Full Review – Surfshark VPN
Surfshark VPN Review – Best VPN for International Travel in 2025?
When travelling, I always find that I worry about my online security. Travelling with so many cards, bank accounts and search history can lead to some fraudsters trying to take advantage of an unstable lifestyle. This highlights why getting a VPN is important. Today we will look at a Surfshark VPN.
A VPN protects your identity, hides your IP address and allows you to use public WiFi safely. We will give you a full, comprehensive review on Surfshark. A user-friendly platform with many advantages, but don’t worry we will give you the pros and cons of this VPN platform to help you make an informed decision. Let’s get started!
I have been travelling now for nearly three years. I left my 9-5 job in the UK and have never looked back. The one thing I would always advise anybody considering a nomad lifestyle is to just go for it! It will change you for the better. Music is my passion and I love to attend concerts of any variety but I do have a sweet spot for rock music.
Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on our site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. This helps us to continue providing valuable content and supports our efforts in bringing the travel community together. We only recommend products and services we believe in and think you’ll find useful. Complete details are included in our affiliate disclaimer. Thank you for your support!
Key Takeaways
- Surfshark has a 7 day free trial
- Great features to secure privacy
- Various packages and plans to choose from
- Can be used on multiple devices simultaneously
- 2nd Fastest VPN company
- 3200 servers in over 100 countries
- Multi hop function
- AES-256 encryption
- Clean, easy to use interface
Pro’s and Con’s
Pros
- ✅ Installed on multiple devices
- ✅ Budget friendly
- ✅ 7 day free trial
- ✅ 30 day money back guarantee
Cons
- ❌ Offers can fluctuate
- ❌ Data retention laws have jurisdiction
Surfshark Overview and Features
| Feature | Description |
| Encryption | AES 256-bit, ChaCha20 encryption for the WireGuard protocol |
| Server count | 3200+ servers in over 100 countries |
| Performance | No bandwidth limitations, use on various devices, high speed connection |
| Additional services | CleanWeb, Alert system, Rotating IP, Dynamic MultiHop, Bypasser |
Surfshark VPN has become one of the leading platforms in the VPN world. It is relatively a new platform, only founded in 2018. It still remains one of the top VPNs to date. The one thing I like about Surfshark is that I am able to use it on many platforms all at the same time, meaning that all my devices are secure when travelling.
Surfshark does tend to attract a younger audience. Backpackers and young families prefer to choose this platform and with good reason, they can use it across multiple devices. Not only to keep them secure, but also so they can even watch movies or listen to music from other countries without buffering time. Surfshark has also become very popular, not only for its security and features but also because it is incredibly affordable price per month and includes a 30 day money back guarantee should it not live up to your expectations.
Surfshark VPN has managed to also get a 9.5/10 software rating, making it second in the world. It is fast, user friendly and affordable. Surfshark is also incredibly secure, they use multiple servers to mask your information, making tracking your IP address nearly impossible. It has also been found that Surfshark encrypts the information using AES 256-bit, which is common with VPNs nowadays. On top of all of this, Surfshark does offer other services included in the package, like an alert system, a Surfshark ad free browser, an antivirus, a multi hop feature, meaning you can connect to multiple servers at once and a data removal service. I think this definitely adds to why it is one of the top rated at the moment. No matter if you are working from one of the many coworking spaces around the world or simply working from your local coffee shop – Surfshark is reliable.
Servers and Locations
Surfshark has more than 3200 servers across the globe. As someone who travels frequently, this has helped me be present in so many countries. The countries I can personally attest to are the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, the Netherlands, Russia, Japan, Singapore, Australia, and India but there are so many more to choose from.
Security and Privacy
There are many security features that I like when using the Surfshark VPN. It is a secure platform that uses AES-256 encryption for OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols, Surfshark uses ChaCha20 encryption for the WireGuard protocol. This adds an extra layer to your security. AES-256 encryption is the standard encryption that most VPNs use these days. An added mode that Surfshark has introduced is Camouflage mode, this mode adds an extra wall, hiding the fact that you are using a VPN. This is very helpful in more censored countries like Russia or China.
Surfshark has options on what VPN to use, you can use an OpenVPN for your basic searches, making the buffering time shorter or there is also a WireGuard option which is far more secure for more personalized searches involving identity, bank accounts, etc. If you are nervous when using the internet, in Surfshark’s policies, they do not collect any data from you or record any of your searches while connected to their platform and have a no-log policy.
