Surfshark Review

Our Verdict

To summarize, Surfshark is an excellent VPN that scored 9.2 points according to our criteria. The main advantage of this VPN is its affordable price, but it also offers high security standards, a proven privacy policy, and advanced features. Even 10 Netflix regions are available through this VPN. However, in our tests, its speeds were slower than similar VPNs and it is not able to bypass strict censorship.

Why Trust Our Review?

We’ve spent countless hours testing and reviewing 56 VPN services, using our objective evaluation process to recommend the best VPN software for you.

Here are the key statistics from our VPN tests:

Surfshark VPN was founded in 2018 and has since become one of the most popular VPN services on the market. Initially based in the Netherlands, the company quickly gained a lot of popularity.

In 2022, Surfshark merged with Nord Security, the owner of NordVPN. Despite this merger, Surfshark and NordVPN continue to operate as independent VPN services.

In this Surfshark review, we test the service in 10 different categories to determine its performance, security, and value for money compared to other leading VPN services.

Who Should Get Surfshark?

Get Surfshark if:

• If you need a VPN for streaming, Surfshark is improving its apps and Smart DNS to allow access to all major international streaming services.
• If you need an advanced set of features, Surfshark VPN provides a wide range of technical options that make it very flexible to customize.
• If you’re on a tight budget, Surfshark is one of the best VPNs available, and it’s also one of the most affordable, costing just $2.30 per month.

Avoid Surfshark if:

• If you need to bypass web censorship, Surfshark worked only 18% of the time during our testing on our server in Shanghai.
• Your top priority is internet speed. While Surfshark has acceptable speeds, there are VPN services that can be even faster and not slow down your Internet connection as much.
• If you need a VPN for torrenting, Surfshark is safe in this regard. However, it’s worth noting that it lacks port forwarding, and users should remember to manually enable the kill switch feature.

Surfshark VPN Key Data

Price & Value

Excellent Value for Money

Surfshark’s lowest subscription price is $2.30, making it one of the best value-for-money VPNs on the market. This low price is especially impressive considering the high quality of service it provides. In addition, Surfshark offers a seven-day free trial for mobile devices and two money-back guarantee options, which means that you can actually use Surfshark for free for up to 67 days.

Above are all the available Surfshark tariff plans:

Surfshark offers the lowest price at $2.30 per month for 26 months, which is a very competitive deal for a VPN with such a high rating.

If you don’t want to commit to a long-term period, Surfshark also provides two other options: a monthly plan for $12.95 and an annual plan for $3.99 per month. This is an average price for short-term plans, although not very low.

Although there are cheaper VPNs such as FastestVPN and ZenMate, they are not as highly rated, which means they cannot compete with Surfshark in terms of quality.

Only PIA offers better value for money than Surfshark. It is slightly higher in our recommendations for cheap VPNs and costs a little less at $2.19.

Payment Methods

Surfshark offers a variety of payment and refund options, including:

Those who value their privacy have the option of using cryptocurrency for payment, although unfortunately, there is no cash payment option.

Can You Get Surfshark For Free?

You can use Surfshark for free for a limited period using their free trial. This includes a seven-day free trial available for signing up on mobile devices, as well as two 30-day money-back guarantees. In total, you can use Surfshark for free for up to 67 days.

You can use the money-back guarantee twice, but there must be a 6-month gap between each refund request.

It is important to note that you will not be eligible for the money back guarantee if you purchase Surfshark through a payment processor store such as iTunes or Amazon, or with a prepaid gift card.

• VISA
• Master Card
• Paypal
• Alipay
• American Express
• Bitcoin

Streaming

Unblocks Every Major Global Streaming Site

Surfshark is an excellent choice for a VPN for streaming. It reliably unblocks all major international streaming sites, including access to Netflix’s 10 international regions, UK TV channels, and geo-restricted services like HBO Max and Hulu. Of course, Surfshark also gives you the option to use Smart DNS for streaming on devices that don’t support VPNs.

Surfshark VPN currently successfully unblocks access to many popular streaming platforms, including:

If you need to check if Surfshark works with a particular streaming service that is not on the list, please contact us below and we will conduct testing for you.

