Surfshark is one of the most affordable and feature-packed VPNs on the market. With prices starting as low as $2.49/month for its 2-year plan, it‘s an enticing option for those seeking privacy and security on a budget.
But with so many VPN providers out there, you may be wondering: is Surfshark really worth your money in 2023?
We took an in-depth look at what Surfshark costs, what you get for the price, and how it compares to rivals like ExpressVPN and NordVPN. Read on as we break down whether Surfshark offers strong value or if you should spend your cash elsewhere.
Online Privacy Matters Now More Than Ever
Before getting into the nitty gritty details, it‘s important to understand why online privacy has become so critical in today‘s digital age.
Over 4,000 data breaches were reported in 2022 exposing over 3.3 billion records, according to Tenable Research. And a staggering 74% of all internet traffic is tracked by advertisers and other third parties according to a VPNOverview study.
VPNs like Surfshark encrypt all of your online activity and hide your IP address. This prevents hackers, ISPs, and advertisers from accessing your personal data or spying on your internet use.
With Surfshark, you can browse, shop, bank, and use social media with the peace of mind that your data is secure. Plus, you can access geo-restricted content on Netflix, Hulu, BBC iPlayer, and more – a nice bonus!
But is Surfshark the best VPN for your needs and budget? Let‘s break down the pricing.
Surfshark Pricing Breakdown
One of the main selling points of Surfshark is affordability. Here‘s what Surfshark costs in 2023:
| Plan | Monthly Price | Total Billed |
|---|---|---|
| 1 month | $12.95/mo | $12.95/mo |
| 6 months | $6.49/mo | $38.94 for 6 mos |
| 12 months | $3.99/mo | $59.76 for 12 mos |
| 24 months | $2.49/mo | $59.76 now + $59.76 after 24 mos |
*Prices accurate as of February 2023
The longer you subscribe, the bigger the savings. Going for the 2-year plan brings the monthly cost down to only $2.49!
Surfshark also offers a premium bundle called Surfshark One if you want additional security tools:
| Plan | Monthly Price | Total Billed |
|---|---|---|
| 12 months | $4.09/mo | $14.44/mo |
| 24 months | $2.73/mo | $59.76 for 25 mos |
This includes Surfshark’s Antivirus software, private Search, and Alert for data breach warnings.
We‘ll analyze whether it‘s worth paying extra for Surfshark One later on. But first, let‘s see how Surfshark‘s pricing compares to the competition.
Surfshark VS. Rivals: Which VPN Offers the Best Value?
Surfshark is cheaper than most popular virtual private networks:
- ExpressVPN: $8.32 – $12.95/mo
- NordVPN: $3.29 – $11.99/mo
- CyberGhost: $2.25 – $12.99/mo
The only provider with lower prices is CyberGhost. However, experts like VPNMentor rate Surfshark higher than CyberGhost overall.
Here‘s how Surfshark‘s features stack up to top competitors:
| Features | Surfshark | ExpressVPN | NordVPN |
|---|---|---|---|
| Speed | Fast | Faster | Very Fast |
| Servers | 3,200+ servers | 3,000+ servers | 5,600+ servers |
| Streaming Unblocking | Great | Excellent | Good |
| Simultaneous Connections | Unlimited | 5 connections | 6 connections |
| Money-back guarantee | 30 days | 30 days | 30 days |
Surfshark offers unlimited device connections for the same price as ExpressVPN and NordVPN‘s limited plans. Surfshark also provides reliable Netflix and streaming unblocking.
Based on third-party speed tests, ExpressVPN and NordVPN may be a bit faster. But Surfshark has excellent speeds for most streaming, browsing, and torrenting.
Overall, Surfshark provides tremendous value compared to the top competitors. You get premium features and great performance for budget pricing.
Get the Best Surfshark Deal with These Savings Tips
Want to maximize savings on your Surfshark subscription? Use these money-saving tips:
Take Advantage of Limited-Time Discounts
Surfshark offers crazy discounts around major holidays and events. Their Black Friday/Cyber Monday sale last November slashed prices up to 83% off!
