Surfshark VPN Review is a popular virtual private network service that provides users with secure and anonymous internet browsing. The VPN comes loaded with features such as unlimited simultaneous connections, a kill switch, and an ad blocker, making it an all-in-one solution for online privacy. Surfshark VPN also offers affordable pricing plans, making it one of the most budget-friendly VPN services in the market. Additionally, their 24/7 customer support team ensures that users can get help whenever they need it. In this review, we’ll delve deeper into the features of Surfshark VPN and explore its pricing plans to help you decide if it’s the right VPN for you.
Surfshark VPN Review 2024
Surfshark VPN is a popular virtual private network service that has gained significant traction among internet users worldwide. It offers a reliable and secure connection with fast speed, making it a suitable choice for streaming, gaming, and browsing. Moreover, Surfshark VPN has a strict no-logs policy, ensuring that your online activity remains private and secure. It also comes equipped with several advanced features such as Kill Switch, MultiHop, and CleanWeb to enhance your online privacy and security even further. Overall, Surfshark VPN is an excellent option for anyone looking for a trustworthy VPN service.
Our Verdict
With the internet becoming an integral part of our daily lives, online security has become a pressing issue. Hackers are constantly devising new ways to gain access to personal data, making it necessary to take preventive measures. Surfshark VPN offers a solution by acting as a shield for your cyberspace and providing protection against potential threats. It uses advanced encryption protocols to establish a secure connection between your device and the virtual servers, effectively hiding your local IP address from hackers who may try to target your personal, financial, health, and other sensitive information. This added layer of security makes it significantly more challenging for cybercriminals to track your online activities. By using Surfshark VPN, you can rest assured that your information is safe while browsing the internet.
What is Surfshark VPN?
Surfshark VPN ensures that your online activities and personal data remain private, whether you’re using the internet at home or public WiFi. It hides your local IP address and encrypts incoming and outgoing data, effectively preventing companies, hackers, and data brokers from tracking you. Furthermore, Surfshark VPN offers protection for your online transactions when connected to public Wi-Fi. It allows you to access geo-specific content and supports unlimited simultaneous connections on multiple devices. Indian users can even opt for a dedicated or fixed IP address. Surfshark boasts a vast network of over 3,200 VPN servers in more than 95 countries.
Surfshark VPN Privacy and Security
Surfshark VPN adheres to a strict policy of not keeping any logs. It employs advanced encryption protocols on its exclusive RAM-only servers, which do not gather any personal data from users. By utilizing the highly secure AES-256 encryption standard with 256-bit keys, Surfshark VPN ensures that your IP address remains completely concealed.
Camouflage Mode
Also providing you with full “camouflage mode” and making it significantly more difficult for anyone to track or snoop on your online activities. Additionally, Surfshark VPN offers two-factor authentication (2FA) as an extra security measure when logging into your account. You can also opt for add-ons that provide security alerts for potential data breaches, antivirus software to eliminate malware, and even a tool that detects spam attacks from data brokers.
What Sets Surfshark Apart?
Surfshark, a VPN provider in the market, has gained trust among its users due to independent audits conducted by top auditing firms like Cure53 and Deloitte. These audits have confirmed that Surfshark’s IT systems and management configuration fully adhere to their no-logs policy. This is a significant achievement for Surfshark in the highly competitive cybersecurity market, as it reassures users that their online activities are not being monitored or logged. By ensuring data privacy and security, Surfshark has positioned itself as a reliable VPN provider that users can depend on for their online protection needs.
Pros
Registered Indian users have the option to select a dedicated IP from two servers, making Surfshark one of the few VPNs that offers this feature instead of a shared IP address. It allows unlimited device support and includes features like kill switch, multihop, split tunneling, and more. All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. Additionally, many users have praised Surfshark’s customer care representatives for their patience throughout the entire process on review sites like Trustpilot.
Cons
Certain individuals have encountered difficulties when trying to access geo-specific streaming OTT programs, as well as experiencing problems with automatic renewal and obtaining refunds. Additionally, the monthly pricing for its VPN features is slightly higher in comparison to other competitors who offer similar services.
Surfshark VPN Pricing
Surfshark VPN provides more affordable pricing options compared to its competitors. There are three plans available, allowing users to select the features they desire. The prices vary based on the billing cycle: monthly, one-year, and two-year contracts. Users can choose from these options. Additionally, all plans come with a 30-day money back guarantee. This means that if users are not satisfied with the service for technical reasons, they can request a full refund as long as they cancel their plan within one month.
Surfshark VPN Core Features
Some of the major features of Surfshark VPN includes:
MultiHop: Surfshark’s MultiHop feature enhances security by directing your traffic through two servers instead of just one. Nevertheless, there may be a slight decrease in speed as the data travels longer distances. Surfshark recommends connecting to a nearby regular server for optimal speed.
VPN split tunneling (Bypasser): Surfshark’s Bypasser helps you choose which websites you want to run on a VPN server and the rest that can be surfed using the local IP.
