Surfshark

Overview

Surfshark burst onto the VPN scene in 2018 and quickly established itself as a serious contender by offering premium features at aggressive pricing. Now headquartered in the Netherlands and operating as part of the Nord Security family following a 2022 merger, Surfshark maintains its own independent infrastructure and applications. The standout feature remains its unlimited simultaneous connections policy, meaning a single subscription can protect every device in a household without restriction.

With over 3,200 servers in 100 countries, the network is substantial and growing. Surfshark runs its entire infrastructure on RAM-only servers, meaning all data is wiped whenever a server is rebooted or powered down. This architectural decision significantly reduces the risk of data compromise even in the event of server seizure. The service supports WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 protocols across all major platforms.

Privacy and Security

Surfshark operates under a verified no-logs policy, audited by Deloitte in 2022 and 2023, confirming that the service does not collect or store connection logs, IP addresses, bandwidth data, or browsing activity. The Netherlands jurisdiction is a notable consideration — whilst Dutch privacy laws are generally strong under GDPR, the country is a member of the Nine Eyes intelligence alliance. However, the RAM-only server architecture and no-logs policy mitigate this concern in practice, as there is simply no stored data to hand over.

Security features include AES-256-GCM encryption, a reliable kill switch on all platforms, and MultiHop functionality that chains connections through two VPN servers in different countries. The NoBorders mode is designed to detect network restrictions and offer server suggestions optimised for use in countries that actively block VPN traffic. Surfshark also includes a built-in two-factor authentication option for account security, adding protection against unauthorised access to the VPN account itself.

Performance

Using WireGuard, Surfshark delivers solid speeds on nearby servers, typically retaining 80-90% of baseline connection speeds. Performance on transatlantic and long-distance connections is generally good, though some users report occasional inconsistency depending on server load at peak times. The service reliably unblocks major streaming platforms including Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and Amazon Prime Video across multiple regions.

The CleanWeb feature provides DNS-level ad and tracker blocking, reducing page load times and data consumption on mobile devices. Torrenting is permitted on all servers, and the service performs well for P2P file sharing. The Bypasser (split tunnelling) feature allows users to route specific apps or websites outside the VPN tunnel, which is particularly useful for banking apps or local services that may block VPN connections.

Verdict

Surfshark offers exceptional value, particularly for users with multiple devices or large households. The unlimited connections policy alone sets it apart from most competitors, and the feature set — including MultiHop, CleanWeb, rotating IP, and RAM-only servers — is impressively comprehensive for the price. The Netherlands jurisdiction may give pause to the most privacy-sensitive users, but the audited no-logs policy and RAM-only infrastructure provide strong practical protections. For anyone seeking a feature-rich VPN without breaking the bank, Surfshark is a compelling choice.