When it comes to affordable VPNs, Surfshark is surely among the best of them. For the price of a coffee a month, it comes with impenetrable security, excellent streaming capabilities, and apps for all platforms with unlimited simultaneous connections.
Despite being a “younger” company compared to ExpressVPN or NordVPN, Surfshark indeed battles it out with the older boys. However, saying that it’s perfect would be a lie, as this provider has its share of shortcomings that some people can’t get over.
For that reason, people are looking for Surfshark VPN alternatives and searching for providers that can replace it. If you’re one of them, your days of searching are over. Today, I’ll talk about the best Surfshark alternative that is even better than this VPN.
Ranking of the best alternatives to Surfshark:
6300 servers
111 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
10 simultaneous connections
3000 servers
105 covered countries
30 days money-back guarantee
8 simultaneous connections
12000 servers
100 covered countries
45 days money-back guarantee
7 simultaneous connections
Surfshark Alternatives: Why Do People Look for Them?
People who have used Surfshark for years with satisfaction will be appalled at the thought of changing it. However, in my Surfshark review, I actually pointed out some of its flaws that, I think, would make people change their opinion about this provider.
Namely, compared to the aforementioned rivals, I found that Surfshark is much slower. This speed inferiority might prompt you to search for an alternative to Surfshark VPN and choose NordVPN or ExpressVPN, for example.
Additionally, this provider is known to have occasional issues with a kill switch. As such, in extreme cases, its kill switch might not work in case of losing a VPN connection, which could result in exposing your IP address to the public eye.
I also want to mention that you can get Surfshark One. This is a more expensive subscription plan with features like antivirus, true incognito mode, and Alert. But if you’re interested, you’ll have to pay for it additionally, which could end up costing you a lot more.
As you can see, these are not critical downsides, but if you can’t get over them, searching for the best Surfshark alternatives is the only way. So if you already got a refund from the provider and you’re looking to replace it, what can you do?
Top 3 Alternatives to Surfshark: Our Favorite Choices for 2024
Well, you can simply check our list below. There, I listed 3 of my favorite providers that are also better than Surfshark, and while not necessarily cheaper, you can expect them to give you a better overall experience.
1. NordVPN
Pros
- Threat Protection features
- Much faster than Surfshark
- Obfuscated servers work in China
- NordLynx protocol
- Military-grade encryption
- Double VPN servers for added security
Cons
- Different prices in some countries (VAT)
- Very rare connectivity issues on Windows
I think NordVPN is the best overall Surfshark alternative. Besides, NordVPN’s father company Nord Security acquired Surfshark not long ago, making these two friendly companies. Of course, NordVPN is a better choice overall and there are many reasons for that.
First, it has more servers (6,300+) with many specialty servers in the equation. Most notably, P2P servers are very attractive, as well as Double VPN servers for doubling your encryption. Furthermore, I like the addition of obfuscated servers for bypassing censorship in China.
And if that’s not enough, there are “Onion over VPN” servers if you want to use it with Tor. NordVPN mastered its security, giving you 256-bit encryption, a reliable kill switch, and split tunneling that makes for great variety.
However, the start of the show is its Threat Protection feature that comes FREE in the Plus plan, so you don’t need to pay separately for it, as you’d do with some other VPNs. Here, NordVPN includes antivirus, malware protection, Dark Web Monitor, and other useful features.
Performance-wise, you can expect NordVPN to be much faster than Surfshark. After all, it has a proprietary NordLynx protocol, which promises (and delivers) exceptional performance, all while maintaining rock-solid security.
The provider even offers a no-logging policy that underwent three audits from Pwc/Deloitte. This makes NordVPN a trustworthy choice and a great alternative that will surely deliver on its promises. All in all, this is a solid all-arounder with great-looking apps, 24/7 support, and undeniable reliability.
Its downsides include value-added taxes in certain countries as well as seldom connectivity issues on Windows. However, its price is very attractive given its cheap 2-year plan with a 30-day money-back guarantee for all plans.
2. ExpressVPN
Pros
- Dependable automatic kill switch
- Servers in 160 worldwide locations
- Support for Firestick TV and gaming consoles
- Trusted Server technology
- Security audit from PricewaterhouseCoopers
Cons
- A bit more expensive
- Doesn’t offer Multi-Hop servers
ExpressVPN is the second-best alternative to Surfshark VPN in 2024. I’m always amazed at how fast and reliable it is. Compared to Surfshark, for example, its speeds are a light-year away, which makes it better for streaming, torrenting, or simply surfing the web.
ExpressVPN also has servers in 160 worldwide locations, which is very impressive compared to any other provider. In addition, ExpressVPN fixes the issues that Surfshark has and improves upon every other feature.
For instance, its automatic kill switch never fails to react and in 100% of the cases, you’ll be protected from IP or DNS leaks. Also, ExpressVPN offers a proprietary Lightway protocol which is way more secure and faster than WireGuard on Surfshark.
Now, you’ll say that Surfshark gives you unlimited connections and you’ll be right. However, ExpressVPN is a lot easier to use and offers better device compatibility, especially when talking about routers, Smart TVs, and gaming consoles.
