SurfShark Review, Test, Price and Performance – 2020

SurfShark Review, nowadays, is one of the most searched topics on Google for those who are trying to buy a premium VPN.

After giving price discounts on Surfshark it has made the cheapest VPN I’ve tested. Now the question is, does its quality match its price?

Surfshark claims that they are the best all-around VPN, great for Netflix, torrenting, anonymous browsing, and staying safe on public WiFi. That’s why I put it to the test.

After that, I researched every feature, from its torrenting ability and security protocols to its device compatibility, unlimited connections, and customer support.

From the research, I have got everything you need to know about what it can do (and whether it does it well) detailed below.

If you do not have time then just read what matters most

• Through its bypass geo blocks, you can stream Netflix, Hulu, or BBC iPlayer.
• If you ask about the speed then I can say that some servers slowed us down, but speeds were consistent and reliable.
• You do not need to think about safety. It is loaded with security features.
• I have also checked some items which are given below:
  • Is it have a money-back guarantee or is it have A free trial? All you can learn from pricing is here.
  • It has 24/7 customer support live chat answered in under a minute.
  • It is very easy to use. Its interface is simple and intuitive, even for beginners.

The Basics

Like all the providers that specialize in specific services, Surfshark says that it can do everything you need. Now the question is, how does the VPN really perform in each category? Is it true that it can really bypass geo blocks, maintain fast speeds, and keep your personal info safe?

I put Surfshark through some of my toughest tests to see if it lives up to its claims. It is now the cheapest premium option available, but that doesn’t mean much if it can’t deliver on the features which need one the most. I checked on many things like server coverage, conducted speed tests, looked over its security measures, analyzed its interface and ease of use, and even put its customer support on the spot.

Streaming – With Netflix

It is good that it works with Netflix too. It is proved to be an excellent VPN for accessing geo-restricted content on Netflix. No wonder, it’s one of the best VPN for Netflix providers in the market today.

It is also able to access streaming content on Amazon Video, Hulu, and BBC iPlayer.

Surfshark’s global network is made up of more than 1,000 servers across 60 countries. At the time of my testing, I checked a total of seven servers, including three in the US. I can happily report that these servers easily bypassed Netflix’s geo-restrictions. The connection time was also fast, resulting in high-quality video with no buffering.

Surfshark Speeds

It has fast and reliable connections that add a lot of value to a VPN service. A VPN slowing down will negatively impact your ability to stream, torrent, and even browse the internet.

Before I connected to the VPN, I used a speed test to determine my starting speeds. In this case, I used my laptop, and my speeds were 69.3 Mbps download, 81.6 Mbps upload, and a ping of 3 ms.

I have also tested two other US servers, and the results were similar. On the processing there was a speed decrease on each server, the connections were still fine for some online gaming, streaming in HD, and torrenting. When I connected to a UK server, our average download speed was around 7.3 Mbps:

This is slower than the results I have got with local US servers, but still fast enough for streaming and other high-traffic activity.

It is very common to get slower speeds while connecting to servers that are farther from your physical location.

My download speed while connecting to a server in Denmark was 7.4 Mbps:

Even across the world in Japan, Our teammate got an impressive speed of 7.3 Mbps:

These are fairly consistent speeds but we have also got good results for network reliability. We did not have to experience any speed drops or connection failures during our tests.

Is Surfshark Good for Torrenting?

This VPN is definitely a good choice if you’re often torrenting. Because All of its servers allow P2P sharing and a lot of them are optimized specifically for torrenting:

This VPN is very compatible with torrent software like BitTorrent and uTorrent. It is also compatible with streaming players like Ace Player, VLC, and Popcorn Time.

Surfshark protects your identity and hides your P2P activity from your ISP while using it which we will discuss in more detail below.

Security – Is Surfshark Safe?

Surfshark claims that they have robust security features, but I wanted to see them for myself. In this case, the first thing I did was perform a DNS leak test. And I was very happy to see there were no leaks:

You can see that our real location and IP address in the US were not detected.

This means that you don’t need to worry about data leaks even if your VPN connection drops unexpectedly.

Surfshark can also go beyond the basics with advanced security features like MultiHop—Surfshark’s version of Double VPN—which gives you an extra layer of protection by directing your traffic through two encrypted servers before you reach your final destination.

It has a CleanWeb feature that protects you from tracking, malware, and phishing attempts. Recently it has also added HackLock, a data leak alert system that lets users know when their email appears online in leaked databases. Surfshark’s new feature is BlindSearch which is an online search tool that never collects your history and is free of annoying ads.

