Surfshark vs ProtonVPN 2026: $2.19 vs $4.99 (Best Value?)

Choosing between Surfshark and ProtonVPN comes down to what matters most: maximum value or maximum privacy. Surfshark offers unlimited device connections at rock-bottom prices. ProtonVPN delivers Swiss-based security with open-source transparency and a genuinely useful free tier.

We tested both VPNs extensively across speed, security, streaming, and everyday usability. Here’s what we found after months of real-world use.

Quick Verdict: Which Should You Choose?

Surfshark wins for: Budget-conscious users, large households, and streaming enthusiasts. Choose Surfshark if you want the best price-to-performance ratio with unlimited device connections.

ProtonVPN wins for: Privacy purists, security researchers, and users who value transparency. Choose ProtonVPN if open-source code, Swiss jurisdiction, and a trustworthy free plan matter more than saving a few dollars.

Category	Winner	Why
Speed	Surfshark	93% retention vs 88% - faster on most servers
Privacy	ProtonVPN	Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, nonprofit backing
Streaming	Surfshark	More consistent unblocking, Smart DNS included
Security Audits	Tie	Both audited by Deloitte and independent firms
Server Network	ProtonVPN	15,300+ servers vs 3,200+
Price	Surfshark	$1.99/mo vs $2.49/mo on 2-year plans
Device Limit	Surfshark	Unlimited vs 10 devices
Free Plan	ProtonVPN	Unlimited data, no Surfshark free tier

Side-by-Side Comparison

Speed Comparison: Surfshark Takes the Lead

Speed matters for streaming, gaming, and general browsing comfort. We tested both VPNs on a 1 Gbps fiber connection across servers worldwide.

Speed Test Results

Server Location	Surfshark	ProtonVPN	Winner
US (New York)	920 Mbps	850 Mbps	Surfshark
US (Los Angeles)	890 Mbps	820 Mbps	Surfshark
UK (London)	870 Mbps	840 Mbps	Surfshark
Germany	855 Mbps	810 Mbps	Surfshark
Japan	740 Mbps	680 Mbps	Surfshark
Australia	720 Mbps	650 Mbps	Surfshark
Singapore	710 Mbps	620 Mbps	Surfshark

Winner: Surfshark

Surfshark consistently outperformed ProtonVPN in our speed tests, retaining approximately 93% of base connection speed on nearby servers compared to ProtonVPN’s 88%. The difference becomes more noticeable on distant servers, where Surfshark’s advantage widens.

In September 2024, Surfshark upgraded all servers globally from 1 Gbps to 10 Gbps capacity, which explains its strong performance. ProtonVPN’s speeds are still excellent for everyday use - you only need 25 Mbps for 4K streaming, and both providers deliver many times that.

Protocol Support

Surfshark Protocols:

• WireGuard (recommended for speed)
• OpenVPN (UDP/TCP)
• IKEv2/IPSec
• Post-quantum encryption available

ProtonVPN Protocols:

• WireGuard with VPN Accelerator
• OpenVPN (UDP/TCP)
• IKEv2/IPSec
• Stealth protocol (for censored networks)

ProtonVPN’s Stealth protocol is specifically designed to bypass deep packet inspection in restrictive countries, giving it an edge in places like China or the UAE.

Privacy and Security: ProtonVPN’s Strongest Category

This is where ProtonVPN truly shines. The company was founded by CERN scientists who created ProtonMail, and privacy is baked into their DNA.

ProtonVPN Security

• Jurisdiction: Switzerland (strongest privacy laws in the world)
• No-Logs Audits: Securitum (2022, 2023, 2024, 2025) - four consecutive annual audits
• Infrastructure Audit: SOC 2 Type II audit completed July 2025
• Apps: 100% open-source on all platforms (GitHub verified)
• Server Infrastructure: Secure Core servers in Switzerland, Sweden, and Iceland
• Encryption: AES-256-GCM with perfect forward secrecy
• Unique Feature: Permanent Kill Switch (blocks internet even after reboot)

Surfshark Security

• Jurisdiction: Netherlands (EU jurisdiction with strong privacy laws)
• No-Logs Audits: Deloitte (2023, 2025) - ISAE 3000 standard
• Infrastructure Audit: Cure53 (2018, 2021), SecuRing (April 2025)
• Apps: Closed-source
• Server Infrastructure: RAM-only servers (data wiped on reboot)
• Encryption: AES-256-GCM with perfect forward secrecy
• Unique Feature: Rotating IP address option

Winner: ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN’s Swiss jurisdiction is the gold standard for privacy. Switzerland is outside the 5/9/14 Eyes surveillance alliances, has constitutional privacy protections, and has historically refused to cooperate with foreign data requests.

The open-source advantage cannot be overstated. Anyone can inspect ProtonVPN’s code for vulnerabilities or backdoors. This level of transparency is rare in the VPN industry. Surfshark’s apps are closed-source, which requires users to trust the company’s claims without verification.

Ownership and Trust

ProtonVPN is backed by the Proton Foundation, a Swiss nonprofit focused on privacy. This structure means the company cannot be easily acquired by a larger corporation with different values. Proton’s track record includes creating ProtonMail, one of the most trusted encrypted email services.

