Surfshark vs Proton VPN: quick answer
Quick answer: Choose Surfshark when unlimited simultaneous connections and the lower captured first-term total matter most. Choose Proton VPN when you want open-source apps, five consecutive annual no-logs audits, or a no-data-limit free plan for one device. We do not name a current speed or streaming winner without a reproducible head-to-head test.
Evidence checked: August 30, 2026. Verify live prices, renewal, platform support, and plan limits before purchase.
Surfshark vs Proton VPN at a glance
This table uses current official documentation and marks unfinished QuickVPNs tests instead of filling them with provider claims.
| Decision point | Surfshark | Proton VPN |
|---|---|---|
| Simultaneous connections | Unlimited | 10 on VPN Plus; 1 on Free |
| Free VPN plan | No | Yes; no data limit |
| No-logs evidence | Public Deloitte report for the 2025 engagement; Surfshark also cites a 2023 engagement | Fifth consecutive annual Securitum audit in 2026 |
| Open-source apps | No | Yes, production apps |
| Privacy-policy detail | Browsing history excluded; temporary connection details deleted within 15 minutes | VPN activity exclusions described separately from account data |
| US price capture, Aug. 30 | Starter: $67.23 first 27 months; renewal amount not shown in captured comparison | Paid values dynamic; no stable price frozen. Free plan available. |
| QuickVPNs speed / streaming retest | Pending — no performance winner declared | |
Compare current plans
Use live checkout for current totals and renewal. These commercial links are separate from the official sources used in the article.
Surfshark
- Unlimited simultaneous connections
- Public 2025 Deloitte report
- No free plan
Proton VPN
- Open-source production apps
- Free plan with no data limit
- Free plan supports one connection
What is Surfshark?
Surfshark is a paid consumer VPN with unlimited simultaneous connections. Its public 2025 Deloitte report describes the no-logs controls examined on June 10, 2025, while its privacy policy says temporary connection details are deleted within 15 minutes after a session.
Read the Surfshark review for plan, policy, and source limitations.
What is Proton VPN?
Proton VPN offers a one-connection Free plan with no data limit plus paid plans with ten simultaneous connections. Proton publicly links five consecutive annual Securitum no-logs reports through 2026 and publishes the source code for its production apps.
Read the Proton VPN review for the full plan and privacy-policy analysis.
What “cheaper” means in this comparison
There are two different price questions. Proton VPN Free has no subscription price and supports one connection. Surfshark has no free tier, but its paid plan permits unlimited simultaneous devices.
In our August 30, 2026 US capture, Surfshark Starter displayed $67.23 for the first 27 months. The comparable renewal amount was not visible in that captured table. Proton’s paid values were generated dynamically, so we did not freeze a misleading paid price.
Decision: Proton Free is the lower-cost route for one device if its limits fit. Surfshark gives one paid account a simpler device policy. For paid value, compare today’s total, renewal, taxes, and included services at checkout.
Surfshark vs Proton VPN: evidence by decision
Device policy
Surfshark permits unlimited simultaneous connections. Proton VPN Plus supports ten; Free supports one. This is an account-policy difference, not a quality score. Count the devices that must be connected at the same time and include phones, computers, TV devices, and any shared hardware.
Privacy and transparency
Both providers offer public audit evidence. Surfshark’s 2025 ISAE 3000 report states the scope, procedures, and point-in-time limitation. Proton VPN links five consecutive annual Securitum reports and publishes the source code for production apps. Open source improves client inspectability but does not prove server behavior.
Surfshark’s policy explicitly describes temporary connection information and a 15-minute deletion window. Proton’s policy distinguishes VPN activity exclusions from account data. Read the data categories, not only the “no logs” headline.
Price and plan scope
Surfshark’s first-term US capture was lower than the NordVPN capture used elsewhere in this cluster, but this page does not invent a direct paid-price winner against Proton because Proton’s values were dynamic. Proton Free creates a real zero-cost route; Surfshark’s unlimited-device policy can create better paid-account economics for a large household.
Features and platforms
Surfshark documents WireGuard, OpenVPN, kill switch, MultiHop, and split-tunneling features with platform limits. Proton documents WireGuard, Stealth, Secure Core, kill switch, NetShield, and alternative routing with plan and platform limits. Confirm the exact operating system and subscription tier for any feature you need.