Access to 10 Netflix Libraries

Surfshark works great with Netflix. According to our tests, it easily unblocks 10 Netflix regions and provides smooth video playback without buffering.

Just like with US Netflix, Surfshark reliably bypasses geo-blocking for such services:

In our tests, most Surfshark city servers successfully unlocked the Netflix library in the country. However, in exceptional cases, you may have to connect to a different server to get Netflix to work.

We suggest that Surfshark mark its servers specifically for streaming to make it easier to find a working server and speed up the process.

Streams Every British & US Streaming Site

Surfshark successfully unlocks HBO Max and Amazon Prime Video. Previously, it had some difficulty unblocking Hulu, but our latest tests have shown a significant improvement. We can now confidently recommend Surfshark as a VPN for watching Hulu from outside the US.

The first Surfshark server we tested in the UK unblocked services such as BBC iPlayer, Channel 4, ITVX, My5, Now, and Sky Go without any problems, making it one of the best choices for a UK VPN.

Surfshark continues to be a reliable VPN for bypassing Disney+ blocking and allows you to watch exclusive European Star content from the United States.

Surfshark also works well for watching Roku Channel and many other free streaming platforms, including Peacock and SBS On Demand.

During our tests, all of these platforms streamed high quality video without buffering.

Overall, Surfshark is an excellent choice for streaming VPNs, especially considering its affordable price. However, when it comes to speed and reliability, especially with Netflix, it can’t compete with ExpressVPN. Windscribe VPN, on the other hand, unblocks many more Netflix regions.

Streaming Platform	Works with Surfshark
Netflix	Yes
Disney Plus	Yes
BBC iPlayer	Yes
HBO Max	Yes
Hulu	Yes
Hotstar	Yes
YouTube	Yes
Amazon Prime Video	Yes
All 4	Yes
ITVX	Yes

 

Security & Technical Features

Highly Secure, with Lots of Advanced Features

Surfshark meets all the necessary requirements for a secure VPN, such as AES-256 encryption, diskless servers, OpenVPN and WireGuard options, and a disable button on each platform. In addition, it has a wide range of additional features, including the ability to rotate IP addresses and spoof GPS. However, it is worth noting that Surfshark does not currently support IPv6, and we have experienced some data leakage issues when changing servers on macOS.

The table below summarizes the encryption ciphers, connection protocols, and additional security features used by Surfshark:

Surfshark offers reliable security protocols such as WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. These protocols are considered to be the best among the available options, and Surfshark has made the right choice by not using outdated protocols such as PPTP.

In terms of encryption, Surfshark uses the strongest cipher, AES-256. This cipher protects your information and is considered unbreakable.

We have tested this encryption using Wireshark’s packet analyzer and confirm its effectiveness. Our analysis showed that our web traffic was fully encrypted and unreadable.

Does Surfshark’s Kill Switch Work?

By default, the Surfshark switch is disabled, which we believe is negligent. We recommend that you enable it by going to the Surfshark settings.

We have checked the functionality of the Surfshark kill switch using our internal test tool. If the switch works properly, our real IP address should never be detected, even if we change servers or lose our internet connection.

According to our results, Surfshark’s kill switch effectively prevents our IP address from being leaked, except when changing servers on macOS devices. This is a common problem with many VPNs on Mac. However, VPNs such as Mullvad and PIA have found solutions to this issue, so we hope Surfshark will come up with a similar solution.

First-Party DNS Servers to Prevent Leaks

We tested Surfshark for IP, DNS, and WebRTC leaks using our proprietary leak test tool. The results showed that Surfshark successfully defended itself against all types of leaks, and no sensitive information was revealed.

This was achieved by Surfshark using its own private DNS servers. This means that Surfshark handles your DNS queries on its own, which is an important security feature that deserves to be recognized.

However, it should be noted that Surfshark does not support IPv6. Instead, it redirects IPv6 connections to IPv4. This feature works well as it prevents leaks, but we would have liked to see full IPv6 support.

