Best Surfshark alternatives in 2024

Chances are that if you’re looking for a Surfshark alternative, then Surfshark doesn’t quite meet what you’re looking for in a Virtual Private Network (VPN). While it offers very fast speeds, a couple of the alternatives covered in this post offer significantly more. Whatever the reason you’re looking for a Surfshark alternative, you’ll find it here.

The best Surfshark alternatives are those that offer many of the same benefits while adding a few other advantages of their own. Some will have servers in different countries, not keep any connection logs, or provide a more affordable month-to-month plan. While they’re not all necessarily better than Surfshark, we believe they’re the best alternatives to be found. With any luck, you’ll find a VPN that best fits your specific needs.

You can read reviews of the best Surfshark alternatives a little further down. First, here’s a quick rundown of each in case you don’t have time to read the full post:

1. NordVPN: The best Surfshark alternative. Offers more servers (6,000+) and comparable speeds. Specialty P2P and Onion Over VPN servers. No-logs VPN with 24/7 support. Also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
2. ExpressVPN: Another great Surfshark alternative. 3,000+ servers in 105 countries. Particularly fast and offers quality live chat and email support, 24/7.
3. CyberGhost: One of the largest server networks (11,000+ in 100+ countries). Fastest speeds tested. Strict no-logs policy.
4. IPVanish: Averaged faster speeds than Surfshark in our speed tests. Also offers unlimited simultaneous connections per account.
5. PrivateVPN: Provides equally strong unblocking and good overall speeds. Just as easy to use with apps for desktop and mobile.
6. Hotspot Shield: Global server network and good speeds. Like Surfshark, it works in China. Strong encryption as well as automatic wi-fi protection.

Best Surfshark alternatives

You might be wondering how a VPN makes our list of the best Surfshark alternatives. After all, there’s an ever-increasing number of VPN services competing for attention. We looked for VPNs that, at a minimum, are able to provide the following:

• Servers across dozens of countries worldwide
• Fast speeds coupled with unlimited bandwidth
• Plenty of security features including encryption
• Strict no-logs policy to protect your privacy
• Live chat and email support 24 hours a day
• Money-back guarantee so you can try it risk-free

Here’s our list of the best Surfshark alternatives:

1. NordVPN

Dec 2024

NordVPN is the best Surfshark alternative thanks to its larger server network and faster speeds. Overall, it has more than 6,000 servers (approximately double the number of Surfshark), available in nearly 61 countries.

Speeds averaged 369 Mbps in our most recent tests which was marginally faster than Surfshark’s average of 324 Mbps. NordVPN is equally capable when it comes to bypassing content restrictions such as those of streaming services like Netflix.

With NordVPN, you’ll have access to various specialty servers including those that are optimized for P2P. Onion Over VPN servers provide you with even greater security should you need it. However, there are plenty of other security features available including 256-bit AES encryption, a kill switch, and DNS and IPv6 leak protection. NordVPN operates a strict no-logs policy, which has even been independently audited by PwC Switzerland. If you need help, 24/7 support is available.

NordVPN apps can be downloaded for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. Browser extensions are available for Chrome and Firefox. NordVPN is compatible with select routers although the connection does need to be manually configured.

BEST SURFSHARK ALTERNATIVE:NordVPN is our top pick. It has over 6,000 servers in all and offers fast, unthrottled connections. Option of Onion Over VPN and P2P specialty servers. No-logs service with 24-hour support. You can even try it risk-free thanks to the 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full NordVPN review.

2. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN is a strong all-rounder, providing a similar network to Surfshark with more than 3,000 servers in 105 countries. However, it’s faster than Surfshark, making it even more suitable for bandwidth-intensive activities such as streaming and gaming. ExpressVPN can be used to securely access the likes of Netflix and Amazon Prime from abroad.

Your online security is assured with ExpressVPN’s use of 256-bit AES encryption and its kill switch feature. It doesn’t keep any identifying logs of users and protects you from DNS, IPv6, and WebRTC leaks. You can use ExpressVPN on eight devices at the same time. Like most high-quality VPNs, it provides 24-hour live chat and email support. This support is particularly fast and knowledgeable, making it easy to troubleshoot issues.

