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Surfshark Review

8.8

Surfshark offers the best value in the VPN market with unlimited connections and solid features at budget prices, making it ideal for households with multiple devices to protect.

Families and users with many devices who want great value
Rachel Foster
Rachel Foster
Updated 26-Jan-26

Surfshark Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Unlimited simultaneous device connections
  • Excellent value with budget-friendly pricing
  • CleanWeb feature blocks ads, trackers, and malware
  • MultiHop feature routes through multiple countries
  • Camouflage mode hides VPN usage from ISPs

Cons

  • Speeds can be inconsistent on some servers
  • Smaller server network than top competitors
  • Kill switch occasionally fails to engage

Overview

Surfshark has disrupted the VPN market with a simple value proposition: premium features at budget prices, plus unlimited device connections. In a market where competitors charge per device or limit connections to 5-6, Surfshark lets you protect every device your household owns under a single subscription.

The unlimited connections fundamentally change the economics. A family with phones, tablets, laptops, a smart TV, and a gaming console doesn't need multiple subscriptions or router configuration. Everyone connects directly, simultaneously, without counting. For households with many devices, this single feature justifies choosing Surfshark.

Beyond connections, Surfshark delivers features that match or exceed more expensive competitors. CleanWeb blocks ads, trackers, and malware. MultiHop routes through multiple countries. Camouflage mode hides VPN usage from ISPs. These aren't watered-down versions, they're complete implementations at lower prices.

Features Deep-Dive

Unlimited Connections

The headline feature is genuinely unlimited. Surfshark places no cap on simultaneous devices. Connect your entire household, give family members accounts, protect every smart device. The per-device economics favor Surfshark heavily for anyone with more than a few devices.

This also simplifies device management. No counting connections, no disconnecting one device to connect another, no choosing which devices get protection. Everything connects; nothing gets left out.

CleanWeb Technology

CleanWeb blocks ads, trackers, malware, and phishing attempts at the network level. Unlike browser-based ad blockers, it works system-wide across all apps. Video ads, in-app advertising, and tracking pixels all get filtered.

The practical impact reduces data usage, speeds up page loads, and removes visual clutter. For users tired of intrusive advertising, CleanWeb provides significant quality-of-life improvement beyond basic VPN functionality.

Privacy Features

MultiHop connects through two countries sequentially, adding an extra layer of anonymity. Camouflage mode (obfuscation) makes VPN traffic look like regular HTTPS, bypassing network-level VPN blocking. NoBorders mode automatically activates on restrictive networks.

Surfshark underwent independent security audits with publicly published results. The no-logs policy has been verified, and the company is based in the Netherlands, outside Five Eyes jurisdiction but with strong privacy law enforcement.

Pricing Analysis

Surfshark's pricing makes it the value leader in premium VPNs. The Starter plan runs $2.49/month with 2-year commitment, including core VPN features and CleanWeb. One adds antivirus and more features at $2.99/month. One+ adds data breach monitoring at $4.49/month.

Even at higher tiers, Surfshark costs less than competitors' base plans. The unlimited connections amplify this value, a family splitting Surfshark's cost across multiple people pays trivial per-person amounts.

The 30-day money-back guarantee provides evaluation time. Surfshark honors refunds without friction.

Who Is This For?

Surfshark works best for:

  • Families and households with many devices to protect
  • Budget-conscious users wanting premium features without premium prices
  • Those annoyed by ads who'll benefit from CleanWeb
  • Users who share accounts with family members
  • Anyone comparing price-per-device across services

The platform excels when protecting many devices at low total cost is priority.

Who Should NOT Use This

Surfshark might not be the right choice if:

  • Absolute fastest speeds matter: ExpressVPN wins speed benchmarks
  • You need maximum privacy: Mullvad's anonymous signup is more private
  • Consistency is critical: Speed can vary more than premium competitors
  • You're in China frequently: ExpressVPN/NordVPN have better reliability there
  • You want phone support: Support is chat/email only

Bottom Line

Surfshark delivers remarkable value by combining premium features with budget pricing and unlimited connections. For households with multiple devices, the economics are compelling, you get everything competitors offer at a fraction of the per-device cost.

Speed consistency is the main trade-off. While Surfshark is fast enough for streaming and general use, it doesn't match ExpressVPN's benchmark-leading performance. For users prioritizing value over absolute speed, Surfshark wins decisively.

FAQ

How many devices can use Surfshark?

Unlimited. Surfshark places no cap on simultaneous connections. Protect every device your household owns under a single subscription without counting or managing connections.

Is Surfshark good for streaming?

Yes, Surfshark reliably unblocks Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and most major streaming services. Speeds are sufficient for HD and 4K streaming. Some users report occasional server selection needed to find working options.

Is Surfshark safe?

Yes, Surfshark uses industry-standard AES-256 encryption, has passed independent security audits, and maintains a verified no-logs policy. The Netherlands jurisdiction provides privacy law protection outside Five Eyes arrangements.

How does Surfshark compare to NordVPN?

Surfshark costs less and offers unlimited connections versus NordVPN's 6-device limit. NordVPN has a larger server network and slightly better speed consistency. Both offer comparable features and security. Choose Surfshark for value and device count; choose NordVPN for the most complete feature set.

Does Surfshark slow down internet?

Moderately. Expect 15-25% speed reduction on average, though this varies by server and distance. For most users, this doesn't impact normal browsing or streaming. Speed-sensitive users might notice differences compared to ExpressVPN.

Who Is Surfshark Best For?

Families and users with many devices who want great value

The Bottom Line

Surfshark offers the best value in the VPN market with unlimited connections and solid features at budget prices, making it ideal for households with multiple devices to protect.

Try Surfshark Today

Key Specs

Starting Price$2.49/mo
Free TierNo
WebsiteVisit Site

Scoring Breakdown

Security30% weight
9.0

Encryption protocols, no-logs policy, kill switch reliability, leak protection, and overall security infrastructure.

Speed25% weight
8.8

Connection speeds, server performance, impact on browsing and streaming, and consistency across different server locations.

Features20% weight
9.0

Server network size, simultaneous connections, streaming support, split tunneling, and additional privacy features.

Pricing/Value15% weight
9.5

Monthly and annual costs, money-back guarantee, number of devices included, and overall value for the features provided.

Ease of Use10% weight
8.5

App design, setup process, platform availability, server selection interface, and overall user experience.

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