Surfshark VPN Evaluation (2024): Can it be a Secure and Dependable VPN?

I am especially fond of how Surfshark showcases specific scenarios where MultiHop can be a valuable asset. As outlined by the VPN provider, MultiHop can be advantageous for individuals such as activists or reporters who seek heightened online privacy while living in more censorious regions of the globe.

Even though these represent more specialized applications, I commend Surfshark for introducing distinctive functionalities like this alongside its primary VPN offering.

Surfshark Search

As an author who conducts extensive online investigations, Surfshark Search stands out to me among Surfshark’s attributes. It delivers a personalized search platform that automatically blocks all tailored advertisements and trackers from your search outcomes.

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

Ordinarily, when you query something like “finest password manager” on a search engine, you are bombarded with numerous sponsored entries, as depicted in the illustration below.

Through Surfshark Search, all the sponsored posts and advertisements are eliminated from the search output entirely. This results in a significantly cleaner and less obtrusive web exploration experience. Provided below is a peek at my search for the same “finest password manager” — now utilizing Surfshark Search.

Upon triggering the search function, I found myself redirected to a Surfshark Search page brimming with refined queries and abundant authentic content.

I see this feature being particularly handy for individuals heavily engaged in research, utterly fatigued from combing through an abundance of advertisements to access high-quality websites.

Unrestricted device connections

Surfshark boasts unrestricted simultaneous device connections, enabling users to link an infinite number of devices to a VPN server concurrently.

This feature empowers families or small enterprises to attach as many gadgets as they desire to a VPN server without the need for additional subscriptions.

Although not the most flamboyant attribute, I perceive unlimited devices as a notable value proposition. This holds particularly true if one employs numerous laptops, desktops, and smartphones, aiming to secure all these devices through a dependable VPN server.

Performance: How fast is Surfshark VPN?

I found Surfshark VPN’s speed to be impressively swift and consistent throughout my evaluations. During my routine tasks as a writer—juggling multiple tabs for research, utilizing Google Workspace tools like Drive and Docs, and participating in occasional online video conferences—I experienced minimal lag while connected to Surfshark servers.

While under Surfshark’s server coverage, real-world speeds remained nearly unaffected. Websites loaded swiftly, providing a snappy online browsing experience. The connection was steadfast without any disruptions, ensuring continuous VPN cover.

Testing the speed yielded similar outcomes. Surfshark exhibited only a marginal 12.5% decrease in download speed compared to my regular internet connection.service provider — which is great because a reduction of about 20-30% is deemed satisfactory. Concerning uploads, Surfshark actually demonstrated superior speeds, showing a 49.6% boost compared to my ISP.

If you require a high-performing VPN that delivers top-notch speed and dependability, I have full confidence that Surfshark will meet your needs effectively.

Surfshark VPN servers and their distribution

Regarding VPN servers, Surfshark stands out with a robust server fleet spanning over 100 countries with 3,200+ servers. In terms of quantity, Surfshark’s network of 3,200 servers exceeds the average in comparison to other providers.

What intrigues me more is the variety of VPN server locations among different countries. With servers in 100 countries, Surfshark is on par with other leading VPN services in 2024. Just for comparison, CyberGhost VPN also boasts a server fleet across 100 countries, while NordVPN covers 111 countries.

In 2024, having close to 100 countries in a VPN server network is appearing to be the norm. Personally, I endorse this shift as it widens consumer options for accessing geo-restricted content. Furthermore, it enhances speed by increasing the likelihood of proximity to VPN servers, thus reducing latency and improving overall speed.

Fortunately, Surfshark offers a publicly accessible overview of all its active VPN server locations, enabling you to verify if they have servers in your intended regions of use.

Visual representation of Surfshark’s online server network overview. Image credit: Surfshark

Access the full server list here.

User experience with Surfshark VPN app

Regarding the in-app experience, I encountered a predominantly favorable experience using Surfshark’s application. In this evaluation, I tested the Windows desktop app provided by Surfshark. Overall, I observed the Surfshark app to be excellently crafted and user-friendly.

The application itself displayed a contemporary feel, and I valued the contemporary approach it adopted in terms of design. The organization of everything was also admirable, as during my testing, I encountered no difficulties in locating features or essential settings.

One aspect where Surfshark could enhance is that certain features felt a bit cumbersome initially. Specifically, I faced some challenges when attempting to utilize Surfshark’s Bypasser split tunneling feature for the first time.

Bypasser enables you to select specific applications or websites to be routed through the VPN or to be bypassed from the VPN entirely.

