Surfshark Review for 2023, Surfshark is a newer VPN choice than its older and more well-known competitors, but it has quickly established itself as a genuine contender. Despite having a shorter server network than NordVPN or ExpressVPN, Surfshark compensates with outstanding features and fast speeds. In addition, compared to established services like IPVani, the affordable VPN includes more configurable security add-ons.
VPNs help secure your private information by passing all of your website traffic through an established channel to a remote server but that security comes at a cost—in the case of Surfshark, that cost is in bucks and cents. Surfshark is the most recent Editors’ Choice winner in the VPN category, but it’s one of the costliest.
Surfshark has done a lot to justify its high price tag in a populated sector by providing unique features, well-developed apps, and a strong focus on consumer privacy. Among even Editors’ Choice winners, Surfshark stands out since it allows you to link to an infinite number of devices at the same time. For big families or houses with a lot of gadgets, this is a terrific deal.
Surfing the web may be perilous, much like surfing in the ocean, but for very different reasons. Because of cookies, hacking, and information breaches, surfing discreetly, ideally with a VPN like Surfshark, is the best option to get online.
Why Surfshark?
This has a lot of depth. Most VPNs allow you to see through them by requesting your physical address, but just not Surfshark, which uses GPS Spoofing technology to come back to the location of your selected VPN server.
URL and ad blocking, P2P compatibility on most servers, VPN chaining, split tunneling, the corporation’s personal zero-knowledge DNS server, and 24/7 help through chat and email if something goes wrong are also included.
Surfshark has followed ExpressVPN and NordVPN in switching to 100 percent diskless servers, dramatically reducing the chance for attackers to compromise or exfiltrate data.
Surfshark claims that its new password innovation will regularly analyze your passwords based on current cybersecurity research and send you a notification if it needs to be changed, according to the company. We don’t understand how that works, so we can’t say whether it’ll be useful, but any more login credentials advice is always welcome.
An ‘Invisible to devices’ function in the app covers your devices from someone on the connection when you’re attached to the VPN, providing an added degree of security.
New in-app messages inform you about crucial accounts, payments, or technical concerns, although there are some modest but greeted usability modifications in the Mac app.
Background of Company
Are you still paying focus? Surfshark, situated in the British Virgin Islands, has over 3,200 web servers in 65 places across the globe including our headquarters in New York City. In contrast to the United States, the British Virgin Islands is not a component of the multinational monitoring coalitions Five Eye, Nine Eye, or 14 Eye.
That implies the US government would be unable to obtain our information through Surfshark lawfully. This is an important feature of any VPN, in my opinion, because it ensured that Surfshark would protect our data. We felt quite safe with the organization itself, as it had a pristine track history of safeguarding consumer data.
Features of Surfshark
As we were linked, Surfshark performed the fundamental function of a VPN, which was to hide our IP address and web activities, as demonstrated by the DNS and WebRTC leakage tests below. Apart from that, there were four primary.
Characteristics of Surfshark that made me giddy:
Torrenting: Despite the ever-growing number of streaming platforms accessible, we occasionally find ourselves in the desire to view a film that isn’t accessible on Hulu, Disney Plus, or any of the other services. We usually torrent things in those situations, that we could accomplish with Surfshark running. We can’t condone illegal torrenting, however, if you want to have some lawful torrenting fun, sign up for Surfshark first.
Netflix: In a similar vein, you’d assume the Netflix framework in the United States would offer almost enough movies and Television programs to meet our wants; you’d be mistaken. We occasionally wanted to go foreign with Netflix, whether it was to view dry British humor on a British server or to be perplexed by some German programs.
Kill switch: A woman accidentally slipped into me while I was linked to Surfshark, prompting us to unsubscribe from the VPN. Is it possible that my online traffic has been compromised? Thankfully, no. Rather, Surfshark kill switch activated, shutting off all of my browsers. What a case of quick reactions!
Split tunneling: Using a tool called White Lister, I was able to connect to both private and public networks concurrently while connecting to Surfshark, allowing us to access YouTube while on a business server.
Surfshark speed – How quick is it?
The speed tests yielded outstanding results, During regular use.
To summarise my findings, they are as follows:
• Surfshark is a VPN that provides above-average internet connection speed and excellent performance in everyday situations.
• The download speed testing yielded excellent results.
• Surfshark allows you to rapidly stream content and download stuff.
In-use speed
I was really curious regarding Surfshark efficiency when it came to connectivity speeds, especially after seeing the test results, particularly for the US server.
The VPN did not fail to impress: it performed admirably in regular situations. Surfshark VPN impressed me every time we used it to browse the web, stream Netflix, install torrents, and play computer games.
Surfshark had no effect on our internet connections while we were exploring. The websites were quick to load. E-mailing, downloading documents, and surfing social media were all completed in record time.
