Surfshark VPN Review: Is It Still a Top VPN Choice?
Virtual private networks (VPNs) have become an essential tool for protecting your privacy and security online. With so many VPN services to choose from, it can be tough to decide which one is right for you.
One popular option is Surfshark VPN. But how does it stack up in 2024? This Surfshark VPN review will take an in-depth look at what this VPN offers to help you determine if it's still a top choice this year.
Overview of Surfshark VPN
Surfshark VPN was launched in 2018 and is based in the British Virgin Islands. It has quickly grown to become one of the most well-known VPN services on the market.
Some key features and benefits of Surfshark include:
- Works on unlimited devices - Only one Surfshark account needed for all your devices
- Strict no-logs policy
- AES-256-GCM encryption
- Supports torrenting and P2P
- Kill switch feature
- Whitelist function
- MultiHop connections
- CleanWeb ad & tracker blocking
- Camouflage mode
- Affordable pricing
In terms of server network, Surfshark has over 3,200 servers in 100+ countries. While not as large as some competitors, this is still an impressive server infrastructure that allows you to connect from anywhere.
Surfshark has native apps for all major platforms - Windows, Mac, iOS, Android, Linux, and FireTV. Browser extensions are also available for Chrome and Firefox. Setting up the VPN is quick and easy, even for VPN beginners.
Privacy & Security
One of the most important considerations with any VPN is how it protects your privacy. Surfshark takes privacy seriously and is based in the British Virgin Islands, outside the jurisdiction of intelligence-sharing agreements like Five Eyes.
It has a strict no-logs policy, meaning no activity or connection logs are maintained. The company cannot divulge any information about customers if requested.
Surfshark utilizes industry-standard AES-256 encryption combined with protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPsec. This ensures all data is securely encrypted when travelling between your device and Surfshark's servers.
An added security measure is the multi-hop connection option. Your traffic can be routed through multiple Surfshark servers, providing enhanced encryption and anonymization.
The VPN kill switch will instantly block your internet access if the VPN connection drops to prevent IP leaks. And Whitelister allows you to customize which apps bypass the VPN tunnel.
Overall, Surfshark provides a very secure and private environment for your online activities.
Speed & Performance
Speed is often a concern with VPN services. Connecting through a remote server often results in slower speed than your normal connection.
Surfshark uses a RAM-only network of servers to improve performance. This allows sites and apps to load very quickly most of the time.
Connecting to distant servers can still result in some speed reduction, but not as significant as some other VPNs.
During testing, speeds when connected to nearby servers were excellent, with minimal impact on browsing, streaming, and downloads. More distant connections understandably had slower speeds but were still quite usable for general purposes.
Surfshark also has a handy multi-hop connection option.
While routing through multiple servers does increase anonymity, it will reduce speeds. This should only be used when enhanced privacy is a necessity.
Overall, the speed and performance of Surfshark is above average compared to other VPN services. The fast servers ensure a smooth user experience.
Streaming & Torrenting Support
Unblocking geo-restricted content and maintaining secure torrenting are two key reasons people use VPNs. Surfshark handles both of these scenarios well.
During testing, it successfully unblocked major Netflix libraries like the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Other streaming services like BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video also worked consistently across multiple servers.
For torrenting, Surfshark allows P2P activity on all its servers without any data restrictions. There are no port-blocking issues. The VPN kill switch provides protection if the connection drops.
And for added anonymity, enabling multihop will route your P2P traffic through multiple servers making it much harder to trace. Overall, Surfshark is a great choice for safe torrenting and bypassing geo-blocks.
Ease of Use
Getting started with a new VPN can sometimes be complicated. Surfshark makes the process very straightforward for even the least tech-savvy users.
The apps for Windows, Mac, iOS, etc. are super easy to download and install.
Simply launch the app, enter your account info, and click connect. You don't have to select servers or change settings - it connects automatically.
The desktop app has a clean modern interface showing your new IP, connection status, and a handy Quick Connect feature. The mobile apps are just as intuitive with no clutter.
Surfshark also has useful features that make using a VPN even easier. Whitelist allows you to designate apps and websites that bypass the VPN tunnel. CleanWeb blocks ads, trackers, and malware on web pages.
With the simplicity of Surfshark combined with the range of user-friendly features, anyone can benefit from enhanced online privacy - not just tech experts.
Pricing & Plans
One of the most appealing aspects of Surfshark is the very affordable pricing. It routinely has some of the lowest rates among top VPNs.
Here are the current pricing options:
- 1 month plan: $13.99/mo
- 12 month plan: $3.99/mo
- 24 month plan: $1.99/mo
The longer subscription plans offer fantastic savings. The 2-year plan at just $3.99/mo is an incredible deal compared to most competitors.
All plans are covered by a generous 30-day money-back guarantee. So you can try it risk-free and get a full refund if not satisfied.
Surfshark also allows unlimited simultaneous connections. So a single account can protect all your devices without paying for multiple plans. This adds even more value.
For the level of service, Surfshark provides, the affordable pricing makes it very appealing compared to other VPN options.
Surfshark VPN Pros & Cons
Pros
- Affordable pricing with savings on longer plans
- Unlimited device connections
- No-logs policy and privacy protections
- Good speeds with low latency
- Unblocks top streaming sites consistently
- Supports P2P and torrenting
- Very easy to set up and use
- 30-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Smaller server network than top competitors
- Limited tech support options
- No option to manually select the server
- Fewer advanced configuration options
Conclusion: Is Surfshark VPN Still a Top Choice?
In this Surfshark VPN review, we looked at all aspects of this service including features, security, speeds, streaming access, pricing, and more. The vast majority of the analysis is positive, with Surfshark excelling in many categories.
The fast performance, privacy protections, unlimited connections, and extremely affordable pricing help Surfshark stand out in the crowded VPN space. The easy setup process is also a major bonus for non-technical users.
While it may not have as many servers or advanced features as some big-name competitors, Surfshark still meets the needs of the majority of VPN users very well. The value provided by this VPN service is hard to beat.
