If you’re looking to give your entire home network a privacy and security upgrade, or just want your Raspberry Pi’s internet traffic routed through a top-tier VPN, then setting up Surfshark on your little SBC is a fantastic move. It’s like having your own custom-built VPN fortress, all powered by a tiny, energy-efficient computer.

, keeping your online activities private isn’t just a nice-to-have. it’s essential. With cyber threats lurking and data privacy becoming a constant concern, a Virtual Private Network VPN is your best friend. And when you combine the versatility of a Raspberry Pi with the robust features of Surfshark, you get a powerful, flexible solution that many people overlook. It’s not just about protecting one device. we’re talking about potentially securing your whole home network, or at least making your Raspberry Pi a central point for all things private online. This guide will walk you through setting up Surfshark on your Raspberry Pi, focusing on how to make it a VPN client that connects to Surfshark, and then, for those who want to go the extra mile, how to transform it into a VPN gateway for your entire network. Think of it as your personal, low-power VPN router, giving you control and enhanced privacy.

Table of Contents

Why Surfshark and Raspberry Pi Make a Great Team

Let’s be real, a Raspberry Pi might seem small, but it’s a mighty little machine, especially for DIY projects like this. It’s incredibly cost-effective, sipping power like a tiny hummingbird, making it perfect for an always-on role. You can pick up a Raspberry Pi 4 or even the newer Raspberry Pi 5 for a reasonable price, and it’ll handle VPN traffic surprisingly well.

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Now, why Surfshark? Well, Surfshark has really carved out a name for itself in the VPN world. It’s known for being fast, secure, and incredibly budget-friendly, often beating out competitors on price while still delivering a ton of features. They offer:

Strong Encryption: Surfshark uses industry-standard AES-256-GCM encryption, which is virtually unbreakable, ensuring your data is super secure.
A Solid No-Logs Policy: They don’t track what you do online, giving you true privacy.
Multiple Protocols: You get choices like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2, allowing you to pick what works best for your needs in terms of speed and security.
Unlimited Devices: This is a big one! With a single Surfshark subscription, you can protect all your devices simultaneously, which is perfect for a busy household.
Global Server Network: With over 3,200 servers in 100+ countries, you’ll always find a fast, nearby connection.
Handy Features: Things like CleanWeb ad/malware blocker, MultiHop double VPN, Kill Switch, and Bypasser split tunneling really add to the value.

When you pair the affordability and customizability of a Raspberry Pi with Surfshark’s top-tier VPN service, you’re building a powerful, private hub without breaking the bank or relying on off-the-shelf, less flexible solutions. It’s a sweet spot for control and privacy.

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What Type of VPN Is Surfshark? Understanding the Protocols

When you’re dealing with VPNs, especially on a device like the Raspberry Pi, understanding the underlying protocols is a must. Surfshark, like many premium VPNs, offers a few different “languages” for your connection, each with its own strengths.

The main protocols Surfshark supports are:

WireGuard: This is the new kid on the block, but don’t let that fool you. WireGuard is incredibly lightweight, fast, and secure. Its codebase is much smaller than OpenVPN’s, making it easier to audit and less prone to vulnerabilities. For a Raspberry Pi, especially older models, WireGuard is often the best choice for speed and performance because it uses fewer system resources.
OpenVPN: This has been the industry workhorse for a long time. It’s open-source, highly secure, and extremely flexible, which is why it’s so widely supported. While it’s reliable, it can be a bit more resource-intensive than WireGuard, meaning you might see slightly slower speeds on a Raspberry Pi compared to WireGuard.
IKEv2 Internet Key Exchange version 2: This protocol is known for its speed and stability, especially when switching between networks like going from Wi-Fi to mobile data. It’s often preferred for mobile devices due to its quick reconnection capabilities.

For our Raspberry Pi setup, particularly if we’re aiming for a VPN gateway that routes all network traffic through Surfshark, WireGuard is often the hero you want. Its efficiency and speed make it ideal for low-power devices like the Pi. If you’re just installing Surfshark as a client to protect the Pi itself, both WireGuard and OpenVPN are viable, but WireGuard will generally give you a snappier experience.

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Getting Started: What You’ll Need

Before we jump into the fun stuff, let’s make sure you’ve got all the essentials ready. Think of it like gathering your tools before a big DIY project!

