Surfshark VPN Review 2024: Great Value, But is It Safe? [Tested]

Surfshark offers an all-around solid product that’s safe, affordable, and loaded with features.
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4.8
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Surfshark's website

VPN
Surfshark
WINTER DEAL: From $1.99/mo + 4 months extra
  • One of the ONLY VPNs to offer unlimited simultaneous connections
  • Get worldwide access to streaming services like Netflix with 3,200+ servers in over 100 countries
  • Excellent safety features like real-time malware defense, webcam protection, and more

Surfshark offers a high-quality VPN that’s safe and doesn’t skimp on additional features like an ad blocker and smart DNS. Even better, it’s affordable, starting at $1.99/mo (billed every two years) and offering unlimited simultaneous connections. Our testing proved that you can easily access Netflix and other streaming content without breaking the bank or severely compromising your internet speed.

We don’t love that Surfshark is headquartered in a country that’s part of a global surveillance network. But the Netherlands has no obligatory data retention laws and Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy that was audited by Deloitte in January 2023.

As of 2024, Surfshark hasn’t been compromised, suffered a data breach, or disclosed (or had seized) any private information of its users. Check out our Surfshark VPN review to see its complete pricing, test results, and features.

Pros
  • Unlimited simultaneous connections (rare feature)
  • Cheaper than ExpressVPN and NordVPN
  • Works with Netflix and other streaming services
  • Strict no-logs policy and no data breaches
  • Loads of extra features like static IP and rotating IP
Cons
  • Antivirus and threat monitoring are extra
  • Headquartered in Nine Eyes alliance
In this article
Overview
Our experience
Who is Surfshark best for?
Prices and subscriptions
Surfshark VPN vs. Surfshark One
Main features
Test results
Compatibility
Customer support
Alternatives
FAQs
Bottom line: Is Surfshark a good VPN?

Overview

Price $1.99–$17.95/mo
Free version No
Max # of connected devices Unlimited
# of servers 3,200+ servers in 100 countries
VPN protocol OpenVPN, WireGuard, IKEv2
Encryption AES-256-GCM
No-logs policy No logs
Headquarters The Netherlands
Netflix access Yes
Learn more Get Surfshark

How we test and rate VPNs

We complete standardized hands-on tests for each VPN we review so we can put their claims to the test. This includes vigorous third-party testing by comparing our internet speed while connected to different servers, checking for DNS leaks, making sure the kill switch actually works, and more. We also make sure we can comfortably access popular streaming sites, like Netflix, and still do our day-to-day work without interruption.

Once we’ve completed the testing, our editorial rating is calculated by taking into account key features you’d expect from a good product. We score each VPN in the following categories and use a weighted average to calculate the final rating out of 5 stars: price, server count, speed, security, and features.

To learn more about how we test, check out our full VPN methodology here.

We last tested Surfshark on October 10, 2024.

Unlimited Device Protection and Large Server Network
4.8
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Surfshark's website
VPN
Surfshark
WINTER DEAL: From $1.99/mo + 4 months extra
  • One of the ONLY VPNs to offer unlimited simultaneous connections
  • Get worldwide access to streaming services like Netflix with 3,200+ servers in over 100 countries
  • Excellent safety features like real-time malware defense, webcam protection, and more

Our experience

Every step of using Surfshark is easy, thanks to its user-friendly setup and interface. 

Once we purchased our subscription, we logged in to our Surfshark account to find the VPN installer for Windows. After the download, we logged in to the Surfshark app and the dashboard popped up for us to connect.

Surfshark main dashboard

We went ahead and selected the nearest country for Surfshark to optimize our connection, but you can also pick fastest location. It keeps a list of recently used locations and you can search for locations with the search bar at the top. 

Surfshark also lists its specialty servers (static IP, multihop, and dedicated IP) at the top of the VPN app if you're looking for a more specialized connection. Among the many VPNs we've reviewed, Surfshark stands out for its clean dashboard and ease of use.

Reviewed by Steph Trejos

“Surfshark is the first VPN I ever purchased after working on the site. I had no trouble learning how to use the features and have been able to keep my device secure on public Wi-Fi.”