This is also important to consider if you have a new router that does not support IPv6, as Surfshark will not work in such cases.

Double VPN, Rotating IP & Diskless Servers

Surfshark is known for its high security standards, but it also provides a number of additional security features that set it apart from most other VPN services.

One of these additional features is Multi-Hop, which allows you to route your traffic through two VPN servers. While this is not always necessary, it provides a double layer of protection.

Also available is an unusual option called Rotating IP, which changes your public IP address every 5-10 minutes, eliminating the need to switch servers. This is an interesting feature that provides additional anonymity and security without the effort of switching servers.

IP address rotation is not a necessary feature for online security, and some other VPN services, such as HMA and AtlasVPN, also offer similar features. However, it can be attractive to users who care about their privacy.

Also, Android users can take advantage of Surfshark’s GPS spoofing feature, which matches your GPS location with a server of your choice. This is a rare feature that helps to bypass geographic restrictions imposed by mobile apps, and it would be great if it was available in all Surfshark apps.

The main security feature in Surfshark is the use of a diskless server network, which means that your user data is never stored on physical servers that can be confiscated or compromised.

At such an affordable price, the level of security offered by Surfshark is truly impressive. Other VPN services with similar advanced features usually cost two to three times more, such as Astrill.

Does Surfshark Block Ads?

Surfshark has its own ad blocker called CleanWeb. According to our tests, CleanWeb blocks up to 77% of ads and trackers on the Internet. It ranks in the top ten VPN ad blockers in our evaluations.

We’ve successfully used CleanWeb to block ads on popular sites like Spotify and Twitch. However, it should be noted that CleanWeb is not effective on some other sites, such as Google and YouTube.
 

Streaming Platform	Works with Surfshark
Protocols	IKEv2/IPSec, OpenVPN (TCP/UDP), WireGuard
Encryption	AES-256,
Security	DNS Leak Blocking, First-party DNS, IPv6 Leak Blocking, VPN Kill Switch, WebRTC Leak Blocking
Advanced Features	Ad Blocker, Dedicated IP, Double VPN, Smart DNS, Static IP, Split Tunneling, Tracker Blocker

Privacy & Logging Policy

Diskless VPN Servers & No Identifying Logs

Surfshark’s privacy standards are impressive. They collect almost no data about their users, use servers without hard storage, and come from a trusted company that has had their registration and server security policies independently audited. The only challenge is that Surfshark operates in an EU jurisdiction that has strict data retention statutes.

Here is a summary table that contains the general information that Surfshark stores:

Surfshark does not store any identification logs. We have reviewed their log retention policy in detail and can confirm that sensitive data such as your IP address is not stored. This is also confirmed by an independent audit conducted by Deloitte.

Surfshark temporarily stores information about the VPN server you connect to, including your user ID and connection timestamps. However, this information is automatically deleted within 15 minutes after the VPN connection is closed and poses no threat.

The only thing Surfshark stores is your account information, including:

• Email address
• Account registration date
• Encrypted password
• When you use the Smart DNS
• WiFi name if the Auto-connect feature is enabled

Although Surfshark is not technically a completely countless VPN system, it only stores a small amount of information necessary to keep the service running. If your privacy is of particular importance to you, you can sign up using cryptocurrency to avoid sharing any personal information.

Meanwhile, Surfshark also uses diskless RAM servers, which prevents your data from being stored on your hard drive. This is an important preventive privacy measure that ensures that no identifying information is accessible, even in the event of a server hijacking.

Based in The Netherlands (EU Jurisdiction)

Surfshark has decided to move its headquarters from the British Virgin Islands, where there is no data retention legislation, to the Netherlands, which is part of the EU and has stricter data retention regulations.

Surfshark tells users that being based in the Netherlands allows them to continue their “no logs” policy. However, it is worth noting that the Netherlands is still part of the EU intelligence sharing network, and some users may find it more exciting to have Surfshark operate in a country with a more private jurisdiction.

Who Owns Surfshark?

Cyberspace, registered in the Netherlands, is the owner of Surfshark. Surfshark’s founder, Vytautas Kazyukonis, is a Lithuanian citizen and most of Cyberspace’s employees are from Lithuania, where their office is located.

