{
  "schemaVersion": "1.1",
  "id": "surfshark",
  "name": "Surfshark",
  "category": "Security",
  "franchise": {
    "id": "vpn",
    "name": "VPN"
  },
  "urls": {
    "page": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/surfshark",
    "markdown": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/surfshark.md",
    "json": "https://topratedsoftware.net/data/v1/reviews/surfshark.json",
    "api": "https://topratedsoftware.net/api/v1/products/surfshark"
  },
  "verdict": {
    "summary": "Surfshark offers the best household value of this group through unlimited device connections, a large RAM-only network, and a recently audited no-logs claim.",
    "label": "Best for Unlimited Devices",
    "full": "Surfshark is a full-featured VPN with exceptional household value, not merely a cheap alternative. Unlimited connections, a recently assessed no-logs policy, and advanced routing tools make Starter the sweet spot, provided the buyer understands the prepaid term and higher renewal economics.",
    "rating": 4.6,
    "ratingScale": 5,
    "bestFor": "Large households and value-focused users who need many simultaneous connections without per-device limits",
    "bestForList": [
      "Large households",
      "Users with many devices",
      "Budget-focused long-term buyers",
      "Configurable multi-hop routing"
    ]
  },
  "evidenceLevel": {
    "key": "expert_researched",
    "label": "Expert Researched",
    "handsOnTesting": false,
    "note": "Researched from vendor documentation, independent reports, and published pricing. No hands-on lab results are claimed."
  },
  "versionReviewed": "Surfshark 2026 desktop/mobile release channel; service documentation current 2026-08-02",
  "lastTestedAt": null,
  "author": "Michael Chen",
  "publishedAt": "2026-08-02",
  "updatedAt": "2026-10-21",
  "methodologyUrl": "https://topratedsoftware.net/how-we-test",
  "pricing": {
    "startingPrice": "From $2.49/mo for Starter on a promotional two-year offer",
    "hasFreeTier": false,
    "freshness": {
      "verifiedAt": "2026-10-21",
      "ageDays": 0,
      "status": "current",
      "note": "Verified 0 day(s) ago."
    },
    "plans": [
      {
        "name": "Starter",
        "price": "From $2.49",
        "period": "/mo introductory",
        "features": [
          "VPN",
          "Unlimited devices",
          "CleanWeb",
          "Alternative ID"
        ]
      },
      {
        "name": "One",
        "price": "From $2.49",
        "period": "/mo introductory",
        "features": [
          "Starter features",
          "Antivirus",
          "Alert",
          "Private Search"
        ]
      },
      {
        "name": "One+",
        "price": "From $3.99",
        "period": "/mo introductory",
        "features": [
          "One features",
          "Incogni data-removal service where available"
        ]
      }
    ],
    "livePricingUrl": "https://topratedsoftware.net/api/v1/products/surfshark/pricing"
  },
  "platforms": [
    "Windows",
    "macOS",
    "Linux",
    "iOS",
    "Android",
    "Chrome",
    "Firefox",
    "Edge",
    "Apple TV",
    "Android TV",
    "Fire TV"
  ],
  "keyFeatures": [
    "Unlimited simultaneous device connections",
    "4,500+ servers in 100 countries",
    "WireGuard, OpenVPN, and IKEv2 support",
    "Dynamic MultiHop and IP Rotator",
    "CleanWeb blocking and Alternative ID",
    "Deloitte-assessed no-logs policy"
  ],
  "pros": [
    "Unlimited simultaneous device connections under normal consumer use",
    "Low introductory price for the Starter long-term plan",
    "Deloitte assessed the no-logs policy under ISAE 3000 in 2025",
    "Publicly reported 4,500+ server network across 100 countries",
    "Advanced routing options include Dynamic MultiHop and IP rotation"
  ],
  "cons": [
    "Renewal pricing is substantially higher than the headline introductory rate",
    "Monthly pricing is expensive relative to long-term promotions",
    "Unlimited connections remain subject to account and fair-use terms",
    "Antivirus and data-removal features require higher tiers"
  ],
  "scores": [
    {
      "criterion": "Value",
      "score": 4.9,
      "weight": 1.5
    },
    {
      "criterion": "Privacy & Transparency",
      "score": 4.6,
      "weight": 1.3
    },
    {
      "criterion": "Security Features",
      "score": 4.7,
      "weight": 1
    },
    {
      "criterion": "Device Flexibility",
      "score": 5,
      "weight": 1
    },
    {
      "criterion": "Ease of Use",
      "score": 4.5,
      "weight": 0.8
    }
  ],
  "alternatives": [
    {
      "id": "nordvpn",
      "name": "NordVPN",
      "rating": 4.8,
      "differentiator": "More repeated no-logs assurance work and Meshnet",
      "price": "From $3.49/mo introductory",
      "url": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/nordvpn"
    },
    {
      "id": "expressvpn",
      "name": "ExpressVPN",
      "rating": 4.7,
      "differentiator": "Simpler premium experience and broader selectable-location count",
      "price": "From $2.99/mo introductory",
      "url": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/expressvpn"
    }
  ],
  "faqs": [
    {
      "question": "Did TopRatedSoftware run speed tests on Surfshark?",
      "answer": "No. This is an expert-researched review based on vendor documentation, published audit information, and market research. We do not claim a measured speed result."
