Surfshark VPN review: a detailed look in 2024 - Surfshark (2024)

“One of Surfshark’s standout value elements is that it allows you to use it on an unlimited number of devices.” — ZDNET.com

“We didn’t have to worry about the number of devices we connected to Surfshark at any given time.” — security.org

“With WireGuard, Surfshark soars to the top of our speed charts, making it an ideal pick for anyone who’s into gaming, streaming, or hopping into video calls.” — TechRadar

“Surfshark was one of the fastest VPNs I tested, maxing out my 1Gbps connection when using WireGuard – and on an even faster line, I reckon it could deliver more.” — Tom’s Guide

“Compared to other VPNs we’ve tested, Surfshark keeps the minimal amount of data necessary to run its service, making it a great choice for privacy.” — security.org

“Surfshark is packed with all the core privacy features you need in a VPN.” — Tom’s Guide

“Servers for some locations are hosted on other continents.” — TechRadar

“Many virtual servers are hosted thousands of miles away from apparent locations.” — Tom’s Guide

Our comment:

It’s challenging to deploy physical servers in some countries or regions. When physical servers aren’t an option, Surfshark, like many other VPNs, uses virtual servers as the next best thing.

“The Netherlands has privacy-friendly data retention laws, but it’s under Nine Eyes jurisdiction, which means the government can compel Surfshark to share customer information when necessary.” — security.org

Our comment:

While the Netherlands is a Nine Eyes country, it has no data retention laws. This allows us to stick to our strict no-logs VPN policy, as confirmed by Deloitte, a Big Four auditing firm.

“When we tried to test this feature, the app generated an error message saying that rotating IPs were not available.” — PCMag

Our comment:

There may have been some slight issues when we first released Nexus, but they have since been resolved. This is proven with PCMag’s latest test, as the review has been updated and now includes the following: “When we last tested the app, we liked that it included a countdown to the next IP rotation right in the UI, and we confirmed our public IP address was successfully changed.”

Server crowdedness and the distance between the user and the VPN server are two key factors for a fast VPN connection. Since Surfshark has 3200+ VPN servers in 100 countries worldwide, you’re almost guaranteed to find an uncrowded server nearby, no matter where you are.

“The network has 3200+ servers distributed across an impressive 140+ locations in 100 countries.” — TechRadar

VPN protocols also play a large role in determining your VPN connection speed. WireGuard is the fastest one available today. We want to ensure the best VPN experience for our customers, so you canuse WireGuard with Surfshark to maintain optimal connection speeds at all times.

“Surfshark has been a seriously fast provider for a good while now, and in my latest round of testing it only solidified this fact.” —Tom’s Guide

When streaming content online, you need a certain connection speed to avoid buffering. And while exact numbers vary from one platform to the next, you can use Netflix’s speed recommendations for a ballpark number:

• 3 Mbps to watch High Definition (HD) video (720p);
• 5 Mbps to watch Full High Definition (FHD) video (1080p);
• 15 Mbps to watch Ultra High Definition (UHD) video (4K).

On top of that, make sure that your VPN works well with the streaming platforms you use. You won’t have any issues using Surfshark with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and other platforms, so you can stream your favorite shows and movies with your online privacy protected.

“Overall, Surfshark is a fast, powerful VPN that’s great for streaming and staying private – and its appeal is only enhanced by its strikingly cheap price tag.” — Tom’s Guide

First and foremost, a VPN is a privacy tool. Surfshark uses secure AES-256 encryption, modern VPN protocols, and a no-logs policy as building blocks for a secure online experience. But that’s not all, since additional features like Kill Switch, private DNS, and obfuscated servers ensure your privacy at all times.

If you choose a Surfshark One or One+ subscription bundle, you’ll also get an antivirus, a data breach alert, webcam protection, and other features for all-around digital protection.

“On top of that, Surfshark encrypted our traffic through multiple servers, hiding our web traffic even more. This isn’t usually the case for even the best VPNs on the market, so we feel good about Surfshark protecting our web activity.” — security.org

Reputable VPN providers undergo independent audits by known auditing companies to prove the legitimacy of their services. Surfshark has had its infrastructure, browser extensions, and no-logs statement audited by Cure53 and Deloitte, with no major flaws found in either of those audits.

“Privacy policies are important, but I don’t think customers should have to take a VPN provider’s words on trust. That’s why I’m happy to see that Surfshark has put its service through no less than three independent security audits.” — TechRadar

Good infrastructure, security, and speed — they’re all necessary for a good VPN. But no one will want to use it if the user experience is poor. That’s why we made the Surfshark app easy to install and use. On top of that, ad and cookie pop-up blockers keep your surfing experience smooth and clean whenever you’re using Surfshark.

“Aesthetically, the apps are very clean and easy to use — and they now come with a new revamped design.” — Tom’s Guide

A good customer support team should not be overlooked when choosing a VPN provider. You want to get help as soon as possible, especially if something goes wrong. That’s why Surfshark offers 24/7 live chat support on top of a ticketing system, email support, and an extensive searchable knowledge base.

“Customer support is available around the clock via live chat if you have questions or run into issues. Surfshark’s Help Center is filled with helpful articles, troubleshooting guides, and tutorials.” — cnet.com

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“To sum up, Cure53 is highly satisfied to see such a strong security posture on the Surfshark VPN proxy extension, especially given the common vulnerability of similar products to privacy issues.”

Dr. Mario Heiderich, Founder & CEO of Cure53