To truly get a sense of Surfshark VPN, you should look at what real users and experts are saying, especially with all the updates and changes happening in the VPN world. Today, we’re going to break down everything you need to know about Surfshark in 2025 – from its security and speed to how it stacks up against the big names like NordVPN and ExpressVPN. We’ll cover if it’s reliable, safe, good for streaming, torrenting, and gaming, and ultimately, if it offers the kind of value you’re looking for. By the end of this, you’ll have a clear picture of whether Surfshark is the right fit for your online needs.
What is Surfshark VPN All About?
So, what’s the deal with Surfshark? It popped onto the scene in 2018 and has quickly become a serious contender in the VPN space, especially known for being pretty budget-friendly. It’s even part of the larger Nord Security family now, which includes NordVPN, giving it some serious backing. One of its standout features right from the start has been offering unlimited simultaneous connections – that’s a huge plus if you have a household full of devices or just a lot of gadgets yourself. Imagine securing your phone, laptop, tablet, smart TV, and even your friend’s device all under one subscription! Surfshark offers more than just the basics. it’s packed with features designed to keep your online life private and secure without making you jump through hoops.
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Is Surfshark VPN Reliable? Breaking Down Trust and Performance
When you’re picking a VPN, reliability is key, right? You want to know it’s going to work when you need it and protect your data consistently. Surfshark has made some significant strides here, especially with its commitment to a strict no-logs policy and robust security infrastructure.
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No-Logs Policy & Independent Audits
One of the biggest questions people have about any VPN is whether it actually keeps your online activities private. Surfshark operates a strict no-logs policy, which means they don’t monitor, track, or store what you do online. This isn’t just a claim they make. it’s been independently verified. Deloitte, one of the “Big Four” auditing firms, has twice audited Surfshark’s no-logs policy, with the second successful audit happening in June 2025. This independent verification really shows their dedication to keeping your data safe and not collecting identifiable information. You can even read the full ISAE 3000 report if you’re a Surfshark user, which is a great touch for transparency.
RAM-Only Servers
Another critical component of Surfshark’s reliability is its use of RAM-only servers. This means their servers don’t store any data on hard drives. Instead, all information is processed in volatile memory RAM, which gets wiped clean every time the server reboots. This makes it practically impossible for anyone to seize a server and extract user data, even if they tried. It’s a gold standard in the VPN industry for maximizing user privacy.
Jurisdiction: The Netherlands and Privacy
Surfshark’s headquarters are in the Netherlands. Now, some folks might raise an eyebrow because the Netherlands is part of the Nine Eyes intelligence alliance, which could theoretically mean data sharing with other countries. However, Surfshark has actively addressed these concerns. They emphasize that their independently audited no-logs policy, combined with RAM-only servers, means they wouldn’t have any user data to share even if compelled. Plus, they’ve stated that any data collected by Surfshark is wiped within 15 minutes of you ending your VPN connection. So, while the jurisdiction might not be ideal on paper for some privacy purists, their technical safeguards are designed to mitigate those risks effectively.
Is Surfshark VPN Safe to Use? A Look at Security Features
Beyond just “no-logs,” what actual features keep you safe with Surfshark? Well, they pack a punch with industry-standard and advanced security tools.
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Strong Encryption and Protocols
Surfshark uses AES-256-GCM encryption, which is the current industry gold standard. This is basically military-grade encryption, making your online traffic incredibly difficult to decipher. On top of that, you get a choice of robust VPN protocols:
- WireGuard: Often lauded as the fastest and most modern protocol, offering excellent speeds and security.
- OpenVPN: A long-standing, open-source protocol known for its strong security and reliability.
- IKEv2: Generally very fast and stable, especially when switching between networks, making it great for mobile users.
This flexibility lets you pick the best protocol for your specific needs, whether that’s speed, stability, or maximum compatibility.
The Essential Kill Switch
A kill switch is a non-negotiable feature for any serious VPN, and Surfshark has one. What it does is simple but crucial: if your VPN connection ever drops unexpectedly, the kill switch automatically cuts off your internet access. This prevents your real IP address or any unencrypted data from leaking onto the web, preserving your privacy and defending against data leaks.
