Choosing between Surfshark and Proton VPN can be tough. Both offer robust protection and strong privacy credentials. However, despite their similarities, they cater to different user priorities, making it essential to understand what each service brings to the table before making a decision.
Let's quickly compare Surfshark and Proton VPN with this overview table:
| Surfshark | Proton VPN | |
| Website | Surfshark.com | ProtonVPN.com |
| Location | Netherlands | Switzerland |
| Servers | 3,200+ | 6,500+ |
| Countries | 100 | 112 |
| Logs | No logs (audited) | No logs (audited) |
| Support | 24/7 live chat; Email; Knowledge Base | Live chat; Email; Knowledge Base |
| Apps for | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, browsers, and more | Windows, macOS, Android, iOS, Linux, browsers, and more |
| Money-back Guarantee | 30 days | 30 days |
| Price | $2.19 (with coupon below) | $3.59 (with coupon below) |
| Best Deal | 86% Off Coupon > | 64% Off Coupon > |
Surfshark and Proton VPN are established names in the VPN market, each offering unique features and benefits. This comparative analysis covers key features, performance metrics, security standards, and user experience to determine which VPN service offers superior value.
This comparison is based on the following factors:
- Key features
Speed tests
Security measures
Logging policies
Jurisdiction and privacy
User experience
Server network
Streaming and torrenting
Customer support
Pricing
Payment and refunds
Key features
| Feature | Surfshark | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| RAM-only servers | ✔️ | ❌ |
| Logs | No logs (audited) | No logs (audited) |
| Multiple VPN protocols | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Private DNS | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Split tunneling | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Kill switch | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Obfuscation | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Browser extensions | ✔️ | ✔️ |
| Built-in ad blocking | ✔️ | ✔️ |
Both Surfshark and Proton VPN are equipped with a wide array of features designed to enhance user experience and security. From streaming capabilities to user-friendly applications, these VPNs have positioned themselves as top contenders in the industry.
Surfshark allows unlimited device connections with a single account. It also offers RAM-only servers, which ensure that all stored data is wiped upon reboot, enhancing user privacy. Additionally, Surfshark's Nexus network introduces innovative features like IP Rotator, which periodically changes your IP address without disconnecting you, and Dynamic MultiHop, allowing users to customize their multi-hop connections for added security.
Proton VPN, on the other hand, boasts Secure Core servers that route traffic through multiple servers in privacy-friendly countries for enhanced security. This multi-hop routing ensures your data remains protected even if one server is compromised. Proton VPN also features a VPN Accelerator, which improves speed and performance by optimizing server connections, and a Stealth protocol designed to bypass VPN blocks and enhance privacy in regions with heavy censorship.
Let’s examine some of the standout features of both VPNs, particularly their ad blockers, malware protection, and split tunneling capabilities.
Ad blockers and malware protection
Surfshark and Proton VPN provide robust ad-blocking features. Surfshark’s CleanWeb feature is designed to block ads, trackers, and malware, providing a cleaner browsing experience. Additionally, CleanWeb 2.0 includes features such as blocking phishing attacks and alerts for data breaches. This iteration, however, is only available in its browser extensions.
Proton VPN’s ad-blocking feature, NetShield, is also highly effective at stopping intrusive ads, tracking cookies, and malware. While similar in functionality to CleanWeb, NetShield focuses on maintaining a streamlined browsing experience without the added layers of phishing and data breach alerts.
Split tunneling
Split tunneling is a feature that allows you to specify which apps or websites bypass the VPN connection, improving performance by directing only necessary traffic through the VPN. Surfshark refers to its split tunneling feature as “Bypasser”, which is available on both Windows and Android devices.
Proton VPN also supports split tunneling, allowing users to manage which applications use the VPN effectively on their Windows and Android apps. This feature can enhance speed and reduce latency by allowing non-essential traffic to access the internet normally.
Surfshark is the winner of the “Key features” category due to its innovative Nexus network and RAM-only servers that provide enhanced security and user privacy.