ExpressVPN provides apps for desktop (Windows, Mac, and Linux) and mobile (Android and iOS). You’ll also find apps for Android TV and Amazon Fire TV as well as browser extensions for Chrome, Firefox, and Edge. ExpressVPN stands out for its custom firmware for wi-fi routers.

BEST VALUE VPN:ExpressVPN has a network of 3,000+ servers covering 105 countries. No bandwidth throttling and works well with Netflix. Beginner-friendly apps and excellent 24-hour support. No identifying logs and uses encryption. Includes a 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full ExpressVPN review.

3. CyberGhost

CyberGhost offers far more servers than Surfshark and indeed any other Surfshark alternative. Its network exceeds 11,000 servers in over 100 countries. The advantage of this is that there’s always a server close to your physical location for faster speeds. Speaking of speed, CyberGhost is the fastest VPN we’ve tested. It averaged an impressive 548 Mbps, so it’s easy to stream Netflix content in 4K without having to contend with lag or buffering.

This is a highly secure service. Aside from 256-bit AES encryption, an automatic kill switch, and DNS leak protection, it has a strict no-logs policy. Similar to Surfshark, CyberGhost offers a Windows antivirus as part of its Windows security suite. However, one key difference is that CyberGhost also offers its own private browser. As part of your account, you’ll have access to 24/7 live chat and email support. You can also connect seven devices at once.

Once signed up with CyberGhost, you can access apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. Chrome and Firefox browser extensions can also be downloaded. As with most VPNs, manual setup is required to use CyberGhost with routers.

FASTEST SPEEDS:CyberGhost has some 11,000 servers — far more than Surfshark. It’s also the fastest VPN we’ve tested and works with Netflix US. No-logs service with a Windows security suite and 24/7 support. Use it on seven devices at once. 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full CyberGhost review.

4. IPVanish

IPVanish sets itself apart from Surfshark and indeed most VPNs when it comes to server speed. Averaging 488 Mbps in our tests, only CyberGhost was faster. If you require high-speed connections for 4K streaming or online gaming, IPVanish is more than capable. It includes unlimited bandwidth and is compatible with multiple Netflix libraries, Netflix US included. It’s also worth noting that IPVanish lets you connect as many devices as you like at the same time.

This VPN includes live chat and email support, which is available 24 hours per day. IPVanish has a zero-logs policy, which means that your IP address, browsing history, and the like stay private. As expected from a major VPN, IPVanish also offers 256-bit AES encryption and protection from DNS leaks. Should the VPN connection drop, the kill switch feature cuts your internet traffic. This is particularly useful if you’re on public wi-fi and want to minimize the risk of data exposure.

IPVanish has apps for Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. You can use it with Linux and some compatible routers, but manual setup is required in these cases.

NO CONNECTION LIMIT:IPVanish is one of the fastest VPNs you can use and now has more than 2,200 servers and 40,000 IP addresses available. It allows unlimited simultaneous connections per account and 24/7 support. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full IPVanish review.

5. PrivateVPN

PrivateVPN can be used for accessing all kinds of geo-restricted content. This includes streaming services such as Netflix, Disney+, and HBO Max. Its servers cover dozens of countries while connection speeds are both fast and consistent thanks to unlimited bandwidth. Streaming is free from lag and buffering. PrivateVPN has also recently increased its connection limit. You can now use it on as many as 10 devices at once.

You don’t need to provide much personal information to sign up with PrivateVPN — only an email address. Furthermore, there’s the option to pay anonymously in Bitcoin. This highly secure VPN service uses 256-bit AES encryption and has DNS leak protection and a kill switch. There’s live chat support, while the email support only takes a few minutes to reply on average. While Surfshark temporarily keeps some connection logs, PrivateVPN doesn’t.

You’ll find PrivateVPN’s beginner-friendly apps for desktop and mobile: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, and Amazon Fire TV. If you’d like to use PrivateVPN with Linux or your wifi router, you’ll need to manually configure this connection.

ONLINE ANONYMITY:PrivateVPN has strong unblocking and reliable connections for streaming and torrenting. Easy to use thanks to beginner-friendly apps and quality customer support. No-logs policy and anonymous Bitcoin payment. 30-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full PrivateVPN review.

