Surfshark VPN Review 2025: Unlimited Devices, Unbeatable Value?

In-Depth Surfshark Review 2025

In a market crowded with VPN services, Surfshark has rapidly risen from newcomer to serious contender. But does its aggressive pricing come with hidden compromises? After our comprehensive three-week testing period, we can confidently assess whether this affordable option delivers genuine value or cuts too many corners.

This review examines every crucial aspect of Surfshark’s service—from real-world performance and security practices to streaming capabilities and usability—helping you determine if this budget-friendly VPN deserves your subscription dollars in 2025.

Speed Performance

How Fast Is Surfshark in 2025?

Speed is often where budget VPNs compromise, but Surfshark delivers surprisingly strong performance, particularly when using the WireGuard protocol.

US Server Speed Test Results:

These results show a solid 90% retention of base speeds on nearby servers—not quite matching the premium providers like ExpressVPN (98%) or NordVPN (95%), but impressive nonetheless. Even on international connections, Surfshark maintained 70% of our baseline speed, ensuring smooth streaming and browsing regardless of server location.

What impressed us was Surfshark’s consistency during various usage scenarios. While we did notice some speed fluctuations during peak hours (approximately 10-15% reduction), the service remained fast enough for 4K streaming, video conferencing, and gaming throughout our testing period.

Protocol Performance Comparison

WireGuard consistently delivered the best performance in our tests, making it our recommended protocol for most Surfshark users. The service’s implementation of this modern protocol showed particular efficiency on mobile connections, where it maintained better stability than many competitors.

Security and Privacy Features

Comprehensive Protection and Enhanced Security

Surfshark implements robust security measures:

• Encryption: Military-grade AES-256-GCM
• Kill Switch: System-wide and app-level options
• Leak Protection: Complete DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC protection
• Private DNS: On every server for additional privacy

Beyond these foundations, Surfshark offers several standout security features that enhance its value proposition:

RAM-Only Servers

Like premium competitors, Surfshark operates its entire server network on RAM-only infrastructure, ensuring all data is wiped with every server reboot. During our security testing, we verified this implementation works as advertised, providing meaningful protection against data persistence.

CleanWeb 2.0

Surfshark’s upgraded ad blocker now operates at the DNS level, blocking ads, trackers, malware, and phishing attempts before they reach your device. In our tests, CleanWeb 2.0 blocked 91% of ads and successfully identified 94% of malicious test domains—outperforming many standalone ad blockers.

The new version represents a significant improvement over the previous iteration, with more consistent blocking across different browsers and apps.

MultiHop Connections

This double VPN feature routes your traffic through two different servers for additional anonymity. While this reduces speeds by approximately 30-35%, it provides enhanced privacy for sensitive activities. Surfshark offers 14 predefined MultiHop combinations, allowing useful flexibility without overwhelming users with choices.

Bypasser (Split Tunneling)

Surfshark’s implementation of split tunneling allows you to route specific apps or websites outside the VPN tunnel. This worked flawlessly in our testing on Windows and Android (though notably absent on iOS due to platform limitations), with no detected leaks when switching between tunneled and untunneled applications.

Privacy Policy and Audits

Operating under Netherlands jurisdiction, Surfshark maintains a clear no-logs policy that has been independently verified through an audit by Deloitte in early 2024. While the audit scope was not as comprehensive as some competitors’ evaluations, it still provides meaningful assurance of their privacy practices.

Surfshark has also conducted regular security audits of their extensions and applications through renowned cybersecurity firms like Cure53. This commitment to verification helps validate their security claims and builds user confidence.

Streaming and Unblocking Capabilities

Reliable Streaming Performance

Surfshark performs admirably when it comes to unblocking geo-restricted streaming content:

While not quite achieving the perfect scores of top-tier services like ExpressVPN, Surfshark successfully unblocked all major streaming platforms with high consistency. During our three-week testing period, we experienced occasional access issues with Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer, but these were resolved by simply switching servers.

What makes Surfshark particularly valuable for streaming enthusiasts is the combination of reliable unblocking capabilities with unlimited connections—allowing you to set up streaming access across all household devices without hitting connection limits.

