Surfshark is a new, up-and-coming VPN provider that has been making a big splash in the industry.
The service has a lot of great features, and it is very easy to use. Surfshark is perfect for those who want to keep their data safe and secure online.
Here are three reasons why you should buy this VPN as per our Surfshark review 2023:
- Surfshark is affordable.
- Surfshark has a great selection of features.
- Surfshark is reliable and trustworthy.
Overall, Surfshark is a great choice for those who are looking for a reliable and affordable VPN service. If you’re considering buying Surfshark, don’t hesitate – it’s definitely worth it.
This was our verdict. But we at Best VPN Comparison got deep into the nitty-gritties to find out how every feature of this VPN actually works. So, if you want to read a more detailed Surfshark VPN review, make sure to stick around all the way to the end.
Surfshark pros and cons
Surfshark is a top-rated VPN service that has been praised for its user-friendly interface and strong security features. However, Surfshark is not without its faults. Here are the pros and cons of Surfshark:
Pros:
- User-friendly interface
- Strong security features
- Excellent customer support
Cons:
- Expensive compared to other VPNs
- A limited number of servers
Overall, Surfshark is a great VPN service with some excellent features. However, it offers a limited number of servers compared to NordVPN and CyberGhost.
Can Surfshark unblock streaming services?
In our review of Surfshark, the first thing we tested were its unblocking capabilities.
Surfshark is one of the most popular VPNs on the market and has a strong reputation for being able to unblock streaming services. In this Surfshark review, we’ll take a look at how well it actually performs in this area.
First of all, Surfshark is great for streaming Netflix. It can unblock the U.S. version of Netflix as well as other regional versions, so you can watch your favorite shows and movies no matter where you are in the world.
Surfshark is also good for streaming Hulu and BBC iPlayer. It can unblock both of these services even when they are blocked by other VPNs. Surfshark also has a large number of servers located in the U.S., which makes it a great option for streaming American content.
Overall, Surfshark is an excellent VPN for unblocking streaming services. It has a strong reputation for being able to unblock popular streaming services like Netflix, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. If you’re looking for a VPN that can unblock streaming services, Surfshark is definitely worth considering.
Unblocking Netflix with Surfshark
We conducted a detailed Surfshark Netflix review to see how this VPN works with the streaming service. Netflix is one of the most popular streaming platforms in the world. However, not every country has access to all of its content. If you’re traveling or living abroad, you may find that you can’t watch your favorite shows and movies on Netflix.
This is where Surfshark comes in. Surfshark is a VPN service that allows you to unblock Netflix and other streaming platforms from anywhere in the world. Surfshark is one of the only VPNs that can still unblock Netflix, making it a great choice for anyone looking to stream content from overseas.
With 3200+ servers in 65 countries, Surfshark can help you unblock at least 14 Netflix libraries at super-fast speeds based on our testing.
We were able to stream without buffering because the speeds were fast enough. Even when the server was on the other side of the planet, we never had to wait more than a few seconds for a show or movie to load.
On Netflix France, the only time we saw severe buffering was when we tried to fast forward a long time. Even yet, there were no issues when we watched the show normally rather than skipping forward.
In most cases, the resolution was equally excellent. We only experience buffering issues with Netflix France. However, the quality decrease was not great enough to render it unwatchable.
Unblocking Amazon Prime Video with Surfshark
Surfshark is ideal for accessing popular streaming services like Amazon Prime since it uses robust encryption technology, as well as a GPS spoofing capability and DNS and IP leak protection.
It also works with a variety of platforms, including Windows, iOS, Android, macOS, Firestick, and Smart TVs. This means you can use Surfshark to access Amazon Prime content on these devices.
When we tested it out, we were able to stream a bunch of shows on Amazon Prime without any buffering issues. As for speeds, Surfshark by far offers the fastest speeds we have ever witnessed.
Surfshark also has a Trust DNS function that works in conjunction with the rest of its server network to make switching DNS services easier. Smart DNS, as we all know, is a technology that allows you to unblock geo-restricted websites and services by leveraging your DNS.
For testing purposes, we tried streaming a new show on Amazon Prime Video called “Reacher”. As soon as we clicked on the title, it started playing right away in HD quality.