Who is Surfshark best for?

  • Recommended for people who want a high-speed, secure, and affordable VPN that offers loads of bonus features, unblocks streaming libraries, and provides unlimited simultaneous connections.

Surfshark is relatively new to the virtual private network (VPN) world, but it’s taken the industry by storm. Surfshark uses top-grade AES-256-GCM encryption with some of the most secure protocols (OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2) to keep your activity private and protected.

With a strict no-logs policy, you can feel confident that your data isn’t being tracked or logged. Surfshark backs up its no-logs policy by being located in the Netherlands, a country with no obligatory data retention laws. 

Surfshark also has a warrant canary that states it hasn’t been compromised or been the victim of a data breach. In full transparency, Surfshark lets everyone know that users’ information has never been disclosed or seized.

For its everyday user experience, Surfshark is hard to beat. It retains high speeds, offers unlimited device connections (which is a rarity among popular VPNs), and provides tons of additional features.

Prices and subscriptions

Surfshark offers its VPN services in the form of a monthly, one-year, or two-year subscription. All three plans offer the same services and features, so the only difference is how long of a subscription you want.

Most VPN providers lower the overall cost of their services if you choose longer subscription options. Surfshark follows the same pricing strategy.

  • The cheapest option for Surfshark: Two-year plan for $1.99/mo (billed every two years)
  • The most expensive option for Surfshark: One-month plan for $15.45/mo

Paying under $3.00 a month is one of the cheaper options available for top VPN apps, but it’s not always at the cheapest price depending on the current promotions. For example, CyberGhost is almost always as low as $2.03/mo (billed every two years) and Private Internet Access (PIA) also starts at $2.19/mo (billed every two years).

However, the price difference is negligible and probably not enough to justify choosing a less expensive VPN over Surfshark and its many features.

But if you compare Surfshark vs. ExpressVPN, the difference is actually huge. ExpressVPN gets as low as $6.67/mo (billed annually) for a one-year subscription. That’s about $80 over a year. Compare that with $27.50 for one year of Surfshark at its lowest monthly cost.  

Is it worth paying $50+ more for ExpressVPN compared to Surfshark? It depends on your priorities. For example, Surfshark is headquartered in a Nine Eyes alliance country, whereas ExpressVPN isn’t. Also, ExpressVPN has some server locations (including Guatemala and Jersey) that Surfshark doesn’t.

But these reasons won’t matter for everyone. And overall, Surfshark has the features and reliability the average VPN user needs. You can dig into the value this VPN brings even more in our review of Surfshark's prices.

1 Month 1 Year 24 Months + 3 Months Free
Price per month $15.45/mo $2.99/mo (billed annually) $1.99/mo (billed every two years)

Surfshark offers a 30-day-money-back guarantee on its paid services. This means you can claim a refund within 30 days of purchasing a Surfshark subscription.

It also offers a 7-day free trial for Android, iOS, and macOS devices (so long as you download the app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store.

Surfshark payment options include:

  • Credit or debit card
  • PayPal
  • Google Pay
  • Cryptocurrency through CoinGate (bitcoin, ethereum, and more)

Surfshark VPN vs. Surfshark One


1-month cost 1-year cost 2-year cost
Price per month $17.95/mo $3.19/mo (billed annually) $2.49/mo (billed every two years)

You can get Surfshark VPN as part of the Surfshark One bundle. The secure VPN is included in all three plans: Surfshark Starter, Surfshark One, and Surfshark One+. Additional cybersecurity features, like Surfshark Alert, Surfshark Search, and Surfshark Antivirus, will cost you a couple of dollars more, depending on your term length.

But Surfshark One is likely well worth the additional cost if you already use or want to use similar services. Keeping your cybersecurity efforts in one location is more convenient, and it could actually save you money (compared with paying for separate VPN and antivirus services).

Here’s how the Surfshark One features work:

Surfshark Alert

  • Receive real-time alerts concerning breaches of your personal information.