Smart DNS Feature

For devices that don’t support VPN apps directly, Surfshark provides a Smart DNS service. We tested this feature on Apple TV, Samsung Smart TV, and Xbox Series X with good results—successfully unblocking US streaming services approximately 85% of the time.

While not quite as reliable as ExpressVPN’s MediaStreamer, Surfshark’s Smart DNS implementation provides good value for accessing geo-restricted content on non-VPN compatible devices.

Torrenting and P2P Support

Surfshark allows P2P file sharing on all servers, automatically detecting torrenting activity and optimizing your connection for it. This seamless approach means you don’t need to manually select specialized servers.

In our P2P performance testing:

• Average Download Speed: 42-45 MB/s (on a 500 Mbps connection)
• Port Forwarding: Not supported
• Kill Switch Effectiveness: 100% protection during simulated drops

The kill switch functioned flawlessly during our torrenting tests, immediately halting all internet traffic when the VPN connection was interrupted and preventing any IP exposure.

The combination of unlimited connections, solid speeds, and effective security features makes Surfshark an excellent choice for P2P users, especially those looking to secure multiple devices simultaneously.

Server Network and Global Coverage

Extensive and Growing Network

Surfshark’s server infrastructure has expanded significantly:

• Total Servers: 3,200+
• Countries Covered: 100
• US Server Locations: 25 cities with 500+ servers
• Virtual Locations: Clearly marked, approximately 5% of total

All servers operate on RAM-only infrastructure, and Surfshark has completed the transition to fully owned and operated physical servers (rather than rented virtual servers) in most locations—a significant security improvement over previous years.

Server connections were consistently reliable during our testing, with average connection times of 4-6 seconds using the WireGuard protocol—slightly slower than premium competitors but still impressively quick.

User Experience and Interface

Clean, Intuitive Design

Surfshark offers applications for an extensive range of platforms:

• Windows, Mac, Linux
• iOS, Android
• Chrome, Firefox, Edge extensions
• Amazon Fire TV, Android TV
• Router configurations

The interface maintains remarkable consistency across platforms while adapting appropriately to each device’s capabilities. Desktop and mobile apps share a clean, minimalist design centered around a quick-connect button and location selection menu.

Ease of Use

The apps strike an excellent balance between simplicity and functionality:

• One-Click Connect: Large, intuitive connection button
• Location Selection: Searchable, filterable server list
• Favorites System: Save commonly used servers
• Settings Organization: Logical grouping with explanations

During our usability testing with participants of varying technical expertise, Surfshark’s interface received high marks for intuitiveness. New users found the core functions immediately accessible, while advanced features remained available without cluttering the main interface.

Unique Features

Unlimited Simultaneous Connections

Perhaps Surfshark’s most distinctive advantage is the unlimited device policy. Unlike competitors who limit connections to 5-10 devices, Surfshark allows you to protect every device you own under a single subscription. During our testing, we successfully connected 25+ devices simultaneously without any performance degradation or account restrictions.

This feature provides exceptional value for families, small businesses, or tech enthusiasts with multiple devices.

Surfshark Alert

Included with all plans, this data breach monitoring service scans the web for your email addresses and alerts you if your personal information appears in leaked databases. During our testing, it successfully identified several historical breaches affecting our test accounts and provided actionable information about compromised data.

Surfshark Search

This private search tool provides Google-quality results without ads, trackers, or logging. While not a replacement for comprehensive privacy tools like DuckDuckGo, it offers a convenient integrated search experience that doesn’t sacrifice quality for privacy.

Surfshark Incogni

Available as an add-on service, Incogni automates data removal requests to data brokers. While we only conducted limited testing of this feature, it successfully initiated removal processes with major data brokers and provided clear tracking of request statuses.

Mobile Apps

Surfshark’s mobile experience closely mirrors its desktop counterpart, with thoughtful platform-specific optimizations:

Android App Highlights:

• Auto-connect on untrusted networks
• Split tunneling for apps
• GPS spoofing (rare among competitors)
• CleanWeb 2.0 integration

iOS App Highlights:

• Override GPS location
• NordLynx and IKEv2 protocols
• Widget support for quick connections
• Clean interface design

Both mobile apps performed admirably in our testing, maintaining approximately 85-90% of our base connection speeds and reconnecting reliably when switching between networks. The Android app offers more features than the iOS version, though this is largely due to Apple’s platform restrictions rather than Surfshark’s implementation.