Cyberspace was created as a result of the merger of Surfshark B.V. and Nord Security, which operates NordVPN. Currently, Surfshark and NordVPN are working together to improve their individual services.

Although the two services are very similar, NordVPN performs better in many of our tests and continues to operate in Panama, a country with a high level of privacy. That said, NordVPN has been linked to data breaches, while Surfshark has never had any such issues.

Data Type	Logged by Surfshark
Browsing Activity	No
Device Information	No
DNS Queries	No
Individual Bandwidth Usage	No
Individual Connection Timestamps	Yes
ISP	No
Number of Simultaneous Connections	No
Originating IP Address	No
Account Information	Yes
VPN Server IP	No
VPN Server Location	Yes
Date of Last Connection	No

 

Server Locations

Where Are Surfshark’s Servers Located?

Surfshark has servers in more than 100 countries, which is more than most other VPN services. Overloads are unlikely due to Surfshark’s 40% server capacity limit. In addition, there are 25 city servers in the United States, which provides reliable coverage. Despite the fact that Surfshark covers many countries, it only has 3,200+ individual servers, which is a smaller number compared to other VPN providers such as PIA and CyberGhost.

Surfshark has a wide geographic presence with servers located in 100 countries around the world. This is one of the largest and most diverse server networks available through any VPN service.

With Surfshark, you can connect to servers located in the following regions:

Most of these servers are concentrated in one city. A significant number of them offer city-level options in 11 countries, which is above average. We would like to see more countries outside of Europe, but the options are currently limited:

In the US, you have a large selection of cities – 25 in total, which is extremely convenient if you want to get a US IP address in a specific city to watch outside the NFL market or avoid MLB restrictions.

Although Surfshark offers IP addresses in 100 countries, it only has 3,200+ individual servers. This is significantly less than the 17,087 servers available from Private Internet Access or the 9,769 servers available from CyberGhost.

In March and June 2022, Surfshark decided to close its servers in Russia and India due to the governments’ requirements to register VPN user data. However, you can still use virtual Indian servers to get an Indian IP address.

Static IP Addresses & MultiHop Servers

Surfshark offers two additional types of servers:

1. Servers with a static IP address: This feature allows you to get a fixed IP address that remains the same every time you connect to that server. This provides faster speeds and simplified access to sites with limited geographic access. However, it should be noted that using a static IP address may increase your privacy risk compared to a dynamic IP address.

2. Multi-Hop servers: Sometimes referred to as dual VPNs, these servers are called multi-hop servers. They redirect your traffic through two or more encrypted servers before it reaches the target website. While this may affect your connection speed, it provides an extra layer of privacy and security for your internet traffic.

A Mix of Virtual & Physical Servers

Surfshark uses both virtual and physical servers. Virtual servers are designated with a small “v”, which is a useful characteristic that allows you to choose between these two types of servers.

Virtual servers in Surfshark receive an IP address from the country you choose, even if the physical server itself is located elsewhere. This allows you to connect to more locations around the world.

However, it’s important to keep in mind that virtual servers can lead to performance drops if the actual server is farther away from your physical location than you expected.

In general, Surfshark offers a wide network of servers and a variety of types. Usually, it is easy for ordinary users to connect using the “Quick Connect” button. However, Surfshark also provides an impressive level of control, allowing users to choose between virtual and physical servers, static or dynamic IP addresses, and single servers or dual VPN connections.

Continent	Number of Countries
Europe	46
Asia	25
South America	10
North America	7
Africa	6
Oceania	2

 

Speed

A Reliable, Super-Fast VPN

Our test results show that Surfshark is an extremely fast and reliable VPN service. When connecting to the nearest server, we found only a 5% drop in download speeds, which is more than satisfactory for streaming, gaming, and many other activities. As for our long-distance tests, the average speed loss is only 17%, which is still impressive compared to competitors like Hotspot Shield and IPVanish. Surfshark has demonstrated high performance and exceeded expectations.