Surfshark Alert functions as a threat monitor. It automatically monitors the information you feed it, including your emails, credit cards, and personal IDs. Surfshark Alert can also scan for breached databases and alert you if it finds any leaks of your personal info.

Surfshark Search

  • Access a search engine for completely private online searches.

We were intrigued by Surfshark Search because we weren’t exactly sure what its purpose was and why we might use it over, say, Google Chrome’s Incognito Mode.

Surfshark Search is advertised as a way to browse the internet in complete privacy. This means ad-free search results and no data storage or tracking. We tested this feature by launching it directly from the Windows desktop app.

Surfshark Search promises a private online search experience.

We entered the all-important query of “are pickles better than cucumbers” and checked out the results. We didn’t see any ads and found a similar look and feel to Google’s own search function, including separate tabs for webpages, images, and videos.

We searched "are pickles better than cucumbers" on Surfshark Search and got about 14.7 million results. (Dill pickles are best, btw.)

Our main goal in testing Surfshark Search was to see if it could replace the incognito mode we’re all used to using. We found that initiating a search from the Surfshark app automatically opened the Chrome browser we were most recently using, which was already signed into a profile.

This meant our queries through Surfshark Search were being saved in our Chrome history. So on a shared computer or profile, our pickle vs. cucumber searches wouldn’t be quite so private and could be easily retrieved from the browser history — something that isn’t an issue with Chrome Incognito Mode.

Our Surfshark searches showed up in our Google Chrome history, so Surfshark Search may not provide the full amount of privacy it promises.

Surfshark Antivirus

  • Receive 24/7 antivirus protection.

Surfshark Antivirus offers 24/7 antivirus protection and can scan any files you download and use. You can also schedule antivirus scans for days and times that make sense to you. Bonus features include webcam protection, a spyware and malware shield, and CleanWeb for phishing protection. 

Surfshark Antivirus quick scan pop-up indicated the files scanned and scan time.
Surfshark Antivirus quick scan 

Incogni

Incogni is only included with Surfshark One+. It's a low maintenance data removal service that scans the web for your personal information. Then, it sends removal requests to data brokers on your behalf to help keep you anonymous online. 

All three Surfshark One plans (Surfshark Starter, Surfshark One, Surfshark One+) include the secure Surfshark VPN, so you can’t purchase Surfshark VPN as a standalone product. If you want VPN services without any bells and whistles, then you'd opt for the Surfshark Starter plan.

Plan comparison

Features Starter One One+
Surfshark VPN
Surfshark Alt ID
Surfshark CleanWeb
Surfshark Alert
Surfshark Search
Surfshark Antivirus
Incogni
Learn more View plan View plan View plan

Surfshark features

Surfshark highlights include a decent server count, a strict no-logs policy, and strong security features (encryption and VPN protocols). Surfshark also offers loads of other features that are often essential for VPN users, including a kill switch and split tunneling.

The Surfshark interface is generally easy to use and navigate. You have plenty of servers to choose from, including convenient options for “Fastest location” and “Nearest country.”

It could also be helpful if Surfshark provided options to automatically choose the fastest server from a specific country. For example, a button that selects the fastest server in the U.S. so you don’t have to test different servers yourself. For example, NordVPN defaults to choosing the fastest city and server if you simply click on a country.

Surfshark's key features include:

  1. Server count and countries
  2. No-logs policy
  3. Kill switch
  4. Bypasser
  5. Encryption
  6. VPN protocol
  7. Static IP
  8. MultiHop
  9. Rotating IP
  10. NoBorders
  11. Smart DNS
  12. CleanWeb
  13. Alt ID

1. Server count and countries

  • 3,200+ servers in 100 countries

Surfshark has 3,200+ servers in 100 countries. This is an average number of servers and a high number of countries compared to other popular top-tier VPNs, such as NordVPN and Proton VPN.

Although Surfshark's server count is average compared to some other VPNs, it’s likely more than enough to satisfy your needs. For example, if you want to use Surfshark to stream content from another country, you have plenty of servers and countries to choose from.

Of course, having more servers could be helpful if a VPN has a high number of users. As more people connect to a server, the slower it might run, potentially affecting your connection speeds.