Does Surfshark unblock other streaming platforms?
Yes, Surfshark unblocks other streaming platforms such as Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime.
However, please be advised that not all streaming platforms are available in all regions. For example, Hulu is only available in the United States. Additionally, some streaming platforms may block Surfshark VPN.
If you experience any issues while trying to unblock a particular streaming platform, please contact Surfshark’s customer support for assistance.
As per our testing, it unblocked every streaming service that we tested it with without any issues. Word of advice, if you can’t unblock any streaming service with Surfshark, just get in touch with Surfshark’s live chat support team and ask for a recommended server.
Is Surfshark good for torrenting & P2P?
Torrenting and P2P file-sharing can be a great way to get your hands on new content, but it can also be quite risky. Your IP address is exposed when downloading files, making you vulnerable to copyright trolls and other threats. A VPN can help protect your privacy by encrypting all of your traffic and hiding your true location.
So, does Surfshark offer good protection for torrenting and P2P?
In short, yes. Surfshark has a strict no-logs policy in place, meaning that your data is never stored or monitored. The company also has a range of features specifically designed to protect your privacy when torrenting, including an automatic kill switch and leak protection.
To test it out extensively, we used Surfshark with a bunch of BitTorrent clients like uTorrent and qBittorrent and found it to offer exceptionally fast speeds. We also didn’t notice any throttling issues when downloading large files for top torrent sites like The Pirate Bay and RARBG.
We did a few tests to check how quick torrenting using Surfshark is. We connected to a Singapore server using the WireGuard protocol. The torrent client we used was uTorrent since it’s the most popular.
Without Surfshark, our internet speed was 50 MB/s. We were able to get around 350-380 Mbps using uTorrent. It took us roughly 15-20 minutes on average to download two 20 GB files. Our uTorrent speeds plummeted to roughly 100-120 Mbps when we connected to Surfshark’s Singapore server. The estimated download time also bumped up to an hour or so.
While it may seem as if Surfshark is slow, it is not. Keep in mind that P2P downloading takes a toll on your connection speeds anyway. Pairing it with a VPN is bound to slow down your speeds even more.
Overall, Surfshark is an excellent provider for torrenting and P2P file sharing. The company’s strong security features, combined with its no-logs policy, make it a great choice for protecting your privacy online.
Plans and pricing
Surfshark offers three pricing plans: a monthly plan, an annual plan, and a bi-annual plan. The monthly plan costs $12.95 per month, the annual plan costs $3.99 per month (or 59.76 annually), and the bi-annual plan costs $2.30 per month (or 59.76 billed annually after 26 months). Surfshark also offers a 30-day money-back guarantee on all of its plans, so you can try it out risk-free.
Surfshark is one of the cheapest VPN providers on the market, and it offers some of the best features available. If you’re looking for a quality VPN at an affordable price, Surfshark is definitely worth considering.
Surfshark Server Coverage
VPNs are a great way to stay safe and secure when browsing the internet, and Surfshark is one of the best VPN providers out there. But what many people don’t know is that Surfshark also has excellent server coverage, which means you can access geo-blocked content no matter where you are in the world.
Surfshark has over 3200 servers in 65 countries, so you can always find a VPN server that’s close to you. All of its servers are RAM based, do store any data, and are wiped occasionally. Their server network supports Wireguard, IKEv2, and OpenVPN protocols.
As for server location, their servers are strategically placed all over Europe, Americas, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa.
This is great for streaming content, as it means you’ll get less lag and better speeds. And if you’re traveling or living abroad, Surfshark will let you access your favorite websites and streaming services, no matter where in the world they are.
So if you’re looking for a VPN with great server coverage, Surfshark is definitely a provider worth considering.
Does Surfshark VPN work in & for China?
Surfshark is one of the few VPNs that still work in China. The Surfshark VPN server is specifically optimized for use in China, so you can be sure that your VPN connection will be fast and stable. What we figured in our Surfshark China review is that you can unblock websites and apps like Facebook, Google, YouTube, and more.
How fast is Surfshark VPN?
Surfshark VPN is one of the fastest VPNs on the market, and it offers servers in 65 countries. In our Surfshark speed testing using speedtest.net, we got some pretty amazing results.
