Surfshark vs Proton VPN
Weigh Surfshark's device coverage against Proton VPN's open-source apps and privacy reporting.
Proton VPN's open-source apps and published audit information suit readers who want to inspect its privacy claims, while Surfshark's device allowance suits shared households. On the plans compared here, Surfshark covers unlimited simultaneous devices; Proton VPN covers 10 simultaneous devices. Network coverage: Surfshark (4,500+ servers · 100 countries); Proton VPN (VPN Plus: 20,000+ servers · 140+ countries).
Based on published provider facts and editorial assessment. How we evaluate. Some links earn us a commission at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.
Surfshark
Choose Surfshark if unlimited simultaneous devices matches the devices you need connected under one subscription.
Read the review →Proton VPN
Choose Proton VPN for app source code and privacy reporting if 10 simultaneous devices fits your setup.
Read the review →
Want to test it on your own devices?
The quickest way to settle a shortlist is to check the official deal page, install the apps you actually use, and lean on the refund window if it is not the right fit.
Offer terms
Surfshark: Check current Starter long-term offer
Proton VPN: Check current VPN Plus long-term offer
A current price was not confirmed for every plan. Check each provider for your currency, upfront payment, included months, renewal price and tax.
Upfront costs and renewal notes →Device allowance
Surfshark: Unlimited devices. Proton VPN: 10 devices.
Refund terms
Surfshark: 30 days from the initial purchase; exclusions apply and renewals are not refundable
Proton VPN: 30-day initial-purchase refund; cancellation and refund request both required within the window
Eligibility, payment method and subscription length can affect the guarantee.
The details side by side
| Head to head | Surfshark | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Monthly plan | Check current Starter monthly price | Check current VPN Plus monthly price |
| Advertised long-term offer | Check current Starter long-term offer | Check current VPN Plus long-term offer |
| Devices on compared plan | Unlimited | 10 |
| Countries | 100 | 140+ |
| Network | 4,500+ servers · 100 countries | VPN Plus: 20,000+ servers · 140+ countries |
| Refund window | 30 days from the initial purchase; exclusions apply and renewals are not refundable | 30-day initial-purchase refund; cancellation and refund request both required within the window |
| Jurisdiction | Netherlands | Switzerland |
| Protocol | WireGuard; other protocols vary by platform | WireGuard + Stealth |
| Anti-blocking | OpenVPN obfuscation | Stealth protocol; platform availability varies |
| Audit / privacy | Deloitte no-logs assurance reports in 2023 and 2025; full reports require a Surfshark account | Open-source apps and five annual Securitum no-logs audits through 2026 |
| WireGuard | ||
| Kill switch | ||
| Split tunneling | ||
| Audited no-logs | ||
| Score for overall | 8/10 | 8/10 |
Equal editorial scores do not produce a winner. Device limits correspond to the advertised entry plan; paid upgrades may differ.
Editorial scores by use case
Overall: Equal scores
Both have the same editorial overall score (8/10). There is no score-based winner. Compare the features, plan terms and privacy documents that matter to you.
Streaming: Surfshark
Surfshark has the higher editorial streaming score. Surfshark: 9/10; Proton VPN: 8/10. Scores summarize published features and our assessment, not measured performance or a guarantee of results.
Gaming: Surfshark
Surfshark has the higher editorial gaming score. Surfshark: 8/10; Proton VPN: 7/10. Scores summarize published features and our assessment, not measured performance or a guarantee of results.
Privacy: Proton VPN
Proton VPN has the higher editorial privacy score. Surfshark: 8/10; Proton VPN: 9/10. Scores summarize published features and our assessment, not measured performance or a guarantee of results.
What differs
Offer terms
Surfshark: Check current Starter long-term offer. Proton VPN: Check current VPN Plus long-term offer. A current price was not confirmed for every plan. Check each provider for your currency, upfront payment, included months, renewal price and tax.
Simultaneous devices
Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections, while Proton VPN allows 10 on the plan compared here.
Server network
Proton VPN lists 20,000+ servers; Surfshark lists 4,500+. Advertised counts can use different definitions and do not establish speed or reliability.
Where each is based
Surfshark is based in Netherlands, while Proton VPN operates from Switzerland. Jurisdiction is worth weighing if data-retention rules are part of your decision.
Main protocol
Surfshark documents WireGuard; other protocols vary by platform; Proton VPN documents WireGuard + Stealth. Availability and defaults vary by app and platform.
Questions about Surfshark vs Proton VPN
Which is better, Surfshark or Proton VPN?
Both have the same editorial overall score (8/10). There is no score-based winner. Compare the features, plan terms and privacy documents that matter to you.
Which offer costs less?
Surfshark: Check current Starter long-term offer. Proton VPN: Check current VPN Plus long-term offer. A current price was not confirmed for every plan. Check each provider for your currency, upfront payment, included months, renewal price and tax.
Which one supports more devices?
Surfshark: Unlimited devices. Proton VPN: 10 devices.
Which is better for streaming?
Surfshark has the higher editorial streaming score. Surfshark: 9/10; Proton VPN: 8/10. Scores summarize published features and our assessment, not measured performance or a guarantee of results.
Which has the stronger privacy score?
Proton VPN has the higher editorial privacy score. Surfshark: 8/10; Proton VPN: 9/10. Scores summarize published features and our assessment, not measured performance or a guarantee of results.
Are both links affiliate links?
Some provider links may earn us a commission; others are ordinary links. This does not determine our scores. Prices, regional offers and eligibility must be confirmed on the provider website.
Sources and offer notes
Surfshark
Provider fact check: 2026-09-05
See Surfshark for current Starter pricing in your currency. Long-term offers are billed up front and renew at the applicable standard rate. Prices depend on currency, tax and promotion; check the total and renewal amount before subscribing.
- Paid devices, plan structure and regional pricing (surfshark.com)
- Server count, countries and network hardware (surfshark.com)
- Refund eligibility and contracting entity (surfshark.com)
- Renewal and currency policy (surfshark.com)
- No-logs assurance and security audit history (surfshark.com)
- Kill switch and split tunneling (surfshark.com)
- OpenVPN obfuscation and platform availability (surfshark.com)
- Dausos platform limitation (support.surfshark.com)
Proton VPN
Provider fact check: 2026-09-05
See Proton VPN for current VPN Plus pricing, the amount due up front and the renewal rate in your currency. Offers and taxes can vary; the paid plan is separate from Proton Free.
- VPN Plus and Free plan differences (protonvpn.com)
- Current offers (check localized checkout) (protonvpn.com)
- Refund terms and Swiss operator (proton.me)
- 2026 annual no-logs audit announcement (protonvpn.com)
- Open-source apps and no-logs policy (protonvpn.com)
- WireGuard and Stealth by platform (protonvpn.com)
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