2. No-logs policy and headquarters

  • Surfshark logs policy: No logs
  • Surfshark headquarters: The Netherlands (formerly the British Virgin Islands)

Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy, which means it doesn’t track (or keep logs of) your online activity in any way. It’s important for VPNs to have these policies in place, as one of the primary reasons for using a VPN is to keep your online traffic private and secure.

You can typically tell whether a VPN is able to follow through on its no-logs claims by looking at two pieces of information:

  1. A third-party independent audit of a no-logs policy
  2. The headquarters location of the VPN company

An independent audit by a third-party organization helps ensure the legitimacy of a no-logs policy. The organization conducting the audit should have no affiliation with the VPN provider, so any reports remain unbiased.

Surfshark completed a no-logs audit by Deloitte in January 2023, and its server infrastructure passed a security audit conducted by Cure53 in Mary 2021.

Surfshark is headquartered in the Netherlands. This is important because different countries have different laws regarding data retention, which means one country might require VPNs to keep logs, whereas another country might not.

The Netherlands doesn’t have any obligatory data retention laws, so VPNs located there aren’t required to keep logs of user activity. However, the Netherlands is part of the Nine Eyes and 14 Eyes global surveillance alliances, which share intelligence with other member countries.

Given the data retention laws in the Netherlands, this shouldn't be too concerning. But you might prefer a VPN located in a country that isn’t part of a global surveillance network. For example, NordVPN is located in Panama, which isn’t part of the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, or 14 Eyes Alliances.

3. Kill switch

Surfshark provides a kill switch feature for automatically disconnecting your device from the internet if your device loses its secure VPN connection. The purpose of a kill switch is to prevent any of your online traffic from traveling through an unencrypted connection.

You can find the Surfshark kill switch feature in the VPN settings part of the app.

The Surfshark VPN settings tab with a red outline around the kill switch feature.

There’s also a convenient kill switch toggle located on the server list screen above your server connection or the Quick-connect button.

The Surfshark main dashboard with a red outline around the Kill Switch feature.

Note that the VPN settings area offers two kill switch options: a “soft” kill switch and a “strict” kill switch.

A screenshot of the Surfshark VPN kill switch settings showing soft and strict options.

We found the soft kill switch didn’t disconnect our laptop from the internet if we manually disconnected our VPN connection. However, the strict kill switch completely cut off our internet when we disconnected the VPN ourselves.

We assume both types of kill switches would automatically disconnect your device from the internet if you accidentally lose your VPN connection or it’s interrupted.

4. Bypasser

Surfshark provides a split tunneling feature called “Bypasser” that allows you to pick and choose websites, IP addresses, and apps for which you don’t want to use a VPN connection. This strategy could provide most of your online activity with a secure connection but potentially improve your internet connection (by freeing up bandwidth) for specific programs or apps.

Find the Bypasser options in the VPN settings of your app.

A screenshot of the Surfshark VPN settings menu with the Bypasser, or split tunneling, feature highlighted by a red box.

5. Encryption

Surfshark uses AES-256-GCM encryption. AES-256 is considered the best encryption available, and AES-256-GCM is simply a faster version.

This type of encryption would take billions of years to crack using current technology.

6. VPN protocol

Surfshark uses the OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols. OpenVPN and WireGuard are considered to be two of the most secure protocols available.

Surfshark also uses the IKEv2 protocol, though we found this protocol wasn’t always available as an option. For example, we used the Surfshark app for Windows and only had options for OpenVPN and WireGuard. But we were able to see options for OpenVPN, WireGuard, and IKEv2 on the Surfshark iOS app.

A screenshot of the Surfshark VPN protocol options, including WireGuard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN, on its mobile app.

Surfshark recommends keeping your VPN protocol settings on Automatic (where Surfshark will choose the best protocol for you). But you can manually select your protocol in the VPN settings.

A screenshot of the Surfshark VPN settings, showing the VPN protocol set to automatically update. Options for OpenVPN and WireGuard are also shown on its desktop app.