We had no problems with daily use, and we were able to stream HD videos, browse the web, and download heavy files without any problems.
We conducted speed tests on a variety of Surfshark servers. Here are the speeds we received when tested on our 100 Mbps connection:
| Server Location | Download Speed | Upload Speed |
| Australia | 83.28 Mbps | 79.24 Mbps |
| Canada | 80.21 Mbps | 76.45 Mbps |
| United Kingdom | 85.72 Mbps | 71 Mbps |
| India | 79.23 Mbps | 74.51 Mbps |
| United States | 84.95 Mbps | 70.23 Mbps |
As you can see, the speeds are simply fantastic. Surfshark maintained over 80 percent of your actual download speed on average in these five regions.
Surfshark’s performance with other protocols
The total VPN performance is highly dependent on the protocol you pick — here are the average download and upload speeds of Surfshark for various protocols, based on 10 different locations around the world:
By far the best performance came from WireGuard. The smallest decrease was merely 6% in some European countries that provided the fastest servers. So, if you choose a nearby location, it’s almost pointless to switch off your VPN for performance reasons.
Also, the largest download was just 23%. It happened when connecting to Argentina as well, indicating that distance is an issue.
Surfshark’s second fastest option is IKEv2. During our tests, the fastest download speed was 18 percent in adjacent European countries, while the slowest download speed was 45 percent when connecting to an Australian server.
The speed of OpenVPN is mostly determined by whether you use UDP or TCP. The largest reduction on TCP was a whopping 98 percent, while the smallest was only 49 percent. The largest download speed loss using UDP was 64 percent, while the smallest was 54 percent.
Interface and ease of use
| Devices | Interface and experience |
| macOS | There are two versions of the software, each with limited features |
| Mobile | Efficient applications for Android and iOS |
| Linux | There isn’t a visual interface, only through terminal |
| Browser | Equips browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox, along with a cookie blocker |
| Windows | Offers the complete Surfshark experience |
These are just the basics. Let’s dive deeper into these apps and versions:
Windows
Surfshark features a modern Windows client that looks great and is easy to navigate. You can choose one of three categories from the main screen: Features, Locations, or Settings.
Each is quite self-explanatory, so even inexperienced users will have no trouble locating what they require. Even when it comes to advanced settings, it’s a no-brainer.
There is no map interface, but there are flags in the nation list and you can use the search bar, so it’s not a major flaw. Each server has a marking that shows how much load it can handle
macOS
The Mac version of Surfshark is somewhat less comprehensive than the Windows version, and it lacks some functions. That, however, may vary depending on the version you downloaded.
Surfshark is available in two versions: one through Surfshark’s own website, and the other from Apple’s App Store.
Surprisingly, the version on the Surfshark website is poorer. On it, only the IKEv2 and WireGuard protocols are supported. While the app store version offers OpenVPN as well.
There are other features as well that the Mac app lacks. These include split tunneling and NoBorders.
Linux
The Surfshark app does not provide a visual interface for Linux users. Their sole choice will be terminal, that will show you a number of countries and corresponding numbers to which you can connect.
The connections will be established by putting in the numbers, which isn’t the most efficient technique, but it works.
On the plus side, the terminal specifies which servers you can choose from. However, if you need to switch servers rapidly, this makes the whole process take more time than it should. Overall, the connectivity was reliable, and the app did not crash or disconnect in any unusual ways.
Mobile Applications
Visually, the Android and iOS applications are nearly identical. They will adapt and display the appropriate theme if you enable system-wide dark mode.
Our Surfshark VPN Android review confirmed that GPS spoofing is available in the Android version, which is a capability that no other significant VPN offers.
There’s also support for Whitelister (split tunneling), so you’re getting desktop-grade functionalities on your phone.
iOS, on the other hand, appears to be a little more modest. The GPS spoofing and Whitelister functionalities aren’t available. It does, however, have numerous features that are seldom seen on mobile VPNs, including a kill switch and compatibility for the WireGuard protocol for improved security and speed. So, while the iOS version isn’t as stunning as the Android version, it’s still a good app.
