Surfshark Review – Affordable and Packed with Features

Surfshark is known for being one of the most affordable VPNs out there. But it offers much more than just a low price. It’s considered the best all-rounder on the market. It works great for streaming, torrenting, and has top-notch privacy and security features.

It also has a huge network of over 3,200 servers, all protected with private DNS.

But, its low price is only for those who sign up for two years. We dug deep to check out every part of Surfshark. We looked at supported protocols, security, and privacy features, and more. Here’s what we found in our detailed Surfshark review.

TL; DR – Table Overview of Crucial Surfshark Features 

How Fast is Surfshark? – Speed and Performance Test

Surfshark is known for its fast speeds, perfect for all online activities. Their speeds are consistent, stable, and reliable. The first thing we noticed was how easy their apps are to use.

When you open any app and want to connect to Surfshark, you have many options. The app lets you browse an A-Z list of Surfshark’s locations or use the search bar to find servers quickly. You also have quick-select settings like “Fastest server”, “Nearest server”, “Static IP”, and “MultiHop”. We’ve tested each option to give you accurate results.

To test Surfshark’s speed without outside interference, we used a dedicated network for 1-2 users. Before testing Surfshark’s speed, we ran tests to set a baseline. Here’s how our network performs without Surfshark:

First, we checked our network’s base speed. Then, we tested Surfshark’s automatic “Fastest server” location speed:

Afterward, we tested how Surfshark performs when we select the “Nearest country” recommended location:

Next, we tested Surfshark’s MultiHop server performance. Here’s how Surfshark performed when running our connection through two VPN servers:

Lastly, we picked a server on the other side of the world. Here’s how Surfsark executes remote server connections:

Even when we ran our network connection through two Surfshark VPN servers, the network was very usable. The upload speed didn’t even budge a bit. After several dozen speed tests, we were very pleased to see how fast and stable Surfshark was.

It performed well on every test. This made it an excellent service for both local and remote server connections.

Surfshark Servers – Locations and Availability

Surfshark has about 3200 servers in 65 countries worldwide. But, it’s not just about the numbers. Their server network is top-notch. Every server is the same quality.

Choosing any Surfshark server means you get the same service. Each server is secure with private DNS and supports P2P. They also work with OpenVPN and IPSec/IKEv2.

In 2020, Surfshark moved to a diskless server network running on RAM. This keeps your online privacy safe. Any server info is erased when it’s turned off.

Also, Surfshark has a few virtual servers. But, most of their servers are physical. You can easily avoid virtual servers if you prefer.

Is Surfshark Safe? – Analysis of their Security Features

Yes, Surfshark provides a safe VPN experience. Here’s a look at their safety features:

• Camouflage Mode – This feature hides your VPN traffic. It helps avoid VPN blocks and keeps your network safe.
• Private DNS on Each Server – Surfshark’s private DNS on each server boosts your privacy. It keeps your DNS requests private from ISPs.
• CleanWeb – CleanWeb blocks malware and ads. It protects you from phishing and keeps your data safe while browsing.
• Multi-hop – Surfshark’s Multi-hop routes your connection through two servers. It adds extra security for your data.
• Whitelister – Surfshark’s Whitelister is a unique split-tunneling feature. It lets you choose what to bypass or use with a VPN.
• Kill-switch – Surfshark’s kill-switch is available on many platforms. It cuts off your network if there’s a connection drop.
• NoBorders Mode – This mode helps bypass network restrictions. It’s available on many platforms for better streaming and access.

Surfshark also offers top-notch encryption. Their network is protected by AES-GCM-256. This is combined with perfect forward secrecy and asymmetric authentication.

Does Surfshark Log User Data?

No, Surfshark does not collect or log any user data. They don’t keep track of your IP address, the VPN servers you use, or your network traffic. They also don’t monitor your browsing, downloading, or purchases. The only information they store is your email address and billing details.

The company had also undergone an audit from the renowned Cure53 back in 2018. But, this audit only covered their browser extensions and left a lot to be desired in all other apps.

