried submitting a request. The questions that I sent using the form were answered in a couple of hours or so. There was only one instance when it took longer to get an answer, but again, such response times are still a goal for many VPNs.
The Help Center is pretty extensive. It includes three main topics – VPN, Surfshark One, and My Account, and each covers a wide array of topics. There are tutorials for getting started, troubleshooting guides, educational articles about all things VPN, several different FAQ sections, etc. So, if you’re a person that likes to do things by yourself, you’ll have a field day here.
Overall, while Surfshark has considerably expanded its self-help section, I would still use live chat to put most of my concerns aside.
After making a thorough investigation for this Surfshark review, I can confidently say that you should get this VPN. They’ve done well to cover the basics – security, jurisdiction, speed, support, etc. – and have taken steps in unique directions. Rarely do you see a paid Virtual Private Network with no limit to the number of simultaneous connections and a real zero-logs policy.
With an anonymous signup process, an option to pay in cryptocurrencies, and WireGuard support, Surfshark is already one step ahead of the competition. Here’s a quick list of its core strengths:
To me, it seems just a matter of time until we get more features. And for Surfshark VPN, that will further strengthen its already solid position among the industry’s best.
You may also like to read:
ExpressVPN vs NordVPN vs Surfshark
Surfshark vs IPVanish
NordVPN review
Atlas VPN review
Proton VPN review
PureVPN review
Surfshark is an excellent VPN. You would be hard-pressed to find top-notch protection and the best speeds for such a low price. Consider trying this service risk-free – it has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Both Surfshark and NordVPN are top-class providers. We have them at the top of our best VPN list. However, Surfshark is cheaper, so if you don’t see any feature that only NordVPN has, I recommend trying the former first.
Yes, Surfshark is a great choice for China. It will unblock various streaming services, such as Netflix. Also, Camouflage and NoBorders mode will let you access Google, YouTube, and other censored websites.
Yes, Surfshark is great for streaming. You’ll get access to multiple Netflix libraries and other content platforms, such as Peacock, Hulu, or BBC iPlayer.
No, Surfshark VPN does not keep any logs. In fact, it would not be possible even if the provider wanted to monitor its subscribers. All hardware runs solely on RAM modules, which cannot store any data long-term.
No, Surfshark is not a Chinese company. The provider is headquartered in the Netherlands and is a subsidiary of Nord Security, a Panama-based company that also owns NordVPN.
Surfshark One is an all-in-one security suite, while Surfshark by itself is just a VPN service. A regular subscription only includes the VPN, but with the Surfshark One add-on, you also get an antivirus, secure search, and a data breach monitor.
Yes, Surfshark is better than ExpressVPN. It is much cheaper, noticeably faster, and includes a lot more features useful for all types of online activities.
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I’ve used Surfshark in Australia, Thailand, and China (where it doesn’t really work at all), and it has been rubbish in all countries. I’ve spoken with tech support that offer short term fixes, I use the speed test to find the fastest server, and it always disappoints. It is the best way that I know to turn a 170Mbs connection into a 30Mbs connection…
Hi Scott Morrison!
Keep in mind that further servers from your location might get slower, but we’re sorry to hear the fixes didn’t help. Sometimes a VPN software may not work well for several reasons, like IP leaks, enabled location, uncleaned browser cache, and more. However, we’d then recommend opting for NordVPN. It works great in China, Thailand, has numerous services in Australia and I didn’t find speed drops significant.
Hello. Great review. My question is how does surf shark work if I sign up and have a family of 6 with me, the wife, and 4 kids who all have separate identities, separate multiple emails, separate multiple computers, and separate multiple phones and each one wants their own privacy and streaming? I am not sure how the identity and login process works so each family member can run surfshark on their own separate devices. Thanks.
Hi BC!
Thank you for messaging us. Surfshark has unlimited simultaneous connections, so you can share it with as many people and use it on as many devices as you want. You can all use the same account and each one of you get their own privacy as Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy.
Hope this helps!
I got a vpn just to watch HBO Max movies instead of going to the cinemas. However, I go to the website and it doesn’t work!!!!! I don’t get it 🙁 It’s not mentioned on this list but what if I buy another subscription and will not work again??