Speed tests
Speed is a critical factor when choosing a VPN, and both Proton VPN and Surfshark advertise impressive server speeds reaching up to 10 Gbps. However, in real-world tests, Surfshark consistently outperforms Proton VPN, providing faster and more reliable connections.
| Server location | Surfshark download speed (Mbps) | Proton VPN download speed (Mbps) |
| Seattle | 753 | 699 |
| Los Angeles | 653 | 582 |
| New York | 638 | 524 |
| London, UK | 556 | 614 |
In Seattle, Surfshark's download speeds reached 753 Mbps, compared to Proton VPN's 699 Mbps. Both are impressive speeds, especially for bandwidth-intensive activities like streaming and gaming.
In Los Angeles, Surfshark outperformed Proton VPN in terms of download speed, reaching 653 Mbps compared to Proton's 582 Mbps.
Overall, both VPNs performed well, but Surfshark’s consistent higher speeds make it the better choice for speed-intensive tasks.
Security measures
Security is one of the primary reasons for using a VPN, and both Proton VPN and Surfshark excel in this area. They offer a range of security features designed to protect your online activities and ensure privacy.
Let's delve into the encryption standards, VPN protocols, and leak protection measures of both VPNs. These features are crucial for maintaining a secure and private internet connection.
Encryption standards
Proton VPN and Surfshark employ strong encryption standards to protect user data. They use AES-256 encryption for OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols. Proton VPN takes it a step further with a 4096-bit RSA key, demonstrating its commitment to strong encryption.
The WireGuard protocol, used by both VPNs, features ChaCha20 encryption, which is known for its speed and efficiency. These encryption methods guarantee that your data remains secure, making both VPNs reliable choices for privacy-conscious users.
VPN protocols
| VPN protocols supported | |
| Surfshark | OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP, IPSec/IKEv2, and WireGuard |
| Proton VPN | OpenVPN UDP, OpenVPN TCP, IPSec/IKEv2, WireGuard, and Stealth |
Proton VPN and Surfshark support a variety of VPN protocols to cater to different user needs. These protocols include OpenVPN, IKEv2, and WireGuard, all of which are known for their security and performance.
Proton VPN also offers the proprietary Stealth protocol, designed to obscure VPN usage and enhance privacy. This makes it a suitable choice for users in regions with heavy censorship. The availability of multiple protocols ensures that both VPNs can provide secure and reliable connections.
Leak protection and kill switch
Both Proton VPN and Surfshark come equipped with essential security features such as leak protection and a kill switch. A kill switch disconnects your internet when the VPN connection fails, preventing your data from being exposed.
Surfshark offers both a soft kill switch, which temporarily pauses the internet connection, and a strict kill switch, which completely disconnects the internet to ensure maximum security. Proton VPN also offers a kill switch and DNS leak protection, safeguarding user data by preventing accidental exposure of DNS queries.
Logging policy
Privacy-conscious users will appreciate that both Proton VPN and Surfshark have strict no-logs policies. This means they do not collect or store any user data, ensuring your online activities remain private.
Both VPN providers have undergone multiple independent audits to confirm their no-logs policies, reinforcing their commitment to user privacy. This transparency bolsters their credibility as trustworthy VPN services.
Jurisdiction and privacy
The jurisdiction of a VPN provider can significantly impact user privacy. Proton VPN is based in Switzerland, a country known for its robust privacy protections and favorable laws regarding user data. Surfshark, on the other hand, is located in the Netherlands, which also has favorable privacy laws without mandatory data retention requirements.
While both jurisdictions are privacy-friendly, Switzerland’s stricter data retention laws give Proton VPN a slight edge in this regard.
User experience
Both Proton VPN and Surfshark excel with user-friendly applications and extensive device compatibility.
| Surfshark | Proton VPN | |
| Apps | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
| Browsers | Chrome, Firefox, Edge | Chrome, Firefox, Edge, Brave, Opera, Vivaldi |
| Other devices supported | Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, gaming consoles (via Smart DNS), routers (manual setup), and more | Android TV, Apple TV, Fire TV, routers (manual setup), and more |
| Connections | Unlimited | 10 |
We will explore the VPN apps’ usability, device compatibility, and available browser extensions. These factors play a crucial role in determining how easy and convenient it is to use these VPNs on a daily basis.
