A fast VPN for casual users

Surfshark is likely one of the youngest main VPNs, nevertheless it’s grown quickly over the past seven years. Since 2018, it is expanded its community to 100 nations, added a collection of apps to its Surfshark One bundle and experimented with superior touches like servers that continuously rotate your IP deal with.

Previously a finances VPN, Surfshark continues to be fairly reasonably priced however the price of a one-month subscription is approach too excessive. Today, it is extra taken with innovation than affordability. Its options might not all the time be cutting-edge — Nexus is principally Tor and Everlink is a barely higher kill change — nevertheless it’s uncommon to search out both applied so properly in a industrial VPN. Plus, obtain and add speeds are unbelievable.

All of it provides as much as among the finest VPNs for informal customers, even when in comparison with others in its weight class. However these already deeply accustomed to VPNs would possibly journey over some features. For this evaluation, I studied 11 completely different angles on Surfshark’s service, some via hands-on checks and others with old school journalism. Take a look at the sections most vital to you, then head to the top for my ultimate verdict.

Editor’s notice (9/25/25): We have overhauled our VPN protection to offer extra detailed, actionable shopping for recommendation. Going ahead, we’ll proceed to replace each our best VPN list and particular person opinions (like this one) as circumstances change. Most just lately, we added official scores to all of our VPN opinions. Take a look at how we test VPNs to study extra in regards to the new requirements we’re utilizing.

Desk of contents

Findings at a look

This desk summarizes all the things I found about Surfshark. For particulars on any bullet level, see its part within the full evaluation.

Putting in, configuring and utilizing Surfshark

For this part, I will be going over the way it feels to make use of Surfshark. I am going to have a look at how straightforward or tough it’s to put in, what you need to do to set it up and whether or not the person interface (UI) helps out or will get in the best way on every platform.

Home windows

Surfshark is simple to obtain and set up on Home windows. You may get it via the Microsoft retailer, however going straight via the Surfshark web site makes certain you could have the most recent and most full model. The downloader asks you to click on “Sure,” however principally handles itself, and finally ends up in a short while.

The primary level which may divide informal customers and VPN veterans comes when you open the app for the primary time. Surfshark insists on taking you thru a guided setup course of for all its options. That is extraordinarily useful in the event you’ve by no means used a VPN earlier than. In case you have, its repeated insistence on sending you thru the tour can get aggravating.

This sample repeated itself as I went via the app. The entrance web page is sensibly organized and organized so I may see all of the details and settings — nevertheless it stays approach too reliant on unskippable pop-ups to offer info. Messages appeared after I tried to cancel a caught connection, after I turned settings on and off and even after I tried to shut the app. It is often vital info, however displaying a message that freezes each different button is a foul transfer.

It is a disgrace, as a result of all the things else works wonderful. The settings tabs do an admirable job of packing a number of, semi-related apps right into a single UI. Simply take notice that a number of stuff is enabled by default, together with auto-connect and NoBorders, which can make the VPN behave in methods you do not want.

Mac

Surfshark’s app for macOS is generally the identical as its Home windows app, for higher or worse. It is acquired the identical split-second obtain and set up and the identical clear group of tabs with well-explained options. It is also acquired the identical relentless popups, settings on by default and sometimes sticky connections. If it will get hung up at 95 %, simply wait — it is nonetheless working.

Android

The Surfshark Android app, out there via the Google Play Retailer, is prepared after you merely obtain and login. It does not reinvent the wheel, however Surfshark’s design language seems to be very straightforward to compress into cell — besides that it is dark-mode by default, whereas all the opposite three are gentle. I discovered all the things I wanted inside moments. Android even removes nearly all of the full-screen stop-everything notifications.

One factor to pay attention to: if you begin up the Android app, the VPN is seen, however the touchdown web page consists of all of the options of Surfshark One. To get the VPN-only entrance web page, click on the arrow throughout from “VPN” on the prime of the display screen. That mentioned, you are able to do nearly all the things it is advisable to do irrespective of which web page you are on.

iOS

It is uncommon to see a giant distinction between a VPN’s apps on the 2 cell platforms, however Surfshark switches up its design from Android to iOS. The whole lot now lives in 4 tabs on the underside of the window. The settings tab is nice, largely as a result of it seems to be like how preferences do on Mac and Home windows.

