S
Surfshark4.5/5vsPV
ProtonVPN4.3/5Surfshark vs ProtonVPN (March 2026)
| SSurfshark | PVProtonVPN | |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $2.49/mo | Free |
| Rating | 4.5/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Free Tier | ✗ No | ✓ Yes |
| Best For | Families, Multiple device users | Privacy-conscious individuals needing no-logs protection, Journalists and activists bypassing censorship |
Quick Verdict
Surfshark edges ahead with a 4.5/5 rating versus ProtonVPN's 4.3/5, offering stronger value for most teams.
Quick Overview
S
Surfshark
Affordable VPN with unlimited devices and strong privacy features.
- Best for: Families, Multiple device users
- Starting price: $2.49/mo
- Category: VPN Services
- Founded: 2018
- Pricing model: subscription
PV
ProtonVPN
ProtonVPN provides secure, no-logs VPN access with a free tier and premium plans, operated from Switzerland by non-profi...
- Best for: Privacy-conscious individuals needing no-logs protection, Journalists and activists bypassing censorship
- Starting price: Free
- Category: VPN Services
- Founded: 2017
- Pricing model: freemium
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Surfshark | ProtonVPN |
|---|---|---|
| Kill Switch | ✓ | ✗ |
| Split Tunneling | ✓ | ✗ |
| No-Log Policy | ✓ | ✗ |
| Multiple Devices | ✓ | ✗ |
| Streaming Access | ✓ | ✗ |
| Mobile App | ✓ | ✗ |
| Browser Extension | ✓ | ✗ |
| Ad Blocker | ✓ | ✗ |
| Strict no-logs policy | ✗ | ✓ |
| 18,166 servers in 129 countries | ✗ | ✓ |
| Open-source apps | ✗ | ✓ |
| Free tier with unlimited data | ✗ | ✓ |
| DNS and WebRTC leak protection | ✗ | ✓ |
| Tor over VPN | ✗ | ✓ |
| Secure Core multi-hop routing | ✗ | ✓ |
| Router compatibility | ✗ | ✓ |
| Kill switch | ✗ | ✓ |
| NetShield ad/malware blocker | ✗ | ✓ |
| P2P/torrenting support | ✗ | ✓ |
| Cross-platform apps | ✗ | ✓ |
| Always-on VPN | ✗ | ✓ |
Pricing Comparison
Prices last verified: March 16, 2026
Surfshark
$2.49/mo
Starting price
subscription · 3 plans
Surfshark Starter
$2.49/moSurfshark OnePopular
$3.49/moSurfshark One+
$5.49/moProtonVPN
Free
Starting price
freemium · 3 plans
Free
FreeVPN PlusPopular
$5/moProton Unlimited
$10/moPros & Cons
Surfshark
Pros
- Unlimited devices
- Very affordable
- Good speeds
- Strong security
Cons
- Newer company
- Smaller network
- Some connection issues
- Based in Netherlands
ProtonVPN
Pros
- Strong Swiss privacy laws and verified no-logs policy
- Non-profit structure prioritizes users over profits
- Generous free tier with unlimited data
- Open-source and independently audited for transparency
Cons
- Free tier has limited servers and speeds
- Many servers are third-party owned
- Premium pricing may be higher than competitors
- Smaller company scale with 55 employees
Which Is Best for You?
S
Choose Surfshark if:
- Families
- Multiple device users
- Budget users
- Privacy seekers
- Higher user rating matters to you (4.5 vs 4.3)
PV
Choose ProtonVPN if:
- Privacy-conscious individuals needing no-logs protection
- Journalists and activists bypassing censorship
- Free users seeking basic unlimited VPN access
- Tech-savvy users valuing open-source and audits
- You want to start with a free plan
- Budget is a priority (Free vs $2.49)
Our Verdict
🏆
SSurfshark — WinnerPVProtonVPN — Runner-up
After thorough analysis, Surfshark takes the lead in this comparison with a higher rating of 4.5/5 versus ProtonVPN's 4.3/5.
Surfshark is best for Families and Multiple device users. Unlimited devices.
ProtonVPN remains a strong alternative, especially for Privacy-conscious individuals needing no-logs protection and Journalists and activists bypassing censorship. Strong Swiss privacy laws and verified no-logs policy.
Pricing-wise, ProtonVPN is the more affordable starting option. Evaluate free trials of both before committing.
Explore More
Surfshark Alternatives
ProtonVPN Alternatives
Category Resources
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Frequently Asked Questions
Surfshark edges ahead with a 4.5/5 rating versus ProtonVPN's 4.3/5, offering stronger value for most teams.
ProtonVPN starts at Free/mo (free tier available), while Surfshark starts at $2.49/mo.
Yes. Most users can migrate data between the two. Check both platforms for import/export tools before switching.
Surfshark integrates with Windows, Mac, iOS, Android. ProtonVPN integrates with Proton Mail, Proton Drive, Tor network, Proton Pass. Both offer solid third-party connectivity, though the best choice depends on your existing tech stack.
Both tools are designed for ease of use. Surfshark is best for Families and Multiple device users, while ProtonVPN excels for Privacy-conscious individuals needing no-logs protection and Journalists and activists bypassing censorship. Consider trying both free trials to judge which interface suits your workflow.
Surfshark has a 4.5/5 rating from 5,400 reviews, while ProtonVPN scores 4.3/5 from 850 reviews. Higher review counts generally indicate a more established support ecosystem.
For small businesses, ProtonVPN may be more budget-friendly starting at Free. However, Surfshark ($2.49/mo) could offer better value depending on the features you need most.
For enterprise use, consider which offers more advanced plans. Surfshark has 3 plans while ProtonVPN has 3 plans. Evaluate each tool's enterprise features, security compliance, and team management capabilities before committing.
Check each tool's website for the latest mobile app availability. Both Surfshark and ProtonVPN offer web-based access, and many modern SaaS tools provide companion mobile apps for iOS and Android.
Choose Surfshark if you prioritize unlimited devices. Choose ProtonVPN if you value strong swiss privacy laws and verified no-logs policy and want a free tier.