Surfshark review

Surfshark is the budget pick among the big VPNs: it costs less than NordVPN or ExpressVPN on long plans, yet it covers everything most people need – audited no-logs, RAM-only servers, torrenting with a kill switch, and an ad and malware blocker. Its standout feature is simple: unlimited devices on a single account.

What is Surfshark?

Surfshark launched in 2018 and is now registered in the Netherlands. In 2022 it merged with Nord Security, the company behind NordVPN, but the two still run as separate products. It has servers in around 100 countries, all running in RAM only, so nothing is stored on disk. Some locations are virtual, which Surfshark does not always make clear.

Is Surfshark safe?

Yes, for everyday privacy. Surfshark’s no-logs policy has been audited by Deloitte (most recently in 2025), and its apps and extensions have been checked by Cure53. It uses AES-256-GCM and ChaCha20 encryption, has DNS leak protection and a kill switch on every app, and publishes transparency reports. The one thing privacy purists point out is the jurisdiction: the Netherlands is part of the Nine Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance, unlike NordVPN’s Panama or ExpressVPN’s British Virgin Islands.

Is Surfshark good for torrenting?

Yes. P2P is allowed on most servers with no bandwidth limits, and the kill switch keeps your real IP away from the swarm if the connection drops. Bypasser (split tunneling) lets you send only your torrent client through the VPN, and CleanWeb blocks ads, trackers and malicious domains – useful on popup-heavy streaming and download sites. Like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, Surfshark has no port forwarding, which can slow down seeding on some private trackers.

Surfshark speed and protocols

Surfshark uses WireGuard by default, with OpenVPN and IKEv2 as alternatives, plus Camouflage Mode to hide VPN traffic on networks that block VPNs. Independent tests report a modest speed loss on nearby servers and a bigger drop on distant ones – fine for streaming in HD or 4K, though NordVPN is usually a little faster.

Does Surfshark work with Netflix and streaming?

Reviews consistently report that it unblocks Netflix in several countries, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Prime Video and others. Apps cover Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Fire TV and Apple TV, plus Chrome, Firefox and Edge extensions, and Smart DNS for consoles and smart TVs. With unlimited devices, one account covers a whole household.

Surfshark price and plans

There are three plans – Starter, One (adds antivirus, breach alerts and private search) and One+ (adds data-removal tools). On the long promotional plans, Starter starts at around $2 per month, against roughly $15 on a monthly plan; prices vary by country and promotion, and renewals cost noticeably more. Every plan includes unlimited devices and a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Surfshark vs NordVPN and ExpressVPN

Surfshark is the cheapest of the three and the only one with unlimited devices. NordVPN is usually faster and has more servers, and ExpressVPN has the most polished apps and a non-Nine-Eyes jurisdiction. If price and device count matter most, Surfshark is the one to pick. All our VPN picks are in the VPN category.

Surfshark FAQ

Is Surfshark free?

No. There is a 30-day money-back guarantee on every plan, and a free trial on some mobile platforms.

Does Surfshark keep logs?

Surfshark says it keeps no logs of your activity, and its no-logs policy has been audited by Deloitte.

Can I use Surfshark for torrenting?

Yes, P2P is allowed on most servers, with a kill switch and no bandwidth limits. There is no port forwarding.

How many devices can I use with Surfshark?

Unlimited, on every plan.

Verdict

Surfshark is the best value among the big VPNs: audited, fast enough for streaming and torrenting, ad-blocking built in, and no limit on devices. Pick a long plan during a sale and turn off auto-renew if you want to compare prices again later.