The primary VPN window is a bit jankier. It really works wonderful, however with a view to make the server listing continuously seen (pointless IMO), it relegates the precise VPN connection to a floating field that appears like an afterthought. It even features a button to open the server listing that is already open. I freely admit that is only a private criticism, nevertheless it nonetheless baffles me.

Browser extensions

Surfshark’s browser extensions for Firefox and Chromium are nearly clones of its desktop apps, with a number of variations. The Alert tab tells you if the location you are on has suffered a safety breach just lately. CleanWeb 2.0 is the primary purpose so as to add Surfshark to your browser; it is a a lot stronger blocker that even works on some video insert advertisements.

Surfshark pace take a look at: Tremendous quick with some latency

All VPNs add to your internet browser’s workload, so it is regular to see speeds drop. The perfect VPNs handle to maintain the drops as small as attainable. I used speedtest.net to see how shortly my obtain speeds declined at six of Surfshark’s server places — that is a measure of how briskly a browser can load internet pages, buffer movies and obtain massive recordsdata.

I additionally seemed for latency, which impacts real-time communication with one other server (vital for players) and add pace, which impacts how shortly your gadget can ship knowledge (vital for torrenting). My outcomes are within the desk.

When it comes to obtain and add speeds, Surfshark is the quickest VPN I’ve examined up to now, beating out ExpressVPN, Proton VPN and NordVPN — and none of these are precisely sluggish. When you have a look at the Indonesia row, you may see I truly acquired the next add pace than I did with out the VPN lively. That most likely has extra to do with pure fluctuations from my ISP than something Surfshark did, nevertheless it nonetheless signifies how little this VPN weighs down your looking.

Latency is extra of a blended bag. Jumps in ping time are anticipated throughout lengthy distances, however I additionally noticed a reasonably large soar on a server in the identical state as me. Surfshark is probably not preferrred for fast-paced on-line video games, however its speeds are nearly excellent for another process.

Surfshark safety take a look at: Easy however efficient protocols

To find out whether or not Surfshark can preserve you secure, I will be taking a look at three elements: whether or not it makes use of safe and up-to-date VPN protocols, whether or not any of these protocols leak your IP deal with and whether or not encryption is being utilized to all knowledge packets. The primary is a matter of researching the know-how, however I’ve run sensible checks for the opposite two.

VPN protocols

Surfshark makes use of the VPN protocols WireGuard, OpenVPN (over TCP or UDP) and IKEv2. All of those are field-tested protocols that depend on uncracked encryption and confirmed authentication strategies. There is not any proprietary protocol with shady supply code, nor any outdated legacy choices which may pose a danger in the event you choose them. My solely criticism is that OpenVPN is not out there on Mac.

Every of those protocols does the identical factor: set up communication between your gadget, VPN servers and the web. They deal with the steps in another way, however the common person is simply more likely to see small variations. If one protocol is not working, you’ll be able to change to a different — or simply choose the automated protocol choice choice, which labored wonderful throughout my checks. If you wish to choose for your self, use the desk under for reference.

Leak take a look at

Subsequent, I picked 5 of the servers I did not use for the pace take a look at and checked all of them for 3 completely different sorts of leaks utilizing ipleak.net. Surfshark has its personal DNS servers, so DNS leaks are unlikely — these often come from a VPN utilizing public servers to resolve DNS requests. As anticipated, DNS requests did not reveal my IP deal with in any of the checks.

There’s extra potential for IPv6 leaks, as Surfshark does not assist IPv6. It recommends turning it off as an alternative, and has guides on doing that. To completely put Surfshark via its paces, although, I ran my checks with IPv6 nonetheless lively on my laptop. On all 5 servers, the IPv6 take a look at couldn’t run. This means that Surfshark actively blocks IPv6, which (till extra of the web begins operating on the brand new protocol) is a wonderful strategy to forestall IPv6 leaks.

The leak testing device additionally checks for WebRTC leaks, so I ran every take a look at with a Google Meet name lively, however that did not leak both. Briefly, Surfshark did not spring a leak irrespective of what number of occasions I poked it. I am ready to name it watertight.

Encryption take a look at

To be completely certain I used to be recommending a secure VPN, I used WireShark (no relation) and HTTP Forever to see whether or not its encryption works. From inspecting the info stream earlier than and after connecting to a Surfshark server, it is clear that encryption is actually being utilized. Have a look for your self — the truth that you’ll be able to’t get any info from the screenshot means the VPN protocol is working.

