If you’re looking for a straight answer about Surfshark VPN, you’re in the right place because Surfshark is a highly reliable and feature-rich Virtual Private Network service, currently based in the Netherlands, designed to boost your online privacy and security. It’s become a big name in the cybersecurity world, offering a lot more than just a basic VPN to help you navigate the internet freely and safely. People often wonder about things like where their VPN is located, how trustworthy it actually is, or if it’ll slow down their devices. Today, we’re going to break down everything you need to know about Surfshark, from its origins to its everyday performance, so you can decide if it’s the right choice for your digital life.

At its core, Surfshark is a Virtual Private Network VPN. Think of a VPN as a secure tunnel for your internet traffic. When you connect to a VPN, your data gets encrypted, and your online requests are routed through a server in a location of your choice. This process essentially masks your real IP address and location, making it much harder for anyone – be it your internet provider, hackers, or advertisers – to track what you’re doing online.

But Surfshark doesn’t just stop at being a VPN. It’s grown into a full-fledged cybersecurity suite, offering a range of tools to enhance your digital privacy. Beyond the VPN itself, you might find features like:

• Surfshark Antivirus: For real-time protection against malware and viruses.
• Surfshark Alert: This handy tool monitors your email, credit card, and ID information, notifying you if your data is compromised in a breach.
• Surfshark Search: A private search engine that gives you organic, ad-free results without tracking your history.
• Alternative ID: A unique feature that generates a new online identity and email to help protect your real one.
• Incogni: A service that helps remove your personal data from data broker sites.
• Dedicated IP: An option to get a static IP address that only you use.

One of the things that really makes Surfshark stand out is its unlimited simultaneous connections. This means you can install and use Surfshark on all your devices – your phone, laptop, tablet, smart TV, router, and more – all under a single subscription. You won’t have to pick and choose which device gets protected, which is pretty awesome for families or anyone with a lot of gadgets. It’s compatible with pretty much every platform you can think of, including Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Apple TV, and Fire TV.

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Where is Surfshark VPN Based? Understanding its Roots

When you’re choosing a VPN, where the company is legally based is a big deal. It tells you a lot about the laws and regulations that might apply to your data. So, let’s talk about Surfshark’s home.

Surfshark is currently headquartered in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. This is an important detail because the Netherlands is generally considered a privacy-friendly jurisdiction. It means the country doesn’t legally require companies like Surfshark to log or retain user data, and it also adheres to the strong data protection standards of the General Data Protection Regulation GDPR. This is good news for your privacy, as it reduces the risk of government agencies demanding access to user information.

Now, if you’ve been following VPN news for a while, you might remember that Surfshark wasn’t always based in the Netherlands. Initially, Surfshark was registered in the British Virgin Islands BVI. The BVI is also known for its privacy-friendly laws, so this move in October 2021 to the Netherlands was a strategic one, maintaining its commitment to user privacy within a solid European legal framework.

You might also hear about Surfshark being connected to Nord Security, the parent company of NordVPN. That’s true! In 2021, Surfshark merged with Nord Security, and the merger was finalized in early 2022. While they operate under the same holding company, it’s crucial to understand that both Surfshark and NordVPN continue to function as independent brands and services. They maintain their own infrastructure, policies, and development teams, so you’re still getting distinct products. Surfshark also has additional offices in Lithuania, Poland, Germany, and the United Kingdom, showcasing its global presence and reach.

Is Surfshark VPN Truly Reliable and Trustworthy?

This is probably the most critical question for anyone considering a VPN: Can you really trust it with your online activity? Based on what we know, Surfshark has consistently proven itself to be a reliable and trustworthy VPN service. Here’s why:

A Rock-Solid No-Logs Policy

One of the first things I look for in a VPN is a “no-logs” policy. This means the service doesn’t collect, track, or store any information about your online activities, like the websites you visit, your IP address, connection timestamps, or how much data you use. Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy, which is fantastic for your privacy. They make it clear they’re not keeping tabs on what you do online.

Independent Audits: Proof, Not Just Promises

It’s one thing for a VPN to say it has a no-logs policy, but it’s another thing entirely to prove it. This is where independent audits come in, and Surfshark has been very transparent on this front.