7. Static IP

A static IP address could come in handy for connecting to a home, school, or work network while traveling.

Surfshark offers static IP locations at no additional charge in locations such as the U.S., U.K., Germany, Japan, and more. Find the Static IP option on the main VPN page in the Surfshark app.

A screenshot of the Surfshark VPN interface with a list of static IP servers in the UK, Singapore, and the US listed.

8. MultiHop

Want to add an extra layer of privacy and security to your connection? Consider MultiHop (also known as double VPN), which connects you to the Surfshark VPN through two countries.

Find the MultiHop option on the main VPN page of the Surfshark app.

A screenshot of the Surfshark interface showing a list of MultiHop, or double VPN, servers, including Singapore to the Netherlands and Canada to the US.

9. Rotating IP

If you’re worried about using the same IP address with your VPN all the time, use Surfshark’s rotating IP feature. This feature automatically changes your IP address every 5 to 10 minutes while keeping your location the same.

When we tested this feature, it worked exactly as described. Our IP address was switched at regular intervals while the country location stayed the same (though the city changed).

Find Rotating IP in the VPN settings of the app.

A screenshot of the Surfshark VPN Rotating IP feature, which changes a user's IP address every 5-10 minutes.

10. NoBorders

NoBorders mode is a feature that automatically turns on if Surfshark detects you’re in a location that might have VPN restrictions. Having NoBorders on gives you a list of specific servers that perform better if there are network restrictions.

NoBorders is set to work automatically, but you can also manually turn it on or off in the VPN setting.

A screenshot of the Surfshark VPN's NoBorders feature, which helps users in countries where VPN use is restricted maintain a VPN connection.

This feature brings up an important question, is Surfshark legal to use everywhere? Not exactly, but you shouldn’t have to worry about using Surfshark in most countries. Be sure to check VPN laws and regulations for different countries before traveling.

11. Smart DNS

What are your options for accessing regional streaming libraries with a smart TV, console, or another device that doesn’t support VPNs? Usually not much, but Surfshark offers a Smart DNS feature to offer a solution.

With Smart DNS, you don’t have to install a VPN on every device. Simply activate the feature in your app and follow the instructions for your device. Note that Smart DNS isn’t the same as a VPN and doesn’t provide the privacy and security of a VPN.

A screenshot of our Surfshark account with the option to activate Smart DNS, which allows you to stream on devices that don't support a VPN.

12. CleanWeb

Surfshark CleanWeb blocks ads, malware, and trackers when you have the VPN connected. You can turn this feature on in the VPN settings of the Surfshark app.

A screenshot of the Surfshark VPN settings menu with the CleanWeb ad blocker option highlighted

We tested the CleanWeb ad blocker by first visiting a website (Forbes) that’s known for obnoxious ads and turning CleanWeb off. As expected, we were hit with multiple ads after clicking on an article.

A screenshot of the Forbes homepage showing the Surfshark CleanWeb ad blocker feature turned off. You can see a banner ad right at the top of the screen.

We then turned CleanWeb on and went back to the same article. Like magic, the ads were gone, replaced by lovely blank spaces.

A screenshot of the Forbes homepage with the Surfshark CleanWeb ad blocker turned on. The banner ads at the top of the Forbes site are gone.

Check out our full Surfshark CleanWeb review to find out more about how this VPN add-on gets rid of those pesky ads.

13. Alt ID

Surfshark Alt ID is included in all Surfshark plans and is an identity theft prevention feature that masks your email and provides you with faux online personas. Basically, it’s a way to keep your identity incognito — and protect against hackers, spam, and data brokers. You provide the specs, and Surfshark generates a new online profile with a valid email address for you to use instead of your real information. 

You can create an unlimited number of online personas and store up to three different alternative email addresses.

Surfshark VPN test results

We test VPNs in different ways to fairly judge whether they work as intended and deserve our recommendations. We conducted several tests — a speed test, a Netflix test, a DNS leak test, a WebRTC leak test, and a kill switch test — to see how Surfshark performs with internet speed and overall privacy.

Surfshark passed all its tests with flying colors. Here are the test results.

