Review of Surfshark VPN (2024): Is it a Secure and Reliable VPN?

Surfshark impresses me with its capability to provide specific scenarios where MultiHop can serve as a valuable asset. According to this VPN service, MultiHop can be advantageous for individuals such as activists or reporters seeking heightened online privacy while located in more repressive regions globally.

Although these are more specified scenarios, the introduction of unique functionalities like this within the core VPN service is commendable.

Surfshark Search

Being a writer engaged in extensive online investigations, Surfshark Search stands out as my favored feature among Surfshark’s offerings. It presents a personalized search platform that automatically blocks all directed promotions and trackers from your search outcomes.

SEE: Surfshark vs CyberGhost (2024): Which VPN Is Superior? (TechRepublic)

Typically, when you look up something like “top password manager” on a search engine, you are bombarded with a plethora of sponsored posts, as illustrated in the image below.

With Surfshark Search, all the sponsored posts and advertisements are completely eliminated from the search outcomes, resulting in a cleaner and less disruptive browsing session. Below is a preview of me searching for the same “top password manager” — this time using Surfshark Search.

After selecting search, I landed on a Surfshark Explore page with a neater assortment of queries, all brimming with more natural posts and web pages.

I visualize this being beneficial to individuals who conduct extensive research and are weary of sieving through myriad advertisements to reach a superior webpage.

Limitless device connections

With Surfshark, you receive unlimited concurrent device connections that enable users to link an infinite number of devices to a VPN server simultaneously.

This empowers families or small enterprises to link as numerous devices as they desire to a VPN server without needing to buy an additional subscription.

While not the most extravagant feature, I consider unlimited devices to be a substantial value addition. This holds particularly true if you utilize several laptops, desktops, and mobile devices and desire to connect all of them to a secure VPN server.

Performance: How speedy is Surfshark VPN?

I was thoroughly amazed by Surfshark’s VPN velocities, as they were rapid and dependable throughout my trials. This encompassed executing my customary workflow as a scribe: maintaining multiple tabs open for investigation, working on Google Workspace applications like Drive and Docs, and participating in the sporadic online video conference.

During my Surfshark server connections, I encountered nearly zero decline in real-world speed. Websites and webpages loaded swiftly, and online browsing felt snappy. Furthermore, I did not encounter any connectivity interruptions, as my VPN linkage stayed steadfast from commencement to conclusion.

The scenario was identical when it came to rate examinations. Concerning downloads, Surfshark merely indicated a reduction of about 12.5% compared to my internet service.provider — which is excellent since a decrease of approximately 20-30% is deemed satisfactory. When it comes to uploads, Surfshark actually delivered faster speeds, showing a remarkable 49.6% enhancement compared to my Internet Service Provider.

If you require a VPN that operates swiftly, with top-notch speed and reliability, I am convinced that Surfshark will fulfill these requirements perfectly.

Surfshark VPN servers and locations

Regarding VPN servers, Surfshark boasts a robust server network spanning 100 countries, totaling over 3,200 servers. In terms of server quantity, Surfshark’s network of 3,200 servers surpasses the average among competitors.

What intrigues me more is the diversity of VPN server locations or countries offered. With a presence in 100 countries, Surfshark is on par with other leading VPN providers in 2024. For comparison, CyberGhost VPN also presents a 100-country server fleet, whereas NordVPN operates servers across 111 countries.

In 2024, having approximately 100 countries covered in a VPN server network appears to be the norm. Personally, I support this trend as it equips consumers with more options to bypass geo-restrictions. Additionally, it enhances speed by increasing the likelihood of having servers in proximity to your location, reducing latency and boosting overall speed.

Fortunately, Surfshark supplies a publicly accessible summary of all active VPN server locations, enabling you to verify if their VPN encompasses the server locations you intend to utilize.

Surfshark online server network overview. Image: Surfshark

You may explore the server list here.

Surfshark VPN app experience

In terms of application experience, I encountered predominantly positive outcomes utilizing Surfshark’s app. Throughout this evaluation, I assessed Surfshark’s Windows desktop app. Overall, I discerned that the Surfshark app exhibits thoughtful design and user-friendliness.

Surfshark’s interface had a contemporary feel, and I admired its modern design approach. The organization of features and settings was top-notch, making it easy for me to navigate without any confusion during my evaluation.

One aspect where Surfshark could enhance is the initial usability of some features. Particularly, when I tried to utilize Surfshark’s Bypasser split tunneling feature for the first time, I encountered some difficulties.

Bypasser allows users to select specific applications or websites to route through the VPN or exempt them from the VPN connection entirely.

During my initial attempt with Bypasser, I faced a challenge in having Microsoft Edge bypass the VPN server as I desired. Nonetheless, a swift restart of the application resolved the issue. A similar situation occurred when I explored Surfshark’s Dynamic MultiHop functionality, which felt somewhat cumbersome to use initially.

