Surfshark Review: Quick Expert Summary

Surfshark offers robust security features, boasts impressive speeds, and accommodates unlimited connections, making it an ideal choice for large households. Its user-friendly applications across major platforms also make it suitable for VPN novices.

The service excels in unblocking leading streaming platforms such as Netflix and Max, while also supporting torrenting across its entire server network spanning over 3,200 servers across 100 countries. This extensive coverage ensures most users can easily access nearby servers for optimal performance.

Moreover, in addition to standard security measures, Surf-shark includes:

• Bypasser: Allows selective exclusion of sites and apps from the VPN tunnel via split-tunneling.
• CleanWeb: Eliminates advertisements and prevents access to malicious websites.
• Dynamic MultiHop: Enhances security by routing data through two VPN servers.
• IP Rotator: Automatically changes your VPN IP address without interrupting your connection.
• Smart DNS: Facilitates streaming on devices incompatible with VPNs, such as gaming consoles.
• Built-in speed test: Assists in identifying the fastest servers for optimal performance.
• And more…

Despite its strengths, Surf-shark does have some drawbacks. It fails to bypass Disney+ geo-restrictions, exhibits sluggish speeds on distant servers, and its built-in speed test may not be entirely reliable. Additionally, it lacks WebRTC and IPv6 leak protection, and its functionality is limited in countries with stringent internet censorship, such as China.

Surfshark Full Review

After extensively testing Surfshark over the past few weeks against other leading VPN providers, I confidently assert that it stands among the best options available. With its robust security measures, seamless streaming and torrenting capabilities, and exceptional value proposition for both individuals and large households, Surfs-hark emerges as a standout choice.

Its allowance for unlimited connections sets it apart from many competitors, offering the flexibility to install and connect on numerous devices—an advantage particularly noteworthy as most VPNs typically restrict connections to a mere 5–10 devices. Moreover, Surf-shark maintains commendable speeds, excelling in both streaming and torrenting realms, while ensuring robust security and privacy safeguards.

Adding to its appeal, Surfshark offers some of the most budget-friendly subscription plans in the market, all backed by a risk-free 30-day money-back guarantee, further solidifying its status as a top-tier VPN provider.

Surfshark Features

Surfshark boasts a suite of industry-standard VPN security features designed to safeguard user privacy:

• 256-bit AES encryption: Employing top-tier encryption technology, Surfshark ensures that all data transmitted through its network remains indecipherable to unauthorized parties.
• No-logs policy: Committed to user privacy, Surf-shark refrains from storing sensitive user data such as IP addresses or browsing history. This commitment to privacy is further reinforced by successfully passing independent security audits.
• Kill switch: Available across various platforms including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, and Linux, Surfshark’s kill switch feature acts as a failsafe mechanism, cutting off internet access in the event of VPN connection disruptions to prevent any potential data leaks.

The kill switch’s adaptability is particularly noteworthy, allowing users to customize its functionality based on their preferences. Whether configured to trigger upon VPN connection drops or when the VPN is inactive, users can ensure their online activities remain secure at all times.

Additionally, Surfshark distinguishes itself with RAM-only servers and perfect forward secrecy. RAM-only servers ensure data is temporarily stored in volatile memory, minimizing the risk of data exposure through server resets. Perfect forward secrecy enhances security by generating unique encryption keys for each VPN session, thwarting potential attempts to compromise past or future encryption keys.

While Surf-shark provides DNS leak protection, the absence of IPv6 and WebRTC leak protection is a notable drawback. Despite passing leak tests across multiple server locations, the necessity to manually disable IPv6 and WebRTC to mitigate potential leaks poses an inconvenience compared to competitors such as Private Internet Access, and NordVPN, which offer comprehensive leak protection by automatically disabling these protocols.

Users have the choice of three protocols: WireGuard, IKEv2/IPSec, and OpenVPN. Each protocol ensures robust security measures and commendable speeds, with WireGuard emerging as the notably swiftest option.

Bypasser

Surfshark’s Bypasser functions as its split-tunneling capability, enabling users to designate specific apps and websites to utilize the VPN connection. Currently, Bypasser is exclusively accessible through the Android and Windows applications. In my evaluations, it performed effectively, granting me the ability to browse the internet on excluded browsers while the VPN remained active.

Comparable to Private Internet Access’s split-tunneling tool, Bypasser offers similar functionality. However, I find Private Internet Access’s implementation of split-tunneling to be superior, as it extends support to additional operating systems such as Linux and macOS.