Hello, Pablo. It’s unfortunate that your chosen VPN does not work with HBO Max. But if it’s not working now, then it’s unlikely that it will work in the future, especially if it’s not mentioned here or among other best VPNs for streaming. I’d recommend trying out one of our suggestions. If it doesn’t meet your expectations, you can use the money-back guarantee that it one offers.
is surfshark a good vpn compared to others of similar price range
Hello there. Surfshark is one of the best VPN services at such a price range. It offers unlimited connections, fast speeds with WireGuard, and a wide selection of solid security features. Additionally, there are plenty of great optional privacy features that no other VPN has.
I’m presently using Surfshark for torrenting, although previously I used a different vpn provider. I got fed up with clunky Linux client. The connection wasn’t good, had DNS errors. Now everything is all good with Surfshark.
thanks for the surfshark vpn review. I’m transferring from another vpn service, every opinion counts!
Hi! What’s the difference between shadowsocks and smart play? I’ve heard they are both needed for streaming, so will Surfshark work on Netflix reliably?
Hello there. Perhaps you meant Smart DNS because NordVPN has SmartPlay. SmartDNS is a feature that allows you to change the DNS address on devices that don’t typically support VPN software. That way, you can get around geographical restrictions on various streaming devices. Meanwhile, Shadowsocks is an obfuscated proxy that’s primarily used to get around internet censorship. In any case, Surfshark will work well with Netflix, but you’ll want to use SmartDNS first because it’s compatible with more devices.
Is any Information known on whether SurfShark has a parent company, and in particular whether it is (partially) owned by a Chinese company?
Hello, Pinky. Surfshark is owned by Surfshark Ltd., which is based in the British Virgin Islands. They are independent, reliable, and free from Chinese influence.
i am new to the cyber security / privacy space, could you please explain to me how to properly use surfshark vpn when torrenting? should i use a kill switch? and can i turn on the kill switch just for one app (utorrent)? thank you in advance
Greetings, Reanna. Yes, you should absolutely enable the kill switch when torrenting. Unfortunately, it will affect your entire internet in case something goes wrong. But don’t worry, Surfshark is very reliable and rarely disconnects. Otherwise, connect to any nearby server for optimal download speeds, and you’re good to go.
Hmmm…let me ask: What’s the difference between dedicated servers (that Nordvpn offers) and static IP (which is what Surfshark has)? Which one is meant for what or is it basically the same?
Hi there. The dedicated IP that NordVPN offers is a bonus feature that costs extra and gives you exclusive access to an IP address. Meanwhile, the static IP that Surfshark offers is available to everyone. It connects you to the same IP address each time, but the downside is that it’s not exclusive to you.
Does Surfshark free trial allow for a full premium vpn experience or does it have certain limits? Thanks!
Greetings. The Surfshark free trial is exactly like the premium version. However, keep in mind that you’ll be asked to add your credit card information to be eligible for the trial.
Currently thinking about surfshark vs NordVPN. Both have amazing vpn reviews, though Nord is rated a little bit higher but is also a bit pricier. What would you say are the main differences between these two besides the cost $$
Hello, Farner. The main difference is that Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections, while Nord allows only six. However, NordVPN is faster, though Surfshark is not that far behind either. NordVPN also has more servers, so it’s better at getting around geo-restrictions. Overall, NordVPN is better in terms of security and privacy, but if you need to protect a large number of devices at an affordable price I’d choose Surfshark.
Hi,
How do I know that your reviews are independently written. I have bad experiences with some other sites.
Kind regards.
Hello, Keyvan. Like many other review sites, we have affiliate deals with VPN providers. However, we still do our best to write unbiased and truthful reviews.
I was looking to find the answer about whether is Surfshark a good Vpn, came accross this review with a fabulous 9.4 score. Well, what can I say, I’m tempted. and surely for the cost of just a few dollars I don’t think it’s actually possible to be disappointed 😀
So surfshark chrome extension had a vulnerability that carried potential risk to users? where can i read more about it? it might be applicable to other chrome vpn extensions then
Hello, Henson. You can find the Cure53 Surfshark audit report on this document
I can agree that Surfshark VPN on fire stick works much better than I ever expected. Easy to install as well, just downloading the app on TV. I also like the fact that there is no cap on devices. Zero stress, happy me.
I’ve been looking for this kind of thorough surfshark vpn review and I finally found it. Great article.
What’s the coupon code to get the $1.94/mo pricing? I’m trying to sign up via the link but I can’t get that pricing
Dear Nischal,
At the moment, Surfshark VPN is no longer offering a deal for its 3-year plan. In fact, the annual plan is unavailable as well. However, I’m sure they’ll be back in 2021. Happy New Year!