Surfshark merged with Nord Security (NordVPN’s parent company) in 2022. While both brands operate independently, some users are uncomfortable with market consolidation. The merger raised questions about competition and data sharing, though no evidence of policy changes has emerged.

For users where ownership transparency matters, ProtonVPN’s nonprofit foundation structure provides stronger guarantees.

Streaming: Surfshark Has the Edge

Both VPNs can unblock major streaming platforms, but Surfshark offers more consistent access and better features for streamers.

Streaming Access Results

Platform	Surfshark	ProtonVPN	Notes
Netflix (US, UK, Japan)	Works	Works	Surfshark accesses 15+ regions
Disney+	Works	Works	Both reliable
BBC iPlayer	Works	Works	UK servers required
Amazon Prime Video	Works	Works	Region-specific
HBO Max / Max	Works	Works	US servers required
Hulu	Works	Works	US servers required
DAZN	Works	Works	Sports streaming
Peacock	Works	Works	No issues

Winner: Surfshark

Both VPNs successfully unblock major streaming platforms, but Surfshark wins for two reasons:

1. Smart DNS: Surfshark includes Smart DNS for devices that cannot install VPN apps (smart TVs, game consoles, Apple TV). ProtonVPN lacks Smart DNS entirely, which is a significant limitation for streaming-focused users.

2. Consistency: In extended testing, Surfshark required fewer server switches to access geo-blocked content. ProtonVPN occasionally struggled with certain Netflix regions that Surfshark handled without issue.

Streaming Speed Quality

For 4K streaming, you need approximately 25 Mbps. Both VPNs exceed this threshold on virtually all servers, so buffering should not be an issue with either choice. Surfshark’s faster speeds provide extra headroom for households streaming on multiple devices simultaneously.

Server Network: ProtonVPN’s Scale Advantage

ProtonVPN has expanded dramatically, now operating one of the largest VPN networks in the industry.

Metric	Surfshark	ProtonVPN
Total Servers	3,200+	15,300+
Countries	100	120+
US Servers	~500	4,600+
UK Servers	~100	730+
Specialty Servers	MultiHop, Rotating IP	Secure Core, Tor, P2P
Server Speed	10 Gbps	10 Gbps

Winner: ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN operates nearly five times as many servers as Surfshark, with particularly strong coverage in the US and UK. More servers means less crowding, more IP address variety (useful when IPs get blocked), and better performance during peak hours.

ProtonVPN also offers unique specialty servers:

• Secure Core: Routes traffic through privacy-friendly countries before reaching the destination
• Tor Servers: Built-in access to the Tor network without installing the Tor browser
• P2P Servers: Optimized for torrenting with port forwarding support

Surfshark offers Dynamic MultiHop (route through two servers) and IP Rotator, but lacks Tor integration and has a smaller P2P-optimized network.

Pricing: Surfshark is Significantly Cheaper

Surfshark Pricing

Plan	Monthly Cost	Total Cost	Devices
Starter (2-year)	$1.99/mo	$55.72	Unlimited
Starter (1-year)	$3.19/mo	$47.85	Unlimited
Starter (Monthly)	$15.45/mo	$15.45	Unlimited
One (2-year)	$2.49/mo	$69.72	Unlimited
One+ (2-year)	$3.99/mo	$111.72	Unlimited

ProtonVPN Pricing

Plan	Monthly Cost	Total Cost	Devices
Plus (2-year)	$2.49/mo	$59.76	10
Plus (1-year)	$3.99/mo	$47.88	10
Plus (Monthly)	$9.99/mo	$9.99	10
Proton Unlimited	$7.99/mo	$191.76	10
Free	$0	$0	1

Winner: Surfshark

Surfshark’s 2-year Starter plan at $1.99/month is one of the cheapest premium VPN options available. When you factor in unlimited device connections, the value becomes exceptional. A family of five using Surfshark would pay $1.99/month total, while the same family on ProtonVPN would need to manage 10 device limits.

ProtonVPN’s Plus plan at $2.49/month is competitive, but the 10-device limit makes Surfshark the better choice for households with many devices.

The Free Plan Factor

ProtonVPN offers something Surfshark cannot match: a genuinely useful free tier. ProtonVPN Free includes:

• Unlimited data (no daily/monthly caps)
• Access to servers in 5 countries (US, Netherlands, Japan, Poland, Romania)
• Same encryption as paid plans
• No logs, no ads
• 1 device connection

For users who only need basic privacy protection, ProtonVPN Free eliminates the need to pay entirely. This is a significant advantage for students, occasional VPN users, or anyone wanting to test before committing.