Browser extensions
Surfshark also has Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox browser extensions.
Basic features include masking your actual IP address, encrypting your connection, and unblocking geo-restricted content. However, there is a new feature that sets this extension apart from the competition.
It’s the cookie blocker, which eliminates one of the most vexing aspects of modern browsing: continuous demands to allow cookies. You may choose which sites are blocked or allowed, resulting in a far less congested browsing experience.
Surfshark features – What USPs does it offer?
Surfshark, which was first launched in 2018, has made great strides since then, and is now a full-fledged VPN that can compete with all the best VPNs. It has a variety of robust features that make this VPN stand out in the lot.
Surfshark Antivirus
The integrated antivirus feature in Surfshark is little more than a basic website blocker tool that many VPN companies offer. The feature can safeguard your device against all varieties of malware, including trojans, worms, backdoors, and other viruses.
Surfshark AV detects and eradicates the viruses if you scan your device as you would with any other antivirus product.
However, according to our Surfshark antivirus review, this feature is currently only available on Android smartphones and Windows. It will soon be available for Mac users as well.
The tool is part of the Surfshark One bundle and can be used on up to five devices.
NoBorders
NoBorders is a one-of-a-kind feature that enables you to use a VPN in countries where it is strongly blocked. If your client identifies network constraints, it immediately switches to NoBorders to get around them.
You can also manually activate this mode anytime you need it. It’s compatible with Windows and mobile devices.
Search
Surfshark also provides a secure and private search engine that is ad-free, would be unaffected by prior queries, and collects no personal information from users. Paid users can access complete incognito mode via s.surfshark.com or the dashboard of their VPN.
Smart DNS
There are times when the VPN application isn’t present for your device, particularly for PlayStations and Smart TVs. It eliminates the ability to use your favorite device to access geo-restricted streaming services like HBO Max or Hulu.
Surfshark Smart DNS works on a variety of devices, including those that don’t have VPN clients. You’ll need to enable it from your primary account dashboard, after which they’ll produce DNS addresses for you to use on your devices.
Whitelister
Having a VPN on all the time can be inconvenient at times. For example, you might wish to utilize a VPN to browse your regional streaming library while using a VPN server for something else. Whitelister, also known as split tunneling, is required for this.
It can be done in two ways: by routing only specific apps through a VPN connection, or by routing the entire connection through a VPN connection and adding exclusions. It’s also possible to configure it per IP address.
MultiHop
Surfshark owns a list of MultiHop servers that operate in pairs. Your connections are directed to the second VPN server after they reach the first one. The last intermediary, in other words, has no connection to your genuine IP address or location.
Camouflage Mode
Camouflage Mode, commonly known as Obfuscation or obfuscated servers, is one of Surfshark’s many security features.
It will disguise your VPN traffic as conventional network traffic, allowing you to remain undetected. When using the OpenVPN UDP and TCP protocols, the mode is activated automatically.
When your school or company bans internet traffic, or when your government blocks VPN ports, this capability comes in handy.
Alerts
Surfshark’s goal is to keep you safe not just through VPN connections. They’ve added the option of using alerts to notify you if your data is leaked across all of their subscribers.
As per our Surfshark alert testing, this feature functions with credit cards, emails, and IDs. To protect your data, you must use two-factor authentication.
A periodic newsletter option keeps you up to date on current data breaches and only sends you notifications if your accounts are compromised.
CleanWeb
Surfshark’s patented DNS technology, CleanWeb, prevents ads from loading and numerous online trackers from collecting your information. You’ll need to go to settings to turn it on.
When enabled, it will prevent IP addresses from being blacklisted from being used. This implies that known ad hosts will be unable to load, and their pop ups will not appear. The same is true for hosts that distribute malware or collect user data.
We conducted a detailed Surfshark CleanWeb review, and you can see in the screenshots below how effective this feature was:
Here is what happened as soon as we turned CleanWeb on:
Amazing, right?
GPS spoofing
If you have an Android device, you can use Surfshark to spoof your IP address and physical GPS position. You don’t even need to download any additional software. Because most apps on your phone have access to your location data, it’s one of the most widely collected bits of data on any user.
Is Surfshark VPN secure?