Speed, streaming, leaks, and restricted networks
Not ranked in this revision. QuickVPNs has not completed a current equal-condition hands-on test for these services. Provider feature pages do not establish our speed, streaming, leak, or censorship result. See how we test VPN services.
Documented strengths and trade-offs
Surfshark
- Unlimited simultaneous devices
- Public 2025 Deloitte report
- Lower documented first-term total in the dated US capture
- No free plan
- Apps are not fully open source
- Comparable renewal amount was not visible in the captured pricing table
Proton VPN
- Open-source production apps
- Five consecutive annual no-logs reports linked publicly
- Free plan with no data limit
- Free plan supports one connection
- Paid price was not stable in our dynamic page capture
- Current QuickVPNs hands-on retest is pending
Who should choose Surfshark?
- You need unlimited simultaneous connections on one paid account.
- The initial total shown in the live checkout fits your budget after you inspect renewal.
- You want to read the public 2025 Deloitte report and its scope.
- Its documented features are available on every platform you need.
Who should choose Proton VPN?
- You want a one-device free plan with no data limit.
- You prefer open-source production apps and five annual reports linked publicly.
- Ten paid-plan connections cover your device needs.
- You want Proton-specific features or the wider bundle after checking the current plan.
Final verdict: Surfshark or Proton VPN?
Choose Surfshark for one paid account across an unrestricted number of devices. The device policy is clear and the dated US capture supplies a concrete first-term total, though renewal still needs checking.
Choose Proton VPN for inspectable privacy evidence or a one-device free route. Open-source production apps and five consecutive annual reports provide more evidence layers.
No current QuickVPNs performance winner is declared. Continue with NordVPN vs Surfshark, NordVPN vs Proton VPN, and best VPN for privacy.
How we evaluated Surfshark vs Proton VPN
Evidence checked August 30, 2026. This revision uses official sources and withholds uncompleted hands-on conclusions.
| Evidence layer | What we checked |
|---|---|
| Plans | Official pricing pages, device rules, free-plan limits, refund terms, and renewal presentation |
| Privacy | Privacy policies, Surfshark’s public 2025 Deloitte report, and Proton VPN’s 2026 audit announcement and linked reports |
| Transparency | Open-source status and public report access |
| Not yet claimed | QuickVPNs speed, latency, leak, kill-switch, streaming, P2P, usability, and restricted-network results |
The versioned source pack preserves full URLs and capture limitations. Commercial provider links remain managed affiliate redirects. Read our editorial policy and testing methodology.
Surfshark vs Proton VPN FAQ
Is Proton VPN better than Surfshark?
Proton VPN has more inspectable privacy evidence and a free plan. Surfshark has the simpler unlimited-device policy. The better choice depends on evidence preference, simultaneous-device needs, live price, and platform support.
Which is cheaper, Surfshark or Proton VPN?
Proton VPN Free costs nothing for one connection. Surfshark has no free plan; its paid Starter plan showed $67.23 for the first 27 months in our August 30 US capture. Proton’s paid values were dynamic, so compare today’s paid totals and renewals directly.
Which has better privacy evidence?
Proton VPN links five consecutive annual no-logs reports and publishes its production app source code. Surfshark publishes a 2025 Deloitte report and a detailed privacy policy. Proton supplies more evidence layers; both audits remain limited to their stated scope and period.
Can Proton VPN Free replace Surfshark?
It can fit one device if the Free plan’s locations and features meet your needs. It does not match Surfshark’s unlimited connections or every paid feature. Start with your required devices and platforms.
Which is faster, Surfshark or Proton VPN?
QuickVPNs has not completed a current reproducible head-to-head speed test, so this revision does not name a winner.
Continue comparing VPNs
Surfshark vs Proton VPN: Privacy and Value Compared: evidence trail and next steps
Methodology: claims above are tied to dated official sources. Hands-on speed, streaming, leak, and restricted-network conclusions remain excluded until the same reproducible protocol is complete for every compared provider.
Review the VPN Guides hub, Review more privacy and security VPN guides, or review how we test VPN services.
