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Surfshark vs ProtonVPN Comparison

Last updated:

Surfshark

4.3(15,616 reviews)

Starting at $2.21 /Month

  • Free Trial
  • Freelancers / Consultants
  • Large Enterprises

Surfshark VPN is easy to use VPN software that estalyzes, encrypts and secures your internet connection on public WiFi hotspots while keeping your mobile activities anonymous and private from any other users sharing the…

ProtonVPN

4.3(179 reviews)

Starting at $4 /Month

  • Large Enterprises
  • Medium Business

ProtonVPN is the world's most advanced VPN software. Based in Switzerland, ProtonVPN is designed for users who wish to maintain their online privacy and security without sacrificing performance. Users can connect to the…

Surfshark vs ProtonVPN — at a glance

FeatureSurfsharkProtonVPN
Rating4.3 / 54.3 / 5
Reviews15,616179
Starting price$2.21 /Month$4 /Month
Free trial Yes No
Free version No No
Best forFreelancers / Consultants, Large Enterprises, Medium BusinessLarge Enterprises, Medium Business, Small Business
CategoryVPN SoftwareVPN Software
PlatformsSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - MacSaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac
API
Support modes24/7 (Live rep), OnlineOnline
CertificationsGDPRGDPR
Data residencyGlobalEU

Key differences between Surfshark and ProtonVPN

  • Pricing: Surfshark starts at $2.21 /Month, while ProtonVPN starts at $4 /Month.
  • Free trial: Surfshark offers a free trial; ProtonVPN does not.
  • Target audience: Surfshark is built for Freelancers / Consultants and Large Enterprises, while ProtonVPN targets Large Enterprises and Medium Business.
  • Deployment: Surfshark supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac; ProtonVPN supports SaaS/Web/Cloud, Mobile - Android, Mobile - iOS, Installed - Windows, Installed - Mac.

Surfshark vs ProtonVPN — find the better fit before you commit.

01

Which tool fits your team best

02

Which is actually cheaper for your team size

03

Where each product wins, per real buyers

Most VPN Software tools look identical on paper. This comparison cuts to the differences that matter — pricing structure, team fit, and what real buyers found after signing up.

Surfshark - VPN Software
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Talk to an expert
ProtonVPN - VPN Software
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Talk to an expert

Biggest differences

Start here before you go deeper into features.

Surfshark

Best for small to medium businesses needing simple, affordable VPN with antivirus.

Choose if
  • You want an easy-to-setup VPN with combined antivirus protection.
  • Your team values responsive, professional customer support.
  • You need reliable security for remote workers and public WiFi access.
Consider alternatives if
  • You require advanced VPN configurations and highly customizable features.
  • Your organization faces recurring connectivity issues in specific locations.

ProtonVPN

Best VPN for privacy-focused users needing strong security and Swiss jurisdiction.

Choose if
  • You prioritize military-grade encryption and a strict no-log policy.
  • You want a VPN headquartered in privacy-friendly Switzerland for legal protection.
  • You need a simple, low-complexity VPN for small to medium teams or remote workers.
Consider alternatives if
  • You require extensive global server coverage, especially in Latin America.
  • You need consistently high speeds on free or lower-tier plans.

Surfshark: Best for small to medium businesses needing simple, affordable VPN with antivirus. ProtonVPN: Best VPN for privacy-focused users needing strong security and Swiss jurisdiction.

Description

Surfshark VPN is easy to use VPN software that estalyzes, encrypts and secures your internet connection on public WiFi hotspots while keeping your mobile activities anonymous and private ... Read More about Surfshark

ProtonVPN is the world's most advanced VPN software. Based in Switzerland, ProtonVPN is designed for users who wish to maintain their online privacy and security without sacrificing ... Read More about ProtonVPN

Entry Level Pricing

  • Starts from $2.21
  • Starts from $4 , Billed Yearly

Free Trial Availability

  • No free trial

Spotsaas Score

What's this? ↗

9.4/10

9.2/10

User Ratings

Based on verified Spotsaas reviews

Best Company Size

1-50 employees51-500 employees
1-50 employees51-500 employees
Get pricing help
Get pricing help

Software Demo

Demo

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Share your priorities, budget, and team needs, and we’ll help you narrow the options and understand the tradeoffs before you talk to vendors.

How do Surfshark and ProtonVPN Compare on Features?

Total Features

7 Features

7 Features

Unique Features

No unique features

No unique features

Get Quote
Get Quote

Compare Surfshark and ProtonVPN on pricing

Review starting price, plan structure, and free-trial access side by side so you can see which option fits your budget and buying process.

