Proton VPN vs Surfshark
Proton VPN and Surfshark tie at 8.7/10 overall, so the choice comes down to which criteria matter more to you.
8.7/10, Excellent
8.7/10, Excellent
Criterion by criterion
Where each one wins
Proton VPN9.5
Four independent no-logs audits, open-source apps and Swiss jurisdiction.
Privacy & audits
30% weight
Surfshark8.5
Independent no-logs assessment published, operating from the Netherlands.
Proton VPN9.0
Secure Core multi-hop, WireGuard, kill switch and NetShield blocking.
Security features
20% weight
Surfshark8.5
WireGuard, kill switch, multi-hop and rotating IP options.
Proton VPN8.0
Unlimited-data free tier; paid plans are mid-priced.
Value for money
20% weight
Surfshark9.0
Low long-term pricing combined with unlimited devices.
Proton VPN8.5
Open-source apps on all major platforms, including Linux.
Apps & ease of use
15% weight
Surfshark8.0
Apps on all major platforms, though the extra features add some clutter.
Proton VPN7.5
Ten devices on paid plans, but only one on the free tier.
Devices & flexibility
15% weight
Surfshark9.5
No limit on simultaneous connections on paid plans.
Published facts
Side by side
| Fact | Proton VPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Free plan | Yes | No |
| Money-back window | 30 days | 30 days |
| Simultaneous devices | 10 on paid plans; 1 on free | Unlimited |
| Independent audit published | Yes | Yes |
| Company jurisdiction | Switzerland | Netherlands |
| Main platforms | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android | Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android |
Verdict
Which should you pick?
Choose Proton VPN if…
You want something best for privacy-minded users who want a trustworthy free tier.
- + Free tier with no data cap
- + Four independent no-logs audits
- + Open-source apps
Choose Surfshark if…
You want something best for families and anyone with lots of devices.
- + Unlimited simultaneous devices
- + Strong value on longer plans
- + Independent no-logs assessment
Checked 1 Nov 2026.
Questions
Proton VPN vs Surfshark: quick answers
Is Proton VPN better than Surfshark?
Proton VPN and Surfshark tie at 8.7/10 overall, so the choice comes down to which criteria matter more to you. Proton VPN scores higher on privacy & audits, security features, apps & ease of use. Surfshark scores higher on value for money, devices & flexibility.
Who should choose Surfshark over Proton VPN?
Surfshark is best for families and anyone with lots of devices. Proton VPN is best for privacy-minded users who want a trustworthy free tier.
How were Proton VPN and Surfshark scored?
Both were scored on the same 5 weighted criteria for VPN services, using public information such as published plans and terms. We do not lab-test products.