Surfshark VPN review 2023
Updated: 4 January 2023
From £1.50 per month
Protect unlimited number of devices
Works on Windows, Mac, Android, IOS and more
Install on desktops, laptops, Smartphones, tablets
PRIVACY
9.7
SPEED
9.6
NETFLIX
9.8
VALUE
10
Our verdict:
“The best value for money and perfect for larger households”.
Review summary
Unlimited devices can be connected to a VPN simultaneously making it great for larger households.
The best value for money with top features and protection for a fraction of the cost of other leading VPNs.
Simple and intuitive VPN platform that even those who are less tech savvy will find easy to use.
Supports torrents and P2P sharing without restrictions.
One of the best for unblocking Netflix and other streaming content.
Split tunnelling feature enabling you to choose which of your applications you want to put through a VPN.
Protect a multitude of devices including laptops, desktops, mobiles, consoles and smart TVs.
Privacy and security features
Hide your identity
Connecting to a VPN server will hide your real IP address enabling you to protect your identity and remain anonymous online.
This means that governments and service providers cannot determine your location or identity enabling you to get around censorship and access geo-location blocked websites and services.
Protect unlimited devices
Sharksurf is the only top VPN provider that allows unlimited devices to connect to a VPN server simultaneously.
Encryption
Industry leading encryption using AES-256-GCM that ensures your online activity and data is secure and cannot be read by anyone else.
No data logging
Sharksurf will not keep records about your online activity and browsing history giving you peace of mind that this information will not fall into the wrong hands or be demanded by governments or authorities.
Double VPN protection
Connect to two different VPN servers in different locations to add another layer of privacy protection
Malware and phishing protection
Automatic malware protection that will flag up and prevent you accessing malicious websites keeping you and your computer safe. Phishing links are also flagged protecting you from online scams.
Ad-blocker
Sharksurf blocks frustrating ads and popups making browsing the internet less annoying.
VPN kill switch
The option to automatically take you offline if you lose connection to a VPN server. With this enabled there is no risk of accidently compromising your privacy by continuing your online activity without a VPN.
VPN Whitelister
Choose what applications you want to exclude from the VPN cover. This can be useful for example if you want to use a local network printer so keep that out of the VPN whilst retaining all other activity through the VPN. A useful feature, but does require careful use to ensure you don’t inadvertently remove protection from an application that you didn’t intend to.
DNS leak protection
DNS requests are how the internet figures out which website to take you to based on the address you enter.
These requests are potentially security risks as they are normally handled by third party servers and can be open to being intercepted.
Surfshark have their own private DNS on each of their VPN servers meaning that all your DNS requests remain within VPN protection and are fully encrypted so there is no risk of being re-directed to malicious websites or your privacy being compromised.
Privacy and security – overall verdict
Sharksurf has all of the privacy and security features you would expect of a top quality VPN.
The protection against malicious websites and phishing scams sets it apart from many of its competitors, adding an additional layer of security that not all VPN providers deliver.
The private DNS is another feature that ensures your protection is comprehensive with no weak points.
For those that are particularly determined to remain anonymous there is the additional double VPN option that should keep you safe from even the most determined governments or authorities anywhere in the world.
Surfshark offers protection across all types of devices, but the one area that they don’t offer that other competitors do is protection at a router level.
Overall, Surfshark compares very well with other top VPNs for privacy and security features, although their number of servers and locations is a little less than some of their competitors.
Where is Sharksurf based and do they hold any information about customer activity?
Sharksurf is based in the British Virgin Islands.
You may be wondering why where a VPN service operates from is relevant.
Well, it is very important from a privacy perspective because different countries and regions in the world are subject to different laws and regulations around data retention and have differing legal processes whereby governments or authorities can attempt to demand information from them.
As a customer, you want your VPN provider to be based in a part of the world where there are no data retention laws forcing them to hold sensitive information about their customers and in also in a country where it is difficult for authorities to demand information from them.
The British Virgin Islands do not have any data retention regulations, so Sharksurf can operate their service without logging or storing any sensitive information about their customer’s activity online. This is indeed what Surfshark do so you can be safe in the knowledge that they do not hold any of your sensitive data.