Speed tests

  • Speed test results: Surfshark maintained solid download and upload speeds, but it increased our latency drastically.

We perform speed tests to see whether a VPN connection significantly slows down internet speeds on a device. We tested internet speeds with Surfshark by first running an internet speed test without being connected to the VPN and then running speed tests while connected to different VPN servers worldwide.

These tests were run using a Lenovo laptop running Windows 11 from a physical location in the U.S.

Test type No VPN US to US US to CA US to EU US to AU
Download speed 309.06 Mbps 274.92 Mbps 281.63 Mbps 250.12 Mbps 209.45 Mbps
Upload speed386.09 Mbps 353.08 Mbps 353.08 Mbps 229.69 Mbps 271.34 Mbps
Latency (ping) 11 ms 19 ms 57 ms 205 ms 408 ms
Download speed % difference N/A -11.05% -8.86% -19.07% -32.23%
Upload speed % difference N/A -8.55% -10.18% -40.51% -45.75%
Latency % difference N/A 73% 418% 1,767% 2,367%
Test results as of 10/10/2024.

We were pleased to find that Surfshark had minmal effects on our internet speed. Even with the Australia server, despite the slowdowns, there was minimal effect on browsing and streaming.

Speed test results with Surfshark in the foreground (connected to Canada)

The most noticeable impacts on download speeds, upload speeds, and ping happened when we connected to servers in Australia. This is likely due to the distance and is typical for most VPNs, but we wanted to point out how drastic the speed test results drops were for anyone who may be looking to browse from Australia.

Speed test results with Surfshark in the foreground (connected to Australia)

Overall, it was easy to find and connect to different servers. You can scroll the server list manually and select from loads of cities and countries. You can also use the search bar at the top of the app to quickly navigate to a specific city or country.

Surfshark also provides two options for quickly connecting to nearby servers. This includes “Fastest location” and “Nearest country.” Fastest location chooses the fastest nearby server and Nearest country selects a server from the nearest foreign country.

All of our Surfshark VPN connection attempts were successful and took 10 seconds or less to finalize. Many of the attempts were instantaneous. Upload speeds were fairly consistent throughout our testing.

Netflix tests

  • Netflix test results: Surfshark unblocked Netflix libraries across all tested locations.

VPNs are often used to stream Netflix from other countries. We tested Surfshark to see whether we could use its VPN to access Netflix content libraries in the U.S., U.K., Canada, and Australia.

We were able to access Netflix with Surfshark in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia without any concerns about errors, buffering, or lag. 

A Surfshark window side-by-side with a Netflix window.

We've previously had trouble while connected to multiple servers in Canada. We kept receiving pop-ups from Netflix that detected we were using a VPN. This time, we connected to a server in Toronto and streamed without issue.

US to US US to UK US to CA US to AU
Did it work with Netflix?
Test results as of 10/10/2024.

DNS leak tests

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

A domain name system (DNS) leak could show some of your online activity, even if you’re supposed to be protected by a VPN. We used the DNS Leak Test service from BrowserLeaks to test whether we had DNS leaks before and after using Surfshark.

Before connecting to the Surfshark VPN, it was easy to see our IP address, internet service provider (ISP), and location. After connecting to the VPN, this information was successfully masked.

Surfshark's DNS leak test results

WebRTC leak tests

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

Your IP address could also be exposed through WebRTC leaks, which are vulnerabilities that can occur in certain web browsers and applications. We used the BrowserLeaks website to test for WebRTC leaks before and after connecting to the Surfshark VPN.

When we ran the test without connecting to the VPN, we could see our real IP address. After connecting to the VPN, our real IP address was successfully masked.

Surfshark's WebRTC leak test results

Kill switch test

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

A kill switch is a standard VPN feature that's a necessity for keeping your connection secure. Once you enable the kill switch, it'll disable your internet connection if your VPN connection drops. This is handy when you're on public Wi-Fi, so there are no exposures that could leave you vulnerable to hackers. 

We tested by starting with a connection to a server in Queretaro, Mexico. We decided to switch to a server in Brazil, but Surfshark didn't leak our true IP address at all during the switch.