Standout Points
Here are some of the standout security and privacy points to Surfshark:
- Camouflage mode
- Wireguard options
- No-log policy
- MASA certification
- AES-256 encryption
- GDPR policy (protecting privacy laws)
Lastly, to keep your mind at ease, Surfshark passed the Mobile Application Security Assessment (MASA) certification, meaning that they have passed the audit for Google Play apps. This gives you safe and secure searching with an accredited platform. When I use Surfshark, I do feel protected which is always a good feeling. However, there has been some issue with online reviewers with the fact that Surfshark is based in the Netherlands. According to these reviewers, due to Netherlands’ laws, it is under Nine Eyes jurisdiction, which means the government can ask Surfshark to share customer information, but only when legally required. I personally don’t feel too threatened by this but it is something to keep in mind.
Performance and Speed
When using a VPN, it will slow down internet speed. This is exclusive to Surfshark, when using a VPN it needs to encrypt and decrypt the information that data. Basically the data needed to bounce back and forth between the servers. This is hugely affected by the distance of the server you choose. If I am in Bangkok and I use an American server, it will slow down my speed but if I used an Indian server then it would be much faster. This is how all VPN’s work, not just Surfshark.
However, some of the recent tests done by Surfshark had great results. With an average Ping (the exact destination the server) of 6 ms (milliseconds) without a VPN, the download speed was 308.41 Mbps and the upload speed was 204.53 Mbps. When compared to the farthest server in Australia, the ping was 299ms, the download speed was 190.78 Mbps, and the upload speed was 63.32 Mbps. This is not bad going as far as VPNs go, making it one of the fastest VPNs around in comparison to its competitors’ speeds.
Choosing your server is important, this will indicate how fast your speed will be. If you are trying to watch a movie and you choose a very far away server, this will result in buffering, so keep this in mind. Surfshark VPN in conclusion, has an above average performance and speed. I am happy when streaming movies or music depending on what country’s server I choose.
| Activity | Speed (Mbps) |
| Browsing | 594 Mbps |
| Streaming | 104 Mbps |
| Downloading | 250.81 Mbps |
Usability and Compatibility
If you are someone who is not very tech-savvy, then have no fear! As a user of Surfshark VPN, I can safely say that it is a user-friendly platform. You don’t need too much experience with using this platform, and connecting to different servers is one click away. I will take you through some of the user- friendly features that SurfShark VPN has implemented to make it as easy as possible.
Surfshark VPN has been praised as one of the most user friendly platforms. It has a clean and uncomplicated interface that is minimalist but clear. This allows you the chance to learn the interface easily and quickly. You can expect similar performance on any of the devices you choose to install Surfshark VPN, all with a clean interface with no big graphics or confusing lingo. Surfshark has many features that are all put separately into the menu making it very straightforward.
Compatible Devices
Surfshark is one of the first VPN sites to allow so many devices to be used with the software simultaneously. iOS, Windows, routers, Smart TVs, mobile phones, and now even the new addition, PlayStation and Xbox consoles are able to connect. All with easy to use interfaces and speedy operation according to user reviews.
The set up is very simple. On Windows you can download from your web browser, when downloaded, click install and finally click set up. You will need to put in your details to create an account and then off you go! This is also somewhat applied to other devices, but instead you would go to your app store and download an app. Account setup will follow the same procedure with easy prompts to follow. Once you are in, click connect to your desired server and off you go!
- Clean, easy to use interface
- Easy set up process
- Performance is the same on all devices using the platform
- Fast and easy to learn
- Compatible with iOS, Android, MacOS, Windows, Routers, Smart TV’s, Xbox and PlayStation
Pricing and Plans
Surfshark VPN has many options for payment plans and packages. All of these options offer a secure VPN, Ad blocker, cookie pop up blocker, email generator, personal detail generator and 30 day money back guarantee. There are also different time periods for subscriptions. The most common package with the best price matched to its features is the “Surfshark One”. You can choose from 24 months at $2.69 per month, 12 months at $3.39 per month, and lastly a one month which is the most expensive at $15.95 for the package. If you want to give it a quick test run then you can also get a 7 day free trial if you are not sure.
