Surfshark

Surfshark review

Best budget VPN Updated June 2026

A genuinely cheap VPN that punches well above its price with unlimited connections and strong streaming.

8.9/10
Excellent value
Reviewed by · VPN Runner independently tests every VPN.
Pros
  • Unlimited simultaneous device connections on every plan
  • Among the cheapest long-term pricing in the VPN market
  • Fast, consistent WireGuard speeds for browsing and 4K streaming
  • Reliably unblocks Netflix, Disney+, Max and other major services
  • Strong security extras: CleanWeb, MultiHop and NoBorders obfuscation
  • Independently audited no-logs policy with RAM-only servers
  • Netherlands jurisdiction, outside the core Five Eyes alliance
Cons
  • No free plan, so you must pay to try it
  • Monthly price is steep compared with the long-term deal
  • Renewal price is higher than the introductory rate
  • No port forwarding for advanced torrenting setups
Based in
Netherlands
Logs
No-logs (independently audited)
Servers
3,200+ servers · 100 countries
Protocols
WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2
Devices
Unlimited
Streaming
Netflix, Disney+, Max, Prime, BBC iPlayer
Money-back
30 days
Free plan
No
The verdict

How it scored, category by category

Speed
8.9
Streaming
9.0
Security
9.0
Privacy
8.8
Ease of use
8.9
Support
8.6
Value
9.2
Unbeatable value

The two-year plan undercuts almost every major rival while bundling premium features as standard.

Unlimited devices

Protect your phone, laptop, TV and your whole household on a single subscription, with no connection cap.

Great for streaming

Reliable access to Netflix, Disney+, Max and more, plus Smart DNS for consoles and smart TVs.

No free option

There's no free tier, but a 30-day money-back guarantee lets you test it risk-free.

Who it's for — and who it isn't

Choose Surfshark if…
  • Budget-conscious users who still want premium features
  • Households and families wanting to cover many devices at once
  • Frequent travelers needing obfuscation on restrictive networks
  • Streaming fans who want reliable Netflix and Disney+ access
Look elsewhere if…
  • People who specifically want a free, no-payment VPN
  • Advanced torrenters who require port forwarding
  • Users who insist on fully open-source client apps
Plans & value

Pricing & plans

Surfshark's pricing follows the familiar pattern: a high monthly rate that drops dramatically when you commit long-term. The two-year plan is where the real value lies, while the one-year plan is a reasonable middle ground. All tiers include unlimited devices and the full feature set.

Monthly
$15.45per month
$15.45 billed monthly
Maximum flexibility, highest price
Best value, billed every two years
24-Month
$2.49per month
$71.71 for the first 2 years
12-Month
$3.99per month
$47.88 for the first year
A middle ground if you prefer a shorter term
Every plan is covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can try Surfshark in full and request a refund within the first month if it's not for you.
Payment methods
Credit and debit cardsPayPalGoogle PayAmazon PayCryptocurrency (Bitcoin, Ethereum and more)

Introductory pricing applies to your first billing term. Plans renew at a higher standard rate, so check the current renewal price before your term ends.

Performance

Speed & performance

Built on WireGuard, Surfshark delivers fast, stable speeds that comfortably handle 4K streaming, large downloads and video calls. Performance holds up well on nearby servers and degrades gracefully over longer distances.

Speed retained
~88%
of a 940 Mbps unprotected baseline on a gigabit line
Latency
Low latency on local and regional servers, suitable for gaming
Fastest protocol
WireGuard is the default and fastest protocol; OpenVPN remains available where compatibility matters.
Server regionDownloadUploadPing
Local (same country)827 Mbps790 Mbps6 ms
Europe712 Mbps648 Mbps31 ms
US East564 Mbps498 Mbps92 ms
Asia (Japan)398 Mbps342 Mbps168 ms
Australia311 Mbps264 Mbps243 ms
Unblocking

Streaming

Streaming is one of Surfshark's standout strengths. It reliably unblocks the major platforms across many regions, and a Smart DNS feature extends access to devices that can't run the VPN app directly.

NetflixUnblocks US, UK and many other regional libraries
Disney+Reliable access across supported countries
MaxWorks consistently on most servers
Prime VideoUnblocks regional catalogs without issues
BBC iPlayerStable access via UK servers
HuluWorks on most US servers but may occasionally need a server switch

Smart DNS is available for streaming on devices like smart TVs and consoles that can't run the VPN app.

Under the hood

Security

Surfshark covers the security essentials and then layers on extras you'd normally expect from pricier providers, including double-VPN routing and obfuscation for restrictive networks.

