Surfshark Review 2026: Best Budget VPN for Travelers?

After testing 25+ VPN services across 10 countries over the past year, Surfshark is the best budget VPN for travelers in 2026. It delivers fast speeds, reliable streaming access, and strong security at roughly 30-40% less than NordVPN or ExpressVPN. But the real killer feature? Unlimited simultaneous device connections — no other premium VPN matches this. If you travel with a phone, laptop, tablet, and a streaming device (or travel with family), Surfshark lets you protect everything on a single subscription.

It’s not the absolute fastest VPN we’ve tested — NordVPN holds that crown — but at $2.49/month on the 2-year plan, the performance gap rarely matters in real-world travel scenarios.

Surfshark at a Glance

Feature	Details
Servers	3,200+ in 100 countries
Simultaneous connections	Unlimited
Protocols	WireGuard, OpenVPN (UDP/TCP), IKEv2/IPsec
Logging policy	Strict no-logs (audited by Deloitte, 2 times)
Kill switch	Yes (all platforms)
Split tunneling	Yes (Bypasser — Android, Windows, macOS)
Streaming	Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Hulu, Prime Video
Torrenting	Yes (all servers)
Best price	$2.49/month (2-year plan)
Money-back guarantee	30 days
Headquarters	Netherlands
Ad blocker	CleanWeb (included)
Double VPN	MultiHop (included)
Platforms	Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, Fire TV, routers, browser extensions

Pricing & Plans

Surfshark is aggressively priced — it undercuts every other premium VPN we’ve tested while offering features that match or exceed more expensive competitors. Here’s what you’ll pay in early 2026.

Current Surfshark Plans (February 2026)

Plan	Monthly	1 Year	2 Years
Surfshark Starter	$15.45/mo	$3.99/mo ($47.88 total)	$2.49/mo ($59.76 total)
Surfshark One (+ antivirus, search, alerts)	$17.95/mo	$4.49/mo ($53.88 total)	$3.19/mo ($76.56 total)
Surfshark One+ (+ Incogni data removal)	$20.65/mo	$6.49/mo ($77.88 total)	$4.49/mo ($107.76 total)

Which Plan Should You Choose?

We recommend the Surfshark Starter 2-year plan ($2.49/month) for most travelers. Here’s our reasoning:

• Surfshark Starter includes everything you need for travel: VPN, CleanWeb ad blocker, MultiHop, NoBorders mode, and unlimited devices. The core VPN experience is identical across all tiers.
• Surfshark One adds antivirus, private search, and data breach alerts. Useful if you want an all-in-one security suite, but most travelers already have antivirus on their devices.
• Surfshark One+ adds Incogni, a data removal service that contacts data brokers to remove your personal info. Nice for privacy enthusiasts, but not essential for travel.

Avoid the monthly plan ($15.45/month) unless you need a VPN for a single short trip. Three months on the monthly plan costs more than an entire 2-year subscription.

How Surfshark Compares on Price

VPN	Cheapest Plan	Monthly Plan	Devices
Surfshark	$2.49/mo (2yr)	$15.45/mo	Unlimited
NordVPN	$3.39/mo (2yr)	$12.99/mo	10
ExpressVPN	$6.67/mo (1yr)	$12.95/mo	8
ProtonVPN	$4.49/mo (2yr)	$9.99/mo	10

Surfshark’s 2-year plan is 26% cheaper than NordVPN and 63% cheaper than ExpressVPN’s best offer. For a family of four with multiple devices each, the savings over a 2-year period add up to $20-100+ compared to competitors — and that’s before factoring in the unlimited device connections.

Get Surfshark — $2.49/month →

All plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee. Cancel within 30 days for a full refund, no questions asked.

Speed Test Results

Speed is where Surfshark has improved the most over the past two years. With WireGuard protocol enabled (the default), Surfshark now delivers genuinely fast speeds — not quite NordVPN-fast, but fast enough that you won’t notice the difference for streaming, video calls, or general browsing.

