Surfshark One Review 2026: Essential Security Stack or Overkill?

If you're looking for an all-in-one cybersecurity solution, Surfshark One combines an impressive VPN, antivirus, ad blocker, and private search into a single platform. Instead of juggling multiple security tools, this bundle aims to simplify online protection while maintaining strong privacy and performance.

In this Surfshark One review, we performed real-world testing on the platform’s key features, including speeds with the VPN enabled, malware detection capabilities, and ad blocking efficiency. We also evaluated its pricing, plan options, and overall value compared with competing services.

Below, you’ll find our full breakdown of Surfshark One to help you decide if it’s the right cybersecurity suite for your needs.

Overview

Price	Starts at $2.49/mo
Max # of VPN connections	Unlimited
# of VPN servers	4,500+ servers in 100 countries
No-logs policy	No logs
Encryption	AES-256-GCM
Netflix access	Yes
Malware scans	Yes
Real-time protection	Yes
EICAR test results	2/3
Firewall	No
Adblock Tester score	96/100
Does it block YouTube ads?	Yes
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Firefox
Learn more	Get Surfshark One

How we test and rate products

For every product type, we complete standardized hands-on tests so we can put their claims to the test for each review. 

For VPNs, we compare our internet speeds while connected to different servers, check for DNS and WebRTC leaks, make sure the kill switch works, and more. For antivirus programs, we review their third-party test results and conduct EICAR tests. And for ad blockers, we use websites like adblock-tester.com and canyoublockit.com to test for effectiveness against ads and trackers. 

Once we've completed the testing, our editorial rating is calculated by considering key features you'd expect from a good product. This includes price, test scores, features, and more. 

We last updated all of Surfshark One's test results on March 6, 2026.

Our experience

We tested every aspect of Surfshark One, and every feature worked well. Once you've made your purchase, you only need to download one app for Surfshark VPN, CleanWeb, Antivirus, Search, and Alert. 

During setup, Surfshark provides tips and tutorials at every step of the way. So if you've never used a virtual private network (VPN) or antivirus software, you'll receive plenty of guidance. It also has extensive help guides and 24/7 chat support for help whenever you need it. 

Throughout our testing, we didn't have any issues. The antivirus ran quietly in the background, and the CleanWeb feature effectively blocked ads, enhancing our browsing experience. The VPN maintained stable connections and had minimal impact on our speeds, proving its reliability. 

Overall, Surfshark One offered a harmonious blend of security and usability, providing a powerful yet intuitive digital suite.

Surfshark One prices and plans

Surfshark One ranges in price from $2.49–$20.85/mo. All plan tiers are available as monthly, annual, and two-year subscriptions. 

See how Surfshark's plan pricing breaks down monthly in the table below. 

Plan	1 month cost	12-months	24 months
Surfshark Starter	$15.45/mo	$3.19/mo	$1.99/mo
Surfshark One	$17.95/mo	$3.39/mo	$2.49/mo
Surfshark One+	$20.85/mo	$6.29/mo	$4.19/mo

Plan comparison

Surfshark One enhances the standard Surfshark plan with antivirus and real-time alerts, while Surfshark One+ adds data removal services to this suite.

Compared to market alternatives, Surfshark One offers considerable value, integrating VPN, ad blocking, and antivirus features into one package, making it an attractive option for those seeking an all-in-one solution for comprehensive online protection and privacy.

Features	Surfshark Starter	Surfshark One	Surfshark One+
Secure VPN
CleanWeb ad blocker
Cookie pop-up blocker
Personal detail generator
Masked email generator
Surfshark Alert: real-time email breach alerts
Antivirus, anti-spyware, and malware protection
24/7 antivirus protection
Incogni data removal from company databases
Learn more	View plan	View plan	View plan

Surfshark VPN features and test results

Surfshark VPN is a well-rounded virtual private network that offers a wide range of features, including a large server network, an audited no-logs policy, and a kill switch for privacy. 

