Surfshark is a well-established VPN service that prides itself in offering privacy, speed, and security for its users when surfing the web. At surface level, this sounds like an amazing deal: the VPN provider offers secure VPN protocols such as WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2, extensive server coverage, and unlimited torrenting.
However, our VPN review is never based on claims made by a provider. This is why we decided to pass Surfshark through extensive tests, to determine how it fares when faced with some of the best VPN services out there. In this review, we provided answers to questions such as:
- Is Surfshark secure?
- Does Surfshark unblock streaming services and allow P2P?
- How good is Surfshark’s customer support?
- Is Surfshark any good?
⭐ Our current top pick: NordVPN
Of all the VPNs we cover, NordVPN is the one we currently recommend first for UK users — strong speeds, a verified no-logs policy, and a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Check NordVPN’s latest offer →
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Before we provide answers to these questions, let us consider some Surfshark pros and cons:
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- No IP/DNS leaks
- Advanced security and encryption features
- Fast and responsive live chat service
- Allows torrenting and P2P activity
- Email support is almost non-existent
- Connections can be inconsistent at times
Work With
Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, Sky, HBO, Torrenting, Kodi
Available on
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Speed and Reliability Test
Great VPN Speeds but Intermittently Inconsistent
Server speed defines the value of a VPN service, and this is what makes Surfshark stand out.
Before connecting to Surfshark:
When connected to Surfshark:
Our speed test results from our physical London location using a London test server.
Before connecting to Surfshark:
- 98.71Mbps (download)
- 53.00Mbps (upload)
When connected to Surfshark:
- 48.99Mbps (download)
- 21.48Mbps (upload)
Keep in mind that there’ll always be decrease in speed level when connected to a VPN – the difference typically lies in the distance between your current location and the server in your chosen country. This is why you should choose a VPN server with the least connection drop. Surfshark is one of the best VPN services when it comes to speed. Unfortunately, the speeds weren’t as consistent as we’d have liked during our tests.
According to our tests from our location in the UK, here are the average speeds you can expect when in these locations:
| DOWNLOAD AVERAGE | UPLOAD AVERAGE | |
|---|---|---|
| USA | 34 Mbps | 40 Mbps |
| Germany | 56 Mbps | 76 Mbps |
| Singapore | 25 Mbps | 8 Mbps |
| Australia | 19 Mbps | 3 Mbps |
According to our tests from our location in the UK, here are the average speeds you can expect when in these locations:
- USA: 34Mbps (download) & 40Mbps (upload)
- Germany: 56Mbps (download) & 76Mbps (upload)
- Singapore: 25Mbps (download) & 8Mbps (upload)
- Australia: 19Mbps (download) & 3Mbps (upload)
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Extensive Server Network
3,200+ Servers Spread Across 100 Countries
Though Surfshark once trailed VPN services like NordVPN in total server count, it has expanded dramatically and now sits firmly among the largest networks in the industry. This is especially due to its fair distribution of servers. Surfshark covers 100 countries around the globe, meaning that you’d more than likely find a nearby server at home or when you travel.
Unsurprisingly, Surfshark provides good coverage to some of the most popular destinations, including Europe and North America. But we were especially pleased by its above-average coverage in South America – an area some VPN services ignore. Its coverage across Africa and Asia has also expanded considerably since our first review.
Streaming and Torrenting
Allows Torrenting and Unblocks Netflix
Some VPNs fail when it comes to providing access to Netflix. Fortunately, unblocking Netflix is listed on Surfshark’s website as one of the VPN’s main features. This is much more than just a marketing pitch, as we were able to gain access to Netflix via Surfshark VPN.
What’s more, Surfshark also unblocks Netflix with ease, giving us access from the two city-level servers in the UK.
- Torrenting
Surfshark is a P2P-friendly VPN service. Its impressive speeds, minimal logging policy and range of privacy features make it a great choice for torrenters.
Encryption and Security: Strong Security and Privacy Features
Surfshark currently offers three top-level VPN protocols: WireGuard, IKEv2/IPsec, and OpenVPN. WireGuard is a modern, lightweight protocol that delivers excellent speeds, while OpenVPN remains a long-trusted favorite as it is near impenetrable and offers a balance between speed and functionality. Other noteworthy features include AES-256 encryption, a very secure method which ensures your online activity is totally private.
Surfshark also has a VPN kill switch which masks your true IP in the event of a connection drop, available across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, and Linux.
Logging Policy
Minimal Logs Collected
Surfshark operates a strict no-logs policy, and this has been independently audited and verified. The VPN service collects only minimal operational data – such as billing information and an email address for account management – none of which can be used to personally identify you as a user.
- Jurisdiction
Surfshark is based in the Netherlands, having relocated from the British Virgin Islands – both privacy-friendly jurisdictions with no mandatory data retention laws. This means Surfshark users can rest assured their information is safe from prying eyes. More so, Surfshark’s privacy policy is such that there can be no foul play.
Ease of Use
Apps are Easy and Simple to Use
Simplicity is important for a VPN service, especially as many users are beginners. Thankfully, Surfshark’s simplicity level is just one click – all you need do is launch the app, sign in, and click on ‘Quick Connect’. The Quick Connect option automatically connects you to the most optimized Surfshark server available for you. However, you can still manually select the server of your choice.
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Customer Support
Fast and Responsive Live Chat Support
You can reach Surfshark’s customer support team via the live chat feature or email.
The email support is really disappointing, though. We sent a few mails covering various topics to test this feature, but responses were slow to arrive. Surfshark claims to respond to queries within 24 hours, but our experience fell short of that.
The live chat feature, on the other hand, is very fast and responsive. The customer support agents are very knowledgeable and respond to queries within a minute or two. We were especially happy with the live chat support as we didn’t receive any generic responses – the agents expatiate on any information they provide and any question you ask.
Pricing
Plans and Payment Methods
Like many competitors in the VPN industry, Surfshark’s plans are much cheaper on longer subscriptions. The standard monthly plan costs around £11.28, but this drops sharply on longer terms – the 1-year Starter plan works out to about £2.99 per month, and the 2-year Starter plan is the cheapest at just £2.15 per month. Every plan includes unlimited simultaneous device connections. (Prices checked July 2026; Surfshark promotions change through the year, so always confirm the final price at checkout.)
Surfshark accepts a range of payment methods, including credit card, PayPal, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, and cryptocurrency.
There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee on all subscription plans, giving users enough time to test out the service and decide if it is worth the spend.