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Best for Affordadility
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All-in-one VPN app with 24/7 protection thanks to 3,200+ RAM-only servers in over 100 countries
Real-time malware defense, webcam protection, alternative ID creation, ad blocking, and more
One subscription covers unlimited devices for your entire household with access to 24/7 support
Best for Maximum Privacy
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Easy to use
A strict no-logs policy that’s been tested in court
Surfshark and Proton VPN, two of the best VPNs, each have a lot to offer. The former is speedy and highly affordable. The latter is privacy-focused and has a rich history of building secure apps.
Which one is right for you? We'll go over the the differences between Surfshark and Proton VPN so you can make the call.
At first glance, Surfshark and Proton VPN have a lot in common: similar protocols, compatibility, and streaming support. But many of the key differences here are less obvious.
For example, Surfshark supports unlimited devices, while Proton VPN only lets you connect 10 at once. While that’s probably plenty, more is more.
In Proton’s favor, there’s a free plan available. This provider also has its own custom VPN protocol, Stealth, that may improve privacy by hiding the fact that you’re using a VPN, along with double the server count.
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| Price | $2.19–$17.95/mo | Free–$9.99/mo |
| Max # of connected devices | Unlimited | 10 |
| 24/7 customer support | ||
| Compatibility | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and more | Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and more |
| # of servers | 3,200+ servers in 100 countries | 6,300+ servers in 100 countries |
| VPN protocol | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Stealth |
| No-logs policy | No logs | No logs |
| Unblocks Netflix? | ||
| Learn more | Get Surfshark
Read Surfshark Review |
Get Proton VPN
Read Proton VPN Review |
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.
Despite being a newer service, Surfshark has clearly risen in the ranks of best VPNs services. For one, it allows you to connect an unlimited number of devices. That way, you can keep your entire household secure with one subscription.
Surfshark also has an easy-to-use app that can come naturally to VPN users of all experience levels. There are recommended options for fastest location and nearest country, as well as labels for different server types clearly at the top of the dashboard.
Finally, there’s the cost. Surfshark is significantly cheaper — basically half the price of Proton VPN. This automatically makes it the more attractive option for many and for good reason.
Proton VPN is more expensive than Surfshark, but its proven to be a worthwhile subscription. It offers over 6,000 servers in 100 countries, along with some specialty servers for security (double VPN), streaming, torrenting, and more.
Proton VPN is located in Switzerland, which is reassuring from a privacy perspective. It's outside of information sharing alliances and it has strong privacy laws. Plus, Proton's logs policy has been tested in court.
We also like that Proton VPN offers a free version with servers in five countries and and no caps on your speed or bandwidth.
Surfshark is the better value for its lower-priced basic plan and unlimited simultaneous connections.
Our Pick
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| Price | $2.19–$17.95/mo | Free–$9.99/mo |
| Best value plan | 24-month plan for $2.19/mo (billed every two years) | 24-month plan for $3.59/mo (billed every two years) |
| Money-back guarantee | Yes — 30 days | Yes — 30 days |
| Learn more | Get Surfshark
Read Surfshark Review |
Get Proton VPN
Read Proton VPN Review |
When it comes to pricing, Surfshark is quite a bit more affordable, but only if you go all-in on the full 24-month commitment. Surfshark's two-year plan is $2.19/mo (billed every two years), while Proton VPN's two-year plan is $3.59/mo (billed every two years).
If you opt for the month-to-month plan, the tables turn and Proton VPN is actually the more affordable option. Surfshark's monthly plan costs $15.45/mo and Proton's monthly plan costs $9.99/mo.
Compared to other VPN providers, Surfshark’s lowest price is very competitive, especially because it allows you to connect unlimited devices. This makes it a fantastic option if you’re looking to save money on a VPN.
Proton is pricier than many of its competitors, but it does make up for this with a free plan, which Surfshark lacks. Surfshark does offer two higher tiers, Surfshark One and Surfshark One+, which offer additional features like antivirus and identity protection.
Both Surfshark and Proton VPN offer 30-day money-back guarantees, which should be plenty of time to get a feel for the service and decide if it’s for you.
Surfshark and Proton VPN both accept a large number of different payment options, which is both convenient and great for privacy.
Generally, to maximize privacy you want to pay with a method that can’t be traced to you easily, which means cryptocurrencies and the like are fantastic options. However, flexible credit card payments are also convenient.
VPN connections tend to reduce internet performance. This is a natural result of routing your signal through distant servers.
We conducted internet speed tests to check how much of a performance hit each VPN causes. We start by recording our baseline speed, then we connect to servers worldwide to calculate the speed difference (which you can see in the table below).
| Server location | Our Pick
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| US | 4% slower | 15% slower |
| CA | 9% slower | 7% slower |
| UK | 9% slower | 21% slower |
| AU | 34% slower | 35% slower |
| Learn more | Get Surfshark | Get IPVanish |
Overall, Surfshark showed less performance reduction than Proton VPN with most of the servers we tested. Proton VPN slowed our speeds significantly more with the U.S., U.K., and Australian servers.
You can expect slower speeds with servers that are farther away because it takes longer for the data to travel from your physical location. This is probably why Surfshark and Proton VPN both decreased our speeds by over 30% with those servers.