Raspberry Pi: A Raspberry Pi 3B+, 4, or 5 is highly recommended. While older models might work, the improved networking and processing power of the newer versions will give you a much better experience, especially for WireGuard. The Pi 5, for instance, offers a significant boost in performance.
MicroSD Card: A minimum of 16GB, Class 10 or higher, is usually enough. For better reliability and speed, a 32GB or 64GB card is a good idea.
Power Supply: Make sure you have the official Raspberry Pi power supply or a high-quality alternative that provides enough current for your specific Pi model.
Ethernet Cable: Highly recommended for initial setup and for a stable connection, especially if you plan to use your Pi as a network gateway.
Active Surfshark Subscription: You’ll need this to get your VPN credentials and configuration files. If you don’t have one, head over to their site and sign up.
Another Computer PC/Mac/Linux: For flashing the OS onto the SD card and connecting to your Raspberry Pi via SSH.
Basic Linux Command-Line Knowledge: Don’t worry if you’re not a Linux wizard! We’ll go through the commands, but a little familiarity helps.
Router Access: You’ll likely need to access your home router’s settings for port forwarding if you want to access your Pi VPN server from outside your home network, or to set up static IPs.

Preparing Your Raspberry Pi for Action

First things first, let’s get your Raspberry Pi ready. We’ll be using Raspberry Pi OS Lite 64-bit, which is a command-line only version. This keeps things lean and mean, perfect for a dedicated server task.

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- Download the Raspberry Pi Imager tool on your computer.
- Insert your microSD card into your computer.
- Open Raspberry Pi Imager. Choose “Raspberry Pi OS other” -> “Raspberry Pi OS Lite 64-bit”.
- Crucial Step: Click the gear icon Settings before writing! Here, you can pre-configure things:
  - Set hostname: Something like raspberrypi-vpn.
  - Enable SSH: Choose “Use password authentication” or “Use public-key authentication” password is simpler for beginners.
  - Set username and password: Remember these! e.g., pi and your_password.
  - Configure wireless LAN: Enter your Wi-Fi SSID and password if you plan to use Wi-Fi, otherwise, skip this if you’re using Ethernet.
  - Set locale settings.
- Select your microSD card as the storage.
- Click “Write” and wait for the process to complete.
Initial Boot and SSH Connection:
- Eject the microSD card from your computer and insert it into your Raspberry Pi.
- Connect your Raspberry Pi to your router via an Ethernet cable recommended or power it on and let it connect to Wi-Fi if configured.
- Power on your Raspberry Pi.
- Wait a few minutes for it to boot up.
- On your other computer, open a terminal Linux/macOS or PuTTY Windows.
- Find your Raspberry Pi’s IP address. You can usually find this by logging into your router’s administration page and looking at connected devices, or by using a network scanning tool like nmap or arp -a.
- Connect via SSH:
```
ssh your_username@your_raspberry_pi_ip_address
```
  e.g., ssh [email protected]
- Enter your password when prompted.
Update and Upgrade:
Once you’re logged in, it’s always a good idea to update and upgrade your system to ensure you have the latest packages and security patches.
```
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
```
This might take a few minutes.

Getting Your Surfshark WireGuard Configuration

To connect your Raspberry Pi to Surfshark using WireGuard, you’ll need specific configuration files from your Surfshark account. These are different from your regular login credentials.

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Log in to Your Surfshark Account: Go to the Surfshark website and log in.
Navigate to Manual Setup: Look for “Manual Setup” or “Devices” > “Manual” in your account dashboard.
Choose WireGuard: Select the WireGuard option.
Generate Key Pair and Configuration:
- You’ll likely be prompted to generate a new key pair if you haven’t already. Follow the instructions to create a public and private key.
- Once generated, Surfshark will provide you with a WireGuard configuration file often a .conf file. This file contains all the necessary details like the server endpoint, public key, private key, and allowed IPs.
- Keep this page open or copy the contents of this configuration file somewhere safe. You’ll need to transfer this to your Raspberry Pi.

Setting Up WireGuard on Your Raspberry Pi Surfshark Client

This is where we get the Raspberry Pi to connect to Surfshark. We’ll install WireGuard, then put your Surfshark configuration file in place.