Surfshark is one of the most secure VPN services available. It features a no-logs policy that has been certified, and you can choose your chosen encryption technology and tunneling protocol.
Let’s have a glance at some of the key features that distinguish Surfshark as a safe VPN:
Encryption protocols
AES-256-GCM, a secure and upgraded version of the AES-256 encryption algorithm, is available on Surfshark.
On Android, there’s also a Chacha20Poly1305 cypher option, which is quite close and safe. The key difference between them will be speed: AES-256 will be faster on newer devices with AES hardware acceleration, while Poly1305 will be faster on older phones.
Meanwhile, SHA-512 encryption protects your authentication. That means it’ll be encrypted into 512 binary digits and compared to login data kept on their systems, with a green signal given if the passwords match.
Tunneling protocols
Surfshark also has a wide range of tunnelling protocols to choose from.
WireGuard is the most advanced tunnelling protocol available today. It’s not only effective, but it’s also quite safe. Surfshark is also the first VPN company to make WireGuard the default protocol in all critical apps (except Linux for now).
One of the most widely used tunnelling protocols is IKEv2. It has significant support, and its speeds are equivalent to WireGuard’s. It’s ideal for older devices and works well even with slow Internet connections. Android, macOS, Linux, Windows, and iOS are all supported.
Another tunneling protocol is OpenVPN (TCP/UDP). Despite the fact that it was released about two decades ago, it is still incredibly secure and speedy. If you require more security, though, TCP is the way to go. Choose UDP if you want fast speeds.
Please note that we tested all protocols for our Surfshark speed review and confirmed how swift all of them are.
Kill switch
The kill switch feature is simple to use and protects you even if Surfshark disconnects abruptly (which did not happen during my tests). The kill switch disables your internet connection for a short period of time before automatically reactivating it when you’re connected again, ensuring that none of your data is exposed while the VPN tries to connect.
RAM-only servers
When you turn off your VPN, Surfshark’s server network is completely diskless, meaning all data is automatically erased. This is to keep malevolent third parties out of the system.
This also adds an extra layer of security because there isn’t any information that might be shared.
Audits
Transparency is critical for cybersecurity companies to build confidence. Surfshark has been independently audited to ensure that confidence may be built.
Cure53 penetration testers performed both Surfshark security exams in 2018 and 2021, respectively.
They initially concentrated on Surfshark’s Chrome and Firefox extensions, as browser extensions are typically the least secure applications. The second time, they concentrated on server infrastructure and security in general. Surfshark performed excellently on both occasions.
Customer support
Surfshark offers excellent customer service around the clock, including
- Live chat is available 24/7.
- Email assistance is available.
- The knowledgebase is superb, with numerous useful guides.
There are already multiple good text and video guides for various difficulties. Surfschool allows you to identify related topics with a single click and learn something new
The customer service agents were super-friendly, fast, and helpful. They also answered all our queries quite easily.
Is Surfshark value for money?
Yes! At a cost of only $2.30 per month, it’s safe to say that Surfshark is extremely value for money, all hails to its fantastic service, affordable price, robust security, and unblocking capabilities. It’s also worth noting that it’s one of the fastest VPN services available.
Surfshark is an excellent choice if you don’t have a VPN provider and want a low-cost, high-quality solution with a lot of features.
If you have any questions or issues about Surfshark, please leave a comment and we’ll be pleased to respond!
FAQs
Is Surfshark VPN worth buying?
Yes, Surfshark is an extremely reliable VPN service. The results of our testing were great! Surfshark offers various highly-secure protocols and robust encryption, unblocks all popular streaming services, doesn’t keep any logs, and equips other proprietary features.
Which is better: ExpressVPN or Surfshark?
Surfshark is better than ExpressVPN in every way as confirmed through our detailed Surfshark vs. ExpressVPN comparison. It offers 3200+ servers in 65 countries, super-fast speeds, and incredible security features. Other than that, you can easily avail its 2-year plus 2 months free offer at only $2.30/mo.
Is Surfshark good for gaming?
Yes, Surfshark is a great choice for gaming. It stabilizes your connection and offers a consistent ping rate. However, it might lag a bit, if you connect to a server far away from your location.