Leak Protection
Surfshark consistently passes DNS, IP, and WebRTC leak tests, meaning your real IP address and location stay hidden. This is super important, especially if you’re torrenting or engaging in other activities where anonymity is paramount. Level Up Your Game: Why Surfshark VPN is a Gamer’s Best Friend
Extra Security Layers
Surfshark doesn’t stop at the basics. it throws in some unique features:
- CleanWeb: This isn’t just a basic ad blocker. It also blocks trackers, malicious websites, and helps protect you from malware and phishing attempts, giving you a cleaner and safer browsing experience.
- Bypasser Split Tunneling: Available on Windows and Android, this feature lets you choose which apps or websites go through the VPN and which bypass it. For example, you could route your torrent client through the VPN while accessing local banking services directly.
- MultiHop Double VPN: Want even more security? MultiHop routes your traffic through two different VPN servers in different countries. This adds an extra layer of encryption and obfuscation, making it even harder to trace your online activity.
- Alternative ID: This clever feature lets you generate a fake online persona with an alternative email address and personal details to use when signing up for services you don’t fully trust, helping protect your real identity.
- Rotating IP: Instead of sticking with one static IP, this feature regularly changes your IP address while your VPN connection remains active, making it even more difficult for anyone to track you.
These advanced features truly make Surfshark a comprehensive security tool, not just a simple IP masker.
Speed and Performance: How Fast is Surfshark?
Nobody wants a VPN that slows everything down, right? Good news: Surfshark is consistently praised for its fast speeds, making it suitable for pretty much any online activity.
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Independent tests in 2025 showed that Surfshark generally experiences around a 21% speed loss, which is quite good for a VPN. When using the WireGuard protocol, Surfshark has been reported to clock in over 950 Mbps in speed tests, even maxing out test lines, earning it a top spot in speed rankings. Another test recorded Surfshark retaining 93% of baseline speeds in the UK.
Surfshark also boasts 10 Gbps ports on all its servers. This means their servers are built to handle a lot of traffic without getting congested, which translates to a smoother experience for you.
When stacked against competitors, Surfshark often holds its own. Some comparisons show it offering consistently faster speeds than ExpressVPN. With NordVPN, the speed difference is minimal, with NordVPN sometimes having a slight edge. Overall, you shouldn’t expect significant slowdowns that interfere with your daily online tasks.
Is Surfshark Good for Streaming? Unblocking Content
Let’s be real, a lot of us use VPNs to access content that’s restricted in our region. So, is Surfshark good for streaming? Absolutely! It’s a strong performer when it comes to unblocking geo-restricted content on popular streaming services.
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Surfshark reliably works with major platforms like:
- Netflix: It can unblock multiple regional Netflix libraries, including the US, which is a big win.
- Disney Plus
- Hulu
- Max formerly HBO Max
- Amazon Prime Video
- BBC iPlayer
Users often report seamless streaming experiences with perfect video quality and no interruptions, thanks to Surfshark’s fast and reliable connections. While some anecdotal reports suggest occasional issues with Hulu on specific devices like a Fire TV Stick, it generally performs well across platforms. With 3200+ servers in 100 countries, you’ve got plenty of options to find a server that works for your desired content.
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Is Surfshark Good for Torrenting? P2P Capabilities
For those who engage in peer-to-peer P2P file sharing, also known as torrenting, a VPN is almost essential for privacy and security. Surfshark shines in this area, making it a solid choice for torrenting.
One of the best things about Surfshark for torrenting is that all of its 3200+ servers across 100 countries are P2P-optimized. This means you don’t have to hunt for specific “P2P servers” – you can just connect to any server and start downloading. If you happen to connect to a server in a country where torrenting is restricted, Surfshark will automatically redirect your traffic to a torrent-friendly server, often in Canada or the Netherlands, to ensure your activity remains uninterrupted and secure.
Surfshark’s robust security features are also crucial for safe torrenting:
- No-logging policy: Keeps your P2P activity anonymous from your ISP.