Install WireGuard:
sudo apt install wireguard -y Proton VPN vs Surfshark VPN: Picking Your Perfect Privacy Partner
Create WireGuard Configuration Directory:
sudo mkdir -p /etc/wireguard
sudo chmod 700 /etc/wireguard
This creates a secure directory for your WireGuard configuration files.
Transfer Your Surfshark WireGuard Configuration File:
- You can create the file directly on the Pi:
  sudo nano /etc/wireguard/wg0.conf
- Now, carefully paste the entire content of the WireGuard configuration file you got from Surfshark into this wg0.conf file. It should look something like this your actual details will be different:
  PrivateKey =
  Address = /32
  DNS = 162.252.172.57, 149.154.159.92 # Or Surfshark’s default DNS, or Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1, Google’s 8.8.8.8 Problems with Surfshark VPN: Your Go-To Troubleshooting Guide
  PublicKey =
  Endpoint = :51820
  AllowedIPs = 0.0.0.0/0
  PersistentKeepalive = 25
  - Important: The Endpoint should be one of Surfshark’s WireGuard server locations.
  - AllowedIPs = 0.0.0.0/0 means all traffic will go through the VPN.
  - You might want to change the DNS to Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1 and 1.0.0.1 or Google’s 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4 to prevent DNS leaks and potentially speed things up.
- Save the file by pressing CTRL + X, then Y, then ENTER.
Start and Enable WireGuard:
Let’s bring up the WireGuard interface and make it start automatically on boot.
sudo wg-quick up wg0
You should see output indicating the interface is up.
To make it persistent across reboots:
sudo systemctl enable wg-quick@wg0
Verify Your Connection:
Check if your Raspberry Pi is now connected to Surfshark:
sudo wg show wg0
This will show details about your WireGuard tunnel. Look for a handshake that shows recent activity, confirming a connection.
You can also check your public IP address:
curl ifconfig.me

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Turning Your Raspberry Pi into a Surfshark VPN Gateway Advanced

This is where the “VPN server” aspect comes into play – your Raspberry Pi will act as a central hub, routing all traffic from other devices through its Surfshark connection. This effectively protects every device on your network that connects to the Pi, without installing VPN software on each one.

This setup often involves:

Enabling IP Forwarding: Allowing your Raspberry Pi to route traffic between networks.
Setting up NAT Network Address Translation: To let devices behind your Pi access the internet through the VPN.
Configuring a DHCP Server Optional, but useful: To assign IP addresses to devices that connect directly to the Pi.
Setting up a Wi-Fi Access Point Optional: If you want devices to connect to the Pi wirelessly to use the VPN.

Let’s focus on the first two, as they are crucial for a wired gateway setup. Setting up a full Wi-Fi access point or DHCP server on the Pi itself can be a bit more complex and might interfere with your existing router if not done carefully. A simpler approach is to configure specific devices to use the Pi as their gateway or DNS server.

1. Enable IP Forwarding

This tells your Raspberry Pi to forward network packets between interfaces, which is essential for it to act as a router/gateway. Surfshark VPN Price in the Philippines: Your Ultimate Buying Guide

sudo nano /etc/sysctl.conf

Uncomment remove the # from the beginning the following line:
net.ipv4.ip_forward=1
Save and exit CTRL + X, Y, ENTER.
Apply the change immediately:
sudo sysctl -p

2. Configure NAT Network Address Translation

This part tells your Raspberry Pi how to handle traffic coming from your local network and send it out through the Surfshark VPN tunnel wg0. We’ll use iptables rules.

First, you need to identify your Raspberry Pi’s local network interface. This is typically eth0 if you’re using an Ethernet cable connected to your main router, or wlan0 if you’re using Wi-Fi. Let’s assume eth0 for wired connections to your home LAN.

sudo iptables -A FORWARD -i eth0 -o wg0 -j ACCEPT
sudo iptables -A FORWARD -i wg0 -o eth0 -m state –state RELATED,ESTABLISHED -j ACCEPT
sudo iptables -t nat -A POSTROUTING -o wg0 -j MASQUERADE
Replace eth0 with wlan0 if your Pi is connected to your local network via Wi-Fi.

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Allow traffic from your local network interface eth0 to go out through the WireGuard interface wg0.
Allow established and related traffic back from wg0 to eth0.
Perform NAT Masquerading on traffic going out through wg0, so it appears to originate from the VPN server’s IP.

Making iptables Rules Persistent:
These rules are temporary and will disappear after a reboot. To save them:
sudo apt install iptables-persistent -y
During installation, it will ask if you want to save current IPv4 and IPv6 rules. Say Yes to both.
If you make changes later, you can save them again:
sudo netfilter-persistent save

3. Configuring Client Devices to Use the Pi Gateway

Now that your Raspberry Pi is set up as a gateway, you need to tell your other devices PC, phone, smart TV, etc. to use it. You have two main options:

Option A: Manual Configuration Per Device

Change Default Gateway: On each device you want to protect, manually change its network settings.
- Set the IP address for the device e.g., 192.168.1.X, where X is an unused number on your network.
- Set the Subnet mask e.g., 255.255.255.0.
- Set the Default Gateway to your Raspberry Pi’s local IP address e.g., 192.168.1.100.
- Set the DNS server to Surfshark’s DNS from your config file, Cloudflare’s 1.1.1.1, 1.0.0.1, or Google’s 8.8.8.8, 8.8.4.4.