CleanWeb

Surfshark’s CleanWeb serves as the VPN’s ad blocker, designed to eliminate advertisements, ad trackers, and thwart connections to potentially harmful websites. Accessible across a wide array of platforms including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android TV, and Fire TV applications, CleanWeb offers comprehensive protection.

During my testing, CleanWeb demonstrated commendable performance. It effectively removed most advertisements from ad-laden websites, resulting in faster loading times for web pages. However, it occasionally fell short in eliminating pop-up ads. Nonetheless, it reliably prevented access to dubious HTTP sites.

While CleanWeb proves to be a solid option, I personally favor Private Internet Access’s PIA MACE. Offering similar features to CleanWeb, PIA MACE additionally excels in blocking intrusive pop-up ads, earning it recognition as the premier VPN ad blocker in 2024.

Dynamic MultiHop

Surfshark’s Dynamic MultiHop feature enhances security by routing data through two VPN servers instead of one, thereby introducing an additional layer of encryption. A notable advantage of this feature is the ability for users to manually select any two server locations for their double VPN connections.

I appreciate Surfshark’s utilization of Nexus technology for the double VPN connections, which leverages Software-Defined Networking (SDN) to interconnect all servers. This approach ensures that traffic traverses the entire network of servers rather than just one or two, enhancing security.

Using Dynamic MultiHop servers is straightforward. For example, to obtain a US IP address, I selected a UK server as the entry point and a US server as the exit point. Surfshark’s interface conveniently allows users to create and save multiple Dynamic MultiHop pairs for future use, streamlining the process of establishing connections.

Although double VPN connections typically incur a slowdown, my experience with MultiHop servers revealed only a modest 5–7% decrease in speed on average, which is commendable.

It’s important to note that Dynamic MultiHop servers are primarily intended for users with stringent security requirements. For those primarily engaging in activities such as social media browsing, streaming, file downloading, or gaming, the use of Dynamic MultiHop servers may not be necessary or recommended.

IP Rotator

IP Rotator, accessible on iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS platforms, is a functionality that systematically alters your VPN IP address without causing disruptions to your VPN connection.

Upon conducting thorough testing of this feature, I can confirm its efficacy. Throughout a 20-minute duration while connected to a VPN server, I consistently observed a new IP address assigned approximately every 4–5 minutes. Notably, my VPN connection remained stable without any interruptions during these tests.

The implementation of IP Rotator significantly enhances user privacy by constantly changing VPN IP addresses, thereby posing challenges for cybercriminals and advertisers attempting to monitor online activities.

Smart DNS

Surfshark offers a smart DNS service, enabling VPN usage on devices lacking native VPN support, such as select smart TV models. While a smart DNS does not alter your IP address or encrypt your traffic, it often delivers faster speeds due to the absence of encryption protocols.

To utilize the smart DNS, manual setup is required, but Surfshark provides user-friendly, step-by-step guides for assistance. Setting up the service on my smart TV took only around 5–8 minutes, thanks to the clear instructions provided by Surfshark.

Override GPS Location

This functionality enables synchronization of your GPS data with the location of the VPN server you’re currently connected to. Essentially, mobile applications utilizing GPS data to determine your location will be misled into believing you’re situated in the same country as the VPN server. However, it’s worth noting that the Override GPS Location feature is exclusively accessible on Android devices.

Activating this feature requires adjusting a few Android settings manually, although the process is streamlined, particularly with Surfshark’s in-app guide. Enabling this feature on my device took a mere 2–3 minutes, thanks to the straightforward instructions provided.

Dedicated IP Addresses

Surfshark offers the option to purchase a dedicated IP address for a nominal monthly fee, providing exclusive access solely to you, thus preventing other VPN users from utilizing it.

These dedicated IP addresses are available across more than 10 countries, encompassing the US, the UK, Germany, France, Japan, Italy, Canada, South Africa, Hong Kong, and the Netherlands. Similar to other leading VPN providers such as Private Internet Access and NordVPN, Surfshark also extends dedicated IP services across multiple countries.

A dedicated IP proves advantageous for accessing websites that restrict access to shared VPN IPs, particularly banking sites. Additionally, it aids in circumventing bothersome reCAPTCHA challenges encountered during browsing sessions.

Built-In Speed Test

Surfshark offers a built-in speed test feature that grants users the ability to evaluate the speed of various server categories, including Recommended, P2P, or Recent servers, to identify the fastest options. However, this feature is exclusive to the Windows application.