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• Back in 2018, Surfshark’s browser extensions were audited by Cure53, a reputable German cybersecurity firm.
• Then, in 2021, Cure53 also audited their entire server infrastructure.
• Most importantly, Surfshark has undergone two independent assurance procedures by Deloitte, one of the “Big Four” auditing firms. The first was in January 2023, and the second successful audit, specifically verifying their no-logs policy, was completed in June 2025. Deloitte thoroughly examined Surfshark’s systems, internal processes, server configurations, and deployment, confirming that their no-logs policy is consistently and effectively applied across all relevant infrastructure. This ongoing verification provides strong factual evidence that Surfshark operates with high privacy standards and isn’t logging your activities.

RAM-Only Servers: An Extra Layer of Security

Surfshark takes its no-logs commitment further by using 100% RAM-only servers. What does this mean for you? Well, these servers don’t have traditional hard drives that store data long-term. Instead, all data is stored temporarily in RAM Random Access Memory, which gets completely wiped clean every time the server reboots. This design makes it virtually impossible for any user data to be physically stored or recovered from their servers, even if they were seized.

Strong Encryption and Secure Protocols

Your data’s safety relies heavily on encryption, and Surfshark uses military-grade AES-256-GCM encryption. This is the same standard used by governments and financial institutions worldwide, making your data incredibly difficult for anyone to decipher.

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They also support industry-leading VPN protocols:

• WireGuard: Known for its impressive speeds and modern cryptographic techniques.
• OpenVPN: A long-standing, open-source protocol renowned for its security.
• IKEv2/IPsec: Offers stable connections, especially when switching between networks, like moving from Wi-Fi to mobile data.

Essential Security Features

Beyond the core technology, Surfshark packs in some crucial features that protect you actively:

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• Kill Switch: This is a non-negotiable for any serious VPN. If your VPN connection unexpectedly drops, the kill switch automatically disconnects your internet access, preventing your real IP address or unencrypted data from leaking onto the web.
• CleanWeb: Blocks ads, trackers, and malicious websites, leading to a cleaner, faster, and safer browsing experience.
• Two-Factor Authentication 2FA: Adds an extra layer of security to your Surfshark account, making it harder for unauthorized users to access it, even if they have your password.

Performance: Speed and Stability

A reliable VPN shouldn’t noticeably slow down your internet, and Surfshark generally delivers consistently fast connections. In recent tests, it showed a relatively low speed loss, making it a great choice for data-heavy activities:

• Streaming: It’s excellent for unblocking and streaming content from services like Netflix, Disney+, Hulu, Max, and Amazon Prime Video, even across different regions. You’ll find it handles various regional libraries with ease.
• Gaming: Gamers often worry about lag, but Surfshark provides stable connections, minimizing latency for a smooth online gaming experience.
• Torrenting: It supports P2P-optimized servers and offers good speeds for secure and fast file sharing.

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Extensive Server Network

Surfshark boasts a vast network of over 3,200 servers in 100 countries. This extensive coverage means you’re likely to find a server close to your desired location, which helps maintain fast speeds and allows you to access geo-restricted content from almost anywhere in the world.

What Type of VPN is Surfshark? Exploring its Capabilities

When we ask “what type of VPN is Surfshark,” we’re really looking at its feature set and how it serves different user needs. Surfshark isn’t just a basic tunnel. it’s built with several advanced features to give you more control over your privacy and internet freedom.

