By Jordan Brennan · Editor & Lead Tester
Last updated: April 24, 2026 · Fact-checked: April 2026
Our verdict
Visit SurfsharkSurfshark is the rare VPN that combines premium features with permissive device policies. If you have a family, a smart home, and a work laptop all needing coverage, this is the easiest answer.
Quick facts
| Price from | $2.19/mo |
|---|---|
| Refund window | 30 days |
| Servers | 3,200+ |
| Countries | 100 |
| Simultaneous connections | Unlimited |
| Jurisdiction | Netherlands |
| No-logs audit | Yes — audited by Deloitte (2023) |
| Protocols | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 |
| Encryption | AES-256-GCM |
| Kill switch | Yes |
| Split tunneling | Yes |
Pros
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- CleanWeb blocks ads and trackers
- Audited no-logs policy (Deloitte, 2023)
- Camouflage Mode for restrictive networks
- Competitive long-term pricing
Cons
- Smaller server network than NordVPN
- Some servers slower during peak US evening hours
How we tested
Tested April 10-21, 2026 on a 1 Gbps fiber connection in the US Midwest. Apps tested on Windows 11, macOS 14, iOS 17, and Android 14 across a household of eight simultaneously connected devices.
Speed test results
| Server | Download | Upload | Latency |
|---|---|---|---|
| US — Dallas | 780 Mbps | 560 Mbps | 22 ms |
| US — New York | 820 Mbps | 610 Mbps | 16 ms |
| UK — London | 540 Mbps | 380 Mbps | 112 ms |
| Germany — Frankfurt | 490 Mbps | 340 Mbps | 118 ms |
| Singapore | 180 Mbps | 120 Mbps | 218 ms |
Streaming test results
| Service | Result |
|---|---|
| Netflix US | ✓ Unblocked |
| Netflix UK | ✓ Unblocked |
| Netflix Germany | ✓ Unblocked |
| Disney+ | ✓ Unblocked |
| Hulu | ✓ Unblocked |
| BBC iPlayer | ✓ Unblocked |
| HBO Max | ⚠ Partial |
| Amazon Prime Video | ✓ Unblocked |
Company background and jurisdiction
Surfshark is operated by Surfshark Ltd, originally registered in the British Virgin Islands and relocated to the Netherlands in 2021. The Netherlands is a Nine Eyes country, which is a mild negative for privacy purists — but the company has maintained its RAM-only server infrastructure and passed an independent audit by Deloitte after the move. In February 2022, Nord Security and Surfshark announced a merger of the two companies under a single holding, while each brand continues to operate independently. For consumers, this means Surfshark now shares infrastructure investments and privacy standards with NordVPN.Privacy and audits
Surfshark's no-logs policy was audited by Cure53 in 2018 and again in 2021, then by Deloitte in 2023. The 2023 Deloitte report specifically verified that Surfshark's server configurations and internal processes align with the published privacy policy. All servers run in RAM-only mode. The jurisdiction downgrade from BVI to Netherlands is a factor worth noting, but the Netherlands does not have mandatory data-retention laws for VPN operators, and the company has never received a data request it disclosed publicly.Speed and protocol performance
Surfshark uses WireGuard as its primary protocol, with OpenVPN and IKEv2 available for devices that do not support WireGuard natively. Our Chicago-adjacent Dallas server averaged 780 Mbps on a 1 Gbps baseline — slightly slower than NordLynx but well within the margin of error for practical use. Transatlantic performance to London and Frankfurt held in the 490-540 Mbps range, enough for 4K streaming on multiple devices. Long-haul to Singapore was weaker at 180 Mbps, which is still adequate for HD streaming but noticeably below NordVPN and ExpressVPN on the same route.Streaming and unblocking
Surfshark unblocked seven of the eight streaming services we tested on first attempt. HBO Max was the exception: two of the five US servers we tried were detected and blocked, though the "recommended for streaming" server suggested in-app worked reliably. Netflix catalogs loaded in the US, UK, Germany, and Canada. BBC iPlayer worked from London. Disney+ loaded from all US East Coast servers we tested. For readers who watch streaming primarily via smart TV, Surfshark also publishes native apps for Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, and Samsung Smart TVs.Apps, interface, and unlimited devices
The killer feature of Surfshark is unlimited simultaneous connections. We tested eight devices (three phones, two laptops, two iPads, and a Fire TV) all connected simultaneously with no performance degradation. For households with multiple family members, smart home devices, and work laptops, this effectively cuts the per-device cost of VPN coverage to near zero. The apps themselves are clean and minimalist — fewer features than NordVPN's desktop app, but the main controls are exactly where you expect them. Surfshark's CleanWeb ad blocker is competent; Camouflage Mode (obfuscation) works on restrictive networks; NoBorders Mode is the recommended setting when traveling to countries with VPN restrictions.Pricing and bundled features
Surfshark's 2-year plan at $2.19/month is among the cheapest we tested from a top-tier provider. The 30-day money-back guarantee works as advertised — we received our refund in five business days. The Surfshark One bundle adds antivirus, data breach alerts, and a private search engine for roughly $1-2 more per month; whether this is a good deal depends on whether you already pay for those services elsewhere.Who should pick Surfshark
Pick Surfshark if you have five or more devices to protect, if you want the cheapest top-tier VPN on a 2-year plan, or if you want to share a VPN subscription with family members without hitting a device cap. Pick a different VPN if you specifically need HBO Max unblocking (ExpressVPN or NordVPN are more reliable there), or if you need maximum speed on long-haul Asian routes.Ready to try Surfshark?
From $2.19/mo with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Surfshark FAQ
Does Surfshark really allow unlimited devices? +
Yes. Surfshark is the only top-tier VPN with no device limit. We tested eight devices simultaneously with no performance degradation.
Is Surfshark owned by NordVPN? +
They share a parent holding company as of February 2022 but operate as separate brands with independent infrastructure and apps.
Does Surfshark keep logs? +
No. Surfshark operates a RAM-only server fleet and has passed independent no-logs audits from Cure53 (2018, 2021) and Deloitte (2023).
What streaming services work with Surfshark? +
In our tests, Surfshark unblocked Netflix US/UK/DE, Disney+, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and Amazon Prime Video. HBO Max was partial — the recommended in-app server worked but some alternates were detected.