Proton VPN is more secure due to its larger server network, privacy-friendly headquarters, and Stealth protocol.
| Feature |
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Our Pick
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| Number of servers | 3,200+ servers in 100 countries | 6,300+ servers in 100 countries |
| No-logs policy | No logs | No logs |
| VPN headquarters | The Netherlands | Switzerland |
| Encryption | AES-256-GCM | AES-256 or ChaCha20 |
| VPN protocol | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Stealth |
| Kill switch | ||
| Split tunneling | ||
| DNS leak protection | ||
| Ad blocker | ||
| Learn more | Get Surfshark
Read Surfshark Review |
Get Proton VPN
Read Proton VPN Review |
Surfshark and Proton VPN both offer very similar feature sets. They’ve got similar protocols; both have WireGuard available as well as similar encryption. Both have kill switches, split tunneling (called Bypasser on Surfshark), and a slew of other features to enhance privacy and make browsing better.
Proton does stand out by offering the Stealth protocol, which is designed to help hide the fact that you’re using a VPN. Proton also uses ChaCha20 encryption when using the WireGuard protocol. This is similar in strength to AES-256, just faster.
Proton also has significantly increased its server count. Now it has double the servers that Surfshark offers, with options for streaming, smart routing, and torrenting.
Both VPN providers completed independent audits to verify their no-logs policy. Surfshark was most recently audited by Deloitte, while Proton VPN was most recently audited by Securitum.
Unfortunately, Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, which is part of the Nine Eyes alliances. These are groups of countries that have agreed to share intelligence with other member countries. This could be of concern if privacy is top of mind. Alternatively, Proton VPN is headquartered in Switzerland, outside of the Eyes alliances.
Additionally, both Surfshark and Proton VPN come with ad blockers that help prevent malware. Proton VPN’s is called NetShield, and Surfshark’s is called CleanWeb.
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Ultimately, the main distinguishing factor between the two is likely going to be Proton’s existing reputation for security and privacy. ProtonMail has long been the standard for secure email, and having a VPN from the same company may be a major selling point for some.
It's neck and neck but we'll give the win to Surfshark for its user-friendly interface and additional browser support.
Our Pick
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| Windows | ||
| macOS | ||
| Android | ||
| iOS | ||
| Linux | ||
| Router | ||
| Smart devices | ||
| Customer support options | Yes — Chrome, Firefox, Edge | Yes — Chrome, Firefox |
| 24/7 customer support | ||
| Customer support options | Live chat, email, online guides | Live chat, email, online guides |
| Learn more | Get Surfshark
Read Surfshark Review |
Get Proton VPN
Read Proton VPN Review |
Surfshark and Proton VPN are both compatible with nearly any device you could want to use a VPN on, including Windows, Mac, mobile, and others. Both VPNs also offer relatively simple user interfaces that make navigating easy.
We did find Surfshark to have a much cleaner interface overall, but this is mostly personal preference. The design and color scheme was lighter and felt less cluttered compared to Proton’s dark mode look. (Though Surfshark also offers a dark mode as well.)
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Surfshark and Proton VPN offer the usual spread of customer service options, including phone, chatbot, live chat, and extensive online guides and social media resources. However, there are some notable differences here that sway things heavily in Surfshark’s favor.
First, Proton VPN doesn’t offer a 24/7 chat option — the hours are 3 a.m. to 11 p.m. EST. This is a big disadvantage. Second, and perhaps even more important, the rep from Surfshark gave us more useful information in a shorter timeframe than the rep from Proton VPN.
Both Proton VPN and Surfshark have a lot to offer VPN users. We wouldn’t outright say one is better than the other — rather that they likely appeal to different audiences.
Again, both Surfshark and Proton VPN performed well in our tests, including successfully masking our IP address and passing our WebRTC and DNS leak tests. We’re sure either one is an excellent choice.
Surfshark is an excellent VPN option. It’s got strong privacy and security features, an audited no-logs policy, and one of the lowest prices of any VPN on the market. The customer service is also quite good.
Our only real concern is the location of its headquarters. The Netherlands is part of the Nine Eyes Alliance, and thus your data might not be as secure as with some other providers. Of course, with no logs, there should be nothing for Surfshark to share, but it’s worth mentioning.
Surfshark is one of the most affordable VPN providers on the market and offers good speeds and strong privacy features. However, it won’t be for everybody.
There are a number of excellent VPN options available, so we have a hard time giving a single one the title of “best for everybody.”
From everything we’ve seen, Proton VPN appears to be very trustworthy. It’s got a verified no-logs policy and all the industry-standard security and privacy technologies we expect from a virtual private network.
The company also has a long history of providing privacy-focused services, which makes us feel better about trusting it as a VPN provider.
Surfshark and Proton VPN both bring their A-game to the table. Surfshark has a lower price, unlimited device connections, and a cleaner UI. Proton VPN has stronger privacy policies and better overall performance.
Ultimately, we think Surfshark is going to be the best option for most people, thanks mostly to the low cost. However, Proton VPN shouldn’t be overlooked. It’s hard to argue against a VPN from a privacy-focused company.
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All-in-one VPN app with 24/7 protection thanks to 3,200+ RAM-only servers in over 100 countries
Real-time malware defense, webcam protection, alternative ID creation, ad blocking, and more
One subscription covers unlimited devices for your entire household with access to 24/7 support
Surfshark and Proton VPN are only two of our favorite services in the VPN realm. If you're not sold on either, we recommend the following as suitable alternatives:
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| Price | $3.39–$15.99/mo | $2.03–$11.99/mo | $2.03–$12.99/mo |
| Free version | |||
| Max # of connected devices | 10 | Unlimited | 7 |
| # of servers | 6,400+ servers in 111 countries | Servers in 91 countries | Servers 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 |
All-in-one VPN app with 24/7 protection thanks to 3,200+ RAM-only servers in over 100 countries
Real-time malware defense, webcam protection, alternative ID creation, ad blocking, and more
One subscription covers unlimited devices for your entire household with access to 24/7 support
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