Smart Features for Enhanced Control

• Bypasser Split Tunneling: This feature is super useful if you want some of your internet traffic to go through the VPN while other apps or websites bypass it. For example, you could secure your banking app with the VPN, but let your local streaming service connect directly for optimal speed. What’s cool is that Surfshark is one of the few VPNs that offers split tunneling on iOS and macOS, which is a big deal since Apple’s changes in 2020 made it tricky for other VPNs.
• Dynamic MultiHop Double VPN: If you’re really serious about anonymity, MultiHop is for you. Instead of routing your traffic through just one VPN server, it sends it through two different servers, encrypting your data twice. This makes it exponentially harder to trace your online activities back to you, adding a significant layer of security and anonymity. You can even choose your entry and exit locations.
• Camouflage Mode Obfuscation: In regions where VPN use might be frowned upon or actively blocked by internet service providers ISPs or governments, Camouflage Mode steps in. This feature makes your VPN traffic look like regular internet traffic, so even your ISP can’t detect that you’re using a VPN. This is crucial for bypassing deep packet inspection.
• NoBorders Mode: This mode automatically kicks in when the Surfshark app detects that your network might be restricted, like by a school firewall or government censorship. It gives you a list of servers that are optimized to work best under these restrictions, helping you access the open internet freely.
• Rotating IP: With this feature, your IP address changes periodically without disconnecting you from the VPN. This adds another layer of anonymity, making it even harder for anyone to track your online footprint by constantly shifting your virtual location.
• Smart DNS: For devices that don’t natively support VPN apps, like some smart TVs or gaming consoles, Surfshark offers Smart DNS. While it doesn’t provide the same level of encryption as a full VPN, it allows you to bypass geo-restrictions to access content on these devices.
• Dedicated IP Address: If you need a consistent IP address for specific online tasks like accessing certain corporate networks or online services that might flag constantly changing IPs, Surfshark offers a dedicated IP as an add-on. This fixed IP is unique to you, offering both stability and the privacy benefits of a VPN.
• Alternative ID: This tool helps protect your real identity by generating a new online identity and email, which can be useful when signing up for services you might not fully trust or to avoid spam.

Surfshark and Your Device: Addressing Battery Drain

It’s a common concern with any app running in the background, and VPNs are no exception: does Surfshark VPN drain battery? The short answer is, like any active application that uses your network, a VPN can consume battery power. However, the extent of this drain can vary depending on several factors.

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• Protocol Choice: Some VPN protocols are more battery-efficient than others. For instance, WireGuard is often touted for its modern design that can be less demanding on your device’s resources compared to older protocols like OpenVPN. If battery life is a priority, switching to WireGuard in your Surfshark app settings is a good move.
• Active Features: If you’re running multiple advanced features simultaneously, like MultiHop or constantly switching servers, your device will be working harder, which naturally uses more battery.
• Device Age and OS: Older devices or those running outdated operating systems might experience more noticeable battery drain with any app, including a VPN.
• Signal Strength: If your device is constantly struggling to maintain a strong internet connection, the VPN might work harder to route traffic, increasing battery usage.

Tips to minimize battery drain while using Surfshark:

• Use WireGuard: As mentioned, this protocol is generally more efficient.
• Enable Bypasser Split Tunneling: If you only need to encrypt traffic for certain apps, use Bypasser to exclude others. This means less data goes through the VPN tunnel, potentially saving battery.
• Disable Unnecessary Features: If you don’t need things like CleanWeb all the time, consider turning them off when battery life is critical.
• Connect to Nearby Servers: Connecting to a server that’s geographically closer to you can sometimes reduce the processing power needed to maintain the connection.

While you’ll always see some impact on battery life when using a VPN, Surfshark is generally optimized to be efficient, and by using these tips, you can often mitigate significant drain.

Can Surfshark VPN Bypass Restrictions and Censorship?

One of the most powerful reasons people turn to a VPN is to bypass internet restrictions and censorship, especially in countries with strict online controls. The good news is that Surfshark is specifically designed with features to help you circumvent these blocks and access a more open internet.

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Built for Bypassing

• NoBorders Mode: This is Surfshark’s dedicated feature for handling network restrictions. When the app detects that your internet is being restricted like by a school firewall, a corporate network, or national censorship, it automatically activates NoBorders mode. This mode then guides you to servers that are best equipped to bypass those specific blocks.
• Camouflage Mode Obfuscation: As we discussed earlier, this feature is critical in highly restrictive environments. By disguising your VPN traffic to look like regular internet traffic, it helps you avoid detection by sophisticated censorship systems that try to identify and block VPN usage.