How a lot does Surfshark price?

Surfshark is a part of a collection of safety merchandise — so much like its sister model NordVPN, however with the choices per tier a bit of extra coherent. It is available in three subscription varieties, every of which is obtainable at three durations. The desk under exhibits the entire vary of prices.

Word that the 24-month plans are introductory solely. You may solely renew for one month or 12 months. The costs under additionally think about additional months you may get if you join the primary time, which are not out there in renewals.

Surfshark’s worth drops steeply from its shortest to its longest subscriptions. $15.45 is approach overpriced (even for a service we fairly like), however $1.99 per thirty days is in regards to the least you may pay for any VPN value recommending. The soar from Starter (which solely consists of the VPN service) to One (which incorporates all the things else besides Incogni) can also be tiny on the 12-month plan — solely an additional $0.20.

Surfshark is sort of actually doing this to juice lively person numbers — however that does not imply you’ll be able to’t make the most of it. To our thoughts, the 12-month subscription to Surfshark One is extraordinarily good worth, offered you already know you need Surfshark VPN.

Each plan comes with a 30-day money-back assure. At any level earlier than 30 days have elapsed, you can begin a stay chat dialog to get your a reimbursement. That is solely allowed as soon as each six months.

You may also get a free trial for seven days by putting in the Surfshark app from the Apple or Android app retailer, creating an account, then selecting the plan that features the 7-day free trial. Nevertheless, since you need to enter a cost technique for this — and it is not accessible on Home windows — the 30-day interval is mostly extra handy.

Surfshark aspect apps and bundles

Here is what you will get from Surfshark apart from its VPN service. With the intention to preserve our give attention to the VPN, we did not have time to carefully take a look at all these, however we have included the fundamental info that will help you make your choice.

Different ID

Different ID is included together with VPN service in a Surfshark Starter plan. It consists of two options: masked e-mail generator and private element generator.

Masked e-mail generator provides you a random e-mail deal with that sends all messages alongside to your actual inbox. Because it auto-forwards all the things, an e-mail masks is not for lowering spam. As a substitute, it allows you to preserve your actual e-mail deal with secret when signing up for on-line companies — since offering your precise deal with runs the danger of leaking it. For an additional $2.89 per thirty days, you may as well get an alternate cellphone quantity that works equally.

Private element generator creates faux names, addresses and birthdays you should utilize to join any web sites you are unsure about. Make sure to use it together with the VPN, or your IP deal with will reveal the precise particulars. It additionally is likely to be useful for randomly producing your subsequent RPG character.

Surfshark Antivirus

Surfshark Antivirus is included in Surfshark One and One+ subscriptions. It may possibly scan recordsdata as you obtain them and may also scan your entire system for malware, checking towards an inventory of undesirable packages it claims to replace each three hours.

AV-Take a look at gave it a perfect score in safety. A prime rating (6 out of 6) means Surfshark Antivirus caught 100% of malware thrown at it, each recognized threats and zero-day assaults. It additionally acquired an ideal usability rating for completely avoiding false positives, and a 5.5 out of 6 on efficiency — it had practically no impression on downloading apps or copying recordsdata, however slowed down well-liked web sites by round 30 % on common.

Surfshark Alert

Surfshark Alert, which can also be a part of Surfshark One and One+, scans the knowledge launched in knowledge breaches to see if any of your vital knowledge has been compromised. It may possibly test for e-mail addresses, usernames, passwords, bank card numbers and authorities IDs. It may possibly additionally warn you when malware in your laptop is able to stealing your knowledge.

Surfshark Search

You may get entry to Surfshark Search, a search engine akin to Google, with a One or One+ subscription. It provides an a variety of benefits over Google, together with being completely ad-free (a perk of being backed by subscription). You may also change the area from which you get outcomes. Surfshark claims that each one outcomes are completely natural, with no trackers or studying from logged searches.

Incogni

Incogni, an automatic knowledge elimination service, is the one function restricted to Surfshark One+ plans. It searches knowledge brokerages to see if they’ve any of your info, then contacts them so that you can request they purge the info. Brokers do not should honor all deletion requests, nevertheless it by no means hurts to attempt. Incogni retains looking out so long as your subscription is lively, so it will probably mechanically ship a number of requests to the identical dealer if vital.