Anonymous browsing: Surfshark VPN hides your real IP address and goes into what the company calls “camouflage mode,” obscuring the fact that you’re using a VPN from your internet provider. The VPN company doesn’t keep activity logs, such as information on your browsing history and DNS queries.
Dedicated IP: A dedicated IP option is available for registered Indian users to choose from two servers, making it among few VPNs to provide the feature to avail of a fixed IP address than shared. A fixed, or the same, IP address is given to users every time they connect to the VPN server instead of a shared IP address which is randomly assigned by the provider.
Kill Switch: A Kill Switch protects users’ privacy when their internet connection drops unexpectedly. It automatically deactivates your internet connection to protect users’ information from being exposed, and connects when internet restores.
Other Benefits & Security
To ensure your online safety, you can use various add-ons that detect viruses and malware on all your connected devices in real-time. Additionally, security alerts notify you of any potential data breaches, enabling you to take the necessary precautions to safeguard your sensitive information. Surfshark Search is another tool that allows you to browse the internet without being bombarded with ads or having your activity logged. This feature provides users with greater privacy while surfing the web and ensures they are not tracked by advertisers or cybercriminals. By using these tools, you can significantly reduce the risk of falling victim to online attacks and protect yourself against potential threats.
Surfshark VPN Setup
To install the Surfshark VPN software, you will need to create an account and select a plan. Once you have chosen your desired plan, you can proceed to download it. After that, log in to your Surfshark account using two-factor authentication (2FA). The software will automatically connect you to one of their virtual servers. However, if you prefer, you also have the option to manually select servers according to your preferences.
Surfshark Ease of Use
After logging in, you will have the ability to explore the various features and understand their purposes, allowing you to easily use the VPN. The interface is designed to be user-friendly and it allows for unlimited connections to devices covered by the plan, including Windows and macOS computers, Android and iOS smartphones, as well as streaming devices.
Surfshark Servers and Locations
Surfshark is one of the few VPN providers that has taken the step of removing its physical server in India. This decision was made in response to new laws imposed by the Government of India, which now require VPN providers, VPS, and cloud storage platforms to keep records of customer logs for a period of 180 days. Additionally, these providers are also required to collect and retain excessive customer data for a duration of five years.
Requirements & Logs Policy
These requirements directly contradict Surfshark’s no-logs policy. However, despite the removal of their physical server in India, Indian users can still connect to Surfshark’s extensive network of over 3,200 servers spread across 100 countries. These servers are located in regions such as the U.S., the Middle East and Africa, the Americas, and Europe. It is worth noting that Surfshark’s number of servers is lower in comparison to some of its competitors like NordVPN (5,442) and Private Internet Access (24,000).
Surfshark Speed and Performance
According to Ookla’s publicly available speed test, Surfshark is among the top VPNs in terms of speed and performance. While internet speed may vary while using a VPN due to factors such as location, ISP, server location, and devices used, Surfshark has consistently received high ratings for providing fast internet connections. This is especially important for users who want to stream or download content without experiencing any lag or buffering. In addition to its fast speeds, Surfshark also offers strong encryption and security features, making it a reliable choice for anyone looking to protect their online privacy.
Surfshark Security and Privacy
TRenowned auditing companies such as Cure53 and Deloitte have undertaken an impartial examination of Surfshark’s operations. According to their findings, Surfshark’s IT systems and management adhere to their no-logs policy. Consequently, Surfshark has established itself as a dependable VPN provider that users can confidently trust for enhanced cybersecurity.
No-Logs Policy
Surfshark is a VPN service that adheres to a stringent no-logs policy, which implies that they do not gather any personal information or user logs. This indicates that they do not keep records of your online activity, such as your browsing history or the websites you visit. As a result, Surfshark respects its users’ privacy and ensures complete anonymity while using their services. This feature is crucial for those who value their online privacy and want to keep their sensitive information secure from prying eyes.
Multifactor Authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is a valuable security feature that adds an extra layer of protection to your online accounts, including VPN accounts. With 2FA enabled, users have to provide an additional piece of information, such as a unique code sent to their phone or email, in addition to their login credentials to access their account. This helps prevent unauthorized access and strengthens the overall security of the account. It is highly recommended for anyone concerned about online security and privacy.
How Surfshark VPN Stacks Up
Surfshark Customer Support
Surfshark VPN offers round-the-clock assistance through live chat, ensuring that you will always have access to customer support (not automated bots) when troubleshooting any problems you encounter. Additionally, Surfshark provides informative blogs and FAQs to help resolve any issues. Numerous users have expressed their satisfaction with the patience demonstrated by Surfshark’s customer care representatives throughout the entire process, as evidenced by their positive reviews on platforms like Trustpilot.
Surfshark Device Compatibility
Surfshark VPN offers the convenience of connecting to an unlimited number of devices simultaneously. However, to ensure optimal connectivity, it is advised to utilize a maximum of 10 devices per plan. Please find below the assortment of devices that are compatible with Surfshark VPN.