Although Surfshark advises the user about the need for a connection or app restart, I felt it was necessary to mention here as it slightly disrupted the otherwise smooth app journey I had with Surfshark in most of my testing.

Surfshark VPN customer support

Surfshark VPN offers a variety of customer support avenues. These include email assistance, a ticket system, live chat, an AI-powered chatbot, and a comprehensive knowledge base featuring detailed guides and tutorials.

When interacting with Surfshark’s AI chatbot, it delivered prompt responses to basic inquiries. However, when faced with more complex questions, it struggled, necessitating a realistic expectation when seeking resolution through this channel.

On a different note, I found their support documentation to be genuinely useful. The articles and guides were thorough, catering to various operating systems and devices.

I particularly liked how the support materials included screenshots for each step, making it accessible to individuals with varying technical backgrounds. Additionally, the provision of video tutorials alongside the articles added an impressive layer of detail and clarity.

manual.

Surfshark VPN benefits

• Unlimited connections for devices.
• Highly cost-effective long-range subscription plans.
• User-friendly and aesthetically pleasing interface.
• Rapid and dependable VPN speeds.
• Innovative MultiHop dual VPN feature.
• Presence of servers in 100 countries.
• No advertisements on the search engine tool.

Surfshark VPN disadvantages

• Initial use of certain features might be cumbersome.
• Pricing structure upon renewal can be perplexing.
• Lack of a free trial for Windows users.
• Expensive monthly subscription plans.

Who will benefit from Surfshark VPN?

Surfshark is ideal for individuals seeking a valuable VPN service that offers exceptional performance and various well-thought-out security features at affordable rates.

The standout feature of Surfshark for me is its impressive VPN speeds. During testing, it consistently delivered high speeds and maintained stable connections across multiple VPN servers and locations. If you are specifically searching for a VPN that performs well in terms of speed, Surfshark is an excellent choice.

Moreover, Surfshark is suitable for small teams requiring a VPN that can support multiple devices. With its option for unlimited simultaneous device connections, Surfshark can cater to numerous computers, smartphones, and other devices without the need for an additional subscription for each one.

Alternatives to Surfshark VPN

Although Surfshark is a top-notch VPN service, there are other alternatives that provide unique features worth considering. Below are three VPN alternatives you can explore:

NordVPN

For enthusiasts of security, I recommend considering NordVPN. NordVPN is known for providing various security features with its VPN service, such as built-in web protection against trackers, ads, and malware; a distinct encrypted file-sharing system; and a dedicated dark web monitor for monitoring leaked credentials.

To explore further, refer to our full NordVPN review.

CyberGhost VPN

If you are in search of optimized servers, I suggest looking into CyberGhost VPN. CyberGhost VPN smartly organizes its servers based on their specific uses, whether for streaming, torrenting, or gaming. With an extensive server network spanning 100 countries, it is an excellent choice if your main requirement for a VPN is to access geo-restricted content online.

To delve deeper, read our full CyberGhost VPN review.

ExpressVPN

When aiming for a seamless user interaction, ExpressVPN stands out to be one of the premier choices. It utilizes a sleek user interface that is well-crafted and easy to navigate. ExpressVPN also boasts an impressive number of third-party security audits, showcasing its dedication to offering top-tier security to its users.

To discover more, visit our full ExpressVPN review.

Method of evaluation

My assessment of Surfshark VPN involved a thorough analysis of its features, pricing, and real-world performance. I had practical experience with Surfshark VPN via a one-year subscription to Surfshark Starter.

For evaluating Surfshark VPN, I assigned scores based on various aspects ranging from its server network to pricing. Specifically, I considered five key areas, each with respective weights:

• Pricing (20%).
• Essential VPN attributes (30%).
• User-friendliness (15%).
• Customer support (30%).
• Professional analysis (5%).

Based on this evaluation framework, Surfshark VPN received a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. I also referenced user feedback and credible reviews to provide a comprehensive assessment for this review.

For speed and performance assessment, I utilized Ookla’s publicly available Speedtest to measure download and upload speeds. I conducted multiple tests using DNSLeakTest to verify any potential DNS leaks. Lastly, I considered the specific types of businesses or individuals that would gain the most benefit from using Surfshark VPN.

To gain more insights into our VPN review process, refer to our comprehensive VPN Review Methodology.

About Author

AndyC

Andy Curtis is an award-winning security consultant, researcher and public speaker. He has been working in the computer security industry since the early 1990s, having been employed by state and federal government, leading healthcare and banking providers across three continents. He has given talks about computer security for some of the world’s largest companies, worked with law enforcement agencies on investigations into hacking groups, and is a regular voice on TV and radio explaining IT security threats.

See author's posts