Saily eSIM

A number of VPNs now present their customers with Saily eSIM reductions, which can be utilized to get common cellphone service in overseas nations. Surfshark grants numerous reductions via the coupon code surfshark5, which seems to be usable even with no Surfshark account.

Shut-reading Surfshark’s privateness coverage

Surfshark’s privateness coverage exhibits us its outward angle towards person privateness. Whereas it is attainable for a VPN supplier to lie outright in its posted coverage, they like to not for legal responsibility causes. An unreliable service will as an alternative use loopholes, vagueries and incomplete statements to make privateness guarantees it does not plan on holding.

Against this, a VPN service value your cash shall be as particular as attainable about any exceptions to its no-logs coverage. I learn Surfshark’s total privateness coverage to see which kind of VPN it’s — no small feat, because it’s properly over 5,000 phrases lengthy. The web page consists of summaries, however they’re pared down a bit of too far to be helpful, so it is into the total textual content I am going.

Surfshark relies within the Netherlands, which makes it topic to the European Union’s Basic Information Safety Regulation (GDPR). That is excellent news, since GDPR does not permit any company to retain data with out justifying it. The Netherlands is probably going a part of the 9 Eyes intelligence-sharing settlement, however businesses cannot spy on a VPN’s customers except that VPN is already saving activity logs — and whether it is, it is acquired a lot larger issues than the place it is based mostly.

Surfshark’s total server community runs on RAM-only infrastructure, so any saved exercise is erased at common intervals. Even higher, the coverage is obvious that your exercise on any server is deleted inside quarter-hour. If we take Surfshark at its phrase, there’s little or no purpose to fret about servers being seized or searched.

Which means the one danger is that Surfshark itself would possibly make the most of its entry to your info. It does, sadly, declare the precise to view info gathered by third-party trackers, such because the cookies utilized by social media websites to trace advert efficiency. However none of these trackers are watching what you do if you use the VPN, nor digging into your precise looking exercise — which, as we have seen, does not exist after quarter-hour.

Unbiased privateness audits

Though we won’t conclusively confirm any VPN’s privateness coverage, since that entails the logically inconceivable feat of proving a unfavourable, we are able to get very shut by checking impartial audits. Third-party auditors can confirm a VPN’s public statements via a mix of interviews, doc evaluation and straight tinkering with the infrastructure.

Surfshark handed its most up-to-date audit in June 2025, which — at time of writing — leaves little or no room for interference. Deloitte, the audit agency, concluded that “the configuration of IT techniques and administration of the supporting IT operations is correctly ready, in all materials respects in accordance with the Surfshark’s description set out within the Appendix I.”

I checked that description and located that it matches as much as Surfshark’s public privateness coverage. So, as a lot as we are able to say that any VPN is non-public, Surfshark is non-public. It could not cease all personalised advertisements, however it is going to no less than preserve your private info secret.

Can Surfshark change your digital location?

When you primarily want a VPN for streaming, that is the part for you. Right here, I take a look at whether or not Surfshark can change your location convincingly sufficient so that you can see content material from different nations, with out getting caught and blocked by streaming platforms.

The process is easy: I choose 5 take a look at places, join to 3 completely different servers in every and cargo Netflix. If I get in cleanly with out error messages, and truly see completely different exhibits than I’d with no VPN, I am going to know Surfshark convincingly modified my location. (As a reminder, when unblocking with any VPN, all the time ensure you’re logged into your streaming account first.)

Surfshark carried out extraordinarily properly on this take a look at, not solely unblocking each location no less than twice but additionally sustaining quick sufficient speeds to maintain the movies from stuttering. The one failure was that one server in Japan acquired spied out as a VPN and blocked. Nevertheless, merely disconnecting and reconnecting was sufficient to get me over the hurdle.

Any failure to vary digital location counts towards a VPN, however even the most effective companies cannot preserve their servers off 100% of blocklists. NordVPN, one other top-five VPN, scored the same 14/15. So far as I am involved, that is a passing grade for streaming — but when it is a dealbreaker for you, keep in mind ExpressVPN and Proton VPN each have excellent scores.

Investigating Surfshark’s server community

Surfshark has a complete of 100 server places in 141 nations. Of these places, 47 are digital and 92 are bodily. A digital VPN server provides you an obvious digital location completely different from the place it is actually situated. There’s little safety tradeoff, however speeds might range relying on how far you’re from the server’s precise place. The one rely towards Surfshark right here is that it does not make clear the place its digital servers are actually situated, so utilizing them is a pace crapshoot.

