Surfshark vs Proton VPN
Last updated July 2026
Surfshark
Unlimited-device VPN with aggressive multi-year pricing
Advantages
- Unlimited simultaneous device connections
- One of the cheapest long-term VPN prices ($2.19/mo)
- 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries
- CleanWeb ad blocker and MultiHop bundled
- Reliable streaming on Netflix, Disney+, and BBC iPlayer
Drawbacks
- Apps not open source
- Netherlands-based jurisdiction (weaker than Switzerland)
- No genuinely free tier, only a 30-day money-back guarantee
- Cheapest pricing requires 2-year commitment
Proton VPN
Privacy-first Swiss VPN with open-source apps and a real free tier
Advantages
- Free tier is genuinely usable with unlimited data
- Open-source apps on every platform with independent audits
- Swiss jurisdiction with strong privacy law protections
- Secure Core routing through privacy-friendly countries
- NetShield ad and malware blocker
Drawbacks
- Paid Plus tier ($4.49/mo) costs 2x Surfshark's long-term price
- 10 simultaneous connections vs Surfshark's unlimited
- Fewer servers than Surfshark (~4,900 vs 3,200 but different distribution)
- Free tier limited to 3 countries
Surfshark and Proton VPN target different priorities. Surfshark is the value pick with unlimited simultaneous connections and one of the lowest multi-year prices. Proton VPN is the privacy-first Swiss option with open-source apps, Swiss jurisdiction, and a genuinely usable free tier. Household coverage versus verifiable privacy usually decides it.
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Surfshark | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Best Monthly Price | $2.19/mo (2-year plan); $15/mo monthly | Free tier; Plus $4.49/mo on 2-year plan |
| Server Network | 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries | 4,900+ servers in 100+ countries |
| Connection Speed | Very good with WireGuard | Very good with WireGuard |
| Privacy Policy | No-logs (audited by Deloitte and Cure53); Netherlands jurisdiction | No-logs (audited); Swiss jurisdiction; open-source apps |
| Streaming Compatibility | Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more | Reliable on Plus tier |
| Simultaneous Connections | Unlimited simultaneous connections | 10 simultaneous connections (Plus) |
| Extra Features | CleanWeb, MultiHop, Bypasser split tunneling | Secure Core, NetShield, Tor over VPN |
| VPN Protocol | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2, Stealth |
Too Close to Call
Surfshark wins for large households and price-sensitive buyers. Proton VPN wins for privacy-first users who value open-source verifiability and Swiss jurisdiction.
Surfshark's unlimited connections plus $2.19/mo pricing is unbeatable for a household covering laptops, phones, tablets, TVs, and routers on a single subscription. Proton VPN earns its premium when the trust model matters more than the price, open-source apps that can be independently verified, Swiss law that resists foreign subpoenas, and a free tier that actually works for family members or travel. Values-driven pick either way.
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