Surfshark Review: Speed, Security & Privacy Tested

Overall Score

Pros & Cons

Speed Performance

We ran Surfshark through 20 speed test iterations on a dedicated 1 Gbps connection using the fastest available protocol (WireGuard), tested at peak and off-peak hours across multiple server regions:

Surfshark showed consistent but not exceptional speeds – adequate for most use cases including HD streaming and video calls.

Streaming Performance

Surfshark has strong and consistent streaming performance. It unblocked Netflix (US, UK, AU, JP, CA and more regional libraries), BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hulu, HBO Max, and Amazon Prime Video reliably in our tests. The NoBorders mode improves reliability in restrictive regions where VPN traffic is actively filtered. All our streaming tests at 1080p ran without buffering or geo-block errors on the first or second server attempt.

Gaming

Surfshark's unlimited device policy is particularly practical for gaming households – multiple players can connect simultaneously at no additional cost. WireGuard performance is solid at 14–18ms latency overhead on nearby servers. The Nexus feature, which continuously rotates your IP within a session, is not recommended for gaming (it can cause authentication issues). MultiHop adds further latency and is also better suited to privacy use cases than gaming.

Security & Encryption

Surfshark uses WireGuard as its primary protocol. All connections are protected with AES-256-GCM encryption. The kill switch cut all traffic within 1–2 seconds of disconnection in our tests, and DNS leak checks via DNS leak testing tools returned clean results on all servers tested.

Surfshark uses AES-256-GCM encryption with WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2. CleanWeb 2.0 blocks ads, trackers, malware, and phishing at the DNS level. MultiHop (double VPN) routes through two servers in different countries. Camouflage mode (on OpenVPN) obfuscates traffic to bypass DPI filtering. The Alternative ID feature generates a unique alias email address for online sign-ups, keeping your real address private. The Incogni data removal service is available as a bundled add-on.

Supported protocols: WireGuardOpenVPNIKEv2

Privacy & Logging Policy

No-logs policy: Surfshark does not log IP addresses, connection timestamps, session data, or DNS queries. The privacy policy clearly defines what is and is not collected.

Surfshark is registered in the Netherlands (an EU 9 Eyes member). The no-logs policy has been independently audited by Deloitte. A warrant canary and quarterly transparency report are published. Surfshark is owned by Nord Security (same parent company as NordVPN) – both companies have been transparent about this. The Dutch jurisdiction may concern strict privacy users, though Surfshark's audit history and no-logs architecture are solid.

Apps & Interface

The Surfshark Windows app is clean and beginner-friendly. The main interface provides Quick Connect and a server list with search and filtering (Static IP, MultiHop, and Shadowsocks proxy servers are listed separately). CleanWeb, NoBorders mode, Camouflage, and the Alternative ID features are accessible in settings. Split tunneling allows specific apps to bypass the VPN. Unlimited simultaneous connections apply across all apps: Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, and browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox.

Supported platforms: WindowsmacOSiOSAndroidLinuxBrowserSmart TV

Pricing & Plans

All paid plans include a money-back guarantee. The longer-term plans offer the best per-month value.

Limitations

Speed performance is slightly below ZoogVPN, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN in direct comparisons. The Netherlands jurisdiction (9 Eyes) is a concern for some users despite the audit. Alternative ID, Incogni, and the Surfshark One bundle are premium add-ons rather than core inclusions. Some servers showed inconsistent latency in our rotation testing.

Our Verdict