Last Updated on 1 year by Komolafe Bamidele
Surfshark VPN is a robust VPN service that is capable of streaming and torrenting, as well as browsing the web.
This article is a Surfshark VPN review aimed at exploring the effectiveness of its services.
What is VPN
A virtual private network (VPN) protects your online presence by giving you anonymity on the web or public internet connection.
VPNs help in concealing your internet protocol (IP) address to safeguard your activities on the net by making them untraceable.
How it works
Once your VPN is activated, it establishes an encrypted tunnel between your computer and a server operated by the VPN service provider.
Channeling your web traffic through this tunnel allows your traffic to appear like it is coming from the VPN server rather than your computer.
This mechanism helps to mask your IP address, thereby saving you from spies or advertisers who always inundate us with unsolicited ads.
VPN also helps protect us from our internet service provider (ISP), who may want to track our online activities.
Is Surfshark VPN Good?
Many people seem to be in a dilemma on which VPN service can significantly protect their online presence. Surfshark VPN service has proved to be effective despite its relatively new presence in the industry.
Surfshark is a VPN that has strong encryption and user-friendly software. One of the unique features of Surfshark that makes it worth a try is its speed. A good VPN is not supposed to affect the speed of your internet.
Nonetheless, a slow VPN is not helpful either as it disturbs the performance of your internet. Series of test results on the speed of Surfshark has consistently shown that the VPN is indeed fast with little or no issues experienced.
Interestingly, Surfshark speed has proven to be faster than some older VPN in the industry. Its internet speed during everyday use is praiseworthy. We can boldly say that Surfshark VPN is beyond average or regular.
How secured is Surfshark?
While considering a VPN, you must also take into consideration your safety on the internet. Not all VPN guarantees your safety on the net. For Surfshark, this is quite different.
The VPN has taken measures to protect the user by establishing a secure connection with strong encryption protocols.
It has a feature called Multihop that allows you to connect to two VPN servers simultaneously, thereby enhancing your safety on the net.
The kill switch feature also ensures that your data will not be sent online once your VPN connection drops. This feature practically allows you to continue browsing without nursing the fear of prying eyes on your online activity.
Similarly, Surfshark also has other impressive security features such as the OpenVPN and the IKEv2/IPsec. These features are among the safest protocols you can find in the industry right now.
Surfshark also has a protocol called proxy that helps to bypass censorship. This feature is useful for users located in hostile regions where the government continually monitors the internet.
How to use Surfshark VPN
To use the Surfshark VPN, you can start by installing the Surfshark VPN software. You can download the Surfshark VPN from the google play store or Apple app store on mobile devices.
You can also visit their website to download on PC or MacBook. You can follow the following steps to begin the use of Surfshark on your system.
- Log in to the Surfshark website.
- Choose a subscription plan.
- Click on the operating system of your system.
- Open the .exe file you have earlier downloaded.
- Follow through the steps of the installation wizard.
- Open Surfshark software by clicking on the hyperlink.
- Log in with the details you created while opening your account.
- Select a server and enable Surfshark.
Surfshark VPN is quite easy to use, and it does not have too many options and settings that could overwhelm the user.
You would find a clear description of each option and setting with easy to navigate the menu.
Once you are connected to the Surfshark VPN, you are automatically recognized when you are about to download a torrent as you do not need to set up a server manually.
Is Surfshark good for Netflix?
With so many streaming platforms available today, you may need a VPN that could help to unblock your streaming platform library while traveling abroad.
One of the most popular streaming platforms today is Netflix. Its available content changes based on your location. So does Surfshark unblocks Netflix, and if it does, which libraries does it access?
Well, our tests show that Surfshark can unblock Netflix. Since your location affects the content of what you can watch on Netflix, connecting to a VPN server in your home country allows you to continue enjoying your favorite content if you were to travel abroad.
Netflix knows this and continues to spend huge resources to block access to these libraries.
However, Surfshark allows you to unblock these libraries with ease. Surfshark can access libraries from different countries such as Australia, Canada, Japan, India, the UK, and the US.
Interestingly you can stream Netflix on any of the servers of Surfshark. In a case where you are not able to unlock the library of Netflix in a particular region, the server redirects you to the British or American version of the site.
You are likely to enjoy more selection of content without having to route all your traffic through a server on the region you are currently located.
Surfshark Vs. NordPVN
One reoccurring question on the minds of internet geeks is how Surfshark measures up against one of the older VPN service provider NordPVN.
The two VPN services offer almost similar services, and the quality of their services is quite top-notch.
Both VPN services have very fast internet speeds, 256-bit encryption, OpenVPN and IkEv2 protocols, impressive feature-packed apps, 24/7 live chat options, etc. Both VPNs can unblock the Netflix library. NordPVN has more servers in the United States with over 1900 servers.
Surfshark, on the other hand, has less. As a result, NordPVN is quite reliable and fast. If you seek a service that offers one-click private protection them, NordPVN provides that. Similarly, Surfshark can measure up very well in this regard.
It’s smaller user base enables it to deliver fast speed connections and greater in locking power. Surfshark works very well with windows.
Its split tunneling feature is quite remarks with users. However, it still comes second to the features of NordPVN on windows.
Its NordPVN pec, Smartplay, double kill switches, and amazing interface feature gives it an edge over Surfshark on the window.
For Androids, NordPVN streams slightly better due to the fact it has more servers. Surfshark still displays an amazing split tunneling on android that provides safety for Wi-Fi connection.
For IOS users, Surfshark comes through with a brilliant IOS app that offers connections on multiple devices simultaneously.
On the other hand, NordPVN manages to deliver great performance for users who do not need more than six connections. In the United States, NordPVN has more servers than Surfshark.
Having more servers, NordPVN is able to unblock contents on Netflix and other streaming platforms. Surfshark has a sizable number of servers in the US, making it one of the most suitable VPNs for unblocking content on Netflix.
NordPVN has been an old player in the industry, and it has been able to make its mark.
Nonetheless, Surfshark has been able to stand its ground as a major player in the VPN service providers’ league. It matches closely on every test.
It is measured with NordPVN. The fact that it is a relatively new player in the industry makes it all the more impressive.
Is Surfshark better than NordPVN?
The truth is both offer outstanding deals and great quality. Surfshark has not stopped giving us surprises, and so with time, it can indeed match and surpass the feats of NordPVN.
Is Surfshark good for gaming?
You can enjoy gaming with Surfshark VPN. Because of its fast connection, you do not have to worry about a drop in speed or lags that could affect your gaming.
Surfshark also helps in improving the speed of your internet, thereby your gaming experience an enjoyable one.
Gamers can enjoy their favorite games even while abroad by connecting to the VPN server of their home country. Surfshark is very good for gaming, and you can find a lot of positive reviews on this on Surfshark review Reddit.
Why does Surfshark keep disconnecting?
There are several reasons why your Surfshark VPN service may be disconnecting. They may include the following:
- Server location or connection: If your server is not properly located, it could be a problem. Check that your server is well located and content to a local server.
- Check your internet connection: You may want to test your internet connection without your Surfshark connection to know how fast it is. You should change your internet service provider once you establish it is not performing well.
- Firewall or antivirus: Any third-party programs installed on your system may be the reason for the constant disconnection.
Surfshark free trial
Before you start with the full year subscription of Surfshark, which starts at $1.99/month, you can begin a free trial. Unlike other VPNs, Surfshark offers all benefits in it is a free trial.
Our Score
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