SurfsharkVPN Review: Why SurfsharkVPN is Among the Best VPN Services
As a tech writer, I am often cautious when it comes to new tech tools, particularly with the overwhelming number of VPN options on the market. However, Surfshark’s attractive pricing piqued my interest, making it accessible to a broad audience.
Despite its low cost, Surfshark distinguishes itself through exceptional value. For a minimal subscription fee, you gain access to a vast global server network, ensuring fast and reliable connections from virtually any location. Additionally, Surfshark’s stringent no-logs policy guarantees your privacy remains intact.
Furthermore, Surfshark provides a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test the service risk-free and secure a refund if it doesn’t meet your expectations.
Privacy
One of the first questions with any VPN is whether it keeps logs. Surfshark, based in the British Virgin Islands, operates outside the Five Eyes, Nine Eyes, and Fourteen Eyes surveillance agreements, meaning it’s not required to retain user activity logs. Our thorough investigation confirmed that Surfshark does not collect IP addresses, browsing activity, session information, bandwidth used, or connection timestamps. This commitment to privacy is reassuring. Surfshark does retain your email address, encrypted password, and necessary billing information, but you can opt to pay with Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies for added anonymity.
Surfshark also excels in security, offering AES-256 encryption, an internet kill switch, and secure VPN protocols like OpenVPN, TCP, and IKEv2. Each server uses private DNS to minimize spying risks, and the double VPN hop feature enhances online anonymity.
Speed & Performance SurfsharkVPN
Speed is a critical factor for any VPN. Surfshark’s performance in this area is noteworthy. Connecting to the nearest server resulted in a significant speed drop of about 40%, which initially caused concern. However, connecting to a distant server over 3000 km away showed a less severe drop of around 50%, demonstrating decent performance over long distances.
Servers & Locations SurfsharkVPN
Surfshark has over 3200 servers across 65 countries. While this is fewer than some competitors like CyberGhost, which boasts over 6000 servers in 90+ countries, Surfshark’s broad geographic coverage is commendable. Notably, 12 countries, including the US, UK, Canada, and Australia, offer city-level connections, enhancing connectivity options.
Apps SurfsharkVPN
Surfshark offers dedicated apps for Windows, macOS, Linux, Android, and iOS. Impressively, there is no limit on the number of devices you can protect with a single subscription. The Windows client, for instance, features a sleek, minimalist interface that is user-friendly. It includes a clear view of server locations, a Whitelist tab for trusted websites, and easy access to settings. Users can also see their new IP address, data usage, and toggle the kill switch on or off with a click, making it accessible for both tech-savvy users and beginners.
Support
Customer support is crucial, and Surfshark excels here with 24/7 live chat support, a feature not all VPN services offer. Their website also includes a comprehensive Help section with installation tutorials, troubleshooting guides, FAQs, and other useful information, ensuring users have ample resources to resolve any issues.
Pricing & Plans SurfsharkVPN
For those willing to commit to a 24-month subscription, Surfshark is one of the most affordable VPNs at just $2.49 per month (billed $59.76 upfront).
Summary
Surfshark is an emerging VPN service with impressive security features, a growing server network, unlimited device protection, and budget-friendly pricing. While it does have some drawbacks, such as notable speed drops, these can be addressed as Surfshark continues to expand its server base. Overall, Surfshark offers substantial value and has the potential to become a leading name in the VPN industry.