Surfshark vs Proton VPN

Surfshark and Proton VPN both offer strong VPN service at reasonable prices, but they appeal to different priorities. Surfshark leads on value - it is the cheapest premium VPN with unlimited device connections. Proton VPN leads on privacy - fully open-source apps, Swiss jurisdiction, and integration with the Proton ecosystem. This is a closer comparison than most, and the right choice depends on what matters most to you.

Quick Verdict

Surfshark is the better value VPN. Cheaper pricing, unlimited devices, and solid streaming. Proton VPN is the better privacy VPN. Open-source apps, Swiss jurisdiction, free tier, and a growing privacy ecosystem. Budget buyers should lean Surfshark; privacy-conscious users should lean Proton VPN.

At a Glance

| Category | Surfshark | Proton VPN | Winner | |----------|-----------|------------|--------| | Overall Score | 8.8 | 8.7 | Surfshark | | Privacy Score | 8.6 | 9.5 | Proton VPN | | Speed | 85.1 Mbps | 81.6 Mbps | Surfshark | | Streaming | 8.9 | 8.2 | Surfshark | | 2-Year Price | $1.99/mo | $3.59/mo | Surfshark | | Connections | Unlimited | 10 | Surfshark | | Open Source | No | Yes | Proton VPN | | Free Tier | No | Yes | Proton VPN |

Speed Comparison

| Location | Surfshark | Proton VPN | Difference | |----------|-----------|------------|------------| | US (New York) | 85.1 Mbps | 81.6 Mbps | +4.3% | | UK (London) | 80.3 Mbps | 77.3 Mbps | +3.9% | | Germany (Frankfurt) | 78.6 Mbps | 79.2 Mbps | -0.8% | | Japan (Tokyo) | 67.4 Mbps | 64.8 Mbps | +4.0% | | Australia (Sydney) | 64.8 Mbps | 61.3 Mbps | +5.7% |

Winner: Tie. Very close speeds across all locations. Proton VPN actually edges ahead in Frankfurt. Both use standard WireGuard. The speed difference is negligible in practice.

Pricing Comparison

| Plan | Surfshark | Proton VPN | |------|-----------|------------| | Free Tier | No | Yes | | Monthly | $10.99/mo | $9.99/mo | | 1-Year | $2.99/mo | $4.49/mo | | 2-Year | $1.99/mo | $3.59/mo | | Renewal (yearly) | $3.99/mo | $4.49/mo | | 3-Year True Cost | $95.64 | $164.28 |

Winner: Surfshark on paid plans. Surfshark is significantly cheaper - saving nearly $69 over three years. However, Proton VPN's free tier (no data caps, servers in 5 countries) adds value that Surfshark cannot match. If you need to try before you buy, Proton VPN's free tier is genuinely useful.

Device Connections

Surfshark: Unlimited Proton VPN: 10

Winner: Surfshark. Unlimited connections matter for large households. Ten is adequate for most individuals and small families.

Streaming

| Platform | Surfshark | Proton VPN | |----------|-----------|------------| | Netflix US | Working | Working | | Netflix UK | Working | Working | | Netflix Japan | Not Working | Not Working | | Disney+ | Working | Working | | BBC iPlayer | Working | Working | | Amazon Prime | Working | Working | | Hulu | Working | Working | | Max (HBO) | Working | Working |

Winner: Tie. Both handle major streaming platforms well and both miss on Netflix Japan. Proton VPN's free tier does not support streaming - you need the paid Plus plan.

Privacy

| Factor | Surfshark | Proton VPN | |--------|-----------|------------| | Jurisdiction | Netherlands | Switzerland | | Parent Company | Nord Security | Proton AG | | Last Audit | Jun 2024 (Deloitte) | Mar 2025 (Securitum) | | Open Source | No | Yes (all apps) | | Warrant Canary | Yes | Yes | | RAM-Only | Yes | No | | Port Forwarding | No | Yes | | Tor over VPN | No | Yes | | Ecosystem | VPN only | Mail, Drive, Calendar | | Transparency Score | 70 | 90 |

Winner: Proton VPN. Switzerland offers stronger privacy protections than the Netherlands. Fully open-source apps provide verifiable trust. The Proton ecosystem lets you build a complete privacy-respecting digital life. Surfshark's RAM-only servers are a plus, but Proton's overall privacy story is significantly stronger.

Features

| Feature | Surfshark | Proton VPN | |---------|-----------|------------| | Countries | 100 | 91 | | Ad Blocker | Yes (CleanWeb) | Yes (NetShield) | | Double VPN | Yes (MultiHop) | Yes (Secure Core) | | Dedicated IP | Yes (add-on) | No | | GPS Spoofing | Yes (Android) | No | | Stealth Protocol | No | Yes | | Free Tier | No | Yes | | Smart DNS | Yes | No |

Winner: Tie. Surfshark offers more consumer features (dedicated IP, GPS spoofing, Smart DNS). Proton VPN offers more privacy features (Stealth protocol, Tor over VPN, port forwarding, free tier).

Who Should Choose Surfshark

• Budget-first buyers who want the cheapest premium VPN
• Large households needing unlimited device connections
• Users who want consumer features like GPS spoofing and Smart DNS
• Streaming-focused users at the lowest possible price
• Anyone who prioritizes pure value

Who Should Choose Proton VPN

• Privacy-conscious users who want open-source, audited apps
• Users who want to try before paying (free tier)
• Anyone interested in the Proton privacy ecosystem
• Users in censored regions (Stealth protocol)
• Torrenters who need port forwarding
• Users who value Swiss jurisdiction and privacy laws

Our Recommendation

Surfshark for budget-conscious everyday use. Unlimited devices and the lowest pricing make it the value champion. Proton VPN for privacy-conscious users. The open-source ecosystem, Swiss jurisdiction, and free tier make it the better choice if privacy is your primary concern. Both are solid VPNs - this comparison is genuinely close.