To evaluate Surfshark’s performance, we connected to their servers on six different continents and measured the speed of our internet connection before and after. We used an internet connection with a speed of 100 Mbps, which is the same as your basic home speed.

Below is a table showing the results of our Surfshark speed tests:

We take a scientific approach to testing the speed of every VPN service we review. In our Surfshark tests, we always use the standard WireGuard protocol.

Like many other VPN services, using Surfshark may result in a slight decrease in the speed of your Internet connection, but this impact is not significant. When connecting to the Surfshark server in the same country, we noticed only a 15% speed drop compared to using a VPN.

When connecting to remote countries, the speed loss was also insignificant. For example, connecting to the US from the UK via VPN resulted in a 42% speed drop, despite being over 3,000 miles away.

Overall, our objective speed tests indicate that using Surfshark has little effect on speeds, both over short and long distances.

These high speeds are possible due to Surfshark’s server load cap of 40% to prevent overloading, as well as the upgrade of many servers to 10Gbps. This has also made using Surfshark more comfortable, as the speed remains stable and there is less chance of encountering CAPTCHAs due to multiple users sharing the same IP address.

However, despite the recent improvements, Surfshark still has a slight lag behind the fastest VPNs, especially when connecting to remote locations like South Africa and Australia. In the chart above, you can see how its speed compares to a few of its best competitors – although they all have their issues to some extent. To solve this problem, Surfshark can expand its server network by adding more 10Gbps servers.

Torrenting

Safe Torrenting, but No Port Forwarding

Overall, Surfshark is quite suitable for torrenting: P2P activity is allowed on all servers, download speeds are fast, and there is a private logging policy and a kill switch feature that hides your activity from your ISP. However, there is no port forwarding feature and there are VPN providers that offer even faster speeds for torrenting. In addition, the mute switch must be activated manually.

Here is the main information about the results of our tests of Surfshark’s torrent functionality:

All Surfshark servers support P2P traffic and have been tested using torrent clients such as qBittorrent, uTorrent, and Deluge.

During our torrent download speed tests, we recorded an average bitrate of 8.7 Mbps. This speed allows you to download files quickly using P2P, but there are VPNs with even faster speeds for torrent traffic, such as PIA and ExpressVPN, which reach 9.6 Mbps and 9.4 Mbps, respectively.

Even if Surfshark is not the fastest VPN for P2P, it is safe to use. Thanks to its no-logging policy, AES-256 encryption, and the use of third-party DNS servers, your torrenting activity will be well protected from monitoring by your ISP or copyright holders.

However, this protection is not effective until you enable the Surfshark kill switch in the settings. By default, the Surfshark kill switch is not activated. To ensure your safety while torrenting with Surfshark, we strongly recommend that you enable it before using your torrent client.

Overall, Surfshark provides a safe use for P2P file sharing. However, if you are an active user of a torrent client, you may notice that PIA offers better speed and optimization.

EXPERT RECOMMENDATIONS: Surfshark does have servers that are specifically optimized for P2P activity, but they may or may not be marked in the list. To find these servers, you can type “P2P” in the search box and a list of servers that support P2P traffic will appear.

Torrenting Attribute	Result
Average Download Bitrate	8.7MiB/s
No. of P2P Servers	3,200+
Logging Policy	No Identifying Data
Kill Switch	1
Port Forwarding	No

 

Bypassing Web Censorship

Bad for Unblocking Websites in China, But Works In Russia

Overall, Surfshark is not the best option for circumventing censorship. It has an obfuscation feature that is automatically activated when connecting from China, but our internal tests showed that it works only 18% of the time. However, it is still effective for bypassing blocking in Russia.

The results of our weekly tests of Surfshark in China have shown that it is not very effective at bypassing Chinese site blocking. We found that only 18% of the time it works successfully to bypass this blocking.

In these tests, we used Surfshark’s NoBorders mode, which is an obfuscation feature that is automatically enabled when connecting from China.

However, while Surfshark is not yet banned in Russia, it is among the few leading VPN providers that can be used to bypass Russian censorship. In addition, it also operates in Turkey, Iran, and the UAE.

