Honest Surfshark VPN Review · Reviewed! By Advise.so

Honest Surfshark VPN Review

Is Surfshark actually a good VPN or is it garbage? Here's my take, based on trying a bunch of different VPNs: if you want a premium VPN at a more affordable price than competitors like NordVPN or ExpressVPN, go with Surfshark. The VPN is user-friendly, packed with features, and well-suited for streaming.

Pros

--> Camouflage Mode: Surfshark not only hid my browsing activity but also concealed my VPN use entirely. This feature makes it an ideal choice for users in countries with strict VPN regulations, such as China and Russia.

--> Flexible and reliable connections: Surfshark provides multiple VPN protocols, including OpenVPN and the newer WireGuard, ensuring versatile and robust performance.

--> Unlimited simultaneous connections: I could connect as many devices as I wanted to Surfshark without restrictions, which added tremendous convenience.

Cons

--> Based in the Netherlands: The Netherlands benefits from privacy-friendly data retention laws; however, it is part of the Nine Eyes alliance, meaning the government can require Surfshark to disclose customer information if needed.

--> Occasionally lags on Windows.

Surfshark Features Overview

Kill switch: yes

Split tunneling: yes

VPN protocols: WireGuard and OpenVPN

Obfuscation: NoBorders Mode and Camouflage Mode

Servers: 3,200+ in 100 countries (all RAM-based)

Surfshark Company Background

It's wise to research the VPN provider you’re considering to ensure they prioritize protecting your data, rather than profiting from it.

Surfshark’s base in the Netherlands is a positive factor, given the country’s privacy-friendly data retention laws. However, as part of an international group of countries that share intelligence, the Netherlands can compel companies within its jurisdiction to disclose customer data.

Fortunately, Surfshark enforces a “no-logs” policy, meaning it won’t store any sensitive browsing data, such as the files you download or websites you visit. It’s worth noting, though, that Surfshark does temporarily log users' IP addresses, which many trusted VPNs avoid.

To its credit, Surfshark deletes IP addresses within 15 minutes of a user disconnecting, a practice verified by a third-party audit. Additionally, while knowing an IP address alone poses minimal risk, Surfshark’s lack of data on browsing history ensures there’s no way to trace activity back to individual users. Overall, Surfshark remains a reliable choice, despite its limited logging of IP addresses.

Surfshark Features In-Depth

Streaming and Torrenting

While VPNs primarily protect privacy, they also make torrenting and streaming more convenient. Surfshark allowed me to torrent from favorite sites and stream seamlessly on Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, and more, making it one of the top VPNs for these activities.

Using a VPN for torrenting is essential, especially as governments often associate torrenting with piracy. Surfshark keeps these activities private, hiding your online footprint from prying eyes. It also allows access to different streaming libraries—connecting to an Australian server, for instance, unlocked Netflix Australia for me instantly.

Surfshark recently launched an Apple TV app, enhancing its position as a top choice for streaming on Apple TV by making VPN connection easier than ever.

Kill switch

No VPN is flawless, and occasional connection drops are common. When this happens, your ISP could potentially see your online activity. That’s where the kill switch feature becomes crucial, as it halts all internet traffic to prevent data leaks if the VPN disconnects.

Surfshark includes a built-in kill switch, which proved invaluable during testing. When my Wi-Fi unexpectedly dropped, the kill switch instantly cut off my internet until Surfshark reconnected. This was particularly useful during torrenting tests, sparing me from potential ISP warnings.

No-Borders Mode and Camouflage

Changing your device’s location is a key function of any VPN, especially if you're in a country where VPN use is restricted or even illegal, like China, where only government-approved VPNs are allowed. Surfshark’s Camouflage Mode and NoBorders Mode help address this.

Camouflage Mode, also known as obfuscation, makes your VPN traffic appear like regular internet traffic, preventing detection by authorities in countries where VPNs are regulated or prohibited. This feature doesn’t just hide my browsing activity; it also masks the fact that I’m using a VPN, which is why Surfshark was one of the few VPNs I tested that worked in China.

NoBorders Mode, meanwhile, activates automatically when Surfshark detects I’m in a restrictive country or on a network that may block VPN traffic, like an office or campus network. It limits available servers to those designed to bypass censorship effectively.

These features aren’t foolproof, so exercise caution and avoid using a VPN in restrictive regions unless absolutely necessary.

Split tunneling

Surfshark’s Whitelister feature lets me configure specific apps or websites to bypass the VPN tunnel, which is especially handy for services that restrict VPN access, like online banking. Instead of disabling Surfshark entirely—which would expose all my other open browser tabs—I can simply whitelist the banking site to access it outside the VPN.

For Surfshark’s browser extensions, split tunneling works through a “bypass list.” Here, I can add websites and domains I want to connect outside Surfshark’s encrypted tunnel. This way, those sites will automatically bypass the VPN whenever I open them.

Dedicated IP Address

This feature wasn’t included in my plan, but for an extra $3.75 per month, it’s available as an optional add-on.

A VPN typically changes my IP address to one from the VPN server, but I don’t get to choose which one, and it changes each time you connect—this is called a dynamic IP address. VPN IPs are also shared, so if another user connects to the same server, we might end up with the same IP. For most users, this isn’t an issue, though it can sometimes cause minor hassles. For instance, Google might require CAPTCHA verification if too many users access it from the same IP, or the IP could even end up blacklisted.

A dedicated IP address avoids these issues. With a subscription to this feature, Surfshark assigns a unique IP address that only I use, available in the U.S., the U.K., or the Netherlands. Having a dedicated IP means not worrying about blacklisting.

Surfshark Speed

Based on my tests, Surfshark decreased ping speed by only 1 ms compared to non-VPN ping speed.

FAQs About Surfshark VPN

Is Surfshark safe?

Yes, Surfshark is safe. Surfshark has passed multiple independent audits, doesn't log your online activities, and uses secure AES-256 encryption.

Get Surfshark for over 50% off here.

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