Surfshark security – How safe is it?
- Surfshark proved to be a relatively safe VPN service. In terms of Surfshark security, I arrived at the following results:
- Surfshark headquarters are in the British Virgin Islands, yet the company appears to be based in the United Kingdom.
- Surfshark is a safe VPN that uses industry-leading encryption methods.
- You can link to two VPN servers at the same time.
- Surfshark has a kill switch feature that protects your connection to the internet if your VPN connection stops.
- There are no logs kept by Surfshark.
- To create a Surfshark profile, you only need to provide your email account and a password, so you can pay using Bitcoin.
Surfshark doesn’t really maintain track of individual user information, but it does use anonymized data to estimate loading speed and identify potential connectivity problems.
Protocols
Surfshark uses AES-256-bit encryption and, among many other things, OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec, which are currently the two secure protocols available.
This demonstrates that they are unafraid to put their users’ safety at risk. Surfshark also has a protocol called Shadowsocks that’s been created especially to get around censorship, particularly in China. An encrypted proxy is what this protocol offers.
For all users of Linux, macOS, iOS, Android, and Windows, Surfshark has recently begun providing the new WireGuard protocols. The encryption algorithm used by Wireguard is ChaCha20. The simplicity of the use, safety, and fast speed of this open-source VPN protocol are its strengths.
Privacy and logging
Surfshark adheres to a strict “no-logs” policy. They’ve gone to great lengths to ensure that your VPN requires as little personal knowledge as possible. This isn’t to say they don’t require any data. They’ll require your email address to open an account and financial details to complete your payment, much like most other suppliers.
Surfshark also just transitioned to a RAM-only network connection, which implies no data is stored on virtual servers.
Data is also automatically destroyed when you disconnect using this kind of storage, Surfshark is also one of the first VPNs to introduce two-factor authentication, This implies that signing in requires two steps, which would be a good approach to protecting oneself from various online threats.
Surfshark usability – How user-friendly is it?
Surfshark is extremely user-friendly. Their software is quite user-friendly, thanks to a few extremely useful features. Furthermore, their customer care is accessible. I came to the following opinions based on my Surfshark perceptions:
- Surfshark is a VPN that is incredibly easy to use.
- Surfshark software is easy to use and comprehend.
- It’s really simple to set up and manage an account.
- Surfshark technology is simple to set up.
- Unfortunately, Surfshark isn’t very good for Linux users.
- Surfshark customer service is responsive and staffed by real people.
- Surfshark is one of the most affordable VPN services, with a 30-day money-back assurance.
- A few languages do not have multilingual capability.
Website and setup for Surfshark
The Surfshark webpage is well organized, not overly busy, and contains all of the essential information. They’ve made the webpage ‘My Account’ part as straightforward as possible. A few buttons allow you to install applications for certain devices and applications.
Surfshark is really easy and straightforward to set up. The VPN app may be downloaded from the Google Play store for mobile devices. Simply click the corresponding icon on the page on your Mac or PC.
The procedure for the installation is as follows:
- Select a subscription and complete the ordering process.
- Visit the Surfshark webpage and log in.
- Select your operating system from the drop-down menu.
- Double-click the.exe file you just downloaded.
- Follow the setup wizard’s instructions.
- Click the hyperlink to launch the Surfshark software.
- Use the login credentials you generated for your profile to log in.
- If desired, choose a server and then allow Surfshark.
App for Microsoft Windows
Surfshark was simple to get started using. We successfully installed the Windows application, and selected the enrollment option, but were also able to choose a plan and make payment directly from the installers, with no need for a 3rd party browser.
The Windows-based interface is more adaptable unlike most, resizing its window to fit your needs like a reactive web page.
The client, at its most basic level, resembles any other VPN app, with a Join option, the status of the information, and a list of available sites. When you maximize or extend the client windows, it reformats to show new panels and choices.
Apps for mobile
Although mobile VPN software is typically simpler than their digital counterparts, Surfshark Android applications are surprisingly similar.
CleanWeb’s ad and virus blocking, as well as split tunneling for websites and apps with Whitelister, all have similar interfaces, location lists, multi-hop connection, and CleanWeb’s ad and virus protection.
WireGuard, OpenVPN, and Shadowsocks protocol are all supported, as well as a kill switch to safeguard you if the VPN goes down.
Performance
Surfshark performance was assessed using 1Gbps connections from a US address and a UK data center, allowing us plenty of opportunity to explore whatever the services could achieve.
We used performance analysis sites such as SpeedTest, TestMy.net, and Netflix’s Fast.com to examine download speeds after installing the latest Surfshark program on our test PCs, connecting to our closest location.
We checked at least 5 results from each site, ran the entire test set in both early and night sessions, and repeated every test utilizing up to three protocols.