It is Camouflage Mode which is specialized obfuscated servers that can easily bypass network firewalls and other internet blocks. It is very ideal for countries with restricted internet access, as it completely stops your ISP from monitoring any of your activity. This Mode only works on OpenVPN apps: Windows, Android, and iOS.

As if these security features weren’t impressive enough, Surfshark took things a step further by turning to Cure53, a renowned cybersecurity firm. It asked the firm to review its browser extensions to determine whether the VPN lived up to the security it claimed.

Many of us doubt the legitimacy of VPN providers’ security claims. Conducting an independent audit shows how seriously Surfshark takes its responsibility toward its users.

Does Surfshark Keep Logs?

Surfshark is headquartered in the privacy-friendly British Virgin Islands, outside the jurisdiction of the 5/9/14 Eyes Alliance. The privacy policy confirms that Surfshark does not collect any usage or connection data.

The provider only stores the following information:

• Your account email address (used only for customer service purposes)
• Your password (encrypted)
• Basic billing information

If you do not like the idea of handing over your payment details and exposing your identity then You can avoid this and enjoy complete anonymity by paying with Bitcoin or another cryptocurrency instead.

The only part of the logging policy is that  Surfshark may collect unique advertising identifiers from third parties for marketing purposes and user analytics.

This is not a major concern, because you can reset your advertising identifier or opt out of this data collection at any time in your app settings.

Overall, we can say that it has a transparent and privacy-friendly logging policy. None of the following information is collected:

• IP addresses
• Browsing history
• Session information
• Bandwidth used
• Connection time stamps
• Network traffic

Does Surfshark Have an Ad Blocker?

Surfshark offers an ad blocker as part of its VPN service. By its CleanWeb feature it can block ads, trackers, and malware. Not only it helps to protect your privacy, but it also can save network data and improves loading times.

To test its ability I put the ad blocker to the test by visiting three websites that were full of ads. And I found that its CleanWeb feature worked beautifully, instantly hiding all of the ads before I even saw them.

Does Surfshark Work in China?

As China is constantly working on its anti-VPN technology, so VPNs have to work equally as hard to keep getting around the country’s geo-restrictions. Because conditions change constantly, it’s sometimes difficult to say whether a VPN works in China or not.

However, our most users report that Surfshark works in China. The FAQ  says that you can ask customer support for help if you find that the VPN is not working in your location.

Surfshark’s has NoBorders feature that is useful for bypassing censorship. It can detect if you are connected to a restricted network or in a country with government censorship, and automatically redirects your traffic to access restricted content.

Price and Value for Money

Surfshark’s has three subscription plans that come with the same premium features and differ only in length.

It has 12-month and 24-month plans that come with significant discounts which make this VPN cheap and affordable for long-term use.

Its a month-to-month subscription is a bit pricier, but the cost is still very reasonable for the value this VPN provides.

Does Surfshark Have a Free Version?

Surfshark doesn’t have any free version, but it offers a 7-day free trial for mobile users. One can activate their free trial by downloading the app from Google Play or the Apple App Store.

Surfshark’s Refund Policy

It offers a 30-day, money-back guarantee on all subscriptions.

Within 15 days of purchasing a subscription plan, you can receive a full refund if you submit a support ticket asking for your money back or encounter an issue that the support team is unable to solve. To improve its service it may ask about what aspects of the VPN you had issues with or didn’t like. Surfshark’s policy is to provide a refund even if you want one on the 30th day, and It had no issues cancelling via Google Pay prior to the 7-day cut off.

Is Surfshark Compatible with My Device?

Surfshark can be used in all major devices. It apps are offered for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more.

The VPN also can secure browser extensions for Firefox and Chrome.

On its website, you can find manual installation guides for Linux, Xbox, PlayStation, Fire TV, Apple TV, and all other platform that is supported by it.

It has SmartDNS feature that allows you to unlock US content on devices that may not support VPNs, like Smart TVs and game consoles. This feature is very easy to set up and use, so you can connect and go.

An important thing to understand about the various Surfshark apps is that there are some feature inconsistencies, meaning some features may work for one app but not another.

Encryption

Surfshark can keep all users safe with robust AES 256-bit encryption, and provides optional ChaCha encryption for Android users. It can also support OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols, as well as Shadowsocks protocol for Windows. Shadowsocks is an open-source encrypted proxy. It has another helpful tool that is to bypass strict internet censorship, especially in areas like China.

It’s usually best to stick with an OpenVPN connection for the best security.

Surfshark Customer Service

We are very pleased with the quality of Surfshark’s customer service. We found that they have 24/7 live chat support team to be responsive, friendly, and informative.