Regrettably, the accuracy of Surfshark’s speed test results is not guaranteed. During my evaluation, the speed test for Recommended servers suggested only three servers in neighboring countries (Hungary, Moldova, and Serbia) instead of prioritizing a local server in Romania, where I experienced the fastest speeds according to my independent tests using a third-party speed testing tool.

Furthermore, Surfshark’s failure to rank the fastest server first necessitates users to manually navigate through a lengthy list of over 70 server locations to locate the server with optimal speeds.

Support for Tor Traffic

Surfshark offers comprehensive support for Tor traffic across its entire server network, enabling secure browsing of .onion sites and access to the dark web via the Tor browser. This setup ensures that in the event of a Tor leak, only the VPN’s IP address is exposed, safeguarding your real IP address.

I appreciate Surfshark’s seamless integration with the Tor browser, requiring users to simply connect to any of Surfshark’s servers before launching the Tor browser.

However, I personally find NordVPN more preferable for Tor browsing, as it allows access to Tor sites through standard browsers like Chrome and Firefox, offering greater convenience.

Camouflage Mode

Surfshark’s Camouflage Mode serves as the provider’s obfuscation feature, disguising VPN traffic to resemble regular internet traffic. This feature is seamlessly integrated into all of Surfshark’s applications and servers and is effortlessly activated when utilizing the OpenVPN protocol to connect to a VPN server. However, it’s important to note that Surfshark representatives have disclosed that the VPN may not function effectively in restrictive countries.

While Camouflage Mode effectively conceals VPN traffic from your Internet Service Provider (ISP), it’s essential to acknowledge that its use can result in decreased VPN speeds due to the additional encryption layer employed to obscure VPN traffic. During my assessments, enabling Camouflage Mode led to approximately a 70% reduction in VPN speeds, resulting in delayed website loading times and frequent buffering of HD videos.

In comparison to other leading competitors, I believe that ExpressVPN offers superior obfuscation capabilities. ExpressVPN supports obfuscation across all of its servers and protocols, providing a more convenient and reliable solution. Additionally, ExpressVPN consistently operates in restrictive countries, and its obfuscated connections demonstrate significantly improved speeds.

NoBorders

NoBorders feature of Surfshark offers access to a selection of servers capable of bypassing network restrictions. While users have the option to activate this feature manually, it is also triggered automatically by the VPN application when it detects usage within a restrictive network environment. NoBorders functionality is supported across iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS platforms.

Surfshark Privacy & Security

Surfshark upholds a stringent no-logs policy, ensuring that it refrains from collecting users’ IP addresses and monitoring their online activities, including accessed websites and downloaded files. The provider only retains users’ email addresses for communication purposes and connection timestamps, which are promptly deleted 15 minutes after disconnection from the VPN server.

Furthermore, Surfshark’s commitment to transparency is evident through the auditing of its no-logs policy. This validation instills confidence in the provider’s trustworthiness and reliability.

Additionally, Surfshark has undergone two separate security audits conducted by cybersecurity firm Cure53. One audit assessed the security of Surfshark’s browser extensions, while the other focused on evaluating the provider’s server infrastructure. The findings from both audits concluded that Surfshark’s browser extensions and server infrastructure offer robust security measures.

Despite being headquartered in the Netherlands, which is part of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliances, Surfshark remains committed to user privacy. Even in the event of authorities requesting user logs, Surfshark cannot provide any data as it does not retain any logs.

Surfshark Speed & Performance

Conducting speed tests across all 100 countries where Surfshark operates servers, I observed an average slowdown of 71%. However, given my location in Romania with its exceptionally high internet speeds, the impact of the slowdown was mitigated. I consistently maintained fast speeds when connected to local, nearby, and moderately distant servers. Nevertheless, I did encounter significant slowdowns when connecting to extremely remote servers located in Japan, New Zealand, and South Korea.

First, I ran a speed test without being connected to the VPN to get a baseline for my speeds:

Following that, I utilized Surfshark’s quick-connect feature, known as Fastest Server, which automatically linked me to a VPN server located in Romania. Despite experiencing a significant 54% decrease in speeds, my online activities remained largely unaffected. Websites loaded promptly, and both HD and 4K videos streamed seamlessly without buffering.