The desk under exhibits the proportions of server places in every area, so you’ll be able to determine whether or not Surfshark is more likely to be helpful for the place you’re. You will discover a full listing on Surfshark’s website, although solely the apps present which servers are literally digital.

These numbers are attention-grabbing in a number of methods. First, Surfshark’s server community is simply about one-third digital, the bottom proportion of any main VPN I’ve reviewed up to now. There’s additionally no continent with no single bodily server. This makes Surfshark an excellent selection to ensure usable web speeds whereas globetrotting.

As typical, servers are principally in Europe and North America, though there is a truthful quantity of Asia represented by the digital places. Surfshark is newer than most of its rivals, so it is spectacular that it is constructed such an intensive community in half the time. The desk reveals a VPN service that is taken with increasing, however will not accomplish that on the expense of building high quality places that truly work.

Additional options of Surfshark

Surfshark units itself other than the VPN pack with a number of options, some seen to the person and a few working behind the scenes. Principally, its options are acquainted ideas applied properly, somewhat than outright improvements like NordVPN’s Meshnet — however there’s a number of risk for thrilling new instructions.

Underlying know-how: Surfshark Nexus and Everlink

Surfshark has two technological improvements below the hood that make its VPN comparatively distinctive. The primary is Nexus, which has been lively since 2022. Nexus connects all Surfshark’s servers collectively right into a tighter community than most VPNs use. All its servers are nodes in an internet of interconnected paths, a lot like the Tor network, besides proprietary to at least one firm.

Whenever you select a server location, you are solely choosing the final node in a sequence. Surfshark software program selects the entry level and the trail to your chosen exit. This offers each person extra choices for a working connection path, and permits Surfshark to repeatedly rotate your obvious IP deal with so exercise on one masked identification cannot hint again to you. It is also what makes it attainable to choose the 2 steps in a double-hop connection (see “Dynamic MultiHop” under).

Everlink is a more recent know-how that Surfshark calls a “self-healing VPN infrastructure.” Any time you are linked to Surfshark via the WireGuard protocol, you are additionally linked to Everlink — a parallel infrastructure that watches your VPN connection. If it ever drops, Everlink immediately reconnects you to a different server close by, theoretically so quick you will not discover the outage.

That is principally one step up from a kill change. As a substitute of chopping off your connection, Everlink switches it to the following server as an alternative. This makes it tough to check — the best way to test a kill change is to simulate a server drop by chopping off your personal web connection, which makes Everlink’s operate inconceivable. Nevertheless, I can no less than say I am cautiously enthusiastic about Everlink’s potential energy to negate server drops.

Limitless simultaneous connections

One factor you may repeatedly hear about Surfshark is that it places no limits on what number of units can join via your account. In principle, one subscription is sufficient for you, your family and any mates that wish to borrow it.

In follow, although, “limitless” is a stretch. A support article acknowledges that some individuals might abuse the privilege by reselling entry, or by masking unlawful botnet exercise behind a whole lot of Surfshark connections.

The article does not explicitly say Surfshark will restrict or ban abusers, however questions to the support team revealed that an account might be locked if an automatic system detects fraud. When you use a excessive variety of simultaneous connections, even legitimately, you could possibly be flagged — although you could possibly unlock your account by telling customer support what occurred.

Bypasser cut up tunneling

Bypasser allows you to cut up your web connection so sure apps or web sites undergo the VPN whereas others stay outdoors. This will get you higher speeds on websites and apps that do not contain any delicate info. Additionally, every time a service requires your actual IP deal with, you’ll be able to preserve utilizing the VPN for all the things else. Torrenting is a traditional use case — you’ll be able to preserve BitTorrent protected within the background when you do one thing innocuous with out VPN safety, bettering speeds for each processes.

Bypasser cut up tunneling is obtainable on all of Surfshark’s desktop and cell purchasers, although iOS customers can solely cut up by web site, not by app. Home windows and Android customers may also select between two types of cut up: “Bypass VPN,” which retains all listed websites and apps outdoors the VPN tunnel, and “Route by way of VPN,” during which solely the listed websites and apps keep throughout the VPN tunnel.

Dynamic MultiHop

Many VPNs have a double-hop choice, which routes connections via two VPN servers to maintain you protected in case one breaks. Nevertheless, most of them prohibit you to set paths of two servers. Surfshark is the one VPN that permits you to select each steps, due to Nexus pre-establishing paths between all of the servers.