App usability
Proton VPN and Surfshark both offer VPN apps that are beginner-friendly and easy to navigate. The user interface of both apps is clean and well-organized, ensuring a positive user experience.
Proton VPN allows users to select server locations through a detailed world map, a menu, or a search bar, providing multiple ways to connect.
Surfshark users can choose server locations through a list and a search bar, which is straightforward and efficient. Additionally, Surfshark’s Android app includes a GPS override feature, allowing users to hide their actual GPS location.
Device compatibility
Proton VPN and Surfshark are compatible with a wide range of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iOS, and Android. Surfshark also supports smart TVs and routers, offering a broader range of compatibility compared to Proton VPN.
Proton VPN supports various platforms but lacks Smart DNS capabilities, which can limit its usability on certain devices. Surfshark’s compatibility with a variety of devices makes it a versatile choice for users with multiple devices.
Browser extensions
Proton VPN offers browser extensions compatible with Firefox as well as major Chromium-based browsers like Chrome, Brave, and Edge. These extensions allow users to encrypt only their browser traffic, maintaining speed for other applications. Features such as split tunneling and auto-connect enhance the user experience by providing additional control over the VPN connection.
Surfshark also offers browser extensions for Chrome and Firefox. With features like ad-blocking, tracker prevention, and malware protection, these browser extensions enhance your security without sacrificing speed or performance.
With the ability to simultaneously use it on unlimited devices, Surfshark is the winner of this category.
Server network
A robust VPN server network is essential for a reliable service. Surfshark boasts over 3,200 servers worldwide in 100 countries, providing extensive global coverage. These VPN servers are RAM-only, ensuring that all stored data is deleted upon reboot, which enhances data protection and user privacy.
On the other hand, Proton VPN operates more than 6,500 servers in 112 countries, offering a broader server network. Both VPNs have obfuscated servers, which are useful for bypassing internet restrictions in censored regions.
Specialty servers
Both VPNs provide unique specialty servers that cater to privacy and security needs. Proton VPN features Secure Core servers, which route traffic through multiple servers in privacy-friendly countries for enhanced security. This multi-hop routing ensures that your data remains protected even if one server is compromised.
Surfshark offers specialized servers such as MultiHop and static IP servers. MultiHop servers pass traffic through two VPN servers, thereby boosting security further. This feature even goes beyond pre-configured server pairs, allowing you to create and save your own custom combinations for future use. Additionally, Surfshark’s Nexus technology optimizes user connections by intelligently routing traffic to improve speed and reliability.
Both VPNs have advanced server networks that provide robust global coverage and specialized features, but Surfshark comes out on top of this category due to its diskless server network and innovative Nexus technology.
Streaming and torrenting
Streaming services
Surfshark is the better choice for streaming, providing consistent access and reliability across various platforms. It unblocks numerous streaming sites, including Max, Amazon Prime Video, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, and more, and allows for uninterrupted 4K video streaming. Surfshark also offers access to over 15 Netflix libraries, and is deservedly ranked highly on our list of the best VPNs for Netflix.
While capable, Proton VPN may not perform as consistently. It can unblock major services like Amazon Prime Video and BBC iPlayer but often requires multiple attempts to access Netflix. Additionally, Proton VPN’s streaming performance can be inconsistent, with buffering and interruptions on distant servers.
Torrenting support
Surfshark is also the better option for torrenting, offering unlimited server support for P2P traffic, whereas Proton VPN restricts torrenting to a limited number of servers. Surfshark’s faster speeds and specialized servers, including obfuscated, static, and dedicated IP servers, further enhance the torrenting experience.
Proton VPN provides P2P-optimized servers and port forwarding, which can improve torrenting speeds. However, its limited number of torrenting servers and occasional disconnections can hinder the experience. Both VPNs include a dedicated kill switch to protect users during torrenting activities.
Surfshark takes the crown in this category thanks to its superior performance in both streaming and torrenting.
Customer support
Customer support is essential for resolving issues and ensuring a smooth user experience. Surfshark offers 24/7 live chat support, providing immediate assistance whenever needed. It typically responds to email inquiries within about 2 hours and 40 minutes.