Encryption
AES-256-GCM (ChaCha20 with WireGuard)
Kill switch
System-wide kill switch on all major platforms, with always-on options available
Protocols
WireGuardOpenVPNIKEv2
Leak tests
  • DNS leak test No leak
  • IPv6 leak test No leak
  • WebRTC leak test No leak
CleanWeb
Blocks ads, trackers, malware domains and phishing attempts at the network level.
MultiHop
Routes your traffic through two VPN servers for an extra layer of privacy.
Camouflage / NoBorders
Obfuscation that disguises VPN traffic to work on restrictive networks and in censored regions.
Rotating IP
Periodically changes your IP address while keeping you connected for added anonymity.
Trust

Privacy & logging

Surfshark's privacy footing is strong: a favorable jurisdiction, a no-logs policy verified by independent auditors, and a diskless server fleet that wipes all data on reboot.

Jurisdiction
Netherlands
Logging policy
No-logs policy: Surfshark does not record your browsing activity, IP address, session data or bandwidth usage. Servers run in RAM-only mode, so no data is written to disk.
Ownership
Owned by Nord Security.
Track record
Surfshark merged with Nord Security in 2022, joining the same group behind NordVPN. It has no recorded incidents of handing over user activity data.
Independent audits
  • Independent no-logs and infrastructure audit by Deloitte
  • Browser extension security audit by Cure53
  • Server configuration and app security assessments by third-party firms
Network

Servers & locations

Surfshark operates a large, geographically diverse network that gives you plenty of options for unblocking content and finding a fast nearby server.

3,200+ servers
in 100 countries
P2P / specialty
P2P traffic is supported across the server network, with the app automatically routing you to P2P-friendly locations.
MultiHopStatic IPDedicated IPP2P
What you get

Feature checklist

Kill switch(All major platforms)
Split tunnelling(Offered as Bypasser)
Multi-hop(MultiHop double-VPN)
Ad/malware blocker(CleanWeb)
Obfuscation(NoBorders and Camouflage)
Port forwarding(Not offered)
Tor over VPN(Not supported)
Dedicated IP(Paid add-on)
Open-source apps(Apps are not open-source)
Tracker-free(CleanWeb blocks trackers)
Day to day

Apps & ease of use

Surfshark's apps are clean and beginner-friendly, with a consistent design across platforms and the rare perk of unlimited simultaneous connections.

Platforms
WindowsmacOSLinuxiOSAndroidFire TVApple TVAndroid TVBrowser extensions
Unlimited devices.
Torrenting & P2P

Surfshark is torrent-friendly, with P2P allowed across its network and a kill switch to keep your real IP hidden if the connection drops.

P2P supported network-wideNot offered.
Help

Customer support

Surfshark backs its apps with round-the-clock human support plus a detailed self-help knowledge base for quick answers.

Knowledge base
Searchable guides, setup tutorials and troubleshooting articles
Email support
Ticketed support for detailed issues
Live chat
24/7 with human agents
Phone support
No telephone support line

Alternatives to Surfshark

Proton VPN
Proton VPN

Best overall

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NordVPN
NordVPN

Best all-rounder

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ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN

Streaming, beginners, and everyday privacy on every device

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Bottom line

Is Surfshark worth it?

8.9/10
Excellent value

Surfshark has grown from a scrappy underdog into one of the best-value VPNs you can buy. Now part of Nord Security, it pairs WireGuard speeds with a feature set that shames pricier rivals: unlimited simultaneous devices, the CleanWeb ad and malware blocker, MultiHop double-VPN routing and Camouflage/NoBorders obfuscation for restrictive networks. Streaming is a real strength, with Netflix, Disney+ and most major libraries unblocking reliably, and a Smart DNS option for devices that can't run the app. Privacy is solid too: a Netherlands base outside the 14 Eyes core, a no-logs policy backed by independent audits, and RAM-only servers. The catch is there's no free tier, and the headline price only lands if you commit to the two-year plan. But for households, frequent travelers and anyone who wants premium protection without premium pricing, Surfshark is one of the easiest VPNs to recommend in 2026.

Questions

Surfshark FAQ

Is Surfshark good value for money?+

Yes. On its two-year plan, Surfshark is one of the cheapest premium VPNs available, and it includes unlimited simultaneous devices plus a full feature set as standard. The monthly plan is pricey, so the long-term term is where the value lies.

Does Surfshark keep logs?+

No. Surfshark operates a no-logs policy that has been verified by independent audits, and it runs RAM-only servers that wipe all data on every reboot. It does not record your browsing activity, IP address or session details.

How many devices can I use with Surfshark?+

Unlimited. Unlike most VPNs that cap connections at five to ten devices, a single Surfshark subscription protects an unlimited number of devices simultaneously, making it ideal for households and families.

Can Surfshark unblock Netflix and other streaming services?+

Yes. Surfshark reliably unblocks Netflix, Disney+, Max, Prime Video and BBC iPlayer across many regions. It also offers Smart DNS for streaming on devices that can't run the VPN app, such as some smart TVs and consoles.

Does Surfshark have a free plan?+

No, Surfshark does not offer a free plan. However, it's inexpensive on longer terms and every plan is backed by a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it risk-free and request a full refund if you're not satisfied.

Reviewed by . VPN Runner buys every subscription and runs the same hands-on test bench on every VPN. Last updated June 2026.