In addition, given the legal processes in the British Virgin Islands, it is much more difficult for governments or authorities to demand data from companies based there than it would be for companies based in Europe of North America for example.
This adds an extra layer of comfort around your privacy, although even if authorities were to demand customer information from Surfshark they would not have any sensitive data to provide given the fact that they do not log details of customer activity.
Streaming – get around location blocking
Streaming – get around location blocking
It is a common practice for streaming sites such as Netflix to apply region locking to their content due to licensing rights and agreements.
This means that you can only access certain shows in certain countries, which is a bit annoying if your favourite show is only available in a different region.
With a VPN you can get around these restrictions by tricking the streaming site into thinking you are accessing from a different country by connecting to a VPN server in that region.
Unblocking Netflix content from a different region
We’ve tested the streaming unblocking capabilities of Surfshark by attempting to view US Netflix content from 5 different locations around Europe (UK, France, Germany & Italy).
On each occasion we have managed to open up US only programmes by connecting to a VPN server located in the Unites States.
The speed of connection through these VPN servers was also fast enough to ensure a buffer free viewing experience despite going through a server located in America which was not optimal from a speed perspective, but obviously necessary to access the US programming.
Unblocking other streaming services
Using the same principle, Surfshark can be used to circumvent region based blocking of any streaming service.
As long as you connect to a VPN server in the same location as the content from where you are trying to unblock you should be able to gain access.
Most streaming services do try and detect VPN connections, so it can sometimes take a couple of attempts linking to different servers to gain access. BBC iPlayer is one of the hardest to unblock, but we have successfully done so as part of our testing using Surfshark.
All the other main streaming services such as Amazon Prime Video and YouTube can be easily unblocked using Surfshark and we have successfully verified this through accessing restricted content from locations in Europe.
Installing Surfshark on Smart TVs
Surfshark can be installed on Smart TVs, including Apple TV as well as on Fire stick.
This means that you can open up Netflix and other streaming services for regions outside your own directly on your TV rather than having to use smaller screened devices.
Streaming – overall verdict
Based on our tests, Surfshark VPN servers and locations can be used to successfully unblock Netflix and other streaming services content that has region restrictions.
The speed of connection also remains good with a buffer free viewing experience.
In summary, if you’re looking to view streaming content from another region then Surfshark is as good as any VPN at getting you access to that content.
Getting around government censorship
Some countries around the world block certain websites from being accessed by their citizens.
Common targets for censorship are social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter as well as messaging applications like Whatsapp.
A VPN can help get around this censorship and give access to these websites and applications.
Surfshark has VPN servers in over 60 different countries giving a large number of options for connecting to a server outside the censorship region and bypassing the restrictions.
Torrenting and P2P sharing
Does Surfshark support torrents?
Surfshark works well with uTorrent and other P2P sharing applications.
Surfshark don’t have dedicated P2P servers, but unlike some VPNs, Surfshark will not throttle your bandwidth or slow down your speeds when you torrent.
In terms of keeping your identity hidden and secure when torrenting, Surfshark has market leading encryption and will keep your real IP address hidden so that not even your internet service provider will be able to identify you.
The kill switch feature also gives peace of mind that even if your VPN server connection were to be lost at any time, you would be taken offline and not be opened up to your privacy and security being compromised.
Overall, Surfshark offers the high level of privacy features and torrent application compatibility required to make it a safe choice for torrenting as well as committing to high speeds for torrents and P2P sharing.
Preventing ISP throttling
Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) has the capability to slow down your internet speeds.
It can do this for various reasons, for example if it detects that you are using a large of amount of bandwidth for gaming or downloading content.
Whatever the reason it can be a massive pain and you are not getting the speeds that you pay for.
A VPN can prevent your ISP from throttling your connection because your identity is completely hidden, even from them, so they cannot detect your activity and therefore won’t slow your speed down.
Surfshark has a Camouflage Mode that makes sure your ISP won’t be able to tell that you are using a VPN either, making it even less likely for them to want to throttle your bandwidth.
