Proton VPN vs Surfshark

Proton VPN9.3Visit Surfshark9.0Visit

Higher score Proton VPN #1 in VPN Services 9.3/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Proton VPN

vs

Surfshark #4 in VPN Services 9.0/10 7-day trial Free trial✓ 5 of 5 features Visit Surfshark

• Proton VPN fits best

  Free, privacy-focused VPN use

• Surfshark fits best

  Families connecting many devices

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Side by side

Feature	Proton VPN 9.3/10 Visit ↗	Surfshark 9.0/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	9.0
Ranking	#1 in VPN Services	#4 in VPN Services
Best for	Free, privacy-focused VPN use	Families connecting many devices
Pricing model	Free plan + paid	Paid
Starting price	—	—
Free plan	✓ (best)	—
Free trial	—	7 days
Money-back guarantee	30 days	30 days
Deployment	Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension	Cloud, Mobile, Browser extension
Platforms	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension	Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android, Chrome extension
Support	Email, Live chat, Docs	Email, Live chat, Docs · 24/7
Compliance	2FA	GDPR, 2FA
Built for	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Proton VPN 5/5 · Surfshark 5/5
Verified no-logs audit	✓	✓
Streaming support	✓	✓
Torrent support	✓	✓
Kill switch	✓	✓
WireGuard support	✓	✓
Specs
Server countries	Not checked yet	100 countries
Simultaneous devices	10 devices	Not checked yet
Our review
Pros	Unlimited data on the free plan with a kill switch Open-source apps and an audited no-logs policy Paid plans add 10 devices, streaming, P2P, and NetShield	Unlimited simultaneous connections across devices WireGuard, kill switch, streaming and torrent support Apps for desktop, mobile and browser platforms
Cons	The free plan limits connections to one simultaneous device Free users connect through 10 randomly selected countries Streaming and P2P support are available on paid plans	No free plan Surfshark One adds features beyond basic VPN protection Higher tiers bundle antivirus and personal-data removal
Our verdict	Proton VPN is a virtual private network service operated by Proton AG, a Swiss company headquartered in Geneva. It encrypts internet traffic, hides users’ IP addresses, and provides applications for web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS,… Read the review →	Surfshark is a paid VPN service for people who want encrypted internet traffic across a household’s devices. It routes traffic through provider-operated servers and supports unlimited simultaneous connections, making it relevant to… Read the review →

Strengths and trade-offs

• Proton VPN — where it wins

  • Unlimited data on the free plan with a kill switch
  • Open-source apps and an audited no-logs policy
  • Paid plans add 10 devices, streaming, P2P, and NetShield

  Where it doesn't

  • The free plan limits connections to one simultaneous device
  • Free users connect through 10 randomly selected countries
  • Streaming and P2P support are available on paid plans

• Surfshark — where it wins

  • Unlimited simultaneous connections across devices
  • WireGuard, kill switch, streaming and torrent support
  • Apps for desktop, mobile and browser platforms

  Where it doesn't

  • No free plan
  • Surfshark One adds features beyond basic VPN protection
  • Higher tiers bundle antivirus and personal-data removal

• Proton VPN9.3/10 · Free plan

  A privacy-focused VPN with an unusually capable unlimited free plan.

  Visit Proton VPNFull verdict →
• Surfshark9.0/10 · 7-day trial

  A multi-platform VPN for households that want one subscription across many devices.

  Visit SurfsharkFull verdict →