Nearby Server Speed Tests (WireGuard Protocol)

We tested from 10 locations, connecting to the nearest available Surfshark server from each:

Test Location	Base Speed	Surfshark Speed	Speed Retained	Latency
Bangkok, Thailand	200 Mbps	168 Mbps	84%	14 ms
Tokyo, Japan	400 Mbps	340 Mbps	85%	10 ms
Lisbon, Portugal	350 Mbps	290 Mbps	83%	12 ms
Mexico City, Mexico	150 Mbps	125 Mbps	83%	18 ms
Bali, Indonesia	80 Mbps	64 Mbps	80%	26 ms
Medellin, Colombia	100 Mbps	82 Mbps	82%	20 ms
Berlin, Germany	350 Mbps	305 Mbps	87%	9 ms
London, UK	300 Mbps	260 Mbps	87%	11 ms
Seoul, South Korea	450 Mbps	375 Mbps	83%	9 ms
New York, USA	400 Mbps	345 Mbps	86%	8 ms

Average speed retention on nearby servers: 84%. That’s roughly 5-10 percentage points behind NordVPN’s NordLynx results, but in absolute terms, Surfshark is delivering 125-375 Mbps on nearby servers. For context, you need about 25 Mbps for a 4K Netflix stream and 10 Mbps for a smooth Zoom call. Surfshark provides that with headroom to spare.

International Server Speeds (From Thailand)

The real travel test: connecting to servers in other countries for streaming, banking, and geo-unblocking.

From Thailand To	Download	Upload	Latency
US (New York)	65 Mbps	30 Mbps	225 ms
US (Los Angeles)	85 Mbps	38 Mbps	190 ms
UK (London)	72 Mbps	32 Mbps	210 ms
Japan (Tokyo)	130 Mbps	60 Mbps	70 ms
Australia (Sydney)	95 Mbps	42 Mbps	145 ms
Germany (Frankfurt)	68 Mbps	28 Mbps	200 ms

Long-distance connections are where the gap with NordVPN is most noticeable. NordVPN’s NordLynx protocol typically delivers 15-30% faster speeds on intercontinental connections. But Surfshark’s 65-130 Mbps international speeds are still well above what you need for streaming, video calls, or remote work.

Speed Verdict

Surfshark is a fast VPN — not the fastest, but fast enough that speed is never a bottleneck for any travel use case. On nearby servers, it retains over 80% of your base speed. On international connections, expect 65-130 Mbps depending on distance. For the price difference vs NordVPN ($0.90/month less), the speed trade-off is entirely reasonable.

Unlimited Devices — The Killer Feature

This is what makes Surfshark unique among premium VPNs, and it’s the single biggest reason travelers should consider it over NordVPN or ExpressVPN.

What “Unlimited” Actually Means

With one Surfshark subscription, you can install and simultaneously connect the VPN on every device you own. No limits. No restrictions. No “pick which 8 or 10 devices get protected” decisions.

Here’s what a typical digital nomad carries:

• Laptop (primary work device)
• Smartphone (personal)
• Tablet (entertainment, reading)
• Second phone (local SIM or work phone)
• Streaming device (Fire TV Stick, Chromecast)
• Smart watch (if supported)

That’s 5-6 devices for one person. NordVPN limits you to 10 simultaneous connections, and ExpressVPN caps at 8. If you’re a couple traveling together, you’re already at 10-12 devices. A family of four? 20+.

Why This Matters for Travelers

Scenario 1: Traveling couple. You and your partner both have a phone and a laptop. That’s 4 devices. Add a tablet for the flight and a Fire TV Stick for hotel streaming — 6 devices. With NordVPN, you’re using 6 of your 10 connections. With Surfshark, you’re not counting at all.

Scenario 2: Digital nomad family. Two adults, two kids, each with a phone and a laptop or tablet. That’s 8 devices minimum. Add a streaming device and a router, and you’ve exceeded NordVPN’s 10-device limit. Surfshark handles this without breaking a sweat.

Scenario 3: Share with family back home. Many travelers share their VPN subscription with parents or siblings. With Surfshark, you can protect your entire family’s devices — wherever they are in the world — on one subscription.

Device Limit Comparison

VPN	Simultaneous Devices	Best Price
Surfshark	Unlimited	$2.49/mo
NordVPN	10	$3.39/mo
ExpressVPN	8	$6.67/mo
ProtonVPN	10	$4.49/mo
Private Internet Access	Unlimited	$2.19/mo

Only Surfshark and PIA offer unlimited connections among reputable VPNs, and Surfshark is the stronger product overall in terms of speed, streaming, and security features.

Streaming & Geo-Unblocking

Accessing streaming services from abroad is one of the top reasons travelers use VPNs. Surfshark performs well here — not quite as bulletproof as NordVPN, but reliable enough for daily use.

