I needed a VPN that would protect me on the go, not slow down my work, and unlock international streaming services in the evening. My choice fell on Surfshark. Here are my unfiltered experiences after 30 days of intensive, real-world use.
This isn’t just another list of features copied from a marketing page. This is a diary of what it’s actually like to live with Surfshark day in and day out—from the café to the couch.
1. Quick Verdict
| Category | My Rating | Summary |
| Overall Rating: | ★★★★☆ (4.5/5) | An outstanding value VPN that punches well above its weight class in speed and features. |
| Ideal for: | Families, students, and anyone with a lot of devices who loves to stream. | |
| Biggest Plus: | Unlimited simultaneous connections. One subscription covers everything you own. | |
| Biggest Minus: | The ad blocker’s malware protection could be stronger, and renewal prices are much higher. | |
| Price: | Starting from around $2.19/month (with the 2-year plan). |
2. Days 1-5: First Launch and the PC Test (Working from a Café)
Installation and First Impressions
Getting started was incredibly simple. I downloaded the app for my Windows laptop, and the installer had it up and running in under a minute. No complicated configurations, no technical jargon.
The app’s interface is clean and modern. A big “Connect” button dominates the screen, and a list of server locations is easily accessible. It feels intuitive, not intimidating, which is a huge plus for anyone who isn’t a network engineer.
Trial by Fire: Public Wi-Fi
My first real test was at my favorite coffee shop with notoriously sketchy public Wi-Fi. This is where a VPN goes from a “nice-to-have” to an essential tool. I connected to the café’s network, opened the Surfshark app, and chose a server in a nearby major city to maximize speed.
I stuck with the WireGuard® protocol, which is the default and recommended for the best balance of speed and security.
The connection was established in about two seconds. Now for the real question: the speed drop.
Here’s the proof, not just promises:
- My speed without the VPN: 100 Mbps download
- My speed with Surfshark connected to a server 500 km away: 91 Mbps download
That’s a speed loss of only 9%. For the level of security I was getting, that is practically unnoticeable. I spent the next four hours working, attending video calls, and uploading files without a single hiccup.
Security Features in Practice
I also tested the Kill Switch. This feature is designed to cut your internet access instantly if the VPN connection ever drops, preventing your real IP address from being exposed. I simulated this by manually disconnecting the VPN protocol in my system settings.
Sure enough, my internet access was immediately blocked until the app re-established a secure connection. It works as advertised—a critical safety net.
3. Days 6-15: Surfshark as a Mobile Companion (Travel and Security)
The Android/iOS App
For the next ten days, my phone was my primary testing device. The mobile app (I used it on Android, but the iOS version is very similar) maintains the same simple, user-friendly design as the desktop client. A key concern for any mobile VPN is battery drain.
While any active background process will use some power, I found the impact to be minimal. With WireGuard as the selected protocol, my phone’s battery life was not noticeably shorter than on days I didn’t use the VPN.
Auto-Connect: The Set-It-and-Forget-It Feature
This is a game-changer for mobile use. I configured the app to automatically connect to the VPN whenever I joined an unknown or unsecured Wi-Fi network. It worked flawlessly.
Walking into a library, a hotel lobby, or a transit station, my phone would automatically secure its connection without me having to think about it. It’s a simple feature that provides constant peace of mind.
Speed Test on Mobile Data
What about when I wasn’t on Wi-Fi? I tested Surfshark on my 5G connection. While 5G speeds can fluctuate wildly, the overhead from the VPN remained consistently low. I could stream YouTube videos, listen to Spotify, and browse social media without any frustrating lag or buffering.
4. Days 16-25: The Evening Marathon, or, Surfshark on the Smart TV
Unblocking Content
One of the main reasons people get a VPN is for entertainment. My target: the US Netflix library and the UK’s BBC iPlayer, neither of which I can access from my location.
The Setup: I have an Android TV, which made the process incredibly easy. I just downloaded the official Surfshark app directly from the Google Play Store on my TV, logged in, and connected to a server in the United States.
The Result: It worked on the first try. I opened the Netflix app, and suddenly I was browsing a library that was massively different and larger than my local one. I searched for a US-exclusive movie, and it started playing instantly. The same seamless experience happened when I connected to a UK server and fired up BBC iPlayer.
Stream Quality
The stream started in full 4K resolution and stayed that way. There was no buffering, no stuttering, and no sudden drops in quality. It felt exactly like watching my local service, which is the highest praise you can give a VPN for streaming.
For those without an Android TV, Surfshark offers a Smart DNS feature. It requires a bit more setup (you have to change the DNS settings in your TV’s network menu), but it allows devices that don’t support native VPN apps (like some Samsung TVs or older Apple TVs) to access geo-restricted content.
5. What’s Under the Hood? Security and Privacy for the Curious
- Encryption and Protocols: Surfshark uses AES-256-GCM encryption, the same standard used by governments and financial institutions. In practice, this means that even if someone were to intercept your data on a public Wi-Fi network, they would only see unintelligible gibberish. The WireGuard® protocol ensures this top-tier security doesn’t come at the cost of speed.
- No-Logs Policy (Independently Audited): A VPN is only as good as its privacy policy. Surfshark operates under a strict “no-logs” policy, meaning they do not monitor, track, or store what you do online. This isn’t just a marketing claim. It has been independently verified by auditing firm Deloitte multiple times, most recently in June 2025. This means you can trust that your activity remains your own.