Performance in Restrictive Countries

Many countries actively try to block VPNs. Surfshark aims to provide a solution, even in some of the most challenging regions. For instance, in places like China, which has the notorious “Great Firewall,” Surfshark can work, but with some caveats. Users might find that:

• Specific mobile providers: Some reports suggest that Surfshark works better with certain mobile providers, like China Telecom, compared to others like China Mobile, which can be stricter.
• Manual configuration: Sometimes, you might need to use manual configuration or contact Surfshark’s customer support to get the VPN working consistently.
• Download beforehand: It’s always recommended to download and install Surfshark before you travel to a highly restrictive country, as their official website might be blocked once you’re there.

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Where VPNs Are Banned or Restricted

It’s important to be aware that while VPNs are legal in most of the world like the USA, Canada, Japan, the UK, and most of Europe, there are a handful of countries where they are either illegal or heavily restricted. These restrictions are often implemented to control the flow of information and curb free speech.

Countries where VPN usage is illegal or heavily restricted include:

• North Korea, Turkmenistan, Belarus, and Iraq: In these nations, VPN usage is largely illegal or outright banned.
• China, Iran, Russia, UAE, Pakistan, Turkey, and Egypt: While some might not have an outright ban, VPN use is heavily restricted, and governments use advanced technology to detect and block VPN traffic. Attempts to access blocked content might even lead to fines or other penalties.

A special note on India: In 2022, India introduced a law mandating that VPN providers store user data for five years. Because this directly conflicts with Surfshark’s strict no-logs policy, Surfshark made the decision to shut down its physical servers in India. However, they still offer virtual servers in India, meaning you can still get an Indian IP address while your data is routed through a no-logs server located elsewhere, thus maintaining your privacy.

While Surfshark’s features are designed to overcome many of these challenges, it’s crucial to always understand and respect the local laws and regulations wherever you are. Using a VPN for any illegal activities is strictly against Surfshark’s terms of service. Is Surfshark VPN Safe? Your Guide to Online Security and Privacy

What Does Surfshark VPN Cost?

When you’re looking for a VPN, price is definitely a factor. Surfshark has a reputation for offering good value, especially considering its robust feature set and unlimited device connections. They structure their pricing to give you options, generally offering better deals the longer you commit.

Surfshark typically offers three main plans, which sometimes have slightly different names but generally bundle services:

1. Surfshark Starter: This is their most basic VPN plan, usually including the core VPN service, CleanWeb ad blocker, and Alternative ID.
2. Surfshark One: This plan builds on Starter by adding real-time Antivirus, Surfshark Alert data breach monitoring, and Surfshark Search private search engine.
3. Surfshark One+: This is their most comprehensive package, including everything in Surfshark One, plus the Incogni service for automated data removal from broker sites.

Here’s a general idea of how their pricing typically works, keeping in mind that prices can fluctuate and depend on current promotions and your region:

• Monthly Plan: This is the most flexible option, billed month-to-month, but it’s also the most expensive. You might see prices around $15 to $20 per month for the Starter plan.
• 12-Month Plan or 1-Year: This offers a significant discount compared to the monthly option. It’s often billed annually, and you might get a few extra months thrown in for free as a bonus, bringing the effective monthly cost down considerably, sometimes around $3-$4 per month.
• 24-Month Plan or 2-Year: This is where you’ll find the best savings. It’s billed once for the entire period plus any bonus months, and the effective monthly cost can drop to as low as $1.99-$2.50 per month, making it a very budget-friendly option for long-term users.

Key points about Surfshark pricing:

• Longer commitments save you money: The 24-month plan almost always provides the deepest discounts.
• Renewal prices: Be aware that after your initial promotional period e.g., 12 or 24 months expires, the renewal price for subsequent years might be higher than your initial subscription rate. Surfshark typically sends renewal notices in advance, giving you time to decide.
• Money-back guarantee: All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try it out risk-free and get a full refund if it doesn’t meet your expectations.
• Free trial: For mobile users, a 7-day free trial is often available via the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.
• Payment options: Surfshark accepts various payment methods, including credit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, and even cryptocurrencies for increased anonymity.

While Surfshark’s renewal prices have seen some bumps, it generally remains a competitive and excellent value VPN, especially when compared to rivals that offer similar features at higher costs. Surfshark VPN: Breaking Down the Costs to See if it’s Worth Your Money

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Surfshark VPN safe to use?

