Surfshark vs Proton VPN
Head-to-head comparison based on real testing data — February 2026
Winner: Surfshark wins in 4 out of 7 categories
Category-by-Category
| Category | Surfshark | Proton VPN | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | 9.4 | vs | 9.3 |
| Privacy | 9.0 | vs | 9.8 |
| Streaming | 9.3 | vs | 8.8 |
| Security | 9.1 | vs | 9.6 |
| Price | $1.99/mo | vs | $4.49/mo |
| Servers | 3,200+ | vs | 9,500+ |
| Devices | Unlimited | vs | 10 |
Speed Comparison
Surfshark has a -6% speed drop while Proton VPN shows -8%. Surfshark takes this category with faster real-world performance. Speed data is based on independent benchmarks across multiple protocols and server locations.
Privacy Comparison
Surfshark is based in Netherlands while Proton VPN operates from Switzerland. Proton VPN edges ahead in privacy with a stronger overall privacy profile. Scores are based on no-logs policies, audit history, jurisdiction, encryption standards, and leak protection.
Streaming Comparison
Surfshark unblocks 5 streaming services while Proton VPN unblocks 4. Surfshark wins this category with more reliable streaming access across platforms. Streaming compatibility is evaluated across multiple platforms and server locations.
Security Comparison
Both Surfshark and Proton VPN offer AES-256 encryption and kill switch protection. Proton VPN scores higher in security due to additional features and infrastructure hardening. Security scores are based on encryption, protocol implementation, DNS/IP leak protection, kill switch reliability, and server infrastructure.
Full Specification Comparison
| Feature | Surfshark | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Protocols | WireGuard, OpenVPN, IKEv2 | WireGuard, OpenVPN, Stealth |
| Encryption | AES-256 | AES-256 |
| Kill Switch | Yes | Yes |
| Split Tunneling | Yes | Yes |
| Multi-hop | Yes | Yes |
| Ad Blocker | Yes | Yes |
| Jurisdiction | Netherlands | Switzerland |
| Simultaneous Connections | Unlimited | 10 |
| Server Count | 3,200+ | 9,500+ |
| Country Count | 100 | 117 |
| Speed Drop | -6% | -8% |
| Lowest Price | $1.99/mo | $4.49/mo |
| Plan Length | 27mo plan | 2yr plan |
| Streaming Services | Netflix, Hulu, Disney+, BBC iPlayer, Amazon Prime | Netflix, Disney+, Amazon Prime, Peacock |