Surfshark's kill switch test results.

Surfshark compatibility

You can set up Surfshark with an unlimited number of devices, operating systems, browser extensions, and mobile apps, including:

  • Windows 7+
  • macOS 11+
  • Ubuntu 20.04+, Mint 20+, and Debian 11+ Linux
  • iOS 13+ (iPhone and iPad via Apple App Store)
  • Android 5.0+ (via Google Play or .apk download)
  • Google Chrome
  • Mozilla Firefox
  • Microsoft Edge
  • Fire TV 2+
  • Fire TV Stick 2+
  • Android TV 5.0+

Surfshark customer support

Surfshark offers customer service options through its help center, by submitting feedback, using its chatbot, or speaking with a live representative. There’s no phone number to call, but you can email the Surfshark support team at support@surfshark.com.

You can also access the Surfshark chat function at any time from just about any page on the Surfshark website. The chat button is located in the bottom-right corner of most pages.

The Surfshark VPN support page with a red arrow pointing to the Support chat option in the lower right-hand corner of the window.

Surfshark also maintains a presence on various social media channels and platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Reddit, TikTok, and Pinterest. Through these channels, you can interact with Surfshark representatives and receive important updates.

The Surfshark Academy YouTube channel could be especially useful for watching videos about monthly Surfshark updates. For example, in June 2022, Surfshark announced that it shut down its servers in India because of India’s new data regulation laws. This information can be found on the Surfshark YouTube channel and the Surfshark blog.

Chatbot

We clicked on the chat button in the bottom-right corner of a Surfshark page to initiate a chat conversation. Our message was simply, “Connection issues.”

The Surfshark support chatbot requires you to provide your name and email before you can ask it a question.

We were quickly greeted by Sharkbot (the Surfshark chatbot) and sent down an automated process guided by different prompts.

The Surfshark chatbot asks you a number of questions to drill down to the issue you're having and help you find a resolution.

We weren’t actually having any connection issues with Surfshark, but the automated responses were much better than anticipated for a chatbot. It seems like if things start to get more complicated, Sharkbot refers you to a detailed guide on the Surfshark website.

You have the option to tell the Surfshark chatbot if its solution didn't help.

Live chat

After taking Sharkbot for a spin, we decided to see how an experience with a live representative would go. We initiated the switch from the chatbot to a real person by repeatedly telling the bot that the solutions weren’t working.

We were greeted by Pete less than a minute after Sharkbot said they’d get us a live agent.

Surfshark's live chat feature might be more helpful. We found our customer support rep, Pete, to be very cheerful.

We asked Pete whether it would be necessary to connect to a specific server for getting a specific streaming service to work. Or in other words, if there were dedicated Surfshark servers that users should use for spoofing their location and accessing different streaming platforms.

This is something we’ve run into with CyberGhost, and we were wondering if Surfshark was the same.

In the live chat with Pete, we asked if Surfshark requires you to use a specific server to watch US Netflix. He told us any of the US servers will work.

As it turns out, basically any Surfshark server in any country will do for accessing different content libraries. This is actually much better than having to use specific servers with CyberGhost.

Pete, our Surfshark customer support rep, also confirmed that any US server should work when we want to watch US Hulu, HBO Max, Paramount+, Disney+, and other streaming services.

Pete was very responsive, easy to understand, and helpful. The live chat is advertised as being 24/7, which is incredibly useful if all the customer service reps are like Pete.

Help center

The help center, Surfshark Help, provides links to many helpful resources, including setup guides, troubleshooting tutorials, and educational articles. You can also check the “Common topics and questions" area for quick solutions to frequently asked questions.

Some common questions with answers on the Surfshark support page include "How to bypass the Windows Defender false alarm?" and "How to make sure Surfshark is working?"

If you don’t see what you’re looking for on the main help center page, use the search bar to help find a specific topic.

Surfshark's Help Center includes a search function to help narrow down answers to your current issue.

