SurfShark VPN Review

Reviewed by the VPNStreamer Team · Last updated: July 2026 · How we compare VPNs

Surfshark is our #2 pick overall on the full best VPN for Australia list — the cheapest premium option here, and the only one with genuinely unlimited device connections. Since merging with Nord Security (NordVPN’s parent company) in 2022, it’s grown well past its early “budget newcomer” reputation into one of the most fully-featured VPNs on the market, while continuing to operate independently.

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Pros

• Unlimited simultaneous device connections
• 3,200+ servers across 100 countries
• Independently audited multiple times (Cure53, Deloitte — most recently 2025)
• Genuine 7-day free trial on mobile and desktop
• Post-quantum encryption support
• CleanWeb ad/tracker/malware blocker built in
• Accepts cryptocurrency payments

Cons

• Renewal pricing jumps significantly after the intro period
• Fewer total servers than NordVPN, and some locations use virtual server tech
• Netherlands is a Nine Eyes intelligence-sharing member
• Streaming unblocking can be inconsistent for some services (e.g. Amazon Prime Video outside the UK, in our testing)

Surfshark Pricing

Surfshark runs three plan tiers now, not just one flat VPN:

• Starter — the core VPN: unlimited connections, CleanWeb, kill switch, Bypasser (split tunneling), Dynamic MultiHop, and Camouflage Mode.
• One — everything in Starter, plus Surfshark Antivirus, Surfshark Alert (data breach monitoring), a private search engine, and webcam protection.
• One+ — the full bundle, adding Surfshark’s identity theft protection tools.

Pricing above is for the Starter tier — One and One+ cost more but bundle in the extra privacy tools. Payment methods include credit card, PayPal, and cryptocurrency. A genuine 7-day free trial is available on mobile and desktop (a card is required to activate it, so remember to cancel before the trial ends if you don’t want to be charged), and every plan also carries a 30-day money-back guarantee on top of that.

Key Features

Servers

Surfshark runs 3,200+ servers across 100 countries. Some locations use virtual servers — meaning the server software reports a different country than where the physical hardware sits, usually because that country lacks reliable local infrastructure. Surfshark discloses which locations are virtual directly in the app.

Protocol Support

WireGuard and OpenVPN, using AES-256-GCM encryption. Surfshark added post-quantum encryption support in early 2026, ahead of several competitors on this front.

DNS Service

All servers run Surfshark’s own private DNS, reducing DNS leak risk.

Platforms Supported

Native apps for Windows, macOS, Android, and iOS, plus support for Linux, smart TVs, consoles, and routers via manual setup guides.

Device Support

Unlimited simultaneous connections on every plan — genuinely unusual among premium VPNs, and the standout reason to pick Surfshark over NordVPN or ExpressVPN if you’re covering a full household.

Privacy and Security

Surfshark is headquartered in the Netherlands — a Nine Eyes intelligence-sharing member, worth knowing if jurisdiction outside any alliance matters most to you (NordVPN and ExpressVPN sit outside all of them). See our 5/9/14 Eyes explainer for more.

Its no-logs policy and infrastructure have been independently audited multiple times: Cure53 audited the browser extensions in 2018 and the full server infrastructure in 2021, and Deloitte has audited the no-logs policy itself, most recently in 2025. Worth being precise here rather than absolute: Deloitte’s audit confirmed Surfshark does retain your session IP address for up to 15 minutes after you disconnect, specifically to prevent abuse of the unlimited-device policy — your browsing activity itself isn’t logged, but that’s a real, if minor, distinction from “nothing is ever retained.”

Dynamic MultiHop routes your connection through two servers instead of one, adding an extra layer between you and the exit point. Camouflage Mode disguises the fact you’re using a VPN at all, which can help in networks or countries that actively block VPN traffic.

Ease of Use

Sign-Up

Pick a plan, create an account with your email, choose a payment method, and you’ll receive a confirmation email with a link to download the app for your devices.

Setup and Interface

The interface is clean — a large connect/disconnect button front and centre, with Dynamic MultiHop, Bypasser (Surfshark’s split tunneling feature, formerly called Whitelister), and CleanWeb accessible from the side menu. The mobile app strips this down further to a single connect button with icon-based navigation to the rest of the features.

Advanced Features

The kill switch blocks your IP from leaking if the VPN connection drops. CleanWeb blocks ads, trackers, and malware domains. Bypasser lets you route specific apps or sites outside the VPN tunnel while everything else stays protected. Camouflage Mode and Dynamic MultiHop add extra obfuscation and routing security for anyone in a heavily-restricted network environment.

Browser Extensions

Available for Chrome and Firefox, working as a browser-level proxy rather than a full security tool — they mask your browser traffic but don’t replace the full app’s protections.

Performance and Servers

Surfshark consistently ranks well in independent, third-party speed testing, particularly given its server count relative to price. We haven’t run our own lab-based speed tests on this specific connection (see our methodology), so treat performance claims as a reflection of current third-party benchmarks rather than an in-house result. NordVPN generally edges it out on raw speed and server count if that’s your top priority.

Streaming and Torrenting

Surfshark reliably unblocks Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Stan, Kayo, and Foxtel from overseas. Some services can be inconsistent by region — in our testing, Amazon Prime Video specifically failed to unblock outside the UK. Torrenting is supported with no restrictions.

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Customer Service

24/7 live chat, with a chatbot that’s quick to bypass in favour of a human agent. Email support typically responds within a few hours. A detailed help centre with tutorials and setup guides covers most common questions.

Is Surfshark Right for You?

Surfshark is our #2 pick for good reason — it’s the best-value premium VPN on this list, and the only one with truly unlimited device connections. If you’re covering a full household or just don’t want to think about device limits, it’s an easy recommendation. If raw speed, server count, or the most extensive audit history matter more to you than price, NordVPN or ExpressVPN are worth comparing directly.

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