If you submit a question, the chat box tells you your position in the queue:

After less than a minute of waiting, a representative will join the chat to answer your question.

User Experience

It has created a positive user experience through its well-designed native apps. Its interface is clear for both first-time VPN users using basic functions and experienced users using more advanced settings.

It is very rare that we find a VPN app design with no discernible flaws, but we were very impressed with what Surfshark has accomplished.

Features	Details
Number of countries with servers	61
Number of servers	1040
Number of servers	1000
Does VPN keep logs?	No
Does VPN include a kill switch?	Yes
Number of devices per license	Unlimited

Ease of Use (4.8 / 5.0)

Surfshark’s native apps and browser extensions are very easy and intuitive to use. They feature a clean and minimal interface that anyone can navigate.

Its installation process is fast and straightforward. You have to enter your login credentials to set up a new device every time.

Its Quick Connect feature makes it easy to find a fast server. If you want, you can also manually select a server location with a single click.

Pricing (4.5 / 5.0)

Surfshark has several subscription lengths and different price points so that you can choose a plan that best fits your needs and budget. No matter which plan you choose, you’ll have access to all the same premium features.

Discounts are offered on longer subscriptions, which makes the service much more affordable.

There is a 7-day free trial if you download the app from Google Play or the Apple Store, and a 30-day, money-back guarantee.

A variety of payment methods are accepted, including:

• Major credit cards (American Express, Visa, Mastercard, Discover)
• PayPal
• Amazon Pay
• Google Pay
• Alipay
• Cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ripple, Ethereum)

Reliability & Support (4.6 / 5.0)

If you come across any issues while using Surfshark, you have several places to turn. The website has a Help section with installation tutorials, troubleshooting guides, FAQs, and other useful information.

You can also contact Surfshark directly via 24/7 live chat support or a ticket request system.

My interaction with Surfshark customer service was positive. I used the live chat feature, and the representative was fast, friendly, and informative.

The Bottom Line

Fast and reliable VPN that’s perfect for streaming and torrenting

Surfshark offers an impressive service, especially for a relatively new provider. If you’re looking for a fast, reliable, and secure VPN for streaming, torrenting, and protecting your privacy, Surfshark is an excellent option.

We tested Surfshark not too long ago, and we found issues with device compatibility. We’re happy to see the VPN now supports all major platforms. The fact that Surfshark also offers unlimited simultaneous connections makes it an even better value.

Surfshark is especially worth considering if you’re looking for a long-term VPN, because of the budget-friendly deals offered on longer subscriptions.

• 1040+ servers in 61 countries
• Offers browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox
• Accepts Bitcoin and offers 30-day money-back guarantee
• Unlimited connections and strong encryption
• Supports P2P
• 24/7 live chat support
• Get started with Surfshark now

At a glance, SharfShark FAQ

Yes, Surfshark is definitely a good choice if you’re often torrenting. Because All of its servers allow P2P sharing and a lot of them are optimizing specifically for torrenting.

Yes, Surfshark is safe and it also checked by various DNS leak test. None of them catch the real DNS.

No, SurfShark don’t keep logs and also it doesn’t collect any usage or connection data.

Yes, it offers an ad blocker as part of its VPN service. By its CleanWeb feature it can block ads, trackers, and malware.

As China is constantly working on its anti-VPN technology, so VPNs have to work equally as hard to keep getting around the country’s geo-restrictions. Because conditions change constantly, it’s sometimes difficult to say whether a VPN works in China or not.
However, our most users report that Surfshark works in China.

Surfshark doesn’t have any free version, but it offers a 7-day free trial for mobile users. One can activate their free trial by downloading the app from Google Play or the Apple App Store.

Surfshark can be used in all major devices. It apps are offered for Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, and more.
The VPN also can secure browser extensions for Firefox and Chrome.

Surfshark VPN is owned by Surfshark Ltd.

SurfShark VPN is really good for torrenting and also for P2P sharing. Overall it really a good choice.

Yes, it works on Netflix, Streaming and KODI.

It also works with Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, ITV Hub, All 4, Hotstar, HBO, Sky, and many other local streaming services.

Thanks to SmartPlay DNS and thousands of servers, NordVPN takes the lead in streaming. Surfshark, however, requires split tunneling on Android, and is just as good for simple wi-fi security. Although both VPNs have lost some of their Android functionality (most notably the kill switch), in our testing, both apps were leak-proof.

Due to its high security, lightning-fast speeds, and reliable reliability, ExpressVPN is one of the best VPNs. Surfshark is a fantastic low-cost VPN that also offers high security, fast speeds, and a number of additional features that make it one of the best VPNs on the market for performance.