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The All About Cookies editorial team strives to provide accurate, in-depth information and reviews to help you, our reader, make online privacy decisions with confidence. Here's what you can expect from us:
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Blocks ads and pop-ups, including cookie consent requests, while browsing
Can also browse ad-free without a digital footprint with the Surfshark Search engine
All-in-one app includes VPN, antivirus scans, alternative ID creation, malware protection, and more on unlimited devices
All About Cookies is an independent, advertising-supported website. Some of the offers that appear on this site are from third-party advertisers from which All About Cookies receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site (including, for example, the order in which they appear).
All About Cookies does not include all financial or credit offers that might be available to consumers nor do we include all companies or all available products. Information is accurate as of the publishing date and has not been provided or endorsed by the advertiser.
The All About Cookies editorial team strives to provide accurate, in-depth information and reviews to help you, our reader, make online privacy decisions with confidence. Here's what you can expect from us:
Surfshark One is a comprehensive security stack where every feature is worth using. Its VPN is speedy and consistently unblocks Netflix's geo-restrictions, its antivirus is lightweight and provides proven malware protection, and its ad blocker effectively blocks ads while you're browsing.
Surfshark One plans start at only $2.49/mo (billed every two years). With every subscription, you'll receive unlimited simultaneous connections with the VPN and antivirus coverage for up to 5 devices.
We'll detail every feature included with Surfshark One in our extensive review.
| Price | $2.49–$20.65/mo |
| Max # of VPN connections | Unlimited |
| # of VPN servers | 3,200+ 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 |
| Cover Your Tracks score | 0/3 |
| Does it block YouTube ads? | Yes (Windows and Android only) |
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Firefox |
| Learn more | Get Surfshark One |
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 actually 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, coveryourtracks.eff.org, and canyoublockit.com to test for effectiveness against ads and trackers.
Once we've completed the testing, our editorial rating is calculated by taking into account 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 August 18, 2025.
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Blocks ads and pop-ups, including cookie consent requests, while browsing
Can also browse ad-free without a digital footprint with the Surfshark Search engine
All-in-one app includes VPN, antivirus scans, alternative ID creation, malware protection, and more on unlimited devices
Our Surfshark One experience went smoothly every step of the way. Once you've made your purchase, you'll just have to download one app for Surfshark VPN, CleanWeb 1.0, Antivirus, Search, and Alert.
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During setup, Surfshark provides tips and tutorials every step of the way. So if you've never used a virtual private network (VPN) or an antivirus, you'll receive plenty of guidance. Plus, it has plenty of help guides and 24/7 chat support for help whenever you need it.
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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, proving its reliability.
Overall, Surfshark One offered a harmonious blend of security and usability, embodying a powerful yet intuitive digital protection solution.
Surfshark One positions itself as a strong choice in digital security, providing an all-encompassing solution with VPN, antivirus, and ad-blocking capabilities. Its strength lies in its robust security features paired with ease of use, ensuring a smooth and secure online experience.
Surfshark One proved its effectiveness with its positive test results for malware detection and ad blocking. Plus, the VPN maintained solid speeds, unblocked Netflix libraries, and had no data leaks.
Its competitive pricing further enhances its appeal, offering great value for a comprehensive digital protection package. If you're seeking thorough online security without complexity, then Surfshark One is an indispensable asset.
Surfshark One ranges in price from $2.49–$20.65/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 (billed annually) | $1.99/mo (billed every two years) |
| Surfshark One | $17.95/mo | $3.39/mo (billed annually) | $2.49/mo (billed every two years) |
| Surfshark One+ | $20.65/mo | $6.09/mo (billed annually) | $3.99/mo (billed every two years) |
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 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.
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.
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Other services like NordVPN and Proton VPN have larger server networks, with 8,100+ servers and 15,000+ servers respectively. However, Surfshark still has a balance of server quantity and quality considering its minimal impacts on our speed and ability to stream Netflix libraries from around the world.
Surfshark's no-logs policy, verified by 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 will have to legally abide by it. The Netherlands doesn't have any data retention laws, so this shouldn't be too concerning.
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.
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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.
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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.
We tested Surfshark on a laptop running Windows 11 from a physical location in the U.S. First, we recorded a baseline internet speed of 445.13 Mbps download, 289.03 Mbps upload, and 16 ms latency.
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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 | 445.13 Mbps | 540.80 Mbps | 536.33 Mbps | 431.16 Mbps | 442.72 Mbps |
| Upload speed | 289.33 Mbps | 279.20 Mbps | 264.44 Mbps | 283.85 Mbps | 215.88 Mbps |
| Latency (ping) | 16 ms | 12 ms | 48 ms | 131 ms | 306 ms |
| Download speed % difference | N/A | +21.49% | +20.49% | -3.14% | -0.54% |
| Upload speed % difference | N/A | -3.50% | -8.60% | -1.89% | -25.39% |
| Latency % difference | N/A | -25.00% | +200.00% | +718.75% | +1,812.50% |
Surfshark actually increased our download speeds by over 20% with the U.S. and Canada servers. The U.K. and Australia servers did decrease our download speeds, but the percentage was marginal and definitely not noticeable while streaming.