Pricing Option

      Starting From

      • $2.21
      • $4 , Billed Yearly

      Pricing Plans

      • Not Available
      • Free

        • 23 servers in 3 countries

        • 1 VPN connection

        • Medium speed

        Show more +

      • Basic

        • 350+ servers in 40+ countries

        • 2 VPN connections

        • High speed

        Show more +

      • Plus

        • 1200+ servers in 55 countries

        • 10 VPN connections

        • Highest speed (up to 10 Gbps)

        Show more +

      • Browse all pricing plans

      Pricing Page

      Surfshark pricing
      ProtonVPN pricing

      Other Details

      Organization Types supported

      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Freelancers
      • Individuals
      • Large Enterprises
      • Medium Business
      • Small Business
      • Freelancers
      • Individuals

      Platforms Supported

      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Mobile - Windows
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Browser Based (Cloud)
      • Mobile - Android
      • Mobile - iOS
      • Installed - Windows
      • Installed - Mac
      • Mobile - Windows
      • Browser Based (Cloud)

      Modes of support

      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online
      • 24/7 (Live rep)
      • Business Hours
      • Online

      API Support

      • Not Available
      • Not Available
      Get help choosing
      Get help choosing

      Security & Compliance

      Certifications, data handling, and security controls for IT and compliance evaluators.

      HIPAA

      ✗ No
      ✗ No

      GDPR

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Single Sign-On (SSO)

      ✗ No
      ✗ No

      Multi-Factor Auth (MFA)

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Data Encryption

      ✓ Yes
      ✓ Yes

      Audit Logs

      ✗ No
      ✗ No

      Data Residency

      🌐 Global
      🇪🇺 EU

      Surfshark User Reviews & Rating Comparison

      User Ratings

      Rating Distribution

      12920

      0

      0

      0

      0

      43

      7

      0

      0

      0

      Spotsaas Editor’s POV generated by AI

      Buyer sentiment

      Overall positive sentiment highlights reliable service, affordability, and excellent customer support despite some setup and feature limitations.

      What buyers like

      • Customer support responsiveness
      • Affordability and feature combination
      • Ease of setup

      Common complaints

      • Initial setup difficulties
      • Limited advanced functionality

      Buyer sentiment

      Users generally appreciate ProtonVPN's strong privacy features and security but note limitations in server locations and customer support responsiveness.

      What buyers like

      • Strong security and encryption
      • Privacy and no-log policy
      • User-friendly design

      Common complaints

      • Limited server locations
      • Slow customer support

      Pros and Cons

      • Responsive and professional customer support resolving issues promptly

      • Economical solution combining VPN and antivirus features

      • Easy and seamless setup process with helpful guidance

      • Initial setup or installation issues, especially with antivirus or VPN configurations

      • Limited functionality and missing advanced features

      • Military-grade AES-256 encryption and reliable protocols like OpenVPN and IKEv2/IPSec

      • Strict no-log policy backed by Swiss jurisdiction

      • Secure Core feature routing traffic through multiple servers for enhanced privacy

      • Limited server locations compared to competitors, especially in Latin America

      • Free and lower-tier plans have slower speeds and reduced functionality

      Positive Reviews

      No reviews available for the product

      No reviews available for the product

      Media and Screenshots

      Screenshots

      Surfshark screenshot

      1 Screenshots

      Tor vpn

      6 Screenshots

      Videos

      video-0

      2 Videos

      video-0

      3 Videos

      Top Alternatives to Surfshark and ProtonVPN in 2026

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      Disclaimer: This research has been collated from a variety of authoritative sources. We welcome your feedback at [email protected].

      Frequently asked questions

      Which is better, Surfshark or ProtonVPN?
      Surfshark and ProtonVPN are closely matched with equal user ratings of 4.3. The right choice depends on your team size, budget, and specific VPN Software needs.
      Do Surfshark and ProtonVPN offer a free trial?
      Surfshark offers a free trial. ProtonVPN does not.
      What is the starting price of Surfshark vs ProtonVPN?
      Surfshark starts at $2.21 /Month. ProtonVPN starts at $4 /Month.
      What are the top alternatives to Surfshark?
      Top alternatives to Surfshark include PureVPN, CyberGhost VPN, FastestVPN, Private Internet Access VPN, IPVanish VPN.
      What are the top alternatives to ProtonVPN?
      Top alternatives to ProtonVPN include TunnelBear, PureVPN, CyberGhost VPN, IVPN, NordVPN.

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