This method gives you fine-grained control but can be tedious for many devices.

Option B: Configure Your Router More Advanced, Affects Entire Network

This is the most powerful method, as it routes all traffic from all devices on your network through the Pi’s Surfshark VPN.

Set Raspberry Pi as DMZ Host Not Recommended for Security: Some guides suggest setting your Pi as a DMZ Demilitarized Zone host in your router. This exposes the Pi fully to the internet and is generally a bad security practice. Avoid this.
Change Router’s DNS and/or Gateway Settings:
- Log into your main router’s administration page.
- Look for DHCP settings.
- Change the DNS server provided by your router to your Raspberry Pi’s local IP address. The Pi will then use Surfshark’s DNS.
- More impactful, but potentially problematic: Some advanced routers allow you to change the default gateway handed out by DHCP. If you set this to your Raspberry Pi’s IP, all devices will route through it. Be very careful with this, as misconfiguration can kill your internet access.
Static Routes Advanced: On some routers, you can set up static routes to direct specific traffic through your Pi.

For most users, manually configuring individual devices Option A is a safer and more manageable starting point. This way, you can test it on one device before rolling it out. Level Up Your Online Privacy: How to Install and Use Surfshark VPN on Your PC

After configuring a client device, check its public IP address e.g., by visiting whatismyip.com. It should show a Surfshark IP address, confirming it’s routing through your Pi gateway.

Performance Considerations and Tips

Even with a powerhouse like Surfshark, your Raspberry Pi’s performance as a VPN gateway can vary. Here’s what impacts it:

Your Internet Speed: This is the biggest factor. Your VPN speed can’t exceed your internet connection’s upload or download speed. If you have a slow internet connection e.g., less than 50 Mbps, the Pi’s processing power might not be the bottleneck.
Raspberry Pi Model: As mentioned, newer Pis 4 or 5 will handle encryption/decryption much better than older ones, leading to faster VPN speeds.
Wi-Fi vs. Ethernet: For the best performance, always connect your Raspberry Pi to your router using an Ethernet cable. Wi-Fi can introduce latency and reduce throughput.
Server Distance: Connecting to a Surfshark server far away from your physical location will naturally increase latency and reduce speeds. Surfshark boasts 3200+ servers in 100+ countries, so pick one close to you.
CPU Load: Running other demanding tasks on your Raspberry Pi while it’s acting as a VPN gateway can impact performance. Keep it dedicated to its VPN role for optimal results.
Monitoring: Use tools like htop for CPU/RAM usage and iftop for network bandwidth on your Raspberry Pi to monitor its performance. This can help you identify bottlenecks.

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Troubleshooting Common Issues

Even the smoothest setups can hit a snag. Here are a few common issues and how to tackle them:

“No Internet” After VPN Connection:
- Check wg0.conf: Double-check that your DNS servers are correctly configured in wg0.conf e.g., Surfshark’s, Cloudflare’s, or Google’s.
- IP Forwarding: Ensure net.ipv4.ip_forward=1 is uncommented in /etc/sysctl.conf and applied sudo sysctl -p.
- iptables Rules: Verify your NAT and forwarding rules are correct and persistent. Did you use the right local interface e.g., eth0 or wlan0?
- Router Conflict: If you set up a DHCP server on the Pi, make sure it’s not conflicting with your main router’s DHCP.
Cannot Connect to Surfshark:
- Credentials/Keys: Are your PrivateKey, PublicKey, and Endpoint in wg0.conf exactly as provided by Surfshark? Even a single typo can break it.
- Firewall: If you have a firewall like ufw active on your Raspberry Pi, ensure it’s not blocking WireGuard’s port default 51820 UDP. Temporarily disable it to test: sudo ufw disable.
- Network Connectivity: Can your Raspberry Pi access the internet without the VPN? Try ping google.com before bringing wg0 up.
- Surfshark Status: Is the specific Surfshark server you’re trying to connect to currently operational?
Slow Speeds:
- Server Location: Try a different Surfshark server closer to your physical location.
- Pi Model: If you’re using an older Pi, upgrading might be necessary for better speeds.
- Ethernet: Ensure your Pi and your devices are using Ethernet, not Wi-Fi, if possible.
- Internet Speed: Run a speed test on a device not connected to the VPN to check your baseline internet speed.
Dynamic IP Addresses for external access: If your home internet has a dynamic public IP address, it changes regularly.
- To connect to your Pi from outside your home, you’ll need a Dynamic DNS DDNS service. Services like DuckDNS or No-IP provide a static hostname that automatically updates to your current dynamic IP. Configure your router or the Pi to use one of these.