- AES-256 encryption: Secures your data transfers.
- Kill switch: Protects against accidental IP leaks if the VPN connection drops.
- Leak protection: Guards against IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks, even with browser-based torrent clients.
In terms of speed, Surfshark delivers good performance for torrenting, with average bitrates around 8.4MiB/s in some tests. It works well with popular torrent clients like uTorrent, qBittorrent, and BitTorrent, ensuring compatibility and efficient handling of torrent traffic. You can even use its split tunneling Bypasser feature to route only your torrent client through the VPN, leaving other apps to use your regular connection. Demystifying Surfshark VPN Protocols: Your Ultimate Guide to Speed, Security, and Seamless Browsing
Is Surfshark Good for Gaming? Low Ping and Protection
Gamers often wonder if a VPN will negatively impact their experience, especially when it comes to lag and ping. Surfshark is actually considered one of the best VPNs for gaming, thanks to its combination of speed, server network, and protective features.
Reducing Lag and Stabilizing Ping
While any VPN can introduce a slight increase in ping because your data has an extra hop to make, Surfshark works hard to minimize this. Its extensive network of 3200+ servers in 100 countries means you can almost always find a server geographically close to you or your game server, which helps reduce latency. Plus, with high-capacity 10Gbps ports on all servers, you’re less likely to experience lag due to server congestion. Many users report that Surfshark helps stabilize their connection and provides a consistent ping rate, especially if their ISP was previously throttling their speeds.
DDoS Protection
One of the big worries for online gamers is Distributed Denial of Service DDoS attacks. When you’re connected to Surfshark, your real IP address is hidden. Attackers can only see the VPN server’s IP address, making it much harder for them to target you directly with a DDoS attack. This is a huge relief for competitive gamers. What is Surfshark VPN and Why Does it Matter?
Accessing Geo-Restricted Games and Early Access
Surfshark can help you:
- Access games unavailable in your country: If a game is region-locked, connecting to a server where it’s available can let you play it.
- Get early access to new releases: Sometimes games launch earlier in specific regions. By connecting to a server in that region, you might be able to play new titles before your friends!
- Bypass unfair IP bans: If you’ve been unfairly banned from a game, a VPN can help you get back in by changing your IP address.
- Join international friends: For games with region-locked servers, a VPN can help you connect to the same lobbies as your friends overseas.
Surfshark supports a wide range of gaming devices, including Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, Xbox Series X/S, and PlayStation 4/5. You can even set it up on your router to protect all devices on your network, including consoles that don’t natively support VPN apps.
Surfshark vs. The Competition: Is Surfshark Better Than ExpressVPN or NordVPN?
It’s natural to compare Surfshark to other top-tier VPNs. Let’s see how it stacks up against ExpressVPN and NordVPN, two other giants in the industry.
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Surfshark vs ExpressVPN
This is a pretty common face-off, and Surfshark often comes out looking very strong, especially on value.
- Price: Surfshark is significantly more affordable, especially on its long-term plans. Its two-year plan can be almost three times cheaper than ExpressVPN’s lowest-priced annual subscription. While ExpressVPN’s monthly plan might sometimes be slightly cheaper, Surfshark’s extended plans offer far better value.
- Simultaneous Connections: This is where Surfshark truly stands out. It offers unlimited simultaneous connections with a single subscription, whereas ExpressVPN typically limits you to eight devices. For large households or individuals with many devices, Surfshark is the clear winner here.
- Speed: Both are fast, but recent tests in 2025 have shown Surfshark offering consistently faster speeds than ExpressVPN, especially when using WireGuard. ExpressVPN’s proprietary Lightway protocol is fast, but Surfshark often edges it out.
- Server Network: ExpressVPN claims servers in 105 countries, slightly more than Surfshark’s 100+ countries. However, both have thousands of servers Surfshark openly states 3200+, so for most users, the difference isn’t noticeable.
- Features: Both offer strong encryption AES-256, a kill switch, and DNS leak protection. However, Surfshark often provides a more comprehensive selection of extra features like MultiHop, IP Rotator, CleanWeb, and Alternative ID, which aren’t available with ExpressVPN.