Streaming Test Results (February 2026)

We tested from Thailand, Portugal, and Mexico, connecting to servers in the service’s home country:

Service	Region	Result	Notes
Netflix US	From Thailand, Portugal, Mexico	Works	Reliable across multiple US servers
Netflix UK	From Thailand, Mexico	Works	Consistent access
Netflix Japan	From Thailand, Portugal	Works	Full anime library available
Disney+ (US)	From Thailand, Portugal	Works	Including all Star content
BBC iPlayer	From Thailand, Mexico	Works	UK servers, occasionally needed server switching
Hulu	From Portugal, Mexico	Works	US servers
Amazon Prime Video (US)	From Thailand, Portugal	Works	Some server regions more reliable than others
HBO Max	From Thailand	Works	US servers
ESPN+	From Portugal	Works	US servers
Peacock	From Thailand	Partial	Worked on 3 of 5 US servers tested
DAZN	From Thailand	Partial	Inconsistent, depends on region

Streaming Quality

On connections above 50 Mbps (which Surfshark easily maintains on nearby and mid-distance servers), we experienced smooth 4K streaming with no buffering on Netflix, Disney+, and Prime Video. BBC iPlayer and Hulu streamed flawlessly at 1080p.

The only hiccup: connecting to distant servers (e.g., US from Southeast Asia) occasionally produced a brief quality dip during the first 10-15 seconds before stabilizing. This happened roughly 1 in 5 times and resolved on its own.

How Surfshark Handles Streaming Blocks

Unlike NordVPN’s SmartPlay, Surfshark uses a rotating IP system that assigns you a different IP each time you connect. When streaming services block a batch of IPs, Surfshark rotates in new ones. In practice, this means you may occasionally need to switch servers to find one that works — a minor inconvenience but never a deal-breaker.

Streaming verdict: Surfshark is a very good streaming VPN, one small step below NordVPN’s near-perfect reliability. If streaming is your absolute top priority, NordVPN is safer. If you stream regularly but also care about price and device limits, Surfshark handles the job well.

Security & Privacy

Surfshark’s security credentials have improved significantly since its early days. It’s now a genuinely strong VPN from a privacy and encryption standpoint.

Encryption & Protocols

Surfshark uses AES-256-GCM encryption — the same military-grade standard used by NordVPN and ExpressVPN. Combined with perfect forward secrecy, your data is protected by encryption that would take billions of years to brute-force.

Available protocols:

• WireGuard (default) — Fast, lightweight, and secure. The best choice for daily use and the protocol we used for all speed tests.
• OpenVPN (UDP/TCP) — Proven, widely audited. Use TCP mode on networks that block WireGuard.
• IKEv2/IPsec — Excellent for mobile connections, handles WiFi-to-cellular transitions smoothly.

No-Logs Policy (Independently Audited)

Surfshark maintains a strict no-logs policy: they don’t log your IP address, browsing history, session information, bandwidth usage, connection timestamps, network traffic, or DNS queries.

This has been independently audited twice by Deloitte (2022 and 2023), confirming that Surfshark’s infrastructure and practices match their no-logs claims. Surfshark also operates RAM-only servers — all data is wiped when a server is powered off, meaning nothing is stored on disk.

Netherlands Jurisdiction — The Honest Assessment

Surfshark moved its legal incorporation to the Netherlands in 2021 (previously British Virgin Islands). This is a fair criticism point:

• Positive: The Netherlands has strong privacy laws and isn’t part of the Five Eyes alliance.
• Negative: The Netherlands is part of the Nine Eyes alliance and subject to EU data retention regulations. Theoretically, authorities could compel Surfshark to cooperate.
• Reality: Since Surfshark operates RAM-only servers with no logs, there’s nothing meaningful to hand over even if compelled. The Deloitte audits confirm this. It’s not as clean as NordVPN’s Panama jurisdiction, but in practice, the risk to individual users is negligible.

Kill Switch

Surfshark’s kill switch blocks all internet traffic if the VPN connection drops unexpectedly. It’s available on all platforms (Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux) and works reliably in our testing. We forced disconnections 20+ times across devices, and the kill switch triggered correctly every time.