Top alternatives

So you've gone through our Surfshark review, and you still aren't sold. There are plenty of fish in the sea, so we've compiled a list of tested VPNs to consider if Surfshark isn't checking all the boxes

Price $2.99–$17.99/mo $2.19–$11.99/mo $2.03–$6.99/mo
Free version
Max # of connected devices 10 Unlimited 7
# of servers 6,800+ servers in 111 countries Unlisted in 91 countries Unlisted in 100 countries
VPN protocol NordLynx (WireGuard), OpenVPN, IKEv2/IPsec WireGuard, OpenVPN WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2
Encryption AES-256-GCM AES-128-GCM AES 256-bit
No-logs policy No logs No logs No logs
Headquarters Panama United States Romania
Netflix access
Learn more Get NordVPN Get Private Internet Access Get CyberGhost

Surfshark FAQs


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Is Surfshark VPN trustworthy?

Yes, Surfshark VPN is trustworthy. It has a strict no-logs policy that was audited by Deloitte in January 2023 and offers high levels of privacy and security. 

Depending on your privacy needs, it may be concerning that Surfshark is headquartered in the Netherlands, a country that falls within the Nine Eyes and 14 Eyes global surveillance alliances.


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Is it worth getting Surfshark One?

Yes, it could be worth getting Surfshark One if you’re interested in a comprehensive cybersecurity suite with unlimited device connections. It only adds a few bucks per month to your VPN cost, and in addition to Surfshark VPN, Surfshark CleanWeb, and Alt ID, you get:

  • Surfshark Alert: Automatic data breach monitoring with real-time alerts
  • Surfshark Antivirus: 24/7 antivirus protection
  • Surfshark Search: Private and ad-free search engine

With Surfshark One+, you get all of those cybersecurity tools plus access to Incogni


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Does Surfshark work with Netflix?

Yes, Surfshark works with Netflix and other major streaming services. You can watch Netflix with Surfshark using VPN servers in the U.S., Canada, U.K., and Australia. 

Surfshark also works with other streaming services and platforms such as Prime Video, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, HBO Max, and Hulu.


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Is Surfshark free?

No, Surfshark isn’t free and typically costs between $1.99–$17.95/mo depending on your plan. Surfshark also offers a seven-day free trial for the VPN service. You can take Surfshark VPN for a spin by downloading the app via Google Play Store or Apple App Store and testing it out on your Android, macOS, or iOS device. 

Surfshark offers a 30-day money-back guarantee if you’re not happy with your purchase after that. So, you can really try Surfshark risk-free for 30 days.

Bottom line: Is Surfshark a good VPN?

Yes, Surfshark is a rock-solid VPN. It’s actually one of the best VPNs available because it provides loads of useful and user-friendly features without compromising on privacy or security. And with more than 3,200+ servers in 100 countries, you have plenty of options for establishing secure VPN connections.

Surfshark VPN is an excellent choice if you want a VPN service with fast speeds, good usability, and serious security. It’s also cheaper compared to other top VPN providers like ExpressVPN and NordVPN. But its location in the Netherlands — which is part of the Nine Eyes and 14 Eyes Alliances — may be unappealing.

For a VPN that doesn’t have its headquarters in a Five, Nine, or 14 Eyes Alliance country, check out the following comparisons: 

Unlimited Device Protection and Large Server Network
4.8
Editorial Rating
Learn More
On Surfshark's website
VPN
Surfshark
WINTER DEAL: From $1.99/mo + 4 months extra
  • One of the ONLY VPNs to offer unlimited simultaneous connections
  • Get worldwide access to streaming services like Netflix with 3,200+ servers in over 100 countries
  • Excellent safety features like real-time malware defense, webcam protection, and more
Author Details
Ben Walker is a security, travel, and credit card writer with a passion for all things internet and technology, whether it's using VPNs while away from home or organizing his life with password managers.
Steph Trejos is an Editor at All About Cookies, leveraging her expertise in the cybersecurity field. She holds a B.A. in English: Editing, Writing, and Media, as well as Media/Communications Studies. With over five years of professional writing experience, she has garnered recognition for her work on anti-financial crime topics, such as money laundering, terrorist financing, and cyberthreats.