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Unlimited simultaneous connections for all your devices (Rare perk)
Block YouTube ads and malware when connected
4,500+ servers worldwide that are fast and reliable
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 is one of the best-value VPNs on the market, offering premium performance at an affordable price. We tested Surfshark across desktop and mobile devices, ran speed and streaming tests, and checked for DNS and WebRTC leaks. We also explored every feature, from its unlimited device connections to bonus tools like CleanWeb, Alternative ID, and Surfshark Antivirus.
In this hands-on Surfshark review, we’ll break down performance, pricing, security features, and real-world usability. Whether you want a VPN for streaming Netflix libraries abroad, protecting your data on public Wi-Fi, blocking ads, or securing multiple devices at once, we’ll help you decide if Surfshark is the right fit.
| Price | $1.99–$20.85/mo |
| Free version | No |
| Max # of connected devices | Unlimited |
| # of servers | 4,500+ 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 |
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.
Surfshark has a perfect star rating of 5.0 because of its affordable plan pricing, allowance for unlimited simultaneous connections, a robust server network and features, and an audited no-logs policy.
| Decision factor | Weight | Verdict |
| Our experience | 15% | 5.0 |
| Value | 11% | 5.0 |
| Features | 30.5% | 5.0 |
| Test results | 20% | 5.0 |
| Privacy and security | 9.5% | 5.0 |
| Compatibility | 3% | 5.0 |
| Customer service | 5% | 5.0 |
We last tested Surfshark on March 2, 2026.
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Unlimited simultaneous connections for all your devices (Rare perk)
Block YouTube ads and malware when connected
4,500+ servers worldwide that are fast and reliable
Every step of using Surfshark is easy, thanks to its user-friendly setup and interface. Once we installed Surfshark, it walked us through how to set up the virtual private network (VPN), antivirus, alternative ID, and other features included with our Surfshark One subscription.
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From the main dashboard, you can connect to the VPN, select recommended servers, and view specialized server options.
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We selected the Fastest Location for Surfshark to optimize our connection, but you can also pick the nearest country or the fastest server for several other countries. 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.
Even if you only have the Surfshark Starter plan, you get some handy extras with your subscription. Surfshark CleanWeb is one of our favorite ad blockers as it's able to easily block YouTube ads and clean up our browsing. You can also create Alternative IDs to avoid spam and keep your true email address private.
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We also test VPN mobile apps to see how well they work across devices. So, we downloaded the Surfshark app onto our Android and found a near-identical interface, making it easy for anyone to swap from one device to another.
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Note that Surfshark recommended we turn off the battery optimizer setting on our phone, as it can slow down your speeds and cause stutters. Even though we kept the battery optimizer turned on, Surfshark only averaged a 34% reduction in download speeds.
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We also appreciate that Surfshark includes several of its main features on the mobile app too. We could enable CleanWeb to block ads and trackers, bypass the VPN connection from the settings, and select multi-hop servers.
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Surfshark offers three plan tiers and three subscription lengths, with plans ranging in price from $1.99–$20.85/mo. You can choose a monthly, one-year, or two-year subscription.
Most VPN providers lower the overall cost of their services if you choose longer subscription plans. Surfshark follows the same pricing strategy.
Paying under $3.00/mo is one of the cheaper options available for top VPN apps. For example, ExpressVPN gets as low as $2.44/mo for a two-year subscription. NordVPN is cheaper than ExpressVPN, but it's still more expensive than Surfshark with a starting price of $3.39/mo.
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 | $3.19/mo | $1.99/mo |
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 seven-day free trial for Android, iOS, and macOS devices (as long as you download the app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store).
Surfshark payment options include:
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 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).
| Features | Starter | One | One+ |
| Surfshark VPN | |||
| Surfshark Alternative ID | |||
| Surfshark CleanWeb | |||
| Surfshark Alert | |||
| Surfshark Search | |||
| Surfshark Antivirus | |||
| Incogni | |||
| Learn more | View plan | View plan | View plan |
Surfshark Alert acts 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.
We were intrigued by Surfshark Search because we weren’t exactly sure what its purpose was or 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.
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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.
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Bonus features include webcam protection, a spyware and malware shield, and CleanWeb for phishing protection.
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.
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Surfshark's key features include:
Below, we'll detail all of Surfshark's features and how well they worked.
Surfshark has an average number of servers and a high number of countries compared to other popular top-tier VPNs, such as NordVPN and Proton VPN. NordVPN has 9,000+ servers and Proton VPN has 18,100+ servers.
Although Surfshark's server count isn't the highest, 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.
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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.
Surfshark has added 100 Gbps servers to its arsenal. Based in Amsterdam, these servers offer 10 times the capacity of the 10 Gbps standard.
That means more users can connect to the same server without overcrowding it, less buffering during gaming and video calls, and high-quality streaming.
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 such 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:
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 June 2025.
However, Surfshark is headquartered in the Netherlands. This is important because different countries have different laws regarding data retention, meaning one country might require VPNs to keep logs, whereas another 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. But the Netherlands is part of the Nine Eyes alliance, which shares intelligence with other member countries.
Given the Netherlands' data retention laws, this likely isn't too concerning. But you might prefer a VPN located in a country that isn’t part of a surveillance alliance.
For example, NordVPN is located in Panama, which isn’t part of the intelligence-sharing Eyes Alliances.