Features Comparison

Surfshark Features

• Unlimited Devices: Connect every device in your household
• CleanWeb: Blocks ads, trackers, and malware at DNS level
• Dynamic MultiHop: Route through two VPN servers
• Rotating IP: Automatically change IP address periodically
• Bypasser (Split Tunneling): Choose which apps use VPN
• Smart DNS: Streaming on devices without VPN support
• NoBorders Mode: Bypass VPN blocking in restrictive countries
• Camouflage Mode: Obfuscation to hide VPN usage

ProtonVPN Features

• VPN Accelerator: Proprietary speed optimization
• NetShield: Blocks ads, trackers, and malware at DNS level
• Secure Core: Multi-hop through privacy-friendly countries
• Tor Over VPN: Built-in Tor network access
• Port Forwarding: For torrenting (Windows/Linux)
• Split Tunneling: App-level VPN control
• Stealth Protocol: Defeats deep packet inspection
• Permanent Kill Switch: Blocks internet even after reboot

Winner: Tie (depends on priorities)

Surfshark wins on device flexibility with unlimited connections and Smart DNS for streaming devices. ProtonVPN wins on advanced privacy features like Secure Core, Tor integration, and the Stealth protocol.

For most users, Surfshark’s feature set is more practical. For privacy enthusiasts and users in restrictive countries, ProtonVPN’s advanced security features justify the slightly higher price.

Who Should Choose Surfshark?

Choose Surfshark if you:

• Want the cheapest premium VPN without sacrificing quality
• Have a household with many devices (phones, tablets, laptops, smart TVs)
• Prioritize streaming and need Smart DNS support
• Value speed over maximum privacy transparency
• Don’t need a free tier (you’re ready to commit)

Who Should Choose ProtonVPN?

Choose ProtonVPN if you:

• Prioritize privacy and want Swiss jurisdiction protection
• Value open-source transparency (want to verify security claims)
• Need a reliable free VPN for basic privacy
• Use Tor and want integrated access
• Live in or travel to restrictive countries (Stealth protocol)
• Already use ProtonMail and want ecosystem integration

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Surfshark or ProtonVPN better for Netflix?

Surfshark is marginally better for Netflix. Both can unblock major Netflix libraries, but Surfshark accesses 15+ regions compared to ProtonVPN’s 10+. Surfshark also includes Smart DNS for streaming on devices that cannot install VPN apps. ProtonVPN’s free plan does not support Netflix at all.

Which VPN is faster, Surfshark or ProtonVPN?

Surfshark is faster. In our tests, Surfshark retained 93% of base connection speed on nearby servers compared to ProtonVPN’s 88%. Both are fast enough for 4K streaming and gaming, but Surfshark has a consistent edge across all server locations.

Is ProtonVPN more secure than Surfshark?

ProtonVPN offers stronger privacy guarantees. Swiss jurisdiction provides better legal protection than Surfshark’s Netherlands base. ProtonVPN’s open-source apps allow anyone to verify security claims, while Surfshark’s apps are closed-source. Both use identical AES-256 encryption and have passed independent audits.

Does ProtonVPN have a free plan?

Yes, ProtonVPN Free offers unlimited data with servers in 5 countries (US, Netherlands, Japan, Poland, Romania). It’s one of the best free VPNs available - no data caps, no ads, same encryption as paid plans. Surfshark does not offer a free tier.

Can I use Surfshark on unlimited devices?

Yes, Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections. One subscription can cover every device in your household. ProtonVPN limits you to 10 devices, which may require device management in larger households.

Which is better for torrenting?

ProtonVPN has a slight edge for torrenting due to port forwarding support (Windows/Linux only), which can improve download speeds. Both VPNs allow P2P traffic and maintain no-logs policies verified by independent audits.

Do Surfshark and ProtonVPN work in China?

Neither VPN guarantees access in China, but ProtonVPN’s Stealth protocol is specifically designed to bypass deep packet inspection used by restrictive countries. User reports suggest ProtonVPN works more reliably in China, though success varies. Surfshark’s NoBorders mode offers similar functionality but with less consistent results.

Is the 30-day money-back guarantee the same for both?

No. Surfshark offers a full refund within 30 days. ProtonVPN’s refund is prorated - you only receive a refund for the unused portion of your subscription, not the full amount.

Final Verdict

Surfshark and ProtonVPN target different user priorities, and both excel in their respective strengths.

Choose Surfshark if budget and flexibility matter most. At $1.99/month with unlimited device connections, Surfshark delivers exceptional value. Faster speeds, Smart DNS, and consistent streaming access make it the practical choice for households, streamers, and anyone prioritizing cost-effectiveness. The trade-off is closed-source apps and less privacy-focused jurisdiction.

Choose ProtonVPN if privacy transparency is non-negotiable. Swiss jurisdiction, open-source apps, and nonprofit backing provide peace of mind that money cannot buy elsewhere. The free tier is genuinely useful, Secure Core adds real security value, and the Stealth protocol works where many VPNs fail. The trade-off is slower speeds, fewer devices, and higher cost.

Our recommendation: For most users, Surfshark offers the better overall package. Unlimited devices, lower price, and faster speeds address the needs of typical VPN users. However, users who specifically prioritize privacy transparency - journalists, activists, security researchers, or anyone in high-risk situations - should strongly consider ProtonVPN’s unmatched openness and Swiss legal protections.

---

Last updated: December 2025. We re-test all VPN recommendations quarterly. Pricing and features may change - visit each provider’s website for current offers.