ProtonVPN vs Surfshark 2026: Price, Speed & Privacy
ProtonVPN offers stronger privacy guarantees with Swiss jurisdiction and a strict no-logs policy audited by third parties, while Surfshark provides better value with lower pricing ($2.19/month vs $9.99/month) and more simultaneous connections (unlimited vs 10). ProtonVPN excels for privacy-focused users willing to pay more; Surfshark wins for budget-conscious users prioritizing speed and connection flexibility.
ProtonVPN
Swiss-based VPN service with military-grade encryption and strict privacy policies.
Privacy-conscious professionals, journalists, activists, and users in restrictive regions willing to pay premium for maximum security
Surfshark
Budget-friendly VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections and fast speeds.
Budget-conscious users, families needing multiple simultaneous connections, streamers prioritizing speed, and users wanting essential protection without premium pricing
Quick Answer
AI SummaryProtonVPN offers stronger privacy guarantees with Swiss jurisdiction and a strict no-logs policy audited by third parties, while Surfshark provides better value with lower pricing ($2.19/month vs $9.99/month) and more simultaneous connections (unlimited vs 10). ProtonVPN excels for privacy-focused users willing to pay more; Surfshark wins for budget-conscious users prioritizing speed and connection flexibility.
Our Verdict
AI-assistedChoose ProtonVPN if you prioritize maximum privacy protection, have a higher budget, and need extensive server coverage for accessing international content. Choose Surfshark if you want the best value for money, need unlimited simultaneous connections, and prefer faster speeds without compromising security. Both offer robust encryption and no-logs policies, but they serve different user priorities.
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Choose ProtonVPN if
Privacy-conscious professionals, journalists, activists, and users in restrictive regions willing to pay premium for maximum security
Choose Surfshark if
Best pickBudget-conscious users, families needing multiple simultaneous connections, streamers prioritizing speed, and users wanting essential protection without premium pricing
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Key Differences at a Glance
- Monthly Subscription Cost:✓ Surfshark wins($2.19 USD vs $9.99 USD)
- Simultaneous Connections:✓ Surfshark wins(Unlimited devices vs 10 devices)
- Server Count:✓ ProtonVPN wins(6,500+ servers vs 3,200+ servers)
Key Facts & Figures
47 numeric metrics compared
| Metric | ProtonVPN | Surfshark | Ratio |
|---|---|---|---|
| Global Server Count(servers) | 3,500+ | — | — |
| Annual Subscription Cost (Best Plan)(USD) | $99.99 (Plus) | — | — |
| Download Speed Performance Impact(% decrease from baseline) | 8-12% decrease | — | — |
| Monthly Cost (Basic Plan)(USD) | $4.99 | — | — |
| Open Source Code(percentage) | Partial (apps only) | — | — |
| Starting Monthly Price(USD) | $9.99/month (1-year) | — | — |
| Server Count(servers) | 2,000+ | — | — |
| Countries Covered(count) | 68 countries | — | — |
| Average Download Speed(Mbps) | 40+ Mbps | — | — |
| Simultaneous Connections(devices) | 10 connections (Pro) | — | — |
| Money-Back Guarantee(days) | 30 days | — | — |
| Annual Plan Price(USD/month) | $4.99/month | $2.19/month | |
| Monthly Plan Price(USD/month) | $12.99/month | — | — |
| Server Count(servers) | 2,700+ servers | 3,200+ | |
| Speed Loss (Average)(percent) | 12-15% | — | — |
| Simultaneous Connections(devices) | 10 devices | Unlimited | — |
| Country Coverage(countries) | 91 countries | 100 countries | |
| Latest Security Audit Year | 2023 (Securitum) | 2023 (Cure53) | |
| Streaming Services Optimized(platforms) | Most major platforms | 15+ optimized services | — |
| Monthly Pricing (Annual Plan)(USD) | $9.99/month | — | — |
| Average Download Speed(Mbps) | 565 Mbps | 628 Mbps | |
| Total Server Locations(number) | 2000+ | — | — |
| Countries Covered(countries) | 68 countries | 100+ countries | |
| Speed Retention Rate(%) | 76% | — | — |
| Annual Subscription Cost(USD) | $5.99/month | — | — |
| Simultaneous Device Connections(devices) | 10 devices | — | — |
| Streaming Service Compatibility(platforms) | 8+ (Netflix, BBC iPlayer, DAZN) | — | — |