For the most effective efficiency, I like to recommend selecting an entry node close to your actual location, then selecting your exit node based mostly on what it is advisable to unblock. When you aren’t unblocking something specifically, your greatest guess is to easily select two nodes in your personal nation.

Camouflage Mode obfuscation

VPN obfuscation refers to VPNs hiding the truth that they’re VPNs in any respect — so not solely is your IP deal with not your actual one, nevertheless it does not seem to have been modified. Surfshark’s obfuscation is named Camouflage Mode. So long as you are linked by way of OpenVPN, it is lively mechanically. So, in the event you suspect an out of doors firewall is stopping you from getting on-line whereas operating Surfshark, switching to OpenVPN would possibly resolve the issue.

NoBorders mode

NoBorders is another choice for getting on-line with Surfshark below exterior restrictions, particularly these imposed by total governments (just like the Nice Firewall of China). If Surfshark detects restrictions on web utilization, NoBorders prompts and switches you to a server well-placed to get round these restrictions — for instance, an IP deal with from the following nation over.

The issue with NoBorders is that it is lively by default, which can prohibit you to sure servers when you do not want the assistance. I like to recommend switching NoBorders off within the settings for higher efficiency. It could activate once more if it detects attainable restrictions, so test the setting once more in the event you discover your speeds slower than typical.

CleanWeb

CleanWeb, Surfshark’s advert blocker, is obtainable in two kinds. The fundamental model of CleanWeb, which blocks banner advertisements and trackers, comes with all Surfshark apps.

CleanWeb 2.0 comes as a browser extension, which suggests it solely works in-browser. Nevertheless, it is a a lot stronger blocker, able to cancelling video advertisements on streaming and YouTube. It additionally mechanically rejects non-vital cookies on each web site so you do not have to click on the button — which I appreciated, as my ADHD mind is definitely distracted by pop-ups.

Static and devoted IPs

Surfshark provides you an inventory of static IP addresses at no additional cost, one other rarity amongst main VPNs. A static IP means you may have the identical deal with each time you connect with the VPN, so you will not look suspicious for repeatedly opening the identical service with a special IP. With out this, you may end up hitting CAPTCHAs extra usually. You may also preserve your house gadget linked to a static IP server and use that to entry your house community remotely.

For an additional price, Surfshark additionally provides devoted IPs, that are the identical as static IPs besides you are the one individual utilizing them. Generally, a static IP can get blocked due to one dangerous person’s conduct; a non-public devoted IP removes that danger.

Different options

A number of different options are value noting. Surfshark has a kill change that cuts off your web connection in case your VPN server ever drops — that is largely out of date with Everlink, however stays within the background as an additional precaution. You may set the VPN to attach mechanically besides on trusted networks, and may select the placement to which it auto-connects.

If it is advisable to briefly work with out the VPN, you’ll be able to pause Surfshark for 5 minutes, half-hour or two hours. Lastly, Android customers can have their VPN server override their GPS location, transferring it to wherever their IP deal with is at present. You clearly do not wish to use this whereas your cellphone is navigating you someplace, however in any other case it is helpful for privateness.

Surfshark buyer assist choices

Surfshark features a few hyperlinks to troubleshooting pages straight within the app, a tantalizingly unfinished function. When you go to the settings tab and click on Get Assist after which Browse Guides, you may see a number of hyperlinks to FAQ articles in regards to the model of the VPN shopper you are utilizing. Clicking any hyperlink opens the web page in your default browser. Leaping straight from the app to the related information is basically handy, but when your drawback is not one of many 5 most typical, you are out of luck — simply click on Extra Guides to go to the primary assist web page.

When you’re right here, you may discover a useful set of articles that make good design selections to place the typical person comfy. “Getting began” consists of setup guides for each Surfshark app, with considerable screenshots. Assist articles are successfully written from the person’s perspective. As a substitute of technical descriptions of issues, they begin with subjects like “I am unable to connect with Surfshark” or “I am getting an error,” then present a sequence of DIY options.

The one class with no clear course is “Surfschool,” which gathers a disparate bunch of function explanations, superior ideas and primary VPN info below one heading. If you cannot discover what you want within the different sections, it could be simpler to make use of the search bar as an alternative of digging round in Surfschool.