One great feature is its unlimited simultaneous connections, which allows you to connect all your compatible devices. This is uncommon among VPN providers and can be very useful for families or individuals with multiple devices.

Server count and countries

• 4,500+ servers in 100 countries

Surfshark has an above-average server network size, with thousands of servers in 100 countries. It also has specialty servers for static IP and multi-hop connections. 

Other services like NordVPN and Proton VPN have larger server networks, with 9,000+ servers and 18,100+ servers respectively. 

However, Surfshark still offers more than enough servers with a balance of server quantity and quality. This is proven in its fast speed test results and ability to stream Netflix libraries from around the world.

No-logs policy and headquarters

• Surfshark One logs policy: No logs
• Surfshark One headquarters: The Netherlands

Surfshark's no-logs policy, verified through an independent Deloitte audit, ensures it doesn't track or share user data, offering unparalleled privacy. This policy, coupled with Surfshark's strategic headquarters in the Netherlands (a country with robust privacy laws), reinforces its commitment to keeping your data confidential.

However, the Netherlands is a part of the Nine Eyes alliance. That means if another intelligence-sharing government alliance requests user data or internet activity, Surfshark would have to legally comply. The Netherlands doesn't have any data retention laws, so this is less of a concern. 

Kill switch

The kill switch is a critical security feature that protects your data from being exposed if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. It works by automatically cutting off your internet access until the VPN connection is re-established, ensuring your data remains private at all times. 

The kill switch can be easily activated within the Surfshark app's security settings.

Split tunneling

With split tunneling, you can select which apps or websites go through the VPN connection and which ones connect directly to the internet. This feature is particularly useful for accessing local services while still protecting your main browsing activities. 

You can find the split tunneling option in the Surfshark app settings.

VPN protocols

Surfshark supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2/IPSec protocols, offering a blend of speed, security, and device compatibility.

WireGuard excels in speed, OpenVPN in security, and IKEv2/IPSec in mobile reliability. Surfshark can auto-select the optimal protocol for users, balancing security and performance efficiently, making it a versatile choice for various network conditions.

VPN speed tests

• Speed test results: Surfshark decreased our download speeds by an average of 8%.

We tested Surfshark on our laptop running Windows from a physical location in the U.S. First, we recorded our baseline internet speed prior to connecting to Surfshark. 

Then, we connected to servers in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia to measure Surfshark's impact on our speeds. 

Test type	No VPN	US to US	US to CA	US to EU	US to AU
Download speed	199.00 Mbps	193.24 Mbps	196.78 Mbps	172.05 Mbps	161.63 Mbps
Upload speed	196.59 Mbps	225.52 Mbps	188.00 Mbps	2.73 Mbps	250.79 Mbps
Latency (ping)	60 ms	91 ms	50 ms	129 ms	195 ms
Download speed % difference	N/A	-2.89%	-1.12%	-13.54%	-18.78%
Upload speed % difference	N/A	+14.71%	-4.37%	-98.61%	+27.57%
Latency % difference	N/A	+51.67%	-16.67%	+115.00%	+225.00%

Surfshark dropped our download speeds by no more than 18%. Although the Australian server caused the steepest drop on our download speeds, the percentage decrease was marginal and definitely not noticeable while streaming. 

VPNs will typically slow your speeds because they force your data to take a longer route to reach its destination. That's why Surfshark showed impressive results, making it a great option if you're looking for a fast VPN.

Netflix tests

• Netflix test results: Surfshark passed all its Netflix tests.

Surfshark excelled as a VPN for streaming Netflix, seamlessly unlocking content across the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia. Its ability to bypass geo-restrictions allows you to access a wide range of Netflix content globally. 

	US to US	US to UK	US to CA	US to AU
Did it work with Netflix?

Despite past limitations in certain regions, the service ensured smooth streaming without lag or buffering issues. Surfshark's reliable performance makes it a top choice for streamers eager to explore international Netflix libraries.

DNS and WebRTC leak tests

• DNS leak test results: Surfshark passed its DNS leak test.
• WebRTC leak test results: Surfshark passed its WebRTC leak test.

