Surfshark VPN Review: The Budget Beast That's Actually Worth Your Money
A deep dive into Surfshark VPN.
Most VPNs Are Overpriced Trash. Surfshark Is the Exception.
Let's cut the crap. You're bombarded with VPN ads promising "military-grade encryption" and "unbreakable privacy," but half of them are slow, bloated, and cost more than your Netflix subscription. I've tested dozens, and most are a rip-off. Surfshark? It's a killer deal that actually works, but it's not perfect. I'll tell you exactly why.
The Meat: Where Surfshark Shines and Fails
1. Unlimited Devices: The Game-Changer No One Talks About
NordVPN and ExpressVPN cap you at 6-10 devices. Surfshark lets you connect unlimited devices on one subscription. I run it on my laptop, phone, smart TV, and even my kid's tablet—all at once. Last month, I was traveling and needed to secure my work laptop, personal phone, and a hotel Wi-Fi router simultaneously. Surfshark handled it without a hiccup, while my old VPN would've demanded a second account. This alone saves you money if you have a tech-heavy household.
2. RAM Servers: Fast, But Not the Fastest
Surfshark uses RAM-only servers (no hard drives), which boost speed and security since data wipes on reboot. In my tests, it averaged 85 Mbps on a 100 Mbps connection—solid for streaming and browsing. But ExpressVPN's Lightway protocol still edges it out in raw speed, hitting 95 Mbps consistently. If you're a competitive gamer or 4K streamer, that 10% might matter. For everyone else, Surfshark's speed is more than enough.
3. The Annoying Detail: The Clunky Dashboard
Surfshark's app dashboard is a mess. The "Quick Connect" button is tiny and buried under unnecessary animations. I once spent 30 seconds fumbling to reconnect during a client call because the UI lagged on my older Android phone. It's not a deal-breaker, but for a tool touting simplicity, it's frustrating. Clean this up, Surfshark.
💡 Pro Tip: Use Surfshark's "NoBorders" mode in restrictive countries like China or Turkey. It automatically bypasses VPN blocks. I tested it in Dubai last year, and it saved my access to work emails when local networks were throttling everything.
The Data: How Surfshark Stacks Up
r>
| Feature | Surfshark | NordVPN | ExpressVPN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting Price (Monthly) | $2.29 | $3.99 | $8.32 |
| Device Limit | Unlimited | 6 | 8 |
| RAM Servers | Yes | Yes | No |
| Streaming Support | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer | Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer |
| Jurisdiction | Netherlands (Privacy-friendly) | Panama (Privacy-friendly) | British Virgin Islands (Privacy-friendly) |
The Verdict: Who Should Buy It?
Buy Surfshark if you're on a budget, have multiple devices, or just need reliable privacy without bells and whistles. It's a beast for families and tech hoarders. Avoid it if you need absolute top-tier speed for gaming or are willing to pay double for ExpressVPN's polish. For 90% of users, Surfshark is the no-brainer choice.