Subsequently, I manually connected to a server situated in the US, resulting in a roughly 60% reduction in speeds. Nevertheless, I maintained fast and reliable connections, with websites loading instantaneously, HD videos streaming without interruption, and 4K videos loading within 1–2 seconds with minimal buffering. Moreover, the download of a 9 GB file only took me 6–7 minutes.

Lastly, I tested a distant server located in Japan, and I encountered an astounding 99% slowdown! My speeds were severely impacted — websites took 6–7 seconds to load, HD videos required 3–4 seconds to start with noticeable buffering, and 4K videos took up to 10 seconds to load with significant buffering and quality degradation during playback.

In summary, Surfshark exhibited impressive speeds on local, nearby, and moderately distant servers. However, there was a considerable slowdown on extremely remote servers. It’s worth noting that there are other top competitors offering much faster speeds. For instance, ExpressVPN, recognized as the fastest VPN in 2024, consistently delivers lightning-fast speeds for browsing, streaming, and torrenting across all server locations.

Surfshark Servers & IP Addresses

Surfshark offers a vast network of 3,200+ servers spread across 100 countries, placing it in the same league as leading competitors like NordVPN, which operates servers in 105 countries. However, for users seeking broader coverage with a larger server count, I suggest considering CyberGhost VPN, boasting an impressive 11,528 servers across 100 countries.

The majority of Surfshark’s servers are physical, ensuring they are located in the country you connect to. Additionally, the provider offers virtual locations, providing users with an IP address from the selected country, although the server itself may be situated elsewhere. Surfshark maintains transparency regarding the use of virtual locations, clearly marking them with “(Virtual)” within the app. It would be beneficial if the provider also disclosed the actual server locations, similar to NordVPN’s practice.

Surfshark’s apps feature speed metrics, including server ping (indicating the communication time with the VPN server) and server load (revealing the number of active users connected to a server). These metrics aid in identifying the fastest servers. However, accessing these metrics requires enabling a button, which can be easily overlooked. Surfshark could enhance user experience by displaying speed metrics by default, akin to Private Internet Access.

The provider’s server network is bolstered by its proprietary Nexus technology, interconnecting all servers to optimize traffic flow for faster, more stable connections. Moreover, this setup enhances privacy by regularly changing users’ IP addresses without disconnecting them from the server.

Surfshark also offers Dynamic MultiHop servers across North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia, routing data through two VPN servers for heightened security. Additionally, users can customize their double VPN connection by selecting desired entry and exit servers.

Furthermore, Surfshark provides dedicated IP addresses for a nominal fee, ensuring exclusive use for individual users. Dedicated IPs prove beneficial for bypassing reCAPTCHAs and accessing bank sites, which often block shared VPN IP addresses. These dedicated IPs are available in various countries, including the US, the UK, and the Netherlands.

Surfshark Streaming Support

Surfshark seamlessly integrates with over 50 streaming services, including popular platforms such as Netflix, Amazon Prime, Max, and BBC iPlayer. Our international testing team verified this compatibility, successfully accessing content from these services in their respective locations without encountering any issues. However, it’s worth noting that Surfshark does not support Disney+, unlike NordVPN and Private Internet Access.

One notable feature is Surfshark’s compatibility with more than 15 Netflix libraries. During my tests, it reliably accessed Netflix Romania. Additionally, I enlisted the help of colleagues based in the UK and US, who confirmed they could stream content from their local Netflix libraries while connected to Surfshark. Furthermore, customer support representatives assured compatibility with other popular libraries, such as Netflix Japan and Netflix Brazil.

I appreciate the VPN’s inclusion of a smart DNS feature, which adds convenience by enabling VPN usage on devices incompatible with VPN apps.

In summary, Surfshark excels in streaming capabilities, offering a smart DNS feature and compatibility with over 50 streaming services, including popular platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime. However, it falls short in supporting Disney+.

Surfshark Torrenting Support

Surfshark offers robust support for torrenting activities. It permits P2P downloads across its entire server network spanning 100 countries, a commendable feature considering that some competitors confine P2P servers to a limited number of countries (for instance, Proton VPN offers P2P servers in only 15+ countries).

Moreover, Surfshark seamlessly integrates with leading P2P applications like uTorrent and Vuze. During my tests, I encountered no difficulties accessing popular torrent sites and successfully downloaded several P2P files.

However, it lacks additional torrenting features present in leading P2P VPNs like Private Internet Access, such as port forwarding (allowing connection to more peers for faster downloads) and SOCKS5 proxy support, which changes your IP address without encryption for significantly faster speeds.