Streaming services such as Netflix
You’ll appreciate Surfshark if you’re bored of VPNs that make vague promises about their unblocking powers but never follow through. Not only will the company state right away that it unblocks Netflix, but it also lists the nearly 20 countries in which it now operates.
Customer service
Surfshark provides amazing customer service. I was helped by a real worker within such a minute of using their webpage chat option. My issue was that I could not really watch American Netflix at first, but customer support was quick to resolve the issue.
I also valued the fact that I would be conversing with a live person. No automatic comments from a bot were received. When contrasted to the customer service provided by some other VPNs, this is a welcome respite.
The server network of Surfshark
I came to the following conclusions on Surfshark dedicated server and destinations:
- Surfshark has a large server network with over 3200 servers in 65 locations.
- P2P traffic is supported by all web servers.
- You wouldn’t have to manually choose a P2P server.
- There are a slew of American servers all of which seem to support Netflix.
- Surfshark offers MultiHop servers, which allow users to connect to two Vpn connections at the same time for added security.
- Surfshark does not provide users with the option of obtaining a dedicated IP address.
Is Surfshark the most affordable top-tier VPN?
Surfshark VPN offers three distinct pricing strategies, each of which includes all of the features, such as armed forces encryption, a kill switch, and limitless devices:
• $12.95 for a one-month subscription.
• $6.49/month for a 6-month plan.
• $2.49/month for a two-year plan.
Alert and Searching security mechanisms are available for an additional $0.99 per month. The former notifies you if your email has been compromised, while the latter disables ad logging in web searches.
Overall, these are amazing prices – their two-year package is among the most affordable options available. The value of Surfshark VPN has been demonstrated, and the thought of purchasing a long-term membership must no longer be a source of concern. I’m willing to suggest, “Go for it!” if you could obtain the tools for a handful of bucks.
Options for Payment
There are a variety of payment options available for the two-dollar cost. This provides devices such as cryptography, which are anonymous. For those that are willing, credit cards, Amazon Pay, Sofort, Directly Debit, Paypal, Google Pay, Entropay, and Webmoney are available.
Some of the finest VPN services have neglected the level of privacy provided by a crypto method of payment, and it’s a mistake.
Free trial of Surfshark
Surfshark has been one of the rarest in Google Play Store and the Apple App Store that offers a longer 7-day free trial. This means you’ll need to have an iOS, Mac OS X, or smartphone to download it. You’ll be going to upgrade to Windows after signing up.
How to Get a Refund Surfshark
All plans and gadgets are covered by Surfshark 30-day money return guarantee, so you have nothing to lose if you wouldn’t want to. To get your money refunded, you’ll need to contact customer service.
That shouldn’t be an issue, though, because it offers a live chat service that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
In fact, you could terminate the service ahead of time and continue to use the VPN until the very last day. Accounts paid in bitcoins are non-refundable.
Pros
- Netflix and torrenting access: During summertime heating waves, I enjoyed streaming Movies and tv, and Surfshark even allowed me to view Netflix from other nations, broadening my enjoyment possibilities
- Based in the British Virgin Islands: Because Surfshark is dependent outside of the monitoring groups Five Eye, Nine Eye, and Fourteen Eye, I will not ever be required to hand over my information to the US federal government
- Split tunneling: I was able to link to a private server from the workplace while using Surfshark via an open Wi-Fi connection.
Cons
- Static IP address: Each time I linked to Surfshark, I received the same IP address, making me a little easier to follow digitally for a potential hacker.
- No phone support: Although I like live chats, I couldn’t find a phone number for Surfshark.
Bottom Line
Surfshark is a strong and (at first) low-cost VPN that offers a variety of advanced capabilities. Although there are certain drawbacks, the services should be on your consideration. So you can freely go with this choice of Vpn.
FAQs
What data does Surfshark require?
To set up an account with Surfshark, all you have to do is supply the VPN with your email account and a password. As a result, as long as neither contains any personal details about you, you’ll be fine.
What does the GPS override feature on Surfshark entail?
GPS override, often called GPS spoofing, is an Android function that adds an extra degree of security. While a standard VPN connection only alters your IP address, GPS overrides cover your device’s actual GPS location as well.
Is Surfshark VPN trustworthy?
Surfshark VPN is safe because it encrypts and hides your internet traffic from everyone else, like the owner of the router or your internet service provider. It does so without altering any settings or making changes to your device.
Can Surfshark be hacked?
Surfshark VPN encrypts your data, making it impossible for hackers to access your browsing information. It is still best to avoid fake WAPs in the first place, though.
Does VPN slow down the internet?
A VPN slows down your internet because it adds multiple extra steps to the process of getting data from your home internet network to your internet provider and back. VPNs work by letting you sign on to a separate server—usually located in a different state or foreign country.