Yes, Surfshark VPN is widely considered safe to use. It employs strong AES-256-GCM encryption, uses secure VPN protocols like WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2, and operates a strict no-logs policy. This no-logs policy has been independently verified by reputable auditing firms, including Deloitte in 2023 and again in June 2025, confirming that Surfshark does not track or store your online activity. Additionally, its use of RAM-only servers ensures that all data is wiped with every reboot, adding another layer of security. Essential features like a Kill Switch also prevent your data from leaking if the VPN connection drops.

What is Surfshark VPN used for?

Surfshark VPN is used for a variety of purposes centered around enhancing online privacy, security, and freedom. It’s great for masking your IP address and encrypting your internet traffic, which protects you on public Wi-Fi networks and keeps your browsing private from your internet service provider ISP and advertisers. People also use it to bypass geo-restrictions to access streaming content like Netflix libraries from different regions, region-locked games, or websites that are otherwise unavailable in their location. It’s excellent for secure torrenting, protecting your identity while file-sharing, and its features like Camouflage Mode and NoBorders help users bypass censorship in restrictive countries. Beyond the VPN, Surfshark offers tools like Antivirus, Alert, and Search for a more comprehensive cybersecurity experience.

Does Surfshark VPN drain battery?

Like any app that constantly runs in the background and processes network traffic, Surfshark VPN can contribute to battery drain on your devices. However, the extent of this drain can vary. You can often minimize it by using more battery-efficient VPN protocols like WireGuard, enabling Bypasser split tunneling to encrypt only specific apps, and disabling any extra features you don’t always need. Newer devices and optimized operating systems tend to handle VPNs more efficiently. The Truth About VPNs and Malware Protection

Is Surfshark VPN good for torrenting/streaming/gaming?

Yes, Surfshark VPN is generally considered very good for torrenting, streaming, and gaming.

• Torrenting: It supports P2P-optimized servers and offers strong encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and a Kill Switch, which are all crucial for safe and private file-sharing. Its fast speeds also contribute to efficient downloads.
• Streaming: Surfshark is excellent for streaming, reliably unblocking popular services like Netflix across many regional libraries, Disney+, Hulu, Max, and Amazon Prime Video. Its fast servers ensure smooth, buffer-free playback.
• Gaming: Gamers will appreciate Surfshark’s stable connections and fast speeds, which help minimize lag and provide a secure connection for online gaming. While it doesn’t have dedicated gaming servers, its regular servers perform well.

Can Surfshark be banned?

The Surfshark service itself cannot be universally “banned,” but its usage can be restricted or made illegal in certain countries. Some governments e.g., North Korea, Turkmenistan, Iraq, Belarus have outright banned VPNs or made them heavily restricted. Other countries like China, Iran, Russia, UAE employ advanced technology to detect and block VPN traffic, making it challenging for any VPN, including Surfshark, to work consistently. In response to data retention laws, such as those in India, Surfshark has chosen to remove its physical servers from those countries while still offering virtual server locations to maintain its no-logs policy. Surfshark’s Camouflage Mode and NoBorders feature are specifically designed to help bypass such governmental and network restrictions.

What is the difference between Surfshark and NordVPN?

While both Surfshark and NordVPN are top-tier VPN services and are now part of the same parent company Nord Security since 2021/2022, they operate as independent brands with distinct offerings and strengths.

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• Simultaneous Connections: A key difference is that Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections on a single account, while NordVPN typically has a limit e.g., 6 or 10 devices.
• Price Point: Surfshark is often seen as a more budget-friendly option, especially on longer plans, while NordVPN might be slightly more expensive.
• Features: Both offer robust security features like no-logs policies independently audited, strong encryption, kill switches, and advanced protocols. However, they have some unique offerings. For example, Surfshark has Dynamic MultiHop double VPN and Bypasser split tunneling on iOS/macOS, along with its Alternative ID and Incogni services. NordVPN, on the other hand, is known for its Meshnet feature, Onion Over VPN servers, and a larger overall server network.
• Server Network: Both have extensive server networks in many countries, though NordVPN traditionally has a higher number of servers overall.

Ultimately, both are excellent, reliable VPNs, and the “better” one often comes down to individual user needs and preferences regarding price, specific features, and the number of devices you want to connect.