Surfshark remains an excellent choice for securing your P2P traffic, offering essential features like a kill switch, an audited no-logs policy, and CleanWeb, safeguarding against dubious torrenting sites and preventing ads from loading on such platforms. Additionally, I conducted leak tests before engaging in torrenting activities with the VPN and encountered no leaks.

Surfshark Gaming Support

Surfshark proves to be a reliable option for gaming. Putting it through its paces with several rounds of Dota 2, I found its performance generally satisfactory.

On local servers, Surfshark maintained consistent ping, delivered fast speeds, and exhibited minimal lag, hardly noticeable during gameplay. Moreover, downloading a 1 GB game update took merely 2–3 minutes, ensuring swift access to new content.

However, on servers located farther away, I observed a slight uptick in ping. While downloading another 1 GB update required about 6–7 minutes, gameplay experienced some noticeable lag. Nonetheless, this lag remained minor and had little impact on my gaming experience.

Additionally, Surfshark offers protection against Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) attacks, safeguarding users from potential online disruptions. Anti-DDoS protection is available across all servers, ensuring resilience against attacks targeting the VPN server’s IP address.

Furthermore, Surfshark supports manual router setups, allowing configuration on gaming consoles and other devices incompatible with VPN apps. Nevertheless, for dedicated VPN usage on routers tailored for gaming, I recommend NordVPN, which offers a user-friendly dedicated router app.

In summary, Surfshark delivers a commendable gaming experience, with smooth connections on nearby servers, robust DDoS protection, and compatibility with router setups.

Surfshark Bypassing Censorship

Surfshark may not be the optimal choice for use in restrictive countries such as China, Iran, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Indonesia, as confirmed by the provider’s support representatives.

For users in restrictive regions, alternatives like PureVPN or Private Internet Access are recommended, as they reliably function in such environments without encountering any difficulties.

Surfshark Plans & Pricing

Surfshark offers subscription plans structured into three tiers, available through both monthly and yearly payment options. Notably, it allows unlimited connections, akin to services like Private Internet Access and TunnelBear, exceeding the industry standard of 5–10 simultaneous connections.

The subscription tiers are named Surfshark Starter, Surfshark One, and Surfshark One+. Beginning at $2.29 per month, Surfshark Starter encompasses all VPN features along with Alternative ID, facilitating the creation of online aliases and secure email addresses, making it my recommended option. Surfshark One, priced at $2.89 per month, supplements this with a private search engine, antivirus protection, and data breach monitoring.

For $4.29 per month, Surfshark One+ encompasses all previous features while also offering access to Surfshark’s data removal service. This service expunges user data from company databases and people search sites, albeit exclusively available to users in the US, Canada, UK, and European Union.

Surfshark accepts various payment methods, including credit/debit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and several cryptocurrencies. Additionally, all purchases are backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Surfshark Ease of Use: Mobile & Desktop Apps

Surfshark offers applications compatible with a wide range of platforms, including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android TV, and Fire TV. Additionally, it provides browser extensions tailored for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. The provider also facilitates manual router setups, enabling VPN usage on devices that lack native support, such as gaming consoles. However, if you intend to pursue this option, I suggest opting for PoreVPN instead, as it offers a dedicated router app that boasts simplicity in installation and usage.

Downloading and installing Surfshark’s applications is a straightforward process, requiring minimal time investment. I found that it took only about 1–2 minutes to install the iOS and Android apps, while the macOS and Windows apps were installed in just 2 minutes.

How to Install Surfshark (Just 3 Simple Steps)

• Step 1: Subscribe to Surfshark. Choose the plan that’s best for you and create an account.
• Step 2: Download and install the apps. Simply follow the on-screen instructions in the installation wizards.
• Step 3: Launch the VPN app. Find the server you want to connect to and click on it. That’s it! You can now securely surf the web.

Android

I find Surfshark’s Android application to be user-friendly and intuitive. It boasts a quick-connect feature and a straightforward interface that makes navigation effortless. Moreover, each setting and feature is accompanied by clear explanations, enhancing usability.

The Android app is impressively feature-rich, although it lacks a speed test. However, this omission isn’t particularly significant as the feature’s utility is limited. Additionally, the Android app offers exclusive access to the Override GPS Location feature, aligning your GPS location with that of the VPN server—a valuable asset for maintaining privacy and security.

iOS

Surfshark’s iOS application mirrors the user-friendliness of its Android counterpart. I appreciate its seamless one-click server connection feature, alongside the convenience of a search function for swiftly locating desired servers. Furthermore, adjusting settings and features is straightforward and intuitive.

