Softwr

Software · head to head

Surfshark vs ProtonVPN

Surfshark logo

Surfshark

Software

Secure your digital life

From
$1.78/month
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite
ProtonVPN logo

ProtonVPN

Software

High-speed Swiss VPN that safeguards your privacy

From
Free
Rated
-
Full reviewWebsite

The short version

  • Only ProtonVPN has a free tier, so it costs nothing to try first.
  • Each has a real cost: Surfshark smaller server network (4,500+ servers) compared to larger competitors like NordVPN; ProtonVPN free plan limited to one device at a time
  • They diverge on capability: Surfshark covers Unlimited devices, ProtonVPN covers No-logs policy.

Where they differ

Only the attributes on which Surfshark and ProtonVPN actually diverge.

Attributes where Surfshark and ProtonVPN differ
AttributeSurfsharkProtonVPN
Starting price$1.78/monthFree
Pricing modelUnknownfreemium
Free tierNoYes
PlatformsWindows, macOS, iOS, Android, LinuxWindows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Founded20182014

Identical on both: user rating (Not yet rated), category (Unknown).

What each one covers

Drawn from each product's published feature list. An absence here means we hold no record of it - not that the product lacks it.

Only in Surfshark

  • Unlimited devices
  • CleanWeb ad blocker
  • MultiHop
  • Camouflage Mode
  • NoBorders mode
  • Bypasser split tunneling
  • Rotating IP
  • Chrome extension

Only in ProtonVPN

  • No-logs policy
  • Secure Core
  • DNS leak protection
  • Tor over VPN
  • Split tunneling
  • NetShield ad-blocker
  • VPN Accelerator
  • Tor network

Both cover

  • Kill Switch
  • Cloud deployment
  • Web support
  • Desktop support

What people use each for

The jobs each tool is most often brought in to do.

Surfshark

  • Vpnnot ProtonVPN
  • Privacynot ProtonVPN
  • Security Suitenot ProtonVPN

ProtonVPN

  • Privacy-focused browsing without subscription costnot Surfshark
  • Multi-device protection with Plus plan supporting 10 devicesnot Surfshark
  • Integrated access to Proton email and cloud services via Unlimited plannot Surfshark

Where each one falls short

Documented limitations, not opinions. Every one is a constraint you would hit in normal use.

Surfshark

  • Smaller server network (4,500+ servers) compared to larger competitors like NordVPN
  • Lower brand recognition compared to established VPN providers
  • Limited customer service availability in some time zones

ProtonVPN

  • Free plan limited to one device at a time
  • Free plan restricted to 10 countries with random selection
  • Pricing amounts not clearly published; shown as variable

Pricing, plan by plan

Surfshark

$1.78/month
  • Starter$1.78/month
    • Unlimited simultaneous connections
    • 4,500+ servers
    • Basic VPN
  • One$3.59/month
    • VPN
    • Antivirus
    • Personal data leak alert
  • One+$4/month
    • All One features
    • Incogi included

ProtonVPN

Free

No published plan breakdown. See the ProtonVPN review.

Which should you pick?

Choose Surfshark if

  • You need unlimited devices.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux.
  • You also want cleanweb ad blocker.
Surfshark review

Choose ProtonVPN if

  • You need no-logs policy.
  • You want to start without paying.
  • You work on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
  • You also want secure core.
ProtonVPN review

Questions people ask

Is Surfshark or ProtonVPN better?
Neither clearly leads. Surfshark starts at $1.78/month and ProtonVPN at Free, and user ratings are close enough to be indistinguishable. Choose on capability and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Surfshark or ProtonVPN?
ProtonVPN has a free tier; the other does not. Paid plans start at $1.78/month for Surfshark and Free for ProtonVPN.
Does Surfshark or ProtonVPN run on more platforms?
Surfshark runs on Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux. ProtonVPN runs on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android.
Can I use ProtonVPN for free?
Yes. ProtonVPN has a free tier, so you can try it without paying. Surfshark starts at $1.78/month.
What is Surfshark best used for?
Surfshark is most often used for vpn, privacy, security suite. Of those, vpn and privacy are not what ProtonVPN is typically brought in for.
What can Surfshark do that ProtonVPN cannot?
Surfshark covers Unlimited devices, CleanWeb ad blocker, MultiHop, Camouflage Mode. ProtonVPN covers No-logs policy, Secure Core, DNS leak protection, Tor over VPN. Both handle Kill Switch, Cloud deployment, Web support, Desktop support.

Answered from the vendors’ own pages

Surfshark: Does Surfshark maintain a no-logs policy?

Yes. Surfshark does not log browsing history, visited IP addresses, bandwidth usage, or network traffic. This policy was independently verified by Deloitte in 2025.

Source
Surfshark: How many simultaneous device connections does Surfshark allow?

Surfshark allows unlimited simultaneous connections on all subscription plans, enabling protection of every device in a household with a single subscription.

Source
ShareXLinkedInRedditWhatsAppEmail

Related pages

More on Surfshark

More on ProtonVPN

Keep looking

Other head to heads