Surfshark Review 2026

Surfshark's speeds are solid, though not quite as fast as NordVPN or ExpressVPN. Using the WireGuard protocol, speeds are adequate for streaming, gaming, and general browsing.

Tests conducted on a 500 Mbps connection.

Surfshark's security features include:

• AES-256-GCM encryption on all connections
• WireGuard protocol as default on most platforms
• MultiHop routes traffic through two VPN servers
• CleanWeb blocks ads, trackers, malware, and phishing attempts
• Camouflage mode disguises VPN traffic as regular traffic
• NoBorders mode helps bypass network restrictions
• RAM-only servers ensure no data persists
• Kill switch on all platforms

Surfshark is incorporated in the Netherlands and has had its infrastructure independently audited by Deloitte. The company also completed a Cure53 security audit of its browser extensions and server infrastructure.

Surfshark's biggest differentiator is unlimited simultaneous connections. While NordVPN allows 10 and ExpressVPN allows 8, Surfshark puts no limit on the number of devices you can connect at the same time.

This makes it an excellent choice for families, households with many devices, or anyone who does not want to worry about connection limits. You can protect your phone, laptop, tablet, smart TV, and gaming console all at once on a single subscription.

Surfshark's app uses a sidebar layout with a searchable server list on the left and a connection status panel on the right. The interface is clean and responsive. You can favorite servers, sort by latency, and use the "Fastest Location" button for automatic selection. Specialty servers (MultiHop, Static IP) are clearly labeled in the server list.

Split tunneling (called "Bypasser") is available on Windows and Android, letting you exclude specific apps or websites from the VPN tunnel. This is useful for banking apps that block VPN connections or for local network access. On macOS and iOS, Bypasser is not available.

Surfshark's Alternative ID feature generates a new online identity (name, email address, date of birth) that you can use when signing up for services. Emails sent to your generated address are forwarded to your real inbox. This helps reduce spam and protects your real identity when registering on sites you do not fully trust.

• Families and large households: Unlimited devices means every family member can connect without managing connection slots or separate accounts.
• Budget-conscious users: At $2.19/month on a 2-year plan, Surfshark is one of the cheapest premium VPNs. You get features that rival providers costing twice as much.
• Privacy-minded users: RAM-only servers, Camouflage mode (obfuscation), and NoBorders mode (for restrictive networks) provide strong privacy tools at a low price.
• Multi-platform users: If you regularly switch between Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and Fire TV, Surfshark covers them all on one plan with no connection limits.

Surfshark is not the best choice if you need the absolute fastest speeds (NordVPN and ExpressVPN are faster) or reliable access in China (ExpressVPN is more consistent there). For those specific needs, consider NordVPN or ExpressVPN.