Although the iOS app lacks certain features like the speed test, Override GPS Location, and Bypasser, it’s worth noting that split-tunneling is generally unavailable on iOS VPNs. TunnelBear stands out as one of the few providers offering this feature in their iOS app.

Windows/Mac (Desktop)

Navigating Surfshark’s desktop applications is a breeze thanks to their intuitive interfaces. Manually locating and connecting to a VPN server is a swift process, typically taking only 4–5 seconds. Additionally, users can promptly verify the status of their VPN connection, including confirming the concealment of their location and VPN IP address.

While both the Windows and macOS applications offer similar features, it’s worth noting that the macOS app lacks Bypasser and the built-in speed test. However, the absence of the built-in speed test isn’t particularly concerning, given its lack of accuracy.

Browser Extension (Chrome, Edge, Firefox)

Surfshark’s browser extensions prioritize security, featuring an array of protective measures such as an ad blocker, cookie pop-up blocker, data breach alert, and malware warning tool. These extensions also offer WebRTC leak protection, a feature not found in the Surfshark app.

The ad blocker and pop-up blocker function effectively, significantly reducing ad intrusion on websites, although occasional pop-ups may still appear. Remarkably, users have access to all of Surfshark’s servers via the browser extensions, a feature that sets them apart. For comparison, Private Internet Access’s browser extension limits server access to only 20+ countries.

A notable inclusion in the browser extensions is split-tunneling, known as the Bypass list, enabling users to exclude specific sites from the VPN tunnel. This feature allows users to customize which IP addresses bypass CleanWeb, encompassing ad and cookie pop-up blocking, as well as data breach and malware alerts.

Overall, Surfshark’s browser extensions prioritize security and ease of use. They offer split-tunneling capabilities, shield users from ads and malicious content, and provide access to Surfshark’s full server network.

Router Support

Surfshark is compatible with routers, but the setup process requires manual configuration. The positive aspect is that Surfshark supports a wide range of popular routers, including AsusWRT and DD-WRT.

To simplify the setup process, Surfshark offers detailed, step-by-step guides for configuring the VPN on all supported routers. This is beneficial as router setup can be intricate and varies for each device. In my experience setting up Surfshark on my router, I completed the process in approximately 15 minutes. However, I still prefer PureVPN due to its dedicated router app, which offers a more straightforward installation and usage experience.

Overall, Surfshark is a solid choice for those seeking a VPN compatible with routers. It boasts support for various router models and provides user-friendly setup instructions on its website.

Surfshark’s Apps: Is Surfshark Easy to Use?

Surfshark offers a wide range of applications, catering to various devices and platforms including iOS, Android, Windows, macOS, Linux, Android TV, and Fire TV. Additionally, it provides browser extensions compatible with Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. For devices such as gaming consoles that lack native VPN support, Surfshark supports manual router setups, allowing you to extend VPN protection to these devices. However, if you prefer a more streamlined experience for router setup, I recommend opting for NordVPN , which offers a dedicated router app for easy installation and usage.

Downloading and installing Surfshark’s applications is a straightforward process. It took me approximately 1–2 minutes to install the iOS and Android apps, and just 2 minutes for the macOS and Windows apps.

Surfshark Customer Support

Surfshark offers multiple avenues for customer support, including 24/7 live chat support, email support, and an extensive support library. While it lacks phone support, this isn’t a significant drawback given the availability of other support channels.

Having access to a comprehensive support library is crucial. Visual tutorials, FAQs, and step-by-step guides can be invaluable resources. By finding answers within the library, you can save time that would otherwise be spent contacting customer service.

Similar to NordVPN, Surfshark provides efficient 24/7 live chat support. In my tests, I was connected to a live chat agent in under 10 seconds each time. Additionally, the representatives I interacted with were consistently friendly and helpful.

I conducted tests on the provider’s email support by sending emails at various times throughout the day. Typically, I received a response in under 24 hours, and the replies consistently provided helpful information.

What Surfshark Can Do Better

While Surfshark is a top-notch VPN service, there are still areas where it could enhance its features. Notably, improvements could be made in streaming support, security measures, obfuscation capabilities, and speed performance.