We’re glad they’re working on being transparent. But, we’re waiting for a full audit of all their apps. This would make Surfshark even more trustworthy.

Surfshark Available Protocols

VPN protocols are rules that connect your VPN service to you. The screenshot from their Windows app shows Surfshark’s protocols. Let’s look at each Surfshark supported protocol:

• IKEv2 – This protocol is fast but focuses on security. It works best on local servers. Surfshark supports IKEv2 on many platforms.
• OpenVPN (TCP vs. UDP) – Surfshark offers both TCP and UDP for OpenVPN. It’s great for fast, secure connections. OpenVPN is available on many platforms.
• WireGuard – This protocol is simple and popular. It’s easy to manage and works on many platforms. Wireguard is available on Surfshark apps for Windows, Android, iOS, and macOS.
• Shadowsocks – This protocol is for countries with strict internet rules. It only works for browser traffic. Shadowsocks is available on Android and Windows apps.

The screenshot shows the default setting is “Automatic”. This lets the VPN choose the best protocol for you. The default is usually OpenVPN or Wireguard.

How Reliable is Surfshark for Streaming?

Surfshark is great for streaming. It can access any Netflix library and streams in Full HD. It worked well on servers in the US, UK, Australia, and Japan.

Surfshark also beats geo-blocks. It worked on HBO GO, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, and Disney+.

NoBorders Mode and Camouflage Mode help Surfshark on strict platforms. CleanWeb setting blocks ads. Surfshark is among the best for streaming.

Surfshark P2P Support – Can You Torrent Using this VPN?

If you’re searching for a reliable VPN for torrenting, Surfshark is a top choice. Surfshark is perfect for torrenting and P2P file sharing because all servers support these activities. This is different from most VPNs, which only allow P2P on certain servers. Surfshark lets you torrent on any server you prefer.

To see how Surfshark performs for torrenting, we decided to test it ourselves. We followed the same steps as our speed test. First, we downloaded a file without a VPN to check our network’s P2P speed. Here’s what we found:

First, we downloaded a file without using a VPN. Then, we connected to Surfshark’s “Fastest server” option. We downloaded the same file again to see how Surfshark worked for torrenting.

Looking at the two images, you’ll notice a drop in download speed. Yet, it’s not too bad, reaching almost 3/5s of our original speed. But, it was surprising to see that Surfshark actually helped improve the upload speed by over 50 percent.

Unfortunately, Surfshak doesn’t offer a port forwarding feature as of yet. They should add this soon. It would make them even better for torrenting.

How Expensive is Surfshark? – An Overview of Their Pricing Plans

Surfshark has three plans like most VPNs. These are the monthly, 6-month, and 2-year subscription plans. Let’s dive into the cost of each plan:

Looking at the image, Surfshark seems pricey if you choose a monthly plan. But, things change if you go for the longest plan.

Committing to 24 months makes Surfshark less than two and a half bucks per month. This makes it one of the cheapest VPNs, with lots of features at a low price.

When you buy a Surfshark subscription, you get many payment options. You can use credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Google Pay, and even crypto payments. This makes it easy to pay, no matter where you are.

Can I try Surfshark for Free?

No, Surfshark doesn’t offer a free trial. But, they have a 30-day money-back guarantee. This means you can try it for free, risk-free. Just remember, some purchases can’t be refunded.

Surfshark Apps and Extensions

Surfshark is known for its easy-to-use apps. We’ve reviewed each one for you:

Surfshark for Windows

The Windows app is easy to use and very versatile. You can customize it to fit your needs. It works on Windows 7 or newer.

It supports speeds up to 1Gbit and has all the features you need. The Windows app includes Whitelister, CleanWeb, NoBorders, MultiHop, and a kill-switch.

Surfshark for macOS

Surfshark’s macOS app is fast and easy to use. It has the same features as the Windows app but is more streamlined.

You can download it from Surfshark’s site or the Mac App Store. It requires at least macOS 10.12 (Sierra).

Surfshark for Android

Surfshark offers the same features on all platforms, including Android. Android users get a kill-switch, all supported protocols, and MultiHop.