6. Hotspot Shield

Hotspot Shield currently has over 3,200 servers, which is roughly the same as Surfshark. Better still, these servers are spread across more than 80 countries, which is far more than most rival VPNs. As such, you should be able to access a variety of geo-restricted content while traveling abroad, streaming platforms included. While not the fastest VPN on this list, its speeds are more than fast enough for streaming as well as online gaming. Hotspot Shield offers unlimited bandwidth.

You shouldn’t have too many issues with what is a user-friendly service. If you do, 24-hour live chat and email support is at hand. Once signed up with Hotspot Shield, you can secure five of your devices with one account. Security comes in the form of 256-bit AES encryption, DNS leak protection, and a kill switch. The auto-protect feature ensures Hotspot Shield connects automatically when you use public wi-fi. Last but not least, it doesn’t keep identifying logs of its users.

Hotspot Shield has apps for the following: Windows, Mac, Android, iOS, Linux, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV. You’ll also find a Chrome browser extension, and you can configure Hotspot Shield manually on select routers.

GENEROUS GUARANTEE:Hotspot Shield has a network covering over 80 countries. Speeds are fast enough for streaming and you can connect five devices at once. Secure with encryption and kill switch feature. Includes a particularly lengthy 45-day money-back guarantee.

Read our full Hotspot Shield review.

How to use a Surfshark alternative VPN

A VPN may sound a little technical, particularly if it’s your first time using one. Fortunately, the best Surfshark alternatives make it very easy for you to connect to a server.

Here’s how you can use the best Surfshark alternatives:

1. Sign up with one of the best Surfshark alternatives. We particularly recommend NordVPN.
2. Download and install the VPN app on your device. This shouldn’t take more than a minute or two.
3. Open the VPN app and connect to a server in your preferred location. For example, a server in the US if you need a US IP address.
4. You can now go to the website or service you’re trying to access. It should now be accessible regardless of where you are.
5. Didn’t work? Clearing your cookies often fixes the problem. Otherwise, you should try a different server or ask your VPN’s customer support for further guidance.

Methodology: How we found the best Surfshark alternatives

It goes without saying that not every VPN can be considered the best Surfshark alternative. After all, there are hundreds of services available, many of which are found to be lacking in key aspects, be it security or speed. Below, we’ve laid out our methodology which helped us find the right VPNs to recommend.

• Servers worldwide: We don’t know which country you’re from or where you’re traveling to, but we do know that having access to a global network of servers helps. The VPNs we recommend have networks covering dozens of countries including the US, Canada, and the UK. This makes it easier to access content and find a fast nearby server.
• Speed: A VPN should allow you to continue your online activities as normal, albeit with an extra layer of security. Unfortunately, some VPNs throttle your bandwidth, preventing you from streaming or torrenting. To find the fastest VPNs, we carried out speed tests. Most of those we recommend use the WireGuard protocol and offer unlimited bandwidth.
• Access to streaming platforms: Your VPN’s ability to access streaming services becomes all the more important when you travel abroad, be it for work or vacation. All of the sudden, your favorite content can become limited or completely off-limits. Fortunately, a VPN can help you bypass such restrictions, although some VPNs (such as those listed) are better at this than others.
• Security: For starters, a VPN should encrypt your data with 256-bit AES encryption. This ensures that hackers and snoopers can’t see your data. We also look for VPNs that, at a minimum, offer DNS leak protection and a kill switch. Some of the best Surfshark alternatives offer extras including Double VPN servers.
• Privacy: If you want your browsing activity to remain private, many VPNs (particularly free VPNs) are best avoided. The reason for this is that some keep logs to sell to third parties. However, you don’t need to worry about this with a no-logs VPN service. We’ve looked at 140 VPN logging policies to find the most privacy-friendly.
• Ease of use: Not all VPN apps are easy to use. The good news is that in reviewing a VPN, we test its apps ourselves. Not only do we look for VPNs with user-friendly apps, we also check that they offer customer support. In the case of the best Surfshark alternatives, live chat and email support is offered day and night.
• Value for money: The challenge is to find VPNs that offer all of the above while remaining affordable. In many cases, we found that VPNs only ticked a few boxes yet worked out to be more expensive. The best Surfshark alternatives come with money-back guarantees and you can save extra with our VPN discount coupons.

Our VPN testing methodology, allows us to fully assess a VPN service and everything it has to offer, providing you with information that’s accurate and up-to-date.

Best Surfshark alternatives: FAQs