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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.
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.
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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.
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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 the United Kingdom to a server in Spain. Unfortunately, our internet service provider (ISP) and true location leaked during the switch.
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 from all sorts of cyberthreats.
On the downside, Surfshark One Antivirus lacks a dedicated firewall. This means that it doesn’t have the ability to block incoming traffic and protect against potential cyberattacks.
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 works in the background and is quick, efficient, and unobtrusive, with minimal disruption of the user's activities.
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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.
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Surfshark Antivirus's real-time protection is effective, having successfully detected and neutralized multiple threats during our testing. Coupled with the ad blocker, this adds dual protection from harmful websites, phishing attempts, and invasive trackers without affecting your system performance or user experience.
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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, culminating in total protection without needing the user to set up anything.
Surfshark Antivirus is a newer antivirus program, but we were impressed by its fast scan times and solid malware protection scores.
Surfshark Antivirus didn't disappoint with its scan speeds. The quick scan was done almost instantly despite having scanned over 800 files.
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The full scan took less than six minutes, which beat our preferred time of 10 minutes for a full scan. It was easy to browse while Surfshark Antivirus scanned our device in the background.
| Scan type | Time spent |
| Quick scan | 19 seconds |
| Full scan | 5 minutes, 38 seconds |
| 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 check any given antivirus program for its detection and reaction abilities — all without the need to expose any system to real threats.
Surfshark One successfully passed the malware tests, proving to be effective in malware detection and protection. However, Surfshark Antivirus didn't detect the fake phishing page, even with the browser extension installed.
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Despite only being released in 2021, Surfshark Antivirus has submitted its Windows program to AV-TEST for review. Surfshark Antivirus's most recent results are from June 2025, and it achieved a 17/18.
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.
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 One offers data breach alerts, a feature designed to notify users immediately if their personal information, such as email, ID, credit card numbers, or other sensitive data, is discovered in an online data breach.
This proactive approach to personal data security helps users take timely action to secure their accounts and prevent identity theft or fraud.
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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.
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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.
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.
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Surfshark CleanWeb enhances web browsing by providing comprehensive ad blocking, tracker blocking, phishing, and malware protection. Its effectiveness extends to preventing online threats, although it lacks direct site whitelisting or blacklisting. Surfshark compensates with the 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.
| AdBlock Tester | Cover Your Tracks | Can You Block It? | |
| Surfshark CleanWeb score | 96/100 | 0/3 | 3/3 |
To evaluate CleanWeb's effectiveness, we used AdBlock Tester, Cover Your Tracks, and Can You Block It tools.
CleanWeb scored 96/100 on AdBlock Tester, effectively blocking 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.
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It also passed all of the Can You Block It tests, having blocked the interstitial ad, ad blocker detection warning, and banner ads.
However, on Cover Your Tracks, it scored only 0/3, which means it fails at providing protection against trackers.
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Overall, these results could be disappointing for privacy-focused users, but you can stack CleanWeb with a tracker blocker for better protection.
During testing, CleanWeb effectively blocked YouTube ads, including banners, pre-rolls, and mid-roll ads.
Surfshark One can protect devices on a range of connected devices, on your home Wi-Fi, or on the move. It’s compatible with the following:
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 its 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.
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:
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| Price | $3.09–$17.99/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 |
Surfshark One is worth it if you need a comprehensive online protection suite. It combines VPN, antivirus, and ad blocking, and even data removal services with the top tier.
Given its range of features and the convenience of having multiple services under one subscription, it offers significant value for those prioritizing online safety and privacy.
Surfshark refers to the company's Surfshark VPN service, while Surfshark One is a more extensive bundle that includes the VPN plus Surfshark Antivirus for malware protection and Surfshark CleanWeb for ad blocking and phishing protection.
Yes, Surfshark is trustworthy thanks to its strict no-logs policy, validated by independent audits by Deloitte, and military-grade encryption. The company's commitment to privacy and security, alongside positive user reviews and transparency in its operations, reinforces its reliability.
Based on our testing and third-party tests, Surfshark Antivirus offers proven protection against malware. Its integration with the Surfshark One bundle enhances overall device security by providing real-time protection and automatic updates.
While it may not have the same level of features as standalone antivirus programs (e.g., enhanced firewall protection), it's a solid option if you're seeking streamlined, effective malware defense within a larger security suite.
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 will keep you protected from all kinds of online threats.
The one disadvantage is that its antivirus doesn't include a dedicated firewall, which can be a concern if you want to protect all your networks at once. The CleanWeb feature also struggles with blocking trackers.
Nevertheless, if you need a reliable security tool to protect your digital life easily, Surfshark One remains an indispensable choice. It’s especially good for users who value convenience, effectiveness, and comprehensive coverage in their cybersecurity toolkit.
Blocks ads and pop-ups, including cookie consent requests, while browsing
Can also browse ad-free without a digital footprint with the Surfshark Search engine
All-in-one app includes VPN, antivirus scans, alternative ID creation, malware protection, and more on unlimited devices
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