To start, although Surfshark supports numerous streaming platforms, the absence of compatibility with Disney+ is a notable limitation. Given Disney+’s widespread popularity, especially among families, the inability to access it while connected to Surfshark is disappointing.

Moreover, Surfshark currently provides DNS leak protection, but it lacks comprehensive leak protection found in many competitors, such as Private Internet Access. These competitors offer safeguards against DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks, which are crucial for maintaining privacy and security online.

Additionally, Surfshark faces limitations in restrictive regions, as it is unable to function in countries like China, Russia, and Indonesia. While its obfuscation capabilities are effective for bypassing network restrictions in certain environments, it falls short in more heavily regulated regions.

Lastly, Surfshark’s speed performance on distant servers is not optimal, which may pose challenges for users who require consistent high-speed connections, such as frequent travelers or gamers. In contrast, services like PureVPN offer consistently fast speeds across all server locations, regardless of distance.

Is Surfshark Worth the Money in 2024?

Surfshark boasts robust security measures, generally swift speeds across its server network, and the advantage of supporting an unlimited number of connections, rendering it suitable for larger households. Its user-friendly applications cater to beginners and are accessible across a wide range of platforms.

Furthermore, Surfshark’s compatibility extends to popular streaming platforms like Netflix, Max, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime. Additionally, it permits P2P traffic on all of its 3,200+ servers spread across 100 countries.

Beyond fundamental security features, Surfshark offers supplementary utilities such as Bypasser for split-tunneling, CleanWeb for ad blocking, and IP Rotator for seamless VPN IP address rotation without disruption. It also includes Multihop servers for enhanced security and incorporates a built-in speed test.

However, Surfshark is not without its drawbacks. It lacks compatibility with Disney+, experiences sluggish speeds on extremely distant servers, CleanWeb does not effectively block pop-up ads, and the accuracy of the built-in speed test is questionable. Additionally, it lacks WebRTC and IPv6 leak protection and may encounter limitations in restrictive regions.

Surfshark presents various pricing plans, including a particularly economical long-term option, and stands behind each purchase with a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Surfshark safe?

Indeed, Surfshark incorporates vital VPN security elements, encompassing 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and a verified no-logs policy. Moreover, it incorporates sophisticated security attributes such as RAM-only servers, which wipe all data upon server reset, and perfect forward secrecy, altering the encryption key for each VPN session to thwart potential compromise by hackers. Additionally, Surfshark offers supplementary security utilities like CleanWeb, safeguarding against malicious websites, and MultiHop servers, fortifying connections with an additional layer of encryption.

Is Surfshark free?

Unfortunately, Surfshark does not offer a free plan. However, its paid subscription options are reasonably priced and include a 30-day money-back guarantee for added peace of mind.

Does Surfshark work with Netflix?

various Netflix libraries, spanning the US, the UK, Japan, and Australia. Our global team conducted tests, confirming accessibility to Netflix content in their respective regions. Surfshark ensures swift streaming speeds, facilitating an uninterrupted viewing experience.

Moreover, Surfshark extends its support to other major streaming platforms. These encompass Amazon Prime, BBC iPlayer, and HBO Max. However, it regrettably does not cater to Disney+.

Is Surfshark good for torrenting?

Certainly, Surfshark offers robust P2P support. It permits torrenting on every server within its network and seamlessly integrates with well-known torrent clients like qBittorrent and Vuze. Additionally, Surfshark is equipped with a kill switch feature, safeguarding against data leaks during torrenting sessions. Moreover, its audited no-logs policy guarantees the non-collection of your P2P traffic, ensuring privacy and anonymity.

Does Surfshark work in China?

No, Surfshark is not functional in that particular country, as confirmed by multiple Surfshark representatives. In such cases, I suggest opting for ExpressVPN instead, as it reliably operates in restrictive countries like China, offering top-notch security and privacy features without any disruptions.

How fast is Surfshark?

Surfshark proves to be a reasonably swift VPN option. It sustains commendable speeds, particularly on servers in close proximity, and even manages to maintain respectable speeds on servers located far away. However, when connecting to servers considerably distant from your current location, you may encounter some reduction in speed.

Nonetheless, it’s worth noting that there exist VPNs on the market that offer even faster speeds. ExpressVPN, for instance, stands out as one of the swiftest VPN options I’ve tested, delivering lightning-fast speeds across all of its servers, suitable for various online activities.

Surfshark VPN 2024 Review: Evaluating Its Value for Money

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