VPN comparison · 2026
Proton VPN vs Surfshark (2026 Comparison)
Side-by-side: pricing, features, pros, cons, and our editorial winner for vpn.
Winner summary
Proton VPN vs Surfshark: how they differ
We have not scored Proton VPN against our rubric yet, so we are not naming an overall winner here. The dimensions below are still directly comparable.
Cheaper
Surfshark
Higher rated
Not compared
Better free tier
Proton VPN
Proton VPN
Privacy-first VPN with a real free tier
Not yet scored
$4.99/mo
Feature comparison
| Dimension | Proton VPN | Surfshark |
|---|---|---|
| Starting price | $4.99/mo | $2.19/mo |
| Free trial | Free plan | 30-day money-back |
| Best for | Privacy maximalists | Families & multi-device |
| Badge | — | Best Value |
Proton VPN key features
- Free unlimited-data tier
- Secure Core (Swiss/Iceland routing)
- Open-source apps
- WireGuard + Stealth
- Audited no-logs
Surfshark key features
- Unlimited devices
- 3,200+ servers / 100 countries
- CleanWeb ad blocker
- Bypasser split-tunneling
- Audited no-logs
Proton VPN — pros & cons
Pros
- Best free tier in the market
- Open-source & frequent audits
- Strong Swiss jurisdiction
Cons
- Free servers can be slow
- Streaming unblocking less consistent
Surfshark — pros & cons
Pros
- Cheapest premium VPN
- Unlimited simultaneous devices
- Solid speeds on WireGuard
Cons
- Renewal jumps to ~$60/yr
- Smaller server count vs Nord
When to pick which
Choose Proton VPN if…
- Activists & journalists
- Free privacy
- Linux users
Choose Surfshark if…
- Family sharing
- Multi-device households