This makes it a lot more versatile if you want to secure every device you have. Security-wise, I also think ExpressVPN is better. I mean, it has a security audit from KPMG, one of the world’s leading auditing firms.
Coupled with 256-bit encryption and RAM-based servers, ExpressVPN is known for providing impenetrable security that never fails to impress. Being the best alternative to Surfshark, this provider is also great for streaming and torrenting, and it works with 15+ Netflix libraries.
To that, I should add its condition-free 30-day money-back guarantee and 24/7 live chat support that’s as fast as lightning. In terms of pricing, ExpressVPN is a lot more expensive but also gives you a lot more than Surfshark.
The good news is that you can reduce its price through a 49% discount and 3 months free for the annual plan. That deal, you can get by using the button below.
3. CyberGhost
Pros
- It costs almost the same as Surfshark
- 12,000+ servers in over 100 countries
- Great for streaming and P2P activities
- NoSpy servers owned by CyberGhost
- 45-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Won’t work in China
- Could be more user-friendly on Windows
- Average OpenVPN speeds
In my opinion, CyberGhost is the best Surfshark alternative price-wise. Its price is pretty much the same as Surfshark’s price, yet, you can get a 2-year subscription here. Not to mention CyberGhost’s 45-day money-back guarantee, which makes it a super attractive option.
Is CyberGhost better than Surfshark, though? Yes, it is, offering a lot more servers, solid security, and great device compatibility. CyberGhost has 12,000 servers in nearly 100 countries, with dedicated streaming and torrenting servers in addition.
This allows the provider to work with Netflix US, BBC iPlayer, or Hulu abroad, all while allowing you to download torrents safely and anonymously. As an excellent alternative to Surfshark, CyberGhost has a no-logging policy, too, along with transparency reports and an audit from Deloitte.
They’re published every 3 months, making sure that you have a full image of the company with no lies or deceptions. Compared to its competitor, CyberGhost is a lot faster as well, and so far, it hasn’t had any issues with its automatic kill switch.
Moreover, it supports OpenVPN and WireGuard, giving you quality VPN protocols for added security. While CyberGhost isn’t the most user-friendly provider in terms of apps, it surely balances out things by offering exceptional support for all devices.
Additionally, it supports routers and Firestick TV, allowing you to fully utilize its vast possibilities. Finally, I should mention its round-the-clock 24/7 live chat support available in 3 languages, which is a dream come true for non-English-speaking users.
The only downside is that it won’t work in some censored countries (China for example). So, if you need a VPN for bypassing censorship, NordVPN and ExpressVPN are better choices.
Best Surfshark Alternative: Round-Up
Despite being a great budget-focused choice, some users will look for an alternative to Surfshark VPN.
And with so many choices on the market, finding the one that will suit you better is easy, with NordVPN being the best alternative to Surfshark.
Its lightning-fast speeds, uncompromising security, and above-average streaming capabilities are what make it a far better option. But if you have a larger budget, the most suitable alternative would be ExpressVPN, a renowned all-around VPN.
CyberGhost is another stellar choice and if you want to replace Surfshark, going for its father company seems viable. Now that you have many choices, I think it’s safe to say that you’ll surely pick the right one as long as you know what they offer. So what’s it gonna be? NordVPN, ExpressVPN, or CyberGhost?
Frequently Asked Questions
After our extensive discussion about Surfshark alternatives, here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.
Is Surfshark a bad VPN?
Absolutely not! This is, in fact, one of the most reputable services in 2024 and represents a great choice for many users. It’s safe, secure, and great for streaming and torrenting. However, no VPN is perfect and we’re sure some of you won’t like it for one reason or another.
Our team at 01net, for example, found it a bit slower than NordVPN, ExpressVPN, and CyberGhost. Also, during our extensive tests, we found that its kill switch sometimes isn’t working properly, which can expose your IP address and eliminate the layer of encryption.
This happens very rarely and in 99% of the cases, the provider will work just fine. Of course, if you’re in the 1%, you’ll be glad to know that there are some great alternatives to Surfshark. In that case, get a refund from this provider and go for another one – it’s that simple.
Are there cheaper VPNs than Surfshark that are better?
Well, not necessarily. CyberGhost is priced similarly to this provider. It’s a tad cheaper for the 2-year plan, so we can say that this is a better, yet cheaper alternative. There’s also Private Internet Access at a cheaper price but in our opinion, it’s not better than this provider.
If you’re looking for a cheaper alternative, CyberGhost is pretty much your only choice if you’re seeking a better provider. It offers more servers and faster speeds, making it more than a viable choice.
Can a proxy replace Surfshark?
No, it can’t replace a single VPN. Proxy is something else and it has no relation to the VPN other than the fact that it can hide your IP. Surfshark is always a better choice, and if you want a replacement, get one of the providers we presented above.
NordVPN and CyberGhost, for example, offer antivirus, which gives you 360-degree protection against hackers, snoopers, and malware. ExpressVPN has superb privacy and security, offering top-grade performance. Thus, using a proxy that offers none of these features would be unwise.