    },
    {
      "question": "Does Surfshark really allow unlimited devices?",
      "answer": "Its consumer plans advertise unlimited simultaneous connections for legitimate account use, subject to the current subscription terms and abuse controls."
    },
    {
      "question": "Was Surfshark’s no-logs policy audited?",
      "answer": "Deloitte performed an ISAE 3000 reasonable-assurance engagement in 2025 addressing controls supporting Surfshark’s no-logs description. Review the current report and scope for precise conclusions."
    }
  ],
  "sources": [
    {
      "label": "Surfshark pricing and network page",
      "url": "https://surfshark.com/pricing",
      "note": "Official source for plan structure, billing cycles, 4,500+ servers in 100 countries, and live pricing checked 2026-10-21."
    },
    {
      "label": "Surfshark Trust Center",
      "url": "https://surfshark.com/trust-center",
      "note": "Vendor hub for independent assurance and security information, including the 2025 Deloitte no-logs work."
    },
    {
      "label": "Surfshark no-logs policy",
      "url": "https://surfshark.com/features/no-logs-policy",
      "note": "Vendor explanation of the no-logs claim and independent review history."
    },
    {
      "label": "Surfshark server locations",
      "url": "https://surfshark.com/servers",
      "note": "Live vendor directory used for current geographic and infrastructure context."
    }
  ],
  "disclosures": {
    "affiliate": "TopRatedSoftware may earn a commission from some links. Commissions never affect scores or ranking order.",
    "imagery": "No screenshots published yet. We do not substitute stock photos or vendor marketing images."
  },
  "citation": {
    "preferred": "Surfshark review — TopRatedSoftware (https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/surfshark)",
    "url": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/surfshark",
    "license": "All rights reserved",
    "dataLicense": "CC BY 4.0"
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "id": "verdict.summary",
      "label": "Verdict",
      "value": "Surfshark offers the best household value of this group through unlimited device connections, a large RAM-only network, and a recently audited no-logs claim.",
      "url": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/surfshark#fact-verdict-summary"
    },
    {
      "id": "verdict.rating",
      "label": "Overall rating",
      "value": 4.6,
      "url": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/surfshark#fact-verdict-rating",
      "scale": 5
    },
    {
      "id": "verdict.bestFor",
      "label": "Best for",
      "value": "Large households and value-focused users who need many simultaneous connections without per-device limits",
      "url": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/surfshark#fact-verdict-bestfor"
    },
    {
      "id": "pricing.startingPrice",
      "label": "Starting price",
      "value": "From $2.49/mo for Starter on a promotional two-year offer",
      "url": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/surfshark#fact-pricing-startingprice"
    },
    {
      "id": "pricing.verifiedAt",
      "label": "Price verified",
      "value": "2026-10-21",
      "url": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/surfshark#fact-pricing-verifiedat",
      "status": "current"
    },
    {
      "id": "evidenceLevel",
      "label": "Evidence level",
      "value": "Expert Researched",
      "url": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/surfshark#fact-evidencelevel",
      "handsOnTesting": false
    },
    {
      "id": "scores.value",
      "label": "Value",
      "value": 4.9,
      "url": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/surfshark#fact-scores-value",
      "scale": 5,
      "weight": 1.5
    },
    {
      "id": "scores.privacy-transparency",
      "label": "Privacy & Transparency",
      "value": 4.6,
      "url": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/surfshark#fact-scores-privacy-transparency",
      "scale": 5,
      "weight": 1.3
    },
    {
      "id": "scores.security-features",
      "label": "Security Features",
      "value": 4.7,
      "url": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/surfshark#fact-scores-security-features",
      "scale": 5,
      "weight": 1
    },
    {
      "id": "scores.device-flexibility",
      "label": "Device Flexibility",
      "value": 5,
      "url": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/surfshark#fact-scores-device-flexibility",
      "scale": 5,
      "weight": 1
    },
    {
      "id": "scores.ease-of-use",
      "label": "Ease of Use",
      "value": 4.5,
      "url": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/surfshark#fact-scores-ease-of-use",
      "scale": 5,
      "weight": 0.8
    },
    {
      "id": "sources.1",
      "label": "Surfshark pricing and network page",
      "value": "https://surfshark.com/pricing",
      "url": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/surfshark#fact-sources-1"
    },
    {
      "id": "sources.2",
      "label": "Surfshark Trust Center",
      "value": "https://surfshark.com/trust-center",
      "url": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/surfshark#fact-sources-2"
    },
    {
      "id": "sources.3",
      "label": "Surfshark no-logs policy",
      "value": "https://surfshark.com/features/no-logs-policy",
      "url": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/surfshark#fact-sources-3"
    },
    {
      "id": "sources.4",
      "label": "Surfshark server locations",
      "value": "https://surfshark.com/servers",
      "url": "https://topratedsoftware.net/reviews/surfshark#fact-sources-4"
    }
  ]
}