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Surfshark is a genuine challenger to the VPN throne offering super fast speeds globally – meaning gaming, streaming and torrenting are all well catered for – as well as leading the pack in terms of internet security, with the added bonus of a no log policy.
Pro tip: seek out the 2-year plan for best value, using a VPN is here to stay.
While one of the newer brand in the world of VPN service, Surfshark is making a big splash when it comes to performance as well as price. They pass every speed test thrown at them with a bang, and their long-term pricing offers beat out almost every other VPN server for affordability.
Privacy assurance is also a big plus for Surfshark users. With compatibility for major device brands like Windows, Android, macOS, iOS as well as unlimited simultaneous connections, Surfshark is a versatile pick among its competitors.
Let’s take a look at some of the details in our Surfshark VPN review below.
Speed
While Surfshark has only 1,000 server locations in 60 different countries to combat network traffic, its performance capabilities really shine when put to the test. When it comes to speed and performance, there are few on the VPN server market that match the numbers of Surfshark VPN connection.
In each speed test, from the closest server to one across the world, Surfshark maintained reliability and high download speeds for streaming, torrenting, and other high-demand activities like gaming.
While a connection to the furthest geographical server produced a dramatic slow-down, the lowest download speed still beat out many other comparable VPNs that were given the same test.
If performance is your biggest concern, Surfshark will not disappoint.
- US – Chicago, IL
Ping: 48ms
Download: 25.90 Mbps
Upload: 21.47 Mbps - EU – London, England
Ping: 114ms
Download: 20.06 Mbps
Upload: 3.33 Mbps - Asia – Tokyo, Japan
Ping: 138
Download: 13.31 Mbps
Upload: 15.32 Mbps
Privacy
Surfshark does not keep logs of IP addresses, usage data, timestamps, etc. They do, however, store the email address on your account, your encrypted password, and billing information.
If you’re uncomfortable with your billing info being stored, you do have the option to pay with cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin in order to take advantage of 100% anonymity.
Streaming
Streaming services, particularly Netflix, are perfectly accessible, and Surfshark also offers its ability to unblock content in 14 different countries.
Aside from Netflix, Surfshark overcomes geoblocking with ease on YouTube, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer, but it struggles a bit accessing content on Amazon Video on some countries’ servers.
Torrenting
Surfshark has proven to be a great choice for super-fast torrenting as Person to Person (P2P) sharing is a possibility on all of its servers, and the VPN is compatible with a variety of P2P clients.
With security functionality like 256-bit encryption, you can rest easy knowing that your IP address and your identity are safe and secure while you torrent. Many tests have been conducted to see if DNS or IP leaks would occur, and Surfshark has proven to be a steel trap.
Gaming
Surfshark boasts excellent abilities when it comes to gaming, including protection from DDoS attacks, access to unrestricted games, excellent security, and hidden IP address for increased privacy. Adding in Surfshark’s impressive speed and performance, gaming will be a great experience.
About the Company
Surfshark VPN is based in the British Virgin Islands, an excellent location for a VPN service because there’s nothing in the country’s jurisdiction that could force the company to give away or monetize their users’ data.
The parent company, Surfshark Ltd., has offices in several locations other than the British Virgin Islands, including the UK, the Netherlands, Cyprus, Lithuania, and the Philippines. As you can tell, the company’s workforce and management is heavily decentralized, which could be viewed as a bad thing since it increases the chances of under-the-table activities to take place, but it’s a good sign that the company is open about this.
Surfshark offers several other cybersecurity solutions along with its VPN service, including:
- Surfshark Alert: An identity theft protection system
- Surfshark Alert P2P: An account takeover prevention tool
- Surfshark search: An ad-free private search tool
Customers can safely use the service without worrying about their data being logged or used in any unauthorized way. The company is also quite transparent with its privacy policy and terms of service. They’re easy to read, and everything is clearly explained.
Company History
Surfshark VPN is a relatively new VPN service. It was founded in 2018 and has since grown rapidly. The service currently has over 1700 servers in more than 63 locations worldwide and a user base of more than 2.4 million users from 100+ countries.
In 2020, the service started adopting the modern open-source WireGuard protocol, which provides the users with a faster and more secure experience.
Additionally, the company has recently released Trust DNS, a free app for iOS users that lets them access blocked websites anywhere in the world. It’s worth noting that, despite being free, the app doesn’t contain any ads. Trust VPN is considered a basic free version of the fully-fledged Surfshark VPN.