All of these packages give you different features that allow you to have more options when surfing the web. The “SurfShark one”package includes extra safeguard features, extra protections on your identity and keeping your devices more secure features. However, if you want to add data removal services then you will need to get the “Surfshark one+” package for an extra $1.50 per month. The “Surfshark starter” package is the entry level plan and has barely any features so if it was me, I would spend 50c more per month and get the “Surfshark one”package, it has everything you need and is the most popular.
| Plan | Cost | Included Features |
| Surfshark one: Monthly | 15.95$ | All features except data removal, unlimited devices, most expensive |
| Surfshark one: Yearly | 3.39$ | All features except data removal, unlimited devices |
| Surfshark one: Two-year | 2.69$ | All features except data removal, unlimited devices |
Additional Features and Tools
Extra tools and features are what set various platforms apart. Surfshark VPN has some incredible safeguarding features that will help you feel more secure with information.
Surfshark has dedicated IP features and a multi hop function. Meaning that your information will go through several surveys, making your info harder to reach. The kill-switch feature is fast and efficient, in the case of your connection being lost, anything searched will never be exposed. Surfshark also has a strict no-log policy which means that none of your browser history is kept with the company. Lastly, regarding their privacy features, Camouflage mode allows you to even hide the fact that you are on a VPN.
Some other fun features which are an added bonus are an alert system for people trying to get into your email, an ad-blocker, and a CleanWeb feature, allowing you to browse without ads, malware, or phishing attempts.
| Feature | Description |
| Killswitch | If connection drops. Your activities and sensitive data are never exposed. |
| Camouflage mode | Internet provider cannot see that you are using a VPN |
| CleanWeb | no ads, trackers, malware and phishing attempts. |
| Multi Hop | Search running through multiple servers ensuring ultimate security |
| Dedicated IP | Provides a unique IP address for the user |
Legal and Jurisdiction
Surfshark VPN is a Netherlands based company. It opened in 2018 and has quickly gained traction. By 2021 they had many new features and hundreds of thousands of subscriptions. They are now the second best VPN service, second to NordVPN who they haven’t passed yet.
Generally, customers have been very happy with SurfSharks’ policies and safeguarding. However, if you are a very conscious user you must know that the Netherlands has data retention laws, resulting in them being monitored by Nine Eyes jurisdiction, which means the government can ask Surfshark to share customer information but only when legally needed. So I would keep this in mind when using their services. They are GDPR compliant and have a MASA certification.
These are all things to keep in mind when doing anything on the internet and choosing your VPN provider.
- GDPR Compliant
- Based in the Netherlands
- Monitored by Nine Eyes jurisdiction
- Under data retention laws
Conclusion
As a user of this particular VPN platform, I can safely say that it is a reliable and trustworthy platform. It has an easy and user friendly interface that will be quick to learn, even for those of us that are technologically challenged. It is well priced, however I would avoid getting the month package as that is expensive and it will be much cheaper to commit and do the year or two year plan. A positive is that you do have a 7-day trial and they also have a 30-day cash-back guarantee to cover all bases. Their added features like the multi-hop, dedicated IP, Killswitch and camouflage mode ensure one’s privacy, however not many users are happy about the jurisdiction and data retention laws behind Surfshark VPN. This is something to keep in mind if you are a nervous internet user.
In conclusion, Surfshark VPN has a good reputation for a reason and I personally think that it is a fantastic product, that will leave you a happy customer. I hope you have enjoyed this Surfshark VPN review and that your new private browsing is just one click away.
Surfshark VPN FAQs
Yes Surfshark VPN does work in every country, however you might find some restrictions in countries like Egypt, Uganda, Tanzania, China, India, Iran, Iraq, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, the UAE, Belarus, and Russia. This may result in a slower connection, but it is allowed.
There are many security features that I like when using the Surfshark VPN. It is a secure platform that uses AES-256 encryption for OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols, Surfshark uses ChaCha20 encryption for the WireGuard protocol. This adds an extra layer to your security.
The most common package with the best price matched to its features is the u0022Surfshark oneu0022. You can choose from 24 months at $2.69 per month, 12 months at $3.39 per month, and lastly a one month which is the most expensive at $15.95 for the package. If you want to give it a quick test run then you can also get a 7 day free trial if you are not sure.
Surfshark has over 3200 servers in 100 countries. This is perfect for people like digital nomads who work on the go
fun features which are an added bonus, are an alert system for people trying to get into your email, an ad-blocker and a CleanWeb feature, allowing you to browse without ads, malware or phishing attempts. They also have a Camouflage mode, a killswitch, and a multi-hop function.
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Affiliate Disclosure: Some of the links on our site are affiliate links, meaning, at no additional cost to you, we may earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. This helps us to continue providing valuable content and supports our efforts in bringing the travel community together. We only recommend products and services we believe in and think you’ll find useful. Complete details are included in our affiliate disclaimer. Thank you for your support!
