Pros
- Lets you connect unlimited devices
- More than 1000 servers in 100+ countries
- Reliable connection
- No activity logs
Cons
- Speeds can vary, but it works well when streaming
- No phone support
Our Rating
8 / 10
Get Surfshark VPN
VPNs have become increasingly popular tools, offering benefits like accessing region-restricted content and enhancing online privacy. Among the many options available on the market, Surfshark VPN emerges as a compelling choice. It allows connections on an unlimited number of devices and doubles as an ad cookie blocker alternative. Could these features benefit you? This review provides a comprehensive analysis of these features and their performance.
This is a sponsored article and was made possible by Ivacy. The actual contents and opinions are the sole views of the author, who maintains editorial independence, even when a post is sponsored.
Content
- Surfshark VPN: An Introduction
- Getting Started with Surfshark
- Using Surfshark for Streaming
- Upping Protection
- Pricing
- Why Surfshark?
Surfshark VPN: An Introduction
Surfing the Web is an integral part of modern life, but unfortunately, it comes with inherent risks, such as data breaches, hacking attempts, and unauthorized data collection. As a countermeasure, a VPN can help you enhance your online privacy by encrypting your Internet traffic and routing it through their servers that mask your original IP address, contributing to increased online privacy.
Surfshark employs some of the best encryption algorithms. It relies on AES-256 (256-bit) encryption for OpenVPN and IKEv2 protocols, as well as ChaCha20 for Wireguard.
Surfshark, headquartered in the Netherlands, a country known for its strong privacy laws, prioritizes user privacy. Unlike some jurisdictions, the Netherlands does not require VPN providers to retain user data. This legal framework allows Surfshark to implement a “no-logs” policy. They claim to not collect any data that could be linked to individual user activity.
Getting Started with Surfshark
Given the increasing use of various devices that surf the Web, Surfshark ensures its VPN software is accessible on a broad spectrum of platforms. This supports Surfshark’s commitment to allowing simultaneous connections on an unlimited number of devices.
I was excited to test that out, so I installed Surfshark VPN on my Windows laptop, three Android devices, one iPhone, and two browsers, since Surfshark includes extensions for major browsers (including Chrome, Firefox, and Edge). I just couldn’t resist putting this VPN to the test with all my devices, hoping for smooth sailing – and it was a breeze!
Once you’ve installed Surfshark on your device, connecting to a server is easy. When you launch the app, it recommends the fastest servers based on your location. If you prefer a server from a specific country, you can browse the list of available servers.
Once the connection has been established, Surfshark will display information, such as your assigned VPN IP Address and the Protocol in use, which is assigned automatically. However, you can change the protocol from Settings.
Using Surfshark for Streaming
One common reason users choose a VPN service is accessing geo-restricted content. During my time using the software, Surfshark effectively bypassed these restrictions. I was quite curious to see what additional content I could unlock on Netflix, so I quickly found a UK server to connect to. (There were many options.) I read that on Netflix UK you can watch the entire Harry Potter film series. As a fantasy fan, I wanted to see if that was the case.
I attempted to do this on my Android tablet, and prior to connecting to the VPN, I deleted Netflix’s app cache and restarted the device.
After that, I checked Netflix again. There they were – every Harry Potter film waiting for me to stream. Other content on Netflix UK that isn’t widely available for European viewers includes It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and Chicken Run.
Surfshark also worked smoothly when I was streaming on Disney+, HBO Max, and Showtime, although there are only minor regional variations in content libraries. If you find that the streaming speed is on the slower side, as was my experience in some cases, you can switch from the default protocol (in my case WireGuard) to another one (for example, OpenVPN), and see if you notice any difference.
I also tested the BBC iPlayer, known for its UK exclusivity, to see if bypassing the restrictions worked.
After connecting to Surfshark and creating an account with the BBC, I was swiftly able to access content from iPlayer.
Finally, I encountered no problems in accessing geo-restricted websites, such as Sling. Just connect to a specific country server, and access the page. By the way, if you need to access some websites or apps as usual, Surfshark has a Bypass feature in Settings that allows some services to go around the VPN.
Upping Protection
Surfshark VPN offers the ability to set a Static IP address, providing users with a dedicated, unchanging IP address for their online activities. This is useful to have, as some services or networks may require you to connect from a specific predefined IP for security or authentication purposes.
There’s also a MultiHop feature that can add an extra layer of anonymity, by routing Internet traffic through two or more servers in different geographical locations. In addition, each hop in the MultiHop chain will add an additional layer of encryption to your data. Routing Internet traffic on multiple servers can introduce a reduction in overall connection speeds, which is what I noticed in my testing. As a result, you may want to stay away from applications like online gaming or video conferencing while on MultiHop.
Additional Features
Beyond the standard VPN option, Surfshark packs a range of extra functionalities, such as the CleanWeb ad-blocker. Enable it from Settings, and once you do, you’ll be able to surf the Web ad-free whenever you connect to the VPN.
I appreciated the convenience of not having to have cookie pop-ups and ads appear left and right. Unlike other ad blockers, Surfshark isn’t limited to just your browser. It can also block ads in other apps, which is extremely helpful, especially when using a mobile device.
For users concerned about online privacy and data collection by third parties, Surfshark offers Alternative ID. This innovative feature generates a temporary online identity and email address for you, allowing you to keep your real information private.
I found that setting up a new digital identity is extremely simple. Generate a profile, then click the Create Alt persona button, and add an email address. Now your new ID is ready to use the next time you want to sign up for that sketchy website or a public forum. Given the large number of apps I usually have to test, this feature has been a huge blessing. It’s a fantastic tool I’ve come to rely on heavily.
Finally, Shurfshark includes One: a package that includes an Antivirus function, along with a Search option that allows you to search the Web without leaving a trace. You also get Alert, which can notify you if personal data leaks happen. These are available only with the Surfshark One and One+ subscriptions. Note that the browser extensions feature Malware and Data Breach alerts.
Pricing
A seven-day free trial is offered on Surfshark VPN, after which you’ll need to opt for one of its subscription options. The base is priced at $2.49/month, which is super affordable. Surfshark also has the One and One+ plans at $3.19 and $4.97/month, respectively, which include a few more features, such as antivirus protection and personal data security reports.
Not sure if Surfshark is right for you? No problem! They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee on all the plans, so you can test it out and get your money back if you’re not happy.
Why Surfshark?
There are many robust VPN offerings available on the market today, so why should you choose Surfshark? Surfshark VPN stands out from the crowd, with its unlimited device connections, allowing you to secure all devices simultaneously, unlike top competitors, such as NordVPN (allows 6 devices) and Private Internet Access (allows 10 devices).
Surfshark also goes the extra mile, offering an ad blocker, unlike alternatives such as ExpressVPN. If you’re looking for a VPN that received the seal of approval from independent auditors, Surfshark’s offering ticks this box too. The best part? Their starting plan is super affordable, making it a great choice to try, without breaking the bank!
If you have any questions about Surfshark, check out the Surfshark Help Center or reach out to support via chat/email. Unfortunately, you can’t contact Surfshark via phone.
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Alexandra Arici –
Staff Writer
Alexandra is passionate about mobile tech and can be often found fiddling with a smartphone from some obscure company. She kick-started her career in tech journalism in 2013, after working a few years as a middle-school teacher. Constantly driven by curiosity, Alexandra likes to know how things work and to share that knowledge with everyone.
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