Expert Recommendation: If you need a VPN for China, we recommend Astrill VPN. Our tests have shown that it successfully bypasses The Great Firewall in 100% of cases.

Device & OS Compatibility

Custom Apps, Smart DNS & Browser Extensions

Device Compatibility

Surfshark works on all major devices and platforms and does not impose restrictions on the number of simultaneous connections. This means you can use it on any number of devices at the same time. It provides dedicated apps for desktop and mobile devices, and has a Smart DNS feature for devices that don’t support VPNs. However, Surfshark does not provide a router program, which means that network-level protection can be more difficult.

Apps

Surfshark provides applications for the following devices:

Surfshark does not limit the number of devices on which you can install their applications.

We successfully installed Surfshark on all of our test devices and connected to the Surfshark server at the same time. You don’t have to worry about your Surfshark account being deleted, even if you share your account with other users.

This is very convenient for Surfshark users, and it’s a rare occurrence as many VPN providers put a limit on the number of devices you can use their services on. The average limit is five devices.

All Surfshark apps have a similar interface, but some features may only be available on certain platforms. The table below shows the differences between them:

Games Consoles & Streaming Devices

Some devices may not be able to install VPN programs. However, in such cases, you can use Surfshark’s Smart DNS feature or configure it manually on your router. You should then be able to use Surfshark on such devices:

Smart DNS and VPN are two different technologies. Smart DNS is a proxy server that changes your DNS address to access restricted content without encrypting your connection or changing your IP address.

Thanks to this feature, Surfshark can be used to stream video content on devices such as Apple TV or for gaming without using a VPN.

You can also install Surfshark on your router manually to access blocked content without using a VPN. However, it’s worth noting that Surfshark doesn’t provide a separate app for routers, which can make the installation process more difficult than other competing VPN services.

Browser Extensions

Surfshark offers extensions for the following browsers:

The Surfshark browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge provide IP address changes and encryption for your browser traffic, but do not affect all web traffic.

Additional useful settings include blocking ads and pop-ups, website security alerts, and data leak alerts. A bypass option is also available, allowing you to select websites that go through the VPN tunnel, as well as an ad blocker, which is a handy feature.

To install these extensions, you need to have a paid subscription, they are not free, unlike CyberGhost browser extensions. However, these extensions are fully encrypted VPN extensions that have been independently audited by Cure53.

• Android
• iPhone & iPad
• Mac
• Routers
• Windows
• Linux

Ease of Use

User-Friendly & Intuitive Apps

Despite its wide range of technical features, Surfshark is easy to use. Its intuitive interface, fast response time, and clearly labeled settings make it ideal for VPN users of all skill levels. Selecting a server, changing the protocol, and customizing the program are all very easy.

Installing, configuring and using Surfshark is easy thanks to its intuitive approach. You only need to register, download the appropriate software and log in with your account.

The experience of using Surfshark apps couldn’t be more user-friendly. The apps have a well-designed and easy-to-understand interface, and there are helpful explanations next to each technical function.

Here is a more detailed overview of our experience using Surfshark on different devices:

Desktop & Laptop (Windows & macOS)

Surfshark’s desktop apps are a joy to use because they have easy navigation, an attractive design, and a simple VPN interface.

The list of servers in Surfshark is organized as a scrolling list arranged in alphabetical order, with the ability to quickly search for a specific server. In addition, buttons are available to quickly connect to the “Fastest Server” or “Nearest Country”.

The settings menu is quite simple. Connection settings and advanced settings are presented as radio buttons with helpful explanations, making them easily accessible.

In terms of settings, we appreciate the ability to choose a dark mode and the availability of 16 languages besides English. On macOS, you can also choose where to place the Surfshark icon: in the dock or in the status bar.

However, we don’t like the fact that Surfshark Alert, Antivirus, and Search have been integrated into the main menu as a way to encourage users to purchase. This takes up unnecessary space in the sidebar when you only need two options – VPN and Settings.

It’s also not convenient that you can’t manually resize the macOS app window. It takes up a lot of screen space. On Windows, you can manually resize the program, but with restrictions.