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.
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Surfshark offers a split-tunneling feature called “Bypasser,” which lets you choose which websites, IP addresses, and apps you don’t want to use a VPN for. 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.
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AES-256 is considered one of the strongest encryption standards available, and AES-256-GCM is a faster implementation of it. This type of encryption would take billions of years to crack using current technology.
Surfshark uses the OpenVPN and WireGuard protocols. OpenVPN and WireGuard are considered to be two of the most secure protocols available.
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Surfshark also uses the IKEv2 protocol, which is typically available for smartphones.
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 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 the U.S., U.K., Germany, Japan, and more. Find the Static IP option on the main VPN page in the Surfshark app.
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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.
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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.
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NoBorders mode automatically turns on when Surfshark detects that you’re in a location that may 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 settings.
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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.
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.
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Surfshark CleanWeb blocks ads, malware, and trackers when the VPN is connected. You can turn this feature on in the VPN settings of the Surfshark app.
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Check out our full Surfshark CleanWeb review to find out more about how this VPN add-on gets rid of those pesky ads, including YouTube video ads.
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Surfshark Alternative ID is included in all Surfshark plans. It's 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.
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.
We'll detail Surfshark's test results below.
We run speed tests to determine whether a VPN connection significantly slows internet speeds on a device. We tested internet speeds with Surfshark by first running an internet speed test without the VPN, then running tests while connected to different VPN servers worldwide.
These tests were run using a laptop running Windows 11 from a physical location in the U.S.
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| 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 delivered consistently strong performance across most regions, with only minor slowdowns in North America and impressive stability over long distances.
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We started by connecting to the Fastest Location option. Surfshark only dropped our download speeds by about 3%, though our latency increased a decent amount. However, 91 ms is still usable for most online activities.
Once we connected to servers across the pond, Surfshark remained solid on download speeds, retaining roughly 86% of baseline speeds. However, upload performance in the U.K. showed an outlier that may indicate temporary congestion.
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Ultimately, Surfshark's results show that it maintains excellent download consistency and competitive global performance.
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.
| US to US | US to UK | US to CA | US to AU | |
| Did it work with Netflix? |
We could access Netflix with Surfshark in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia without any errors, buffering, or lag. Despite not having any servers dedicated for streaming, Surfshark is a top choice for watching movies and television without the barriers of geo-restrictions.
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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.
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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.
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A kill switch is a standard VPN feature and 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 France. Then, we switched to a server in Germany.
The ipleak.net site only displayed DNS addresses in France and Germany, meaning the kill switch successfully prevented our real location from being revealed.
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| Compatibility | |
| Windows | |
| macOS | |
| Linux | Yes — Ubuntu 20.04+, MINT 20+, Debian 11+ |
| Android | |
| iOS | |
| Routers | |
| Browser extensions | Yes — Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, Microsoft Edge |
| Smart TVs | Yes — Apple TV, FireTV |
You can set up Surfshark with an unlimited number of devices, operating systems, browser extensions, and mobile apps.
| Support type | Surfshark |
| Email or live chat | |
| Phone | |
| Online guides or forums |
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.
We reached out via live chat to ask whether it’s necessary to connect to a specific server to get 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.
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The agent was very responsive, easy to understand, and helpful. The live chat is advertised as being 24/7, which is incredibly useful.
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.
In addition, Surfshark 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.
Surfshark is highly rated on both mobile app stores. All the featured iOS reviews gave Surfshark five stars, mentioning that the app is fast, reliable, and provides great value for money. On the Google Play Store, reviews mention that the app works well, though some mention connectivity issues.
Surfshark also has good Trustpilot reviews, with 75% of reviewers giving it five stars. Trustpilot reviews praise Surfshark's customer service for being friendly, helpful, and quick to respond.
If you’ve read through our Surfshark review and still aren’t sold, there are several strong alternatives to consider. So we've compiled a list of tested VPNs to consider if Surfshark isn't checking all the boxes. See how Surfshark compares:
 NordVPN |
 Surfshark |
 Proton VPN |
|
| Award | Best overall VPN | Best value VPN | Best privacy VPN |
| Star rating | |||
| Price | $3.39–$25.29/mo | $1.99–$20.85/mo | $2.99–$9.99/mo |
| Max # of connected devices | 10 | Unlimited | 10 |
| # of servers | 9,000+ servers in 130+ countries | 4,500+ servers in 100 countries | 18,100+ servers in 120+ countries |
| Netflix access | |||
| Learn more | Get NordVPN | Get Surfshark | Get Proton VPN |
Yes, Surfshark is one of the best VPNs available because it has lots of useful and user-friendly features without compromising on privacy or security. And with 4,500+ 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 users seeking top privacy standards.
Learn more about how Surfshark compares to other top services:
Yes, Surfshark VPN is trustworthy. It has a strict no-logs policy that was most recently audited by Deloitte in June 2025 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.
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 Alternative ID, you get:
With Surfshark One+, you get all of those cybersecurity tools plus access to Incogni.
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.
No, Surfshark isn’t free and typically costs between $1.99–$20.85/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. So, you can really try Surfshark risk-free for 30 days.
Unlimited simultaneous connections for all your devices (Rare perk)
Block YouTube ads and malware when connected
4,500+ servers worldwide that are fast and reliable
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