Desktops and laptops: Windows, macOS and Linux operating systems
Smartphones and tablets: Android and iOS devices
Certain Wi-Fi routers
Streaming devices: LG TV, Apple TV and Android TV
Gaming consoles: PlayStation, Nintendo Switch and Xbox.
How Fast Is Surfshark?
| Devices tested on | MacBook Pro 2011 | Acer Aspire 5 (Windows 10) |
|---|---|---|
| Ping without VPN (in ms) | 54 | 7 |
| Ping with VPN (in ms) | 53 | 199 |
| Ping difference | 2% | 2742% |
| Macbook download speed without VPN (in mbps) | 16.21 | 23.69 |
| Download speed with VPN (in mbps) | 11.87 | 19.61 |
| Download speed difference | 31% | 17% |
| Upload speed without VPN (in mbps) | 22.01 | 24.09 |
| Upload speed with VPN (in mbps) | 24 | 10.58 |
| Upload speed difference | 9% | 56% |
Surfshark vs. PureVPN
Surfshark and PureVPN both provide plans with a wide range of features. However, Surfshark is more affordable compared to PureVPN. In terms of device compatibility, Surfshark allows unlimited connections while PureVPN supports up to 10 devices per account. Additionally, Surfshark offers a dedicated IP option for users whereas PureVPN does not have this feature. Both VPN providers offer a kill switch, split tunneling, and have a strict no-logs policy.
Surfshark vs. ExpressVPN
Surfshark is a more affordable option compared to ExpressVPN and allows for an unlimited number of devices. While ExpressVPN does not provide a dedicated IP, it does offer an ExpressVPN-compatible router that can safeguard all your devices at once. On the other hand, Surfshark does not have its own router but does support connectivity for an unlimited number of devices.
Surfshark vs. NordVPN
Surfshark has been rated slightly higher than NordVPN. While NordVPN’s plans are a little more expensive and only support up to six devices, it also lacks the option for users to have a dedicated IP. However, both VPN providers offer various features such as 24/7 customer support, kill switch, no-logs policy, and split tunneling.
Is Surfshark Right for You?
Surfshark is a reliable and secure VPN that caters to both personal and business use. Its advanced features, including AES-256-GCM encryption, a strict no-logs policy, and multi-hop VPN tunneling, provide top-notch security and privacy for its users. Additionally, Surfshark offers unlimited simultaneous connections on a single account, making it an excellent choice for businesses that require multiple VPN connections. Its user-friendly interface and affordable pricing plans make it a popular choice among VPN users.
Business and Personal Use
Surfshark VPN proves to be beneficial for individuals, particularly professionals who work remotely and need a secure online environment. It is also advantageous for businesses as it allows unlimited devices per plan. Additionally, Surfshark offers features such as adblocker, protection against malicious ads, malware, phishing, and spam attempts.
Dedicated IPS
Furthermore, Surfshark stands out from other VPNs by providing users with a fixed or dedicated IP address each time they connect to the VPN server instead of using a shared IP address that is randomly assigned by the provider.
Summary The main point or Conclusion
Surfshark is a secure and fast VPN service that offers versatile options for accessing the web while protecting your privacy. By using Surfshark, users can enjoy peace of mind knowing their online activity is secure and cannot be tracked by others. With its multiple VPN protocol options, Surfshark allows you to do everything you normally do online, without any restrictions or limitations. Whether you want to stream your favorite shows, browse social media, or access sensitive information, Surfshark has got you covered with its reliable and flexible VPN services.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Surfshark a good VPN?
Indeed, Surfshark ranks among the top VPN service providers according to our analysis. This widely-used VPN software effectively safeguards your online privacy by preventing your Internet service provider (ISP) from monitoring your connection. It achieves this by concealing your IP (Internet Protocol) address, ensuring that your browsing activities remain untraceable. Notably, Surfshark allows for unlimited device connections, making it suitable for both personal and professional use. Additionally, it is compatible with various operating systems including Windows, Android, iOS Mac, and Linux.
Will Surfshark slow my speeds down?
Surfshark VPN offers a consistently speedy connection. Nevertheless, there may be an average decrease in speed of around 15% to 30% when using different servers. With that being said, to enhance your VPN connection speed, consider connecting to servers in nearby countries that have the least amount of server load. Additionally, switching your VPN protocol can help improve the speed to some extent.
Can I share my Surfshark VPN Subscription?
Surfshark VPN enables you to use your subscription on multiple mobile and desktop devices without any limitations.
What are the benefits of a dedicated IP address?
A dedicated IP refers to an unchanging IP address allocated to users. This offers users the advantage of not having to share or be connected with other users through their IP address. There are numerous advantages to using a fixed IP. For example, if an individual violates Netflix’s terms and conditions, their IP may be blocked. Consequently, no one sharing the same IP can access Netflix. In a similar vein, a fixed IP for gaming provides enhanced protection against DDoS attacks, among other benefits.
Is Surfshark a Chinese company?
Surfshark Ltd., the parent company of Surfshark, is not a Chinese or Hong Kong-based company. Instead, it was founded in 2018 and is headquartered in the Netherlands.