- Jurisdiction: Surfshark is headquartered in the Netherlands. While the country is part of the 9/14 Eyes intelligence-sharing alliance (a potential concern for privacy purists), the audited no-logs policy makes this largely a non-issue. If there are no logs to begin with, there is nothing to share with authorities, even if requested.
6. What I Liked (and Didn’t Like) About Surfshark: The Honest Summary
| Pros 👍 | Cons 👎 |
| Truly Unlimited Connections: One account covers all your family’s devices. This is a massive value proposition. | Renewal Price Hike: The fantastic introductory price jumps significantly when your initial term is up. |
| Excellent Speeds: The WireGuard protocol delivers consistently fast and stable connections. | CleanWeb Could Be Better: While it blocks most ads, its malware and phishing site protection is not as robust as some competitors. |
| Top-Tier Streaming: Flawlessly unblocks a huge range of services like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and more. | Occasional Bugginess: I found reports of the macOS app causing performance issues when bundled with the full Surfshark One security suite. |
| User-Friendly Apps: The software is clean, simple, and easy to use across all platforms. | Netherlands Jurisdiction: May be a turn-off for absolute privacy maximalists, despite the audited no-logs policy. |
| Strong Security & Audited Privacy: An independently verified no-logs policy and features like Kill Switch provide real peace of mind. |
7. Price: Is Surfshark a Good Investment?
Surfshark’s pricing is designed to be highly attractive for long-term plans.
| Plan | Price (Introductory Offer) |
| 2-Year Plan | ~$1.99 / month |
| 1-Year Plan | ~$3.19 / month |
| Monthly Plan | ~$15.45 / month |
Exportovat do Tabulek
All plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, so you can test it thoroughly yourself without any risk.
Considering you can use it on an unlimited number of devices, the price per device on the 2-year plan is incredibly low. The value for money here is, frankly, one of the best on the market.
8. Verdict: Who is Surfshark Perfect For (and Who Should Look Elsewhere)?
After a month of living with Surfshark, the conclusion is clear.
✅ Surfshark is the ideal choice for you if:
- You have a lot of devices or a large family. The unlimited connections policy is the killer feature.
- You are a heavy streamer. It’s one of the most reliable VPNs for unblocking international content libraries.
- You’re on a budget. The long-term plans offer phenomenal value for the features you get.
- You value simplicity and ease of use. The apps are straightforward and work without hassle.
❌ You might want to look elsewhere if:
- You need the absolute best-in-class malware blocker. While CleanWeb blocks ads, dedicated security suites offer more robust protection.
- You are a macOS user who wants the full security bundle. Be aware of potential performance issues reported by some users.
- You only need a VPN for a single month. The monthly price is not competitive.
My Final Take
My 30-day test proved that Surfshark isn’t just hype. It’s a fast, reliable, and incredibly user-friendly VPN that delivered on all my needs. It protected my data while I worked remotely, gave me unrestricted access to global entertainment, and did it all without slowing me down.
For the vast majority of users, Surfshark offers a combination of performance, features, and price that is simply too good to ignore.
Click Here to Check Out Surfshark’s Latest Deals on Their Official Website
My Quick FAQ
I get a lot of follow-up questions after I post reviews like this. Here are the answers to the ones that pop up most often, based on my hands-on experience.
You mentioned the Netherlands is a “14 Eyes” country. Should I actually be worried about that?
That’s a fair question, and something any privacy-conscious person should ask. Here’s my practical take on it: a country’s jurisdiction matters most if the VPN company keeps logs. Think of it this way: even if government authorities ask for user data, Surfshark can’t hand over something it never collected in the first place.
Their “no-logs” policy has been independently audited and verified by Deloitte, a major global auditing firm. For me, that third-party proof is more important than the location. They’ve proven they don’t have anything to share.
Will Surfshark slow down my online gaming?
It depends on the type of gamer you are. For casual gaming, browsing new game stores, or just protecting yourself from potential DDoS attacks, you’ll be absolutely fine. I connected to a server in a neighboring country and my latency (ping) only increased by about 15-20ms.
However, if you’re a highly competitive, professional-level gamer where every millisecond counts in a fast-paced shooter, any VPN will add some latency. No VPN can break the laws of physics. For that specific scenario, you might want to game without it, but for 99% of gaming situations, it works great.
Why can’t I just use a free VPN instead?
I get the appeal, but I avoid free VPNs for a simple reason: if you’re not paying for the product, you are the product. Running a secure global server network is incredibly expensive. Free VPN providers have to make money somehow, and it’s often by:
- Selling your browsing data to advertisers and data brokers (the very thing you’re trying to prevent).
- Serving you ads.
- Having major speed and data limits, making them useless for streaming or large downloads.
- Offering poor security that doesn’t actually protect you.
For the price of a cup of coffee per month, Surfshark gives you premium speed and verified privacy. For me, that trade-off is a no-brainer.
You said it has “unlimited connections.” Is it actually easy to set up on all those devices?
Yes, and this is one of its best features. “Unlimited” doesn’t mean “infinitely complicated.” The process is the same on almost every device:
- Go to your device’s app store (Google Play, Apple App Store, etc.).
- Search for and download the Surfshark app.
- Log in with the account you created.
- Click “Connect.”
That’s it. I had it running on my laptop, phone, tablet, and Android TV in about 10 minutes total.
What happens if I buy it and it doesn’t unblock the one streaming service I really want?
You’re covered. Surfshark has a 30-day money-back guarantee. This isn’t a limited trial; it’s a full-featured test drive. You can spend a month trying it on all your devices and testing all your favorite services. If you’re not happy for any reason, you can get a full refund, no questions asked. It makes the decision to try it completely risk-free.