DNS Leak Results
DNS leaks can put you at risk of getting your identity exposed, even with a VPN enabled. Several independent labs have run tests to find out whether Surfshark is vulnerable to DNS leaks or not, and the results came out to be pretty promising.
Surfshark has built-in DNS protection that blocks all DNS requests and redirects them to an encrypted tunnel.
Customer Support
Surfshark VPN offers 24/7 customer support through various web-based channels, including live chat, email, and a comprehensive FAQs database. Reaching out for support is pretty straightforward, and you should be able to get your query answered within a maximum of 24 hours, depending on the support channel you use.
Warrant Canary
Surfshark VPN has a warrant canary on its website, which states that, until the moment of writing this article, the company hasn’t received any national security letters, gag orders, or governmental warrants that would expose the users’ data.
As you can tell, a warrant canary is a statement that VPN companies publish to provide full transparency to their users on whether the company has got any secret warrants from the government, which require that users’ data must be exposed.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Low price
- Aggressive no-logging policy
- Supports the WireGuard open-source protocol
- Has a warrant canary
- Excellent customer support
- Zero DNS leaks
- Can unblock almost all streaming services
- Unlimited devices
- Fast speeds
- Easy to use and set up
Cons
- Kill switch has some functionality issues
- Speed is compromised with the OpenVPN protocol
- Limited security audits
FAQ
How Many Users Can Use Surfshark?
Surfshark doesn’t impose a limit on the number of users that can share an account. You can connect as many devices as you want using the same account.
Can I Trust Surfshark?
Based on our research and the available data, then yes, you can trust Surfshark with your privacy. For more information, you can take a look at Surfshark’s privacy policy and terms of service.
Is Surfshark secure?
You can be assured of some great security measures in Surfshark’s AES 256-bit encryption, as well as the support of several additional options like OpenVPN, IKEv2, and Shadowsocks protocols.
Standard security measures are in place like DNS leak protection, and an automatic kill switch to prevent leaks when the VPN disconnects unexpectedly. Additionally, advanced features are available like Surfshark’s double VPN, called MultiHop, which routes your traffic through two VPNs for another layer of security. In addition, Surfshark offers secure browser extensions for Firefox and Chrome, all to keep your browser sessions private and secure.
In the name of transparency to its users regarding the quality of the security provided, Surfshark enlisted a well-known cybersecurity firm called Cure53 to conduct an independent audit of its security measures. The audit yielded very positive results.
How Do I Know If Surfshark Is Working?
To make sure that Surfshark VPN is activated, check the app’s home screen to see if it displays a green status and says “connected.”
Is Surfshark VPN free?
While Surfshark is not a free service, they do have a 7 day free trial for mobile. Regardless, you can get a great deal on a long-term commitment. It’s true that their (current) $11.95 per month fee is a bit pricey when compared to competitors, but if you purchase a two-year plan, you can get this VPN service for under $2 per month, making Surfshark VPN one of the cheapest available options in VPN servers. To top off the great deal, you will get a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Is Surfshark Better Than ExpressVPN?
Surfshark has cheaper subscription plans than ExpressVPN, and it lets you use it from an unlimited number of devices. On the other hand, ExpressVPN beats Surfshark when it comes to speeds. Both VPN services take privacy and security very seriously and are great for HD streaming.
Where is Surfshark VPN located?
Surfshark is based in the British Virgin Islands, so they are outside the reach of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance. This gives them a bit more freedom when it comes to providing a higher level of privacy for users.
Who owns Surfshark VPN?
There’s not a ton known about Surfshark’s parent company aside from the fact that it is based in the British Virgin Islands.
The anonymity of the company might make some squeamish about opting for Surfshark VPN, but in reality, their anonymity allows them to maintain your privacy without much interference from government entities.
With 24/7 live support that is historically very responsive, you can rest easy with your purchase.
Can I Use Surfshark on My Smart TV?
Yes, Surfshark is compatible with Smart TVs by using a Smart DNS. It’s a great way for you to enjoy some of the most popular streaming services, like Netflix, right on your TV. Here’s how you can set up Surfshark’s smart DNS on your Smart TV.
The Verdict
Overall, Surfshark’s excellent speed and performance, coupled with its option for an extremely affordable plan, make it a top pick in the market of VPN service providers. Privacy and anonymity are a priority so you can safely access private internet with ease using Surfshark VPN.
In fact, we can confidently say that Surfshark is one of the safest VPN services out there. The company’s ownership and location, in addition to the strict no-logs policy and the well-written privacy policy and terms of service, are just some of the reasons why you should trust this VPN.
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