Surfshark vs. Bitdefender VPN 2025: Best Features for Your Budget

Surfshark and Bitdefender VPN are two of our top VPN recommendations, but Surfshark takes the lead in value, features, speed, and support. Surfshark has a user-friendly interface, allows unlimited simultaneous connections, and offers extensive features for an affordable price.

However, we recommend Bitdefender VPN for short-term use if you need a VPN, as its monthly pricing is significantly cheaper than Surfshark's. In fact, the monthly price is about half of what you'd expect to pay for any typical monthly VPN plan. Plus, you can bundle Bitdefender VPN with one of the best antivirus programs. 

In this Surfshark vs. Bitdefender VPN comparison, we'll cover the strengths and weaknesses of these two services. 

Surfshark vs. Bitdefender VPN at a glance

• Surfshark: Best for fast speeds
• Bitdefender VPN: Best monthly plan

	Our Pick
Star rating	AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.	AllAboutCookies writers and editors score products based on a number of objective features as well as our expert editorial assessment. Our partners do not influence how we rate products.
Price	From $1.99/mo	From $2.92/mo
Max # of connected devices	Unlimited	10
24/7 customer support
Compatibility	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Firefox	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
# of servers	4,500+ servers in 100 countries	3,000+ servers in 100+ countries
VPN protocol	Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Chrome, Edge, Firefox	Windows, macOS, Android, iOS
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs
Unblocks Netflix?
Learn more	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review	Get Bitdefender VPN Read Bitdefender VPN Review

Surfshark pros and cons

Surfshark is an easy-to-use VPN packed with features to help you stay protected online. It offers three tiers of plans: Surfshark Starter, Surfshark One, and Surfshark One+. 

The Starter plan includes the VPN and an ad blocker, while higher-tier plans add features such as antivirus protection, credit alerts, and data removal services.

Bitdefender VPN pros and cons

Bitdefender VPN can cover up to 10 devices at a time, and it works on Windows, Android, macOS, and iOS. Bitdefender offers only one plan, Premium VPN, available for $2.92/mo.

Which VPN is the better value?

	Our Pick
Price range	$1.99–$20.65/mo	$2.92–$6.99/mo
Best value plan	24 month plan for $1.99/mo	12 month plan for $2.92/mo
Money-back guarantee	Yes — 30 days	Yes — 30 days
Learn more	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review	Get Bitdefender VPN Read Bitdefender VPN Review

Surfshark offers several plan tiers, starting with Surfshark Starter (just the VPN), to the full Surfshark One+ security suite. Bitdefender VPN has only one plan tier, but you can purchase a Bitdefender antivirus bundle that includes its VPN. 

For the best deal, it’s advantageous to purchase a VPN subscription for two years with Surfshark. With a two-year commitment, Surfshark costs only $1.99/mo and it allows unlimited simultaneous connections. 

Bitdefender VPN's best value plan is $2.92/mo with a one-year commitment. 

Although Bitdefender has a higher starting price, it's more affordable as a short-term subscription. If you want to purchase a VPN solution for only one month, you’ll pay $15.45/mo with Surfshark and $6.99/mo with Bitdefender.

Payment options

Most VPN solutions give you several different payment options, and these two VPNs are no different. Below are the payment options for each provider.

Surfshark payment options

• Credit card
• PayPal
• Apple Pay
• Google Pay
• Cryptocurrency

Bitdefender VPN payment options

• Credit card
• PayPal
• Google Pay
• UnionPay

Which VPN is faster?

One factor to consider when choosing a VPN is how connecting to it affects your overall internet speed. A VPN connection is expected to slow speeds slightly, but it shouldn’t significantly affect your connection.

Here’s how Surfshark and Bitdefender performed when we were connected to servers around the world.

Server location	Our Pick
Average speed change	8% faster	23% slower
Learn more	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review	Get Bitdefender VPN Read Bitdefender VPN Review

Historically, Surfshark has maintained speeds much better than Bitdefender VPN. Surfshark has even increased our download speeds and reduced our latency in the past. Bitdefender VPN came in 20th out of the 50 VPNs we've reviewed, while Surfshark came in fourth. 

Which VPN is more secure?

Feature	Our Pick
Number of servers	4,500+ servers in 100 countries	3,000+ servers in 100+ countries
No-logs policy	No logs	No logs
VPN headquarters	Netherlands	Romania
Encryption	AES-256-GCM	AES-256
VPN protocol	WireGuard, IKEv2, OpenVPN	WireGuard, OpenVPN, Hydra
Kill switch
Split tunneling
DNS leak protection
Ad blocker
Learn more	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review	Get Bitdefender VPN Read Bitdefender VPN Review

Surfshark has servers in more countries than Bitdefender, which gives you access to additional streaming libraries and helps you connect to a specific country.

Bitdefender and Surfshark both offer an ad blocker as part of the VPN, and you’ll get access to key features like kill switch, split tunneling, and DNS leak protection with both VPN services.

Surfshark offers several advanced features, including dynamic multihop, which lets you connect through two or more servers for stronger encryption. There are also static IP addresses available on all plans and dedicated IP addresses for purchase. 

Both Surfshark and Bitdefender have no-log policies, which help users have even more anonymity. In 2025, Surfshark’s no-logs policy was verified by Deloitte and in 2022, Bitdefender's no-logs policy was audited by Aon Cyber Solutions.  But we'd like to see more frequent third-party audits from Bitdefender VPN.

Which VPN has the best compatibility and customer support?

	Our Pick
Windows
macOS
Android
iOS
Linux
Routers
Smart devices
Browser extensions	Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Edge
24/7 customer support
Customer support options	Live chat, email, online guides	Live chat, email, phone, online guides, forums
Learn more	Get Surfshark Read Surfshark Review	Get Bitdefender VPN Read Bitdefender VPN Review

While both Surfshark and Bitdefender offer 24/7 support, Surfshark’s support options are much more accessible. To access Bitdefender’s support channels, you must first answer several chatbot questions before being connected to an agent.

If you’re planning on using a VPN while using a Windows or Mac computer or while on an iPhone or Android phone, either VPN solution will work. Surfshark also goes above and beyond by offering support for routers and smart devices.

Surfshark vs. Bitdefender VPN alternatives

There are other reliable VPN solutions if Surfshark and Bitdefender don’t meet your needs. See how Surfshark compares:

FAQs

Is Surfshark or Bitdefender VPN better?

Overall, Surfshark is the better option, especially if you’re looking for an affordable, long-term VPN solution.

Whether you’re experienced at using a VPN or just discovering the technology for the first time, Surfshark makes it easy for you to understand its features and how to use it. It’s also convenient to contact customer support.

Surfshark supports more device types and browser extensions, while Bitdefender is limited to Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS. Plus, Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections.

But Bitdefender still offers a quality VPN with thousands of servers, and you can opt for a seven-day free trial to decide if it's right for you.