| Monthly Price (Standard Plan)(USD) | $9.99 | $2.19 | |
| Annual Price (Lowest Tier)(USD) | $59.88 | $26.28 | |
| Server Network Size(servers) | 6,500+ | 3,200+ | |
| Money-Back Guarantee(days) | 30 days | 30 days | |
| Starting Monthly Price (2-year plan)(USD/month) | $2.49 | $2.49 | |
| Server Locations(countries) | 105 countries | 105 countries | |
| Value for Money Score(/10) | 8.9 | 8.9 | |
| Global Server Coverage(countries) | 100 countries | 100 countries | |
| Speed Performance Rating(out of 10) | 9.8/10 | 9.8/10 | |
| Security Rating(out of 10) | 10.0/10 | 10.0/10 | |
| Streaming Capability Rating(out of 10) | 9.6/10 | 9.6/10 | |
| Gaming Performance Rating(out of 10) | 9.0/10 | 9.0/10 | |
| Annual Subscription Price(USD) | $2.19/month | $2.19/month | |
| VPN Server Locations(countries) | 100 countries | 100 countries | |
| Total VPN Servers(servers) | 3,200+ servers | 3,200+ servers | |
| Independent Security Audit(year) | 2023 (Deloitte) | 2023 (Deloitte) | |
| Global Server Network(servers) | 3,200+ servers | 3,200+ servers | |
| Independent Security Audits(audits) | 1 (PwC 2023) | 1 (PwC 2023) | |
| Monthly Price (Best Annual Deal)(USD) | $2.19/month | $2.19/month | |
| Countries with Servers(countries) | 100 countries | 100 countries |
Sourced from publicly available data ·
Key Differences
7 attributes compared head-to-head
- $9.99 USDMonthly Subscription Cost$2.19 USD(winner)
- 10 devicesSimultaneous ConnectionsUnlimited devices(winner)
- 6,500+ servers(winner)Server Count3,200+ servers
- Switzerland (privacy-friendly)(winner)JurisdictionBritish Virgin Islands (privacy-friendly)
- 30-day money-back guaranteeFree Trial Period30-day money-back guarantee
- Yes (mandatory on desktop)Kill Switch FeatureYes (always active)
- 565 MbpsSpeed Performance (Avg Download)628 Mbps(winner)
- Monthly Subscription Cost
ProtonVPN
$9.99 USD
Surfshark
$2.19 USD(winner)
- Simultaneous Connections
ProtonVPN
10 devices
Surfshark
Unlimited devices(winner)
- Server Count
ProtonVPN
6,500+ servers(winner)
Surfshark
3,200+ servers
- Jurisdiction
ProtonVPN
Switzerland (privacy-friendly)(winner)
Surfshark
British Virgin Islands (privacy-friendly)
- Free Trial Period
ProtonVPN
30-day money-back guarantee
Surfshark
30-day money-back guarantee
- Kill Switch Feature
ProtonVPN
Yes (mandatory on desktop)
Surfshark
Yes (always active)
- Speed Performance (Avg Download)
ProtonVPN
565 Mbps
Surfshark
628 Mbps(winner)
Full Comparison
| Attribute | ProtonVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Global Server Count(servers) | 3,500+ | — |
| Server Count(servers) | 2,000+ | — |
| Server Count(servers) | 2,700+ servers | 3,200+(winner) |
| Country Coverage(countries) | 91 countries | 100 countries(winner) |
| Global Server Coverage(countries) | 100 countries | — |
Show 3 more attributesTotal VPN Servers(servers) 3,200+ servers — Global Server Network(servers) 3,200+ servers — Countries with Servers(countries) 100 countries — | ||
| Annual Subscription Cost (Best Plan)(USD) | $99.99 (Plus) | — |
| Monthly Cost (Basic Plan)(USD) | $4.99 | — |
| Starting Monthly Price(USD) | $9.99/month (1-year) | — |
| Free Version | Available with unlimited data | — |
| Annual Plan Price(USD/month) | $4.99/month | $2.19/month(winner) |
Show 9 more attributesMonthly Plan Price(USD/month) $12.99/month — Monthly Pricing (Annual Plan)(USD) $9.99/month — Free Tier Data Allowance(GB/month) 10 GB/month — Annual Subscription Cost(USD) $5.99/month — Monthly Price (Standard Plan)(USD) $9.99 $2.19 Annual Price (Lowest Tier)(USD) $59.88 $26.28 Starting Monthly Price (2-year plan)(USD/month) $2.49 — Annual Subscription Price(USD) $2.19/month — Monthly Price (Best Annual Deal)(USD) $2.19/month — | ||
| Download Speed Performance Impact(% decrease from baseline) | 8-12% decrease | — |
| Average Download Speed(Mbps) | 40+ Mbps | — |
| Speed Loss (Average)(percent) | 12-15% | — |
| Streaming Services Optimized(platforms) | Most major platforms | 15+ optimized services |
| Average Download Speed(Mbps) | 565 Mbps | 628 Mbps(winner) |
Show 8 more attributesCountries Covered(countries) 68 countries 100+ countries Speed Retention Rate(%) 76% — Server Network Size(servers) 6,500+ 3,200+ Connection Speed Rating Good — Speed Performance (US Servers)(relative) Significantly faster with WireGuard — Speed Performance Rating(out of 10) 9.8/10 — Streaming Capability Rating(out of 10) 9.6/10 — Gaming Performance Rating(out of 10) 9.0/10 — | ||