Speed and performance
Using a VPN protects your identity and helps keep you safe online.
With this additional layer of privacy protection there is always an impact on internet speeds as traffic is routed through a VPN server.
Some VPN providers have a smaller impact than others due to their overall system architecture and locations of their servers.
You want your VPN to provide security but also speed. We already know that Surfshark has some of the best privacy and security features, but how does it stack up on performance?
We’ve put Surfshark through its paces with our own speed check to see if it cuts the mustard.
Our speed check methodology
- To provide a base level, internet speeds for uploads and downloads are measured and recorded prior to connecting to the VPN.
- A VPN connection is then established using Surfshark’s Quick Connection feature which automatically selects the best performing server for you at that point in time.
- Upload and download speeds measured with the VPN connection established
- Based on the recorded speeds, the impact % of the VPN on internet speed is calculated.
Speed test results
UPLOAD SPEED
81%
Our speed tests show that the upload speed when connected to Surfshark VPN is 81% of the unprotected speed.
This is a relatively good result and comparable with other top VPNs although there are faster platforms.
DOWNLOAD SPEED
80%
Based on our speed test, Surfshark connections retain 80% download speed levels when the VPN protection layer is added.
This is an encouraging result, and although not the fastest is definitely up there with the leading VPN speeds.
We should note the server you choose to connect to makes a difference to speed performance; Servers that are in a location physically further away are more likely to impact speed.
When trying to get access to geo-blocked services or sites you may need to connect to servers that are far away and not necessarily the most efficient available.
We have tested this part of Surfshark’s speed performance too as part of our streaming and Netflix unblocking tests and found that even connecting to Surfshark servers on the other side of the world resulted in a good buffer free streaming experience.
Speed – overall verdict
Surfshark is up there with the top VPNs for speed and performances based on our tests.
The Quick Connection feature automatically selects the most performant server, although you can manually select a different server in a different location should you wish to for location unblocking services.
Overall, Surfshark has a low impact on interned speed that should be unnoticeable and is one of the fastest around. Even connecting to servers far away for streaming and location unblocking resulted in fast user experience.
Given the low cost and excellent privacy features, Surfshark look a very good all round package.
Pricing and value for money
How much does Surfshark VPN cost?
The best value Surfshark package works out at around £1.49 per month.
This is one of the cheapest prices we have seen for a quality all round VPN service. This package is for a 24 month commitment, but still looks like excellent value at a total cost of around£35 for two years of protection
The monthly plans are less competitive, which is usually the case, and comparable to other VPNs.
Is there a free version of Surfshark?
There is no free version, although Surfshark do offer a 30 day money back guarantee so you can try out their service and see if it meets your expectations risk free.
What do you get for the price?
Every Surfshark subscription package comes with the same top quality privacy and security features and gives access to all of their VPN servers across the world.
What is remarkable and unique amongst the leading VPN providers, is that Surfshark allows you to have an unlimited number of connections at any one point in time, perfect for those with multiple devices and a large household.
Value for money – overall verdict
Surfshark is the lowest cost VPN platform that also provides a top quality all round service.
We’ve already tested the privacy and security features as well as speed and these all verify that Surfshark is one of the best solutions around.
The unlimited simultaneous connections make it an even better value choice, particularly for large families.
Overall, if you are looking for value for money as well as a VPN that will keep you safe and secure then Surfshark is a good choice.
The Surfshark application is easy to use but maybe doesn’t have some of the bells and whistles of some of its competitors, but at this price we can’t see a better all round value for money package out there.
Installing Surfshark on your devices
Once you have bought a Surfshark package you will then need to install the VPN application on all of the online devices that you want to protect.
Unlike most other top VPNs, Surfshark does not restrict the number of devices that can be connected to a VPN server at any one time, so install the software on as many devices as you wish for you and your family safe in the knowledge that you will always be able to connect whenever you want.
You can use Surfshark’s protection on pretty much any online device including computers, laptops, mobiles, tablets, smart TVs and game consoles.