Mobile (iPhone & Android)

Surfshark’s mobile applications have a lot in common with their desktop counterparts, which is a great advantage as it ensures consistency and ease of use.

The functionality and usability of Surfshark’s mobile apps are similar to their desktop versions, allowing for a consistent and easy-to-use experience.

You’ll find many of the same features as on the desktop, such as CleanWeb, Multi-Hop servers, and a VPN “kill” switch.

There are two minor differences between the mobile apps: the iOS version has a Pause button that pauses the VPN connection without disconnecting it completely, and the Android app has a special kill switch feature that disables the internet for all apps on the device.

The Bypasser feature is only available on Android and Windows, allowing you to choose which apps should run through the VPN tunnel and which should not.

However, just like on the desktop, we wish the Surfshark One’s action was less visible.

Linux

Surfshark supports the Linux operating system on Ubuntu, Debian, and Mint distributions.

After a successful installation, you will be able to use the Surfshark graphical user interface (GUI) for Linux. This interface provides a convenient way to change servers and switch between protocols without having to enter commands in a terminal. In addition, it also has a kill switch function to ensure connection security.

Not many VPN providers provide a graphical user interface for Linux. Previously, Surfshark was a command-line-only VPN, so we’re pleased that it’s one of the few VPN providers that now offers a user-friendly GUI for Linux.

Customer Support

Fast Customer Support, but Chatbot Is

Unhelpful

Surfshark has helpful customer support through its accessible website and 24/7 live chat. The support agents are always responsive, sincere, and willing to help. However, sometimes they may not have in-depth technical knowledge and we are not satisfied that Surfshark uses a chatbot that is rarely helpful.

You have several options for contacting Surfshark support:

The difference between Surfshark and some other VPN providers like ExpressVPN, Atlas VPN, and Proton VPN is that you don’t need a Surfshark account to contact support via live chat. We appreciate the availability of live chat for all users.

However, we are not completely satisfied with the introduction of a chatbot in Surfshark’s 24/7 live chat. Chatbots usually provide basic information, but are not always truly useful tools, and are often perceived as a limiting factor. Additionally, the chatbot only communicates in English.

However, you can quickly get in touch with customer service by simply asking the bot to “connect me to a human” and it will respond in several languages.

We have been in contact with Surfshark’s support team for a long time, and their agents have always been courteous and responsive to our requests. In particular, they have been particularly helpful in providing recommendations on which servers to choose to unblock streaming sites.

However, we sometimes feel that they may lack in-depth technical knowledge. For more complex questions, we recommend contacting Surfshark support via email.

Surfshark’s website contains a lot of valuable information that is well organized, including visual installation guides, an FAQ section, and a support system via tickets.

The Bottom Line

Is Surfshark Worth It?

Surfshark, like any other VPN service, has its drawbacks, but they are few and far between, especially considering its low cost. If you want to get a lot of features for a minimal price, Surfshark is a great choice.

Its most favorable price offer – $2.30 per month – is considered one of the most competitive on the market, and it remains one of the most secure and functional VPN services. Surfshark’s name is trustworthy thanks to its audited log retention policy, which guarantees your privacy.

Whether you need to unblock popular streaming sites on a tight budget or simply want to keep your online activities secure, Surfshark VPN is worth a look, especially if you’re not willing to spend a lot of money on its more expensive competitors.

However, it’s worth noting that Surfshark is an average VPN service for torrenting and is below average in dealing with workarounds for accessing heavily blocked websites. If you need a VPN for this purpose, consider alternative options.

Alternatives to Surfshark VPN

For areas where Surfshark doesn’t meet your needs, Private Internet Access is a great alternative. It’s the best VPN for torrenting, and unlike Surfshark, it works even in China. It’s also a bit cheaper, which will save you money.

NordVPN is very similar to Surfshark because they belong to the same company, but overall, NordVPN performs better. It is faster, just as good for streaming, and has even more servers. Although you will be able to purchase it for a small additional fee compared to Surfshark, it is worth considering if you want one of the best VPN services on the market.