Signing up during a promotion can save you a ton of cash. Surfshark discounts don‘t come around too often, so jump on them when you have the chance!
Use the Refer a Friend Program
Referring your friends to try Surfshark earns you reward credits. For every sign-up through your link, you get 1 free month added to your subscription!
You can refer as many friends as you want, up to a maximum of 24 months of rewards. Refer 5 friends and you‘ll get Surfshark for free for an entire year!
Take Advantage of the 30-Day Money-Back Guarantee
All Surfshark plans come with a 30-day money-back guarantee. This lets you try out the service for a month risk-free.
If you‘re not fully happy with the VPN, you can get a full refund within 30 days of your purchase. It‘s a great way to "test drive" Surfshark.
Following these tips can help you maximize savings and get the lowest price on Surfshark VPN.
Surfshark Subscription Perks: What You Get for the Money
Surfshark offers a ton of great features and tools for your dollar. Here‘s what you‘ll gain with a paid subscription:
- Watertight security – military-grade AES 256-bit encryption, 2Hop connections, leak protection, and other security features keep your data locked down tight.
- Blazing fast speeds – Surfshark utilizes WireGuard and other protocols to enable speedy streaming, downloads, and general internet use.
- Access Netflix & more – Surfshark gets past the geo-restrictions on Netflix, BBC iPlayer, Disney+, Hulu and other sites, allowing you to access much more content.
- 3,200+ servers in 100+ countries – With plenty of server options worldwide, you‘ll always find a fast connection near you.
- No usage or bandwidth limits – Surfshark imposes no data caps or speed throttling. Use as much as you want!
- Unlimited device protection – Almost all VPNs limit device connections. Surfshark stands out by letting you secure every device in your home.
- 24/7 customer support – Help is available round-the-clock in case questions or issues arise. Customer service ranks among the best.
- No activity logging – Surfshark retains no logs of your activity while connected to preserve your privacy.
- Ad, malware, and tracker blocking – Surfshark‘s CleanWeb feature helps keep your connections secure and your devices safe.
For the price, having all these premium features at your fingertips makes Surfshark a very worthy investment.
Which Users Should Consider Surfshark?
Surfshark caters well to certain types of users more than others. Based on our analysis, here‘s a breakdown of who should consider using Surfshark VPN:
- Streamers – If you stream a lot of geo-blocked content like Netflix, Surfshark is a smart pick to unlock more movies and shows.
- Security-focused users – Tight encryption, advanced options like Multihop, and a solid no-logs policy provide peace of mind.
- Families and households – Unlimited device connections make it easy for families to secure every device in the home affordably.
- Techies and gamers – Surfshark optimizes connections for gaming, P2P downloading, and video streaming very well.
- International travelers – Surfshark‘s large server network in over 100 countries ensures fast, secure connections worldwide.
- Bargain hunters – For those wanting a premium VPN on a budget, Surfshark is a top contender.
However, Surfshark may not be the best choice for:
- Businesses requiring dedicated IPs – try CyberGhost instead
- Power users wanting advanced customization – NordVPN has more configuration options
- People who value raw speed above all else – ExpressVPN is a bit faster
The Bottom Line – Surfshark Offers Huge Bang for Your Buck
Let‘s sum it up – is Surfshark worth your money in 2023? The answer is a resounding yes!
You might be able to find cheaper VPNs out there. But Surfshark combines blazing speeds, watertight security, and access to tons of content into an affordable package.
Dollar for dollar, feature for feature, Surfshark competes toe-to-toe with top brands like ExpressVPN for a fraction of the price. It‘s a great choice for security-minded streamers, families, and anyone wanting premium quality on a budget.
If you sign up for 2 years during a discount period, Surfshark comes out to only around $2/month – an incredible bargain. Even without discounts, its 24-month plan costs just $2.49/month.
So if you‘re looking for a VPN this year, Surfshark should absolutely be on your shortlist. Take it for a spin with its 30-day refund policy to see for yourself. Chances are, you‘ll find it to be a stellar investment in protecting your privacy online.