Proton VPN also provides customer support through live chat, as well as email and ticket submission. However, its live chat function is not available around the clock, and its response time averages around 4 hours for email inquiries, which is slower compared to Surfshark. Both VPNs have extensive knowledge bases and resources to help users troubleshoot common issues independently.
Pricing
| Subscription length | Surfshark Starter Plan | Proton VPN |
| 1 month | $15.45 | $9.99 |
| 1 year | $2.79/mo | $3.99/mo |
| 2 years | $2.19/mo (+3 months free) | $3.59/mo |
| Coupon | 86% Off Coupon | 64% Off Coupon |
Pricing is a significant factor when choosing a VPN. Surfshark is often considered one of the best cheap VPNs available, offering tiered pricing based on subscription length. Its longest plan (24 months) boasts the lowest monthly cost at $2.19 per month, with 3 additional months included as a bonus.
Surfshark offers three main pricing tiers:
- Surfshark Starter: This is the basic plan for those seeking a reliable VPN connection without extra features.
- Surfshark One: This plan includes everything in the Starter plan, plus security tools like antivirus, alerts, and a search engine.
- Surfshark One+: This includes everything in One, plus the Incogni tool to help remove your personal data from the internet.
See the latest prices and deals here: https://surfshark.com/pricing/coupons/
Proton VPN’s pricing is competitive but slightly higher. Its monthly plan costs $9.99, the yearly plan is priced at $3.99 per month, and the two-year plan is available for $3.59 per month.
Money-back guarantees and free trials
Both VPNs offer a 30-day money-back guarantee, allowing you to test the services risk-free. Both VPN providers have a straightforward refund policy, and their live chat support can process refunds quickly.
Additionally, Surfshark offers a 7-day free trial available through the Google Play Store and Apple App Store. In place of a free trial, Proton VPN offers a free plan that comes with important restrictions. This free VPN plan offers a small number of slower servers in five countries and lacks access to streaming, torrenting, and Secure Core servers.
All in all, Surfshark provides superior value due to its combination of lower pricing and extensive features. It is considered the better option based on cost and performance, offering a better price-to-performance ratio.
Proton VPN is also cost-effective, especially with its discounted long-term plans. However, for most users, Surfshark’s lower pricing and additional features make it the more attractive option.
Payment and refunds
Surfshark accepts a wide range of payment methods, including credit card, PayPal, Google Pay, Amazon Pay, Sofort, and cryptocurrencies. Its 30-day money-back guarantee ensures a full refund regardless of usage.
Proton VPN accepts credit cards and PayPal, and it offers additional payment options like Bitcoin and cash for those seeking anonymous payment methods. Proton VPN’s prorated refund policy ensures that you can get a refund for the unused portion of your subscription.
Conclusion and final verdict
In conclusion, both Surfshark and Proton VPN are excellent, but Surfshark emerges as the overall winner. Here's a breakdown of each category:
| Category | Winner |
| Key features | Surfshark |
| Speed tests | Surfshark |
| Security measures | Tie |
| Logging policies | Tie |
| Jurisdiction and privacy | Proton VPN |
| User experience | Surfshark |
| Server network | Surfshark |
| Streaming and torrenting | Surfshark |
| Customer support | Surfshark |
| Pricing | Surfshark |
| Payment and refunds | Tie |
After a thorough comparison, it’s clear that Surfshark offers the better value in 2024. Its combination of speed, security, affordability, and extensive features make it an excellent choice for a wide range of users. Whether you need a VPN for streaming, torrenting, or simply securing your online activities, Surfshark delivers on all fronts. Here are the reasons why Surfshark is a better choice than Proton VPN for most users:
Superior speed
Extensive features
More affordable pricing
Ability to unblock more streaming services
Unlimited simultaneous connections
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Proton VPN, however, is also a great service worth considering. Its strong privacy policies, Secure Core servers, and commitment to user privacy make it a solid choice for privacy-conscious users. Ultimately, the best VPN for you will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
This Surfshark vs. Proton VPN comparison guide was last updated on August 29, 2024.
Thanks for the comparison! FYI ProtonVPN does have a Linux app. I’m currently switching from Surfshark (which has been good) just because the proton mail bundle with email/vpn/encrypted cloud storage fits my needs well.