ProtonVPN vs Surfshark - Which Is Better in 2026?
The open-source privacy specialist against the unlimited-device value champion. We compared both against the same criteria and the same reference baseline. Here's the full breakdown.
Quick Verdict
Surfshark wins overall (8.9/10 vs 8.6/10) on speed, streaming and value. ProtonVPN wins privacy by a clear margin and is the only one with a free tier. Here's who should choose which:
Choose Surfshark if you want:
- • A lower price ($2.19 vs $4.49/month)
- • Unlimited simultaneous devices
- • Faster speeds (83% vs 82% retention)
- • Better streaming access
- • CleanWeb ad and tracker blocking
Choose ProtonVPN if you want:
- • Maximum privacy (Swiss jurisdiction)
- • Fully open-source, audited apps
- • A real free tier with no data cap
- • Secure Core multi-hop routing
- • The Proton privacy ecosystem
Category-by-Category Comparison
Category-by-Category Scores
Full Feature Comparison
| Feature | ProtonVPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Score | 8.6/10 | 8.9/10 |
| Speed Retention | 82% | 83% |
| Privacy Score | 9.6/10 | 8.7/10 |
| Best Price | $4.49/mo | $2.19/mo |
| Servers | 4,500+ | 3,200+ |
| Countries | 100 | 100 |
| Devices | 10 | Unlimited |
| Netflix Libraries | 8+ | 12+ |
| Free Tier | Yes (no data cap) | No |
| Open Source | Yes | No |
| Ad Blocker | Yes (NetShield) | Yes (CleanWeb) |
| Protocol | WireGuard | WireGuard |
| No-Log Audits | Securitum | Deloitte, Cure53 |
| Jurisdiction | Switzerland | Netherlands |
| Multi-Hop | Yes (Secure Core) | Yes (MultiHop) |
| Money-Back | 30 days | 30 days |
Speed Comparison
The two are effectively tied on speed in our ratings. On our 487 Mbps reference baseline:
- Surfshark (WireGuard): 404 Mbps download, 16ms latency - 83% retention
- ProtonVPN (WireGuard): 399 Mbps download, 13ms latency - 82% retention
The one-point difference is meaningless in daily use, and ProtonVPN actually posts slightly lower latency. Both easily handle 4K streaming, gaming and large downloads.
Privacy Comparison
This is ProtonVPN's clearest win. It's Swiss-based, fully open source across every platform, and independently audited - the strongest transparency story of the two. Surfshark is still solidly private, with RAM-only servers, a Netherlands base, and Deloitte/Cure53 audits, but its apps are closed source. If privacy is your top priority, ProtonVPN is the better pick.
Our Verdict
Surfshark is the better value all-rounder - cheaper, unlimited devices, and better for streaming, which is why it rates higher overall. Choose ProtonVPN if privacy and open-source transparency lead your list, or if you want a capable free tier to try first. Both are strong; the decision comes down to value (Surfshark) versus transparency (ProtonVPN).
Risk-free - 30-day money-back guarantee
Risk-free - 30-day money-back guarantee