Verdict: For most users, especially those on a budget or needing unlimited device connections, Surfshark offers better value and a broader feature set than ExpressVPN. ExpressVPN remains a solid, reliable choice, particularly for beginners due to its user-friendly interface, but you’ll pay a premium for it.
Surfshark vs NordVPN
This is another close match, as both are top-tier VPNs that often come from the same parent company Nord Security.
- Price: For long-term commitments, Surfshark is generally more affordable. Its two-year plan is usually cheaper than NordVPN’s equivalent. However, NordVPN’s monthly plan might be slightly cheaper than Surfshark’s.
- Simultaneous Connections: Again, Surfshark wins with unlimited simultaneous connections compared to NordVPN’s limit typically six devices.
- Speed: NordVPN generally has a slight edge in raw speed, retaining around 94% of base download speeds compared to Surfshark’s 93%. While both are incredibly fast, NordVPN sometimes performs better with specific protocols like its NordLynx based on WireGuard.
- Server Network: NordVPN boasts a larger server network, with over 7,100 servers in 118 countries, compared to Surfshark’s 3200+ servers in 100 countries. This means NordVPN might offer a bit more variety in IP addresses and server locations.
- Features & Audits: Both offer robust security AES-256 encryption, kill switch, leak protection and RAM-only servers. NordVPN has a longer history of independent audits for its no-logs policy five successful audits, while Surfshark has had two. NordVPN also offers additional features in its higher tiers, such as a password manager, 1 TB cloud storage, and advanced malware protection Threat Protection Pro. Surfshark, on the other hand, includes unique tools like Alternative ID and MultiHop.
Verdict: If raw speed, a larger server network, and a longer audit history are your absolute top priorities, NordVPN might be the superior choice. However, if you prioritize affordability, unlimited device connections, and a strong set of core features with unique extras, Surfshark is an excellent alternative that often provides better long-term value.
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Pricing and Value: Is Surfshark a Good VPN for the Money?
When it comes to your wallet, Surfshark has always been known for being a very budget-friendly option, especially if you’re willing to commit to a longer-term plan.
Surfshark typically offers three main subscription tiers:
- Starter: This is the basic VPN service, including features like MultiHop, rotating IP, CleanWeb ad blocker, cookie pop-up blocker, and Alternative ID.
- One: Adds antivirus software, data leak alerts, and private search.
- One+: Includes everything in “One,” plus identity theft protection and data removal services.
The pricing structure is pretty standard for VPNs: the longer you subscribe, the lower the monthly average cost.
- Monthly plans: These are the most expensive, often around $15.45.
- 12-month or 15-month with bonus: Often drops the price significantly, around $3.19 per month billed upfront for 15 months.
- 24-month or 27-month with bonus: This is where you get the best deals, often around $1.99 – $2.49 per month billed upfront for 27 months.
While Surfshark did see a renewal price increase in 2025, it still remains one of the most affordable premium VPNs. Compared to the monthly rates of NordVPN $12.99 or Private Internet Access $11.95, Surfshark’s short-term plan is a bit pricier, but its long-term plans offer significant savings and better value than many competitors. Connecting Surfshark VPN with Eero: Your Ultimate Guide
Every Surfshark plan comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it out risk-free. Plus, its support for unlimited simultaneous connections across all plans means you’re getting incredible value if you need to protect multiple devices.
Server Network: Global Reach
A strong server network is vital for good VPN performance, ensuring you have nearby, uncrowded servers for fast speeds and plenty of options for unblocking content globally. Surfshark excels here with an impressive network.
Surfshark operates over 3200 servers in 100 countries. This broad geographic distribution includes: How Fast is Surfshark VPN? Unpacking Its Speed and Performance
- Europe: 58 server locations
- Americas: 37 server locations
- Asia Pacific: 31 server locations
- Middle East & Africa: 9 server locations
They have multiple server locations in key countries like the United States Miami, Seattle, New York, etc., the UK London, Edinburgh, Canada, Germany, Australia, and many more, giving you plenty of city-level choices.