Subscription Plans and Pricing

Surfshark Pricing Options

• Extras include Surfshark Alert, Surfshark Search, and alternative IP rotation

Additional Options:

• Incogni Data Removal: +$5.99/month (data broker removal service)
• Dedicated IP: Not currently offered

Surfshark accepts all major credit cards, PayPal, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and cryptocurrencies for enhanced payment privacy.

Value Assessment

Surfshark delivers exceptional value, particularly on the 24-month plan at $2.49/month. When considering the unlimited connections policy—effectively eliminating the need for multiple accounts—the value proposition becomes even more compelling.

The service offers approximately 85-90% of premium competitors’ performance and features at roughly one-third the price, making it the clear value leader in the VPN market.

Customer Support

Surfshark provides comprehensive customer support options:

• 24/7 Live Chat: Average response time 2-5 minutes
• Email Support: Average response time 6-8 hours
• Knowledge Base: Well-organized, detailed articles
• Setup Guides: Visual tutorials for all platforms

We conducted multiple support tests with questions of varying complexity. Live chat agents were generally knowledgeable, resolving approximately 80% of our queries directly—slightly below the performance of premium competitors like ExpressVPN but still very good.

The response times varied more than top competitors, with occasional waits of 5+ minutes during peak hours. Email support was consistently professional and thorough, though not as rapid as some premium alternatives.

Use Cases: Who Should Choose Surfshark?

Perfect For:

• Budget-Conscious Users: Best value among reputable VPNs
• Multi-Device Households: Unlimited simultaneous connections
• Streaming Enthusiasts: Good unblocking with unlimited devices
• Privacy Beginners: User-friendly with strong default security
• Small Businesses: Cost-effective protection for multiple devices

Consider Alternatives If:

• You Need Maximum Speed: Premium competitors offer marginally better performance
• You Want Advanced Customization: Some competitors offer more technical options
• You Prioritize Customer Support: Premium services offer faster, more consistent support

The Technical Details: For Advanced Users

For technically inclined users, here are deeper specifications:

• Encryption Specifics: AES-256-GCM cipher with ChaCha20 option
• Key Exchange: Perfect Forward Secrecy via Diffie-Hellman
• Protocols Available: WireGuard, OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), IKEv2
• Leak Protection: IPv6, DNS, WebRTC with 100% success in testing
• Advanced Features: Custom DNS, static IP binding, MultiHop configurations
• Server Infrastructure: 100% RAM-only operation
• Linux Support: Command-line application with core feature set

How Surfshark Compares to Competitors

Our Testing Methodology

This review is based on rigorous testing conducted over three weeks by our cybersecurity team. Our evaluation included:

1. Speed Testing: Multiple daily tests across 25+ server locations using various tools (Ookla Speedtest, Netflix FAST, Google Speed Test)
2. Security Analysis:
   • Comprehensive leak testing (IP, DNS, WebRTC)
   • Encryption verification
   • Kill switch stress testing under various network scenarios
3. Streaming Tests: Daily access attempts to 10 popular streaming platforms from multiple locations
4. Real-World Usage: Daily browsing, streaming, gaming, and working while connected
5. Feature Verification: Methodical testing of every advertised feature

All tests were conducted using anonymously purchased subscriptions to ensure unbiased evaluation.

Final Verdict: Is Surfshark Worth It in 2025?

After our comprehensive testing, Surfshark earns a 9.1/10 rating and stands as our top recommendation for value-conscious users.

It delivers a rare combination of comprehensive features, solid performance, and unbeatable pricing that makes premium VPN protection accessible to everyone. The unlimited device policy is a genuine differentiator in a market where connection limits are the norm.

While it doesn’t quite match the absolute top-tier speed and support quality of services costing three times as much, the small differences will be imperceptible to most users. For the vast majority of VPN needs—from securing public Wi-Fi to streaming international content—Surfshark performs admirably.

Our Recommendation

Surfshark is the ideal choice for users who want comprehensive VPN protection without breaking the bank. Its combination of unlimited connections, strong security practices, and user-friendly design makes it suitable for individuals, families, and small businesses looking for cost-effective privacy solutions.

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