Score Breakdown — 8.5 / 10
Tested 2025-10-25
Best Value VPN
Surfshark delivers exceptional value with unlimited simultaneous connections, a rich feature set including CleanWeb and MultiHop, and reliable performance at an unbeatable price.
Tested from four US locations and two European locations over 21 days. Speed tests conducted with WireGuard and OpenVPN UDP on 500 Mbps and 1 Gbps connections. Streaming verification for Netflix, Prime Video, Disney+, HBO Max, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer. All leak tests (DNS, IPv6, WebRTC, torrent) performed at each server location.
Full methodologyPros & Cons
What sets Surfshark apart — and where it falls short.
Pros
Unlimited simultaneous connections — cover your whole household
Excellent value — plans start at $2.49/month
CleanWeb ad/tracker/malware blocker built into every plan
GPS spoofing and NoBorders mode for restrictive regions
MultiHop (double VPN) included at no extra cost
Cons
Speeds trail category leaders (NordVPN, ExpressVPN)
Some servers struggle with Hulu and Max
Based in Netherlands (14 Eyes jurisdiction)
No port forwarding available
Plans & Pricing
$16.45 billed monthly
$40.68 billed annually
$59.76 billed every 2 years
Features & Compatibility
Features
Protocols
Server Locations (89)
DNS Handling
Private DNS servers. DNS queries routed through encrypted tunnel. CleanWeb adds DNS-level ad and tracker blocking.
Leak Protection
Built-in DNS and IPv6 leak protection. Kill switch available on all platforms. Bypasser feature for split tunneling. Everlink self-healing connection prevents drop-related leaks.
Obfuscation
Type: No-borders · Post-quantum ready
Streaming Support
Verified compatibility with major streaming platforms
P2P & Torrenting
P2P allowed on all servers via WireGuard and OpenVPN. No port forwarding available.
In-Depth Overview
Launched in 2018, Surfshark quickly established itself as a feature-rich yet affordable VPN. The Netherlands headquarters places the company under Dutch law, which has data retention obligations — though Surfshark maintains a strict no-logs policy verified annually by Deloitte.
Surfshark’s network of 4,500+ servers covers 100 countries. A standout feature is unlimited simultaneous connections — one subscription covers every device in your household. The service offers CleanWeb (ad/tracker/malware blocking), GPS spoofing on Android, MultiHop (double VPN), NoBorders mode for restrictive regions, and camouflage mode that disguises VPN traffic as regular traffic.
WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols are supported. Surfshark also provides a dedicated IP add-on and static IP options. The service works reliably with Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer.
Native apps are available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, iOS, Android TV, Fire TV, and routers. Browser extensions are available for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. Surfshark was acquired by Nord Security (NordVPN’s parent company) in 2022 but continues to operate independently.
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