CleanWeb (Ad & Tracker Blocker)

CleanWeb is Surfshark’s built-in ad blocker. It blocks:

• Ads and pop-ups on websites
• Trackers and cookies from ad networks
• Known malware domains
• Phishing attempts

In our testing, CleanWeb reduced page load times by approximately 25-30% on ad-heavy sites and eliminated most intrusive pop-ups. It’s not as comprehensive as NordVPN’s Threat Protection Pro (which also scans downloaded files), but it covers the most important bases for everyday browsing.

MultiHop (Double VPN)

MultiHop routes your traffic through two VPN servers instead of one, adding an extra layer of encryption. This is useful for:

• Journalists and activists in high-risk countries
• Extra privacy when handling sensitive information
• Obscuring VPN usage from your ISP

The trade-off: MultiHop reduces speed by approximately 30-40% compared to a single-hop connection. We recommend using it only when you need the extra security, not for everyday browsing or streaming.

DNS Leak Protection

We ran DNS leak tests on every server we connected to during our testing period. Zero leaks detected — DNS, WebRTC, and IPv6 were all properly contained.

Travel-Specific Features

This is where Surfshark punches above its weight. Several features are specifically designed for the challenges travelers face.

NoBorders Mode

NoBorders mode automatically activates when Surfshark detects you’re on a restricted network — such as in China, Russia, Turkey, or the UAE. It switches to a set of servers optimized for bypassing network restrictions.

Our experience: NoBorders worked reliably in Turkey and the UAE during our testing, granting access to blocked VoIP services and social media. For China specifically, reliability is lower — estimated at 50-60% based on community reports. If China is your primary destination, consider ExpressVPN or Astrill as your primary VPN, with Surfshark as a backup.

GPS Spoofing (Android Only)

This is a feature few VPNs offer. On Android devices, Surfshark can override your device’s GPS location to match your VPN server location. This means apps that check GPS (not just IP address) for location verification will see you in the VPN server’s country.

Practical use cases:

• Accessing location-restricted apps abroad
• Using dating apps with a different location
• Accessing region-locked mobile games

This is currently Android-only — not available on iOS due to Apple’s restrictions.

Bypasser (Split Tunneling)

Bypasser lets you choose which apps or websites go through the VPN and which connect directly. This is essential for:

• Banking apps that block VPN connections — route them directly while keeping everything else protected
• Local services (food delivery, ride-hailing) that need your real location
• Speed-sensitive tasks that don’t need VPN protection

Available on Windows, macOS, and Android. Not yet available on iOS (again, Apple restrictions).

Auto-Connect on Untrusted WiFi

Surfshark can automatically connect the VPN whenever you join an unrecognized or unsecured WiFi network. For travelers who hop between airport WiFi, hotel networks, cafe hotspots, and coworking spaces daily, this is a critical safety net. No remembering to manually connect — Surfshark handles it.

Rotating IP

Surfshark’s Rotating IP feature changes your IP address periodically without disconnecting you from the VPN. This makes it harder for websites to track your browsing session over time. It’s an extra privacy layer that runs silently in the background.

Surfshark vs NordVPN

Since NordVPN is the most common alternative, here’s a direct comparison.

The Verdict by Use Case

Choose Surfshark if:

• Budget is a real concern — you’ll save roughly $22 over two years
• You need unlimited device connections (families, couples, sharing with friends)
• You want a solid all-around VPN without paying premium prices
• GPS spoofing on Android is useful to you

Choose NordVPN if:

• You want the absolute fastest speeds (especially on long-distance connections)
• Maximum security depth matters (4 independent audits, Panama jurisdiction)
• You need the most reliable streaming unblocking
• Threat Protection Pro’s file scanning is important to you

For a full side-by-side analysis, see our Best VPN for Travel guide.

App Experience

Desktop (macOS & Windows)

Surfshark’s desktop app is clean, modern, and easy to navigate. The interface has been completely redesigned since the 2024 version, and the result is one of the most intuitive VPN apps we’ve used.

Layout: A sidebar lists countries and server locations, while the main panel shows your connection status, selected server, and quick-access features. The design is minimal without being sparse — everything you need is within two clicks.

Standout features:

• Quick Connect — One click connects you to the fastest available server
• Favorites — Pin frequently used server locations for instant access
• Server load indicators — See real-time server utilization before connecting
• Search — Find any server by country or city name

Minor gripes: The app occasionally takes 3-5 seconds to load on macOS after waking from sleep. Server switching disconnects you briefly (1-2 seconds) before reconnecting to the new server.