Benefits of Using Surfshark VPN on Your Raspberry Pi

Setting up Surfshark on your Raspberry Pi, especially as a gateway, brings a lot of cool advantages:

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Network-Wide Protection: This is huge! Once configured as a gateway, every device that routes its traffic through your Pi or directly connects to it if you set up an access point gets Surfshark’s protection. This means smart TVs, game consoles, IoT devices, and older gadgets that can’t run VPN apps natively can all benefit.
Secure Remote Access to Home Network: If you configure the Raspberry Pi to host its own VPN server like with PiVPN in addition to routing through Surfshark, you can securely access your home network from anywhere. Imagine checking on your home cameras or accessing files on your home server while traveling, all through an encrypted tunnel.
Centralized Control and Management: Instead of managing VPN connections on multiple devices, you manage one on your Raspberry Pi. This simplifies things immensely.
Cost-Effective and Energy-Efficient: The Raspberry Pi is a low-power device, so it won’t add much to your electricity bill, making it an economical choice for an always-on VPN solution compared to a dedicated VPN router.
Customization: You have full control over the configuration. You can tweak settings, switch servers, and even add other network services like Pi-hole for ad blocking to your Raspberry Pi for a truly personalized network setup.
Bypassing Geo-Restrictions for local network: With your entire network appearing to be in a different location, you can access content or services that might be restricted in your actual geographical area.
Unlimited Device Coverage: Since Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections, using it on your Pi for your network doesn’t eat into a “device limit” in the traditional sense, giving you fantastic value.

This setup transforms your Raspberry Pi from a hobbyist’s toy into a serious piece of network infrastructure, bolstering your digital privacy and security across your entire home. It’s a bit of a project, but the peace of mind and control you gain are absolutely worth it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a VPN client and a VPN server on a Raspberry Pi?

A VPN client on a Raspberry Pi connects from your Pi to a commercial VPN service’s server like Surfshark, encrypting only the Pi’s outgoing traffic. A VPN server on a Raspberry Pi allows other devices to connect to your Pi, often to access your home network remotely. In this guide, we connect the Pi as a Surfshark client and then configure it as a gateway to effectively serve that Surfshark VPN connection to other devices on your local network.

Can I use a Raspberry Pi as a VPN router with Surfshark?

Yes, absolutely! By setting up your Raspberry Pi as a Surfshark VPN client and then configuring it with IP forwarding and NAT rules, you can essentially turn it into a VPN router or gateway. This routes all connected devices’ internet traffic through the Surfshark VPN connection, providing network-wide protection. Unlocking Paramount Plus Anywhere: Your Guide to Using Surfshark VPN

Which Raspberry Pi model is best for a Surfshark VPN gateway?

For optimal performance, especially with WireGuard, a Raspberry Pi 4 or Raspberry Pi 5 is highly recommended. These models have better processing power and network capabilities Gigabit Ethernet to handle the encryption/decryption overhead and maintain decent speeds. Older models like the Pi 3B+ can work but might experience slower speeds.

Do I need port forwarding to use my Raspberry Pi as a Surfshark VPN gateway?

If you want devices within your local network to use the Raspberry Pi as a Surfshark gateway, you generally don’t need port forwarding on your main router. However, if you want to set up your Pi as a VPN server for remote access from outside your home network e.g., to connect your phone to your home network via VPN when you’re traveling, then yes, port forwarding is usually required on your main router to direct incoming VPN connections to your Pi.

Is it safe to use a Raspberry Pi for VPN?

Yes, using a Raspberry Pi for VPN is generally safe, provided you configure it correctly. It’s an open-source platform, giving you transparency and control. However, like any network device, ensuring your Raspberry Pi OS is always updated, using strong passwords, and properly configuring firewall rules are crucial steps to maintain security.

Does Surfshark offer a native app for Raspberry Pi OS?

No, Surfshark does not offer a native graphical user interface GUI application specifically for Raspberry Pi OS which is Debian-based Linux. Instead, you manually set up the VPN connection using command-line tools like OpenVPN or WireGuard clients, along with Surfshark’s configuration files.

Can I set up a Surfshark VPN on Raspberry Pi without a static IP address?

Yes, you can. If your home internet connection has a dynamic IP address which changes periodically, you’ll need to use a Dynamic DNS DDNS service. This service provides a constant hostname that automatically tracks your changing public IP, allowing you to reliably connect to your Raspberry Pi VPN server from outside your network. Getting Surfshark VPN’s OpenVPN Up and Running: Your Complete Guide

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