Installing Surfshark on Windows laptops or desktops
Go to www.surfshark.com/download/windows and click on Download Now
Double click on the downloaded file to install the application.
Once installed, open up the Surfshark application.
You will be prompted for your username and password. These details were set as part of your subscription package. If you haven’t bought a package yet you will need to do that before you can login to the application.
That’s all there is to it.. Surfshark is now installed on your machine.
Installing Surfshark on Mac
The easiest way to install Surfshark on your Mac is to download the application directly from the App Store.
Or,if you prefer, you can download from Surfshark’s website directly
Once installed, open up the application on your Mac and logon using your subscription package username and password.
IOS mobile app download (iPhone & iPad)
Download the Surfshark app from the App Store
Open the app on your iPhone or iPad.
Enter the logon details for your account that you should have selected when purchasing your subscription package.
Android mobile app download
Download the Surfshark app from Google Play Store.
Open the app on your Android phone or tablet and logon using the details for your Surfshark account which you will have selected when buying your subscription.
Installing Surfshark on your Smart TV
Surfshark can be installed on Smart TVs including Apple TV.
First of all, logon to your Surfshark account at account.surfshark.com/login
Click on My Account.
There is an option to turn on Smart DNS. Set that to Activate.
You will then be be given a DNS address. Make a note of it as it is this address that you can use to configure your Smart TV to go through the VPN connection.
The steps will vary for different models, but essentially you want to Navigate to the WIFI connection details on your Smart TV and edit the DNS server to match the address from your Surfshark account.
Your Smart TV will now be VPN activated and will open up content from overseas Netflix and other streaming service libraries.
Installing Surfshark on your games console
The process for installing Surfshark on games consoles is similar to how it is installed on Smart TVs.
The key is to turn on Smart DNS from within your subscription account.
You can then amend the DNS settings on your PlayStation or Xbox to match your Surfshark DNS.
We have created guides with more detailed instructions for Playstation and Xbox installation.
User experience
The below screenshots are for the Surfshark Windows user interface. The applications differ only slightly for other types of devices with the overall user experience and layouts remaining very similar.
Getting started
Once installed, when you open up the Surfshark application on a device for the first time you will be prompted to enter your email address and password in order to login.
The email is the one you used to open up your account when buying your package and the password should be the one you chose at that point too.
Open up the application on your device and login using your Surfshark account username and password.
If you haven’t purchased a Surfshark package already, you will need to do that before being able to proceed.
Setting up your connection options
Once logged in to your Surfshark application you will want to configure your connection settings.
The key questions you will need to consider when choosing your settings are:
Do you want the Surfshark application to load up every time you turn on your device?
We’d recommend that you do this as it will ensure that you don’t forget about connecting.
Do you want to automatically connect to a VPN server?
This is the quickest and easiest way to get connected and will save you having to manually go into the application and connect every time you turn on your device.
If you do decide to automatically connect to a server, you can set preferences on what server you would want to connect to.
For example, you can choose to automatically connect to the fastest available server or you can choose to connect to a server in a particular location. You can always change the server you are connected to should you subsequently wish to.
Do you want to enable the kill switch?
If enabled, the kill switch will take your device offline whenever you are not connected to a VPN server.
This removes the risk of accidentally going online without connecting to a server or becoming unprotected if your VPN server connection drops.
If you’re torrenting, for example, or you want to be 100% sure your privacy is protected at all times then we would recommend enabling this feature.
Configure your connection settings including whether you want the Surfshark to open up every time you logon.
You also decide whether to connect to a VPN server automatically and set preferences for that server choice.
One-click connection to the fastest available or nearby VPN server
If you have chosen to not automatically connect to a VPN server or if you want to change the server you are connected to, the process for connecting to a recommended server is really simple.
You can connect to the fastest available server or a close by server at the click of a button.
From the home area of the application just click ‘connect’ to link to a VPN server.
This one click connection will either connect you to the fastest available server or a nearby server based on the toggle option on the connect button.
Manually selecting a VPN server
You may wish to select a particular server location that is not necessarily the fastest or one of the closest to you.