DNS translates website names to IP addresses. A DNS leak exposes your browsing via ISP servers, not the VPN's tunnel. Surfshark passed DNS leak tests, effectively securing your internet activities and maintaining online anonymity by routing all traffic securely through the VPN.

WebRTC enables browser-based direct communication but may reveal your IP address. Surfshark passed WebRTC leak tests, demonstrating its ability to prevent such exposure. This ensures your IP address stays hidden, enhancing your privacy and security during web browsing and real-time online communication.

Kill switch test

• Kill switch test results: Surfshark passed its kill switch test.

Surfshark comes with a kill switch, which can disable your internet connection if the VPN drops. This will protect you from exposure on public Wi-Fi and other unsafe networks.

With the kill switch enabled, we swapped from a server in Poland to a server in Portugal. In this test, our internet service provider (ISP) and true location remained hidden after switching servers.

Surfshark Antivirus features and test results

Surfshark Antivirus provides manual and automatic scans, real-time protection, and anti-phishing powered by CleanWeb technology. It can detect and remove malware to help protect you from all sorts of cyberthreats.

On the downside, Surfshark Antivirus lacks a dedicated firewall. This means that it doesn’t have the ability to block incoming traffic and protect against potential cyberattacks.

Malware and antivirus scan

Surfshark Antivirus has flexible scanning options, allowing you to conduct both quick scans for immediate threats and full scans for a comprehensive system checkup. The process runs in the background and is quick, efficient, and unobtrusive, causing minimal disruption to the user's activities.

Phishing protection

Surfshark Antivirus also uses the CleanWeb technology for additional protection against phishing sites. The setup is simple: just visit the CleanWeb tab and hit the toggle.

Real-time protection

Surfshark Antivirus's real-time protection is effective, having successfully detected and neutralized multiple threats during our testing. Together with the ad blocker, this adds layered protection from harmful websites, phishing attempts, and invasive trackers without affecting your system performance or user experience.

Ransomware protection

Another layer of defense that Surfshark offers is its continuous anti-ransomware, which can protect your device against this group of threats. This works out of the box with other antivirus protections, providing comprehensive protection without requiring any setup from the user.

Surfshark Antivirus test results

Surfshark Antivirus is a newer antivirus program, but we were impressed by its fast scan times and solid malware protection scores.

Scan efficiency

• Result: Only found preexisting malware files after full scan, not quick scan

Surfshark Antivirus performed well in our scan speed tests. The quick scan was completed quickly despite having scanned almost 1,400 files. 

However, Surfshark Antivirus failed to detect any of the EICAR files we placed on our device prior to installing the antivirus software. 

Scan type	Quick scan	Full scan
Time spent	1 minute, 6 seconds	9 minutes, 21 seconds
# of files scanned	18,220 files	557,698 files
Did it find preexisting malware files?

The full scan took just over seven minutes, which beat our preferred time of 10 minutes for a full scan, and all the EICAR files were detected during this scan. 

EICAR test results

• Results: 2/3

Test	Surfshark One score
Malware detection	Pass
Drive-by malware downloads	Pass
Phishing detection	Fail

EICAR, the European Institute for Computer Antivirus Research, provides test files for multiple cyberthreats. They're used to test antivirus programs for their detection and response capabilities — all without the need to expose any system to real threats. 

Surfshark Antivirus successfully passed the malware tests, demonstrating effective malware detection and protection. However, it didn't detect the fake phishing page, even with the browser extension installed. 

Bonus features

Surfshark One's antivirus program is complemented by a range of bonus features that enhance user security without compromising on performance or convenience. These features are designed to provide a more secure and private digital experience across various platforms.

Webcam protection

Surfshark One includes a webcam protection feature that prevents unauthorized access to your camera. This tool allows you to lock your webcam securely and receive immediate alerts if any application or website attempts to use the webcam without permission. 

Surfshark Alert

Surfshark Alert is designed to notify users immediately if their personal information is discovered in an online data breach. Information it detects includes email addresses, ID, credit card numbers, or other sensitive data.