All of Surfshark’s servers are RAM-only, enhancing privacy by ensuring no data is permanently stored. They also offer different server types to cater to various needs:
- Standard Servers: Your typical VPN servers that mask your IP address.
- MultiHop Double VPN Servers: Route your traffic through two servers for enhanced privacy.
- Static IP Servers: Provide you with an IP address that remains the same each time you connect to that specific server, which can be useful for certain applications, though it’s a shared IP, not a dedicated one. These are available in select locations like the USA, Germany, UK, Tokyo, and Singapore.
This extensive and diverse server network means you’ll likely find a fast and reliable connection no matter where you are or what you’re trying to do online.
Ease of Use and Customer Support
Using a VPN shouldn’t feel like rocket science, and Surfshark clearly understands that. Its applications are designed to be user-friendly and intuitive across all major platforms. Whether you’re on Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, or even using a browser extension, you’ll find the interface clean and easy to navigate. Connecting to a server is usually just a single click away, and accessing features like the kill switch or Bypasser is straightforward within the app settings.
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If you ever run into a snag, Surfshark also provides 24/7 customer support. You can typically reach them via live chat or email, and they have extensive knowledge bases and guides available online to help you troubleshoot common issues or learn more about features. This combination of intuitive apps and responsive support makes for a smooth user experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Surfshark VPN reliable?
Yes, Surfshark VPN is considered reliable. It maintains a strict, independently audited no-logs policy, meaning it doesn’t track or store your online activities. It also uses RAM-only servers that wipe data upon reboot and offers a robust kill switch to prevent data leaks, all contributing to a dependable service.
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Is Surfshark VPN safe to use?
Absolutely. Surfshark VPN uses industry-leading AES-256-GCM encryption and supports secure VPN protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. It includes a kill switch, DNS/IP leak protection, and additional security features like CleanWeb to block malware and trackers, making it a very safe choice for online activities.
Is Surfshark a good VPN for streaming?
Yes, Surfshark is very good for streaming. It reliably unblocks popular platforms like Netflix multiple regional libraries, Disney Plus, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, and BBC iPlayer. Its fast speeds and extensive server network ensure a smooth, high-quality streaming experience with minimal buffering.
How many devices can I use with Surfshark?
One of Surfshark’s biggest advantages is that it allows unlimited simultaneous connections with a single subscription. This means you can install and use Surfshark on as many devices as you own phones, laptops, tablets, smart TVs, routers, etc. without worrying about device limits.
Is Surfshark VPN better than ExpressVPN?
For most users, especially those prioritizing affordability and unlimited device connections, Surfshark often comes out ahead. It’s significantly cheaper for long-term plans and offers a broader range of extra features like MultiHop and Alternative ID. While ExpressVPN is highly reliable and user-friendly, Surfshark often matches or exceeds its performance in speed tests. Disney Plus Not Working with Surfshark VPN: Your Ultimate Fix Guide
Is Surfshark VPN better than NordVPN?
The comparison between Surfshark and NordVPN is very close. NordVPN typically has a larger server network and a slight edge in raw speed, plus a longer history of independent audits. However, Surfshark offers unlimited device connections and is generally more affordable for long-term plans. The “better” VPN depends on your specific priorities: NordVPN for maximum speed and server count, Surfshark for value and device flexibility.
What’s the best protocol to use with Surfshark?
For most users, WireGuard is generally the best protocol to use with Surfshark. It offers an excellent balance of speed and security, providing fast and stable connections perfect for streaming, gaming, and everyday browsing. If you encounter connectivity issues or need maximum compatibility, OpenVPN TCP is a reliable alternative, and IKEv2 is often preferred for mobile devices due to its stability on network changes.
Does Surfshark keep logs?
No, Surfshark maintains a strict no-logs policy. This policy has been independently audited twice by Deloitte, confirming that they do not monitor, track, or store user activity logs. Their use of RAM-only servers further ensures that no data is permanently stored on their infrastructure.
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