Surfshark VPN is a comprehensive VPN solution that offers a good balance between security and affordable prices.
In this article, we explain how to set up and use Surfshark VPN. We also answer some frequently asked questions about Surfshark and its features.
1
Semperis
Employees by company size
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1000-4999), Business (5000+)
Large (between 1,000 and 4,999 employees), enterprise (more than 5,000 employees)
Large, Company
Characteristics
Advanced attack detection, advanced automation, anywhere recovery and more
2
ESET PROTECT Advanced
Employees by company size
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1000-4999), Business (5000+)
Any size of company
Any size of company
Characteristics
Advanced Threat Defense, Full Disk Encryption, Modern Endpoint Protection, Server Security
3
gray trunk
Employees by company size
Micro (0-49), Small (50-249), Medium (250-999), Large (1000-4999), Business (5000+)
Medium (250-999 employees), Large (1,000-4,999 employees), Enterprise (5,000+ employees)
Medium, Large, Company
Characteristics
Anomaly detection, audit logs, compliance reports and more
How to set up and use Surfshark VPN
1. Choose a Surfshark VPN subscription
Surfshark offers three subscription tiers for its VPN: Surfshark Starter, Surfshark One, and Surfshark One+. Each tier offers a monthly, annual and two-year subscription. If you're curious about the difference between the three levels, here's a quick breakdown:
- Surfing Shark Starter – Basic VPN functionality with ad and cookie blocker.
- Shark surfing one – Fully featured Starter with additional security features such as a private search engine, breach alerts, and antivirus protection.
- Surfshark One+ – All One Features plus data removal from company databases and search sites.
In our hands-on review, Surfshark VPN received a score of 4.6 out of 5 stars.
Of the annual subscriptions, I find Surfshark One to be the best value for money. For $4.09 per month, you get the VPN and additional security features at the lowest possible cost. Of course, the best plan for you will depend on your needs and those of your organization.
Fortunately, Surfshark VPN offers a 7-day free trial through its macOS, iOS, and Android apps.
If you are a Windows PC user like me, you have nothing to worry about. Since Surfshark provides unlimited access to its VPN, all you have to do is access a free trial through one of the platforms above. Once you've done that, you'll be able to log in to your Windows PC as usual.
2. Download and configure Surfshark
Since I am going for the free Android trial, I downloaded the Surfshark mobile app on my Google Pixel 6 Android smartphone.
Once downloaded, I created a Surfshark account and took advantage of the free trial (Figure B). You can do the same via an iPhone, iPad, or macOS device or purchase a Surfshark subscription directly.
Please note that the Surfshark free trial requires you to provide certain payment information to access. If you're not up for it, you can check out our list of the best free VPNs available in 2024.
Once I had a Surfshark account and activated the free trial, I downloaded the Surfshark desktop app for Windows from their official website.
When running the setup file, the app asked me to log in.
Once I logged in, I was redirected to the main Surfshark dashboard and the VPN was working!
3. Using Surfshark VPN
Like most VPN solutions, Surfshark has an outstanding On offswitch that connects you to a secure VPN server. In the case of Surfshark, it has a Fast connection (see Figure F) that connects you to the fastest server available based on your location.
Simply click the Quick Connect button or one of the server locations and it will route your Internet traffic over a secure connection. In this case, the Surfshark server in Hong Kong was the fastest server near me.
Once I clicked the Quick Connect button, Surfshark showed me information about my connection to one of their VPN servers. This includes things like my new IP address, connection time, and VPN protocol currently in use (Figure G).
At this point, we are already connected to the Internet through a secure Surfshark VPN connection.
Surfshark VPN FAQ (FAQ)
Is Surfshark VPN free?
No, Surfshark does not have a free plan. However, it offers a 7-day free trial across macOS, iOS, and Android.
They also have a 30-day money-back guarantee, which allows you to request a refund of your initial monthly payment if you discover that their service is not for you.
How many devices are there in Surfshark VPN?
You can use an unlimited number of devices with Surfshark VPN. This means you can connect your smartphone, computer, tablet and other devices simultaneously without worrying about paying an additional fee to protect more devices.
How to use Surfshark on multiple devices?
If you already have a Surfshark account and want to use the VPN on another device, simply download the Surfshark app on that device and sign in with your Surfshark account.
No additional plans or subscriptions are needed to connect multiple devices, as Surfshark supports unlimited device connections for its VPN.
How many servers does Surfshark VPN have?
As of February 2024, Surfshark VPN has over 3,200 servers spread across 100 countries. Please note that server network numbers can fluctuate, so these numbers may vary over time.
How to get the most out of Surfshark?
As a VPN, Surfshark can be used in several ways for your business. Here are some use cases that can help you get the most out of Surfshark VPN:
- Connect to a secure VPN server while connected to public Wi-Fi when you're working remotely, in a coffee shop, or in a coworking space.
- Select a different IP address to hide your location and protect yourself from unwanted trackers.
- Encrypt your online activity while doing confidential business work online.
- Access geographically restricted online content necessary for research purposes.
- Avoid travel restrictions when on business trips abroad.
What operating systems does Surfshark VPN support?
Surfshark is compatible with Windows, macOS, and Linux desktop operating systems. For browsers, Chrome, Firefox and Edge also have Surfshark apps. Surfshark is also available for Android, iOS and FireTV.
What if Surfshark VPN is not working?
You can access the official Surfshark help page, which hosts a variety of guides and support articles for common topics and questions.
Surfshark also offers 24/7 live chat and email support for more pressing issues you may encounter with their service.
Should you leave Surfshark VPN on all the time?
Yes, the ideal is to leave Surfshark VPN activated all the time. When you leave your VPN connection activated, you minimize the risk of hackers exploiting your data and online activity. This is because all of your online activity is routed through an encrypted connection, making it unreadable to malicious third parties.
VPNs like Surfshark work best as “set it and forget it” apps, protecting your online privacy without hindering your daily activities.
The only time I would recommend turning off your VPN connection is when you are using an app or service that requires your real location. This is because a VPN connection uses a different IP address and location than yours.
You can also disable your Surfshark VPN connection when you experience slower internet speed. Since you're routing your online activity through another channel, VPN speeds can slow your overall Internet speed compared to when you're connected to your Internet Service Provider.
What we think of Surfshark VPN
In our full review, Surfshark VPN received a score of 4.6 stars out of 5. We highlighted its affordable long-term plans and 100-country server network. We also praise its support for an unlimited number of devices, making it a great cost-effective option compared to other VPNs on the market.
If you want to learn more, read our full Surfshark VPN review and analysis here.