The stay assist expertise

To succeed in stay assist, scroll to the underside of the primary assist web page, then click on “Chat with us.” A chat window will open within the nook of your display screen. I used the stay chat assist to ask about receiving a hyperlink to the take a look at account I used to put in writing this evaluation. As is now normal, I needed to work my well beyond a chatbot first, however that did not take too lengthy. As soon as I reached an actual individual, they resolved my drawback instantly.

The e-mail ticket system is for tough issues that may’t be resolved in a single change, so I made a decision to check it with one thing a bit of extra difficult. I requested in regards to the standing of IKEv2, which Surfshark promised to remove in 2022 however has solely faraway from Home windows (that is in reality what they promised to do, however I wasn’t conscious of that but).

I heard again about 22 hours later with a speedy and relevant reply: a consultant mentioned that “at present, Surfshark doesn’t have plans to take away IKEv2 from all working techniques.” See the following part for particulars about that danger.

Surfshark background test: No actual blemishes

Surfshark was founded in 2018, making it a relative newcomer to the safety scene, and the VPN was its first product. Alert and Search debuted in 2019, whereas Antivirus and Incogni joined them in 2021. For the primary two years of its existence, Surfshark was part of the Tesonet group, a Lithuanian startup incubator that additionally helped launch NordVPN (see “Connection to NordVPN” under).

Its youth could also be why there are few severe blemishes on Surfshark’s report. Like Proton VPN, which is only a yr older, it merely hasn’t had time to place a foot unsuitable but. Nevertheless, that does not imply it is inevitable that Surfshark will screw up in some unspecified time in the future. To date, it seems to be studying from its predecessors and avoiding their errors.

The trusted root certification authority danger

The one potential error I can level to hasn’t compromised anybody but, however might sooner or later. In 2022, Surfshark was one in all a number of VPNs cited for counting on a trusted root certification authority — a verification technique that, if compromised, may let an attacker sneak malware onto a person’s gadget utilizing Surfshark’s ID badge. There is not any report of the certificates truly being exploited, and Surfshark claimed it was essential to allow the IKEv2 protocol.

In response to the report, Surfshark deprecated IKEv2 from its Windows app, which was the one one which used trusted root CAs for IKEv2. It is nonetheless out there on all OSes besides Home windows, however a Surfshark rep advised me in an e-mail that they do not use trusted root CAs on these platforms, so there is not any danger.

Connection to NordVPN

In 2022, Surfshark announced a merger with NordVPN, although each firms repeatedly careworn that nothing about both service would change. In accordance with Surfshark’s announcement on the time, “The thought behind the deal is to align on a tactical degree in reaching mutual targets whereas holding the autonomy of our operations.”

As of 2025, nothing appears particularly merged about NordVPN and Surfshark. Publicly, they’re nonetheless fully completely different manufacturers with few mentions of the opposite on their respective web sites. In an e-mail, a Surfshark consultant advised me that “Surfshark and Nord Safety function as autonomous firms counting on separate infrastructures, completely different product growth plans and separate buyer bases.”

That mentioned, it is value noting that Surfshark and Nord have a shared lineage in Tesonet, the Lithuania-based tech incubator that, with Nord, shares Tom Okman and Eimantas Sabaliauskas as co-founders, and nurtured Surfshark for the primary two years of its life. Ultimately, a Surfshark consultant advised Engadget that Surfshark at present “operates independently” of Tesonet. Be that as it could, the mixture of Surfshark and NordVPN is one more instance an more and more consolidated VPN business, the place rivals like Kape Technologies and Ziff Davis function a number of digital service manufacturers below one company roof.

Ultimate verdict

In a number of methods, Surfshark works onerous to earn your belief. Its reliance on brick-and-mortar servers testifies to that, as do its speeds, common privateness audits and refusal to relaxation on its laurels. Nexus and Everlink is probably not completely implicated, however they do have tangible outcomes that point out they’re much more than simply advertising and marketing gimmicks. Each are constructive indicators of a VPN supplier genuinely attempting to face out in a crowded discipline.

It is also a terrific signal that Surfshark responded to the trusted root CA danger with a focused intervention. I want they’d discovered a strategy to run IKEv2 on Home windows with out as a lot danger (different VPNs handle it), however I am unable to deny they appear severe about addressing potential points earlier than they turn into crises. It is good that I can enthusiastically suggest Surfshark for its consideration to safety in addition to its speeds and easy options.