During my initial attempt with Bypasser, it initially failed to make Microsoft Edge bypass the VPN server as I had intended. Nonetheless, a brief restart of the application and Bypasser resolved the issue. Similarly, I encountered a similar situation during the first usage of Surfshark’s Dynamic MultiHop feature, where it appeared somewhat clunky at the beginning.

While Surfshark does indicate to the user that a connection or application restart is necessary, I thought it was worth mentioning here as it slightly interrupts the otherwise smooth app experience I had with Surfshark for most of my testing.

Surfshark VPN customer service

Surfshark VPN offers a substantial array of customer service options. It includes email support, a ticket system, live chat, an AI chatbot, and a comprehensive knowledge base with detailed guides and tutorials.

Upon trying Surfshark’s AI chatbot, it promptly addressed simple inquiries with acceptable responses. However, it faced challenges with more complex queries, so one must manage expectations when using it to address an issue.

Additionally, I found their support articles to be genuinely useful. The content and guides were thorough, and they even provided articles tailored to specific operating systems and devices.

I particularly admired how the support articles, such as the one above concerning setup, included screenshots for each step — avoiding assumptions about the technical proficiency of the reader. They even offered a video tutorial in conjunction with the article, delivering an impressively comprehensivecounsel.

Merits of Surfshark VPN

• Unlimited connections for devices.
• Highly cost-effective long-range plans.
• User-friendly and aesthetically pleasing interface.
• Swift and dependable VPN speeds.
• Dynamic MultiHop double VPN feature.
• Global presence with servers in 100 nations.
• Search engine tool without ads.

Downsides of Surfshark VPN

• Initial clunkiness in some features.
• Confusing renewal pricing.
• Lack of free trial for Windows.
• High cost of monthly plans.

Whom Does Surfshark VPN Suit?

Anyone seeking a value-packed VPN with strong performance and various security features at budget-friendly rates should consider Surfshark.

The standout feature of Surfshark, in my opinion, is its exceptional VPN speeds. It consistently delivered fast speeds and a stable connection across various servers and locations during testing. If high-performing speed is your priority in a VPN, then Surfshark is an excellent choice.

Moreover, Surfshark is ideal for small teams requiring a VPN that can support numerous devices. With its capability for unlimited simultaneous connections, Surfshark can accommodate multiple computers, smartphones, and other devices without necessitating separate subscriptions for each.

Substitute Options for Surfshark VPN

Though Surfshark is a top-notch VPN, exploring other options with distinct features is worth considering. I have detailed three VPN alternatives below:

NordVPN

For individuals keen on security measures, my recommendation is NordVPN. NordVPN has established a reputation for offering a wide array of security features with its VPN. These include built-in web protection against trackers, ads, and malware, an exclusive encrypted file-sharing system, and a dedicated dark web monitor for monitoring leaked credentials.

For further details, check out our complete NordVPN review.

CyberGhost VPN

Should you prioritize optimized servers, I suggest opting for CyberGhost VPN. This VPN intelligently categorizes its servers based on the intended usage — be it for streaming, torrenting, or gaming. With a vast server network spread across 100 countries, it is a reliable choice for unblocking geo-restricted online content.

To delve deeper, peruse our comprehensive CyberGhost VPN review.

ExpressVPN

In terms of providing a seamless user experience, ExpressVPN stands out as one of the finest. It utilizes a sleek UI that is well-crafted and easy to navigate. ExpressVPN also boasts an impressive number of third-party security audits, underscoring its commitment to offering top-tier security to users.

For more insights, check our in-depth ExpressVPN review.

Evaluation Method

My evaluation of Surfshark VPN involved a thorough assessment of its features, cost, and practical performance. I extensively used Surfshark VPN with a Surfshark Starter subscription for a year.

To evaluate Surfshark VPN, I rated it based on aspects ranging from its server network to pricing. Specifically, I considered five key aspects, each carrying different weights:

• Pricing (20%).
• Core VPN features (30%).
• User-friendliness (15%).
• Customer assistance (30%).
• Expert analysis (5%).

Based on this assessment, Surfshark VPN was awarded a rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. I also incorporated user feedback and reputable reviews to finalize my recommendations for this assessment.

For speed and performance testing, I used Ookla’s public Speedtest for measuring download and upload speeds. Additionally, I ran Surfshark VPN through DNSLeakTest multiple times to check for any DNS leaks. Lastly, I considered which types of businesses or individuals would derive the most benefit from using Surfshark VPN.

To understand more about our VPN review processes, check out our full 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.

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