This proactive approach helps users take timely action to secure their accounts and prevent identity theft or fraud.

Surfshark Search

If you want to safely and privately browse the web, use the Surfshark Search feature, available on Surfshark One and One+ plans. This private search engine is ad-free, so your online activities aren’t being tracked or monitored.

Surfshark Alternative ID

Surfshark Alternative ID is an identity theft protection feature included with all Surfshark One plans. Basically, it’s a way to keep your identity incognito and protect against hackers, spam, and data brokers. 

You provide the specs, and Surfshark can generate a new online profile with a valid email address for you to use instead of your real contact information. You can create an unlimited number of online personas and store up to three different alternative email addresses.

Incogni data removal services

With Surfshark One+, you have access to the top-notch data removal service Incogni. Here’s how it works: Surfshark sends requests on your behalf to remove your data from data brokers. 

That’s it. You don’t need to file or manage negotiation requests with data brokers because Surfshark handles it all for you.

Surfshark CleanWeb features and test results

Surfshark CleanWeb enhances web browsing by providing comprehensive ad and tracker blocking, as well as phishing and malware protection. Although it lacks a built-in site whitelisting feature, you can use Surfshark's Bypasser feature for customized access control.

CleanWeb's user-friendly interface clearly indicates active protection, ensuring users feel secure. Despite some customization limits, its broad protective capabilities make it a valuable tool for safer internet navigation.

Surfshark CleanWeb test results

	AdBlock Tester	Can You Block It?
Surfshark CleanWeb score	96/100	3/3

To evaluate CleanWeb's effectiveness, we used AdBlock Tester and Can You Block It tools. 

CleanWeb scored 96/100 on AdBlock Tester, having effectively blocked various ads and trackers. The missing points were from tests that were listed as "most likely passed," so we'll take that as a win over failed tests. 

It also passed all of the Can You Block It tests, having blocked the interstitial ad, ad blocker detection warning, and banner ads.

Surfshark One compatibility

	Compatibility
Windows
macOS
Linux
Android
iOS
Browser extensions	Yes — Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge

Surfshark One can be installed across a range of devices, whether at home on Wi-Fi or on the move.

Surfshark One customer support

Support type	Surfshark One
Email or live chat
Phone
Online guides or forums

Surfshark ensures you can easily find help, with its extensive range of user-friendly online tutorials, guides, and setup instructions through its Help Center and YouTube channel. 

For more direct support, Surfshark also provides 24/7 live chat and email assistance, available to all users. 

We found Surfshark's customer service to be highly efficient, with a responsive chatbot and a helpful live agent offering quick, courteous assistance. This level of responsive and proactive customer support underscores Surfshark's dedication to user satisfaction and highlights its commitment to providing comprehensive, accessible assistance.

Surfshark One alternatives

While Surfshark One offers a comprehensive suite of online protection tools, including VPN, antivirus, and ad-blocking capabilities, there are several alternatives in the market that provide similar or complementary services. 

Here's a look at some notable options:

Price	$3.39–$25.29/mo	$19.00–$49.00/first yr	$1.00-$4.50/mo + cost of VPN
Max # of connected devices	10	8	7
VPN
Antivirus
Ad blocker
Learn more	Get NordVPN	Get TotalAV	Get CyberGhost

Bottom line: Is Surfshark One good?

Surfshark One sets itself apart from the pack due to its all-inclusive approach to security: a VPN, antivirus, ad blocker, and more, all in one package. This suite helps protect you from a wide range of online threats.

One disadvantage is that Surfshark Antivirus doesn't include a dedicated firewall, which can be a concern if you want to protect all your networks at once. Also, some features like split tunneling are exclusive to specific operating systems. 

Nevertheless, if you need a reliable security tool to protect your digital life easily, Surfshark One remains an indispensable choice. It’s especially suitable for users who value convenience, effectiveness, and comprehensive coverage in their cybersecurity toolkit.

FAQs