Club Benefits
Even the best VPN is worth a try before you buy, to ensure it's actually right for your needs.
Surfshark VPN is consistently highly ranked in reviews across the internet thanks to a combination of fast speeds, strong privacy features and helpful streaming support.
What does Surfshark VPN include?
Surfshark's VPN is a premium offering, packing in so many handy features alongside some top specs.
It offers VPN servers across more than 100 countries, AES-256 encryption, secure WireGuard protocol, a kill switch, split tunneling, and unlimited simultaneous connections. It even comes with an ad and tracker blocker via CleanWeb, plus MultiHop double VPN, for an added layer of anonymity.
[Surfshark] outperforms VPNs that cost twice as much, and the apps are very well designed to make staying safe online as easy as possible.
Mo Harber-Lamond, VPN Editor at Tom's Guide
Streaming is also well covered here with the ability to unblock plenty of popular services while ensuring speeds stay high. You can also expect plenty of app support, working across Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Linux, smart TVs and browser extensions. All that and there is a consistent, clean and intuitive interface across platforms.
Beyond the VPN itself there are also extra cybersecurity tools included with higher end subscriptions in its Surfshark One and Surfshark One+ tiers. These include antivirus protection, data breach monitoring, webcam protection, and in the case of One+, a data removal service. All of which can mean a full digital security setup.
Is Surfshark a good VPN?
In Tom's Guide's rigorous testing, Surfshark VPN got an impressive 4.5 stars — one of the highest ratings we have ever handed out to a VPN.
Speed is a standout asset of this "seriously fast VPN" that offers "excellent speeds with WireGuard enabled" and "incredibly fast short-distance connections". That means this is a great option for rich 4K streaming, lag-free gaming and stable browsing sessions.
To focus on streaming, this is another standout area when it comes to unblocking and performance. That covers off the big names like Netflix, Disney Plus and BBC iPlayer and applies to travelling abroad as well as accessing international libraries when needed. In the words of our VPN Editor, Mo Harber-Lamond, this "unblocked almost every streaming site I tested it with", perhaps thanks to the fact that "every server is streaming-optimized, eliminating specific servers".
Privacy is another area that's worth shouting about. Surfshark offers a strict no-logs policy and operates RAM servers, meaning no data is ever written to disk. All this is backed by independent audits to ensure those security credentials are verified and trustworthy.
A rare treat, also included here, is the ability to have unlimited simultaneous connections at once, meaning you can use Surfshark on as many devices as you need, all at the same time. That makes this ideal for families or gadget-rich households.
For balance, it's worth noting the review did reveal that some advanced settings aren’t quite as granular as specialist privacy-first competitors. But for most users, especially those prioritizing speed, streaming and value, it’s an outstanding choice overall and — according to Mo — one that "should definitely be on your shortlist".
How to get a free trial to Surfshark VPN
Like the sound of Surfshark? The even better news is that the provider offers a 7-day free trial on its 12-month and 24-month plans. Here’s how to get it:
- Start by heading to Surfshark’s free trial page on its website.
- Choose either the 12-month or 24-month plan and hit "Start free trial".
- Create an account with an email address.
- Enter payment details (credit card or PayPal). Don't worry — you won't be charged anything at this point.
- Complete checkout and your 7-day free trial starts immediately.
Despite letting Surfshark have your payment details, you won’t be charged during the trial period.
You can download the app on your devices and use all the features included in your chosen plan. If you decide it’s not for you, simply disable auto-renewal in your account settings to ensure that no payments are taken after the trial week.
What you need to remember about the Surfshark free trial
- The free trial is only available on 12-month and 24-month plans.
- You must enter your credit card or PayPal details to activate it.
- After seven days, you’ll be charged automatically and the subscription will renew unless you cancel.
Are there any other ways to try Surfshark VPN for free?
There is the option to go beyond Surfshark's initial free 7-day trial if you want to experience it more deeply.
To do this, you can take advantage of its 30-day money-back guarantee. In this instance you will be charged for the full term of your chosen plan, but can easily claim a refund and cancel, should you wish to. This effectively gets you a 1-month free trial. To cancel, you can access customer support using Surfshark's live chat.
If you don't mind working a bit harder for your freebie, you could also take a look at prominent cashback sites. We've previously seen them offer 100% cashback for a Surfshark subscription.
Failing that, the 7-day free trial or 30-day money-back guarantee are excellent options to try Surfshark VPN before you buy.
We test and review VPN services in the context of legal recreational uses. For example: 1. Accessing a service from another country (subject to the terms and conditions of that service). 2. Protecting your online security and strengthening your online privacy when abroad. We do not support or condone the illegal or malicious use of VPN services. Consuming pirated content that is paid-for is neither endorsed nor approved by Future Publishing.