For example, to unblock United States Netflix programmes you would want to connect to a US server.
It’s easy to select a server location from a list of those available. Connecting to a specific server is just a matter of clicking on that location.
Go to the ‘Locations’ tab to find a list of all the available server locations.
You can search for a location or just scroll and select from the list.
By selecting a location you will then be connected a server in that area.
Connecting to a double VPN for extra protection
For extra protection you can choose to connect to a multi-hop server location should you wish to.
This is simply a two-tier VPN connection that offers twice the level of protection due to your traffic being routed through two servers rather than one.
Just select your server location combination from the list and you will be connected.
This is the highest level of protection available, but we’d recommend only using this if you feel necessary as it will almost certainly be slower than connecting to a single server.
For double the protection select a multi-hop connection.
Select your server location combination from the list on the ‘locations’ tab and the double VPN connection will be activated.
User experience – overall verdict
The Surfshark user interface design is simple, intuitive and very easy to use.
Connecting to a server can be done at the click of a button. You can toggle between choosing the fastest available server or simply a server that is physically close-by, both with a single click.
Changing your connection or manually selecting a server location is also straightforward. Just search for your desired location and select it to connect. Simple.
Overall, we are very impressed with how easy Surfshark is to use. It’s easy to download, install and you’re up and running and fully protected in minutes.
Customer support
We all need help from time to time.
With your VPN you may have technical issues such as connecting to a server or you may have billing or account related questions.
Whatever the issue, you want to be able to resolve it as soon as possible so you can continue using the service.
Let’s take a look at what Surfshark offers its customers in terms of help and support.
The Surfshark Knowledge Base
Surfshark has a support section of its website that includes a knowledge base area containing articles and tutorials to assist with problems that customers may encounter.
There are technical tutorials around set up, installation and issues using the software.
There are around 100 articles here, each categorised by topic making it easy to find the one to help with your issue. Each article has step by step instructions on how to resolve that particular issue.
There are also articles about more general VPN related questions such as how a VPN works, as well as a section for billing and account related issues.
This knowledge base is very comprehensive covering most of the issues you can think of and each article is thorough and easy to follow.
Live chat
If you can’t find an answer to your issue on the Knowledge Base, or if you’d just prefer to have some interaction with someone to resolve the problem then Surfshark have a live chat feature.
Response times are almost instant and the support staff are friendly and knowledgeable.
We’ve tested the live chat support with some questions and the responses have shown a good level of technical know-how.
Raising a ticket
If an issue cannot be resolved over Live Chat, a ticket is raised.
And a member of the support team will contact you when resolved. In our experience the turn around on these tickets is very quick usually on the same day.
You can also raise a support ticket yourself directly from the Surfshark website.
Customer support – overall verdict
The Surfshark tutorials and online resource is among the most thorough and comprehensive we have come across. Each article has step by step guides on how to resolve issues and are very easy to follow.
Contacting Surfshark directly is easy too with their live chat feature that can be accessed from the support section of their website. The support staff respond quickly, are friendly and have a very good level of technical knowledge.
Surfshark – Overall verdict
Surfshark is the lowest cost VPN that also offers top level privacy and security functionality.
In terms of value for money it is the very best.
The unlimited device connections is another bonus that sets it apart from its competitors.
The Surfshark application can be installed on all types of devices including Smart TVs and games consoles using its Smart DNS functionality which is something that not all VPNs offer.
The application user interface is well designed and very intuitive; It may not include as many of the less important nice to haves in terms of functionality, but it has the all the core privacy functionality that you would expect from a VPN and is one of the easiest to use we have reviewed.
Surfshark does not have as many VPN servers or locations as some of its competitors, but in our testing we have found it to be just as good in terms of unblocking location restricted services and has impressive speed.
In summary, we would recommend Surfshark for those who are looking for the comfort of comprehensive privacy protection (not necessarily the most feature rich) and for the best possible value for money.
Surfshark is also a great choice for larger households with multiple devices as there are no restrictions on numbers of simultaneous connections.
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