Mobile (iOS & Android)

The mobile apps mirror the desktop experience with touch-optimized controls. The Android version is slightly more feature-rich thanks to GPS spoofing and Bypasser (split tunneling) support that iOS lacks.

Key mobile features:

• Auto-connect on untrusted WiFi — Works flawlessly, essential for travelers
• Widget support — Quick connect/disconnect from your home screen
• Dark mode — Easy on the eyes during late-night browsing

Battery impact: On a modern smartphone with WireGuard protocol, Surfshark consumed approximately 4-6% additional battery per hour of active VPN use. That’s slightly more than NordVPN’s NordLynx (3-5%), but within acceptable limits for a full day of travel.

Linux

Surfshark offers a GUI app for Linux — a notable advantage over NordVPN, which only provides a command-line client for Linux. If you run Linux on your travel laptop, Surfshark’s GUI app is a significant quality-of-life improvement.

Browser Extensions

Chrome, Firefox, and Edge extensions are available. Like most VPN browser extensions, these are lightweight proxies that protect browser traffic only. They’re useful for quick geo-unblocking without routing all device traffic through the VPN.

Customer Support

Support Channels

• 24/7 live chat — Average response time in our testing: 3-5 minutes
• Email support — Average response time: 8-16 hours
• Knowledge base — Well-organized with setup guides for every platform
• No phone support — Standard for the VPN industry

Our Support Experiences

We contacted Surfshark support 6 times during our testing:

1. Server recommendation for UK streaming — Resolved in 4 minutes. Agent suggested specific servers.
2. NoBorders mode troubleshooting in Turkey — Resolved in 8 minutes. Required protocol switching.
3. Bypasser configuration on Android — Resolved in 5 minutes. Clear step-by-step instructions.
4. Billing question about plan upgrade — Resolved in 3 minutes.
5. Connection drops on slow hotel WiFi — Resolved in 10 minutes. Agent recommended IKEv2 protocol, which fixed the issue.
6. MultiHop setup question — Resolved in 6 minutes. Straightforward.

Overall assessment: Surfshark’s support is solid. Agents are friendly, generally knowledgeable, and respond within minutes on live chat. Complex technical issues occasionally required a follow-up message, but we never experienced a truly unhelpful interaction.

Who Should (and Shouldn’t) Choose Surfshark

Surfshark Is Perfect For

• Budget-conscious travelers — Premium VPN protection at the lowest price we’d recommend
• Families and couples — Unlimited devices means everyone’s protected on one subscription
• Digital nomads who want simplicity — Easy apps, auto-connect, and reliable performance across countries
• Multi-device users — Phone, laptop, tablet, streaming device, and more — all covered
• Streamers abroad — Reliably unblocks Netflix, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, and more
• Linux users — One of the few premium VPNs with a proper Linux GUI app
• Android power users — GPS spoofing and Bypasser offer unique capabilities

Who Might Prefer Alternatives

• Speed maximizers — If you need the absolute fastest VPN for bandwidth-heavy remote work, NordVPN delivers 5-10% better speeds on average
• Maximum security hardliners — NordVPN’s Panama jurisdiction and 4 independent audits edge out Surfshark’s Netherlands base and 2 audits
• Travelers to China — NoBorders mode works inconsistently in heavily censored countries. ExpressVPN is more reliable for China
• Enterprise or business users — NordVPN’s dedicated IP and Meshnet features cater better to professional use cases
• Users who demand flawless streaming — NordVPN’s SmartPlay is more consistently reliable than Surfshark’s rotating IP approach

Final Verdict

Surfshark has earned its reputation as the best budget VPN — but “budget” doesn’t mean “basic.” After months of testing across 10 countries, Surfshark delivered fast enough speeds, reliable streaming access, strong security, and the unmatched advantage of unlimited device connections. All at roughly $2.49/month.

Is it perfect? No. NordVPN beats it on raw speed, security auditing depth, and streaming consistency. But those advantages come at a 36% price premium and with a 10-device cap. For the vast majority of travelers — especially those traveling with partners, families, or multiple devices — Surfshark offers the best overall value.

Our rating: 4.5/5 — The best VPN for budget-conscious travelers in 2026.

Get Surfshark — $2.49/month →

All Surfshark plans include a 30-day money-back guarantee. Try it risk-free on your next trip.