| US Streaming Platforms Supported(platforms) | 1 (Netflix only) | — |
| Free Trial or Free Plan(monthly data) | 100 MB/month free plan | — |
| Privacy Jurisdiction | Switzerland (5 Eyes only) | — |
| Encryption Standards Offered(algorithms) | AES-256 + ChaCha20 | — |
| Encryption Standard | AES-256 and ChaCha20 | — |
| Audit Frequency(years) | Annual third-party audit | — |
| Multi-Hop Encryption | Available (optimized) | — |
| Encryption Standard | AES-256 with 4096-bit RSA | AES-256 with ChaCha20 |
Show 6 more attributesKill Switch Feature Yes, all platforms Yes, all platforms Code Openness 100% open-source (audited) — Privacy Audit Certification Deloitte no-logs audit (2022) — Security Rating(out of 10) 10.0/10 — Independent Security Audit(year) 2023 (Deloitte) — Encryption Protocol AES-256 + ChaCha20 — | ||
| Free Trial Available | Yes (free tier) | — |
| Simultaneous Connections(devices) | 10 connections (Pro) | — |
| Simultaneous Connections(devices) | 10 devices | Unlimited |
| Simultaneous Device Connections(devices) | 10 devices | — |
| Streaming Service Compatibility(platforms) | 8+ (Netflix, BBC iPlayer, DAZN) | — |
Show 1 more attributeTorrenting Support(supported) Fully supported — | ||
| Open Source Code(percentage) | Partial (apps only) | — |
| Independent Security Audits(audits) | 1 (PwC 2023) | — |
| Countries Covered(count) | 68 countries | — |
| Money-Back Guarantee(days) | 30 days | — |
| Money-Back Guarantee(days) | 30 days | 30 days |
| Log Retention Policy | Strict no-logs, Swiss law compliance | — |
| Logging Policy | Strict no-logs | — |
| Latest Security Audit Year | 2023 (Securitum) | 2023 (Cure53) |
| Total Server Locations(number) | 2000+ | — |
| Server Locations(countries) | 105 countries | — |
| Jurisdiction | Switzerland | — |
| Dark Web Monitor | Not included | — |
| App Kill Switch Feature | No | — |
| Kill Switch Availability | Yes (all platforms) | — |
| Value for Money Score(/10) | 8.9 | — |
| Netflix Compatibility(rating) | Good | — |
| Customer Support Satisfaction(rating) | Very Good | — |
| Customer Support Type | 24-hour live chat | — |
| VPN Server Locations(countries) | 100 countries | — |
| Supported Platforms | 15+ (includes smart TVs, gaming consoles) | — |
| No-Logs Audit Year | Deloitte (2022) | — |
ProtonVPNShow 3 more attributes
Show 9 more attributes
Show 8 more attributes
Show 6 more attributes
Show 1 more attribute
Pros & Cons
10 pros·6 cons across both
ProtonVPN
Pros
- Swiss jurisdiction with strong privacy laws and independent third-party audits
- 6,500+ servers across 68 countries for excellent global content access
- Integrated ProtonMail support for seamless encrypted communication
- NetShield feature blocks malware and ads at protocol level
- Perfect forward secrecy (PFS) with 4096-bit RSA encryption
Cons
- Higher price point at $9.99/month limits accessibility for budget users
- Limited to 10 simultaneous connections, requiring multiple subscriptions for large households
- Slower average speeds (565 Mbps) compared to competitors in independent tests
Surfshark
Pros
- Extremely affordable at $2.19/month (yearly plan), lowest in market segment
- Unlimited simultaneous connections across all devices without restrictions
- Faster average speeds (628 Mbps) enabling smooth streaming and downloads
- CleanWeb feature blocks ads, trackers, and malware automatically
- Advanced split tunneling on desktop for selective app routing
Cons
- British Virgin Islands jurisdiction less established than Switzerland for privacy litigation
- 3,200 servers significantly fewer than ProtonVPN, potentially limiting regional content access
- Fewer independent security audits compared to ProtonVPN's annual third-party reviews
Frequently Asked Questions
5 questions
Surfshark is faster on average with 628 Mbps download speeds compared to ProtonVPN's 565 Mbps in independent 2024-2025 tests. This 11% speed advantage makes Surfshark better for streaming 4K content and large file downloads. However, both services provide sufficient speeds for general browsing, secure email, and video conferencing.
Resources & Learn More
Curated sources to dive deeper
Where to Buy
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