Android users can also use the Override GPS Location setting. This makes Surfshark one of the best VPNs for mobile.

Surfshark for iOS

iPhone devices are known for their privacy. Surfshark’s iOS app protects your experience without slowing it down.

The iOS app is similar to the Android app. It has private DNS, a kill-switch, and top VPN protocols.

Surfshark Browser Extensions

Surfshark offers two browser extensions, for Chrome and Firefox. This is fewer than some VPNs, but their quality is high.

The extensions offer many key features, including 3,2000+ servers. They’re great for streaming but not for P2P file sharing.

Surfshark for Routers

Surfshark lets you protect your whole network with a VPN. You can secure all devices by setting it up on your router. Setting up Surfshark on your router is quite easy.

First, check if your router supports Surfshark. Also, make sure it works after updating its firmware. Surfshark works with many routers and even offers some pre-installed ones.

Surfshark Apps for Other Devices

Surfshark also protects many home devices. You can set up this VPN on XBOX, Playstation, and Linux devices. Also, Surfshark apps work with lots of smart TVs and Apple TV and Amazon Fire TV apps.

For consoles, you need to set up DNS settings manually. But Surfshark gives detailed guides for each platform.

How to Install Surfshark?

The steps to install Surfshark vary by platform. But, Surfshark apps are simple to install on all devices. Here’s how to install Surfshark on your devices:

1. Visit Surfshark’s site and pick a plan
2. Download the app from Surfshark’s site
3. Install the app and enter your login details
4. Choose a server and start using Surfshark!

Surfshark Customer Support and User Experience

Surfshark has reliable customer support available 24/7. They have a huge Help Center with guides, troubleshooting, and FAQs. This makes it easy to find answers to your VPN questions.

Their troubleshooting section is easy to navigate. It covers various topics, helping you find articles that solve your VPN issues. Most articles are detailed, so you might not need to contact support.

But, if you need help, you can contact Surfshark through live chat or by submitting a request. You’ll need to verify your email address.

Live chat is faster for urgent questions. You can get help in seconds. For less urgent issues, submitting a request is fine, but it might take a few hours.

Whether you chat or submit a request, you’ll need to verify your email. We’ve contacted their support many times and always found them friendly and helpful.

Surfshark User Reviews on Google Play

Surfshark is a top choice for Android users. It has over 22,000 reviews on Google Play with an average rating of 4.3. Users appreciate how Surfshark responds to feedback and questions.

Surfshark’s team is quick to help, no matter the issue. They provide useful tips and links. This shows their commitment to customer satisfaction. Here are some recent comments from users:

What does Reddit Think of Surfshark?

Surfshark may not have a big Reddit community like some rivals. Yet, you can find lots of helpful threads about their services. Most Reddit users say it’s fast, reliable, and easy to use.

Some users have complaints, but they’re rare. Overall, people think Surfshark is a great VPN. Here’s a screenshot from one of the most popular Surfshark-related topics:

Is Surfshark A Good VPN? – The Bottom Line

If you need a VPN for just a short time, ExpressVPN or NordVPN might be better. They cost more but offer better service than Surfshark. But, if you’re looking for a long-term VPN, Surfshark is the best choice. It has great features at a good price.

With Surfshark’s two-year plan, you get fast, reliable, and secure service. It’s perfect for torrenting, streaming, and more. Their apps are easy to use, and they support unlimited connections. Plus, they offer 24/7 customer support. It’s a great deal for the price.

Surfshark FAQs

Where is Surfshark based?

Surfshark is in the British Virgin Islands, like ExpressVPN. This means it’s under strong privacy laws with no data retention.

Can Surfshark be trusted?

Yes, Surfshark is very trustworthy. It has all the features you need for safety online. It’s great for any online activity.

Can Surfshark bypass Netflix restrictions?

Yes, Surfshark can easily get past Netflix’s blocks. It uses Camouflage Mode and NoBorders mode to do so.

How many simultaneous connections does Surfshark support?

Surfshark lets you connect an unlimited number of devices at once. You can protect as many devices as you want, on any platform.